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

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12.16.16

New EPA Rule Dismantles Waste Disposal in Remote Areas of Alaska

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed Federal Plan for Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration (CISWI) units, which directly impacts entities in Alaska that use small remote incinerators (SRIs) to dispose of waste in remote areas where traditional disposal methods are unavailable. "I am extremely disappointed that the EPA has chosen to push forward with a proposal that appears to do… Continue Reading

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12.15.16

Sen. Murkowski Comments on the Nomination of Rep. Ryan Zinke for Interior Department Secretary

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., as Secretary of the Department of the Interior. "I welcome the President-elect's nomination of Rep. Ryan Zinke to be Secretary of the Interior. I look forward to meeting with him to discuss a range of critical issues, including the challenges we face on federal management of lands and waters in Alaska, the urgent need to increase energy production in… Continue Reading

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12.14.16

Sen. Murkowski Comments on the Nomination of Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry for DOE Secretary

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of former Texas Gov. Rick Perry as Secretary of the Department of Energy. "I welcome the President-elect's nomination of former Gov. Rick Perry to be Secretary of Energy. I strongly believe the leadership at this Department should have a broad understanding of the need to increase access to energy, make it more affordable, and improve environmental performance - all key factors … Continue Reading

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12.12.16

Murkowski Announces Staff Changes in Washington, D.C. and Anchorage

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced several changes within her Washington, D.C. and Anchorage offices, including the retirement of long-time Office Manager Debbie Kapanoske. "Debbie Kapanoske has dedicated her life to public service, and I have been extremely fortunate to have her as a member of my team for so many years. When I joined the Senate, Debbie was one of my very first staff members. She has been a valuable member of my team from her first day to her last," said Senator Murkow… Continue Reading

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12.10.16

Water Infrastructure Development Bill to Become Law

Early this morning, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, legislation that addresses infrastructure priorities on America's coasts and rivers. This is an updated version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which passed the Senate in September. WIIN authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to improve navigation and flood management, construct projects to mitigate storm damage, and to assist state and local go… Continue Reading

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12.09.16

Final Tongass Plan Has Dire Implications for Southeast Economy

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, and U.S. Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the U.S. Forest Service released its Final Record of Decision (ROD) to amend the Tongass Land Management Plan (plan). "By finalizing a new plan on its way out of office, the Obama administration has blatantly disregarded some of the Tongass Advisory Committee's most important recommendations and imperiled the economic future of Southeast Alaska," Murkowski said. "… Continue Reading

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12.09.16

Alaska Delegation Slams President Obama’s Latest Executive Order

Today the Alaska Congressional Delegation spoke out against an Executive Order by President Obama creating a "Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area" for over 112,000 square miles off Alaska's western coast, in addition to withdrawing 40,300 square miles of federal waters from oil and natural gas leasing. "This is the first time we have ever seen the term 'climate resilience area' in Alaska or anywhere else," Senator Lisa Murkowski said. "We have no idea what that designation is supposed t… Continue Reading