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 Warns Against Combining Energy and Climate Measures in Single Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today responded to comments by the Senate majority leader about the possibility of combining energy legislation with a cap and trade measure on the Senate floor this year. Lumping two very controversial pieces of legislation into a single-bill strategy will make final passage very difficult, Murkowski said. "The energy committee is drafting a comprehensive energy bill that already includes a number of areas where reaching cons… Continue Reading
03.06.09
Delegation Announces Grants and Contracts to Alaska Programs
Delegation Announces Grants and Contracts 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 $113,288 to the Gulkana Village Council for preliminary cost analysis associated with the preparation of a preliminary engineering report and an environmental report for a proposed project of a new water supply well, water treatment facility an… Continue Reading
03.05.09
Murkowski Gets Appropriations Subcommittee Assignments
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today was assigned to five subcommittees of the Senate Appropriations Committee, several of which have major impacts on Alaska. Murkowski, who joined the appropriations panel in January, was assigned to the following subcommittees: Interior, Environment and Related Agencies; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies; Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies; Financial Services and General Government; and Legisla… Continue Reading
03.05.09
Murkowski Questions Secretary Chu on National Renewable Electricity Standard (RES)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today raised serious concerns about the nation's ability to meet a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) requiring utilities to generate as much as 20 percent of their electricity from renewable energy by 2021. At a hearing Thursday of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Murkowski questioned Secretary of Energy Steven Chu about the impact the nation's limited transmission capacity, and the narrow definition of "renewable"… Continue Reading
03.04.09
Murkowski Announces Release of Emergency Funding for Emmonak
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced today that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has released $20,000 that the Emmonak Tribal Council requested to help residents who are struggling with high home heating fuel and food costs this winter. Emmonak had requested $20,000 in emergency assistance and the BIA signed off on the funding today. "I had asked BIA at a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing in January to find assistance to help Emmonak residents get thro… Continue Reading
03.04.09
Murkowski Amendment Would Restore Tongass Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, on Monday introduced an amendment to the omnibus spending bill to reinstate funding for the Tongass Timber Fund in the Department of Agriculture's annual budget. In 1980, Congress passed legislation that set aside 5.4 million acres of new wilderness in the Tongass National Forest under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). In exchange for the wilderness designation, Congress directed the Secretary of Agricultu… Continue Reading
03.04.09
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