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 to Conduct Tsunami Debris Aerial Survey
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski will join United States Coast Guard District 17 leadership this weekend and participate in a fly-over of the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound to investigate the rising levels of debris along Alaska's shores due to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. "Before the debris began to close in on our shores, I held a tsunami debris roundtable in January to explore what is out there and whether the material poses any threat to Alaskans," s… Continue Reading
06.08.12
Murkowski Spotlights Financial Burden of Potential Eielson Move
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As Senator Lisa Murkowski continues to pursue answers surrounding the United States Air Force proposal to move the F-16 Aggressor squadron from Eielson Air Force Base, she is now challenging the Pentagon about the financial burdens such a move could impose on airmen. If the transfer takes place, it holds the potential to undercut the real estate market in Fairbanks while inflating property values surrounding Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson - with military personnel impacted … Continue Reading
06.07.12
On 99th Anniversary of Summit, Murkowski Requests Hearing on Bill to Name Ranger Station for Athabascan Climber
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commemorated the anniversary of the first man to summit the highest peak in North America by requesting a hearing on legislation to name the National Park Service Talkeetna Ranger Station for the late Walter Harper. "It's only fitting that we honor the memory of Alaska Native Walter Harper by forever linking his name with the Talkeetna ranger station," Murkowski said. "This bill is a small gesture but one that means a great deal to… Continue Reading
06.07.12
Murkowski Pushes for More Opportunities for Alaska’s Fishermen
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the U.S. Senate begins consideration of S.3240, the Farm Bill, Senator Lisa Murkowski today filed an amendment to level the playing field for commercial fishermen, allowing them to compete for the same existing loan funds that fish farmers and traditional farmers compete for. "The Department of Agriculture considers fish an agriculture product, we allow fish farmers to be eligible for loans to help them buy equipment and supplies - so why won't we open the same door for … Continue Reading
06.07.12
Murkowski “Unconvinced” Federal Internet Policies Helping Rural Alaska’s Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today challenged the Federal Communications Commission on whether reforms meant to help small rural telecommunication companies maintain service in Alaska truly address their unique needs or leave them "feeling on the ropes" and financially threatened. Murkowski took advantage of a hearing of the Senate Committee for Indian Affairs to bring these concerns to light with FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. In her opening remarks (clip one), Senator Murkowski po… Continue Reading
06.07.12
Alaskans Deserve More Time to Comment on Watershed Assessment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young, both R-Alaska, today sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson asking that the 60-day comment period on the Bristol Bay watershed assessment be extended to allow greater public participation during Alaska's traditionally busy summer months "We make this request after hearing from a large number of our constituents in Alaska, many of whom are concerned that the volume, scope, and importance of… Continue Reading
06.07.12
Murkowski, Young Welcome Settlement of Bering Straits Lands Claims
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, today applauded passage by the full Congress of the Salmon Lake Land Selection Resolution Act, finalizing a settlement between the state of Alaska, the federal Bureau of Land Management and the Bering Straits Native Corp., and fulfilling a promise made in the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). "It took more than 40 years, but today I'm happy to see that the Bering Straits land conveyance is h… Continue Reading
06.06.12
Murkowski Recognized As Leader Against Youth Obesity
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today received the Campaign to End Obesity's "Breakfast of Champions" award for her consistent fight to raise and maintain nutrition standards for Alaskan school children - as well as adults statewide. She also received a box of cereal with her face on it at the event. (Below) Most recently, Senator Murkowski has been successful in her efforts to raise nutrition standards in school meals. For the first time in over thirty years, the U.S. Department of … Continue Reading
06.06.12
Alaska Senators Seek No Funding for Eielson F16 Move
In their continuing effort to get the U.S. Air Force to drop its proposal to move the 18th Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), U.S. Sens. Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski are requesting no money be allocated for the move. In a letter to Sen. Daniel Inouye, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Defense in the Senate Appropriations Committee and Sen. Thad Cochran, Vice Chairman of the Committee, Begich and Murkowski request language be included in the… Continue Reading
06.06.12
Sen. Murkowski Introduces Legislation Halting Unfair FERC Fees
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday introduced legislation to prohibit the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) from charging land-use fees for hydropower projects no longer located on federal land. "While it's appropriate for FERC to impose reasonable fees on hydro projects on federal land, once that property is transferred to private or state ownership, the fees should stop. That's just common sense," Murkowski said. The measure, S. 3265, fixes a techn… Continue Reading
06.06.12
Murkowski: Stevens Case "Fatally Mismanaged from the Get-Go"
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today sat as a witness before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, pressing her Senate colleagues to consider overhauling the Department of Justice procedures through legislation she introduced in March. Her bill, S.2197 the Fairness in Disclosure of Evidence Act, would create a national standard of rules for prosecutors to abide by in terms of sharing information with the defense teams they are facing. Murkowski was compelled to introduce this legisla… Continue Reading
06.05.12
Murkowski Invites Skagway Residents to Share Post Office Concerns
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today created an e-mail outlet for Skagway residents to share their experiences or concerns with the Skagway Post Office's operations: Skagway@Murkowski.Senate.Gov. Upon returning to Washington, D.C. from Alaska, Senator Murkowski sent a letter to USPS Postmaster General Donahoe about the concerns aired by many of the Skagwegians with whom she met last Thursday. Today, she had subsequent conversations with Alaska Postal Service representatives about … Continue Reading
06.05.12
Delegation Introduces Legislation to Support Alaska Native Subsistence Whaling Efforts
The Alaska Congressional delegation introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to ensure timely issuance by the Department of Commerce of catch limits for aboriginal subsistence hunting of bowhead whales by Alaska Native whalers who live in 11 Alaska communities. The companion bills would require the Secretary of Commerce to set catch limits for bowhead whales and issue aboriginal subsistence whaling permits under the Whaling Convention Act if the International Whali… Continue Reading
06.04.12
Murkowski: Skagway Postal Situation “Intolerable” and “Unacceptable”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today sent a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, directing the United States Postal Service to do more to fill the 3 vacant positions at the Skagway Post Office - after hearing near-unanimous public concern during her recent trip to Skagway. "During my visit to Skagway, Alaska last week I learned that the lack of staff at the post office has had an intolerable impact on nearly everyone in the town, including your Postal Service employees," M… Continue Reading
06.04.12
Murkowski Committee Work Brings Alaska Natives Health Benefits
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Less than two weeks after a personal visit with Indian Health Service (I.H.S.) Director Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, Senator Murkowski has been notified that $6 million in unobligated national I.H.S. funds will be directed to staff new hires at several Alaska Tribal Health organizations. The Interior Appropriations Subcommittee - where Senator Murkowski serves as the ranking Republican member - has jurisdiction over I.H.S. operations and priorities. "Alaska's Tribal Health organiz… Continue Reading
06.03.12
Murkowski Visits Shell’s Arctic Drilling Vessel in Seattle Shipyard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today toured the Kulluk drilling vessel in Seattle. Shell plans to use the Kulluk this summer to explore for oil and natural gas in Alaska's Beaufort Sea. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (second from right) and Shell Alaska Vice President Pete Slaiby (right) tour Shell's ice-class drill ship, the Kulluk, in Seattle on Sunday. "It's inspiring to see the Kulluk up close and know that it's on the verge of opening a new era of Arctic exploration … Continue Reading
05.31.12
Murkowski on Site Survey Report: “Significant Questions Remain; Today Created More”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today learned the results of the United States Air Force Site Activation Task Force (SATAF) report surrounding the proposal to move the F-16 Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base. She had the following response to the preliminary findings: "The United States Air Force told Alaskans in January that their proposal to move the F-16s to JBER was based on a tabletop exercise. Today's report from their research team suggests that tabletop is broke… Continue Reading
05.29.12
Murkowski: U.S. Air Force “Inconsistent,” Urges Alaska as KC-46 Home
Senator Lisa Murkowski continued promoting the importance of Eielson Air Force Base and Alaska through a letter to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force - expressing concern that the Pentagon presently does not plan to base a KC-46 aerial refueler unit in Alaska. In the letter (attached), Murkowski suggests that not leveraging Alaska's unique geographic advantages contradicts the Secretary of Defense's new strategic vision focusing on the Asia Pacific theater. Murkows… Continue Reading
05.27.12
Murkowski Shares Memorial Day Message with Alaskans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the following statement in observance of Memorial Day. (Click picture to view Senator Murkowski's message.) "Memorial Day Weekend means so much to us in Alaska - for so many of us, it means sunlight nearly all day, the unofficial beginning of summer, and enjoying the great outdoors. "But let us never forget the deep, true meaning of this day for us: It means the payment of respect, memories, time and energy to the sacrifices of men… Continue Reading
05.25.12
Murkowski Still Waiting on Full Bill Allen Explanation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski received a response to her November 2011 demand that a Department of Justice Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) independent investigation be done regarding the decision not to prosecute Bill Allen over allegations he transported underage women across state lines for immoral and exploitive purposes - but is still waiting for a better explanation. The Department of Justice decided against pursuing Mann Act charges against Allen, while also directi… Continue Reading
