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 “Angry, Frustrated and Mad” At Deficit Talks
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski spoke on the U.S. Senate floor and shared her frustration at the lack of progress being made as the August 2nd deadline to raise the nation's debt ceiling grows closer - and the continuing lack of a responsible long-term solution to America's rising deficit. Here is a transcript of her comments: "As we have deliberated all day, there's been a lot of finger-pointing and a lot of blame - and as the Senator from Massachusetts has noted, a lot of times it s… Continue Reading
07.29.11
Murkowski Votes for Boehner Budget Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski tonight voted in favor of moving forward with Speaker John Boehner's (R-OH) budget plan, issuing the following statement afterwards: "I supported Speaker Boehner's plan because it's honest about the spending reductions we need. It's a plan that makes dollar-for-dollar spending cuts to begin responsibly addressing our deficit over the long term. "What's most frustrating about our current process is that all we are demonstrating is that neither side ha… Continue Reading
07.28.11
Murkowski Insists Negotiations Should Not Affect Troop Pay
WASHINGTON, D.C. - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today co-sponsored the Protecting Military Pay Act of 2011 (S. 1365), legislation introduced by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) that prioritizes the payment of military salaries in the event of a worst-case scenario funding gap. "As we continue to address the debt and deficit here in Washington, I remain optimistic about finding a resolution to our stalemate - but I have to expect the best, while preparing for the worst," Murkow… Continue Reading
07.28.11
Murkowski: Bill Allows Natives to Continue Traditional Harvest
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following comment in support of legislation she's introduced to allow the Huna Tlingit of Southeast, Alaska, to carry out their traditional subsistence gull egg harvest in Glacier Bay National Park: "The Huna Tlingit have lived in the region of Glacier Bay, and practiced their traditional subsistence lifestyle there, long before it was made into a national park," Murkowski said. "They consider gull egg collection an import… Continue Reading
07.26.11
Homer Scare Motivates Murkowski to Ask for Review of Tsunami Warnings
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today sent a letter to National Weather Service Assistant Administrator John Hayes asking him to review the NWS's Tsunami Warning System after a March incident in Homer, Alaska, where false tsunami warning sirens sounded during the tragic earthquake/tsunami in Japan - despite the lack of a threat. On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake tragically struck Honshu, Japan. The result of the earthquake triggered a massive tsunami, resulting in the Al… Continue Reading
07.26.11
Murkowski on USPS Proposal: “This is Necessity, Not Convenience”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today questioned the initial proposed list released by the United States Postal Service suggesting changes to Alaska's Postal Service operations. "The United States Postal Service themselves admit that this is a rough first draft from a computer's raw data," Murkowski said. "But you simply can't compare four Seattle post offices to 1 in Platinum - this is necessity, not convenience in terms of Alaska's way of life." The Postmaster General held a news c… Continue Reading
07.25.11
Murkowski Responds To Alaska Newspapers Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski sent the following "Letter to the Editor" today after hearing the news that Alaska Newspapers Inc. will close its doors at the end of August: "Dear Editor: "I was sorry to learn that Calista Corp. has decided to shut down Alaska Newspapers Inc. (ANI) and its chain of weekly newspapers next month. For nearly 20 years, ANI's publications have informed and entertained readers in many of the state's smallest, most remote communities. The demise of the pa… Continue Reading
07.22.11
Murkowski Presses For FAA Extension, Essential Air Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski joined Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) - a fellow member and Chair of the U.S. Senate Essential Air Service Caucus - in sending the attached letter to their Senate colleagues this morning urging support for a clean extension of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization, otherwise set to expire today. "For the past several months I have worked with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to preserve the Essential Air Service Program," Murkows… Continue Reading
07.22.11
Murkowski Expects Shell, ConocoPhillips Plans to Move Forward
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency released two new draft air quality permits for Shell and ConocoPhillips' exploration plans for Alaska's outer continental shelf (OCS): "Permitting has been the greatest obstacle to our being able to discover and develop new oil prospects in Alaska, so any progress on that front is welcomed," Murkowski said. "Far too often, however, we have seen the permitting … Continue Reading
07.22.11
Alaskans Shine as “Families of the Year” by Uniformed Services
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski is pleased to honor two deserving Alaskan families chosen by their Uniformed Service as a "2011 Family of the Year." Yesterday at a Washington, D.C. ceremony, the two families were among only seven nationwide to be named outstanding: the Henley family of Sitka, and Thompson family of Eagle River. "It's statistically amazing that two of the seven Families of the Year were from Alaska, but not surprising when you consider the close bonds our Alaskan commu… Continue Reading
07.22.11
Murkowski: “He Built Alaska. Ted Was Alaska”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Lisa Murkowski spoke to Alaskans today to commemorate tomorrow's first celebration of Ted Stevens Day in Alaska. Here is a transcript of her thoughts: "Happy Ted Stevens Day, Alaska! "I hope that every single one of you is enjoying a beautiful Alaska Summer weekend the way that Senator Stevens would have wanted: in an active, fun way - embracing Alaska's great outdoors. The Stevens family said today's motto should be "Get Out And Play" because of Ted's love of h… Continue Reading
07.22.11
Murkowski: Cut, Cap and Balance Agenda Not “Back Burner” Issue
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski voted to press forward with the "Cut, Cap and Balance" agenda this morning in a U.S. Senate vote to proceed with debate or table the legislation, and gave the following statement after the measure was blocked on a 51-46 count: "I voted to allow the Senate to debate the Cut, Cap and Balance Act because the federal government needs to cut current spending levels, cap future spending levels, and balance the budget. I worry that putting off these issues onto th… Continue Reading
07.21.11
@LisaMurkowski’s “Brown Bag Town Hall” Goes Overtime
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski conducted her first "Brown Bag Town Hall" discussion with Alaskans using social media, and needed extra time to answer the flow of questions submitted via Twitter. "While some of my Senate colleagues can jump on a train or drive home to keep in touch with friends back home, Alaskans - as usual - have to be more resourceful," said Murkowski. "I was happy to share my thoughts and answer questions 4,000 miles away - and had fun doing it." The Twitter conversa… Continue Reading
07.21.11
Murkowski: Safety, Production, Revenue Sharing must be Addressed
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed optimism that the Energy Committee would soon reach agreement on a proposal to allow coastal states to retain a responsible share of federal offshore energy revenues, and simultaneously advance legislation on better safety and increased energy production. "We must recognize the importance of putting safety and the nation's need for greater energy production together," Murkowski said. "Our shared goal is to have safe produc… Continue Reading
07.20.11
Murkowski Votes for Military Construction, VA Improvements
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Moments ago, Senator Murkowski cast a vote for the FY12 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill (H.R. 2055) that passed out of an appropriations subcommittee she serves on last month. Senate passage will give a degree of certainty to contractors in Alaska and help make certain that there are no lapses in Alaska Veteran care. "Alaska's construction seasons are short, and it was important this bill be passed so the contracting process for critical future… Continue Reading
07.20.11
Murkowski Sends Books To Vandalized Togiak Public Library
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today informed the staff of the Togiak Public Library that she has donated 191 books to the library in an effort to help replace materials that were lost to recent vandalism that destroyed books and caused $2,500 in damage. "Reading is the fundamental element and cornerstone of developing young minds and preparing them for rigorous challenges," said Murkowski. "I wasn't going to let the children who rely on the Togiak Public Library be denied the chance to b… Continue Reading
07.19.11
Murkowski Announces Secretary Salazar, Senator Reed Alaska Visit
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today announced that she has invited Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee to Alaska for an August visit - making the following statement: "Sometimes when Alaskan issues are discussed on Capitol Hill, things get lost in translation because policymakers simply don't know enough about our state. "It's important that national leaders fully understand Alaska's potential - and t… Continue Reading
07.19.11
Murkowski “Encouraged” By Bipartisan Deficit Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This morning, Senator Murkowski was one of more than 40 Senators to be briefed by the so-called "Gang of Six" Senators attempting to develop a plan to reduce the national deficit - and gave the following statement afterwards: "I am pleased with and supportive of my colleagues' efforts to create a comprehensive solution for America's deficit problem that has something truly unique in Washington, D.C.: bipartisan support. I am studying their approach and am encouraged, as it … Continue Reading
07.19.11
Murkowski: Did Administration Violate Iran Sanctions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following comment on media reports that Vitol, a Dutch-Swiss energy trading company and the second largest purchaser of oil in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) sale last month, has signed an agreement to resume trading with Iran: "Vitol's involvement in the SPR sale raises two serious questions. The first is whether this administration violated its own sanctions against doing business with companies involved with Iran. T… Continue Reading
07.19.11
Murkowski: Expanding Natural Gas Use Good for Alaska, Nation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today delivered the following opening statement at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on a new MIT study on U.S. natural gas supplies: "I appreciate the chance to learn more about MIT's recent study, and being able to spend some time thinking about the future of one of our nation's most promising resources. Natural gas is clean-burning and abundant; it's well understood and scalable; and it's clearly in our best inter… Continue Reading
