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 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
10.11.11
Murkowski: “Let’s Tackle This Problem Head On”
Washington, dc - Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted against proceeding to Senate bill S. 1660, the American Jobs Act, and issued the following statement after she cast her vote: "I voted against proceeding with the American Jobs Act because it is not the solid, comprehensive plan that our country needs. Even the Treasury Secretary has said that of the over 14 million Americans presently unemployed, the bill will help only 7 percent find work. "I understand the fear and frustration of Americ… Continue Reading
10.11.11
Murkowski Votes Against “Short-Sighted” Currency Bill
Washington, dc - Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted against U.S. Senate bill S.1619, the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Act of 2011: "This bill is a short-sighted approach that's more political than practical, with serious negative possible impacts on Alaska and across America. China is Alaska's second largest export market, behind Japan - we sold $920 million worth of seafood, forest products and mineral ore to China in 2010 alone. These attempted punitive measures could have serious ramif… Continue Reading
10.06.11
Rural Alaska’s Internet Connectivity “Absolutely Inadequate”
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski called national attention today to the lack of Internet infrastructure in rural Alaska in a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing. "Nearly 40% of Alaska's land area doesn't have reliable high speed broad band internet," Murkowski said. "It would be the equivalent area of Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and parts of Ohio having an absolutely inadequate access to what everybody else in the country knows and expe… Continue Reading
10.06.11
MURKOWSKI, MERKLEY, MORAN, TESTER INTRODUCE PROTECTING RURAL POST OFFICES BILL
Washington, DC -A bipartisan coalition of Senators today introduced the Protecting Rural Post Offices Act, which would require that a post office closure cannot result in more than a ten mile distance between post offices, measured on roads with year-round access. The bill is sponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Jon Tester (D-MT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark Begich (D-AK), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). "In Oregon, 80% of the post offices on the potential closure list are more… Continue Reading
10.05.11
Murkowski Lauds Former Alaskan’s Nobel Prize
Bartlett High School Alum Brian Schmidt ('85) and his research team has been honored with the 2011 Nobel Prize for Physics for his work in Astrophysics. Upon hearing the news, Senator Murkowski had the following thoughts: "All Alaskans - and Alaskan educators especially - are proud that one of our former students has been awarded with one of the most significant international awards in the world: The Nobel Prize. "Brian's findings have led many experts in the field of astrophysics to rethink … Continue Reading
10.05.11
Murkowski Introduces Reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced she will co-sponsor a bipartisan effort to re-authorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The bill, to be introduced within the next week, will extend payments to boroughs and unorganized communities and schools in southeast and southcentral Alaska for five years, beginning in 2012. The legislation would also extend Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) to boroughs and unorganized communities in the … Continue Reading
10.05.11
Murkowski: "Time Out" On New Regulations
Washington, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she is joining her colleague Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) as a co-sponsor of the Regulatory Time Out Act of 2011 (S.1538) that would create more regulatory certainty for job creators and some breathing room for employers with 4,257 new rules up for consideration. "Our businesses are wasting hours and productivity on paperwork and don't need more boxes to check; they need more time to work and create opportunities for new employees," Murk… Continue Reading
10.04.11
Murkowski Files Critical Minerals Amendment to Currency Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Dean Heller, R-Nevada, today filed an amendment promoting the domestic production of critical minerals to the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform bill currently being debated on the Senate floor. The amendment (S. Amdt. 673) would help create jobs by addressing the domestic critical minerals supply chain in a comprehensive way. Majority Leader Reid, D-Nevada, has moved to prevent votes on all amendments, but Murkowski hopes that … Continue Reading
10.04.11
Murkowski Hires Stefanie Moreland as Fisheries Advisor
Washington - Senator Murkowski today announced she has selected Stefanie Moreland to be her legislative aide covering fisheries issues and Arctic matters. "Alaska's fisheries are one of our largest economic drivers - employing more people in Alaska than the oil and gas and mining industries combined - so Alaska needs a smart, strong advocate," said Murkowski. "Stefanie's expertise and Alaska focus will be a great addition to my staff." An Alaskan for over a decade, Moreland joins Senator Mur… Continue Reading
10.04.11
Murkowski Statement on Katz Resignation
Washington, dc - John Katz, Alaska's Director of State and Federal Relations and Special Counsel to the Governor in Washington, D.C., today announced that he will be retiring at the end of the year. Senator Murkowski issued the following reaction to his statement: "Today's announcement comes as a shock to the system of Alaska. John Katz has worked for the people of Alaska for over half the time we have been a state - always working and fighting tirelessly for Alaska's interests, whether at h… Continue Reading