10.18.11

Murkowski: Our Icebreaking Capacity as an Arctic Nation Just Simply is Unacceptable

Russia 33, United States 1 Murkowski: "Our Icebreaking Capacity as an Arctic Nation Just Simply is Unacceptable" Washington, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today highlighted America's shortfall of icebreakers in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing - in a question to United States Coast Guard Vice Admiral Brian Salerno. "The current status of our icebreaking capacity as an Arctic Nation just simply is unacceptable," Murkowski stressed. "I think those in the Coast Guard, whose… Continue Reading

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10.18.11

Murkowski: U.S. Must be a Leader in Offshore Oil Production

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today stressed the importance of the United States being a leader in offshore energy production, as neighboring countries begin exploring for oil and natural gas along the U.S. maritime border. "It does us no good to complain that offshore drilling is too risky for us to pursue when other nations are busy reaping the benefits right along our borders," Murkowski said. "Neither geology nor ocean currents recognize borders, so we really have… Continue Reading

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10.17.11

Alaska’s Senators Taking Actions Against Frankenfish

WASHINGTON, DC - In their latest efforts to stop Genetically Engineered (GE) fish from being a reality, U.S. Senators Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski today filed two separate pieces of legislation - Begich by introducing the Prevention of Escapement of Genetically Altered Salmon in the United States (PEGASUS) Act to ban the interstate commerce of GE fish, Murkowski by filing an amendment to the 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill that would prohibit funds from being used by the FDA to approve th… Continue Reading

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10.17.11

Sen. Murkowski: Ruling Reinforces Limits on Endangered Species Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following comment regarding a federal judge's ruling on the listing of the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act (ESA): "Today's decision reinforces the position of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that the ESA is not an appropriate tool to address greenhouse gas emissions," Murkowski said. "The misapplication of well-intentioned statutes carries the risk of serious consequences for our struggling economy." ###… Continue Reading

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10.17.11

Murkowski Fighting to “Alaskanize” No Child Left Behind

Washington, dc - Senator Lisa Murkowski is introducing two bills today in advance of a committee markup session to make needed changes for Alaska to No Child Left Behind - as the law is being reauthorized by the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, on which she sits. "I am glad that [HELP Committee] Chairman Harkin wants to make long-overdue changes to improve No Child Left Behind," said Senator Murkowski. "After hearing from Alaskan educators with their ideas t… Continue Reading

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10.14.11

Murkowski Joins First Ever Bipartisan Law Enforcement Caucus

WASHINGTON - Senator Lisa Murkowski joined 17 Senate colleagues in launching the first ever U.S. Senate Law Enforcement Caucus this week, with the goals of educating and informing each other about the programs and initiatives keeping our communities safe, while advocating for the policies law enforcement agencies need to carry out their missions. "Whether they're policemen patrolling Alaska's urban streets or our Village Public Safety Officers, Alaska's law enforcement officers deserve support… Continue Reading

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10.14.11

Murkowski: Critical Alaska Projects in 2012 Interior Bill

Washington, DC - A number of key projects and priorities for Alaska are contained within the final draft of the 2012 Senate Interior Appropriations bill, made public today. Senator Lisa Murkowski, Ranking Republican on the Committee today made the following statement: "Today, Chairman Reed and I released a draft version of the Senate Interior bill to the public on the Senate Committee on Appropriations website," Murkowski said. "This is a very important piece of legislation for the State of A… Continue Reading

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10.14.11

Alaska Delegation Introduces Bill to Name Anchorage Federal Courthouse

In an effort to recognize his decades of service to Alaska and the country, the Alaska Congressional Delegation has introduced legislation to name the federal courthouse in Anchorage after the late Judge James M. Fitzgerald. Judge Fitzgerald served Alaska from 1959 to 2006 on the first Alaska Superior Court bench, on the Alaska Supreme Court, and on the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. "Judge Fitzgerald was one of the finest jurists ever to serve the people of Alaska and the Uni… Continue Reading

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10.13.11

Murkowski Congratulates Ft. Yukon Elder for Presidential Citizens Medal

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski today made the following comment after receiving news that Fort Yukon's Clarence Lee Alexander will receive the Presidential Citizens Medal -- the second highest civilian honor from President Obama next week, for his contributions to his community: "I am proud that one of our very own Alaskans is the recipient of such a prestigious award. It reminds me of the famous Margaret Mead quote ~ Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people t… Continue Reading

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10.13.11

Alaska’s Senators Laud Target’s Sustainable Seafood Mission

WASHINGTON, DC -Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich today welcomed Target's announcement that it plans to sell only sustainable and traceable seafood in its stores nationwide - and imposing a deadline of 2015 to reach that goal. This commitment from the billion-dollar chain will improve business and demand for Alaska's fisheries, while providing additional nationwide visibility for the state's seafood products. "Alaska's fisheries are an economic engine for our state and serve as the nat… Continue Reading

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10.12.11

Murkowski Supports Free Trade Agreements With South Korea, Panama and Colombia

Washington, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted for three free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia - citing the many benefits of expanding trade for Alaska businesses. She issued the following statement afterwards: "Building financial relationships with the international community and supplying American goods to the world are the soundest stimulus plan we've seen this week - and a long-time coming. "These 3 free trade agreements are good news for Alaska. In 2010, Alaska… Continue Reading

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10.12.11

Murkowski Calls for Answers to NPR-A CD-5 Letter

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today questioned Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy on her lack of response to a Sept. 20 letter inquiring about the status of the proposed Colville River bridge in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). The exchange can be viewed here and Murkowski's letter is attached. Background Last month, Murkowski sent a letter to Assistant Secretary Darcy requesting a timely resolution of permitting roadbl… Continue Reading

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10.12.11

Sen. Murkowski Introduces Reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, entered the following remarks into the congressional record today on the introduction of bipartisan legislation to re-authorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (S. 1692): "Over 100 years ago this Congress passed a law which formed a compact with counties, boroughs and parishes in rural America where the National Forests are located. That compact stipulated that the Forest Service would share 25 percent of its … Continue Reading

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10.12.11

Murkowski to Hold Senate Hearing on Alaska Native Youth Suicide

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she will be holding a Senate Indian Affairs Committee Field Hearing on H.O.P.E.- Helping Our People Engage on October 22, 2011 - during next week's AFN Convention in Anchorage. "I will be conducting a field hearing of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee to really delve into more of the issues surrounding youth suicide, some of the connections that we know to be at play, whether it's depression, whether it's witnessing acts of viol… Continue Reading

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10.11.11

Murkowski: “Let’s Tackle This Problem Head On”

Washington, dc - Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted against proceeding to Senate bill S. 1660, the American Jobs Act, and issued the following statement after she cast her vote: "I voted against proceeding with the American Jobs Act because it is not the solid, comprehensive plan that our country needs. Even the Treasury Secretary has said that of the over 14 million Americans presently unemployed, the bill will help only 7 percent find work. "I understand the fear and frustration of Americ… Continue Reading

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10.11.11

Murkowski Votes Against “Short-Sighted” Currency Bill

Washington, dc - Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted against U.S. Senate bill S.1619, the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Act of 2011: "This bill is a short-sighted approach that's more political than practical, with serious negative possible impacts on Alaska and across America. China is Alaska's second largest export market, behind Japan - we sold $920 million worth of seafood, forest products and mineral ore to China in 2010 alone. These attempted punitive measures could have serious ramif… Continue Reading

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10.06.11

Rural Alaska’s Internet Connectivity “Absolutely Inadequate”

Washington, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski called national attention today to the lack of Internet infrastructure in rural Alaska in a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing. "Nearly 40% of Alaska's land area doesn't have reliable high speed broad band internet," Murkowski said. "It would be the equivalent area of Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and parts of Ohio having an absolutely inadequate access to what everybody else in the country knows and expe… Continue Reading

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10.06.11

MURKOWSKI, MERKLEY, MORAN, TESTER INTRODUCE PROTECTING RURAL POST OFFICES BILL

Washington, DC -A bipartisan coalition of Senators today introduced the Protecting Rural Post Offices Act, which would require that a post office closure cannot result in more than a ten mile distance between post offices, measured on roads with year-round access. The bill is sponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Jon Tester (D-MT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark Begich (D-AK), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). "In Oregon, 80% of the post offices on the potential closure list are more… Continue Reading

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10.05.11

Murkowski Lauds Former Alaskan’s Nobel Prize

Bartlett High School Alum Brian Schmidt ('85) and his research team has been honored with the 2011 Nobel Prize for Physics for his work in Astrophysics. Upon hearing the news, Senator Murkowski had the following thoughts: "All Alaskans - and Alaskan educators especially - are proud that one of our former students has been awarded with one of the most significant international awards in the world: The Nobel Prize. "Brian's findings have led many experts in the field of astrophysics to rethink … Continue Reading

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10.05.11

Murkowski Introduces Reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced she will co-sponsor a bipartisan effort to re-authorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The bill, to be introduced within the next week, will extend payments to boroughs and unorganized communities and schools in southeast and southcentral Alaska for five years, beginning in 2012. The legislation would also extend Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) to boroughs and unorganized communities in the … Continue Reading