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: Roadless Ruling Hurts Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement regarding the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that upheld the Clinton-era Roadless Rule prohibiting most economic activity in nearly 50 million acres of national forests. "I am disappointed in the court's ruling. The roadless rule never made sense for Southeast Alaska, where 98 percent of the land is federally owned. Previous agreements with the federal government recognized that fact and su… Continue Reading
10.20.11
Murkowski Votes For Commerce Nominee Bryson
Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted for John Bryson, President Obama's Nominee to head the Department of Commerce, issuing the following statement afterwards: "I voted to confirm Mr. Bryson, but not without reservations. Though his experience in fisheries is lacking, he has received strong support across many sectors of our business community." "Just prior to the vote, I spoke with Mr. Bryson and received personal assurances that not only is he committed, but he knows and understands the signi… Continue Reading
10.19.11
ECONOMIC TOWN HALL MEETINGS ANNOUNCED
WASHINGTON, D.C. -As Congress debates a path for long-term financial stability, Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced that during the upcoming October recess next week, she will be holding a series of economic town halls to share with Alaskans her view of the decisions ahead - and to hear from Alaskans about their thoughts. "While the 'Super Committee' works on Capitol Hill, I want to open up this process to all of Alaska," said Murkowski. "This issue touches every Alaskan and every town, and… Continue Reading
10.19.11
Murkowski Applauds Settlement of Seward Peninsula Lands Claims
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following comment upon Senate passage yesterday of the Salmon Lake Land Selection Resolution Act, which ratifies a settlement between the state of Alaska, the federal Bureau of Land Management and the Bering Straits Native Corp., completing land conveyances promised in the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA): "As we near the 40th anniversary of passage of ANCSA, it is great news that legislation resolving the r… Continue Reading
10.19.11
Murkowski: Social Security COLA Increase is Welcome News
Washington, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski had the following reaction upon hearing the news that Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase 3.6% at the beginning of 2012: "America is facing a series of difficult decisions and rethought priorities when it comes to dealing with our nation's mounting debt and deficit, but for those who rely on social security -and can tell you the day of the month it comes in the mail - this is welcome news." Some other changes tha… Continue Reading
10.18.11
Murkowski: “Alaska is Not Just the Last Frontier. It is Truly Our Best Option.”
Washington, DC - At times educational and historic, other times scathing and critical, Senator Lisa Murkowski today took to the U.S. Senate floor to commemorate the 144th anniversary of Alaska Day. She set a sober tone early in the speech when she shared that she is "worried about the future of Alaska - not because of the global economy, not because of high unemployment levels, but because of the treatment we experience at the hands of our own federal government." The Senator then reminded her … Continue Reading
10.18.11
Murkowski: Our Icebreaking Capacity as an Arctic Nation Just Simply is Unacceptable
Russia 33, United States 1 Murkowski: "Our Icebreaking Capacity as an Arctic Nation Just Simply is Unacceptable" Washington, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today highlighted America's shortfall of icebreakers in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing - in a question to United States Coast Guard Vice Admiral Brian Salerno. "The current status of our icebreaking capacity as an Arctic Nation just simply is unacceptable," Murkowski stressed. "I think those in the Coast Guard, whose… Continue Reading
10.18.11
Murkowski: U.S. Must be a Leader in Offshore Oil Production
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today stressed the importance of the United States being a leader in offshore energy production, as neighboring countries begin exploring for oil and natural gas along the U.S. maritime border. "It does us no good to complain that offshore drilling is too risky for us to pursue when other nations are busy reaping the benefits right along our borders," Murkowski said. "Neither geology nor ocean currents recognize borders, so we really have… Continue Reading
10.17.11
Sen. Murkowski: Ruling Reinforces Limits on Endangered Species Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following comment regarding a federal judge's ruling on the listing of the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act (ESA): "Today's decision reinforces the position of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that the ESA is not an appropriate tool to address greenhouse gas emissions," Murkowski said. "The misapplication of well-intentioned statutes carries the risk of serious consequences for our struggling economy." ###… Continue Reading
10.17.11
Alaska’s Senators Taking Actions Against Frankenfish
WASHINGTON, DC - In their latest efforts to stop Genetically Engineered (GE) fish from being a reality, U.S. Senators Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski today filed two separate pieces of legislation - Begich by introducing the Prevention of Escapement of Genetically Altered Salmon in the United States (PEGASUS) Act to ban the interstate commerce of GE fish, Murkowski by filing an amendment to the 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill that would prohibit funds from being used by the FDA to approve th… Continue Reading
10.17.11
Murkowski Fighting to “Alaskanize” No Child Left Behind
Washington, dc - Senator Lisa Murkowski is introducing two bills today in advance of a committee markup session to make needed changes for Alaska to No Child Left Behind - as the law is being reauthorized by the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, on which she sits. "I am glad that [HELP Committee] Chairman Harkin wants to make long-overdue changes to improve No Child Left Behind," said Senator Murkowski. "After hearing from Alaskan educators with their ideas t… Continue Reading
10.14.11
Murkowski Joins First Ever Bipartisan Law Enforcement Caucus
WASHINGTON - Senator Lisa Murkowski joined 17 Senate colleagues in launching the first ever U.S. Senate Law Enforcement Caucus this week, with the goals of educating and informing each other about the programs and initiatives keeping our communities safe, while advocating for the policies law enforcement agencies need to carry out their missions. "Whether they're policemen patrolling Alaska's urban streets or our Village Public Safety Officers, Alaska's law enforcement officers deserve support… Continue Reading
10.14.11
Murkowski: Critical Alaska Projects in 2012 Interior Bill
Washington, DC - A number of key projects and priorities for Alaska are contained within the final draft of the 2012 Senate Interior Appropriations bill, made public today. Senator Lisa Murkowski, Ranking Republican on the Committee today made the following statement: "Today, Chairman Reed and I released a draft version of the Senate Interior bill to the public on the Senate Committee on Appropriations website," Murkowski said. "This is a very important piece of legislation for the State of A… Continue Reading
10.14.11
Alaska Delegation Introduces Bill to Name Anchorage Federal Courthouse
In an effort to recognize his decades of service to Alaska and the country, the Alaska Congressional Delegation has introduced legislation to name the federal courthouse in Anchorage after the late Judge James M. Fitzgerald. Judge Fitzgerald served Alaska from 1959 to 2006 on the first Alaska Superior Court bench, on the Alaska Supreme Court, and on the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. "Judge Fitzgerald was one of the finest jurists ever to serve the people of Alaska and the Uni… Continue Reading
10.13.11
Murkowski Congratulates Ft. Yukon Elder for Presidential Citizens Medal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski today made the following comment after receiving news that Fort Yukon's Clarence Lee Alexander will receive the Presidential Citizens Medal -- the second highest civilian honor from President Obama next week, for his contributions to his community: "I am proud that one of our very own Alaskans is the recipient of such a prestigious award. It reminds me of the famous Margaret Mead quote ~ Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people t… Continue Reading
10.13.11
Alaska’s Senators Laud Target’s Sustainable Seafood Mission
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich today welcomed Target's announcement that it plans to sell only sustainable and traceable seafood in its stores nationwide - and imposing a deadline of 2015 to reach that goal. This commitment from the billion-dollar chain will improve business and demand for Alaska's fisheries, while providing additional nationwide visibility for the state's seafood products. "Alaska's fisheries are an economic engine for our state and serve as the nat… Continue Reading
10.12.11
Murkowski Supports Free Trade Agreements With South Korea, Panama and Colombia
Washington, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted for three free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia - citing the many benefits of expanding trade for Alaska businesses. She issued the following statement afterwards: "Building financial relationships with the international community and supplying American goods to the world are the soundest stimulus plan we've seen this week - and a long-time coming. "These 3 free trade agreements are good news for Alaska. In 2010, Alaska… Continue Reading
10.12.11
Murkowski Calls for Answers to NPR-A CD-5 Letter
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today questioned Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy on her lack of response to a Sept. 20 letter inquiring about the status of the proposed Colville River bridge in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). The exchange can be viewed here and Murkowski's letter is attached. Background Last month, Murkowski sent a letter to Assistant Secretary Darcy requesting a timely resolution of permitting roadbl… Continue Reading
10.12.11
Sen. Murkowski Introduces Reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, entered the following remarks into the congressional record today on the introduction of bipartisan legislation to re-authorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (S. 1692): "Over 100 years ago this Congress passed a law which formed a compact with counties, boroughs and parishes in rural America where the National Forests are located. That compact stipulated that the Forest Service would share 25 percent of its … Continue Reading
10.12.11
Murkowski to Hold Senate Hearing on Alaska Native Youth Suicide
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she will be holding a Senate Indian Affairs Committee Field Hearing on H.O.P.E.- Helping Our People Engage on October 22, 2011 - during next week's AFN Convention in Anchorage. "I will be conducting a field hearing of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee to really delve into more of the issues surrounding youth suicide, some of the connections that we know to be at play, whether it's depression, whether it's witnessing acts of viol… Continue Reading
