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.
BIPARTISAN GROUP OF SENATORS OFFERS RESPONSE TO NSL ABUSES
Washington, D.C. - A bipartisan group of senators is introducing legislation today to address the serious misuse of the FBI's national security letter (NSL) authorities. In an effort to continue protecting the civil liberties of all Americans, Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), John Sununu (R-NH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE) introduced the National Security Letter Reform Act to correct the misuses and Constitutional concerns surrounding the u… Continue Reading
09.24.07
SENATE PASSES WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate today passed a Senate-House conference report of H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The legislation passed the Senate on May 16, but due to changes made to the original House bill, it was sent to a conference of Senate and House negotiators. The new version of the legislation has now been approved by both the Senate and the House and will be sent to the President. Congress authorizes specific Army Corps of Engineers projects in… Continue Reading
09.21.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI ISSUES STATEMENT ON THE SHUTDOWN OF THE GRAVINA ISLAND BRIDGE PROJECT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today issued the following statement regarding the State’s decision to shutdown the Gravina Island bridge project: “The community of Ketchikan has made safe and reliable access to the airport a priority for over 30 years. When the State of Alaska requested resources to build a bridge, the Congressional Delegation worked hard to secure funding. It is unfortunate for the people of Ketchikan that the State has chosen to reprioritize its support of this pr… Continue Reading
09.20.07
SENATORS MURKOWSKI AND CASEY CALL FOR A CIVILIAN AND DIPLOMATIC SURGE IN IRAQ
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today joined Senator Casey of Pennsylvania in introducing an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization Act calling for a civilian and diplomatic surge in Iraq. “Military progress alone will not provide for the conditions for a stable and secure Iraq,” said Senator Murkowski. “We need a civilian and diplomatic surge to go with the military surge. I am pleased to join Senator Casey to urge the Administration to place a greater emphasis on these … Continue Reading
09.12.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI URGES THE SENATE TO PASS INDIAN HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT ACT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a rally in the Capitol today, Senator Murkowski, the Vice-Chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, joined the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), to urge the Senate to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. More than a dozen Alaskans attended the rally. The Indian Health Care Improvement Act was last authorized in 1992 and expired in 2001. In June 1999 a National Steering Committee, including many prominent Alaskan Native leaders, … Continue Reading
09.11.07
STATEMENT OF SENATOR MURKOWSKI ON TESTIMONY FROM GENERAL DAVID PETRAEUS AND AMBASSADOR RYAN CROCKER
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the following statement after hearing testimony in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker: “I am encouraged that General Petraeus believes the situation on the ground in Iraq will allow us to reduce forces to pre-surge levels by mid-summer 2008 without jeopardizing security plans. I urge the Administration to accept General Petraeus’ recommendations. I am concerned, however, that … Continue Reading
09.07.07
MURKOWSKI URGES GREATER AWARENESS OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRINKING DURING PREGNANCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In commemoration of National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Awareness Day, Senator Lisa Murkowski urges all Americans to spread the word that no amount of alcohol is safe to consume during the nine months of pregnancy. Senator Murkowski sponsored the resolution designating September 9th 2007 as National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Awareness Day. Tragically, Alaska has the highest rate of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in the nation. Furthermore, among Alaskan Native communiti… Continue Reading
09.07.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI JOINS COLLEAGUES INCREASING COLLEGE ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today joined with her colleagues in passing the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007. The bill increases students’ access to affordable education in college or through job training by increasing the amounts of Pell grants, putting a cap on student loan payments, providing for loan forgiveness and funding the new College Access Partnership Program. “This legislation makes higher education more affordable and accessible for students,” said Senator Murkowski.… Continue Reading
09.06.07
Senators Stevens and Murkowski Champion Rural Veterans Amendment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate has approved an amendment sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act. Senator Dan Inouye (D-Hawaii) cosponsored the amendment which requires the Veterans Administration (VA) to produce a report on the need to improve access to locally-provided care in areas far away from VA facilities. The Senate passed the FY08 Military Constructio… Continue Reading
08.30.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI ENCOURAGED BY SECRETARY SPELLINGS’ TRIP TO ALASKA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Murkowski and Stevens today concluded a two-day trip with United States Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings in which they visited with students, educators, administrators and policymakers. The No Child Left Behind Act, the Administration’s key education policy, is up for reauthorization in Congress this year. Senator Murkowski has introduced legislation that will make changes to the law to address Alaska’s needs. “I was encouraged that Secr… Continue Reading
08.09.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI COMMENDS ALASKAN EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today commended students and educators on the 2006-2007 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) report for Alaskan schools. An additional 19 schools made AYP than the previous year, and 34 more schools made AYP than two years ago. Additionally, 58 schools that had been designated as being In Need of Improvement last year reached state proficiency goals this year. “I am proud of the progress that our students are making across the state,” said Senator Murkowski. … Continue Reading
08.02.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI SUPPORTS REAUTHORIZATION OF THE STATE CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today joined her colleagues in the Senate to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). SCHIP provides comprehensive health care coverage to low-income and uninsured children. “SCHIP provides vital health insurance to one of the most vulnerable segments of our population - low income children,” said Senator Murkowski. “The action that we have taken today will ensure that health coverage will continue for millions of children.” … Continue Reading
08.01.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI APPLAUDS COMMITMENT TO CONSIDER INDIAN HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT ACT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, welcomed a commitment by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to bring the reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to the Senate floor for debate and a vote later this year. The Indian Health Care Improvement Act was last authorized in 1992 and expired in 2001. Previous efforts to reauthorize the legislation, which governs the operation of the American Indian and Alaska … Continue Reading
08.01.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI’S RESOLUTION ON FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS PASSES SENATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate last evening unanimously passed Senator Lisa Murkowski’s resolution to designate September 9, 2007 as National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Awareness Day. Tragically, Alaska has the highest rate of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders (FASD) in the nation. Approximately 163 Alaskan babies are born each year affected by maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. Among Alaskan Native communities, the rate of FASD is 15 times higher than non-Native areas in the stat… Continue Reading
07.31.07
STATEMENT BY SENATOR MURKOWSKI ON SENATOR TED STEVENS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today issued the following statement: “Senator Stevens has served his country and the State of Alaska with distinction for over 60 years. With the current investigation underway, it is not appropriate to jump to conclusions until the process is complete. Senator Stevens has the right to have the facts established in this matter.”… Continue Reading
07.26.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI ADDRESSES KENAI PROPERTY
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today made the following statement: “While Verne and I intended to make this our family home and we paid a fair price for this land, no property is worth compromising the trust of the Alaskan people. I cannot allow this to become a distraction from the major challenges I face in representing Alaska so we have decided to sell this property back to Bob Penney at the same price for which it was purchased. While it is disappointing for my family, we’ll event… Continue Reading
07.26.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI SUPPORTS DOLE-SHALALA COMMISSION FINDINGS URGING IMPROVEMENTS TO VETERANS HEALTH CARE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today announced her support for the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors. The commission issued six major recommendations calling for broad improvements to military and veteran health care. “We must quickly work to ensure that our returning soldiers receive the best possible care,” said Senator Murkowski. “I am committed to enacting reforms that would provide military and veterans with a modern, patient-oriented and na… Continue Reading
07.25.07
SENATE ENERGY COMMITTEE MOVES PIPELINE COORDINATOR LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Energy Committee today moved legislation sponsored by Senator Murkowski that will speed the full functioning of the Office of Pipeline Coordinator. The legislation facilitates the hiring of personnel in the Office of the Pipeline Coordinator, allows the coordinator to establish reasonable filing and service fees and clarifies the intent of the Natural Gas Pipeline Act regarding litigation. “This legislation accelerates the process of building an Alaskan Gas Pipe… Continue Reading
07.24.07
MURKOWSKI SUPPORTS THE HIGHER EDUCATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today joined her colleagues in the Senate in passing the Higher Education Amendments of 2007. The bill includes language authored by Senator Murkowski that makes college more affordable for military service members and spouses, authorizes the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program and helps inform students and parents on the costs of college. “The amendments the Senate passed to the Higher Education Act increase student’s access to post secondary e… Continue Reading
07.19.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI NAMED VICE-CHAIRMAN OF SENATE INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Indian Affairs Committee today confirmed Senator Murkowski as its 11th Vice Chairman. Earlier this week Senate Republicans elected her to serve as the Committee’s top Republican. “I am honored and humbled by my selection as the 11th Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the first woman, as well as the first Alaskan to serve in that role,” said Senator Murkowski. “I look forward to working with the rest of the Committee on issues important t… Continue Reading
