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, Begich Announce Mobile Office Visits to Kenai Peninsula
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich today announced that members of their staffs will visit the communities of Whittier, Cooper Landing, Seward, Ninilchik and Homer from June 20-23, 2011. Congressional staff members hold mobile office hours throughout the summer to meet with constituents and community leaders. During their mobile office hours, staff representatives will be available to take casework requests and listen to constituent concerns about issues related to… Continue Reading
06.14.11
Murkowski Votes to Reform Ethanol Subsidies
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today signaled her support for reforming federal ethanol subsidies by voting for an amendment to repeal the ethanol tax credit and import tariff. "The time has come to reform the most costly and least necessary assistance provided by the government," Murkowski said. "It's difficult to justify the continuation of these policies with the deficit set to exceed $1.6 trillion this year alone, and other federal support for ethanol product… Continue Reading
06.14.11
Murkowski: Lack of Forest Management Contributes to Wildfires
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, expressed frustration with the Forest Service's wildfire policies at a hearing today of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Murkowski, the ranking member of the committee, released the following statement: "Almost 10 years ago, we had a fire season very similar to the one we're now suffering. In response, Congress passed the Healthy Forest Restoration Act, which authorized thinning and other efforts to reduce the amou… Continue Reading
06.13.11
“More Questions Than Answers” in Federal Water Fish Farms
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Obama Administration recently announced plans to create policy that allows fish farms in federal waters, in an attempt to cut the nation's dependence on imported fish. Today, Senator Murkowski responded with serious reservations: "While I recognize the motivation to increase aquaculture production in the United States, NOAA's new Marine Aquaculture policy raises far more questions than answers. My first question would be whether NOAA even has the jurisdiction to … Continue Reading
06.10.11
Murkowski Says More is Needed in Disaster Declaration
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich today released the following statement after the Obama Administration declared a disaster exists for the State of Alaska for flooding that occurred in the Interior between May 8-13, 2011. Sen. Begich and Sen. Murkowski sent a letter to the Administration on Monday asking FEMA to support the disaster declaration as requested by the Governor on June 1. "The President's declaration is a start but I continue to express concern that FEMA will not ma… Continue Reading
06.09.11
Murkowski: Legislation Needed to Address Critical Minerals Supply Chain
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today underscored the importance of developing a domestic supply of critical minerals during a subcommittee hearing held by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "There is no question that a stable and affordable supply of minerals is critical to America's future competitiveness," Murkowski said. "Yet, our mineral-related capabilities have been slipping for decades, leaving the United States heavily dependent on forei… Continue Reading
06.09.11
Murkowski: Fund New Technologies with Revenue from Increased Traditional Production
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed support for energy efficiency and vehicle technology legislation, while suggesting using revenue from increased oil and gas production to pay for such programs. "As we look to pay for legislation that comes before us, I continue to believe that our best path forward is to produce more of our own abundant resources and use some of the resulting federal revenues to fund alternatives that reduce consumption," Murkowski… Continue Reading
06.08.11
Murkowski Seeks FEMA Assurances On Alaska’s Protection Levels
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today pushed Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate for an assurance that Alaska is protected equally to the communities in the Lower 48. "Communities like Crooked Creek and Red Devil do not get news coverage like Joplin, Missouri or the Mississippi River communities affected by natural disasters," said Murkowski. "But I'm asking for an assurance on their behalf, because they worry our disaster response request is at the bo… Continue Reading
06.08.11
MURKOWSKI, YOUNG WELCOME SUPPORT FOR TANANA RAILROAD PROJECT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The senior members of Alaska's congressional delegation, Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young, today welcomed the decision by the Environmental Protection Agency to not oppose a proposed railroad bridge across the Tanana River in Interior Alaska. The bridge was approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Alaska Railroad's Northern Rail Extension. The project would extend rail service 80 miles from North Pole to Fort Greely, home to the U.S. Army's mis… Continue Reading
06.07.11
Murkowski: Trio of Bills Support All of the Above Energy Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed support for three proposals that would advance an all-of-the-above energy strategy by removing restrictions on the use of alternative fuels and promoting development of small modular nuclear reactors. Murkowski, the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is a cosponsor of all three bills, which were heard before the committee Tuesday. "Prioritizing the use of all of the domestic natura… Continue Reading
06.07.11
Begich & Murkowski Support State’s Disaster Declaration Request
Alaska's U.S. Senators Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski are urging the Obama Administration to approve a federal disaster declaration for this spring's floods in Interior Alaska as requested by Governor Sean Parnell on June 1. In a letter to President Obama, Begich and Murkowski detail the devastation caused in the villages of Crooked Creek and Red Devil as the result of the seasonal ice jam flooding along the Kuskokwim River. "These isolated areas of Alaska make emergency response chall… Continue Reading
06.01.11
Murkowski Responds to Interior’s New Directive on Wild Lands Designations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement regarding Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's decision to abide by the prohibition, contained in the 2011 continuing budget resolution, on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) designating new public lands as "Wild Lands." "I appreciate Secretary Salazar's commitment to me that the BLM will not pursue wild lands designations in Alaska," Murkowski said. "Both the Senate and the House have been clear … Continue Reading
05.31.11
Murkowski Announces First Session Summer Interns
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski today announced the names of her first session summer interns who will work in the Senator's Washington, D.C., office next month. These young Alaskans will observe the operations of a fast-paced Senate office and the legislative process from an up-close view. For the first summer session, running June 6-July 1, 2011, Murkowski has selected Graeme Campbell from Sitka, Joseph Kelly of Thorne Bay, Bernadette Mays and Cherise Beatus from Fairbanks, Sil… Continue Reading
05.29.11
Murkowski Reflects on Memorial Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today offered the following statement in observance of Memorial Day: "On this Memorial Day Weekend, with the promise of summer upon us, I invite you to enjoy the beautiful weather and the company of loved ones. But as we gather, it's important for us to recognize that we enjoy it, in large part, due to sacrifices made by those not here: men and women who fought to protect us. "Memorial Day is so much more than just the final day of… Continue Reading
05.26.11
Murkowski Proposes Bill to Streamline Road Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today proposed the Project Delivery Improvement Act to strengthen and streamline the road construction and improvement process nationwide. "Alaska has over 15,000 thousand miles of public roads, nearly all of which could see faster improvements with this bill," said Murkowski. "Just as Alaska enters our summer construction season, I'm hopeful this bill will create a smoother road to safe and vital transportation in future years." The Project … Continue Reading
05.26.11
Murkowski: Roadless Settlement Handcuffs Southeast Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following comment concerning a federal judge's decision to accept a settlement proposal by the U.S. Forest Service in Organized Village of Kake, et. al. v. USDA. The settlement re-imposes the 2001 roadless rule in the Tongass National Forest. "The settlement catches the communities in Southeast in a terrible trap. While the agreement provides limited protection for a handful of energy and mineral projects, it e… Continue Reading
05.26.11
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Critical Minerals Supply Chain
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today introduced the Critical Minerals Policy Act, along with Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska), Jim Webb (D-Virginia), James Risch (R-Idaho), Kay Hagan (D-North Carolina), Roy Blunt (R-Missouri), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota), Thad Cochran (R-Mississippi), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Dean Heller (R-Nevada), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Clair… Continue Reading
05.25.11
Murkowski Statement on Budget Votes
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski today released the following statement regarding the series of four budget votes, including her vote in favor of Senator Pat Toomey's (R-PA) proposal: "I share the views of Alaskans that inaction on the budget is no longer an option. After reviewing the available proposals, I concluded Senator Toomey's proposal was the best starting point to begin addressing the nation's deepening deficit from the spending side, and a step forward in negotiating t… Continue Reading
05.25.11
Murkowski Supports Bill to Complete Sealaska Lands Exchange
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following comments in favor of legislation that would allow Southeast Alaska's Sealaska Native Regional Corp. to complete the land selection promised to its shareholders nearly 40 years ago under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA): "This legislation is important not only to keep the legal promise the federal government made in ANCSA, but also to ensure the survival of the remaining timber operations … Continue Reading
05.25.11
Senator Murkowski’s statement on the passing of Lefty Van Brunt:
"Today, I share the thoughts of Alaska's entire baseball community in mourning the passing of Lefty Van Brunt. Lefty blazed a trail in a league that itself was a sports world pioneer - The Alaska Baseball League. "Lefty came to Alaska over a half-century ago and devoted his life to teaching Alaska's youth the simple joys of the National Pastime - a sacrifice bunt, clever defensive fieldwork - and for that we are forever grateful. He embraced teaching future pros all the way to little … Continue Reading
