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 Successful in Boosting Rural Water and Waste Water Grant Spending in Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development agency would be required to obligate $65 million in unobligated water and waste water disposal grants in rural Alaska within 90 days of enactment of the Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010. The full Senate today approved the FY 2010 $121.1 billion Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations conference report that includes provi… Continue Reading
10.08.09
Sen. Murkowski Presses for Sealaska and Bering Straits Land Exchanges
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today pressed for passage of two bills that would help complete land conveyances promised under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) to Sealaska Corp. and Bering Straits Native Corp. "Congress passed legislation in 1971 intended to promptly settle Native lands claims in Alaska, and allow them to benefit from their land," Murkowski said. "But Bering Straits and Sealaska have been prevented for nearly four decades from taking … Continue Reading
10.07.09
Defense Conference Bill Would Ensure Fair Retirement Benefits for Federal Workers in Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced today that congressional conferees approved a Defense Authorization bill that would ensure pay and retirement equity for federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. territories.Federal workers in Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. territories currently receive a cost of living allowance (COLA) based on the increased costs of living in those areas," Murkowski said. "But unlike locality pay received by federal employees in high cost ar… Continue Reading
10.06.09
Senate Retains Restoration of Retirement Benefits for Alaska Territorial Guard Members
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced tonight that the Senate rejected an effort by the Obama administration to deny a restoration of military retirement benefits to some two dozen Alaska Territorial Guard members who defended Alaska, then still a territory, during World War II. The Senate passed a $636 billion Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2010 that included a provision, inserted by Murkowski and Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, to restore the retirement ben… Continue Reading
10.01.09
VA Assures Sen. Murkowski that Emergency GI Bill Checks Will Be Available to Alaska Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Veterans Administration has assured U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, that Alaska veterans who have applied to receive enhanced educational benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill but haven't received their checks will be able to obtain up to $3,000 in emergency financial assistance from the VA if they need it. The VA plans to issue checks on the spot to eligible veterans beginning Friday, October 2, at the Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office, 2925 DeBarr Road… Continue Reading
10.01.09
Sen. Murkowski Appeals to President Obama on Alaska Territorial Guard Retirement Benefits
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today called on President Obama to "show some heart and do the right thing" regarding the proposed restoration of military retirement benefits to some two dozen Alaska Territorial Guard members whose World War II service in the ATG was considered active duty service until the Defense Department reversed its position on the matter earlier this year. "I say to President Obama, personally support us in our quest to obtain justice for a few eld… Continue Reading
09.30.09
Murkowski Successful in Boosting Rural Water and Waste Water Grant Spending in Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development agency would be required to obligate $65 million in unobligated water and waste water disposal grants in rural Alaska within 90 days of enactment of the Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2010.A Senate and House conference committee today approved the FY 2010 $121.1 billion Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations conference repo… Continue Reading
09.30.09
Sen. Murkowski’s Comments on Boxer-Kerry Cap-and-Trade Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following comments on the introduction of the Boxer-Kerry cap-and-trade bill: "Right now health care reform is taking center stage, the Senate Finance Committee is marking up the bill and rejecting the massive costs associated with it, yet the Boxer-Kerry climate bill is like déjà vu when we look at how much it costs," Murkowski said. "Once again we are given a massive bill with massive costs." "We must determi… Continue Reading
09.30.09
Murkowski Announces One-Year Delay of New Policy Affecting Some Alaska Military Retirees
WASHINGTON, D.C. - At the urging of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, the Defense Department has exempted Alaskans for one year from a new policy directive that requires military retirees enrolled in TRICARE's Prime Option who live more than 30 minutes or more than 100 miles from a military health facility request and obtain a waiver in order to continue receiving care on base. The exemption expires in late 2010. The decision was made by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Ellen P. Embrey (s… Continue Reading
09.25.09
Alaska Delegation Announces Grants to Alaska Programs
Washington, D.C. - The Alaska Congressional Delegation is pleased to announce the following grants awarded to communities in the State of Alaska: U.S. Department of Agriculture: • $4,100 rural energy for America program grant to Laida Alpacas of Anchor Point. Funds will be used to purchase and install a small wind turbine renewable energy system. • $4,800 to Klauder and Company Architects of Kenai. Funds will be used to purchase and install a small wind turbine renewable energy sys… Continue Reading
09.25.09
Murkowski Disappointed Over Obama Administration's Opposition to Helping Alaska Territorial Guard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement in response to President Obama's Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) regarding the Fiscal Year 2010 Senate Defense Appropriations bill. The administration objects to language in the bill, included by Murkowski and U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, that would reinstate retirement benefits to members of the Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG) for their service during World War II. The Senate bill would restore militar… Continue Reading
09.24.09
Murkowski Statement on the Passing of Former Anchorage Mayor George Sullivan
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following statement on the passing of former Anchorage Mayor George Sullivan: "I am saddened to hear of the passing of George Sullivan. George's accomplishments live on as examples of a life dedicated to public service. "George worked tirelessly for our state. I recall George when he represented Alaska in Washington during congressional consideration of the Alaska lands act that eventually passed in 1980. At that time, I was wor… Continue Reading
09.24.09
Murkowski Announces Interior Funding Bill Approved by Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, a member of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced that the full Senate has approved funding for a number of important projects for Alaska in the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of the Interior and Environment appropriations bill. Following today's action, the Senate bill must be reconciled with a House version of the bill in a joint conference committee, of which Sen. Murkowski has been named a member. "This … Continue Reading
09.24.09
Majority Blocks Consideration of Amendment to Fix Problematic EPA Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Democratic leaders today blocked an effort by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, to forestall dangerous regulations that threaten efforts to revive the American economy. Murkowski, the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, sought a vote on her amendment to the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill that would have prohibited the Environmental Protection Agency from racing ahead of Congress to regulate stationary sources of carbon dioxid… Continue Reading
09.23.09
Murkowski Seeks Vote on Amendment on EPA Regulation of Carbon Dioxide
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today introduced an amendment to the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill that would give Congress the time it needs to develop a responsible response to climate change. Murkowski plans to ask that her amendment be considered for a vote on the Senate floor this afternoon, immediately following the 4:15 stacked votes. Murkowski, the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a strong proponent of mo… Continue Reading
09.22.09
Murkowski Urges Senate Not to Rush Health Care Legislation to Meet an Arbitrary Deadline
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today urged the Senate to slow down its consideration of health care reform legislation and take the time to "get it right." The Senate Finance Committee today opened hearings on the legislation, with Committee Chairman Max Baucus of Montana saying the full Senate could begin debating it as soon as next week if the committee approves its version this week. Senate Democratic leaders have also threatened to cancel a Columbus Day recess unless… Continue Reading
09.18.09
Delegation Announces Grants to Alaska Programs
Washington, D.C. - The Alaska Congressional Delegation is pleased to announce the following grants awarded to communities in the State of Alaska: U.S. Department of Agriculture - $197,783 to the University of Alaska Anchorage as a part of the USDA's Rural Cooperative Development Grant program. The grant will be used for technical assistance, research, and informational materials to help rural residents form cooperative businesses or improve the operations of existing cooperatives. - $220,000… Continue Reading
09.17.09
Senate Passes Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate today approved a $122 billon Transportation and Urban Development Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2010 that includes $200,000 for the Abused Women's Aid in Crisis, or AWAIC, shelter in Anchorage, according to U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who secured the AWAIC funding. "This funding will help AWAIC make needed structural repairs to its facility so they can continue providing a safe haven for victims of domestic violence," said Murkowski, a member of … Continue Reading
09.17.09
Murkowski Raises Alaska TRICARE Problems with Senior Defense Official
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today pressed her request that the Defense Department delay the implementation of a new policy that requires military retirees enrolled in TRICARE's Prime Option who live more than 30 minutes or more than 100 miles from a military health facility request and obtain a waiver in order to continue receiving care on base. In a letter to Rear Admiral Christine Hunter, deputy director of the TRICARE Management Activity at the Defense Department, earlier this … Continue Reading
09.17.09
Sen. Murkowski responds to President Obama's Missile Defense Reversal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following statement regarding President Obama's decision to drop the Bush administration's plan for a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe. "For the second time this year the Obama administration has reversed course on previous decisions to protect the American homeland and our allies from long range missile threats. I'm deeply disappointed. The threat environment from Iran and North Korea continues to rise. Yet the admin… Continue Reading
