Press Releases
Media Requests: Members of the media can contact the press office by emailing Joseph_Plesha@murkowski.senate.gov or by calling 206-302-8317 and asking for the press office.
Sen. Murkowski: Keystone Bill Promotes U.S. Jobs, Energy Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today cosponsored legislation that would require the Obama administration to issue a construction permit for the Keystone XL pipeline within 60 days. "A decision on Keystone is pretty straightforward - we're either serious about creating jobs and spurring economic growth or we're not. There's no downside here. The Obama administration has put politics ahead of common sense and I think this legislation will help ensure federal review of … Continue Reading
11.29.11
Murkowski Speaks to “Arctic Tough, Resilient and Brave” 4th Brigade
Senator Lisa Murkowski today spoke to thousands of members of the 4th AIRBORNE Brigade Combat Team - the "Spartan Brigade" - and their families as they prepare to for a year-long mission deployment to Afghanistan. Some moments from Senator Murkowski's speech: "Every American soldier is an ambassador of American exceptionalism. I am told that this brigade has a certain reputation. You are a cut above the rest. Arctic tough, resilient and brave. Blessed with strong officers and NCOs, you fight… Continue Reading
11.29.11
Murkowski to Obama: Rethink General Aviation Fees
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski wrote a letter to President Obama, taking issue with the Administration's recent proposal to impose a $100 fee per flight on general aviation aircraft, as a way to reduce the nation's growing deficit. "I write to voice my opposition to your Administration's recent proposal to impose user fees on general aviation aircraft," Murkowski wrote. "While I agree that our nation's debt must be reduced, increasing taxes on general aviation aircraft through new u… Continue Reading
11.28.11
Murkowski Calls for Independent Investigation on Allen Case
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski has contacted the US Department of Justice (DOJ), calling for an "objective, thorough and independent investigation" to determine why the federal government is declining to prosecute Bill Allen over allegations he transported Paula Roberds across state lines for immoral and exploitive purposes. In a letter, Murkowski also asked two DOJ independent investigating offices to look into why the Justice Department halted the State of Alaska's efforts to prosec… Continue Reading
11.23.11
Interior Spikes Proposed BLM Restrictions on Gun Owners
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's decision to reverse a new Bureau of Land Management policy proposal that threatened to restrict recreational shooting and hunting opportunities on public lands. Salazar's decision comes just days after Murkowski questioned Interior officials about the proposed policy at a Nov. 17 hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Murkowski had also prepared legislation, to be intro… Continue Reading
11.23.11
Murkowski Wishes Alaskans Happy Thanksgiving
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the following reflections on Thanksgiving Day: "It has now been 222 years since George Washington himself designated Thanksgiving Day as 'a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God.' "Other countries have followed our lead in the centuries since, but this makes Thanksgiving itself an example of America leading by example, of our shared heritage - an… Continue Reading
11.23.11
Murkowski: USS Anchorage Should Be Commissioned In Anchorage
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski wrote Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, encouraging him to have the Navy commission the USS Anchorage - a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship - in Anchorage once it completes its sea trials. "Alaskan hospitality is legendary. It is well known through the Armed Forces that no people support our men and women in uniform more enthusiastically than the people of Alaska," Murkowski wrote. Murkowski concluded that "the commissioning ceremony p… Continue Reading
11.22.11
Murkowski Pushes Investigation of Stolen Military Medical Records
Washington, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced an amendment to the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act that calls for a Department of Defense Inspector General investigation into the theft of 4.9 million TRICARE records containing personal information of active duty service members, military families and retirees from the vehicle of a military contractor. TRICARE is the health care program serving the military, retirees and their families worldwide. "Our military families are justifia… Continue Reading
11.22.11
Murkowski Staffer Provides Details on "Human Side" of Storm
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today received information and images from staff member Bob Walsh upon his return from a three-day, 11 village tour of Western Alaska storm damage. Walsh, a Nome native, visited communities impacted by the violent weather system in early November - including Nome, Unalakleet, Shaktoolik, Kotzebue and Kivalina - and provided Murkowski pictures, anecdotes and experiences he heard from residents. "The constant phone calls with officials and updates were he… Continue Reading
11.21.11
Murkowski Responds to Super Committee Result
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today had the following reaction to the news that the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction will not reach an agreement: "Americans expected and deserved a productive outcome. The 'Super Committee' failed to meet its deadline, not from a lack of trying, and this failure doesn't mean the debate is over. It means we must continue our efforts. If anything, we must double down on our efforts to resolve this issue through a combination of spending … Continue Reading
11.18.11
Murkowski Recognized for Award-Winning Websites
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski is being recognized this year for having two of the best websites in the U.S. Senate - both her personal office's website and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee website, where she is the ranking Republican. "I am proud that my web presence is being recognized as a high quality service for my Alaskan constituents - keeping them connected across the 4,000 miles and four time zones between home and DC," said Murkowski. "Whether it's utiliz… Continue Reading
11.17.11
Key Alaska Needs Cross the Finish Line on Capitol Hill
Washington, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today supported final passage of an appropriations bill that combines three appropriations bills - meaning millions for Alaska's infrastructure and industry in the next fiscal year have been sent to President Obama for his signature. Murkowski serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and 6 different Appropriations Subcommittees. When signed, many Alaskan imperatives can now count on resources for the next year, including: Village Safe Water:… Continue Reading
11.17.11
Murkowski Asks BLM to Clarify Proposed Recreational Shooting Restrictions on Public Lands
WASHINGTON, D.C. - During today's Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, ranking member Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, questioned Interior Department officials about a proposed policy that would restrict recreational shooting on Bureau of Land Management land. (click to watch video) "I've got a real concern about this, as most of my constituents in Alaska clearly do," Murkowski said. "The last time the Department of Interior attempted to regulate guns…, we ended up with … Continue Reading
11.17.11
Oceans Caucus Co-Chair Murkowski Hosts Alaskan Expert
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today convened a briefing of the Senate Oceans Caucus by bringing an expert on the changing ocean environment from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Senator Murkowski is co-chair of the caucus and selected Dr. Jeremy Mathis to speak before the group - spurred by a conversation the two shared during a recent Fairbanks visit. "I am very pleased Dr. Mathis accepted my invitation to present at the Oceans Caucus today," said Murkowski. "I think the information… Continue Reading
11.17.11
Proposed Merger Means Loss of Independence for Regulatory Agency
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed concern and frustration over Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's order to "consolidate" the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). "I'm not convinced the decision to merge OSM into BLM is legally valid or good public policy," Murkowski said at Thursday's Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the issue. "The committees of jurisdiction were not consulted and the Interior's s… Continue Reading
11.16.11
November “National Native American Heritage Month” After Senate Passes Legislation Co-Sponsored by Senator Murkowski
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, the Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution co-sponsored by Senator Murkowski recognizing November as National Native American Heritage Month - and next Friday as Native American Heritage Day. "Forty percent of all the federally recognized tribes in the United States call Alaska home," said Murkowski. "So I am proud to call attention to our Alaska's First People - and American Indians and Native Hawaiians, as well - and celebrate their rich contribution to our… Continue Reading
11.16.11
Murkowski to Super Committee: “Let’s Get the Job Done”
WASHINGTON, D.C. -With growing urgency and a rise in bicameral, bipartisan support for a long-term deal, Senator Murkowski today pressed the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction's 12 members to reach an agreement that finds at least $1.2 trillion in savings over the next 10 years. At a U.S. Capitol press conference (footage below), the Senator stood alongside approximately 50 lawmakers on behalf of the over 150 members of the Senate and the House who are encouraging the "Super Committee"… Continue Reading
11.15.11
Murkowski Announces Staff Visit to Storm-Damaged Villages
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced that a member of her staff will be visiting the communities of Nome, Unalakleet, Shaktoolik, Kotzebue and Kivalina to assess the damage of the recent winter storm on much of western Alaska last week. "Though I was receiving continuous updates from state and federal authorities when the storm was threatening so many of our vulnerable villages, now that the skies and seas have calmed I want a first-hand account of where western Alaska stan… Continue Reading
11.15.11
Murkowski Lauds "Historic" Vote for Sharon Gleason, First Alaskan Woman on Federal Bench
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today voted to confirm Alaskan Judge Sharon Gleason to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska, in a overwhelming 87-8 vote preceded by a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate where the Senator praised the nominee. Prior to today's vote, Murkowski sought input from a few of her Alaska bar colleagues to gain additional insight into Gleason's judicial approach - and shared some of the observations with the Senate: "She insists upon litiga… Continue Reading
11.15.11
Murkowski: Regular Review Would Improve Energy Policies
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today gave the following remarks during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the Quadrennial Energy Review Act (S.1703): "I welcome the opportunity to consider the Administration's recent technology review and our bipartisan legislation to establish a Quadrennial Energy Review. "I have long believed that our nation needs to develop an energy policy that can endure - a policy that won't be completely revamped every … Continue Reading