06.14.16

Murkowski: We Must Boost Alaska Pipeline Throughput

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today examined our nation's energy infrastructure and highlighted the important role that oil and gas pipelines play in moving energy resources, creating jobs, and growing local economies. Murkowski reiterated that strong infrastructure is essential to keeping energy abundant, affordable, clean, diverse, and secure. Click picture to view video "Without infrastructure, we cannot move vital resources from Point A to Point B. And while some w… Continue Reading

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06.14.16

Murkowski’s Work Bans Burdensome Federal Regulations, Fights Wasteful Spending, and Protects Lives in Remote Alaska

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Through her chairmanship of the Senate Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced multiple provisions within the subcommittee's appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2017 to ensure federal agencies, specifically the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), respect and understand Alaska's unique needs and priorities. "This bill strikes a critical balance - directing feder… Continue Reading

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06.14.16

Murkowski Applauds Final Passage of Major Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today S.2943, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), was passed by the Senate in a vote of 85-13. This legislation outlines defense priorities to defend our homeland, and support our troops and their families around the world. "With the very real threats around the world, this is one of the most important bills the Senate will take up this year. Not only does it provide the resources to support those who serve, it also contains numerous Arctic and Alaska-specific prov… Continue Reading

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06.14.16

Murkowski Presses Admin. on Misguided, Vague Mitigation Policy

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday sent a letter to Dan Ashe, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), calling on the agency to withdraw its proposed policy on mitigation, which attempts to implement a Presidential Memorandum on mitigation released in November 2015. In her letter, Murkowski echoes concerns she raised during a hearing that she held on the Presidential Memorandum in March 2016, noting a paradigm shift from mitigation to net conserva… Continue Reading

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06.14.16

Murkowski: Interior Bill will Bring Vast Benefits to Alaska

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released her Fiscal Year 2017 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which addresses a wide range of challenges, needs, and opportunities in Alaska. Among other advances, the bill makes significant strides in protecting our state from wildfires, improving access to Native healthcare, and reining in harmful federal regulations. "With our state in the midst of a fiscal crisis, my Interior bill will provide much… Continue Reading

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06.10.16

Murkowski Commends U.S. Attorney General’s Public Safety Initiatives for Native Communities and Rural Alaska

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) thanked U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch for meeting with Alaska Native leaders in Anchorage to discuss public safety issues of concern to the Native community. The visit fulfills a commitment Attorney General Lynch made to Murkowski on May 7, 2015 during a Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee hearing during which Murkowski asked Attorney General Lynch to personally engage with Alaska Federation of Natives Presi… Continue Reading

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06.09.16

Murkowski Appointed to Military Construction, VA, and Transportation Conference Committee

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was selected to serve on the Conference Committee tasked to reconcile the differences between the House of Representatives and Senate versions of the funding bills for military construction, Veterans Affairs, and transportation. The legislation provides resources to support military construction, veterans' benefits and programs, and transportation projects critical to Alaska. The legislation also includes funding to combat the Zika virus. Click here to view th… Continue Reading

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06.09.16

Murkowski Secures Investments to Strengthen Alaska’s Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2017. Referred to as Labor-H, it contains a number of provisions secured by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) that will strengthen Alaska's communities. As a member of the committee, Murkowski focused her efforts on funding programs that support Alaskan families, jobs, economic development, health, and safet… Continue Reading

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06.09.16

Murkowski Releases New CRS Report Putting Obama’s $319 Billion Tax in Perspective

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released a new report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) summarizing historical increases in the federal gasoline excise tax rate, currently set at 18.4 cents per gallon. Analysts estimate that the President's proposed $10.25-per-barrel oil tax or "fee" would raise gasoline prices by between 20 and 25 cents per gallon. "The resulting price increase is greater than the current federal tax on gasoline," Murkowski said. "The adm… Continue Reading

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06.08.16

Murkowski Urges Senate Colleagues to Stop Cuts to Military Basic Allowance for Housing

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor today about an amendment she introduced to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would halt a provision currently contained in the NDAA - called Section 604 - that makes cuts and sweeping changes to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) paid to active duty military families. Background on Senator Murkowski's amendment can be found by clicking here. Senator Murkowski began by explaining the impacts the changes to BAH wo… Continue Reading

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06.08.16

Murkowski Commends Indian Prime Minister’s Address to Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski today welcomed the address that the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, delivered to a joint session of Congress. "It was a privilege to attend a joint session today to listen to Prime Minister Modi and hear his warm, humorous, and insightful words. As he said, India and America have a strong bond and mutual goals that help bring peace, prosperity, and stability to the world. From our common love of democracy to the fact India trades with the U… Continue Reading

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06.08.16

Senate Passes Bill to Protect Americans from Dangerous Chemicals

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), to overhaul the outdated Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). This new bill, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, updates regulations on chemicals used to make everything from cleaning products to fertilizer and car parts, keeping pace with scientific advancements to ensure that chemical products are safe for intended use. The bill previously passed the Ho… Continue Reading

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06.03.16

First Group of Summer Interns Arrive in Washington, D.C.

Senator Lisa Murkowski announced the names of her first session of summer interns, who arrived in Washington, D.C. to assist in her office for three weeks. These recent high school graduates of the Class of 2016 will get a behind-the-scenes look into the operations of a U.S. Senate office by shadowing Murkowski throughout the day, helping with administrative and clerical tasks, and assisting staff with research projects. "These young Alaskans arrive in Washington, D.C. full of energy, ideas, … Continue Reading

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06.02.16

Murkowski Fights to Protect Basic Allowance for Housing for Military Members

As the U.S. Senate debates the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced an amendment which would stop cuts and sweeping changes to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) paid to active duty military families. The current Senate version of the NDAA would limit the BAH payment to actual housing costs plus an allowance for utilities based on average utility costs in the community up to a capped amount. These changes would take effect in 2018 if the … Continue Reading

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06.01.16

Murkowski: Federal Government’s Failure on Forest Management is Hurting Alaska

Kenai, AK - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, held a field hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in Kenai to examine the challenges and impacts of federal regulations and wildfire management on outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing opportunities, and tourism on public lands on the Kenai Peninsula. Tuesday's hearing follows Murkowski's release of draft legislation that would end the destructive practice of fire-borrowing and promote better management of Alaska's nationa… Continue Reading

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05.27.16

Senator Murkowski’s Memorial Day Message

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today offered the following statement in observance of Memorial Day: (Click image to watch video.) "This weekend is the unofficial start of summer-although in some parts of the state it already feels like we're there. But let us keep in mind what this weekend is really all about. "Memorial Day is a time to remember and reflect on the dedication of our fallen servicemembers, and truly what has been sacrificed for our country. Many left American soil to go f… Continue Reading

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05.27.16

Murkowski Introduces Bill to Honor Unsung Heroes of WWII

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced S.2989, the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, in honor and appreciation of the Merchant Mariners who served during World War II. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) is a co-sponsor. "Merchant Mariners were instrumental during World War II-providing valuable support transporting troops and vast quantities of war material needed to fight and win that war," said Senator Murkowski. "Their dedication and vital service to our nation … Continue Reading

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05.27.16

Murkowski Calls for Fixes to Flawed VA Choice Act Program

On the eve of Memorial Day weekend, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor to further describe the failings of the VA Choice Card Program in Alaska and outlined what steps need to be taken to ensure that Alaska veterans have access to quality healthcare, no matter where they live. (Click image to view Senator Murkowski's floor speech.) Murkowski opened her remarks by explaining that prior to the Choice Act being implemented, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) had dev… Continue Reading

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05.27.16

Murkowski Presses Interior on Mismanaged Efforts to Clean-up NPR-A Legacy Wells

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, sent a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell asking for more information surrounding mistakes reportedly made by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the cleanup of legacy wells in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). In her letter, Murkowski cites specific incidents where BLM's actions and lax oversight have threatened human safety and further environmental damage. "I have received reports that BLM has not been requiring it… Continue Reading

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05.26.16

Murkowski Introduces Three New Bills to Boost Alaska

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today introduced three targeted pieces of legislation that would improve the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANSCA), assist the Alaska Mental Health Trust, and reconstitute the Alaska Land Use Council. These bills reflect Murkowski's continued efforts to protect and advance her home state's priorities. "The legislation I introduced today will help Alaska Native communities, improve the management of our federal lands, and facilitate a … Continue Reading