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.
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
07.18.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI SUPPORTS INCREASED FUNDING TO COLLEGE ACCESS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today introduced an amendment to the Higher Education Access Act that would increase funding for the College Access Partnership Program by $176 million. The amendment, introduced with Senator Ted Kennedy, increases student access to higher education by expanding borrower benefits for students seeking financial aid and invests in programs to assist students and parents in the college application process. “This amendment makes higher education more affordab… Continue Reading
07.11.07
MURKOWSKI AND STEVENS INTRODUCE MAJOR CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Alaska Senators Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski today joined a bipartisan group of six senators in introducing major legislation to address global climate change by reducing carbon emissions, encouraging technological innovation, and developing alternative fuels. The Low Carbon Economy Act of 2007, sponsored by Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), would establish a “cap and trade” program which sets annual targets for carbon emission reduction. Carbon… Continue Reading
07.10.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI ADDRESSES ARCTIC SYMPOSIUM
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today spoke at the National Ice Center and U.S. Arctic Research Commission’s symposium: Impact of an Ice-Diminishing Arctic on Naval and Maritime Operations. The symposium brings together representatives from scientific agencies, the military and other government agencies to discuss the many policy implications of an ice-free Arctic. The U.S. Arctic Research Commission and the National Ice Center, a joint agency that consists of personnel representing t… Continue Reading
07.10.07
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
