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.
Secretary Shinseki Tells Sen. Murkowski VA Will Work to Improve Healthcare Access for Veterans in Rural Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki today acknowledged to U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski that Alaska's unique geography makes it difficult to provide VA healthcare access to veterans in rural Alaska but he pledged to find ways to remedy the situation. "Geography in the United States by definitions used in the VA has three categories - urban, rural and highly rural," Shinseki said. "I'm not sure what category we use for those areas where there are no roads and you can't g… Continue Reading
06.11.09
Murkowski responds to TransCanada-Exxon announcement
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the announcement that Exxon Mobil and TransCanada have agreed to work together to advance construction of a natural gas pipeline from Alaska's North Slope to Lower 48 consumers. "A deal between TransCanada and Exxon is a major sign of progress toward our shared goal of commercializing Alaska's vast natural gas reserves," Murkowski said. "While a lot of work remains to be done, this brings us one step closer to bringing jo… Continue Reading
06.10.09
Senators, Public Health Community & Restaurant Industry Reach Historic Agreement to Provide Nutrition Information at Chain Restaurants
WASHINGTON, DC - A bipartisan coalition of senators on the Senate healthcare committees, as well as numerous public health organizations and the restaurant industry today announced an agreement that would require chain restaurants to list calories on their menus and menu boards. The compromise combines key elements of the Menu Education and Labeling (MEAL) Act, sponsored by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and the Labeling Education and Nutrition (LEAN) Act, sponsored by Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) … Continue Reading
06.08.09
Sen. Murkowski Thanks the Humane Society for Aiding Sled Dogs in Rural Alaska Affected by Recent Flooding
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today thanked the Humane Society of the United States for its work in addressing the plight of hungry sled dogs affected by the recent flooding throughout Alaska. As a result of ice jams along the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers that caused extensive flooding during this year's spring melt, dog food caches and fish wheels were damaged or destroyed. In coordination with the Humane Society, Hill's Pet Nutrition is supplying the food for the sle… Continue Reading
06.06.09
Murkowski Announces Gas Line Provisions in Energy Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has won acceptance from her colleagues on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for several major provisions beneficial to Alaska's efforts to see a pipeline built to deliver North Slope natural gas to Lower 48 markets. Murkowski, the ranking Republican on the energy committee, and Chairman Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., have agreed to include the provisions in the base text of a comprehensive energy bill that's expected to pass the… Continue Reading
06.05.09
Murkowski Welcomes Summer Interns
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week welcomed her first group of summer interns to her Washington, D.C., office. These young Alaskans will observe both the operations of a fast-paced Senate office and the legislative process from an up close view. For the first summer session, running June 1-26, 2009, Murkowski has welcomed Desmond Cole of Fairbanks; Caitlin Baalke, Soldotna; Noah Fields, Kodiak; Maggie Hepler, Eagle River; Hanna Kim, Anchorage; Emma Roemhildt, C… Continue Reading
06.04.09
Murkowski Wins Amendments to RES Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today voiced opposition to a one-size-fits-all national renewable mandate that excludes existing emissions-free energy technology, such as hydro and nuclear power. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today marked up a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) that would require utilities to generate 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2021. Murkowski, the committee's top Republican, said she opposes the pl… Continue Reading
06.04.09
Murkowski RES Amendments Benefit Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today secured several key provisions beneficial to Alaska in a proposed national renewable electricity standard (RES). The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee marked up an RES measure crafted by the majority that would require utilities to generate 15 percent of their electricity from renewable resources by 2021.Utilities that sell less than 4 million megawatt hours annually would be exempt from the mandate. The RES is part of… Continue Reading
06.04.09
Murkowski, Begich Announce Mobile Office Visit to Prince William Sound
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 Glennallen, Copper Center, Valdez, Cordova and Whittier from June 10 - 15, 2009. 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 … Continue Reading
06.03.09
Senator Murkowski Introduces Alaska Aviation Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), today introduced legislation designed to protect and improve important aviation programs in Alaska, including an exemption that would allow the Iditarod Air Force to accept cost deferments for flying in support of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Murkowski's bill, the Alaska Omnibus Aviation Improvement Act (S.1170), was introduced in advance of Senate consideration of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill during… Continue Reading
06.01.09
Murkowski Reminds Alaskans of New Law Concerning Passports
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Due to a new law taking effect today that greatly impacts Alaskans, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, urged Alaskans to apply for a U.S. Passport or a U.S. Passport Card as soon as possible if they travel regularly to and from Canada. The new law, known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), requires that all U.S. citizens present a valid U.S. Passport or passport card when traveling to and from the United States. This presents unique challenges for Alaskans… Continue Reading
05.29.09
Murkowski Expresses Concerns over Fairbanks Tower Monitoring Reductions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Citing safety concerns, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding reduced air traffic control staff in Fairbanks. The FAA recently reduced personnel at the Fairbanks tower, including the terminal radar approach control (TRACON). TRACON personnel are responsible for safely placing planes in sequence for landing in Fairbanks. During the midnight shift, TRACON responsibilities are now handled by the regional… Continue Reading
05.28.09
Murkowski Raises Alaska Veterans Healthcare Access Problems with VA Secretary Shinseki
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki today told U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, that he wants to try to ease the serious VA healthcare access problems facing veterans in rural Alaska. At a meeting in the senator's office, Murkowski invited Shinseki to visit Alaska and see those challenges first hand. Shinseki said he would like to visit the state. Murkowski used the 45-minute meeting with Shinseki to reiterate a variety of concerns regarding VA healthcare in… Continue Reading
05.27.09
Murkowski Calls on HHS to Address Native Youth Suicide
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today asked Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to fund a $1.2 million study designed to reduce the high rate of suicides among Alaska natives. In a letter to the Secretary, Murkowski pointed to a study proposed by Commissioner Warren Zapol of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission that would examine the mental and behavioral health issues facing Alaska Native populations living in the Arctic. Zapol's study would be condu… Continue Reading
05.26.09
Murkowski Statement on Nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on President Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court: "I congratulate Judge Sonia Sotomayor on being nominated by the President to the United States Supreme Court. As the Senate moves forward with her nomination, I will examine and review very closely Judge Sotomayor's qualifications and background for a court appointment. As a member of the Senate, I take my advice and consent … Continue Reading
05.22.09
Murkowski Sends Greetings for Memorial Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today offered the following statement in observance of Memorial Day: "On Memorial Day, we recognize the men and women of our military who have served our country. I call on all Alaskans to thank those who have served and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom. "To the members of the Alaska Territorial Guard who served before Alaska was a state, to our veterans from conflicts past, to the men and wome… Continue Reading
05.22.09
Sen. Murkowski Will Urge VA Secretary Shinseki to Fix the Healthcare Access Problems Facing Veterans in Rural Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has a message for Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki when they meet next week in her office here: Get serious about fixing the serious VA healthcare access problems facing veterans in rural Alaska. Murkowski, a member of the Senate Appropriations Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, laid out her concerns in a letter she sent to Shinseki today (see attachment). Alaska's senior senator expressed deep disappointment that a new $215 … Continue Reading
05.21.09
Murkowski: Three Alaskans In Line to Be Honored With the Congressional Gold Medal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate has passed legislation honoring the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II, including three living Alaskans, with the Congressional Gold Medal, America's highest civilian award, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced today. Passed Wednesday night by unanimous consent, the legislation seeks to recognize and honor the 1,074 women who received their WASP wings during World War II. Some 300 still survive and are living throughout America. Th… Continue Reading
05.21.09
Nation Needs Energy Bill with Production, Not Mandates
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following remarks at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee markup regarding the lack of real energy production in the energy bill: "At previous business meetings, this committee has made good progress toward drafting a bipartisan energy bill. However, this week, as we have started to tackle the topics where there's more divergence, the amount of real work that will be needed to find consensus has become clear. … Continue Reading
05.21.09
Murkowski: Defense Secretary Gates Affirms Strategic Importance of Fort Greely
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of Defense Robert Gates says the Obama administration is committed to maintaining the Nation's missile defense assets at Fort Greely and will revisit the question of whether to expand the number of Ground Base Interceptors there in 2012 , according to U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. Gates also committed to deploy the Sea Based X Band Radar (SBX) radar in Alaska as soon as testing is completed. Gates met with Murkowski, Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, and several… Continue Reading
