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.
Murkowski Questions DHS Whether Icebreaker Is A True Priority
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today asked Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano whether the $8 million requested for opening work on a new United States Coast Guard icebreaker truly indicates support for Alaska's and America's needs as an Arctic Nation, given the $860 million total price tag for an icebreaker. After pointing out her concern about the relatively small initial down payment on the project, Senator Murkowski asked the Secretary "My question is whether o… Continue Reading
03.08.12
Attorney General: "Magnitude of Errors" in Stevens Case Warrant Release of Independent Investigation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today pressed United States Attorney General Eric Holder on whether members of the prosecutorial team in the Ted Stevens trial - accused by an independent court appointed investigative counsel of "significant, widespread and at times intentional misconduct" - is using taxpayer dollars to block public release of the independent counsel's report. The prosecution team has spent $1.8 million defending themselves from contempt charges in the Stevens case, most re… Continue Reading
03.07.12
Alaska Leaders Urge Air Force to Conduct Rigorous Eielson Visit
WASHINGTON, DC - Alaska's Washington, DC delegation and Governor Sean Parnell today sent a letter (attached) to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and United States Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz, encouraging the USAF to take a complete and comprehensive look at the proposed move of the F-16 Aggressor squadron from Eielson Air Force Base. In the letter, they express concern that the proposal is based on a "tabletop exercise," in the words of General Schwartz. They also… Continue Reading
03.07.12
Murkowski Discusses “Road Map to the Arctic” With U.S. Navy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today asked Secretary of the United States Navy Ray Mabus whether the Navy is fully considering Alaska's evolving Arctic opportunities in its future plans - particularly with the shifting focus towards Asia and the Pacific. "We've got 5,580 miles of coastline that touch the Arctic and Pacific Oceans. As we all know, this coastline is becoming more accessible - which presents opportunities, but challenges as well," said Murkowski. "Can you inform me what the… Continue Reading
03.06.12
Murkowski Decries Forest Services' 'Restoration to Poverty' Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today pressed U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell on the lack of timber sales in the Tongass National Forest, which are crucial to the economy of Southeast Alaska. Murkowski called the agency's preference for stewardship contracts over timber sales insufficient to meet the economic needs of Southeast communities. Murkowski was also critical of the Forest Service's new policy, as described by Tidwell, of not pursuing any program that mig… Continue Reading
03.02.12
Murkowski, Hastings Call on EIA to Clarify, Re-Release Federal Energy Production Data
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Washington, today sent a letter to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) urging expedited corrections to any potential errors in its data for oil and natural gas production on federal lands. Murkowski and Hastings believe it is incumbent on statistical agencies to provide auditable numbers so the debate can focus on policy, instead of the accuracy of production-related facts. On Jan. 26, EIA rescinded th… Continue Reading
03.02.12
Murkowski: Iditarod Is “National Educational Tool”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Less than 24 hours before the Iditarod's ceremonial start, Senator Lisa Murkowski is spotlighting teachers nationwide who use 'The Last Great Race' as a learning tool - opening up children's minds to Arctic issues and Alaska's unique role in the United States. Across the country, there is an effort to teach science, geography, language arts and other subjects through the Iditarod in elementary schools. Throughout the race, Senator Murkowski will be utilizing social media to sh… Continue Reading
03.02.12
Murkowski: President Continues to Repeat Failed Energy Policies
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement in response to President Obama's call yesterday for tax hikes on domestic oil and gas producers: "There's a simple rule in economics: if you want less of something, tax it. What the president is proposing is a bad idea that has been repeatedly rejected by multiple Congresses, including this one, because it will do nothing to reduce gas… Continue Reading
03.01.12
Murkowski Comments on Introduction of SECURE IT Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today delivered the following speech on the Senate floor on the introduction of the "SECURE IT" Act to strengthen cybersecurity. (Click video to watch speech) "I've come to the floor today to speak about cybersecurity legislation that will soon come before the Senate. There is no question this is a critical issue that should be addressed by this Congress. I'm certain that every member of this body is concerned that our nation may be … Continue Reading
03.01.12
Murkowski: Iran Sanctions Vital to National Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today sent the following letter to the White House calling on the president to fully enforce the sanctions on Iran, and to not tap America's emergency oil stockpiles prematurely, in light of the growing possibility of a major oil supply disruption: "Dear Mr. President: "I write to share my thoughts as you consider your next steps regarding Iran and oil supply. "I strongly urge you not to ease or waive sanctions on Iran. It is critical tha… Continue Reading
03.01.12
Senators Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Cybersecurity
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dan Coats (R-IN), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and Richard Burr (R-NC) today introduced the Strengthening and Enhancing Cybersecurity by Using Research, Education, Information, and Technology Act (SECURE IT), their proposal to protect and secure our nation against cybersecurity attacks. "The SECURE IT Act strengthens America's cybersecurity by promoting c… Continue Reading
02.29.12
Murkowski: Administration’s Words Do Not Match Actions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today joined several of her colleagues to discuss high gasoline prices and Republicans' plans have to alleviate the pain at the pump. (Click picture to watch) "The president has stated that under his administration that we are seeing more increased production then at any other time. It's important to kind of peel back the onion here though and see where we're seeing the production. It's on state lands. It's on private lands. When you … Continue Reading
02.29.12
Murkowski Presses Salazar for Follow-Through on BIA Audits
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today asked Interior Secretary Salazar whether the Bureau of Indian Affairs is collaborating with Alaska Natives as new oversight rules are being considered by the Obama Administration. "In last year's appropriations bill, we inserted language that stated that consultation with the tribes must occur before any changes to the 477 program move forward," Murkowski said. "How is that consultation coming along?" Secretary Salazar informed her that indeed, … Continue Reading
02.29.12
Interior Secretary Sees “Synergies” in NOAA Restructuring
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today asked Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar what he made of the recent White House proposal to have the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) move under the authority of the Interior Department. Secretary Salazar told Senator Murkowski he sees "synergies" in the concept and that reports indicate it is a good idea. "On the question of NOAA and the Department of Interior, there are synergies that could be developed if there was su… Continue Reading
02.29.12
Salazar to Murkowski: Mission is to “Bring the Whole of Government” to Alaska Native Issues
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today asked Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar if he could do more to see that funding for the Indian Health Service keeps up with costs and comparable levels within the Bureau of Indian Affairs. "The budget for contract support costs in the Bureau of Indian Affairs is estimated to be at full funding to cover the costs and I thank you for that," said Murkowski. "But the same account for the Indian Health Service - which provides for the administrative… Continue Reading
02.29.12
Murkowski: Raising Royalties Will Reduce Production on Federal Lands
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today questioned Interior Secretary Ken Salazar about his plan to raise royalty rates for oil development on public land from 12.5 percent to 18.75 percent. The senator's questions came during a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Interior Subcommittee. "America's oil and gas producers have faced an increasingly hostile investment environment under the current administration that has resulted in less interest in federal leases. Secretar… Continue Reading
02.28.12
Senator Murkowski Questions Interior Secretary Salazar on Alaska Issues
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, made the following opening statement during today's Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the Department of Interior's fiscal year 2013 budget request. During her remarks, Murkowski highlighted the enormous cuts to the Alaska Conveyance Program, the strained relations between Alaskans and federal management agencies and the additional and increased fees and royalties for leasing and production on federal lands. In h… Continue Reading
02.28.12
Murkowski: Strategic Reserve Critical to Long-Term Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement in response to calls to release oil from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in an attempt to lower gasoline prices: "Once again we are hearing calls from Democrats to tap our nation's emergency oil supplies to lower prices at the pump. Rising gas prices are painful for all of us, but the SPR is our nation's insurance policy against serious oil supply disruptions, not a political lever to b… Continue Reading
02.27.12
Senator Murkowski's Floor Speech: Production Must be Part of an "All-of-the-Above" Energy Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke on the Senate floor about rising gasoline prices and the need to increase domestic production of oil, especially from Alaska. "The President says that the Republican plan is just to drill, drill, drill, and he says we hear this every year. Why do we hear this every year? Because it is part of the solution. It's not the whole solution, but it is part of the solution. It shouldn't just be part of the rhetoric here." "We ha… Continue Reading
02.27.12
Murkowski: President's 'All-of-the-Above' Energy Statements Omit Many of the Facts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement in response to President Obama's recent comments about rising gasoline prices: "While I welcome the president's stated commitment to develop 'every available' energy source and his reluctant acknowledgment that increasing domestic production does help reduce prices, many of his recent comments and his administration's actions have been disappointing to those of us who have long been working to make en… Continue Reading
