01.25.13

Murkowski Fights Red Tape for Veterans’ Jobs

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today reached out to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to advocate that it make common-sense changes to its policies in an effort to improve access to commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) for America's veterans who are already fully trained to operate large commercial-size vehicles. Senator Murkowski was the lead Republican co-sponsor of the Veteran Employment Assistance Act of 2010, attempting to craft into law such a provision for o… Continue Reading

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01.25.13

“I Hope Alaskans Remember What We Did”

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today is releasing her 8th Veteran Spotlight installment featuring Father Norman Elliott, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Now nearly 94-years-old, Elliott recalls living in Michigan at age 22 when the war broke out and the calling he felt to defend his country - putting seminary school on hold to join the National Guard and then the U.S. Army in 1941. Nine months later, the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor led the United States to join the Allies in … Continue Reading

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01.24.13

Murkowski Introduces “America Needs Eielson Act of 2013”

WASHINGTON, DC - A day after she brought up the issue of Eielson Air Force Base with Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel and received his assurance he would personally look into it, Senator Lisa Murkowski today introduced S.152, the America Needs Eielson Act of 2013 to reinforce the many ways the nation needs Eielson Air Force Base at its current operational capacity or higher as the Defense Department embarks on a new geopolitical direction, focusing on the Asia-Pacific region. The bill - d… Continue Reading

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01.24.13

Murkowski: It’s “Way Past Time” for Mental Health Conversation

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski took part in the first Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee hearing to focus on America's mental health care since 2007 - saying it was "way past time" for the committee to take up the issue - focusing her attention on Alaska's critical fight against youth suicide and the latest efforts to identify mental and behavioral issues early in childhood to improve outcomes across the country, especially in rural America. In her opening remarks (clip one… Continue Reading

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01.23.13

Murkowski Meets with Secretary of Defense Nominee Chuck Hagel

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today had a frank and candid meeting with Defense Secretary nominee former Senator Chuck Hagel, discussing his views regarding the Middle East, the Pentagon's strategic shift to Asia and the Pacific and Alaska's geographic superiority when it comes to military basing. Murkowski specifically expressed her concern over the proposed move of F-16 Aggressors from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. She shared the following statement afte… Continue Reading

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01.23.13

Murkowski Welcomes Angelina Burney to Alaska Team

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced that Angelina Burney has joined her Anchorage office staff, where she will serve the Senator as an executive assistant and scheduler. Burney has over a decade of community relations experience at the state and federal level working with elected officials, governing boards and senior management to implement public policy. "Angelina's value is in her ability to see government from all perspectives - federal, state and as an observer in the … Continue Reading

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01.23.13

Murkowski Leads Bipartisan Senate Effort to Fight Youth Suicide

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski and her colleague Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today introduced the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Reauthorization with nine other Senate co-sponsors in an attempt to improve mental health services for young people and prevent youth suicides. The reauthorization will improve access to counseling for at-risk teens and promote the development of statewide suicide early intervention and prevention strategies. It will also increase federal funding for competiti… Continue Reading

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01.21.13

Murkowski Speaks About Martin Luther King, Jr’s Message

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Murkowski today issued the following statement in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: "2013 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the 'I have a dream speech' on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. As our nation honors the legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today, let us remember the fortitude and resolve Dr. King held towards achieving that dream for his four little children and generations of Americans to come. "This month, as we celebrate the life of thi… Continue Reading

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01.18.13

Sen. Murkowski to Hold Pen & Pad Session on Recent Energy Trip to Asia

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, will hold an on-the-record pen & pad session with reporters on Wednesday, Jan. 23, to discuss her recent trip to Asia. The pen & pad session will be held in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's library (enter through Senate Dirksen-370) at 11 a.m. Murkowski met with Taiwanese and Japanese officials during the trip on potential trade opportunities for Alaska's natural gas, and toured the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear react… Continue Reading

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01.16.13

Murkowski Reacts to President’s Gun Control Announcements

WASHINGTON, DC - While in Japan to discuss export opportunities for Alaska's natural gas, Senator Lisa Murkowski today reacted to President Barack Obama's announcement of proposals and executive orders regarding federal gun control policy: "Alaskans have mourned with all Americans at the tragic, senseless deaths in recent years but we do not believe those emotions should cloud our resolve to protect our Constitutional right to bear arms. I have spoken with gun owners, shopkeepers and hunters i… Continue Reading

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01.15.13

Murkowski: Storis Designation Should Be Its “Ticket Home to Alaska”

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today commended the National Park Service's decision to designate the United States Coast Guard Cutter Storis on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, supporting her October push to raise the ship's prominence. The Senator also believes today's announcement should send a clear signal that the vessel that contributed so much to Alaska's development - including delivering supplies during the construction of the Trans-Alaska pipeline - should return… Continue Reading

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01.11.13

Alaskan Senators, Coastal Coalition Push to Extend Frankenfish Comment Period

WASHINGTON, DC - Alaska's Senate delegation today reached out to the Food and Drug Administration, advocating that the federal agency extend the 60-day comment period on an Environmental Assessment (EA) of genetically engineered salmon an additional 60 days, given the holiday season timing of its announcement, the current Senate transition period and the economic importance of the issue to Alaska. Strengthening their case, they were joined by Senators from Oregon, Washington and Maryland in push… Continue Reading

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01.11.13

Sen. Murkowski Welcomes Court Ruling Vacating Polar Bear Critical Habitat

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today applauded a ruling by a federal court vacating the designation of 187,000-square miles of Alaska's North Slope as critical habitat for polar bears by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "The court made the right decision today," Murkowski said. "The government clearly overreached in designating such a large swath of Alaska - an area larger than the size of California -as critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act. The only real… Continue Reading

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01.10.13

Murkowski Succeeds in Continuing Federal Loan Policy for Homes with Cisterns

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski was glad to receive word today from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program that they will take Murkowski's suggestion to provide a waiver to Alaska for homes with water catchment systems. Up until last year, the USDA had offered waivers just as the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), but changed its policy while HUD continued - curbing the lending market in Alaska for low to moderate income borrowers purchasing homes … Continue Reading

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01.09.13

Murkowski Welcomes Return of VA Secretary Shinseki for President’s 2nd Term

WASHINGTON, DC - As the Obama administration announces wide-ranging personnel changes, Senator Lisa Murkowski today said she is glad to hear that Veterans Affairs Secretary General Eric Shinseki will be returning for the President's second term. Senator Murkowski sent a letter to the White House immediately after President Obama was re-elected, praising the General's work for Alaska and the tremendous improvements seen in recent years under his leadership for the state's veterans - urging the P… Continue Reading

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01.04.13

Murkowski Welcomes Record Number of Women Senators

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today welcomed the beginning of the 113th Congress and the record twenty women Senators who will work together to deliver results for their constituents and the nation. In a nationally-televised interview airing this evening, Senator Murkowski shares her focus on Alaska's concerns with ABC World News Tonight's Diane Sawyer, and explains how the women of the Senate often collaborate without egos - encouraging young Americans to step outside of their "comfo… Continue Reading

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01.03.13

Murkowski Retains Committee Assignments

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she will continue the momentum she has built for Alaska in the 113th Congress, maintaining her assignments to the Energy and Natural Resources, Appropriations, Indian Affairs, and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committees - all key positions for Alaska's unique needs. "These Senate Committee assignments I've been privileged to have represent a critical intersection of Alaska's policy concerns. I thank the Senate Republican Leadershi… Continue Reading

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01.01.13

Murkowski Votes to Protect 366,000 Alaskan Households from Tax Hike

WASHINGTON, DC - With taxes on every Alaskan taxpayer scheduled to rise at the beginning of 2013, Senator Murkowski today voted for H.R. 8 that would avoid a tax hike on Alaskans who make less than $400,000 or families making less than $450,000, along with staving off across-the-board sequestration cuts in federal programs for 2 months - in an attempt to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff." The bill passed by a vote of 89-8 with overwhelming, bipartisan support. Senator Murkowski issued the fol… Continue Reading

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12.28.12

Murkowski Votes for Alaska’s Fisheries, Coastal Relief

As Alaskans continue to grapple with the hardships from recent disasters - fisheries shortfalls and tsunami debris washing ashore - Senator Murkowski today voted in support of the Supplemental Appropriations Bill H.R. 1 that will provide a financial response to federally-recognized disasters across the country, from Alaskan fisheries to East Coast communities still reeling from Hurricane Sandy. However, when spending was proposed that did not serve the purpose of relief or response - whether f… Continue Reading

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12.28.12

Murkowski Votes For Greater Scrutiny of Government Surveillance

Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted against final passage of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Authorization (FISA) Extension bill H.R. 5949, which would extend for five years the ability of federal intelligence agencies to engage in warrantless wiretapping practices. Murkowski's long-standing and deep-seated concerns about unchecked government encroachment have gained urgency lately, with the possibility of U.S. citizens being wiretapped during surveillance of international calls. Despite … Continue Reading