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.
Defense Conference Bill Would Restore ATG Retirement Benefits and Ensure Fair Retirement Benefits for Federal Workers in Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced today that the Senate has approved the Fiscal Year 2010 $680.2 billion Defense Authorization bill that would restore retirement benefits for Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG) members and ensure pay and retirement equity for federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. territories. The Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Authorization conference bill was approved by the Senate and now goes to President Obama who is expected to sign it into l… Continue Reading
10.21.09
Murkowski Statement on Medicare Reimbursement Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following statement after a strong bipartisan Senate majority rejected a Democrat Medicare physician reimbursement fix that would have added a quarter trillion dollars to the deficit: "I fully support fixing the Medicare reimbursement rates for doctors, but this was an irresponsible proposal that would simply have added $250 billion to the record-high federal deficit with no plan to pay for it. Given the recent news that the … Continue Reading
10.21.09
Murkowski on Allowances in Cap and Trade Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today gave the following opening statement at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the costs and benefits for energy consumers and energy prices associated with the allocation of greenhouse gas emission allowances: "Good morning. I'd like to welcome our witnesses to the third in an ongoing series of hearings about some very complex issues related to climate policy. "Our Committee's conversation has been constructive s… Continue Reading
10.20.09
Murkowski Comments on the Impact of Democrat Health Care Bills on Women
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Vice Chair of the Senate Republican Conference, said today that women across America are paying attention to the health care reform debate because they are often the ones tending to the doctors' bills and making medical appointments for their families. "Women are paying attention to the issue of health care reform, and they should be. They're the ones that, in most of the households are taking the kids to the doctor, they're paying the bill… Continue Reading
10.19.09
Murkowski Welcomes MMS Decision on Beaufort Sea
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the announcement that the Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service has approved Shell's exploration plan for two leases in the Beaufort Sea. "Today's announcement from the Minerals Management Service, approving Shell's plan of exploration for the Beaufort Sea, is an encouraging sign that Alaska's oil and natural gas resources will continue to play a major role in America's energy security," Murkowski said. "Th… Continue Reading
10.19.09
Murkowski Leads Video Office Tour for Alaska Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In celebration of Alaska Day 2009, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, invites Alaskans to take a video tour of her office via her official YouTube page. Sending greetings from her Washington D.C. office, Murkowski shares with viewers some of the Alaska art on loan to her office, as well as some personal items from Alaska that are of special significance. "Not all Alaskans can make the trip to Washington and visit me in person, and I cannot make it home as often as I would … Continue Reading
10.16.09
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: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): • $1,679,035.50 to the City of Emmonak. The project will restore the City of Emmonak's dock to pre-disaster condition, and includes embankment repair, and in-water work. • $1,166,174.72 to the Alaska Railroad Corporation to provide both repairs and mitigation to damages to the Alaska Railroad wh… Continue Reading
10.16.09
Murkowski, Begich Introduce Bill to Grow Commuter Vanpools
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Mark Begich, D-Alaska, today introduced a bill that would allow providers of public vanpools to use fare revenues to purchase additional vanpool vehicles to accommodate growing ridership demand. Currently, federal transportation law prohibits the use of this revenue for non-federal matching funds in the purchase of new fleet vehicles for vanpools. "This bill will enable communities to expand vanpool services and meet the growing needs … Continue Reading
10.16.09
Senate Passes Murkowski Resolution that Recognizes Long Standing Drug Abuse Prevention Campaign
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate has passed a resolution, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, that commemorates the Annual Red Ribbon Campaign, the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of youth through Red Ribbon Week events. Murkowski's resolution, recognizing October 17-25, 2009, as Red Ribbon Week, passed the Senate this week by unanimous consent. Red Ribbon Week is a national, week-long event commemorating the life of Drug Enforcement Admin… Continue Reading
10.16.09
Murkowski Comments on Senate Finance Committee Health Care Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following comment regarding the health care proposal approved this week by the Senate Finance Committee: "There is no question that our nation's health care system must be reformed. Health care costs are rising and our Medicare patients are not able to access primary care providers. I am disappointed with the health care legislation approved by the Senate Finance Committee this week as it doesn't address the concerns of every… Continue Reading
10.15.09
Dorgan Introduces Indian Health Care Improvement Act
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, introduced major legislation Thursday to improve health care for 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives across the country- the Indian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization and Extension Act of 2009. The federal government has treaty obligations to provide health care to American Indians and Alaska Natives, but Dorgan noted Indian health care programs haven't been updated in o… Continue Reading
10.14.09
Murkowski Statement on the Death of Representative Richard Foster
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following statement on the passing of Rep. Richard Foster: "I am deeply saddened to learn of Richard Foster's passing. Richard and I served in the Legislature together. Richard was a kind and thoughtful man who would, among other gestures, lead the birthday song for other members of the Legislature. Richard loved Alaska history and, in his spare time, he would pore through the archives, reading old newspaper accounts about life i… Continue Reading
10.14.09
Murkowski Urges Cost Certainty in Climate Change Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today underscored the importance of ensuring that climate change legislation doesn't hamper the international competitiveness of the United States or limit its economic growth. "We must ensure that climate change does not endanger our recovery, and we must seek to reduce energy prices, not drive them up," Murkowski said at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing on the cost of climate change legislation. "Americans are hoping that wh… Continue Reading
10.13.09
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: - $75,000 to Russian Mission to complete a sanitation master plan to examine alternatives to provide potable water and sewer to homes that do not currently have access to these services. - $217,500 to Old Harbor to complete a preliminary engineering and environmental report to design a water treatment plant, backwas… Continue Reading
10.08.09
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 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
