Sen. Murkowski Elected to Senate Republican Leadership Team

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today was elected unanimously by her fellow Republican senators Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, the fifth-highest party leadership position in the United States Senate.

 

“It is an honor to be elected to the Senate Republican leadership team, and I greatly appreciate the trust and confidence my colleagues have placed in me,” said Murkowski, who ran unopposed. “As the only West Coast senator on the leadership team, this position will allow me to bring issues important to Alaska, the region and rural America to the table as we shape national policy and communicate our agenda to the American people.”  

 

As Vice Chairman of the Republican Conference, Sen. Murkowski will be responsible for helping to craft party message, policy and strategy. U.S. Sens. Robert Bennett of Utah and Bob Corker of Tennessee gave nomination speeches on behalf of Sen. Murkowski.

 

Earlier this year, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky appointed Sen. Murkowski as one of three “counsels” to the Senate Republican leader. She will give up that position now that she has been elected to the leadership team.

 

 “Sen. Murkowski is an important voice at the leadership table as we work to address the critical issues facing our nation,” McConnell said. “She is a powerful and effective advocate for Alaska and the Republican Conference, and I trust Sen. Murkowski will continue to offer a thoughtful perspective in her new role on the leadership team.”

 

The five Republican leaders are: McConnell and Sens. Jon Kyl of Arizona, minority whip; Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, conference chair; John Thune of South Dakota, policy committee chair; and Murkowski.

 

In addition to her new leadership role, Sen. Murkowski serves as the ranking Republican member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. She also serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Indian Affairs Committee and the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee