04.07.11

Murkowski Signals Willingness to Revisit, Reform Biofuels Policies

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke on her concerns with current biofuels policies during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. "I'm hopeful that today will mark the start of a larger conversation between all of the stakeholders affected by biofuels policy," Murkowski said. "I believe that biofuels have a definite and ongoing place in our fuel supply, but it is important to realize that we face a range of problems, related to infrastruc… Continue Reading

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04.06.11

Murkowski: Members of Congress Should Set Energy Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on the series of four roll call votes - three sought by Senate Democrats and one sought by Senate Republicans - to modify, delay or block the Environmental Protection Agency's climate regulations: "Imposing energy taxes through EPA's command-and-control regulations will destroy jobs, increase costs of living, and reduce growth and innovation. We need a permanent fix for the EPA's efforts to implement backdoor climat… Continue Reading

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04.06.11

Murkowski: “Alaska Loses, America Loses” If Government Shuts Down

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As a potential shutdown of the federal government looms, Senator Lisa Murkowski is urging her Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle: "Forget the talking points and get the job done." "Over 17,000 Alaskans may be kept from doing the most basic function: Waking up and going to work," Murkowski said. "While it's crucial for the government to get its spending under control, our inability to reach a deal shouldn't keep our troops or Bureau of Land Management employ… Continue Reading

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04.06.11

Murkowski Introduces Revised Sealaska Lands Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has introduced 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). The Sealaska bill, originally introduced in 2007 and again in 2009, has undergone major revisions over the past year to reflect public comments gathered at town-hall meetings in Southeast communities, and fr… Continue Reading

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04.06.11

Murkowski Speaks on Misguided “Use It or Lose It” Proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday made the following statement on the U.S. Senate Floor: "Mr. President, I would like to take a few minutes this afternoon to perhaps switch the discussion from what my colleagues were referring to earlier in terms of the budget and speak a little bit about the issue of energy--obviously, a topic of great concern. "The President has addressed it as recently as last week in a major address at Georgetown. There have been a … Continue Reading

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04.05.11

Murkowski Meets with Future Coast Guard Alaska Commander

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The nominee for command of the Coast Guard's 17th District met with U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today, telling her he fully recognizes the critical importance of Coast Guard missions in Alaska. Rear Admiral Thomas P. Ostebo served at Coast Guard Air Station Sitka during the Exxon Valdez oil spill. He told the Senator the assignment gave him a first-hand understanding of Alaska's weather and resource challenges. Murkowski shared her concerns about the decommis… Continue Reading

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04.05.11

Murkowski Backs Health Care Reform Fix For Small Businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska voted to repeal the 1099 tax reporting mandate - a portion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that forced small businesses to file IRS tax forms when any business transaction passes a $600 threshold. "It shouldn't take seven Senate votes to rip up paperwork and speed up our economic recovery; this was a must for Alaska's small businesses," Murkowski said. "With the challenges facing our business community, both statewide… Continue Reading

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04.04.11

Murkowski Announces New Communications Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska has announced Alaskan broadcast journalist Matthew Felling as her new Communications Director. "I look forward to having Matthew lead my communications team," Murkowski said. "As a veteran of both Alaska and D.C. reporting, he brings valuable experience and insight to my staff, and will bolster our efforts to keep Alaskans informed on so many of the issues that impact our state." Felling comes to Sen. Murkowski's office after being le… Continue Reading

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03.31.11

MURKOWSKI PRESSES VA TO STOP SENDING ALASKA VETERANS TO SEATTLE FOR HEALTHCARE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki and the VA's Undersecretary for Health, Dr. Robert Petzel, promised U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski that the VA will do better in purchasing care for Alaska veterans from Alaska community providers, rather than require they travel to the VA Hospital in Seattle, when the VA cannot provide the care at its facilities in Alaska. Murkowski today in a Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee hearing questioned Shinseki and Petzel abo… Continue Reading

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03.31.11

Alaska Delegation Supports Gov. Parnell’s “Choose Respect” Initiative with D.C. Rally

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski joined with Senator Mark Begich and Representative Don Young in a show of support from the Alaska delegation of Governor Parnell's "Choose Respect" initiative, in organizing a rally today in front of the U.S. Capitol, to stand together in solidarity, with their staffs and Alaskans living in D.C., against the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault that plagues Alaska. There were over sixty marches and rallies held across Alaska, from Barrow… Continue Reading

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03.31.11

Murkowski Comments on Hydro, Energy-Water Integration Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following opening statement at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on two hydropower bills and the energy-water integration portion of the 2009 American Clean Energy Leadership Act: "As you know, I've long been a strong hydropower proponent. I consider hydropower to be our hardest working renewable resource - one that often gets overlooked in the clean energy debate. "There is no question that … Continue Reading

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03.30.11

Murkowski Questions Air Force Leadership on Alternative Fuel and Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today in a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing, questioned Air Force leaders on alternative fuel initiatives in Alaska and proposals to modernize the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC) currently under environmental study. Continuing her leadership on energy issues, Murkowski asked Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley, where the Air Force is headed with alternative fuel, referring specifically to Alaska's mili… Continue Reading

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03.30.11

Murkowski Comments on Army’s Decision to Split Base the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on the Army's announcement to split base the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade presently stationed at Fort Wainwright with Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Fort Lewis) Washington. "With speculation that the Army would relocate the entire 16th Combat Aviation Brigade to the lower 48, I am relieved at the Army's decision to split base the brigade and keep most aviations assets at Fort Wainwright, including the additional placement … Continue Reading

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03.29.11

Senators Introduce Legislation to Preserve STORIS for Museum

Calling it a fitting tribute to the service and sacrifices of Coast Guard men and women in Alaska, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today introduced legislation to authorize the conveyance of the decommissioned Coast Guard Cutter STORIS for use as a privately-funded museum in Juneau. Begich was joined by Sen. Lisa Murkowski in co-sponsoring the legislation and Rep. Don Young is introducing a companion bill in the House of Representatives. "The Coast Guard's history in Alaska dates back to the ear… Continue Reading

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03.28.11

Senators Klobuchar, Collins, Murkowski, McCaskill Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Assist Victims of Sexual Trauma in the Military

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) introduced bipartisan legislation to assist victims of sexual trauma in the military. The Support for Survivors Act would assist servicemembers who were victims of sexual trauma during their military service by requiring the Department of Defense to ensure life-long storage of all documents connected with reports of sexual assaults and sexual harassment ac… Continue Reading

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03.24.11

Postal Regulatory Commission Heeds Murkowski in Recommendation for Saturday Mail Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Postal Regulatory Commission released its final Advisory Opinion on a proposal by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to end mail delivery and other postal operations on Saturdays. USPS proposed these and other changes to address over $2 billion in annual losses. "The Commission did an excellent job reviewing both the potential cost benefits and impacts to Postal Service customers associated with the proposal to end most Saturday mail services," Murkowski said.… Continue Reading

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03.21.11

Bingaman and Murkowski Release Clean Energy Standard (CES) White Paper

Today, Chairman Bingaman and Ranking Member Murkowski released a white paper soliciting comment broadly on key questions and potential designs elements of a Clean Energy Standard (CES). The full text of the white paper, along with instructions and forms for submitting responses, can be found here on the Energy Committee website. All responses should be submitted in accordance with the instructions by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2011. ###… Continue Reading

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03.18.11

Alaska Delegation Introduces Maritime Lien Reform Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Alaska delegation introduced the Maritime Lien Reform Act of 2011 this week. The legislation would protect fishermen who hold Alaska commercial fishing permits. The legislation also would prohibit maritime liens from being imposed on permits and protect the right of fishermen to continue to earn a livelihood by engaging in commercial fishing. Similar legislation was introduced in 2006 and 2008 but neither bill became law. "The legislation is imperative to prote… Continue Reading

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03.18.11

Senators Introduce Bipartisan Hydropower Improvement Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday introduced the Hydropower Improvement Act of 2011 (S. 629), which was co-sponsored by Sens. Begich (D-AK), Bingaman (D-NM), Cantwell (D-WA), Crapo (R-ID), Murray (D-WA), Risch (R-ID), Whitehouse (D-RI), and Wyden (D-OR). The bill seeks to substantially increase the capacity and generation of our clean, renewable hydropower resources that will improve environmental quality and support local job creation and economic investme… Continue Reading

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03.17.11

Murkowski Votes for Three Week Continuing Resolution But Urges Long Term Solution

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today voted to continue providing funding for federal government operations until April 8th, 2011, including $6 billion in spending cuts, and issued the following statement: "While I am pleased that the federal government will continue to be funded for the next three weeks, it's time to stop these short-term budget resolutions and finish Fiscal Year 2011 budget work. Not only do we need to move on to the FY12 budget, we really need … Continue Reading