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's "Veteran Spotlight" Debuts, Honors Alaskans Who Served
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today released her first "Veteran Spotlight" interview - featuring the stories and observations of Alaskan veteran Harold Bahr. Bahr began serving in the Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG) in Nome, Alaska during World War II in 1942 when he was just eleven years old. ATG members were often men too old or boys too young to be drafted, who volunteered to be the first line of defense for Alaska. In his Veteran Spotlight interview, Harold recalls sitting in h… Continue Reading
05.24.12
Murkowski Statement on Stevens Prosecutors’ Suspensions
The Department of Justice Office of Professional Responsibility today announced the suspension of two members of the prosecution team that worked on the ethics case against Senator Ted Stevens - a case vacated within months of the verdict due to prosecutorial misconduct. Joseph Bottini and James Goeke were found to have engaged in reckless and unintentional professional misconduct and will be suspended without pay for 40 and 15 days, respectively. Senator Murkowski had the following reaction t… Continue Reading
05.24.12
Murkowski Pledges Continued Fight Against Frankenfish After Senate Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski's amendment to require comprehensive analysis before genetically-engineered salmon enters the American marketplace was voted upon in the U.S. Senate today. The measure barely failed to pass (46 yes votes, 50 no votes against), and the Senator noted afterwards that the numbers are trending towards a greater wariness of the risks and potentially dangerous consequences involved - along with the thousands of Alaskan and American jobs lost in the process. T… Continue Reading
05.23.12
Murkowski on Senate Floor: “Don’t Mess With Mother Nature,” Frankenfish
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today took to the U.S. Senate floor and called on her colleagues to support her amendment to the Food and Drug Administration Reauthorization Bill that would require the same comprehensive scientific and economic analysis be done by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on genetically modified salmon as is done for any other federal fishery. In a speech during floor debate of the FDA bill, Senator Murkowski laid out the case against Franke… Continue Reading
05.23.12
Murkowski: Will F-16 Proposal Diminish the 168th Refueling Wing’s Capabilities?
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today continued to question the broader implications of the proposed F-16 Aggressor squadron move from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, by asking the Air National Guard Director whether the United States Air Force's proposal would undercut the 168th Air Refueling Wing's ability to fulfill its mission. If the proposal moves forward, the 168th would reduce its current continuous operations to "effectively, a 12 hour/day, 5 day/week sc… Continue Reading
05.22.12
Murkowski Fights TSA Fee Hike on Alaska Flyers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski secured a number of provisions in the FY2013 Homeland Security and Military Construction/Veterans Affairs appropriations bills that mean a stronger Alaska military commitment to veterans, active duty personnel and the communities that rely on various agencies for their protection. But she had sharp words against a fee increase that would double the TSA security fees for many Alaskans. During the Senate Appropriations Committee "mark up" session - where… Continue Reading
05.22.12
Murkowski Promotes Alaskan Natural Gas to Ambassadors
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday pitched the U.S. ambassadors of Japan and South Korea on the benefits of importing natural gas from Alaska's North Slope during a dinner at the Japanese Ambassador's residence in Washington, D.C. Murkowski discussed Alaska's resource base and proximity to Asia with Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki of Japan and Ambassador Choi Young-jin of South Korea. Murkowski said the ambassadors showed interest in the potential for an Alaska natural… Continue Reading
05.22.12
Sen. Murkowski’s Comments on Energy Innovation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today gave the following remarks at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing on a report produced by the American Energy Innovation Council entitled "Catalyzing American Ingenuity: The Role of Government in Energy Innovation." (Click picture for video) "Good morning, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to thank you for scheduling this hearing, and extend a warm welcome to our witnesses. "Mr. Augustine's work on a report about competitive… Continue Reading
05.21.12
Murkowski Meets With U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, Stresses Questions Remain on F-16s
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski today sat down with United States Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz and bore down on the proposed move of the F-16 Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. During their conversation, General Schwartz noted that Eielson remains important to the military due to the Administration's focus on the Asia-Pacific region and acknowledged that variables remain in the Air Force's proposal to move the F-16 Agg… Continue Reading
05.21.12
Murkowski to Kick Off Summer by Reading to Alaskan Children
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski will read to children at libraries across Alaska via video-teleconference from her Washington, D.C. office later this week, in an effort to promote good reading habits even when school is not in session. She has chosen the book "Ten Rowdy Ravens" by Susan Ewing. To showcase the Alaska library system's "Online with Libraries" (OWL System), the Kenai Community Library invited Senator Murkowski to read to children during their lunchtime on Wednesday, May 23, … Continue Reading
05.21.12
Murkowski Comment on NRC Chairman Jaczko’s Resignation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following reaction to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Gregory Jaczko's resignation. "Chairman Jaczko's resignation is essential to restoring the NRC's reputation and effectiveness. Given the Inspector General's previous findings, the unprecedented letter of concern about his management style and treatment of career employees by the entire bipartisan commission, and the fact that a second report from the Insp… Continue Reading
05.18.12
Sen. Murkowski Comment on EPA Watershed Study
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on the Environmental Protection Agency's watershed assessment of Alaska's Bristol Bay area, and her communication with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on the issue. "I have consistently been clear about two things concerning the Pebble project: I will not trade fish for gold, but I oppose a preemptive veto prior to proper evaluation of an application and actual project description. I want to see the NEPA process work as it is… Continue Reading
05.17.12
Murkowski: FERC Policy Shows need for Statutory Reliability Safety Valve
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following comment in response to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) issuance of a policy statement on the commission's role regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) mercury and air toxics standards: "Today's policy statement by FERC makes obvious that the commission needs clear statutory authority to protect electric grid reliability in the face of new EPA environmental rules," Murkowski said.… Continue Reading
05.17.12
Murkowski Takes Frankenfish Fight to Senate Floor
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski today filed an amendment to require a comprehensive analysis of the environmental and economic impacts of genetically-engineered fish by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The legislation would mean the same NOAA analysis and standards in place for federal fisheries would be required before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves genetically-modified salmon. The FDA is presently evaluating the scientific and biological … Continue Reading
05.17.12
Murkowski Opening Statement at Clean Energy Standard Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today gave the following opening statement at a hearing on legislation to create a Clean Energy Standard (CES) before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee: (Click photo to view video) "One of the wonderful things about this committee is the quality of feedback we receive, and the role it plays in informing our decision-making. "Some of the issues that we consider are quite complicated, and require considerable though… Continue Reading
05.16.12
General Odierno Commits to “Alaska Future” With Murkowski
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski today met with United States Army Chief of Staff General Raymond T. Odierno, discussing Alaska's unique advantages that will benefit the U.S. Army as the Pentagon moves forward with an Asia-Pacific focus. During the meeting, Odierno emphasized the pivotal role Alaska plays - from a geographic perspective, as well as a training ground - and said that he will put together an "Alaska Future" team to work with her on the path forward. General Odierno said … Continue Reading
05.16.12
Murkowski Statement on Senate Budget Proposals
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate voted on five separate budget proposals this afternoon: those submitted by the President, Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI), Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA), Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT). None of the bills passed the threshold necessary to proceed - and President Obama's received zero votes for the second year in a row. Senator Murkowski cast 'yes' votes for Senator Toomey's and Congressman Ryan's budget plans - sharing this statemen… Continue Reading
05.16.12
Murkowski to EPA: Alaskans Concerned over "Reputation for Abuse"
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski today took the opportunity of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson's Senate committee appearance to share the concerns of many Alaskans over federal overreach. Jackson fielded questions about the EPA's 2013 budget before the U.S. Senate Interior Appropriations subcommittee, where Murkowski is the ranking Republican. "A Reputation for Abuse" - Washington Post Senator Murkowski opened her remarks by pointing out a recent edit… Continue Reading
05.16.12
Murkowski Questions EPA’s Expansion of Fracking Study
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today questioned EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson about the agency's expansion of a study of hydraulic fracturing beyond what was authorized by Congress. (Click photo to view video) Murkowski asked Administrator Jackson if the agency was prejudging the findings of the study. The question was prompted in part by a previous case in which EPA seemed to blame the process of hydraulic fracturing in natural gas production for water contamination. "T… Continue Reading
05.15.12
Murkowski: Interior Report Flawed for Second Year in a Row
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following comment regarding the Department of the Interior's report attempting to show that millions of acres of oil and gas leases are not being developed in a timely manner. "The administration claims that just 3 percent of leases in Alaska are producing, without acknowledging that the federal bureaucracy is largely to blame for that dismal percentage," Murkowski said. "Companies are doing everything in their power … Continue Reading
