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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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05.27.10

Murkowski: Alaska, Nation Must Have Safe Oil Production

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following statement today regarding the Obama administration's decision to impose a one-year delay on exploration in Alaska's Chukchi and Beaufort seas: "All of us are committed to protecting Alaska's waters. I'm also committed to protecting Alaska's economy," Murkowski said. "If the delay is for a season to ensure we have the highest levels of protection in place, that's one thing. But if it means that existing permits are all… Continue Reading

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05.26.10

Sen. Murkowski Announces Events for Memorial Day Congressional Recess

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced her public event schedule for the Memorial Day Congressional recess and availability for media at various events. Following are details of events and availabilities: Saturday, May 29, 2010: 10:00 a.m. KODIAK - Sen. Murkowski will attend the Crab Festival and parade.Mill Bay Road between Powell and Bartel Avenues Sunday, May 30, 2010: 2:00 p.m. DENALI PARK/TALKEETNA - Sen. Murkowski will speak at the Byers Lake Memorial Da… Continue Reading

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05.26.10

Sen. Murkowski Sponsors Legislation to Hold BP to its Promise

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, introduced legislation today to ensure BP fully meets its commitment to pay all claims from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The legislation, co-sponsored with Sen. David Vitter, R-Louisiana, would codify BP's promises to pay all economic damages from the spill and forego any attempt to recover those expenditures from the federal government as a waiver of the strict liability cap under the Oil Pollution Act. "I believe this legislation wil… Continue Reading

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05.25.10

Sen. Murkowski: BP Must be Held Fully Accountable

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today reiterated her commitment to ensuring that all those affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill are justly compensated by the companies responsible. "When it comes to liability issues associated with a major oil spill, I don't believe any other state represented on this committee has more experience than my home state of Alaska," Murkowski said. "The recovery from the Exxon Valdez oil spill has been long and sad, and it took 20 years… Continue Reading

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05.25.10

Murkowski, Begich Announce Mobile Office Visits to Kenai Peninsula

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 Whittier, Cooper Landing, Seward, Ninilchik and Homer between June 1-4, 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 requests and listen to constituent concerns about issues … Continue Reading

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05.24.10

Murkowski, Begich Introduce Legislation Amending Duck Stamp Requirement for Subsistence Purposes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich today introduced legislation that would eliminate the law requiring Alaskans to purchase duck stamps for subsistence purposes. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has announced that beginning this spring, it will enforce a regulation requiring subsistence hunters to purchase and carry duck stamps when hunting or when gathering the eggs of birds. This requirement presents additional burdens to Alaskans living a subsistence lifesty… Continue Reading

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05.21.10

Sen. Murkowski Applauds New Red Dog Mine Development

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed Teck Alaska's announcement that it was moving forward with development of the Aqqaluk Deposit at Red Dog Mine in Northwest Alaska. Development of Aqqaluk will allow operations at Red Dog to continue through 2031. "This new mining development at Red Dog will help maintain the economy of Northwest Alaska," Murkowski said. "The mine not only provides high-paying jobs and important tax revenue to the region, but also minerals th… Continue Reading