02.25.14

Murkowski: F-35 Announcement Cements Alaska’s Military Importance

Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the United States Air Force's announcement that both Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson are being considered as potential home bases for F-35s, saying: "In the 21stcentury, Alaska is prime military real estate: we have the skies, we have the community support and we reside on the frontlines of the Asia-Pacific region, overlooking the emerging threats from the West. Today's announcement only cements the fact that the Last Frontie… Continue Reading

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02.24.14

Murkowski Representing Nation at International Arctic Conference

Senator Lisa Murkowski today is representing the United States of America at a meeting of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (SCPAR) in Ottawa, Canada. She is working alongside representatives from the other Arctic nations, as they study and discuss emerging possibilities and challenges in the region. Among the topics of discussion today are shipping routes through the Northwest Passage and intelligent investment in the region. "It is so encouraging and energizing… Continue Reading

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02.21.14

Navy Veteran Overcomes Stereotypes to Excel

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski is today releasing her 21st Veteran Spotlight interview, focusing on the military service of Soldotna resident Jane Fuerstenau who served in the U.S. Navy for five years as a jet mechanic and then served our country in the reserves. During her Veteran Spotlight interview, Fuerstenau recalls being 18 years old and a year and a half into college when she realized it wasn't for her. She decided to join the military. It was the luck of the draw that br… Continue Reading

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02.20.14

Murkowski Seeks to Pull Back "Window Dressing" of Arctic Rep

KETCHIKAN, Alaska -One day after sharing her concerns that the recently-announced 'Special Representative for the Arctic' position represents mere "window dressing" on Arctic engagement, Senator Lisa Murkowski called on Secretary John Kerry to meet with her and provide more information about the nature of the position -- and why he is declining to name an official to a full Ambassador position. With Senator Murkowski having recently delivered the Keynote Address at the Global Arctic Symposium a… Continue Reading

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02.20.14

Murkowski Celebrates “Hidden Heroes” of Black History Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today shared with Alaskans her commemorating for Black History Month: Click on the image above to watch her video message "Every February, Americans come together to celebrate Black History Month. It is a valuable way for Americans across the country to appreciate and recall the profound impact African Americans have had on American history. There are many leaders you have heard of, including Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Malcom X, … Continue Reading

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02.18.14

Murkowski Success Finalized on Alaska Native Care, Hundreds of Jobs Statewide

WASHINGTON, D.C. - For years, Senator Lisa Murkowski has urged the federal government to follow through on its trust responsibility to America's first people and provide the necessary - and legally-required - resources to attend to their medical needs nationwide. Murkowski today is pleased to see the funding levels, or 'operating plans' of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service reflect her success in the Interior Appropriations Committee in rejecting the injustice of shortchang… Continue Reading

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02.14.14

Murkowski: Arctic Representative An Improvement, but Questions Remain

Three days after Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed criticism of the Obama administration's lack of thoughtful, active engagement in the Arctic - through her letter to the President about his 'Implementation Plan' - Secretary of State John Kerry sent her a letter (attached) informing her of his plans to announce a 'Special Representative for the Arctic Region.' Today's letter from Secretary Kerry follows a series of discussions between Senator Murkowski and Vice President Joe Biden on this matter… Continue Reading

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02.14.14

Murkowski Honors Former Alaska Territorial Governor Michael Stepovich

Senator Lisa Murkowski today shared her reflections on the legacy of Michael Stepovich, who passed away this morning at the age of 94: "I am incredibly saddened to learn of the loss of Mike Stepovich, the last of Alaska's territorial Governors. Mike played a vital role in Alaska's admission to statehood, and for the 54 years that followed he occupied a prominent place on the public policy scene. Today we have lost another link to Alaska's territorial history and that leaves a huge hole in my he… Continue Reading

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02.13.14

Murkowski Slams “Unambitious” White House Arctic Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today reached out to the Obama administration and expressed her disappointment that its recently-released "Arctic Strategy Implementation Plan" falls far short of America's needs as the nation slips further behind other nations investing in the region. The United States is scheduled to become the Chair of the Arctic Council next year, and Senator Murkowski has been working with Cabinet officials, top military brass and international leaders to advocate … Continue Reading

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02.12.14

Murkowski: Debt Limit Increase Ignores America’s Fiscal Issues

Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted against a measure to lift the federal debt ceiling through March 15th, 2015, and explained her vote to Alaskans: "I voted against the so-called "clean" 13-month suspension of the debt limit because it represents an abdication of Congress' responsibility to address a national debt that exceeds $17 trillion - over $54,000 for every man, woman and child in this country. We owe more to America than to simply increase the debt without addressing the root cause. A… Continue Reading

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02.12.14

Murkowski Votes to Restore Full Veterans Pensions

Senator Murkowski today voted with her Senate colleagues to rectify the 1% decrease in cost of living adjustments (COLA) to early military retirees included as part of the December bipartisan budget deal. Senator Murkowski has been a strong advocate in attempting to overturn this cut, and has worked with Senate colleagues across the aisle in order to correct this. "I stand with our brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line for the safety and comfort Alaskans enjoy. This cu… Continue Reading

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02.12.14

Murkowski Tells Foreign Relations Committee: Alaskan Fisherman Need a Level Playing Field

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations about the multi-million dollar economic threat posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing to Alaska's seafood industry, and the need for Senate ratification for the Port State Measures Agreement. Murkowski's testimony took a unique and personal tone when she recounted that her own son is just returning to port after a season fishing crab, saying that strengthened laws h… Continue Reading

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02.12.14

Sen. Murkowski Voices Opposition to Interior Nominee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today announced she will vote against President Obama's nominee to oversee the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service if the nomination is taken up for a vote Thursday in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Rhea Suh, who has been nominated to be the Interior Department's next assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks; lacks the leadership qualities and background knowledge necessary to right an agency… Continue Reading

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02.12.14

Murkowski to Jewell: Keep Your Promises to King Cove

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) yesterday sent a letter calling on Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell to uphold the promises and commitments she made more than seven weeks ago to protect the health and safety of those who live in the remote village of King Cove, Alaska. "While you chose to deny the surest option to provide safe and reliable emergency medical access for the residents of King Cove - a short, one-lane gravel road that would be used only for non-commercia… Continue Reading

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02.11.14

Sen. Murkowski Calls for Greater Emphasis on Protecting Electric Reliability

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today warned that the reliability of the nation's electric grid could suffer unless federal policymakers pay greater attention to the impacts of a range of new factors and forces, including changes in the nation's electricity mix and regulations being issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Murkowski made her remarks at the annual winter meeting of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). In additi… Continue Reading

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02.10.14

Murkowski Votes for Senate to Take Up Restoring Full Veterans Benefits

Senator Lisa Murkowski today cast a vote to begin debate on S.1963, the Military Pension COLA Bill, after over a month of seeking legislative solutions to this issue, saying: "I have left no doubt that I am committed to restoring the full pension benefits to early military retirees, set to see a 1% cost-of-living cut starting in January of 2016. I have backed a number of sensible pieces of legislation that will deliver on our promise to veterans without digging the nation deeper into debt, and… Continue Reading

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02.10.14

Murkowski: White House Admitting Health Care Law Broken

Today the White House announced that it was again delaying the midsize-employer mandate for a year until 2016. Senator Murkowski had the following response to the decision, which the Washington Post reported was done to "defuse another potential controversy involving the 2010 health care law": "The White House delayed the employer mandate last July, they postponed the limit on out-of-pocket expenses for Americans in August, they admitted they weren't truthful about 'if you like your health pla… Continue Reading

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02.10.14

Murkowski to Testify on Pirate Fishing Fight at Foreign Relations Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski will provide expert testimony on Wednesday in front of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations about the threat posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing on Alaska's seafood industry and the need for the Port State Measures Agreement. "Since 1990, illegal and unlawful fishing is estimated to be a half a billion dollar problem to Alaska's economy - and we can regain control over our fisheries by better policing and enforcement at the p… Continue Reading

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02.05.14

Murkowski Meets with Arctic Council Chair, Iceland Ambassador Nominee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski held two meetings with Arctic officials in her ongoing effort to build relationships and consensus within the region, with the United States scheduled to begin the 2-year Chairmanship of the Arctic Council next year. "As I work in Washington, DC, national leaders are beginning to acknowledge we are an Arctic nation - which begs the question 'What now?' The dynamic Arctic region presents significant opportunities and challenges for Alaska, the U.S. and … Continue Reading

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02.05.14

Murkowski Encourages Alaskans to Learn Online Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski shared a message in support of National Digital Learning Day, being commemorated statewide (at locations like Haines, Juneau and Kenai) and across the United States today: Click on the image above to watch her video message "Across Alaska, digital technology is opening up doors many never thought were possible. Every day, teachers bring students into a vast world by using computers, iPads, and even smart phones. Through technology, even students from… Continue Reading