02.02.12

Co-Sponsor Murkowski Lauds Passage of Insider Trading Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today voted for the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 (the STOCK Act), which she co-sponsored. The legislation - which passed the U.S. Senate by an overwhelming 96-3 vote - would expressly prohibit elected officials and staffers from using nonpublic information they come across in their work for their own benefit. "This legislation is an important step as Congress attempts to rebuild and regain some of the trust that voters have lost with … Continue Reading

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02.02.12

Banking Committee Approves Section Two of Murkowski Iran Certification and Reporting Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today applauded Sen. Robert Menendez, D-NJ, and the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee for passing a portion of her legislation requiring a report to be regularly made to Congress describing the movements of both crude oil and refined petroleum products to and from Iran, as well as the entities that are financing these transactions, providing the necessary shipping and insurances, or helping Iran invest in their petroleum in… Continue Reading

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02.02.12

Murkowski, Manchin Introduce Bill to Protect Hunting Rights on Federal Lands

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, today introduced legislation to ensure the rights of recreational hunters, fishermen and shooters on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service lands. "Instead of further empowering federal officials, this bill will mandate cooperation by federal agencies with state fish and wildlife agencies regarding resident wildlife on BLM and Forest Service lands," Senator Murkowski said. "Our bill prese… Continue Reading

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02.02.12

Sen. Murkowski’s Opening Statement on Nuclear Fuel Storage Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following opening statement at today's Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on President Obama's Blue Ribbon Commission's report on what to do about America's spent nuclear fuel: "The issue of nuclear waste management has been frustrating Congress, multiple administrations, utilities, and rate payers for many decades now. Efforts to address it through the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and the 1987 Amendments … Continue Reading

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02.02.12

Bipartisan Bill Would Prevent Companies from Evading Iran Sanctions

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-AK, and Maria Cantwell, D-WA, on Wednesday introduced legislation that would bar companies who engage in business or trading activity with Iran from buying oil from America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). The measure, cosponsored by 14 other Senators, also calls for the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to expose sanction violators. "Tough sanctions are one of the most effective policy instruments we have to prevent Iran from becom… Continue Reading

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01.30.12

Murkowski Backs Insider Trading Ban

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today voted to begin Senate debate on the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012, or the STOCK Act. The legislation would expressly prohibit elected officials and staffers from using nonpublic information they come across in their work for their own benefit - and Senator Murkowski plans on co-sponsoring it as it moves forward. "This bill raises the bar when it comes to financial behavior, and adds additional teeth to our ethics standards," sai… Continue Reading

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01.30.12

Sen. Murkowski Commits to Getting Alaska’s Natural Gas to Market

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, appeared on the energy news program Platts Energy Week on Sunday to discuss the energy agenda President Obama laid out in his State of the Union speech last week. During the interview, Murkowski expressed her commitment to moving Alaska's "enormous amounts of conventional national gas" to market. "I am committed to moving Alaska's natural gas to market. Our market may not be in the Lower 48. It may be an export market," Murkowski said. "I… Continue Reading

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01.30.12

Murkowski Welcomes Introduction of Keystone XL Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the introduction of bipartisan legislation that would have Congress authorize construction of the Keystone XL pipeline project under Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, which gives Congress authority over commerce with foreign states. The bill (S.2041) was introduced today by Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), and David Vitter (R-La.). Murkowski is among the bipartisan group of 44 cosponsors of the … Continue Reading

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01.27.12

Murkowski Receives Inaugural Technology Neutrality Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, was honored by the U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars as the inaugural Champion for Technology Neutrality. The award recognizes leaders who support outcome-based federal automotive policy that fosters innovation and achieves real-world results. "I'm honored to receive this award," Murkowski said. "Improving fuel efficiency is an important cause, and I strongly believe we must remain open to explore all of the options availabl… Continue Reading

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01.26.12

Alaska Delegation & Governor Parnell Stand Together - Oppose BRAC

The Alaska Congressional Delegation and Alaska Governor Sean Parnell issued a united set of statements defending Alaska's military bases and expressing their importance to military operations and national security. The show of support follows an announcement from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to seek two new rounds of Base Closure and Realignment Commissions (BRAC). The last round of BRAC took place in 2005 and changes were completed in fall of 2011. Alaska's military constitutes more than 13 … Continue Reading

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01.26.12

“We’ve Got a Few More Big Miracles to Brag About”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today took to the floor of the U.S. Senate to laud the recent work of the United States Coast Guard and the Alaska National Guard - the USCG for the Icebreaker Healy's successful mission to cut a path hundreds of miles through ice to Nome, and the AK National Guard for the troops who shoveled out the community of Cordova earlier this month after their enormous snowfall. (Click boxes for excerpts) Here are few selected e… Continue Reading

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01.26.12

Murkowski Welcomes Secure Rural Schools Payments

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that the U.S. Forest Service is distributing more than $18.1 million to Alaska communities for improvements to public schools, roads and stewardship projects under the Secure Rural Schools program. The Secure Rural Schools program, which officially expired at the end of last fiscal year, has historically shared revenue from Forest Service timber sales with local governments and schools, including communities in the Tongass a… Continue Reading

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01.26.12

Murkowski Comments on Blue Ribbon Commission Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on the release of the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future's final report on managing the nation's spent nuclear fuel. "I've been working with Sens. Feinstein, Alexander and Bingaman to find a plan to deal with our nation's spent nuclear fuel. We have a lot of issues to address - not just the need for a long-term repository, but also transportation safety issues, the federal government's contractual liability … Continue Reading

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01.26.12

Murkowski Disapproves of Debt Ceiling Raise

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed her disapproval of the nation's rising debt in today's Senate vote. "I voted for today's disapproval resolution to join the millions of Americans - across the political spectrum - who agree that we need to rein in our nation's finances. Earlier this month, America hit a dubious distinction - our national debt is now as big as the entire United States economy. In other words, our yearly financial product in terms of goods and services now mat… Continue Reading

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01.25.12

Murkowski Lauds School Breakfast, Lunch Standard Updates

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture updated nutrition standards for public school breakfasts and lunches in Alaska and nationwide for the first time in fifteen years. This is the first step in a series of policy moves. Within months, the USDA plans to implement a proposal sponsored by Senator Murkowski and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that raises standards for foods and beverages sold outside of cafeterias during the school day, like vend… Continue Reading

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01.24.12

Murkowski Responds to the President’s State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski tonight attended President Obama's State of the Union address and shared the following reaction with Alaskans afterwards: (Click to view) Some key excerpts: Overall: "There were aspects of his address that I was pleasantly surprised at. I had assumed there would be more of a campaign tone and campaign pitch, but I think he took a pointed effort to make sure that he was spelling out what he hoped to see in this next year. Somewhat aggressive propo… Continue Reading

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01.24.12

Murkowski Encourages Bipartisan Seating at State of the Union

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today appeared on MSNBC with Democratic Senator Mark Udall of Colorado to discuss their bipartisan seating arrangement for President Obama's State of the Union address tonight. Sens. Murkowski and Udall have led the effort to permanently end partisan seating during the State of the Union address. As of 9:40am (AKST), 202 federal lawmakers have agreed to sit with members of the other party at the President's speech. (Click to watch) ###… Continue Reading

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01.23.12

Murkowski Announces 2012 Service Academy Nominees

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced that she has nominated 37 young Alaskans for appointment to the U.S. military service academies for the class of 2016. "This year's nominees are stellar candidates who embody the leadership capabilities and strong characters we expect from our men and women in uniform," Murkowski said. "It is a privilege to nominate such accomplished Alaskans for admission to our service academies." Nominees were selected based on their academic reco… Continue Reading

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01.19.12

Delegation Supports Gov. Parnell Disaster Declaration for Kenai Peninsula

Washington, D.C. - The Alaska delegation today sent a letter to President Obama in support of Alaska Governor Sean Parnell's request for a federal disaster declaration for the Kenai Peninsula Borough - battered by severe wind storms in November 2011. They urged the Obama Administration to act expeditiously on the request and approve FEMA support for the region."This winter has been exceptionally challenging to Alaska's emergency management community," the delegation wrote. "From November 1 thr… Continue Reading

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01.18.12

Murkowski Speaks Against Protect Internet Protocol Act (PIPA) Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - With a Senate vote scheduled for next week on the Protect Internet Protocol Act (PIPA) - that would prohibit U.S. Internet users from accessing foreign websites that don't respect U.S. intellectual property laws - Senator Murkowski today spoke of her intentions: "PIPA was envisioned as a way to fight intellectual property theft online, but the bill raises serious concerns about our civil liberties. That's why next week I plan to oppose the current PIPA bill." ###… Continue Reading