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: USPS Move Poses Threat to Alaskan Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today sent a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, warning him the impending restructuring and relocation of Alaska's Western Area Distribution Networks office to Denver without a transition period is short-sighted. "Alaska's mail service is more complicated than the majority of systems nationwide," said Murkowski. "I understand the United States Postal Service needs to rethink everything to keep its costs under control, but this position … Continue Reading
05.24.11
Murkowski Remembers Reverend Doctor Walter Soboleff
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Murkowski, R-AK, released the following statement regarding the passing of Reverend Doctor Walter Soboleff: "Reverend Soboleff wanted to be remembered as one who tried to do his best in a time of changing culture and one who took positives from both the Native and Western worlds. I think I can speak for all of Alaska when I say he achieved that goal. "I would like to offer Reverend Soboleff's family and many friends my heartfelt condolences. Know that he serve… Continue Reading
05.23.11
Murkowski: America “Waking Up” To the Fact We’re An Arctic Nation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski today took to the Senate floor and stressed to her colleagues the importance of the Arctic, and how the national political conversation should reflect the realities and possibilities that come along with that. "I am pleased that ever so slowly, the United States seems to be waking up to the fact that we are, indeed, an Arctic nation," Sen. Murkowski said. Sen. Murkowski returned earlier this month from a historic trip to Nuuk, Greenland wher… Continue Reading
05.23.11
Murkowski: Medicare “Empowerment” Bill Would Expand Options
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today introduced a bill that would cut through bureaucratic red tape and allow seniors wider access to medical professionals through the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act. "At the age when many Americans begin to need extra medical attention, the current Medicare system puts hurdles in their path to care," said Murkowski. "Now more than ever, with the added scrutiny Medicare is getting, our seniors need solutions and certainty." The Medicare Pati… Continue Reading
05.20.11
Murkowski: Revised EIS Should Help Resolve Challenges in Chukchi, Allow Exploration to Move Forward
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the release by the Bureau of Ocean Energy, Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) of a revised supplemental environmental impact statement for oil and natural gas development in the Chukchi Sea. "It's my hope that this additional analysis on the potential impacts on the region will help resolve the legal challenges that have held up resource exploration in the Chukchi Sea," Murkowski said. "There's still a … Continue Reading
05.20.11
Murkowski: President Obama’s Middle East Plan “Incomprehensible”
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to President Obama's Middle East speech: "It's incomprehensible that just as the Middle East and Northern Africa are moving swiftly into the future this spring, President Obama is trying to move the clock backwards in Israel. His pronouncement that Israel commit to living within its pre-1967 borders places our most consistent ally in the region at heightened danger during a time of turbulence there. "I have long held the vie… Continue Reading
05.19.11
ROADLESS RULE THREATENS SOUTHEAST ALASKA ECONOMY
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today questioned U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell on the potential consequences for the economy of Southeast Alaska of a proposed court settlement that would impose roadless protections on the Tongass National Forest. "The court decision on the roadless rule holds the economy of Southeast Alaska hostage and it must be dealt with and I remain unconvinced that the settlement agreement proposed by the Forest Service resolves anything b… Continue Reading
05.19.11
Senator Lisa Murkowski’s statement on today’s cloture vote regarding the nomination of Goodwin Liu for the 9th Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals:
"I stated during the Bush Administration that judicial nominations deserved an up or down vote, except in "extraordinary circumstances" and my position has not changed simply because there is a different President making the nominations." ###… Continue Reading
05.19.11
Murkowski Comments on Vehicles Legislation Considered by Energy Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed optimism that the members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee could find common ground on policies that both increase oil supply and reduce oil demand. Murkowski's comments came during a full committee hearing on two bills that seek to reduce domestic fuel consumption: S. 734, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act, and S. 948, the Promoting Electric Vehicles Act. "Earlier this week we considered severa… Continue Reading
05.18.11
Murkowski’s statement on the nomination of Morgan Christen for the Ninth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals
Senator Lisa Murkowski's statement on the nomination of Morgan Christen for the Ninth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals -- "Judge Christen is an outstanding choice to fill Alaska's sole seat on the Ninth Circuit. Over the course of a decade on the bench she has a track record of impartial, intelligent and fair judgments that demonstrate respect for the rule of law and the role of the judiciary in our democratic system. "Judge Christen and I entered the practice of law around the same time.… Continue Reading
05.18.11
Murkowski on IED Protection For Troops: “We Must Do Better”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today questioned the United States Army Chief of Staff how the Army can better protect soldiers from the gruesome and deadly weapon-of-choice in Afghanistan, the Improvised Explosive Device (IED). "We've seen 21st technology robotic devices sent to Mars, we've seen them deployed thousands of feet underwater," said Murkowski. "Why can't we get the technology right to protect our men and women in uniform?" Senator Murkowski posed this question an… Continue Reading
05.18.11
Murkowski Spotlights Alaska Native Health Disparities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski joined colleagues across the aisle to commemorate "Minority Health Awareness," in a resolution that passed the Senate unanimously. "Alaska Natives, and many minorities nationwide, suffer health problems at an alarmingly high rate," said Murkowski. "There are many reasons and many factors at play - but the first step to fixing the problem, simply, is spotlighting the problem through information." Senator Murkowski was the lead Republican co-spons… Continue Reading
05.18.11
Murkowski Seeks to Clarify FERC/EPA Collaboration on Electric Reliability
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, on Tuesday sent a letter to members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission seeking clarification on their collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency on proposed climate, water and other rules that could force the shutdown of the nation's coal-fired electricity fleet. "I am deeply concerned about the potential impact these rules may have on the reliability and affordability of our nation's electricity supply," Murkow… Continue Reading
05.17.11
Murkowski’s Response on Decision to End Denali Project
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement regarding the announcement that BP and ConocoPhillips were ending their joint Denali project to develop a pipeline to ship Alaska North Slope natural gas to the Lower 48: "While it's disappointing that BP and ConocoPhillips have decided to shut down their Denali project, there remains a lot of interest in getting Alaska's natural gas off the North Slope to Alaska households and bigger markets … Continue Reading
05.17.11
Murkowski: Safety Overhaul Should Spur, Not Impede Offshore Energy Production
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today stressed the importance of advancing safety and production legislation concurrently through the Senate. Murkowski, the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, made her comments during a hearing of that committee on offshore safety. "Our goal should be to ensure our offshore industry is working safely, but that requires that it be working," Murkowski said. "I believe safety legislation is appropria… Continue Reading
05.14.11
Murkowski Comments on President Obama’s Weekly Address
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on the President's remarks on gas prices and domestic production during his weekly address: "I've been strongly critical of this Administration's policies on domestic production, but today I want to give credit to the President. I've had the opportunity to talk directly with him regarding the importance of Alaska's oil reserves and the need to increase safe and responsible oil production here at home. Permitting is … Continue Reading
05.13.11
Murkowski Takes Lead to Honor Law Enforcement Fallen, Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate unanimously passed Senator Murkowski's resolution designating Saturday, May 14, 2011 as "National Police Survivors Day" - honoring family members who live with loss after those closest to them make the ultimate sacrifice. "Every year, America loses hundreds of men and women in the line of duty - and their families lose fathers, mothers, sons or daughters," Murkowski said. "I am proud my resolution sets aside a day for everyone across the country to rem… Continue Reading
05.12.11
Murkowski Co-Sponsors Bill To Improve Alaska Marine Highway
Washington, D.C.- Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Mark Begich (D-AK) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA 2nd), to introduce a bi-partisan bill in both houses of Congress that would improve and expand federal investment in ferries, a vital part of America's transportation system. More than 100 million passengers take ferries every year in at least 38 states, often between work and home. The transportation services offered by ferr… Continue Reading
05.12.11
Murkowski Comments on Proposed Alaska Roadless Rule Settlement in Tongass
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following comments in response to the Forest Service's proposed settlement in the legal fight over implementation of the 2001 roadless rule in the Tongass National Forest: "While the proposed settlement language provides limited protection for a few specific hydroelectric projects, it does nothing for the dozens of hydro projects currently under consideration at FERC, let alone the hundreds of potential hydropow… Continue Reading
05.12.11
Murkowski: Increasing Access, Not Taxes, will Result in More Jobs and Lower Prices at the Pump
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following comment on the Senate Finance Committee hearing on national tax policy and the oil industry: "Today's Senate Finance Committee illustrates the stark choice we face. We can increase taxes on the oil and gas industry and drive jobs, revenues and more of our energy supply overseas or we can provide access to America's tremendous oil and gas resources - thereby creating jobs, generating more federal revenue … Continue Reading
