07.27.12

“On Hold” - Murkowski Gets Answer on Douglas Post Office Status

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski has received a response from the United States Postal Service with regards to the status of the Douglas Post Office, which - along with four other postal branches in the state - was threatened with possible closure as the USPS attempted to address its multi-billion dollar shortfall. Earlier this year, the USPS made the decision to cut hours at thousands of rural post offices across the country - including dozens in Alaska - but a small number of at-r… Continue Reading

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07.27.12

Alaska Delegation Seeks to Fix Excise Tax Issue for Air Taxis

Washington, D.C. - Alaska's Congressional Delegation is working to clarify the excise tax structure for small air taxi operators in Alaska. U.S. Sen. Mark Begich filed a bill yesterday, co-sponsored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, to help the operators with an inconsistent application of excise taxes by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Rep. Don Young is drafting companion legislation in the House. Several small Alaska air carriers, who have been battling the IRS over the taxes, in some cases for yea… Continue Reading

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07.26.12

Murkowski Expresses Frustration with New ECA Regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke on the Senate floor about the Environment Protection Agency's lack of understanding of Alaska with their new Emission Control Area (ECA) requirements. The EPA was a major proponent of including waters off southern and southeastern Alaska in an international ECA, which requires ships to use fuel that meets 1-percent sulfur limits starting Aug. 1. The new requirements tighten to 0.1 percent sulfur content beginning in 2015. Cli… Continue Reading

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07.26.12

Murkowski Vows to Press for Comprehensive Energy, Jobs Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today joined Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., and other Senate Republicans, in unveiling comprehensive legislation to expand domestic energy production and provide a shot in the arm to the struggling economy. The Domestic Energy and Jobs Act of 2012, sponsored by Sen. Hoeven, includes 13 measures that would truly establish an "all-of-the-above" energy plan, including congressional approval of the Keystone XL pipeline project and expanded oil and… Continue Reading

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07.26.12

Murkowski to President: 2nd Amendment Rights Are Not Negotiable

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined a bipartisan coalition of her Senate colleagues to express grave concerns to the Obama Administration about the dangerous potential impacts on Alaskans' Second Amendment rights posed by the proposed United Nations' Arms Trade Treaty. The treaty being negotiated this week in New York City attempts to address "international arms transfers" and purports to crack down on terrorism and rogue regimes, but could threaten the rights of law-abiding … Continue Reading

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07.25.12

Murkowski: Tax Hike Would Cost Alaska 1,800 Jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today cast her vote to protect the nation's struggling economy and not threaten 700,000 jobs nationwide. In back-to-back votes, she voted to extend the 2001/2003 tax cuts for one more year, and voted against raising taxes for some Americans, increase capital gains and dividend rates, and hike estate taxes from 35% to 55%, impacting many family-run businesses. She shared the following thoughts after the vote: (Click image to watch) "Today I joined … Continue Reading

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07.25.12

Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Expanding Offshore Leasing

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today introduced bipartisan legislation to expand American offshore energy production with a revised five-year leasing plan and provide revenue sharing to all participating coastal states. The Offshore Petroleum Expansion Now Act of 2012 - OPEN Act - is co-sponsored by Sens. Jim Webb, D-Va.; Mark Warner, D-Va.; Mary Landrieu, D-La.; John Hoeven, R-N.D.; Jim Inhofe, R-Okla. The bill provides a common-sense alternative to the president's pro… Continue Reading

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07.25.12

Murkowski Pushes Administration for Follow Through, More Rural Doctors

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today urged Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius to enforce existing law on rural medical training - and create an environment that will boost rural medicine nationwide. The Senator wrote a letter with Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) - co-signed by a bipartisan group of 18 other Senate colleagues - that was sent to the HHS Secretary. Congress passed a bill in 1999 that included a provision called the Rural Training Trac… Continue Reading

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07.25.12

Murkowski Calls for Action on Critical Minerals Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - What do 450,000 scientists plus thousands of miners and manufacturers have in common? They all want the "Critical Minerals Policy Act" (S.1113) enacted. Today, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, again called for a markup of the "Critical Minerals Policy Act" after receiving a letter from a broad coalition of stakeholders supporting of the legislation. "Critical minerals make it possible for us to innovate and invent - and in the process they shape our daily lives, our stand… Continue Reading

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07.24.12

Murkowski Lauds Skagway Post Office Hire

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today was informed by the United States Postal Service that a new staff member has been hired for the Skagway Post Office. She welcomed the news, coming less than two months since she visited Skagway and encouraged Skagwegians to share their stories and concerns about the Postal Service to seek reinforcements for the then under-staffed facility. "The situation in Skagway was unacceptable for all parties involved, and this is the first step in getting t… Continue Reading

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07.24.12

Murkowski Comment on Expanding Natural Gas Use in Vehicles

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke about the potential benefits of increasing the use of natural gas in the transportation sector, as well as the danger that government intrusion in the marketplace could jeopardize continued increases in natural gas production. Click photo to play video "Our interest today is in hearing about both the existing federal barriers but also in what federal policies threaten the ability of entrepreneurs and innovators to compete i… Continue Reading

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07.20.12

Murkowski Condemns Shooting in Colorado

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski released the following statement regarding the shooting at an Aurora, Colorado movie theater last night: "I join all Alaskans in mourning the needless, senseless loss of life in Aurora, Colorado - who did nothing different from millions of Americans every weekend. We salute the first responders who came to the aid of those injured and those who quickly apprehended the man behind this. Alaskans and Americans are united in thought, prayer and support f… Continue Reading

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07.19.12

Murkowski Urges Greater Tribal Consultation from Administration

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski reminded the Environmental Protection Agency that federal consultation with Alaska Native Tribes is not optional, as she pressed the EPA for greater collaboration with Alaska's First People in a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing today. She also took the opportunity of the hearing to share the rising threat of coastal erosion being faced by numerous small Alaskan coastal villages. Senator Murkowski questioned the EPA representative about the ag… Continue Reading

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07.18.12

Murkowski Gets Transparency Pledge from Next USAF Chief of Staff

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today met with General Mark Welsh III, recently nominated to be the next Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. Over the course of the meeting, Welsh agreed with Murkowski that recent developments in Alaska have created a level of tension - committing to a higher level of transparency and collaboration. Senator Murkowski said Alaska's relationship with the military remains strong, and looks forward to working with him. In a meeting held at Senator Murk… Continue Reading

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07.17.12

Murkowski: Campaign Finance Tranparency “Critically Important”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today took to the Senate floor as the United States Senate considered proceeding onto the DISCLOSE Act, legislation that would require a greater degree of disclosure when it comes to sums donated to political causes. In a speech prior to the vote, the Senator noted she is very concerned about the rising influence of SuperPACs, but that the bill contained too many inconsistencies to support. Senator Murkowski closed by pledging to address this issue on a… Continue Reading

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07.17.12

Murkowski: SECURE IT Act Offers Best Path Forward on Cybersecurity

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today reiterated her support for the Strengthening and Enhancing Cybersecurity by Using Research, Education, Information, and Technology Act (SECURE IT), S. 3342, to protect and secure the United States against cybersecurity attacks. "I think there's near agreement that we need a comprehensive approach to the cybersecurity problem. Some would have us believe that only the Department of Homeland Security and a host of new federal regulatio… Continue Reading

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07.16.12

Murkowski Demands Missing Report on Stimulus Jobs in Indian Country

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Lisa Murkowski wrote to Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar regarding the DOI's failure to issue the American Indian Population and Labor Report as required by law. In a letter (attached) sent from Murkowski and her colleague on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), they criticize the DOI for failing to release vital labor information which will help Congress, Alaska Natives and Indian tribes evaluate employment conditions i… Continue Reading

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07.13.12

Murkowski Welcomes New Southeast Coordinator

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced Sonia Henrick (previously Christensen) will join her team Monday as the new Southeast Alaska Representative -- working out of Murkowski's Ketchikan field office. "Sonia's knowledge base is that of a born-and-raised Ketchikan resident, combined with a high degree of policy expertise from her time working for Governor Parnell," Murkowski said. "She has broad experience working on issues of statewide interest, as well as focused backgroun… Continue Reading

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07.13.12

Murkowski, Hastings Press NOAA, BSEE About Arctic Protests

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska and Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Washington, sent a letter to Dr. Jane Lubchenco, the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and James Watson, Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), asking what measures NOAA and BSEE have taken to ensure that the planned protest activities in the Arctic by Greenpeace do not disrupt or threaten safe operatio… Continue Reading

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07.12.12

Alaska Delegation Supports AFN Request for Y-K Disaster Declaration

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Concerned with low Chinook salmon returns on the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers this fishing season, the Alaska Congressional delegation today wrote to Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank in support of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) request for a disaster declaration. This letter of support comes after AFN requested federal assistance to address immediate subsistence needs for the region, and states in part: "Chinook salmon returns to Alaska are weak statewide t… Continue Reading