08.08.12

Murkowski to Share the “Alaskan Bottom Line of the Health Care Law”

Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she will hold an "Alaskan Bottom Line of Health Care Law" panel discussion in Anchorage next Wednesday morning. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 28th, 2012, with the justices ruling the controversial individual mandate is legal - but only as a tax. According to research by one of the nation's largest health insurance providers, the ACA imposes more than $340 million in new taxes on Alaskans including a "Cadillac t… Continue Reading

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08.07.12

Senators Tour Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf

U.S. Senators Mark Begich (D-AK) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, and U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Robert Papp, for a tour in Cold Bay today of the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf. The Bertholf is part of the Coast Guard's Arctic Shield operation which will be in full operation as Shell moves toward drilling in the Arctic this summer. "Touring the Bertholf… Continue Reading

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08.06.12

Murkowski Brings U.S. Senate Hearing to Kodiak Hangar

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a U.S. Senate field hearing at U.S. Coast Guard Base Kodiak, Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Mary Landrieu (D-LA) discussed the imperative needs of the Coast Guard in northern waters with four witnesses and an audience gathered at Base Support Unit Hanger 3. Senator Murkowski opened by highlighting the commitment level of the Coast Guard, who are continuously asked to guard more of Alaska's waters as ice recedes and wi… Continue Reading

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08.06.12

Murkowski, Hoeven Tout Benefits of Alaska Energy Production

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) this weekend inspected the nation's third-largest oil producing region during a two-day tour of northern Alaska. Murkowski, the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Hoeven, one of the committee's most active members, viewed North Slope facilities on state-owned land responsible for producing 13 percent of the nation's oil. "As the Arctic becomes more accessible and world… Continue Reading

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08.02.12

Sen. Murkowski: Process Matters

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke on the Senate floor about the importance of allowing a full and open amendment process when considering legislation to improve the nation's cybersecurity defenses. The Senate on Thursday voted against advancing the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, after the Majority Leader refused to allow members to offer amendments. Instead, Murkowski and a number of other Senate ranking members have introduced the SECURE IT Act, which takes a more … Continue Reading

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08.02.12

USS Ted Stevens, the Next Naval Warship

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Nearing the midpoint between two major remembrances of Ted Stevens' life and legacy, the United States Appropriations Committee recommended that the next United States Navy warship be named after the Alaskan of the 20th Century, as they met and approved the 2013 defense appropriations bill. The provision placing a "strategic pause" on all Air Force structure changes and relocation efforts that Senator Murkowski supported out of subcommittee earlier this week was also maintain… Continue Reading

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08.01.12

Murkowski Urges Federal Action on Tsunami Debris

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today stressed to the federal government that "we need to act now" and begin addressing the national problem of tsunami debris approaching the Pacific shore. In a speech delivered on the U.S. Senate floor, Murkowski discussed the urgency of action and a comprehensive plan for the national problem. (Click here for the entire floor speech) Senator Murkowski has also recommended to the White House that a task force be formed among related bureaus and age… Continue Reading

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08.01.12

Bipartisan Working Group Members Comment on Nuclear Waste Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The members of the U.S. Senate bipartisan working group addressing the backend of the nation's nuclear fuel cycle - Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) - today released the following statement in response to the introduction of S. 3469 by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.): "Sen. Bingaman's bill makes substantial progress toward a long-term solution to the disposal of spent nuclear fuel. Its strengths are that it creates a single, accounta… Continue Reading

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07.31.12

Murkowski Remembers Mary Louise Rasmuson

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today released the following statement after learning of the passing of Mary Louise Rasmuson of Anchorage at age 101: "Mary Louise Rasmuson was an Alaskan pioneer in every sense of the word - from blazing a trail for herself as a military woman to Alaska soon after statehood, to creating pathways for every Alaskan to have access to better health and living conditions, as well as a stronger education and culture. I have known her my entire life to be a… Continue Reading

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07.31.12

Murkowski Locks In “Strategic Pause” For Eielson AFB Moves

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski and the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee approved the 2013 defense appropriations bill today - including key language mandating a "strategic pause" for the proposed move of F-16 Aggressors and over 600 airmen from Eielson Air Force Base. In her remarks leading up to adoption of the bill, she took the opportunity to criticize the proposal and the way it was handled on behalf of Fairbanksans: "I think it takes a certain amount of audacity if … Continue Reading

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07.31.12

Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu Holding Kodiak Hearing With Murkowski

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee today announced that - at Senator Lisa Murkowski's request - it will hold a field hearing in Kodiak, Alaska. Next Monday's hearing will focus on the nation's need for a robust United States Coast Guard presence in Alaska as the nation begins to pursue expanding opportunities in northern waters. Senator Murkowski and Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) will receive … Continue Reading

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07.30.12

Murkowski: Alaska’s Mariners Need 21st Century Data

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski welcomed the beginning of the NOAA Fairweather's 30-day mission in the Arctic today, as a crucial step forward in using 21st century technology to map some nautical routes last measured during the Revolutionary War - and collect data on some areas that have never been fully charted for depth levels. "We are living in an age of sophisticated navigational software and significant investments in fisheries, resource development and tourism," said Murkowski… Continue Reading

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07.27.12

Murkowski: “Let’s Get Out And Play” for Uncle Ted

A day after remembering the legacy of Senator Ted Stevens on the U.S. Senate floor with her colleagues and the nation (click here to watch), Senator Lisa Murkowski today shared the following thoughts with Alaskans on the eve of Ted Stevens Day: "Happy Ted Stevens Day, Alaska! "Today marks the second year that we have celebrated the memory of Uncle Ted by following his lead and getting out - embracing Alaska's great outdoors on a fantastic July Saturday. "Theodore Fulton Stevens was the Alaska… Continue Reading

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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