07.15.15

Murkowski: Every Child Achieves Act Undoes NCLB, Addresses Alaskan Frustrations

With the U.S. Senate debating the Every Child Achieves Act (ECAA) - the long-awaited fix of the flawed No Child Left Behind law - Senator Lisa Murkowski took to the floor of the Senate to stress its advantages for Alaskans. Senator Murkowski had a hand in the design of the bill, serving on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee that worked together on the legislation and passed it 22-0 out of committee to the full Senate. (For Murkowski's view on the committee process, read … Continue Reading

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07.14.15

Murkowski to Arctic Symposium: World Not Waiting on U.S. in Arctic

Senator Lisa Murkowski today spoke at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Arctic Symposium, urging action and warning that "an increase in Arctic activity will happen with or without the United States' involvement." During her speech, the Senator said that the international community is aggressively attempting to leverage interests and architecture in the Arctic and that more consideration should be given to public-private partnerships to boost the resources available fo… Continue Reading

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07.14.15

Murkowski Skeptical of Iranian Nuclear Agreement

Senator Lisa Murkowski today shared her thoughts on the result of international negotiations with Iran that will limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief: "Today's Iran nuclear agreement by the administration demands a close look and full scrutiny. "The burden of proof is ultimately with the Obama administration to persuade Alaskans and the nation that this is not a dangerous diplomatic blunder. Originally, the President claimed that his goal was to 'dismantle' Iran's nu… Continue Reading

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07.09.15

Murkowski Promotes from Within to Boost Alaska-DC Coordination

Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced that Michael Pawlowski will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff for Coordination of Alaska and Washington, D.C. Affairs beginning August 3, 2015. A lifelong Alaskan, Pawlowski will add to the efforts of the Murkowski team to effectively respond to immediate and long-term concerns of Alaska residents. He will join Kate Williams, who serves as Deputy Chief of Staff coordinating Murkowski's legislative priorities. "Michael Pawlowski has a firm grasp of the impa… Continue Reading

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07.09.15

Murkowski Extends J-1 Visa Program, Supports Alaska’s Seafood Industry

Senator Lisa Murkowski today successfully secured language in the 2016 State and Foreign Operations spending bill that extends the J-1 Visa program through the next fiscal year to help Alaska's seafood processors statewide hire needed staff. Murkowski also made sure that Arctic matters were given more attention and resources, while encouraging the United States to keep the interests and views of indigenous peoples in mind while forming policy. The J-1 Visa program is an important policy for ma… Continue Reading

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07.08.15

AK Congressional Delegation Speaks Out Against Troop Cuts at Fort Richardson

Alaska's Congressional Delegation today is responding to the news of continued significant reductions in the size and capability of the U.S. Army. In addition to cuts in Georgia and Hawaii, the Army told the delegation it will be downsizing its operations in Alaska at Fort Richardson by cutting 2,600 soldiers there and 75 soldiers at Fort Wainwright. "Along with thousands of Alaskans, I find this decision devastating, far beyond what it means to our state economy, but what it means to America'… Continue Reading

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07.07.15

Murkowski: Alaska VA Report Confirms Worst Suspicions

Senator Lisa Murkowski shared the following reaction to the Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General report of the Alaska VA and Wasilla Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) done at her request and made public today: "Today's report of the Alaska VA doesn't merely admit what many in our state already knew, it also confirms some of our worst suspicions: that the VA allowed veterans with serious health conditions to fall through the cracks, causing them to be denied potentially life-s… Continue Reading

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07.04.15

Murkowski Reflects on Importance of Independence Day

Today Senator Lisa Murkowski shared her reflections on the meaning of Independence Day with Alaskans saying: "On July 4th, 1776, 56 men put their signature on the Declaration of Independence to put a stop to the King of England's unjust policies and move toward a new age of freedom and liberty. As we celebrate the actions of those individuals, it's important to remember they did not act alone. Our young nation was filled with men and women who supported them to make a permanent mark in histor… Continue Reading

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07.01.15

Murkowski Announces Second Session Summer Interns

Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced the names of her second session summer interns who will work in her Washington, D.C. office in July. These recent high school members of the "Class of 2015" will get personal insight into the operations of a U.S. Senate office by shadowing Murkowski throughout the day, helping with day-to-day clerical and administrative tasks, and assisting staff with research projects. "The first session of interns were energetic, engaged and informed, so this next group … Continue Reading

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06.29.15

Sen. Murkowski Welcomes Supreme Court Decision on EPA Rule

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the United States Supreme Court decision on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) failure to consider the costs of compliance when making rules for electric utilities. "The sweeping powers asserted by the EPA at issue in today's opinion could cost billions of dollars and impose unreasonably high costs on American families and businesses without making them any safer," Murkowski said. "It is heartening to hear that the court has reined in … Continue Reading

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06.26.15

Murkowski Presses Administration About Double Standard on Alaska Native Treatment in Health Care Law

Senator Lisa Murkowski is reaching out to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to resolve the problem of how "Indian" is defined within the Affordable Care Act. Many Alaska Natives are presently blocked from securing the protections and exemptions afforded to them under the law. The narrow current definition is inconsistent with the existing one for Alaska Natives under several federal health programs, because many young Alaska Natives are not shareholders in ANCSA corporations that stop… Continue Reading

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06.26.15

Murkowski Responds to Supreme Court Marriage Equality Ruling

Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the decision from the United States Supreme Court that the U.S. Constitution bars states from denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples, saying: "I support marriage equality, and believe today's ruling is the right one as it reinforces limited government and promotes family values. The decision keeps governments out of the most private and personal aspects of peoples' lives, supports adults' decisions to make lifetime commitments to one another, and… Continue Reading

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06.25.15

Murkowski Blasts “WOTUS” Rule on Senate Floor

In a speech on the U.S. Senate floor, Senator Lisa Murkowski today outlined the wide range of threats to Alaska posed by the Environmental Protection Agency's new "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) rule, which significantly expands the EPA's ability to regulate more of Alaska's land and water. The rule includes provisions that give EPA control over areas within 4,000 feet of a jurisdictional "water"- using a dubious methodology that fails to take into account the on-the-ground reality for s… Continue Reading

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06.25.15

Murkowski Bill to Improve Rural Health Passes Senate

Senator Lisa Murkowski today was proud to see S.230, her legislation providing a land transfer of 23 acres in Bethel, pass the United States Senate unanimously. This bill would not only allow the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) to build a new primary care facility for the region, but also allow them to renovate the current facility and maximize the range of care provided. "I thank my Senate colleagues for recognizing the importance of boosting healthcare in rural Alaska and I commend … Continue Reading

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06.25.15

Murkowski: Supreme Court Ruling Doesn’t Change “Broken Promises” of Health Care Law

Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the 6-3 decision from the United States Supreme Court in King vs Burwell, which upholds federal subsidies in the Affordable Care Act, saying: "From day one, the political document called the Affordable Care Act has been a steady stream of mistakes, glitches and broken promises. The fact that the law survived this legal challenge doesn't change the basic reality that Alaskans continue to face the highest health cost care in the country. Since passage o… Continue Reading

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06.25.15

Murkowski: “We Are Losing Our Children” to Alaska Native Suicide

Senator Lisa Murkowski today stressed the need for youth-oriented solutions and approaches to fighting the epidemic of Alaska Native youth suicide. In a hearing of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Murkowski noted recent successes in dealing with the problem by a heightened awareness campaign in certain areas. She challenged the Acting Director of the Indian Health Service to bring more young people and young attitudes into the program development phase, in order to customize a message t… Continue Reading

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06.24.15

Murkowski Votes to Strengthen Alaska Export Trade, Boost Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted for H.R.2146, the vehicle for Trade Promotion Authority, and explained her reasoning with Alaskans afterwards: "When Alaskans discuss economic partners - being separated from the contiguous 48 - more often than not we're talking about exports with partners abroad. International trade supports 90,000 Alaskan jobs, roughly 70 percent of which are part of our small- and medium sized-business community, from fishermen to natural resource developers. "Trade Promo… Continue Reading

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06.23.15

Sen. Murkowski: Iran Deal Will Disadvantage U.S. Energy

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today advanced her efforts to lift the current ban on most U.S. crude oil exports by releasing a report making the case that sanctions on Iranian oil should not be lifted without also lifting the current ban on U.S. crude oil exports. The report, Cross-Currents: Iranian Oil and the U.S. Export Ban, connects the dots between Obama Administration statements to support this argument. "We are letting Iran export its oil to markets that we prevent our own compani… Continue Reading

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06.19.15

Murkowski Protects Military From Commissary Price Hike, Interior Sportsmen through Defense Bill

Senator Lisa Murkowski cast her vote in support of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which lays out the Pentagon's priorities and agenda for the upcoming year. The bill also incorporates her amendment (attached) that promotes better communication between military installations and sportsmen who utilize military lands during periods in which they are not needed for military activities, in light of the recent Fort Wainwright and Fort Greely hunting grounds calendar dispute. Proposed… Continue Reading

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06.18.15

Appropriations Committee Passes Murkowski Interior Spending Bill Reflecting Alaskan Concerns

Senator Lisa Murkowski, Chairman of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommitee, today cast her vote in support of the 2016 Interior appropriations bill - which sets an agenda more in accord with Alaska's priorities - and was passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The legislation now heads to the Senate floor for a final vote. The bill, the first of its kind in six years, covers a broad range of issues and initiatives of critical importance to Alaska i… Continue Reading