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.

09.08.11

Murkowski Welcomes Report on Spurring Energy and Job Creation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the release of a report by the Senate and Congressional Western Caucuses focused on the jobs that could be created through the responsible development of America's natural resources. Many of the bills highlighted in the report are awaiting a hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, of which Sen. Murkowski is the ranking member. "I applaud Sen. Barrasso and the Western Caucuses for focusing on se… Continue Reading


09.08.11

Murkowski, Begich Laud Judiciary Vote For Christen, Gleason

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Judiciary Committee today approved the nominations of Alaska Supreme Court Justice Morgan Christen and Alaska Superior Court Presiding Judge Sharon Gleason in a unanimous, bipartisan voice vote. The nominations now head to the U.S. Senate floor for a final confirmation vote. "I'm optimistic that today's vote is a clear signal of momentum for these candidacies and, very soon, Justice Christen and Judge Gleason will be the first Alaska women confirmed to the federal… Continue Reading


09.07.11

Alaskan Issues Get Funding, Support in Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, DC - Alaska's Coast Guard, energy projects, waterway and port improvements and Village Safe Water projects have had millions in needed funds allotted from several subcommittees' proposed fiscal year 2012 appropriations bills -- and today were supported by Senator Murkowski and her colleagues in the Senate Appropriations Committee. The appropriations bills now head to the U.S. Senate floor for consideration. The following Alaskan issues also came up: Frankenfish legislation: Midwa… Continue Reading


09.07.11

Alaska’s Senators Join in Bipartisan Resolution Designating National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich today joined 9 of their U.S. Senate colleagues to cosponsor a bipartisan Senate Resolution recognizing the week of September 12, 2011 as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. The bill is designed to call attention to the fact that approximately 90 million American adults struggle with literacy, numeracy and English language skills, many of which are necessary to gain employment and help their children in school. "Literacy… Continue Reading


09.06.11

Alaska’s Coast Guard Gets Funding For Aircraft, Icebreaker Work

WASHINGTON, DC - Millions of dollars for Alaska have been included in the Department of Homeland Security's 2012 appropriations bill that passed the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee today on a bipartisan vote, including that of Senator Lisa Murkowski - a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The DHS appropriations bill now goes to the full Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration. The bill includes $10.351 billion dollars to help fund Coast Guard operatio… Continue Reading


09.01.11

Murkowski Gets Answers for Alaska’s Rural Educators

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski took part in a Department of Education (Education) online forum yesterday to ask important unanswered questions surrounding the details of possible No Child Left Behind (NCLB) waivers for Alaska, learning Education's decisions will be made public in approximately two weeks, and educators are still welcome to contribute comments. She took advantage of the Department of Education's Rural Education Twitter Town Hall to do so. Department of Education Secr… Continue Reading


08.30.11

Murkowski Bolsters Policy Team With New Staff

ANCHORAGE, AK - Senator Lisa Murkowski has hired three new staff members to help her shape upcoming work with an Alaska-centric vision: a Legislative Director and two Legislative Assistants. "When Congress reconvenes next week, we are going to hit the ground running on issues crucial to our unique state," said Murkowski. "These new staffers bring years of expertise to the table and I welcome their contributions on behalf of Alaska." Tara L. Shaw is the new Legislative Director for Senator Mur… Continue Reading


08.23.11

Murkowski Comments On Federal - Industry Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed an agreement between federal regulators and companies invested in the responsible development of Alaska's offshore resources in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas. "This agreement recognizes both our need to continue to gather information about the waters that surround us and the fact that it is through responsible exploration by industry that we will get that information," Murkowski said. "We should always strive to gather more … Continue Reading


08.22.11

“Libya Is On The Verge of Becoming a Different Country”

ANCHORAGE, AK - With rebels overtaking Libya's capital city of Tripoli, the four-decade reign of Colonel Muammar el-Qaddafi is ending. Senator Murkowski shared her thoughts of the events: "Muammar el-Qaddafi's loyalists are growing smaller in number every hour today, and Libya is on the verge of becoming a different country. Libyans have an opportunity to write their own chapter of freedom and liberty into their country's history books. "The days and weeks ahead will be difficult for the cou… Continue Reading


08.18.11

Murkowski on BOEMRE Releasing Final SEIS For Chukchi Sea Oil & Gas Lease Sale 193

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski released the following statement after the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) released a final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193: "For the sake of Alaska and America, we've been working relentlessly to develop the resources under the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. The thousands of Alaskans who commented helped make this critical step happen. This will encou… Continue Reading


08.15.11

Murkowski Responds to Kenai Lowe’s Closure

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today commented on the sudden closure of the Lowe's home improvement store in Kenai:"I was disappointed to hear that Lowe's decided late Sunday evening to close their retail store in Kenai, one of four stores they operate in Alaska. It is my understanding that the store's employees, the City of Kenai and the community had very little notice of the company's action."Since opening its first stores in Alaska, Lowe's has been one of the top retailers and lar… Continue Reading


08.15.11

Murkowski Responds to Anvik Crash

Yesterday, a small plane carrying teachers crashed on the way to Anvik. Long-time teacher, 52 year old Julia Walker, and 66 year old pilot Ernest Chase both died in the crash. The other four passengers on the flight sustained injuries but are recovering in Anchorage. Senator Murkowski responded to the news:"I am grief-stricken to hear the news of Julia Walker and Ernest Chase. It is difficult to think of two things more crucial to rural Alaska than teachers and pilots. Pilots connect villages… Continue Reading


08.15.11

Murkowski: Federal Jurisdiction Limited on State Waters

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following comments at a roundtable discussion on the jurisdictional issues related to navigable waterways on federal lands in Alaska: "Alaskans from all over the State are frustrated with the ongoing dispute over jurisdiction over the navigable waters in our State. Continued uncertainty about who's in charge - and how those agencies will enforce their regulations - only serves to harm Alaskan residents who need and deserve … Continue Reading


08.12.11

Murkowski: Law Clear on No More Wilderness in Alaska

WASHINGTON, D.C. ­ U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today criticized the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for considering forever locking up America's oil resources contained beneath the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) by designating the area as "wilderness." "Despite claims to the contrary, the Fish and Wildlife Services' efforts to designate new wilderness areas in Alaska is a violation of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. The law is cle… Continue Reading


08.09.11

Murkowski: “Uncle Ted Was a Giant”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski spoke to Alaskans on August 9th, one year after a plane crash took the life of Senator Ted Stevens: "Alaskans, one year ago today we lost a legend: the architect and father of our great state: Theodore Fulton Stevens. Most of us, though, just called him 'Uncle Ted.' We all remember the emotion and tragedy we experienced a year ago, but it's crucial we remember the outpouring of support and respect that crossed every age group, every race and culture … Continue Reading


08.05.11

Murkowski Bill Helps Kids Keep Up, Not Drop Out

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski has introduced legislation to fight nationwide dropout rates by instituting preventative measures and proactively identifying the first signs of students sliding off-course - as early as Pre-K on through high school. "No child wakes up one day and decides to drop out of school," said Murkowski. "It starts as a bad day, turns into frustration over time and ends up as a trajectory in the wrong direction." Entitled the 'Early Intervention for Graduation S… Continue Reading


08.04.11

Murkowski Comments on FAA Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski released the following statement after a short-term agreement between the Senate and House of Representatives was reached to extend FAA authorization: "I am pleased that Congress was able to come to an agreement on a FAA extension. This compromise puts thousands of Americans back to work, including 79 Alaskans, and puts vital airport improvement projects back on track. Congress needs to work toward a long-term FAA authorization bill, which is import… Continue Reading


08.04.11

Sen. Murkowski Welcomes Conditional Approval of Beaufort Sea Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commended the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) for issuing conditional approval of Shell's revised exploration plan for the Beaufort Sea. "Shell has been working to secure approval of this plan for over five years," Murkowski said. "This is another positive step forward, and I'm hopeful that they will soon be able to move forward with exploration and production in the Beaufort." "If this plan i… Continue Reading


08.04.11

Murkowski Announces Agenda for Sec. Salazar, Sen. Reed Trip

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski today announced the itinerary of her August travels across Alaska with Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, chairman of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. "Sometimes when Alaskan issues are discussed in Washington, things get lost in translation because policymakers simply don't know enough about our state," Murkowski said. "I look forward to showing Secretary Salazar and Senator Reed the promise Alaska has to… Continue Reading


08.03.11

Murkowski Bill Boosts Health Care Access for Alaskan Children

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced legislation with fellow Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) that would allow parents to purchase insurance for their children across state lines, after a provision in the recent health care reform law resulted in Alaskan carriers not allowing new enrollees. "One of the unintended consequences of health care reform is that it has made it difficult for children to be insured if their parents or grandparents don't have coverage… Continue Reading

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