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 on Iran Sanctions Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, made the following comment today after the Senate voted 99 - 0 in favor of a bill - the 'Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act' - that would impose tougher economic sanctions against people or businesses that do business with Iran. "On June 9th the United Nations Security Council, in a divided vote, adopted a series of compromise sanctions intended to persuade Iran to end the efforts to develop nuclear weapons tec… Continue Reading
06.23.10
Murkowski Slams New Health Car Law, Urges Repeal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today again called on Congress to repeal the new health care law and replace it with reforms that will drive down premiums and allow Americans to exercise more control over their health benefits. "This law is not what the American people wanted and it's not what our president promised," Murkowski said in a speech on the floor of the United States Senate. "I believe that the legislation has to be repealed and it's got to be replaced with sen… Continue Reading
06.23.10
Murkowski Comments on Petraeus Appointment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after President Obama announced that he had chosen General David Petraeus to replace Stanley McChrystal as the top U.S. general in Afghanistan: "I support the President's authority to make this decision, and now we must re-focus our efforts on winning the war in Afghanistan. General Petraeus has a proven track record of leadership in the war on terror and is widely respected. Gen. Petraeus has a diffic… Continue Reading
06.22.10
Sen. Murkowski Introduces Legislation to Promote Domestic Production of Rare Earth Elements
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today introduced legislation to promote the domestic production of rare earth elements crucial to the high-tech and clean energy industries. The Rare Earth Supply Technology and Resources Transformation (RESART) Act would help the United States regain its position as a leader in the mining and processing of rare earths elements. "America's growing reliance on foreign minerals endangers our efforts to advance cleaner energy," Murkowski said… Continue Reading
06.22.10
Sen. Murkowski’s Opening Statement at Electric Vehicles Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following opening remarks at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on federal support for the development of electric vehicles: "Good morning, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for holding this hearing. As you noted, we're here to consider legislation that would promote electric vehicles through a number of new plans and programs, and by significantly increasing federal support for everything from charging stati… Continue Reading
06.20.10
Sen. Murkowski Discusses the Gulf Coast Oil Spill and Energy Policy on CNN's "State of the Union"
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural resources, appeared on CNN's, "State of the Union," with Candy Crowley this morning. The following are excerpts from the interview: On the DNC's BP ad and Rep. Barton's remarks: "The statement that Representative Barton made was wrong. Absolutely wrong. He has since apologized for it. But for the White House, for the Administration to be kind of running with this as th… Continue Reading
06.18.10
Sens. Murkowski and Burr Urge Administration to Commit All Available Resources to Gulf Spill Cleanup
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Sen. Richard Burr, R-North Carolina, today sent a letter asking the Obama administration what steps it was taking to ensure that all offers by foreign oil-spill response vessels to help clean up the spill in the Gulf of Mexico were accepted. Murkowski and Burr said they are concerned with reports that foreign vessels, including oil skimmers and specialized dredging ships, are being turned away from the Gulf because they lack a waiver to… Continue Reading
06.17.10
Murkowski Votes for Amendment that Cuts Taxes, Reduces Federal Deficit
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today voted in favor of a Republican amendment to a broad tax-and-benefits proposal that would also cut federal spending and reduce the deficit. "In states from Alaska to Maine, families are tightening their belts and cutting back on excess spending, and they are frustrated by what they see as government's refusal to do the same with taxpayer money. The latest Democratic tax-and-benefits proposal would still add $55 billion to the debt, dow… Continue Reading
06.17.10
U.S. Sens. Murkowski, Begich, Inouye and Akaka Ask for Mail Delivery Field Hearings in Alaska, Hawaii
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Mark Begich, Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka today called on the Postal Regulatory Commission to hold field hearings in Alaska and Hawaii on a Postal Service proposal to reduce mail delivery to five days a week. The Commission has announced hearings on the proposal in Las Vegas, Sacramento, Dallas, Memphis, Chicago, Rapid City and Buffalo. But the senators said in a letter today to Ruth Y. Goldway, Chairman of the Commission, that mail delivery is di… Continue Reading
06.15.10
Sen. Murkowski on the President’s Deepwater Horizon Response
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today called for focus on solving the crisis in the Gulf, rather than trying to use it for political advantage. "Tonight the President called for many things we can all agree on; the need to stop the oil, the need for a full clean up, prompt and full compensation for victims of the oil spill and measures to minimize the risk of an incident like this ever happening again. What I wanted to hear though, and the people of the Gulf expected to he… Continue Reading
06.15.10
Murkowski Unveils Legislation Authorizing President to Set Oil Spill Liability and Expedite Compensation to Gulf Residents
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today proposed legislation to address a number of concerns raised by the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, including a provision to expedite payments to those most impacted by the spill. The bill would authorize the president to set liability on offshore oil and gas projects on a case-by-case basis at time of lease using a set of criteria, including a company's safety record and the depth and pressure of the reserve being developed. … Continue Reading
06.10.10
Sen. Murkowski: Public Deserved Vote on EPA Climate Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate today voted down Sen. Lisa Murkowski's bipartisan resolution of disapproval to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from imposing backdoor climate legislation on the nation. "I had hopes, for the security of our economy, that we would prevail today," Murkowski said. "But regardless of the outcome, I believe it's important that every member of the Senate is on the record on whether they think the EPA regulation is the appropriate way to address climate issues. … Continue Reading
06.10.10
Murkowski Closing Statement on Disapproval Resolution
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today delivered the following closing statement today from the Senate floor on her disapproval resolution: "Mr. President, you've heard our reasons for bringing this bipartisan resolution to the floor. The EPA's efforts to contort the Clean Air Act into a statute capable of regulating greenhouse gas emissions amount to an unprecedented overreach and are unlikely to survive lega… Continue Reading
06.10.10
Murkowski Floor Statement on EPA Disapproval Resolution
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today delivered the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, from the Senate floor at the beginning of the debate on her EPA Disapproval Resolution: "Mr. President, during the Memorial Day recess we received two pieces of alarming news that should inform the work of every member of this chamber. First we learned that the national debt has surpassed $13 trillion in total. Shortly after that, we learned that nearly all jobs added in May c… Continue Reading
06.09.10
Sen. Murkowski’s Opening Statement at DOI OCS Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, gave the following opening statement today at a hearing on oil and gas drilling on the outer continental shelf. "Secretary Salazar, welcome back to you and your staff. It's been several weeks since your last appearance before this committee and in that time, the Deepwater Horizon spill has made landfall in new areas and found its way into the marshes of Southern Louisiana.… Continue Reading
06.08.10
Sen. Murkowski’s Responds to Administration Attempts to Tie Disapproval Resolution to Gulf Tragedy
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement in response to numerous attempts by the Obama administration to link congressional opposition to EPA climate regulations to the tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico: "The administration and opponents of the disapproval resolution know they're losing the argument about the costs of EPA climate regulations. They've trotted out one red herring after another, but trying to link this bipartisan measure t… Continue Reading
06.03.10
Murkowski, Begich Announce Mobile Office Visits to Interior Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R- Alaska, and Mark Begich, D-Alaska, today announced that members of their staffs will visit the communities of Anderson, Cantwell, Copper Center, Delta Junction, Glennallen, Healy, Nenana, Talkeetna, Tok and Valdez between June 7-9, 2010. Congressional staff hold mobile office hours in Alaska in order to meet with constituents and community leaders. During their mobile office hours, staff from each office will be available to take casework request… Continue Reading
05.29.10
Murkowski Comments on State of Alaska Response to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Action
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this evening issued the following statement on the State of Alaska's action in response the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's blocking Alaska's plans to control predators on Unimak Island. "I strongly support the State of Alaska's legal action for injunctive relief. I understand the federal government owns the land, but the Department of Interior's mandate to manage for natural diversity shouldn't include letting a distinct population go ext… Continue Reading
05.28.10
Murkowski Offers Reflections on Memorial Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, submitted to the Congressional Record her reflections on Memorial Day. Murkowski's remarks, as submitted to the Congressional Record, follow: "On Memorial Day, citizens across our great country pause to reflect on our fallen heroes. American hearts swell with pride as men and women everywhere stand just a little bit taller when hearing our National Anthem, and they feel a lump in their throat at the sound of a bugle playing taps. We stand … Continue Reading
05.27.10
Sen. Murkowski Testifies on Her Bill to Improve Compensation Process for Gulf Victims
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, testified today at the request of Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., before the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee on how to improve the process of getting compensation to the victims of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Murkowski this week introduced legislation to streamline the claims process and ensure that those who desperately need help now get it in all haste. "This bill allows those affected by the spill to recover damages… Continue Reading
