06.02.15

Murkowski Co-Sponsors Bill to Crack Down on Distracted Driving

Senator Lisa Murkowski is introducing the bipartisan Improving Driver Safety Act to crack down on distracted driving on Alaska's roadways and nationwide, by making millions in existing federal funds available to the state's efforts to address this safety risk. The bill, also co-sponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Hoeven (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) would ensure that states can access the nearly $16 million in government education and enforcement funds that went unused last year. … Continue Reading

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06.02.15

Murkowski Urges Federal Action on Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Danger in Alaska

Senator Lisa Murkowski joined 21 members of Congress in reaching out to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), seeking answers and follow through from the federal government to address the national concern of abandoned and derelict vessels. Scattered in many coastal or riverfront locations across Alaska, these ships pose serious navigational challenges by obstructing boat traffic flow and creating potential environmental risks if remaining fuel on board were to leak into the water. In rur… Continue Reading

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06.01.15

Murkowski Responds to Health Insurance Rate Spikes for 2016

Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to Premera's formalized plan to raise premium rates 38.7% on average in 2016, and MODA's 25% average increase: "From the time the 'Affordable Care Act' passed the Senate on a party line vote and Nancy Pelosi said 'We have to pass it to see what's in it' as she pushed the bill through the House, I have been against the bill for one simple reason: math. The numbers would never pencil out for rural states like Alaska. "Last year, we saw premiums increase dr… Continue Reading

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05.28.15

Sen. Murkowski Welcomes Approval of DOE License for Alaska LNG Export Project

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today cheered the Department of Energy's approval of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export license for Alaska's massive North Slope natural gas resources. "Receiving the conditional license to export LNG to non-free trade agreement countries is a major milestone for the Alaska LNG project and great news for Alaska," Murkowski said. "With federal permission in place, those working on the project have the ability to begin selling Alaska gas in the Asian markets… Continue Reading

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05.27.15

Murkowski: WOTUS Rule Represents Unprecedented Expansion of Federal Authority

Senator Lisa Murkowski today criticized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for overreaching in its efforts to expand the list of waterways covered by the Clean Water Act. Murkowski said the EPA's "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) rule would greatly expand the amount of area in Alaska that will require federal permits for development - immediately creating one more roadblock to responsible construction and other productive activities. "The EPA's expansion of the definition of "Waters … Continue Reading

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05.25.15

Senator Murkowski Shares Thoughts on Memorial Day

Senator Murkowski today shared her thoughts on Memorial Day: "It's easy to get caught up in the rush of Memorial Day Weekend-the barbeques, camping, fishing, and hiking. It's the unofficial start of the summer, something that after a long winter, Alaskans love to celebrate. However, I encourage Alaskans to keep in mind what it's all really about. Memorial Day is rooted in the word 'memory'-it's a time to remember the dedication of our fallen soldiers, and reflect on what has been sacrificed for… Continue Reading

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05.23.15

Alaska WWII Veteran Recalls Life on the Front Lines

Senator Lisa Murkowski today is releasing her 24th Veteran Spotlight interview, focusing on the military service of WWII veteran and Bronze Star recipient Al Hershberger of Soldotna. Hershberger, just 18 years old when he volunteered to join the U.S. Army, recalls in his interview being eager to pitch in and join the efforts to end the war. On May 8 of this year, V.E. Day, the landmark 70th anniversary of the end of the war, Hershberger made sure to call each of the three living members of his… Continue Reading

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05.23.15

Murkowski Votes to End Overreaching NSA Surveillance Tactics

Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted to consider the bipartisan USA Freedom Act that she co-sponsored to end bulk collection of phone records without probable cause and require greater oversight, transparency, and accountability with respect to domestic surveillance authorities. She shared her reasoning afterwards: "The government's surveillance efforts need to be seriously rethought. While I understand the new reality we face against a complicated terrorist network, I believe American lives a… Continue Reading

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05.22.15

Murkowski, Sullivan Bill Would Ensure Tribal Funding Program Stays Streamlined

Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan have introduced legislation to strengthen Public Law 102-477 (referred to as the 477 program) by making its beneficial, streamlined process permanent - while also expanding its reach to more participating federal agencies. Almost $110 million is funded through 477 plans on an annual basis in 18 states throughout the nation. In Alaska, eleven regional tribal organizations participate in the tribal 477 program. 477 programs were created in 1992 to allow t… Continue Reading

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05.22.15

Alaska Delegation Welcomes News of Long Range Discrimination Radar Siting at Clear Air Force Station

Alaska's Congressional Delegation today welcomed a major benchmark in Alaska's military infrastructure presence, as the Pentagon informed them that Clear Air Force Station in Anderson has been proposed to be the future site of the Missile Defense Agency's long range discrimination radar system (LRDR). The system - which is reported to be valued at $940 million worth of technology, hardware and on-site construction - will utilize cutting edge and proven 21st century technology to identify and tr… Continue Reading

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05.22.15

Murkowski Announces Public Schedule for Memorial Day State Work Period

Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced that she is traveling to Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley and Fairbanks during the Memorial Day work period and will be available for media opportunities at a number of events. Among her public events will be a public roundtable session in Anchorage on Thursday, bringing together federal officials from the Department of Interior and Department of Energy to walk through the permitting process for Alaska LNG projects. Following are the details of Senator Murkow… Continue Reading

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05.22.15

Murkowski Hosting Federal Roundtable on LNG Path Forward

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, will host a roundtable discussion in Anchorage on Thursday on the federal processes for permitting an Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project. The event will include a public discussion between senior energy officials from the relevant federal agencies about key federal permits, processes and opportunities related to an LNG export project in Alaska. Attendees will include Deputy Secretary of Ene… Continue Reading

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05.21.15

Murkowski Efforts Promote Alaska Ports, Harbors and Roads

Senator Lisa Murkowski today succeeded in leveraging her position on the Energy and Waters Appropriations Subcommittee to deliver resources in the 2016 funding bill that will initiate or maintain infrastructure projects in Alaska. The appropriations bill, which passed the full Senate Appropriations Committee today, will fund studies, research, port projects and energy innovations that will boost Alaska's economy. "Infrastructure is the circulatory system of our state, and it sustains our com… Continue Reading

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05.21.15

Murkowski: Military Construction, VA Approps Bill Spotlights Alaskan Prominence, Priorities

Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted for the 2016 Military Construction/Veterans Affairs appropriations bill as it successfully passed out of the full Appropriations Committee. The bill, which allocates federal resources to construction and upkeep efforts at military installations across the country as well as the nationwide VA system, contains a number of priorities advocated by Murkowski for Alaska in the subcommittee negotiations. "Alaska is the tip of the spear as we face troubling behavior… Continue Reading

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05.20.15

Murkowski Lauds Commerce Committee Passage of Anti-Pirate Fishing Bill

Senator Lisa Murkowski today commended the Senate Commerce Committee for unanimously passing the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUU) Enforcement Act out of committee. The bill was introduced by Senator Murkowski Lisa and Senator Dan Sullivan last week to step up the crackdown of IUU fishing, and she had the following remarks afterwards: "I thank my Senate colleagues in the Commerce Committee for recognizing the importance of this legislation and expeditiously passing it out of … Continue Reading

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05.19.15

Murkowski, Cantwell Bill Authorizes Construction of Six Heavy Icebreakers

Senator Lisa Murkowski today introduced the bipartisan Icebreaker Recapitalization Act with Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) that would authorize the U.S. Navy to construct up to 6 heavy icebreakers. The new icebreakers would be designed and operated by the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is the sole service responsible for icebreaking missions. "As an Arctic nation, America must be a global leader towards an Arctic future as this dynamic region opens up to new opportunities; by contrast, countries… Continue Reading

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05.19.15

Sen. Murkowski Highlights Alaska’s Diverse Energy Supplies

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today stressed the importance of developing Alaska's diverse energy resources - from traditional fossil fuel production to hydropower, biomass, ocean and river energy, wind, and other renewable resources - while ensuring that Alaskans share in the economic benefits of offshore oil and natural gas production. Click to view video "It is in our national interest to make energy abundant, affordable, clean, diverse and secure. Today's hearing - like the bill we… Continue Reading

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05.15.15

Murkowski, Sullivan Fighting Pirate Fishing

Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan have introduced legislation to combat the multi-billion dollar threat posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities harming U.S. fisheries and fishermen's livelihoods. This legislation will increase enforcement capabilities for a number of international fishery agreements that combat IUU fishing, protecting Alaskan fisheries and fisheries across the entire United States. "Our bill is a critical next step toward implementing the IU… Continue Reading

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05.15.15

Murkowski, in Seattle, Stands Up for Arctic Development

Senator Lisa Murkowski today highlighted the close economic ties between Alaska and Puget Sound during a speech to the Alaska Business Forum at the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. The Seattle Chamber has estimated that Alaska contributes billions of dollars in economic activity and supports thousands of jobs in Washington's Puget Sound region. "When Alaska does well, so does Puget Sound. That's no secret, but it underscores why we should be rooting for each other and looking for places where we ca… Continue Reading

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05.15.15

Murkowski: Hmong “Stealth Heroes” Deserve Final Resting Place They Earned

Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced bipartisan legislation this week to honor America's dedicated Vietnam War-era allies: the Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act. The bill would allow members of the Hmong Special Guerilla Unit (SGU) who conducted support missions for American forces during Vietnam to be buried in national cemeteries. 6,000 Hmong-Americans - including a sizeable number living in Alaska - are veterans who put their lives on the line alongside Americans, and Murkowski has adv… Continue Reading