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 Introduces Salmon Lake Land Exchange Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today introduced legislation that would provide for a land exchange between the Bering Straits Native Corporation and the State of Alaska. The Salmon Lake Land Selection Resolution Act, co-sponsored by Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, would resolve a land conveyance dispute between the Corporation and the State of Alaska dating since 1971 and the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. "Alaska Natives have spent decades fighti… Continue Reading
03.03.09
Murkowski Statement on the Death of Mat-Su Borough Mayor Curt Menard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement upon learning of the death of Mat-Su Borough Mayor and former state legislator Curt Menard: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Curt Menard. Dr. Menard's story is typical of many who came to Alaska as part of their military service, saw the possibilities of making a real difference in our Great Land, and committed their lives to Alaska. A can-do person who never saw an obstacle he could not ov… Continue Reading
03.03.09
Delegation Expresses Concern Over Postal Rate Increases; Sends Joint Letter To Postmaster
Washington, D.C. - Alaska's Congressional Delegation sent the attached letter to Postmaster General Potter yesterday to express their concern with the pending rate increases and their effect on the Alaska bypass mail system. "Rural Alaskans are being hit very hard by the economic downturn we have faced this past year," said Rep. Young. "Receiving basic goods is not the same in the villages of Alaska as it is in most areas of the Lower 48. People that live in these areas are having a hard… Continue Reading
03.02.09
Murkowski statement on Elton appointment to Interior position
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement on the appointment of Alaska State Sen. Kim Elton to Director of Alaska Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior. "From my very first conversation with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, I have emphasized the importance of maintaining the position of Director of Alaska Affairs at the Department of the Interior," Murkowski said. "I congratulate Kim on his appointment and I look forward to worki… Continue Reading
03.02.09
Sens. Murkowski, Hutchison, Bond Urge White House to Expedite Offshore Oil and Gas Development
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), along with Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Kit Bond (R-MO) today led a Republican effort, urging the White House to tap new domestic energy sources and expeditiously complete the Administration's five-year plan for offshore oil and gas development. Sens. Hutchison, Murkowski, and Bond were joined on the letter by 32 of their Republican colleagues in the U.S. Senate. "Responsible development of the OCS is key to improving our e… Continue Reading
03.02.09
Murkowski, Begich offer polar bear listing provision to FY '09 omnibus appropriations bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Mark Begich, D-Alaska, today introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2009 omnibus spending bill that would maintain the public process for revisions to regulations under the Endangered Species Act. The omnibus appropriations bill that passed the House of Representatives last week and is before the Senate this week includes language that would allow the administration to withdraw two current rules under the Endangered Species Act… Continue Reading
03.02.09
Murkowski co-sponsors legislation to ensure fair retirement benefits for federal workers in Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. Territories
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, the Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act was introduced in Congress to ensure pay and retirement equity for federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories. The legislation was sponsored in the Senate by Senators Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), and Mark Begich (D-Alaska), and in the House by Representatives Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), Don Young (R-Alaska) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Dele… Continue Reading
02.27.09
Murkowski introduces ANWR directional drilling legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today introduced legislation that would allow the use of advanced directional drilling to tap the vast energy potential of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain without disturbing the unique characteristics of the area. The bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, would allow access to the coastal plain's oil and natural gas resources through the use of underground directional drilling from state-owned lands to the … Continue Reading
02.26.09
Murkowski says administration's budget will drive energy producers overseas
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today raised concerns about the impacts of President Obama's 10-year budget blueprint on domestic conventional energy production. "President Obama and I agree that we need to do everything we can to encourage development of renewable and alternative sources of energy," Murkowski said. "Even under the most optimistic projections, however, America will continue to depend on conventional sources of energy for decades." The administ… Continue Reading
02.25.09
Alaska Delegation Urges Transportation Security Administration to Postpone Large Aircraft Security Program
Washington, D.C. - Alaska's congressional delegation today asked the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to postpone a proposed Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) that would burden many Alaskan communities with high costs and reduced or completely eliminated aviation services. The delegation is concerned that the proposed requirements would dramatically impact many Alaskan communities that are only accessible by air. Specifically, under the proposed program, "large" aircraft wo… Continue Reading
02.25.09
SEN. MURKOWSKI INTRODUCES D.C. VOTING RIGHTS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
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02.24.09
Murkowski responds to energy comments in President Obama's address
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today vowed to work with President Obama on improving national security and reviving the economy by increasing domestic production of all forms of energy. President Obama in his national address Tuesday night called for harnessing the power of clean, renewable energy to help the United States lead the 21st century. Murkowski agrees with the president that energy is a top national priority and believes that developing a comprehens… Continue Reading
02.24.09
Murkowski warns against Endangered Species Act rider
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today called for the removal of a rider added to the spending bill that would authorize the Department of the Interior to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. The omnibus appropriations bill currently before Congress includes language that would allow President Obama to rescind the current rule under the Endangered Species Act - which states that if an activity is permissible under the stricter standards imposed by the Marine Mammal P… Continue Reading
02.23.09
Murkowski Announces Fiscal Year 2009 Funding for Alaska
WASHINGTON, DC -- U. S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced funding for Alaska contained in the Fiscal Year 2009 (FY 09) Omnibus Appropriations Bill. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to take up the legislation later this week, followed by consideration in the Senate. The FY 09 Omnibus includes the nine remaining appropriations bills that Congress failed to pass last year. The Omnibus will fund the federal government… Continue Reading
02.23.09
Murkowski raises concerns about RPS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed strong reservations regarding a proposed national Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that would require utilities to generate as much as 20 percent of their electricity from renewable energy by 2021. "A one-size-fits-all national standard raises serious concerns about regional disparities," Murkowski said. "While some parts of our country have abundant renewable resources, others - particularly the Southeast - la… Continue Reading
02.19.09
Senator Murkowski Addresses Alaska Legislature
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today delivered her annual address to the Alaska Legislature. Following is the text of her speech, as prepared for delivery: It is wonderful to be home. It is wonderful to be home in Alaska. It is wonderful to return to this chamber. I return home today with four new and very significant responsibilities. You know about my being Senior Senator, Ranking Member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and member of the Senate App… Continue Reading
02.19.09
Murkowski Proposes Directional Drilling to Tap ANWR’S Oil and Gas Reserves
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaking today during her seventh annual address to the Alaska Legislature, urged change in the way Americans approach energy production in Alaska. Murkowski said she plans to introduce legislation that will allow oil from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to be developed initially using only directional drilling techniques and no surface occupancy of ANWR. This legislation would take advantage of the vast technological i… Continue Reading
02.14.09
MURKOWSKI CRITICIZES WASTEFUL SPENDING IN STIMULUS
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02.12.09
Murkowski, Stabenow, Capps and Bono Mack Reintroduce HEART for Women Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a struggling economy that could force some women to make tough choices on healthcare, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Congresswomen Lois Capps (D-CA) and Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) today reintroduced legislation that would expand access to screening and lifestyle counseling for low-income and uninsured women, including those who may have recently lost their jobs and health benefits. The Heart disease Education, Research and Analysis, and Treatment… Continue Reading
02.11.09
Murkowski will deliver Republican radio response
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, will deliver the Republican radio response to President Obama's weekly radio address on Saturday, February 14, 2009. Sen. Murkowski will speak on the economic stimulus bill that is under consideration in Congress this week. An embargoed text of Sen. Murkowski's response will be released on Friday afternoon. Audio and video of her address will be released at 6:00 a.m. EST on Saturday, February 14. The Republican Congressional leadersh… Continue Reading
