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: President’s Decision on Keystone XL is a Step Backward for American Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement in response to President Obama's decision to reject a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline: "Yesterday the President's Jobs Council called for an 'all-in' energy policy, including increased production of oil and natural gas, and construction of pipelines to deliver that energy to market. Today, however, election-year politics have trumped good policy, with the American people as the losers. "Given th… Continue Reading
01.17.12
Murkowski to Hold Tsunami Debris Fact-Finding Roundtable
Senator Murkowski today announced she is holding a roundtable discussion this Friday on the Alaskan impacts of last year's tsunami in Japan - exploring what debris has been found and informing the public discussion on moving forward. "It has been nearly a year since the earthquake and tsunami in Japan caused a tragic loss of life and property, and Alaskans know that our coastlines are the frontlines in terms of dealing with some of the effects," said Murkowski. "Alaskans need to hear what is b… Continue Reading
01.16.12
Murkowski Remembers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the following reflections on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: (Click video to watch) "I would like to take a moment with you to salute the life and teachings of Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. on what would be his 83rd birthday. "Now it's said that the national holiday celebrating the life of the Reverend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. should be regarded as a "day on," and "not a day off." I subscribe to that philosophy. This Nation o… Continue Reading
01.15.12
Murkowski Flying to Nome to Welcome Healy Crew
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today is joining United States Coast Guard Rear Admiral Thomas Ostebo on a flight to Nome in order to personally thank everyone involved in the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy's mission to aid the community's winter fuel needs. Nome Mayor Denise Michels will join them aboard the ship to visit with the crew that extended their time on the sea through the holiday season to fulfill the mission. "Alaskans have a close relationship with the United States Coast Gu… Continue Reading
01.13.12
Murkowski Responds to White House Restructuring Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Obama today proposed a restructuring of the federal government, including many trade- and commerce-related agencies. One of the suggested changes would transfer the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration from the Commerce Department to the Department of the Interior. Senator Murkowski had the following reaction to the news: "Now more than ever, any proposal to move towards a smaller government needs to be welcomed for review. However, there are a lot o… Continue Reading
01.13.12
DoJ Tells Murkowski Preliminary Inquiry Launched Into Allen Case
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Professional Responsibility informed Senator Lisa Murkowski that an internal investigation regarding the Bill Allen case has been initiated in response to her November request. This action comes after nearly a year and a half of questioning by Murkowski into the DOJ's decision-making process in the form of letters, phone calls and Senate hearing testimony. The acting counsel for the DOJ Office of Professional Responsibility responded… Continue Reading
01.12.12
Murkowski: “To Heck With Politics,” Leads Call for Permanent End to Party Seating at State of Union
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Murkowski today joined her colleague Senator Mark Udall of Colorado in suggesting that bipartisan seating at the president's State of the Union address become a permanent practice. The Senators pioneered the concept last year and today circulated a letter on Capitol Hill encouraging Senators and Representatives to participate. "There is a phrase that means a lot to many Alaskans, and that's 'The heck with politics, let's do what's right for Alaska,'" said Murkowski. … Continue Reading
01.12.12
Murkowski Welcomes Approval of Air Permits for Shell’s Arctic OCS Plans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement regarding a decision by the Environmental Protection Agency's internal appeals board confirming the validity of two air-quality permits for Shell's Noble Discoverer drillship to explore Alaska's Arctic waters this summer: "The validation of Shell's first air quality permits is almost the end of what has been a long and exhaustive process," Murkowski said. "I'm relieved that the EPA's internal appea… Continue Reading
01.11.12
Murkowski to 143rd and Families: 'The Support From Alaskans Is With You'
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski returned today from Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center in Edinburgh, Indiana - after visiting 118 Alaska National Guardsmen of Company B, 1st battalion (Airborne) of the 143rd Infantry Regiment preparing for a year-long deployment to Afghanistan. "I can't tell you not to worry about your loved ones," Senator Murkowski said, "but I can tell you that with the level of training they are receiving at this moment, they will go to Afghanistan with … Continue Reading
01.09.12
USS Anchorage Will Be Commissioned in Anchorage
Alaska's Congressional Delegation is pleased today to announce the Commissioning Ceremony for the USS Anchorage will be held in Anchorage next September or October. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus is personally delivering the good news to each member of the delegation via telephone calls today. The news comes in response to letters the delegation members wrote to Secretary Mabus in November requesting the ship be commissioned in the community for which it is named to give locals a chance to sho… Continue Reading
01.09.12
Murkowski Statement on Administration’s Decision to Prevent Uranium Production Outside the Borders of the Grand Canyon
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following response to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's announcement that he was extending the million-acre moratorium on new uranium mining claims outside the borders of the Grand Canyon National Park. "The Grand Canyon deserves to be protected and it is, but this decision is part of a misguided effort to impose 'buffer zones' around national parks and other federal lands that effectively lock-up vast areas without Congre… Continue Reading
01.09.12
Murkowski Flying to Indiana for “Special Delivery” to Alaska National Guard Unit
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski is visiting 118 Alaska National Guardsmen of Company B, 1st battalion (Airborne) of the 143rd Infantry Regiment tomorrow at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center in Edinburgh, Indiana. During the course of her tour of training activities, Senator Murkowski will visit with the soldiers, express her appreciation and hand-deliver Alaskan silver salmon to the troops. "These brave Alaskans are getting ready to move to the other side of the planet -… Continue Reading
01.06.12
Murkowski Encouraged by Navy’s USS Anchorage Response
Senator Lisa Murkowski received a response from the Secretary of the Navy's office regarding her November request to have the USS Anchorage - a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship - commissioned in Anchorage once it completes its sea trials. "The Port of Anchorage would be an ideal location to commission the USS Anchorage," said Senator Murkowski. "I am encouraged that Secretary of the Navy agrees, and is going to give an Alaskan ceremony serious consideration." "The Secretary st… Continue Reading
01.05.12
Murkowski Statement on Pentagon Cuts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Obama today introduced a new strategy for American forces that could involve significant reductions in Army force structure, changes in military pay, benefits and retirement, and major changes in weapons system procurement. Senator Murkowski had the following reaction to his remarks: "We are entering a new era for the American military - both in mindset but also in resources. As we rethink our military spending and prepare to meet 21st Century challenges, we need … Continue Reading
12.30.11
Murkowski Appreciates DHS Waiver Decision for Nome
WASHINGTON, D.C. - After hearing that the Russian Tanker Renda had received a waiver from the Department of Homeland Security for a statutory Jones Act requirement to transport fuel from Dutch Harbor to Nome, Senator Lisa Murkowski today had the following reaction: "Today is an important step in providing certainty to the Seward Peninsula region, in terms of heat and affordable heating prices through the winter, but it is only a step. We literally have hundreds of miles to go before resolutio… Continue Reading
12.22.11
Murkowski Statement on Deal for Payroll Tax Cut Extensions, 20,000 Jobs for Americans
Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) today announced a plan to approve the bipartisan U.S. Senate compromise reached Saturday - extending the payroll tax cut and other benefits - while accelerating negotiations toward a longer agreement. The bill also requires a decision from the Obama Administration on the Keystone XL pipeline within months. Senator Lisa Murkowski had the following reaction to the vote: "With many Americans facing high unemployment and underemployment, I'm pleased that th… Continue Reading
12.21.11
Delegation Lauds FAA Changes to Address Pilot Fatigue, Protect Passengers
Washington, D.C. - Today the Federal Aviation Administration released major changes in commercial airline rules to prevent dangerously-fatigued pilots from flying - changes that originally were scheduled to be announced in August. The new rules limit the amount of flight time that pilots can be asked to work and increase the amount of mandated rest hours. This development comes days after the Alaska Congressional Delegation wrote a letter to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Admini… Continue Reading
12.21.11
Sen. Murkowski: Reliability Concerns Warrant Careful Review of Utility MACT Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on the Environmental Protection Agency's release of the final National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units, or Utility MACT. Murkowski has expressed concern with the rule due to its potentially significant implications for electric grid reliability. Murkowski has urged a greater role for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and expert or… Continue Reading
12.21.11
Bipartisan Group of Senators Concerned About EPA’s Overly Broad Diesel Fuel Definition
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ranking members of the Senate Committees on Energy and Natural Resources and Environment and Public Works Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and James M. Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), today joined Sens. John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) and Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana) in sending a bipartisan letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to express concern about the approach the agency seems to be taking to regulate hydraulic fracturing under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) when diesel… Continue Reading
12.19.11
Corps Decision Clears Way for Responsible Development of NPR-A
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed a decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to grant road access to the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) via construction of a bridge across the Colville River. "Today's decision clears the way for the National Petroleum Reserve's first oil production," Murkowski said. "NPR-A has long been cited as an example of the federal government's commitment to domestic oil production, but in reality the gates to NPR-A … Continue Reading
