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 COMMENTS ON NON-BINDING ATTORNEY GENERAL RESOLUTION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the below comments following her vote against the motion to proceed on S.J. Res. 14. “While I no longer have confidence in the Attorney General’s ability to do his job effectively, I could not vote in support of this non-binding resolution. Rather than expend valuable Senate time in a game of political theater, we should focus our efforts on the important issues facing the nation, such as the pending energy legislation, as well as debate… Continue Reading
06.06.07
MURKOWSKI SUPPORTS THE ALASKA RAILROAD
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski introduced legislation, S. 1552, that would authorize the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of land in Ship Creek to the Alaska Railroad Corporation. Similar legislation sponsored by Congressman Don Young passed the House of Representatives on May 15. “This parcel of land is a key transportation component for the redevelopment of Ship Creek,” said Senator Murkowski. “This bill is highly beneficial to both the Alaska Railroad Corporati… Continue Reading
06.05.07
Senator Murkowski Comments on the Passing of Senator Craig Thomas
“Last evening the United States Congress lost one of its most distinguished public servants, Senator Craig Thomas. I had the honor to serve with him on the Indian Affairs Committee, where his dedicated advocacy on behalf of Native American communities was unmatched. I also had the privilege to serve alongside Senator Thomas on the Energy Committee and was deeply impressed by his commitment to craft our successful Energy Policy Act. He served as an inspiration to us all. During this time of lo… Continue Reading
06.05.07
MURKOWSKI SPONSORS GEOTHERMAL ENERGY BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined a bipartisan group of Senators in sponsoring a bill to advance geothermal energy development. The National Geothermal Initiative Act of 2007 sets a national goal that America achieve 20 percent of its total electrical output from geothermal resources by 2030, sets an annual growth rate in the use of geothermal power and provides for research and development of geothermal resources. “When you look at the potential for geothermal power, i… Continue Reading
05.25.07
Senator Murkowski Supports Iraq Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today made the following comments on the Iraq Supplemental Funding Bill. “After weeks of debate, leaders in the House and Senate have reached a compromise on an Iraq spending bill that the President has agreed to sign. I supported this bi-partisan spending measure and believe it strikes a good balance between giving troops the resources they need and requiring that Iraqi leaders meet certain benchmarks on political and security reforms. “Throughout t… Continue Reading
05.25.07
CONGRESS EXTENDS SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS PAYMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congress last evening approved a one-year extension to the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The program provides a dedicated funding stream for local municipalities and school districts dependent on forest timber receipts that have been unable to rely on consistent and sustainable payments due the continued controversy over timber sales in National Forests. “I will continue to push for a long-term extension to Secure Rural Schools,” said Senator… Continue Reading
05.24.07
Murkowski Joins Bipartisan Effort To Expand Ocean Renewable Energy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined a bipartisan group of Senators in sponsoring a bill that will provide research assistance, low-cost loans and a variety of federal aid for ocean renewable energy development. The Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2007 will also help level the playing field among new renewable energy technologies by establishing new permitting procedures to help ocean energy become a major source of renewable electricity for America … Continue Reading
05.24.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI REFLECTS ON MEMORIAL DAY
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today offered the following remarks for Memorial Day: “At Christmas time, we are reminded to step back from the presents, the parties and the merriment and remember the ‘reason for the season.’ This year, on the occasion of Memorial Day those who serve our country need you to do that more than ever before. Remember the Alaska National Guardsmen from communities across the state who have been serving in Kuwait for nearly a year. Remember the Marine f… Continue Reading
05.17.07
MURKOWSKI AND STEVENS RESOLUTION HIGHLIGHTING NEED FOR INTERNET SAFETY EDUCATION PASSES SENATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate last evening passed a resolution sponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Ted Stevens which designates June 2007 as National Internet Safety Month. The bipartisan resolution, S.Res.205, is designed to bring greater attention to the need for comprehensive Internet safety education. “The Internet has become one of the most significant advances in the twentieth century and, as a result, it affects people’s lives in a positive manner each day,… Continue Reading
05.11.07
MURKOWSKI APPLAUDS EFFORTS OF ANCHORAGE POLICE OFFICER CATHY DIEHL-ROBBINS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today recognized Anchorage Police Community Service Officer Cathy Diehl-Robbins for her successful efforts to honor a fellow officer who died from injuries sustained in the line of duty more than 50 years ago. Officer Diehl-Robbins is a 29 year veteran of the Anchorage Police Department who first took up the challenge of chronicling the department’s history on her own time. On June 9, 1953, Anchorage Police Officer William G. Pfalmer, Jr., was shot … Continue Reading
05.02.07
MURKOWSKI ADDS RENEWABLE ENERGY CONSTRUCTION GRANTS TO SENATE ENERGY LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In an effort to increase funding for renewable energy power projects, Senator Lisa Murkowski today won Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approval for an amendment to comprehensive energy legislation that will provide federal grants to help utilities build renewable energy projects. The amendment, which Murkowski drafted with Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, creates a Renewable Energy Construction Grant program that will provide up to 50-50 federal matching grants for t… Continue Reading
04.26.07
MURKOWSKI INTRODUCES SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY IMPROVEMENTS ACT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today introduced the “School Accountability Improvements Act.” This legislation is designed to amend No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in order to address Alaska’s needs including the ability to use a growth model that tracks individual student progress; provides flexibility on highly qualified teacher requirements; provides flexibility in calculating average yearly progress for special education and Limited English Proficient students; and improves the m… Continue Reading
04.19.07
MURKOWSKI RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE NATIONAL AND GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY PASSES SENATE WITH UNANIMOUS APPROVAL
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski’s resolution to designate April 20, 2007 as National and Global Youth Service Day, S. Res. 158, last night passed the Senate by unanimous consent. For the past five years, Senator Murkowski has offered this resolution in the Senate as a way to raise public awareness of the valuable contributions young people make to their communities throughout the year. Since being introduced by the Senator in 2003, the resolution has passed each year with unanimous ap… Continue Reading
04.18.07
MURKOWSKI COMMENTS ON MEDICARE PART D VOTE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the following comments following her vote on S.3, The Medicare Drug Bill. “Far too many seniors throughout Alaska know of the difficulties of finding a provider who will accept Medicare. Alaskans are waiting weeks for appointments and emergency rooms have lines out the door. Many go without care entirely. The government has already proven ineffective at negotiating Medicare reimbursement rates that benefit Alaska seniors and provide … Continue Reading
04.18.07
MURKOWSKI TAKES 3-2-1 PLEDGE TO HELP REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today met with Megan Waggoner from Palmer who is in Washington. D.C. to receive the President’s Environmental Youth Award on behalf of Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA). At their meeting, Megan told Senator Murkowski about the AYEA’s current 3-2-1 Efficiency! Pledge Campaign. Those who sign the pledge commit to the following three simple steps: 1.) Replace three high-use incandescent bulbs in your home with energy-saving Compact Flores… Continue Reading
04.17.07
MURKOWSKI COSPONSORS ENERGY EFFICIENCY LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues to introduce major energy efficiency legislation that should save the nation 50 billion kilowatt hours of electricity a year, conserve enough natural gas to heat a quarter million homes a year, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Energy Efficiency Promotion Act of 2007 provides federal aid to pioneer advanced lighting technologies, expedites new efficiency standards for household… Continue Reading
04.17.07
SENATOR MURKOWSKI INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO INCREASE FOOD DONATIONS TO ALASKA NATIVES
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski today introduced legislation to help increase the amount of food donations going to Alaska Natives and American Indians. The legislation would amend the Federal tax code to make corporate charitable donations of food to Native tribes tax deductible. Section 170(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code allows corporations to take an enhanced tax deduction for donations of food inventory; however, the food must be distributed to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizati… Continue Reading
04.16.07
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR ANNOUNCES COASTAL IMPACT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FUNDS FOR ALASKA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today applauded an announcement by Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne that Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) Funds have been calculated. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established the CIAP which authorizes funds to be distributed to Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas producing states to mitigate impacts of oil and gas activities. Under the CIAP, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to distribute to producing States and coastal political… Continue Reading
04.16.07
MURKOWSKI AND STEVENS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO STREAMLINE APPROVAL OF AN ALASKA GASLINE PROJECT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Lisa Murkowski and Ted Stevens today introduced legislation to allow the Office of the Federal Pipeline Coordinator to quickly and efficiently begin its work. The bill allows for more flexibility in hiring personnel, allows the Federal Coordinator to establish reasonable filing and service fees, and clarifies the intent of the Natural Gas Pipeline Act regarding litigation. In 2004, Congress provided tax credits and loan guarantees to improve chances for constructi… Continue Reading
04.12.07
MURKOWSKI ADDRESSES TROOP EXTENSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today made the following remarks concerning Secretary Gates’ announcement that all Army personnel serving in Iraq will have their tours extended to 15 months. Once again, our Nation’s senior defense leaders have called upon the families of our active duty soldiers to muster all of their strength and courage and accept an extension of the period their loved ones will serve in overseas deployment. My heart goes out to the parents, spouses, children, a… Continue Reading
