12.18.13

Murkowski to Wal-Mart: “No Doubt” Alaska Seafood is Sustainable

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today sent a letter (attached) to the incoming President and CEO of Wal-Mart, introducing him to Alaska's world-renowned sustainable fisheries - calling it "the benchmark for fishery management." Her outreach is aimed at advocating that Wal-Mart make an informed decision to continue to bring Alaskan fish to its consumers nationwide, and at inviting the new CEO to Alaska to "see and taste" it for himself. After spending much of 2013 fighting against thir… Continue Reading

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12.17.13

Murkowski Statement on Bipartisan Budget Deal

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted in favor of proceeding to a final vote on H.J. Res 49, the Budget Resolution, a result of bipartisan negotiations between Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) to set funding levels for the federal government into 2015. She shared the following statement with Alaskans afterwards about the bill and her prospective vote tomorrow: "After much thought, I cast my vote in support of the Budget Act. The bill is far from perf… Continue Reading

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12.16.13

Murkowski Casts Vote for Coast Guard Future, DHS Nominee

Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted to confirm the nomination of Jeh Johnson as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, a critical position in Alaska where DHS watches over the United States Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Security Administration -- sharing her thoughts with Alaskans: "Last week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mr. Johnson to discuss his outlook on the issues facing our state, where DHS has a rather large presence. Mr. J… Continue Reading

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12.13.13

Murkowski Helps Bring State of the Art Cancer Technology to Alaska

ANCHORAGE, AK - Senator Lisa Murkowski's office this week helped a local cancer treatment center bring a state of the art machine online that will allow for the treatment of some brain cancers without ever cutting into the patient's skull. It is called a Gamma Knife, and it focuses 200 tiny beams of radiation directly at a tumor with minimal impacts to the surrounding, healthy tissue. Previously, Alaskans needing this type of brain cancer treatment were forced to travel to Seattle on their ow… Continue Reading

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12.13.13

Murkowski Votes for Air Force Secretary Nominee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted to confirm Deborah Lee James as the next Secretary of the Air Force, sharing the following thoughts: "The Air Force community is incredibly important to Alaska's identity, and it is being seen in a new light by the Pentagon as we embark on a Pacific era in the military - and the United States Air Force has developed a stronger partnership with Alaska in recent months. Over the past several years the Air Force relationship with Alaska and Co… Continue Reading

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12.12.13

Murkowski Commends VA Backlog Progress: Service is a Two Way Street, Keep Moving Forward

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the new Department of Veterans Affairs report (attached) outlining its improved Anchorage Regional Office statistics in cutting through the backlog of claims. The VA provided her with information detailing the positive changes in claim processing time, as well as delays in decisions and benefits. While statistics are slowly increasing in the lower 48, the more dramatic turnaround in Alaska is partly the result of Murkowski's demand t… Continue Reading

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12.12.13

Sen. Murkowski Calls Out Interior’s Inconsistency on King Cove Road

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today pressed Rhea Suh, nominated to be the next assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks at the Interior Department, on the importance of approving a life-saving road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge to protect the health and safety of the people of King Cove, Alaska. Murkowski asked how Interior agencies could continue to defend their opposition to the King Cove road with the argument that it could harm the region's mi… Continue Reading

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12.12.13

Murkowski Amendment Bringing Disaster Relief Aircraft to Alaska Added to Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski is pleased to see that the amendment she filed to the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act to transfer eight surplus Army C-23 "Sherpa" aircraft to the State of Alaska has been added to the bill released yesterday by the House and Senate Armed Services Committee. The bill is expected to be considered in the Senate next week. Murkowski's amendment requires the U.S. Army to offer title of eight specific aircraft, preselected by the State of Alaska to … Continue Reading

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12.07.13

On Pearl Harbor Anniversary, WWII Veteran Says “Life is Magnificent”

Anchorage resident Norman Hogg carries with him an Army-issued Bible received during his service time in World War II, bearing an inscription from then President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He also carries a remarkable abundance of stories, observations and an authentic Alaskan brand of optimism. As the nation remembers the December 7th, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the United States into the Second World War - a "date which will live in infamy" in Roosevelt's words - Senator Lisa Mu… Continue Reading

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12.02.13

Murkowski Hires New Legislative Director

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced the promotion of Kate Williams to become her new Legislative Director in Washington, DC, to oversee her legislative efforts in the United States Senate. Williams will fill the vacancy created by Tara Shaw's departure to run the policy operations of Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY). "Kate Williams has a stellar track record of advancing Alaskan issues and serving Alaskans - and I look forward to having her hand guiding our policy aims as we do wha… Continue Reading

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11.29.13

Murkowski Encourages Alaskans to Shop Small this Saturday

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Murkowski shared a message supporting Small Business Saturday. Click on the image above to watch her video message "This Saturday, November 30th, is small business Saturday across America. We know by now that the Friday after Turkey Day is known affectionately as Black Friday. With people who set their alarm clocks way too early and shoppers stampeding for bargains at the same big box stores. But I'd like to urge you, on Saturday, to get out and support the local… Continue Reading

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11.26.13

Murkowski Sustainability Fight Gets Major Change in Guidelines

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has wiped the names of controversial outside groups that decline to consider Wild Alaska salmon as 'sustainable' - when Alaska is the only state to have a sustainability mandate written in its Constitution and salmon known as "the flagship species for sustainability around the world" - from its concessions guidelines after a half-year struggle by Senator Lisa Murkowski. In a recent letter (attached) from a GSA Assistant Commissioner, the official w… Continue Reading

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11.22.13

Murkowski Responds to Pentagon Arctic Strategy Announcement

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the release of the United States Department of Defense Arctic Strategy showing it wants to be 'very active and very involved' in the region, saying: "I welcome the Department of Defense's increased attention to, and engagement in, the Arctic. All components of the U.S. Government need to be involved to make the Arctic a national priority and our Armed Forces play a vital role toward that end. There is a tremendous opportunity in front … Continue Reading

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11.22.13

Murkowski Proposes Alaska-Focused Amendments in Defense Bill

With the National Defense Authorization Act still before the United States Senate, Senator Lisa Murkowski has submitted a number of amendments focused on supporting Alaska's military through tangible projects such as rescue helicopters, aircraft and space launch capabilities. She is also continuing her advocacy to protect victims of military sexual assault and support a 'culture change' within the military. Aiming also to improve quality of life issues for the military, Senator Murkowski also … Continue Reading

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11.22.13

Murkowski Launches #AKThanks Campaign, Engages Alaskans

Senator's Focus on Blessings Will Culminate with Tuesday Premiere of Her "Appreciating Alaska" Mini-Documentary WASHINGTON, DC - With Thanksgiving less than a week away, Senator Lisa Murkowski today is inviting Alaskans to focus on what they are grateful for, by starting a social media campaign to initiate a statewide conversation to 'accentuate the positive.' The Senator will invite all Alaskans on Facebook and Twitter to share their thoughts and stories, contributing daily the things she is … Continue Reading

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11.21.13

Murkowski Statement on U.S. Senate “Power Grab”

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today shared her disappointment with the United States Senate's vote to eliminate filibuster rights for certain nominations - and according to Reuters news service, "Ditch a Historic Senate Rule" - taking away the Senate Minority's capacity to influence or impact the nomination process, saying: "Today, Senate Democrats decided they want more party line votes to push their agenda forward without needing to engage a single Republican. It's a power grab, pl… Continue Reading

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11.20.13

Murkowski: Alaskan Examples Bear Witness to Need for Military “Culture Change,” Pushes Need for Transparency

Senator's Floor Speech: "This is Not What Zero Tolerance Looks Like" WASHINGTON, DC - With the United States Senate debating S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Bill, Senator Lisa Murkowski today spoke on the Senate floor to continue her advocacy for S.967, the Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA) to deliver the "culture change" on sexual misconduct within the Armed Forces that the Secretary of Defense himself has acknowledged is necessary. Co-sponsored by Senator Murkowski in May, t… Continue Reading

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11.19.13

Murkowski Urges Detailed Arctic Agenda At State Department

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today visited the State Department for a face-to-face meeting with Secretary John Kerry, where she continued her work with international global leaders to pave a path towards an effective Arctic strategy for the United States. During the meeting, Senator Murkowski raised the issue of defining the United States' action plan in anticipation of the United States assuming the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council in May 2015, with Murkowski expressing a desire f… Continue Reading

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11.15.13

Murkowski: Customs and Border Patrol Decision Makes Fairbanks a Year-Round Destination

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the news that United States Customs and Border Protection is permanently creating three new customs positions slots at Fairbanks International Airport - not only permitting the Dawson City to Fairbanks summer flights initially denied, but opening up new possibilities for the Golden Heart City to attract more visitors year-round: "When Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initially decided to deny additional summer flights to transport 19… Continue Reading

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11.15.13

Murkowski Bill Would Arm Soldiers With Information on Strain, Stress

WASHINGTON, DC - As the United States Senate prepares to debate the National Defense Authorization Act - authorizing military pay, benefits and some policy initiatives - next week, Senator Lisa Murkowski is prioritizing our men and women in uniform by introducing S.1703, the Military Mental Health Improvement Act. This bill would clearly and comprehensively communicate exactly how their mental health records can be accessed or used throughout their career to service members when they enter the … Continue Reading