Press Releases
Media Requests: Members of the media can contact the press office by emailing Joseph_Plesha@murkowski.senate.gov or by calling 206-302-8317 and asking for the press office.
Murkowski Honors America’s Veterans Across Alaska and at Arlington Cemetery
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today participated in the National Veterans Day Commemoration, held at Arlington National Cemetery - the culmination of a month of honoring and serving Alaska's veteran community in state, as well an extended period of legislative actions in Congress benefitting men and women nationwide who defended the country in conflicts abroad. Senator Murkowski Speaks About the Solemnity of Veterans Day at Arlington Cemetery (Click image for link to video) The onl… Continue Reading
11.11.12
“We Must Serve Those Who Served Our Nation”
Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the following statement in honor of Veterans Day: "On this Veterans Day of 2012, I thank every single man and woman who has worn the uniform of our armed forces. When challenges presented themselves to the cause of freedom and liberty around the world, these Americans stepped up and served - often facing dangerous, life-threatening enemies. "While Veterans Day is certainly a solemn one, where we humbly offer our deep gratitude - it is also an optimistic oc… Continue Reading
11.09.12
Murkowski Pushing Obama to Keep VA Secretary Shinseki
With President Obama's recent re-election a reality and potential administration changes looming, Senator Lisa Murkowski is strongly encouraging President Obama to retain Veterans Affairs Secretary General Eric Shinseki, calling on the White House to keep him in place by pointing out the "sea change" Alaska's veterans are seeing with across-the-board improvements in care and services under his leadership. In a letter sent to the White House two days before Alaska and the nation celebrates Veter… Continue Reading
11.09.12
Murkowski Announces Over $9 Milion for Winter Heat Aid
Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced that $9.7 million dollars is being directed to Alaska through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the Fiscal Year 2013 Continuing Resolution. Earlier this year, Senator Murkowski joined a bipartisan effort to include language in the current continuing resolution that assured that the Obama Administration would allocate federal funding at the Fiscal Year 2012 level. Otherwise, the White House had planned to reduce funds from $3.47 bil… Continue Reading
11.09.12
Murkowski's Veterans Spotlight Becoming Alaskan Attraction, Educational Tool
WASHINGTON, D.C. - To kick off Veterans Day weekend, Senator Lisa Murkowski has presented her Veteran Spotlight interviews to the Alaska Veterans Museum and is working with Alaskan school districts for it to be used in civics and history classes. The Museum has embraced the interviews as a way to both honor Alaska's veterans and educate the public on military service. As of now, the Kuspuk, Anchorage and Fairbanks North-Star Borough school districts are discussing incorporating the interviews i… Continue Reading
11.07.12
Senator Murkowski’s Statement on President Obama’s Re-election
Senator Lisa Murkowski tonight issued the following statement upon the announcement that President Barack Obama has clinched a second term in office: "I congratulate President Obama and Vice President Biden on their re-election tonight. While the presidential race was hard fought on both sides, I think this election process has demonstrated that Americans want us to work together to solve the difficult problems facing our nation. "In his second term, I am hopeful that President Obama will see … Continue Reading
11.01.12
Murkowski: Alaskan Air Carriers Shouldn’t Be “Held Hostage”
After pushing the Department of Interior repeatedly to settle their delinquent debts with a number of Alaskan charter air carriers, Senator Lisa Murkowski today shared the news with Alaskans that tens of thousands of dollars owed to pilots and businesses is on its way: "Alaskans have a very low threshold for red tape and bureaucracy out of Washington, DC, and it is inexcusable that a number-crunching maze at the Interior Department has left our air carriers and pilots waiting for months to get … Continue Reading
10.31.12
Murkowski “Outraged” by Benghazi Attack Developments
ANCHORAGE, AK - As questions continue to emerge from the continuing inconsistencies in official accounts of the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, Senator Lisa Murkowski issued the following statement and call to action: "I am outraged to hear reports that the United States Government failed to address security needs in Libya, even more with reports that trained personnel on the ground were discouraged from responding to reports of trouble at our Consulate in Benghazi. The adminis… Continue Reading
10.30.12
Murkowski Honors Army Veteran, ATG Member Earl Wineck
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski is releasing her 5th Veteran Spotlight installment today, featuring Earl Wineck of Anchorage - an Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG) member and U.S. Army veteran. In 1934, before World War II, Wineck's father headed to the Matanuska-Susitna Valley to make a place for his family. Two years later, Earl's mother took the rest of the family to Alaska in a Studebaker to join up with his father and begin farming. In 1942, Wineck joined the ATG at 15, the earlie… Continue Reading
10.25.12
Murkowski Joining Alaska National Guard on Little Diomede Trip
ANCHORAGE, AK - Senator Lisa Murkowski is going to Little Diomede Island in the middle of the Bering Strait this Friday to get a first-hand look at the community's challenges and military infrastructure needs. The first U.S. Senator to visit the island since Senator Ted Stevens, Murkowski will join Major General Thomas Katkus, Adjutant General of the Alaska National Guard, and Rear Admiral Thomas P. Ostebo, Commander of the Seventeenth District United States Coast Guard to survey the island and… Continue Reading
10.24.12
Murkowski Discusses Alaska Natural Gas “Window of Opportunity” with Producers
HOUSTON, TEXAS - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, met this week with executives from the North Slope's three major producers to discuss the current state of plans and next steps for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project for commercializing Alaska's gas resources. "I wanted to hear directly from the companies about where they are in the planning and design process, and what they see as the next step to advance the project," Murkowski said. Murkowski said she was encouraged by the level… Continue Reading
10.24.12
Murkowski, Inhofe Call for Joint California Gas Price Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., today sent a letter to the Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Sen. Jeff Bingaman, and the Chairwoman of the Environment and Public Works, Sen. Barbara Boxer, requesting a joint committee hearing on the cause of the recent surge in California gas prices. "Many have already inquired as to why gasoline prices in California climbed to record highs, rising from about $4.20 per gallon to $4.70 per g… Continue Reading
10.19.12
Murkowski Creating “Alaskan Education Library” Online
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski is holding a Senate field hearing at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention this afternoon, bringing Alaskans involved in education together to share new ideas and success stories from their classrooms. Due to the statewide interest in the topic and abundance of effective approaches, all educators, school board members, Native organizations and Tribes are being invited to submit their lessons learned in an online clearinghouse being created on Murko… Continue Reading
10.18.12
Murkowski to Address AFN Friday Morning
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced her schedule of formal official activities at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention the next few days at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center. She also plans to spend time each day visiting with attendees and constituents for valuable one-on-ones to discuss issues close to home. The media is invited to interview her after these public activities: WHEN: Friday, October 19, 2012; 9:40am AKT WHAT: Remarks to Alaska Federation … Continue Reading
10.18.12
Murkowski, Young Participating in Delegation Dialogue at AFN
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski and Congressman Don Young today announced they will participate in a Delegation Dialogue during the 2012 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage. The event will be live-streamed on the Internet and available for all Alaskans to watch as it happens on www.Murkowski.Senate.Gov. The Delegation Dialogue will focus on four main issues important to Alaska Native people: Health, Education, Energy and Subsistence. An expert will address each iss… Continue Reading
10.17.12
Murkowski Showcasing Education Innovation at AFN Senate Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski announced today that she will be holding a field hearing of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee at this week's AFN convention to explore success stories being seen in classrooms statewide. Teachers, school systems, and Native organizations are trying bold new culturally-relevant approaches in building stronger foundations of knowledge for Alaska Native children. Murkowski's hearing will be live-streamed on the Internet and av… Continue Reading
10.12.12
Delegation Details Harsh Impacts of Fall Storms to White House
As Alaska continues to rebuild the damage to roads, railways, homes and communities up and down the railbelt region as a result of the September floods and windstorms, the Congressional Delegation is explaining to the White House the wide range of impacts on communities, from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Kenai Peninsula and rural Alaska - including damages that have been estimated to surpass $10 million worth of repairs/renovations. Senators Murkowski and Begich, and Congressman Young sent a … Continue Reading
10.10.12
Murkowski Pushes Alaskan, Arctic Priorities in Coast Guard Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the House of Representatives and the Senate consider competing versions of the Coast Guard Authorization Act, Senator Lisa Murkowski is attempting to make sure Alaska's needs are met. In a letter (attached) to the leaders of the relevant House and Senate committees, Senator Murkowski highlighted a number of key sections that she didn't want to see left on the negotiating room floor, writing "these provisions are supported by a number of my constituents, who depend on the m… Continue Reading
10.04.12
Murkowski Honors Alaska Middle School Principal of The Year
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski traveled to the communities of Upper and Lower Kalskag on the Kuskokwim River to honor Greg Wohlman, the principal of the Kalskag schools. Murkowski worked with Kalskag leaders to plan a surprise potluck attended by hundreds of students and parents to honor the humble educator for his contribution to the community. The traditional gathering, held yesterday, included speeches by an elder, Kuspuk School District Superintendent Brad Allen and Senator Murk… Continue Reading
10.04.12
Murkowski Comments on Stakeholder Alignment on Alaska LNG Project
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed an agreement reached between the three major North Slope producers and a pipeline company to advance a liquefied natural gas project to export Alaskan gas to Pacific Rim countries. "Yesterday's agreement on a timeline with firm deadlines for advancing an LNG export project is encouraging news and shows progress is being made on commercializing our North Slope gas reserves," Murkowski said. "No other single project is as impo… Continue Reading
