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.
Statistics "Speak for Themselves"
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today questioned Interior Department officials about the decline in oil production from federal lands and waters - despite the President's claims that production is up. President Obama has said that "under my administration, America is producing more oil today than at any time in the last eight years," but the Department of the Interior's own data indicates that oil production is actually down 14 on federal lands and down 17 percent from fe… Continue Reading
03.13.12
Murkowski Congratulates Dallas Seavey on Iditarod Victory
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today congratulated Dallas Seavey and his team on winning their first Iditarod Sled Dog Trail Race: "I congratulate Dallas and his team on their remarkable victory in this year's Iditarod sled dog race, becoming the youngest musher to ever win, at age 25. He has skills and a determination beyond his years. His win today continues what is already a busy 2012 for his family - with his 15-year old brother Conway winning the Junior Iditarod in February. … Continue Reading
03.13.12
Murkowski Welcomes Home First of the 1st Stryker, 25th Infantry Division
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today personally shared a "Welcome Home" message with roughly 200 soldiers of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division that returned home to Fort Wainwright after a year-long deployment: "I want to join all your friends, all your family in welcoming you home, to our brave Arctic warriors. Know that you have done a phenomenal job serving us as you have been over in Afghanistan this past year. We are proud of you as a Nation, we are certa… Continue Reading
03.13.12
Murkowski Expresses Disappointment in BLM-OSM Merger Analysis
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today responded to an analysis released by the Interior Department related to its plan to merge the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) into the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). "While I appreciate Interior's commitment to avoid violations of its statutory responsibilities, this analysis fails to quantify how the proposed merger will actually generate savings and efficiencies," Murkowski said. "We asked for a clear summary of the costs and bene… Continue Reading
03.13.12
Murkowski: President Should Look Closer to Home for Critical Minerals
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement in response to President Obama's announcement that the administration was filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization over China's policy of restricting export of its rare earth minerals: "The president wants to sue the Chinese for something that we could - and should - be producing for ourselves. Instead of settling for Chinese imports, the president should be taking steps to jumpstart develop… Continue Reading
03.13.12
Murkowski: Implementation of DOE Loan Programs Requires Reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed a willingness to reform the Department of Energy's loan programs but said that if she had to grade DOE's handling of the programs it would "not receive a passing grade." Her comments came during the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's long-awaited oversight hearing, which was scheduled only after completion of an audit by former Fannie Mae CEO Herb Allison. Murkowski had been calling for a hearing on DOE loan p… Continue Reading
03.13.12
Murkowski Delivers Keynote Address at TREM Conference
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today delivered the keynote address at the Technology and Rare Earth Metals (TREM) Center's 12th Annual Conference. The Senator's remarks highlighted the importance of domestic mineral production and the urgent need to update federal policies in this area. "There is no question that a stable and affordable supply of minerals is critical to America's future competitiveness. And yet - despite that - our mineral-related capabilities have … Continue Reading
03.12.12
Murkowski Addresses Int’l Boston Seafood Show: Alaska Seafood Feeds the Nation, is Economic Engine for State
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski attended the 2012 International Boston Seafood Show over the weekend, kicking off a roundtable discussion on the seafood industry's importance to the United States - highlighting the crucial role Alaska plays in the industry with the panel of industry leaders, government officials and seafood enthusiasts. "Alaska accounts for just over half of the entire U.S. seafood harvest, directly employing more than 50,000 workers as fishermen and processors - plu… Continue Reading
03.11.12
Senator Murkowski Responds To Shooting in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today had the following response to the reports coming out of Afghanistan indicating a U.S. soldier shooting Afghan civilians: "Alaskans have a close bond with our men and women in uniform - and we are all shocked and disturbed by the developing reports coming out of the Panjwai district of Kandahar Province. "America offers the families of the victims our deepest condolences, and we stress to everyone around the globe that this is not indicative … Continue Reading
03.08.12
Murkowski Vents Alaskans’ “Anxieties” with TSA Travel Fees
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today questioned Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano about many Alaskans' air travel concerns, reminding her that "because 80 percent of our communities are not connected by roads," the proposed increases to security fees for flying affect Alaskans disproportionately. (Click to Watch) Senator Murkowski first confirmed with Secretary Napolitano that passenger security fees are not stacked on Alaskans for each leg of their trip. "So … Continue Reading
03.08.12
Murkowski Questions DHS Whether Icebreaker Is A True Priority
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today asked Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano whether the $8 million requested for opening work on a new United States Coast Guard icebreaker truly indicates support for Alaska's and America's needs as an Arctic Nation, given the $860 million total price tag for an icebreaker. After pointing out her concern about the relatively small initial down payment on the project, Senator Murkowski asked the Secretary "My question is whether o… Continue Reading
03.08.12
Attorney General: "Magnitude of Errors" in Stevens Case Warrant Release of Independent Investigation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today pressed United States Attorney General Eric Holder on whether members of the prosecutorial team in the Ted Stevens trial - accused by an independent court appointed investigative counsel of "significant, widespread and at times intentional misconduct" - is using taxpayer dollars to block public release of the independent counsel's report. The prosecution team has spent $1.8 million defending themselves from contempt charges in the Stevens case, most re… Continue Reading
03.07.12
Alaska Leaders Urge Air Force to Conduct Rigorous Eielson Visit
WASHINGTON, DC - Alaska's Washington, DC delegation and Governor Sean Parnell today sent a letter (attached) to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and United States Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz, encouraging the USAF to take a complete and comprehensive look at the proposed move of the F-16 Aggressor squadron from Eielson Air Force Base. In the letter, they express concern that the proposal is based on a "tabletop exercise," in the words of General Schwartz. They also… Continue Reading
03.07.12
Murkowski Discusses “Road Map to the Arctic” With U.S. Navy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today asked Secretary of the United States Navy Ray Mabus whether the Navy is fully considering Alaska's evolving Arctic opportunities in its future plans - particularly with the shifting focus towards Asia and the Pacific. "We've got 5,580 miles of coastline that touch the Arctic and Pacific Oceans. As we all know, this coastline is becoming more accessible - which presents opportunities, but challenges as well," said Murkowski. "Can you inform me what the… Continue Reading
03.06.12
Murkowski Decries Forest Services' 'Restoration to Poverty' Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today pressed U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell on the lack of timber sales in the Tongass National Forest, which are crucial to the economy of Southeast Alaska. Murkowski called the agency's preference for stewardship contracts over timber sales insufficient to meet the economic needs of Southeast communities. Murkowski was also critical of the Forest Service's new policy, as described by Tidwell, of not pursuing any program that mig… Continue Reading
03.02.12
Murkowski, Hastings Call on EIA to Clarify, Re-Release Federal Energy Production Data
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Washington, today sent a letter to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) urging expedited corrections to any potential errors in its data for oil and natural gas production on federal lands. Murkowski and Hastings believe it is incumbent on statistical agencies to provide auditable numbers so the debate can focus on policy, instead of the accuracy of production-related facts. On Jan. 26, EIA rescinded th… Continue Reading
03.02.12
Murkowski: Iditarod Is “National Educational Tool”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Less than 24 hours before the Iditarod's ceremonial start, Senator Lisa Murkowski is spotlighting teachers nationwide who use 'The Last Great Race' as a learning tool - opening up children's minds to Arctic issues and Alaska's unique role in the United States. Across the country, there is an effort to teach science, geography, language arts and other subjects through the Iditarod in elementary schools. Throughout the race, Senator Murkowski will be utilizing social media to sh… Continue Reading
03.02.12
Murkowski: President Continues to Repeat Failed Energy Policies
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement in response to President Obama's call yesterday for tax hikes on domestic oil and gas producers: "There's a simple rule in economics: if you want less of something, tax it. What the president is proposing is a bad idea that has been repeatedly rejected by multiple Congresses, including this one, because it will do nothing to reduce gas… Continue Reading
03.01.12
Murkowski Comments on Introduction of SECURE IT Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today delivered the following speech on the Senate floor on the introduction of the "SECURE IT" Act to strengthen cybersecurity. (Click video to watch speech) "I've come to the floor today to speak about cybersecurity legislation that will soon come before the Senate. There is no question this is a critical issue that should be addressed by this Congress. I'm certain that every member of this body is concerned that our nation may be … Continue Reading
03.01.12
Murkowski: Iran Sanctions Vital to National Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today sent the following letter to the White House calling on the president to fully enforce the sanctions on Iran, and to not tap America's emergency oil stockpiles prematurely, in light of the growing possibility of a major oil supply disruption: "Dear Mr. President: "I write to share my thoughts as you consider your next steps regarding Iran and oil supply. "I strongly urge you not to ease or waive sanctions on Iran. It is critical tha… Continue Reading
