05.26.11

Murkowski Proposes Bill to Streamline Road Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today proposed the Project Delivery Improvement Act to strengthen and streamline the road construction and improvement process nationwide. "Alaska has over 15,000 thousand miles of public roads, nearly all of which could see faster improvements with this bill," said Murkowski. "Just as Alaska enters our summer construction season, I'm hopeful this bill will create a smoother road to safe and vital transportation in future years." The Project … Continue Reading

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05.26.11

Murkowski: Roadless Settlement Handcuffs Southeast Economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following comment concerning a federal judge's decision to accept a settlement proposal by the U.S. Forest Service in Organized Village of Kake, et. al. v. USDA. The settlement re-imposes the 2001 roadless rule in the Tongass National Forest. "The settlement catches the communities in Southeast in a terrible trap. While the agreement provides limited protection for a handful of energy and mineral projects, it e… Continue Reading

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05.26.11

Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Critical Minerals Supply Chain

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today introduced the Critical Minerals Policy Act, along with Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska), Jim Webb (D-Virginia), James Risch (R-Idaho), Kay Hagan (D-North Carolina), Roy Blunt (R-Missouri), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota), Thad Cochran (R-Mississippi), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Dean Heller (R-Nevada), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Clair… Continue Reading

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05.25.11

Murkowski Statement on Budget Votes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski today released the following statement regarding the series of four budget votes, including her vote in favor of Senator Pat Toomey's (R-PA) proposal: "I share the views of Alaskans that inaction on the budget is no longer an option. After reviewing the available proposals, I concluded Senator Toomey's proposal was the best starting point to begin addressing the nation's deepening deficit from the spending side, and a step forward in negotiating t… Continue Reading

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05.25.11

Murkowski Supports Bill to Complete Sealaska Lands Exchange

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following comments in favor of legislation that would allow Southeast Alaska's Sealaska Native Regional Corp. to complete the land selection promised to its shareholders nearly 40 years ago under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA): "This legislation is important not only to keep the legal promise the federal government made in ANCSA, but also to ensure the survival of the remaining timber operations … Continue Reading

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05.25.11

Senator Murkowski’s statement on the passing of Lefty Van Brunt:

"Today, I share the thoughts of Alaska's entire baseball community in mourning the passing of Lefty Van Brunt. Lefty blazed a trail in a league that itself was a sports world pioneer - The Alaska Baseball League. "Lefty came to Alaska over a half-century ago and devoted his life to teaching Alaska's youth the simple joys of the National Pastime - a sacrifice bunt, clever defensive fieldwork - and for that we are forever grateful. He embraced teaching future pros all the way to little … Continue Reading

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05.24.11

Murkowski: USPS Move Poses Threat to Alaskan Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today sent a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, warning him the impending restructuring and relocation of Alaska's Western Area Distribution Networks office to Denver without a transition period is short-sighted. "Alaska's mail service is more complicated than the majority of systems nationwide," said Murkowski. "I understand the United States Postal Service needs to rethink everything to keep its costs under control, but this position … Continue Reading

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05.24.11

Murkowski Remembers Reverend Doctor Walter Soboleff

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Murkowski, R-AK, released the following statement regarding the passing of Reverend Doctor Walter Soboleff: "Reverend Soboleff wanted to be remembered as one who tried to do his best in a time of changing culture and one who took positives from both the Native and Western worlds. I think I can speak for all of Alaska when I say he achieved that goal. "I would like to offer Reverend Soboleff's family and many friends my heartfelt condolences. Know that he serve… Continue Reading

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05.23.11

Murkowski: America “Waking Up” To the Fact We’re An Arctic Nation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski today took to the Senate floor and stressed to her colleagues the importance of the Arctic, and how the national political conversation should reflect the realities and possibilities that come along with that. "I am pleased that ever so slowly, the United States seems to be waking up to the fact that we are, indeed, an Arctic nation," Sen. Murkowski said. Sen. Murkowski returned earlier this month from a historic trip to Nuuk, Greenland wher… Continue Reading

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05.23.11

Murkowski: Medicare “Empowerment” Bill Would Expand Options

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today introduced a bill that would cut through bureaucratic red tape and allow seniors wider access to medical professionals through the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act. "At the age when many Americans begin to need extra medical attention, the current Medicare system puts hurdles in their path to care," said Murkowski. "Now more than ever, with the added scrutiny Medicare is getting, our seniors need solutions and certainty." The Medicare Pati… Continue Reading

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05.20.11

Murkowski: Revised EIS Should Help Resolve Challenges in Chukchi, Allow Exploration to Move Forward

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the release by the Bureau of Ocean Energy, Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) of a revised supplemental environmental impact statement for oil and natural gas development in the Chukchi Sea. "It's my hope that this additional analysis on the potential impacts on the region will help resolve the legal challenges that have held up resource exploration in the Chukchi Sea," Murkowski said. "There's still a … Continue Reading

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05.20.11

Murkowski: President Obama’s Middle East Plan “Incomprehensible”

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to President Obama's Middle East speech: "It's incomprehensible that just as the Middle East and Northern Africa are moving swiftly into the future this spring, President Obama is trying to move the clock backwards in Israel. His pronouncement that Israel commit to living within its pre-1967 borders places our most consistent ally in the region at heightened danger during a time of turbulence there. "I have long held the vie… Continue Reading

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05.19.11

ROADLESS RULE THREATENS SOUTHEAST ALASKA ECONOMY

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today questioned U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell on the potential consequences for the economy of Southeast Alaska of a proposed court settlement that would impose roadless protections on the Tongass National Forest. "The court decision on the roadless rule holds the economy of Southeast Alaska hostage and it must be dealt with and I remain unconvinced that the settlement agreement proposed by the Forest Service resolves anything b… Continue Reading

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05.19.11

Senator Lisa Murkowski’s statement on today’s cloture vote regarding the nomination of Goodwin Liu for the 9th Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals:

"I stated during the Bush Administration that judicial nominations deserved an up or down vote, except in "extraordinary circumstances" and my position has not changed simply because there is a different President making the nominations." ###… Continue Reading

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05.19.11

Murkowski Comments on Vehicles Legislation Considered by Energy Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed optimism that the members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee could find common ground on policies that both increase oil supply and reduce oil demand. Murkowski's comments came during a full committee hearing on two bills that seek to reduce domestic fuel consumption: S. 734, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act, and S. 948, the Promoting Electric Vehicles Act. "Earlier this week we considered severa… Continue Reading

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05.18.11

Murkowski’s statement on the nomination of Morgan Christen for the Ninth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals

Senator Lisa Murkowski's statement on the nomination of Morgan Christen for the Ninth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals -- "Judge Christen is an outstanding choice to fill Alaska's sole seat on the Ninth Circuit. Over the course of a decade on the bench she has a track record of impartial, intelligent and fair judgments that demonstrate respect for the rule of law and the role of the judiciary in our democratic system. "Judge Christen and I entered the practice of law around the same time.… Continue Reading

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05.18.11

Murkowski on IED Protection For Troops: “We Must Do Better”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today questioned the United States Army Chief of Staff how the Army can better protect soldiers from the gruesome and deadly weapon-of-choice in Afghanistan, the Improvised Explosive Device (IED). "We've seen 21st technology robotic devices sent to Mars, we've seen them deployed thousands of feet underwater," said Murkowski. "Why can't we get the technology right to protect our men and women in uniform?" Senator Murkowski posed this question an… Continue Reading

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05.18.11

Murkowski Spotlights Alaska Native Health Disparities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski joined colleagues across the aisle to commemorate "Minority Health Awareness," in a resolution that passed the Senate unanimously. "Alaska Natives, and many minorities nationwide, suffer health problems at an alarmingly high rate," said Murkowski. "There are many reasons and many factors at play - but the first step to fixing the problem, simply, is spotlighting the problem through information." Senator Murkowski was the lead Republican co-spons… Continue Reading

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05.18.11

Murkowski Seeks to Clarify FERC/EPA Collaboration on Electric Reliability

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, on Tuesday sent a letter to members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission seeking clarification on their collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency on proposed climate, water and other rules that could force the shutdown of the nation's coal-fired electricity fleet. "I am deeply concerned about the potential impact these rules may have on the reliability and affordability of our nation's electricity supply," Murkow… Continue Reading

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05.17.11

Murkowski’s Response on Decision to End Denali Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement regarding the announcement that BP and ConocoPhillips were ending their joint Denali project to develop a pipeline to ship Alaska North Slope natural gas to the Lower 48: "While it's disappointing that BP and ConocoPhillips have decided to shut down their Denali project, there remains a lot of interest in getting Alaska's natural gas off the North Slope to Alaska households and bigger markets … Continue Reading