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.
SENATOR MURKOWSKI COMMENDS ALASKAN EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today commended students and educators on the 2006-2007 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) report for Alaskan schools. An additional 19 schools made AYP than the previous year, and 34 more schools made AYP than two years ago. Additionally, 58 schools that had been designated as being In Need of Improvement last year reached state proficiency goals this year. “I am proud of the progress that our students are making across the state,” said Senator Murkowski. … Continue Reading
08.02.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI SUPPORTS REAUTHORIZATION OF THE STATE CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today joined her colleagues in the Senate to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). SCHIP provides comprehensive health care coverage to low-income and uninsured children. “SCHIP provides vital health insurance to one of the most vulnerable segments of our population - low income children,” said Senator Murkowski. “The action that we have taken today will ensure that health coverage will continue for millions of children.” … Continue Reading
08.01.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI APPLAUDS COMMITMENT TO CONSIDER INDIAN HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT ACT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, welcomed a commitment by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to bring the reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to the Senate floor for debate and a vote later this year. The Indian Health Care Improvement Act was last authorized in 1992 and expired in 2001. Previous efforts to reauthorize the legislation, which governs the operation of the American Indian and Alaska … Continue Reading
08.01.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI’S RESOLUTION ON FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS PASSES SENATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate last evening unanimously passed Senator Lisa Murkowski’s resolution to designate September 9, 2007 as National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Awareness Day. Tragically, Alaska has the highest rate of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders (FASD) in the nation. Approximately 163 Alaskan babies are born each year affected by maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. Among Alaskan Native communities, the rate of FASD is 15 times higher than non-Native areas in the stat… Continue Reading
07.31.07
STATEMENT BY SENATOR MURKOWSKI ON SENATOR TED STEVENS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today issued the following statement: “Senator Stevens has served his country and the State of Alaska with distinction for over 60 years. With the current investigation underway, it is not appropriate to jump to conclusions until the process is complete. Senator Stevens has the right to have the facts established in this matter.”… Continue Reading
07.26.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI ADDRESSES KENAI PROPERTY
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today made the following statement: “While Verne and I intended to make this our family home and we paid a fair price for this land, no property is worth compromising the trust of the Alaskan people. I cannot allow this to become a distraction from the major challenges I face in representing Alaska so we have decided to sell this property back to Bob Penney at the same price for which it was purchased. While it is disappointing for my family, we’ll event… Continue Reading
07.26.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI SUPPORTS DOLE-SHALALA COMMISSION FINDINGS URGING IMPROVEMENTS TO VETERANS HEALTH CARE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today announced her support for the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors. The commission issued six major recommendations calling for broad improvements to military and veteran health care. “We must quickly work to ensure that our returning soldiers receive the best possible care,” said Senator Murkowski. “I am committed to enacting reforms that would provide military and veterans with a modern, patient-oriented and na… Continue Reading
07.25.07
SENATE ENERGY COMMITTEE MOVES PIPELINE COORDINATOR LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Energy Committee today moved legislation sponsored by Senator Murkowski that will speed the full functioning of the Office of Pipeline Coordinator. The legislation facilitates the hiring of personnel in the Office of the Pipeline Coordinator, allows the coordinator to establish reasonable filing and service fees and clarifies the intent of the Natural Gas Pipeline Act regarding litigation. “This legislation accelerates the process of building an Alaskan Gas Pipe… Continue Reading
07.24.07
MURKOWSKI SUPPORTS THE HIGHER EDUCATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today joined her colleagues in the Senate in passing the Higher Education Amendments of 2007. The bill includes language authored by Senator Murkowski that makes college more affordable for military service members and spouses, authorizes the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program and helps inform students and parents on the costs of college. “The amendments the Senate passed to the Higher Education Act increase student’s access to post secondary e… Continue Reading
07.19.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI NAMED VICE-CHAIRMAN OF SENATE INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Indian Affairs Committee today confirmed Senator Murkowski as its 11th Vice Chairman. Earlier this week Senate Republicans elected her to serve as the Committee’s top Republican. “I am honored and humbled by my selection as the 11th Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the first woman, as well as the first Alaskan to serve in that role,” said Senator Murkowski. “I look forward to working with the rest of the Committee on issues important t… Continue Reading
07.18.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI SUPPORTS INCREASED FUNDING TO COLLEGE ACCESS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today introduced an amendment to the Higher Education Access Act that would increase funding for the College Access Partnership Program by $176 million. The amendment, introduced with Senator Ted Kennedy, increases student access to higher education by expanding borrower benefits for students seeking financial aid and invests in programs to assist students and parents in the college application process. “This amendment makes higher education more affordab… Continue Reading
07.11.07
MURKOWSKI AND STEVENS INTRODUCE MAJOR CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Alaska Senators Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski today joined a bipartisan group of six senators in introducing major legislation to address global climate change by reducing carbon emissions, encouraging technological innovation, and developing alternative fuels. The Low Carbon Economy Act of 2007, sponsored by Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), would establish a “cap and trade” program which sets annual targets for carbon emission reduction. Carbon… Continue Reading
07.10.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI ADDRESSES ARCTIC SYMPOSIUM
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today spoke at the National Ice Center and U.S. Arctic Research Commission’s symposium: Impact of an Ice-Diminishing Arctic on Naval and Maritime Operations. The symposium brings together representatives from scientific agencies, the military and other government agencies to discuss the many policy implications of an ice-free Arctic. The U.S. Arctic Research Commission and the National Ice Center, a joint agency that consists of personnel representing t… Continue Reading
07.10.07
IMPACT OF AN ICE-DIMINISHED ARCTIC ON NAVAL AND MARITIME OPERATIONS
Thank you for inviting me to speak at the symposium today. I believe this meeting is the first time that we have convened such a broad group of experts both from within and outside of the government to discuss the implications of an accessible Arctic Ocean. I am honored to be here today to speak to you today about such an important topic. “Naval Operations in an Ice Free Arctic” was the name of a symposium held here in Washington D.C. in April of 2001. At that time the symposium was solely… Continue Reading
06.28.07
MURKOWSKI COMMENTS ON IMMIGRATION VOTE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the following comments following the cloture vote on the immigration reform bill. “Today I voted against invoking cloture on the immigration reform bill. Over the course of the last few days, amendments I felt were needed to improve this legislation did not advance. As an outcome of this debate, it also became clear that important pending amendments would also not advance. I remain convinced that our immigration policies need to be re… Continue Reading
06.26.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF OF STAFF
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today announced Karen Knutson as her new Chief of Staff. Knutson is a long-time Alaskan with years of experience on Capitol Hill. She will begin on August 21st. Knutson joins Senator Murkowski’s office from the Business Software Alliance, where she serves as Vice President of Government Relations. In this capacity Knutson coordinates policy activities in the more than 80 countries where BSA has operations. She directs strategy and policy campaigns on… Continue Reading
06.22.07
MURKOWSKI SUPPORTS SENATE ENERGY BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski last night joined her Senate colleagues in passing far-reaching energy legislation. The legislation aims to increase energy efficiency and conservation, while expanding the development of alternative and renewable energy. The bill requires average vehicle fuel economy standards of 35 mpg by 2020 and raises the renewable fuel standard to require the production of 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022, of which only 15 billion gallons can come from corn-… Continue Reading
06.20.07
MURKOWSKI JOINS COLLEAGUES IN ADVANCING HIGHER EDUCATION ACT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today joined with other members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in advancing out of committee the Higher Education Access Act of 2007 and the Higher Education Amendments of 2007. The legislation increases students’ access to higher education and federal funding, authorizes the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program and helps military students access Pell Grants and loans by allowing them to deduct the value of housing whe… Continue Reading
06.19.07
Murkowski Commemorates 30th Anniversary of the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today spoke on the floor of the United States Senate to commemorate the 30th anniversary of oil flowing through the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline System (TAPS). “At peak production, TAPS provided the United States with 2 million barrels of oil a day, or 30 percent more oil than Saudi Arabia provides our nation today and nearly as much oil as the entire Persian Gulf provides the United States,” said Senator Murkowski. “And Alaskan oil, unlike Middle … Continue Reading
06.13.07
MURKOWSKI SUPPORTS CLEAN PORTFOLIO STANDARD IN SENATE ENERGY BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined Senators Pete Domenici (R-NM), Larry Craig (R-Idaho), Robert Bennett (R-Utah), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) in introducing a Clean Portfolio Standard (CPS) amendment to establish a federal 20 percent Clean Portfolio Standard (CPS). The CPS amendment is an alternative to a proposal by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M) to establish a more narrow 15 percent federal Renewable Portfolio/Electricity Standard (RPS). The CPS alt… Continue Reading
