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.
IMPACT OF AN ICE-DIMINISHED ARCTIC ON NAVAL AND MARITIME OPERATIONS
Thank you for inviting me to speak at the symposium today. I believe this meeting is the first time that we have convened such a broad group of experts both from within and outside of the government to discuss the implications of an accessible Arctic Ocean. I am honored to be here today to speak to you today about such an important topic. “Naval Operations in an Ice Free Arctic” was the name of a symposium held here in Washington D.C. in April of 2001. At that time the symposium was solely… Continue Reading
06.28.07
MURKOWSKI COMMENTS ON IMMIGRATION VOTE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the following comments following the cloture vote on the immigration reform bill. “Today I voted against invoking cloture on the immigration reform bill. Over the course of the last few days, amendments I felt were needed to improve this legislation did not advance. As an outcome of this debate, it also became clear that important pending amendments would also not advance. I remain convinced that our immigration policies need to be re… Continue Reading
06.26.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF OF STAFF
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today announced Karen Knutson as her new Chief of Staff. Knutson is a long-time Alaskan with years of experience on Capitol Hill. She will begin on August 21st. Knutson joins Senator Murkowski’s office from the Business Software Alliance, where she serves as Vice President of Government Relations. In this capacity Knutson coordinates policy activities in the more than 80 countries where BSA has operations. She directs strategy and policy campaigns on… Continue Reading
06.22.07
MURKOWSKI SUPPORTS SENATE ENERGY BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski last night joined her Senate colleagues in passing far-reaching energy legislation. The legislation aims to increase energy efficiency and conservation, while expanding the development of alternative and renewable energy. The bill requires average vehicle fuel economy standards of 35 mpg by 2020 and raises the renewable fuel standard to require the production of 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022, of which only 15 billion gallons can come from corn-… Continue Reading
06.20.07
MURKOWSKI JOINS COLLEAGUES IN ADVANCING HIGHER EDUCATION ACT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today joined with other members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in advancing out of committee the Higher Education Access Act of 2007 and the Higher Education Amendments of 2007. The legislation increases students’ access to higher education and federal funding, authorizes the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program and helps military students access Pell Grants and loans by allowing them to deduct the value of housing whe… Continue Reading
06.19.07
Murkowski Commemorates 30th Anniversary of the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today spoke on the floor of the United States Senate to commemorate the 30th anniversary of oil flowing through the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline System (TAPS). “At peak production, TAPS provided the United States with 2 million barrels of oil a day, or 30 percent more oil than Saudi Arabia provides our nation today and nearly as much oil as the entire Persian Gulf provides the United States,” said Senator Murkowski. “And Alaskan oil, unlike Middle … Continue Reading
06.13.07
MURKOWSKI SUPPORTS CLEAN PORTFOLIO STANDARD IN SENATE ENERGY BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined Senators Pete Domenici (R-NM), Larry Craig (R-Idaho), Robert Bennett (R-Utah), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) in introducing a Clean Portfolio Standard (CPS) amendment to establish a federal 20 percent Clean Portfolio Standard (CPS). The CPS amendment is an alternative to a proposal by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M) to establish a more narrow 15 percent federal Renewable Portfolio/Electricity Standard (RPS). The CPS alt… Continue Reading
06.11.07
MURKOWSKI COMMENTS ON NON-BINDING ATTORNEY GENERAL RESOLUTION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the below comments following her vote against the motion to proceed on S.J. Res. 14. “While I no longer have confidence in the Attorney General’s ability to do his job effectively, I could not vote in support of this non-binding resolution. Rather than expend valuable Senate time in a game of political theater, we should focus our efforts on the important issues facing the nation, such as the pending energy legislation, as well as debate… Continue Reading
06.06.07
MURKOWSKI SUPPORTS THE ALASKA RAILROAD
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski introduced legislation, S. 1552, that would authorize the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of land in Ship Creek to the Alaska Railroad Corporation. Similar legislation sponsored by Congressman Don Young passed the House of Representatives on May 15. “This parcel of land is a key transportation component for the redevelopment of Ship Creek,” said Senator Murkowski. “This bill is highly beneficial to both the Alaska Railroad Corporati… Continue Reading
06.05.07
Senator Murkowski Comments on the Passing of Senator Craig Thomas
“Last evening the United States Congress lost one of its most distinguished public servants, Senator Craig Thomas. I had the honor to serve with him on the Indian Affairs Committee, where his dedicated advocacy on behalf of Native American communities was unmatched. I also had the privilege to serve alongside Senator Thomas on the Energy Committee and was deeply impressed by his commitment to craft our successful Energy Policy Act. He served as an inspiration to us all. During this time of lo… Continue Reading
06.05.07
MURKOWSKI SPONSORS GEOTHERMAL ENERGY BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined a bipartisan group of Senators in sponsoring a bill to advance geothermal energy development. The National Geothermal Initiative Act of 2007 sets a national goal that America achieve 20 percent of its total electrical output from geothermal resources by 2030, sets an annual growth rate in the use of geothermal power and provides for research and development of geothermal resources. “When you look at the potential for geothermal power, i… Continue Reading
05.25.07
Senator Murkowski Supports Iraq Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today made the following comments on the Iraq Supplemental Funding Bill. “After weeks of debate, leaders in the House and Senate have reached a compromise on an Iraq spending bill that the President has agreed to sign. I supported this bi-partisan spending measure and believe it strikes a good balance between giving troops the resources they need and requiring that Iraqi leaders meet certain benchmarks on political and security reforms. “Throughout t… Continue Reading
05.25.07
CONGRESS EXTENDS SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS PAYMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congress last evening approved a one-year extension to the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The program provides a dedicated funding stream for local municipalities and school districts dependent on forest timber receipts that have been unable to rely on consistent and sustainable payments due the continued controversy over timber sales in National Forests. “I will continue to push for a long-term extension to Secure Rural Schools,” said Senator… Continue Reading
05.24.07
Murkowski Joins Bipartisan Effort To Expand Ocean Renewable Energy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined a bipartisan group of Senators in sponsoring a bill that will provide research assistance, low-cost loans and a variety of federal aid for ocean renewable energy development. The Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2007 will also help level the playing field among new renewable energy technologies by establishing new permitting procedures to help ocean energy become a major source of renewable electricity for America … Continue Reading
05.24.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI REFLECTS ON MEMORIAL DAY
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today offered the following remarks for Memorial Day: “At Christmas time, we are reminded to step back from the presents, the parties and the merriment and remember the ‘reason for the season.’ This year, on the occasion of Memorial Day those who serve our country need you to do that more than ever before. Remember the Alaska National Guardsmen from communities across the state who have been serving in Kuwait for nearly a year. Remember the Marine f… Continue Reading
05.17.07
MURKOWSKI AND STEVENS RESOLUTION HIGHLIGHTING NEED FOR INTERNET SAFETY EDUCATION PASSES SENATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate last evening passed a resolution sponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Ted Stevens which designates June 2007 as National Internet Safety Month. The bipartisan resolution, S.Res.205, is designed to bring greater attention to the need for comprehensive Internet safety education. “The Internet has become one of the most significant advances in the twentieth century and, as a result, it affects people’s lives in a positive manner each day,… Continue Reading
05.11.07
MURKOWSKI APPLAUDS EFFORTS OF ANCHORAGE POLICE OFFICER CATHY DIEHL-ROBBINS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today recognized Anchorage Police Community Service Officer Cathy Diehl-Robbins for her successful efforts to honor a fellow officer who died from injuries sustained in the line of duty more than 50 years ago. Officer Diehl-Robbins is a 29 year veteran of the Anchorage Police Department who first took up the challenge of chronicling the department’s history on her own time. On June 9, 1953, Anchorage Police Officer William G. Pfalmer, Jr., was shot … Continue Reading
05.02.07
MURKOWSKI ADDS RENEWABLE ENERGY CONSTRUCTION GRANTS TO SENATE ENERGY LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In an effort to increase funding for renewable energy power projects, Senator Lisa Murkowski today won Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approval for an amendment to comprehensive energy legislation that will provide federal grants to help utilities build renewable energy projects. The amendment, which Murkowski drafted with Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, creates a Renewable Energy Construction Grant program that will provide up to 50-50 federal matching grants for t… Continue Reading
04.26.07
MURKOWSKI INTRODUCES SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY IMPROVEMENTS ACT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today introduced the “School Accountability Improvements Act.” This legislation is designed to amend No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in order to address Alaska’s needs including the ability to use a growth model that tracks individual student progress; provides flexibility on highly qualified teacher requirements; provides flexibility in calculating average yearly progress for special education and Limited English Proficient students; and improves the m… Continue Reading
04.19.07
MURKOWSKI RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE NATIONAL AND GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY PASSES SENATE WITH UNANIMOUS APPROVAL
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski’s resolution to designate April 20, 2007 as National and Global Youth Service Day, S. Res. 158, last night passed the Senate by unanimous consent. For the past five years, Senator Murkowski has offered this resolution in the Senate as a way to raise public awareness of the valuable contributions young people make to their communities throughout the year. Since being introduced by the Senator in 2003, the resolution has passed each year with unanimous ap… Continue Reading
