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 Statement on Don't Ask, Don't Tell
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following statement concerning the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy: "After reviewing the DOD report and the testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee by Defense Secretary Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen, I have concluded that it is time to repeal the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law. We expect all who serve to serve with integrity, but under current law gay and lesbian service members may s… Continue Reading
12.04.10
Murkowski Opposes Tax Hikes for Small Business Owners
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, made the following statement today following her votes against two proposals that would increase taxes next year on America's small business owners: "Our nation is in the midst of a recession, and this week we learned that the unemployment rate inched up to 9.8 percent, yet the Senate majority's answer today was to offer legislation that would levy a massive tax increase on small businesses. At a time when the number of Americans out of wor… Continue Reading
12.01.10
Murkowski Comments on Deficit Commission’s Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, made the following comments about today's release of the President's deficit commission final report: "I commend those involved with the commission for the difficult task they undertook. Although I will be reviewing the report in greater detail, the commission's proposal is clearly a positive step towards reducing the deficit, cutting out-of-control federal spending and reining in mushrooming entitlement costs, something that Congress has b… Continue Reading
12.01.10
Murkowski Comments on Interior’s Decision for Offshore Development
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following statement today in response to the Obama administration's decision on offshore energy exploration: "I am pleased and relieved that Alaska's offshore leases are being honored, but I strongly believe that the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, as well as the Atlantic and Pacific, should be open to exploration," Murkowski said. "These areas represent some of the most abundant oil and gas resources available for domestic productio… Continue Reading
11.30.10
Murkowski Votes Against Earmarks Ban
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today voted against considering a proposal that would impose a three-year moratorium on earmarks in both appropriations and authorization bills. The proposal, which failed, was offered as an amendment to an unrelated bill that pertains to food safety. Murkowski voted for the food safety bill. "Today's vote was long on bravado but short on substance. The notion that Congress would turn federal spending responsibilities over to unelected gove… Continue Reading
11.29.10
Murkowski to Vote for Repeal of Tax Burden in Health Care Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said today she would vote to allow consideration of an amendment that would rescind an onerous tax reporting burden on small businesses that was included in the government health care takeover bill. The vote, which requires 67 votes to succeed, was expected to come up later tonight on an unrelated bill that pertains to food safety. A provision in the health care law requires any business that purchases more than $600 of goods or services fr… Continue Reading
11.20.10
Murkowski Statement on Loss of Air Force Pilot
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following statement regarding the loss of Captain Jeffrey Haney who was killed when his F-22 crashed earlier this week: "I am deeply saddened to learn of Captain Haney's death from this tragic incident. Captain Haney paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country and we as a nation are forever in his debt. I extend to Captain Haney's family my most heartfelt sympathies and prayers as they mourn his loss." # # #… Continue Reading
11.19.10
Murkowski: Native American Challenge Act Heads to Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has announced that the Senate Indian Affairs committee passed the Native American Challenge Demonstration Project Act of 2010. The bill, championed by Murkowski, is cosponsored by Sens. Mark Begich D-Alaska, Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii and Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii. Passed by the Committee on Thursday, the bill would direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Native American Challenge Demonstration Project which would allow tribes, tribal or… Continue Reading
11.17.10
Murkowski Opposes an Earmark Ban
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement regarding efforts to ban congressional earmarks: "Senate Republicans today adopted a non-binding resolution to ban congressional earmarks. I was unable to vote on the resolution because my re-election has not yet been certified, but had I been able to vote, I would have opposed the earmark ban. "The notion that Congress would abdicate its constitutional duty and turn federal spending over to government… Continue Reading
11.16.10
Murkowski Congratulates New President of Alyeska Pipeline Service Co.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today strongly welcomed the selection of retired U.S. Coast Guard Vice Admiral Thomas J. Barrett as the new president of Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., the organization that operates the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline. Murkowski, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said she could think of no one more qualified to lead Alyeska through the future challenges of operating and maintaining the 33-year-old pipeline that… Continue Reading
11.16.10
Murkowski Recognizes American Education Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has submitted a statement to the Congressional Record recognizing the week of November 15, 2010 as National Education Week. Sen. Murkowski's statement, in full, is attached. ###… Continue Reading
11.09.10
Sen. Murkowski Issues Veterans Day Message
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In observance of Veterans Day, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following message: "Veterans Day is a proud day for America. We rightfully take pause to do something we can never do too often and that is thank the men and women of our armed forces. We celebrate your courage, we recognize your sacrifice, and we honor your service. "In Alaska we are proud to be home to the highest number of Veterans per capita of any state in the nation. We embrace our serviceme… Continue Reading
11.04.10
Sen. Murkowski: Action on Emissions Possible with EPA Preemption
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following statement today in response to President Obama's comments on Wednesday regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's plans to begin regulating greenhouse gas emissions on Jan. 1. "There are a great number of things we can do to responsibly reduce our carbon emissions without burdening our economy with an unworkable cap-and-trade scheme or command-and-control regulation by the EPA," Murkowski said. "Many of those p… Continue Reading
10.28.10
Murkowski Raises Concerns Over Obama Administration’s Warning That It May Not Support Renewal of Secure Rural Schools Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Obama administration has warned that it may not support reauthorization of a program that helps fund schools, road maintenance and public facilities in Alaska communities that border national forest lands. The warning came in a recent letter from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to Murkowski. Vilsack was responding to a letter Murkowski sent to President Obama in July asking that the president recommend reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Develo… Continue Reading
10.27.10
VA Investigation Finds Hundreds of Alaska Veterans Traveling to Lower 48 for Health Care Treatment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A VA investigation conducted at the request of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, found that nearly 600 Alaska veterans, during a one-year period, were required to travel to the Lower 48 to receive health care services, even though the treatment may be available privately in Alaska. A Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General's report examined the referral of Alaska veterans for treatment at VA facilities in the Lower 48 from October 2008 through September 2009. The g… Continue Reading
10.21.10
Murkowski Address to Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Convention
On Thursday, October 21, 2010, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, addressed the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Convention in Fairbanks. Following are Sen. Murkowski's remarks, as prepared for delivery: "I would like to honor your First Traditional Chief, Don Honea, Sr., of Ruby. This blanket is from the Doyon Foundation and was designed by the late Ron Minook of Nulato. The design is entitled "The Water People." And I join with you in wishing a very happy birthday to the interior's beloved … Continue Reading
10.18.10
Ted Stevens Mountain, Ice Field Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and U.S. Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska) today commended President Obama for signing into law their legislation naming a mountain and ice field after Ted Stevens. "It is a real tribute to all Alaskans that this bipartisan legislation passed quickly through both chambers and is now being signed into law on Alaska Day," Murkowski said. "Ted Stevens played such a vital role in Alaska's history and this ensures that he will be remembered by… Continue Reading
09.17.10
Murkowski: Administration Awards $5 Million for Yukon Salmon Disaster Assistance
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Obama administration today awarded $5 million, secured by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, to help mitigate the Yukon River Chinook salmon fishery failure. The $5 million, which was released to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, was part of a supplemental appropriations bill signed into law July 29. Murkowski was able to secure the funding as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Commission will distribute the money and new nets to commercia… Continue Reading
09.16.10
Murkowski: Mountain, Ice Field Named in Honor of Stevens
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today unveiled legislation honoring the late Sen. Ted Stevens by naming a mountain and part of an ice field after him. "Sen. Ted Stevens was a true Alaskan and a great champion of the state," Murkowski said. "This is a fitting tribute for a man who was both a mentor and a personal friend to me, and to whom all Alaskans owe so much." The proposed Stevens Peak - commonly known as South Hunter Peak - is located in Denali National Park and Pr… Continue Reading
09.16.10
Murkowski Testifies on Proposed Reduction in Mail Delivery
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today testified before the Postal Regulatory Commission on the proposed plan by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to eliminate Saturday mail services. The USPS has proposed eliminating Saturday mail delivery as part of an effort to balance its budget. In reviewing the USPS proposal, the Postal Regulatory Commission held a series of public hearings across the lower 48 this summer to receive customer feedback about this proposed change. In advan… Continue Reading
