01.26.17

Murkowski, Sullivan Introduce Four Alaska Energy, Lands Bills

Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, this week introduced four Alaska-focused bills. The bills would expand the use of clean, renewable hydropower to generate affordable electricity for Alaska communities, reroute a portion of a proposed gasline in Denali National Park and Preserve, and rename an existing wilderness area in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. "My top priority as chairman of the Energy Committee is to deliver for Alaska," Murkowski said. "These bills will boo… Continue Reading

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01.25.17

Murkowski Again Named Chairman of Interior Appropriations Subcommittee

Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was named Chairman of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. She has served as Chairman since 2015. "The Interior Appropriations Subcommittee is critical to Alaska as it controls funding levels for federal agencies and departments that have a large presence in our state which affect the lives of Alaskans," said Senator Murkowski. "As Chairman, I have the ability to directly influence how these agencies operate, whether that's blocking … Continue Reading

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01.23.17

Murkowski Releases Statement on President Trump’s National Security Team

Today Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after the nominees for Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director were confirmed by the Senate with overwhelmingly bipartisan support: "The Senate is back to work, confirming three members of the new administration's national security team - Secretary of Defense Mattis, Secretary of Homeland Security Kelly, and CIA Director Pompeo - with more to come. It is a critical r… Continue Reading

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01.20.17

Murkowski Votes to Confirm General James Mattis as Defense Secretary

Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting in favor of Retired General James N. Mattis as Secretary of Defense: "Every indication suggests that General Mattis will make an outstanding Secretary of Defense. His leadership style is revered among our troops and veterans, and he is very knowledgeable about the issues and challenges facing our national security. He appreciates the strategic importance of the Arctic and the need to improve our ability to pr… Continue Reading

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01.18.17

Murkowski Questions Interior Secretary Nominee on Alaska Issues

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired the nomination hearing for President-elect Trump's nominee to lead the Department of the Interior (Interior), Congressman Ryan Zinke, R-Mont. Over the course of the hearing, Murkowski highlighted many energy, resource, and lands issues important to Alaska and the nation, stressing the importance of a cooperative approach between Congress and Interior. In her opening statement, Murkowski raised a series of decisions that the Obama administration'… Continue Reading

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01.13.17

Senators Announce U.S. Judge Vacancy

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-AK) seek to identify Alaska attorneys interested in serving on the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. This information will be used in recommending to the President one or more candidates to succeed Senior U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline, whose seat became vacant after he elected to take senior status. Consistent with tradition, the Senators have asked the Alaska Bar Association to receive expressions of interest. The Alaska… Continue Reading

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01.12.17

Murkowski, Enzi: New Report Suggests Improvements to Management of NPS Maintenance Backlog

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., today welcomed the release of a report they requested from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) examining the National Park Service's (NPS) deferred maintenance backlog. The report outlines the amount and composition of deferred maintenance reported within the NPS, the methodology the agency uses to determine maintenance priorities, and the need for the NPS to evaluate the effectiveness of its strategy for prioritizing maintenance… Continue Reading

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01.12.17

Delegation Introduces Bill to Accelerate AMHT Land Exchange

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, and U.S. Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today introduced companion bills to accelerate an equal value land exchange between the Alaska Mental Health Trust (Trust) and the U.S. Forest Service. The legislation, which nearly passed last Congress, protects important community viewsheds, local trails, and other conservation values while expediting much-needed timber for local operators and generating new revenues for mental health services across the s… Continue Reading

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01.12.17

Murkowski Takes Step Towards Repealing the “Un”-Affordable Care Act

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted for the Fiscal Year 2017 budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 3), the vehicle to allow the Senate to repeal the failed Affordable Care Act (ACA) through the budget reconciliation process. The resolution includes instructions to the Senate HELP and Finance Committees so that repeal can move a privileged process ensuring its expediency. "This is a first and necessary step towards delivering better healthcare for Alaskans. The ACA has harmed Alaskans for far too… Continue Reading

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01.11.17

Murkowski, Sullivan Keep Up the Fight for King Cove Road

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, today introduced legislation to authorize a short, one-lane, gravel, non-commercial road for the isolated community of King Cove, Alaska. The road is needed to link King Cove to the all-weather airport in nearby Cold Bay and will provide local residents with reliable access to emergency medical transportation. "A life-saving road remains the best and only real option to help the people of King Cove," Murkowski said. "People have died wi… Continue Reading

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01.10.17

Senators Introduce Amendment to Improve Process for Repealing and Replacing Health Care Law in Timely Fashion

U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced an amendment to extend the deadline for budget reconciliation instructions until March 3, 2017, and ensure a responsible process for replacing President Obama's health care law as quickly as possible. Senator Murkowski said: "I remain committed to repealing the Affordable Care Act, and I am equally committed to ensuring that all Alaskans and Americans… Continue Reading

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01.06.17

Murkowski Slams BLM’s Final Plan for Eastern Interior Alaska

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today sharply criticized the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Regional Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement (RMP/EIS) for the Eastern Interior Planning Area of Alaska. "Once again, it is clear that the Obama administration is trying to ram through as many plans, regulations, and policies at the eleventh hour as possible," Murkowski said. "As a result of this new plan, another one million acres of Alaska will be withdrawn and almost five mill… Continue Reading

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01.06.17

26 Senators Introduce Bill to Reform Monument Designation Process

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today reintroduced the Improved National Monument Designation Process Act, a bill to facilitate greater local input and require state approval before national monuments can be designated on federal lands and waters. The following senators are original cosponsors of the bill: Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Shelley Capito (R-W. Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas)… Continue Reading

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01.05.17

Murkowski, Sullivan Introduce Bill to Allow Energy Production in 1002 Area of Arctic Coastal Plain

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, today introduced legislation that would allow limited oil and natural gas development within the non-wilderness portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The Alaska Oil and Gas Production Act, S. 49, would allow development of no more than 2,000 surface acres within the 1.5-million acre 1002 Area - which itself is just a fraction of the 19-million acre refuge. The area that would be opened to development is equivalent to ju… Continue Reading

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01.03.17

Murkowski Sworn in to Fourth Term as U.S. Senator

Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement as she was sworn in to her fourth term as U.S. Senator: "I am deeply honored to serve the people of Alaska and be entrusted with this tremendous responsibility. It is an incredibly humbling experience to be in this position and one that I do not take lightly. I thank everyone for their support, and I will continue to stand with and represent all Alaskans," said Murkowski. "The committee assignments I retained have juris… Continue Reading

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12.29.16

Murkowski Reacts to Monument Designations in Two Western States

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after President Obama created new National Monuments in Nevada and Utah despite significant local opposition. "I am extremely disappointed that President Obama has chosen to lock up nearly two million acres of land in Nevada and Utah through these controversial designations," Murkowski said. "This summer, our committee held a field hearing in Utah to examine this issue, and well over 1,000 local farmers, ranchers, and tr… Continue Reading

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12.22.16

Delegation Welcomes Chere Klein to Serve Ketchikan Constituents

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan today announced that Chere Klein has been hired as their Ketchikan Delegation Representative. Klein will serve constituents in Ketchikan and other communities in the Southern Southeast region by helping them with specific concerns and problems with federal agencies and offices. Klein replaces Penny Pederson, who served in that role for 2 years. Klein is a lifelong Alaskan, with deep ties to the communities of Ketchikan, Metlakatla, Wrangell, and thr… Continue Reading

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12.20.16

Alaska Delegation Reacts to Stunning Arctic Withdrawal

Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today slammed President Barack Obama for unilaterally placing the entire Chukchi Sea and the vast majority of the Beaufort Sea off-limits to energy development. The sweeping withdrawal disrespects the Alaskan people, is not based on sound science, and contradicts the administration's own conclusions about Arctic development. It will have lasting consequences for Alaska's economy, state finances, and the secur… Continue Reading

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12.20.16

Alaska Delegation Seeks Halt to Additional Offshore Withdrawals

Amid growing reports of additional withdrawals that the Obama administration plans to impose in Alaska in its final days in office, Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today wrote President Barack Obama urging him to take no further action in Alaska and requesting a meeting to discuss the economic damage his previous decisions are causing in Alaska. "On behalf of the people we serve, we write to seek an appointment with you to discuss federal l… Continue Reading

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12.19.16

Murkowski: Stream Buffer Rule Bypasses State Regulators and Congress

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed opposition to the Obama administration's final rule on stream buffer zones for coal mining. "The Obama administration has abused the rule-making process for eight years to subvert the law to meet their policy objectives," Murkowski said. "The stream buffer rule issued today is yet another example of this administration's unilateral efforts to bypass Congress and the states to impose rules that will have severe impacts on the economic well-bein… Continue Reading