{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"AK\" and year = 2013 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=87f7d346-9d51-45ae-bc3e-2036ff0e74a3", "Murkowski\u2019s Advocacy Helps Reap Secure Rural Schools Payments \u201cHoliday Gift\u201d", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.23.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski\u2019s Advocacy Helps Reap Secure Rural Schools Payments \u201cHoliday Gift\u201d \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Administration: Next Round of Payments Will Not Be Reduced\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today commended the Administration for its decision to not reduce the next round of payments to be made to Southeast Alaska timber communities under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.\r\nEarlier this year, Senator Murkowski was sharply critical of the Forest Service's decision to apply the automatic, across-the-board federal budget cuts commonly known as \u201csequestration,\u201d to Secure Rural Schools payments that had previously been made for 2013. \u00a0Alaska was asked to return the 5.1 percent of the timber payments received earlier this year to the U.S. Treasury.\r\nSecure Rural Schools requires the Forest Service to make payments to communities impacted by the severe decline in timber receipts from national forest lands. Communities that once had thriving timber industries now depend on the funds to pay for schools, emergency services and other local services. Funding for the next year of the program was provided in the High Technology Jobs Preservation Act, a bill sponsored and shepherded through the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Senate by Senator Murkowski.\r\n\u201cWhile it would be preferable for the Forest Service to actively manage our forests so that our communities are not dependent on these payments,\u201d Murkowski said. \u201cThe news that the 2014 payments will not be reduced by sequestration is a holiday gift.\"\r\nThe Forest Service manages more than 22 million acres of national forest lands in Alaska, including nearly all of the land in Southeast.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowskis-advocacy-helps-reap-secure-rural-schools-payments-holiday-gift", "Murkowskis Advocacy Helps Reap Secure Rural Schools Payments Holiday Gift", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.23.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski's Advocacy Helps Reap Secure Rural Schools Payments Holiday Gift \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Administration: Next Round of Payments Will Not Be Reduced\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today commended the Administration for its decision to not reduce the next round of payments to be made to Southeast Alaska timber communities under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.\r\nEarlier this year, Senator Murkowski was sharply critical of the Forest Service's decision to apply the automatic, across-the-board federal budget cuts commonly known as sequestration, to Secure Rural Schools payments that had previously been made for 2013. Alaska was asked to return the 5.1 percent of the timber payments received earlier this year to the U.S. Treasury.\r\nSecure Rural Schools requires the Forest Service to make payments to communities impacted by the severe decline in timber receipts from national forest lands. Communities that once had thriving timber industries now depend on the funds to pay for schools, emergency services and other local services. Funding for the next year of the program was provided in the High Technology Jobs Preservation Act, a bill sponsored and shepherded through the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Senate by Senator Murkowski.\r\nWhile it would be preferable for the Forest Service to actively manage our forests so that our communities are not dependent on these payments, Murkowski said. The news that the 2014 payments will not be reduced by sequestration is a holiday gift.\"\r\nThe Forest Service manages more than 22 million acres of national forest lands in Alaska, including nearly all of the land in Southeast.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364980", "Delegation Land Transfer Passes Congress, Benefitting Native Health Efforts", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0 -\u00a0 Today the Senate unanimously passed H.R. 623, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land Transfer Act. The bill directs the Indian Health Service to transfer a 2.79 acre parcel of federal land located in Anchorage to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC).\r\nThe bill now heads to the President, and will allow ANTHC to strengthen critical healthcare delivery for Alaska Natives by constructing a patient housing facility on the parcel.\u00a0 The patient housing facility will expand the Consortium\u2019s ability to offer health services to patients, particularly for those who live in rural areas and villages that are unconnected to the road system.\u00a0 ANTHC plans for a 170-room housing facility which will adjoin the Alaska Native Medical Center and provide a temporary living space for Alaska Native patients traveling from rural communities to receive health services in Anchorage. The facility will also allow families to stay closer to their loved ones during difficult times.\r\nCongressman Don Young championed the bill in the House of Representatives, securing final passage in the House on October 29, 2013. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich introduced companion legislation in the Senate, and worked to move the House passed bill through the Senate.\r\n\u201cMany Alaskans living in rural communities travel long distances to receive medical care in Anchorage, but are unable to house themselves during their stay,\u201d Congressman Don Young said. \u201cThis land transfer will allow ANTHC to expand patient housing, maximize care by locating patients near the Medical Center and its resources, and save millions of dollars in transportation and housing costs.\u00a0 It\u2019s a common sense solution that empowers ANTHC to uphold the federal trust responsibility that the Consortium currently fulfills on behalf of the IHS.\u00a0 I am pleased that the Senate unanimously approved this legislation and appreciate the hard work of both Senators in securing final passage of this bill.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe construction of a patient housing facility will allow ANTHC to create a \u2018home away from home\u2019 during critical times for Alaska Native families who must remain in Anchorage for loved ones to receive health care services.\u201d said Senator Lisa Murkowski.\u00a0\u201cI continue to be proud of our Native health leaders and their innovation to expand services with limited resources to achieve ANTHC\u2019s mission that Alaska Native people are the healthiest in the world.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe Alaska Tribal Health Consortium provides excellent oversight for the Alaska Native Medical Center--one of the finest medical facilities in the Indian healthcare system,\" said Senator Mark Begich. \"The passage of this bill will enable ANTHC to improve the access to much needed health services for Alaska Natives and Native Americans in Alaska. The new Patient Housing Facility will save ANTHC over $2 million in housing costs per year which can be used towards improving and expanding their health services.\u201d\r\nANTHC, a non-profit corporation headquartered in Anchorage, provides tribal healthcare services to thousands of patients in the region.\u00a0 Following final passage of H.R. 632, ANTHC Chairman and President Andy Teuber released the following statement:\r\n\u201cMy sincerest gratitude to our Congressional delegation for their efforts in getting this\u00a0important piece of legislation passed.\u00a0 They have each demonstrated their commitment to\u00a0improving the health and well-being of Alaska Native People.\u00a0The passage of H.R. 623 will facilitate the construction of our patient housing facility and thereby diminish barriers to\u00a0access to healthcare services at the Alaska Native Medical Center for Alaska's Native People living in rural and remote\u00a0parts of the State. Thank you, Congressman Young and Senators Murkowski and Begich.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Newsletters&ContentRecord_id=42882dfc-a8fc-4372-8621-1d97e0e6b438", "Senator Murkowski E-Newsletter for the week of December 20, 2013", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.13\n\t\t\t Senator Murkowski E-Newsletter for the week of December 20, 2013  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Happy Holidays \r\nMerry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! During this special season, I hope that you have the opportunity to spend time with those you hold dear.\r\n\r\n(Click image to watch video message.)\r\nAs Alaskans we are incredibly lucky to live in a true winter wonderland. The snow globe feel of our communities truly makes the holiday season. So during this special time of year, give yourself a Christmas present and take some time to enjoy our beautiful outdoors. Whether it\u2019s hitting the slopes, sledding with your kids or ice fishing on a lake - the time to enjoy the best of Alaska with your families is now, creating memories you\u2019ll look back on for years.\r\nThis time of year is also the time to reflect on the Alaskan spirit of sharing and helping those in our community when called upon. This is the season to step up and lend a hand to those who need it most. We all can help - even in the smallest of ways.\r\nI would also like to thank those who are serving our country. The men and women who serve our nation and ensure our safety on a daily basis need to be remembered at all times of the year. Many of our service members do not have the opportunity to return to their families for the holidays. To those who serve, and to their families - we thank you for your service and all you do for a grateful nation. \u00a0\u00a0\r\nFrom my family to yours, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\r\n United States Botanic Garden \r\n\r\n(Click on the image above to see the tour I received of the Botanic Garden.)\r\nWinter may be in full gear in Alaska, but in D.C. at the United States Botanic Garden they keep it balmy.\u00a0 As the end of the year approaches, the Botanic Garden sets up a truly wonderful holiday display that really accentuates the season. It\u2019s the next best thing to wandering around the Christmas-time gingerbread village at the Captain Cook!\r\nWhen the Senate was out of session, I took them up on their invitation to visit their holiday display. Each year they create a landscape of Washington D.C.\u2019s iconic buildings and this year the replicas were made from pine cones, willows, nuts and other plant materials. These displays of famous buildings are intricate and carefully built - the Capitol building itself took 600 hours to complete.\r\nThe theme for this year was World\u2019s famous fairs from over the years and included replicas of the Seattle Space Needle, the Ferris wheel from the Chicago World\u2019s Fair and the head of the Statue of Liberty.\r\n\u00a0\r\nDebuted at the 1962 World\u2019s Fair in Seattle, the Space Needle is how most Alaskans know they are in the \u201cLower 48\u201d.\u00a0 \r\nThe Botanic Garden is a great way for visitors to see unique plant life at any time of the year but it is particularly beautiful during the holidays.\r\n\u00a0\r\n Holiday Recipe \r\nThe smell of Christmas cookies in the oven brings back great memories of holidays past. Gingerbread is one of my favorites so I\u2019ve enclosed a recipe from Michelle Ward at Wings Airways and The Taku Glacier Lodge in Juneau, Alaska to share with all of you. Spend time in the kitchen with family and enjoy the taste of Christmas!\r\n\r\nTaku Ginger Cookies\r\n1 cup butter\r\n1 \u00be cup granulated sugar\r\n\u00be cup brown sugar\r\n1 egg\r\n1/3 cup molasses\r\n2 \u00be cups all purpose flour\r\n1 \u00bc tsp. baking soda\r\n1 Tbsp. cinnamon\r\n1 Tbsp. + 2 tsp. powdered ginger (if using fresh ginger, you may want to use less)\r\n1 tsp. cloves\r\n2 tsp. nutmeg\r\n\u00bd tsp. salt\r\nraw sugar\r\n\r\n \r\nSpace oven racks evenly.\r\nPreheat oven to 350\u00b0.\r\nCream butter and sugars together until fluffy.\r\nBeat in egg & molasses.\r\nMix flour, soda, spices and salt.\u00a0 Add to above, just until blended.\r\nUsing a small ice-cream scoop. Form walnut sized dough pieces and dip into raw sugar.\u00a0\r\nPlace on ungreased cookie sheet with sugar side up.\r\nBake 10 to 12 minutes for soft cookies, longer for crisp cookies.\u00a0\r\nCookies will crack on top.\u00a0 Excellent served warm.\u00a0 Yum!\r\n \r\n\u00a0Special thanks to Holly Johnson of Wings Airways and The Taku Glacier Lodge for allowing us to share this amazing recipe with Alaskans!\r\n\u00a0\r\n Duke Environmental Leadership Program \r\nLast week, I had the opportunity to speak with members of the Duke Environmental Leadership Program. The students in the program are masters professionals who have the opportunity to advance their work through a mid-career degree program. I spoke with them about the power of compromise, leadership styles in the Senate and how we can move forward as a nation. \u00a0Speaking with students is always invigorating and it was a good discussion on the future.\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\r\nSpeaking to the students from Duke Environmental Leadership Program.\r\n\u00a0\r\n More Oil & Gas Production, More Jobs \r\nWhile back in Alaska I toured Little Red Services. LRS is an oil field services company, and going behind the scenes of their company was eye-opening. With increased activity by the producers lately, LRS is bringing back oil field fabrication that was being done in Canada \u2013 which is good news for Alaska\u2019s economy and keeping our highly skilled Alaskans here at home.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Little Red Services crew gave me a tour of what they\u2019re working on.\r\n\u00a0\r\n Continuing to Fight for King Cove's Life-Saving Road \r\nI have been working for years to develop an access road connecting King Cove with the Cold Bay airport. The decision by the National Fish and Wildlife Service to not approve a lifesaving road is not the right call for the people of King Cove. Last week I grilled Rhea Suh, nominee to be the next Assistant Secretary for Fish\u00a0and\u00a0Wildlife and Parks at the Interior Department on the importance of this road. I am not done pushing for the road and will continue to seize every opportunity to advocate for it and explain its need.\r\n\r\n(Click on the image above to hear my questions for the Interior Department about the Izembek road in King Cove.)\r\n\u00a0\r\n Getting in the Holiday Spirit \r\n\r\nMy Mat-Su staffer Gerri Sumpter, her daughter and granddaughter ringing the Salvation Army bell. My office plans on volunteering for the Red Kettle Campaign this Saturday at Fred Meyer on Northern Lights and the New Seward Highway in Anchorage from 1:30-2:30 pm. \u00a0Stop by and say Hi!\r\n\u00a0\r\nMy Anchorage staff decorating our office Christmas tree.\r\n\r\nMy Anchorage office distributed cookies to the Armed Services YMCA recently. They deliver treats to service members who are far from family here in Alaska and in need of a taste of home. Greg Kaplan from my office is joined by Paulette Ramage, JoAnn Handy and Kim Nahom.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=1d7d501e-218c-426a-bf06-7c0723a09685", "Murkowski: Defense Bill Highlights Alaska\u2019s Key Military Role", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Defense Bill Highlights Alaska\u2019s Key Military Role \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Final Bill Passes, with Senator\u2019s C-23 Amendment, Military Construction Boosts and Sexual Assault Protections\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski tonight voted in favor of the HR 3304 the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act to give military members a one percent raise and enact certain policies for the upcoming year \u2013 including her amendment making 8 C-23 aircraft available to the State of Alaska. The bill, which passed overwhelmingly 84-15, also contains numerous provisions that underscore Alaska\u2019s prominence for the military, given the Pentagon\u2019s focus on the Asia-Pacific region \u2013 as well as including dozens of directives that will protect sexual assault victims in the military.\u00a0 It now heads to the White House for the President\u2019s signature.\r\n\u201cNearly 80 years ago, General Billy Mitchell said that Alaska is the most strategic location in the world, and the 21st century is proving him a true visionary,\u201d said Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cWith emerging threats in the Pacific region, Alaska lies at the frontlines of a new era in national defense and it is encouraging that the Department of Defense is investing in our ground-based missile defense, Alaska\u2019s military footprint and also providing eight valuable aircraft to our state for emergency responses like the Galena flood or the storms we\u2019ve recently seen in Western Alaska.\u201d\r\nAlaska-specific items in the NDAA bill include:\r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nMurkowski\u2019s amendment requiring the U.S. Army to offer title to eight specific C-23 Sherpa aircraft, pre-selected by the State of Alaska to Governor Parnell free of charge in early 2014.\r\n$202 million in military construction for projects and maintenance throughout Alaska:\r\n\r\n$82 million for an electrical/mechanical building on Missile Field #1 at Fort Greely.\r\n$17.2 million to upgrade early warning radars at Clear Air Force Station.\r\n$103 million to upgrade aviation (helicopter) facilities at Fort Wainwright.\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\u00a0Nationwide provisions with Alaskan impacts:\r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nA one percent pay increase for all military members.\r\nThree dozen provisions to improve protection for victims of sexual assault and military sexual trauma \u2013 an effort Murkowski advocated through several pieces of legislation\u2013 including:\r\n\r\nNo longer permitting military commanders to dismiss a finding by a court martial or reduce guilty findings.\r\nEstablishing minimum sentencing standards for those found guilty of sexual assault.\r\nProviding Special Victims\u2019 Counsel to victims of sexual assault.\r\nA nationwide one-year moratorium for base realignment and closure efforts \u2013 after Murkowski warned that the military was making these decisions on economic reasons rather than strategic ones.\r\n\r\n\r\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=693dcb92-ddcf-437b-99e6-cc938afda9a6", "Delegation Land Transfer Passes Congress, Benefitting Native Health Efforts", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.13\n\t\t\t Delegation Land Transfer Passes Congress, Benefitting Native Health Efforts \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium to Get More Land for Improved Care\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Today the Senate unanimously passed H.R. 623, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land Transfer Act. The bill directs the Indian Health Service to transfer a 2.79 acre parcel of federal land located in Anchorage to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC).\r\nThe bill now heads to the President, and will allow ANTHC to strengthen critical healthcare delivery for Alaska Natives by constructing a patient housing facility on the parcel.\u00a0 The patient housing facility will expand the Consortium\u2019s ability to offer health services to patients, particularly for those who live in rural areas and villages that are unconnected to the road system.\u00a0 ANTHC plans for a 170-room housing facility which will adjoin the Alaska Native Medical Center and provide a temporary living space for Alaska Native patients traveling from rural communities to receive health services in Anchorage. The facility will also allow families to stay closer to their loved ones during difficult times.\r\nCongressman Don Young championed the bill in the House of Representatives, securing final passage in the House on October 29, 2013. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich introduced companion legislation in the Senate, and worked to move the House passed bill through the Senate.\r\n\u201cMany Alaskans living in rural communities travel long distances to receive medical care in Anchorage, but are unable to house themselves during their stay,\u201d Congressman Don Young said. \u201cThis land transfer will allow ANTHC to expand patient housing, maximize care by locating patients near the Medical Center and its resources, and save millions of dollars in transportation and housing costs.\u00a0 It\u2019s a common sense solution that empowers ANTHC to uphold the federal trust responsibility that the Consortium currently fulfills on behalf of the IHS.\u00a0 I am pleased that the Senate unanimously approved this legislation and appreciate the hard work of both Senators in securing final passage of this bill.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe construction of a patient housing facility will allow ANTHC to create a \u2018home away from home\u2019 during critical times for Alaska Native families who must remain in Anchorage for loved ones to receive health care services.\u201d said Senator Lisa Murkowski.\u00a0\u201cI continue to be proud of our Native health leaders and their innovation to expand services with limited resources to achieve ANTHC\u2019s mission that Alaska Native people are the healthiest in the world.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe Alaska Tribal Health Consortium provides excellent oversight for the Alaska Native Medical Center--one of the finest medical facilities in the Indian healthcare system,\" said Senator Mark Begich. \"The passage of this bill will enable ANTHC to improve the access to much needed health services for Alaska Natives and Native Americans in Alaska. The new Patient Housing Facility will save ANTHC over $2 million in housing costs per year which can be used towards improving and expanding their health services.\u201d\r\nANTHC, a non-profit corporation headquartered in Anchorage, provides tribal healthcare services to thousands of patients in the region.\u00a0 Following final passage of H.R. 632, ANTHC Chairman and President Andy Teuber released the following statement:\r\n\u201cMy sincerest gratitude to our Congressional delegation for their efforts in getting this\u00a0important piece of legislation passed.\u00a0 They have each demonstrated their commitment to\u00a0improving the health and well-being of Alaska Native People.\u00a0The passage of H.R. 623 will facilitate the construction of our patient housing facility and thereby diminish barriers to\u00a0access to healthcare services at the Alaska Native Medical Center for Alaska's Native People living in rural and remote\u00a0parts of the State. Thank you, Congressman Young and Senators Murkowski and Begich.\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=9a31f952-cbd7-40a8-b96e-2bf3bac568a8", "Murkowski Responds to White House Health Care Flip-Flop", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Responds to White House Health Care Flip-Flop \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator: Alaskans Want, Need and Deserve True Health Care Reform - Not This Law\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the Obama Administration\u2019s \u201crules change\u201d where it will allow a new set of exemptions to the health care law, saying:\r\n\u201cTonight\u2019s flip-flop from the White House on the health care bill is a stunning admission that its signature achievement is clearly not ready for prime time.\u00a0 Just weeks ago, President Obama vowed that Americans needed to be \u2018protected\u2019 from these basic plans.\u00a0 At this point, I think Alaskans need to be protected from this bill and the anxiety and frustration it has created for people who just want to know that they and their loved ones can get medical care.\r\n\u201cAlaskans and Americans want, need and deserve health care reform that allows for better access to care and lower costs \u2013 but that is not what is happening. The website rollout is a debacle, the employer mandate and out-of-pocket limits are both postponed for at least a year, and carve-outs and exemptions continue to be made.\u00a0 Even the Washington Post had to publish a guide to the constantly changing health care deadlines.\r\n\u201cThe White House and Democratic party already earned the lie of the year for the \u201cIf you like your health plan, you can keep it\u201d line, losing the trust of many Americans. This last-minute reversal is another mistake contributing to a crisis of confidence in the administration and this law.\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=c179ca21-fa96-409b-9db9-e39007c28a2d", "Murkowski Co-Sponsors Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Co-Sponsors Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Backs \u201cConsequences\u201d if Joint Plan of Action Breached or Final Agreement not Reached\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC. \u2013 Senator Lisa Murkowski has joined 27 of her Senate colleagues to back and co-sponsor the bipartisan Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act, proposing severe new sanctions on Iran should the regime violate the interim Joint Plan of Action agreed to in Geneva or should Iran fail to reach a final agreement.\r\nThe prospective sanctions legislation requires further reductions in purchases of Iranian petroleum and applies additional penalties to strategic elements of the Iranian economy, to include the engineering, mining and construction sectors.\r\n\u201cWhen someone decides to not abide by an agreement or comply with rules they have signed onto, there are consequences \u2013 whether it\u2019s a car loan contract or an international agreement\u201d said Senator Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cAll this bill does is protect American interests and add teeth to the deal negotiated by the administration, so that we have a response planned if Iran\u2019s leaders go back on their word \u2013 and provides additional motivation for the Iranian people to continue conversations with the international community.\u201d\r\nThe bill also would give the Administration continued flexibility and up to one year from the conclusion of an implementing agreement to pursue a diplomatic track resulting in the complete and verifiable termination of Iran\u2019s illicit nuclear weapons program.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/delegation-land-transfer-passes-congress-benefitting-native-health-efforts", "Delegation Land Transfer Passes Congress, Benefitting Native Health Efforts", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.13\n\t\t\t Delegation Land Transfer Passes Congress, Benefitting Native Health Efforts \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium to Get More Land for Improved Care\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Today the Senate unanimously passed H.R. 623, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land Transfer Act. The bill directs the Indian Health Service to transfer a 2.79 acre parcel of federal land located in Anchorage to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC).\r\nThe bill now heads to the President, and will allow ANTHC to strengthen critical healthcare delivery for Alaska Natives by constructing a patient housing facility on the parcel. The patient housing facility will expand the Consortium's ability to offer health services to patients, particularly for those who live in rural areas and villages that are unconnected to the road system. ANTHC plans for a 170-room housing facility which will adjoin the Alaska Native Medical Center and provide a temporary living space for Alaska Native patients traveling from rural communities to receive health services in Anchorage. The facility will also allow families to stay closer to their loved ones during difficult times.\r\nCongressman Don Young championed the bill in the House of Representatives, securing final passage in the House on October 29, 2013. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich introduced companion legislation in the Senate, and worked to move the House passed bill through the Senate.\r\nMany Alaskans living in rural communities travel long distances to receive medical care in Anchorage, but are unable to house themselves during their stay, Congressman Don Young said. This land transfer will allow ANTHC to expand patient housing, maximize care by locating patients near the Medical Center and its resources, and save millions of dollars in transportation and housing costs. It's a common sense solution that empowers ANTHC to uphold the federal trust responsibility that the Consortium currently fulfills on behalf of the IHS. I am pleased that the Senate unanimously approved this legislation and appreciate the hard work of both Senators in securing final passage of this bill.\r\nThe construction of a patient housing facility will allow ANTHC to create a home away from home' during critical times for Alaska Native families who must remain in Anchorage for loved ones to receive health care services. said Senator Lisa Murkowski.I continue to be proud of our Native health leaders and their innovation to expand services with limited resources to achieve ANTHC's mission that Alaska Native people are the healthiest in the world.\r\nThe Alaska Tribal Health Consortium provides excellent oversight for the Alaska Native Medical Center--one of the finest medical facilities in the Indian healthcare system,\" said Senator Mark Begich. \"The passage of this bill will enable ANTHC to improve the access to much needed health services for Alaska Natives and Native Americans in Alaska. The new Patient Housing Facility will save ANTHC over $2 million in housing costs per year which can be used towards improving and expanding their health services.\r\nANTHC, a non-profit corporation headquartered in Anchorage, provides tribal healthcare services to thousands of patients in the region. Following final passage of H.R. 632, ANTHC Chairman and President Andy Teuber released the following statement:\r\nMy sincerest gratitude to our Congressional delegation for their efforts in getting thisimportant piece of legislation passed. They have each demonstrated their commitment toimproving the health and well-being of Alaska Native People.The passage of H.R. 623 will facilitate the construction of our patient housing facility and thereby diminish barriers toaccess to healthcare services at the Alaska Native Medical Center for Alaska's Native People living in rural and remoteparts of the State. Thank you, Congressman Young and Senators Murkowski and Begich.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-co-sponsors-nuclear-weapon-free-iran-act", "Murkowski Co-Sponsors Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Co-Sponsors Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Backs Consequences if Joint Plan of Action Breached or Final Agreement not Reached\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC.  Senator Lisa Murkowski has joined 27 of her Senate colleagues to back and co-sponsor the bipartisan Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act, proposing severe new sanctions on Iran should the regime violate the interim Joint Plan of Action agreed to in Geneva or should Iran fail to reach a final agreement.\r\nThe prospective sanctions legislation requires further reductions in purchases of Iranian petroleum and applies additional penalties to strategic elements of the Iranian economy, to include the engineering, mining and construction sectors.\r\nWhen someone decides to not abide by an agreement or comply with rules they have signed onto, there are consequences  whether it's a car loan contract or an international agreement said Senator Murkowski. All this bill does is protect American interests and add teeth to the deal negotiated by the administration, so that we have a response planned if Iran's leaders go back on their word  and provides additional motivation for the Iranian people to continue conversations with the international community.\r\nThe bill also would give the Administration continued flexibility and up to one year from the conclusion of an implementing agreement to pursue a diplomatic track resulting in the complete and verifiable termination of Iran's illicit nuclear weapons program.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-defense-bill-highlights-alaskas-key-military-role", "Murkowski: Defense Bill Highlights Alaskas Key Military Role", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Defense Bill Highlights Alaska's Key Military Role \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Final Bill Passes, with Senator's C-23 Amendment, Military Construction Boosts and Sexual Assault Protections\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski tonight voted in favor of the HR 3304 the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act to give military members a one percent raise and enact certain policies for the upcoming year  including her amendment making 8 C-23 aircraft available to the State of Alaska. The bill, which passed overwhelmingly 84-15, also contains numerous provisions that underscore Alaska's prominence for the military, given the Pentagon's focus on the Asia-Pacific region  as well as including dozens of directives that will protect sexual assault victims in the military. It now heads to the White House for the President's signature.\r\nNearly 80 years ago, General Billy Mitchell said that Alaska is the most strategic location in the world, and the 21st century is proving him a true visionary, said Murkowski. With emerging threats in the Pacific region, Alaska lies at the frontlines of a new era in national defense and it is encouraging that the Department of Defense is investing in our ground-based missile defense, Alaska's military footprint and also providing eight valuable aircraft to our state for emergency responses like the Galena flood or the storms we've recently seen in Western Alaska.\r\nAlaska-specific items in the NDAA bill include:\r\n\r\n \r\nMurkowski's amendment requiring the U.S. Army to offer title to eight specific C-23 Sherpa aircraft, pre-selected by the State of Alaska to Governor Parnell free of charge in early 2014.\r\n$202 million in military construction for projects and maintenance throughout Alaska:\r\n\r\n$82 million for an electrical/mechanical building on Missile Field #1 at Fort Greely.\r\n$17.2 million to upgrade early warning radars at Clear Air Force Station.\r\n$103 million to upgrade aviation (helicopter) facilities at Fort Wainwright.\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nNationwide provisions with Alaskan impacts:\r\n\r\n \r\nA one percent pay increase for all military members.\r\nThree dozen provisions to improve protection for victims of sexual assault and military sexual trauma  an effort Murkowski advocated through several pieces of legislation including:\r\n\r\nNo longer permitting military commanders to dismiss a finding by a court martial or reduce guilty findings.\r\nEstablishing minimum sentencing standards for those found guilty of sexual assault.\r\nProviding Special Victims' Counsel to victims of sexual assault.\r\nA nationwide one-year moratorium for base realignment and closure efforts  after Murkowski warned that the military was making these decisions on economic reasons rather than strategic ones.\r\n\r\n\r\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-responds-to-white-house-health-care-flip-flop", "Murkowski Responds to White House Health Care Flip-Flop", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Responds to White House Health Care Flip-Flop \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator: Alaskans Want, Need and Deserve True Health Care Reform - Not This Law\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the Obama Administration's rules change where it will allow a new set of exemptions to the health care law, saying:\r\nTonight's flip-flop from the White House on the health care bill is a stunning admission that its signature achievement is clearly not ready for prime time. Just weeks ago, President Obama vowed that Americans needed to be protected' from these basic plans. At this point, I think Alaskans need to be protected from this bill and the anxiety and frustration it has created for people who just want to know that they and their loved ones can get medical care.\r\nAlaskans and Americans want, need and deserve health care reform that allows for better access to care and lower costs  but that is not what is happening. The website rollout is a debacle, the employer mandate and out-of-pocket limits are both postponed for at least a year, and carve-outs and exemptions continue to be made. Even the Washington Post had to publish a guide to the constantly changing health care deadlines.\r\nThe White House and Democratic party already earned the lie of the year for the If you like your health plan, you can keep it line, losing the trust of many Americans. This last-minute reversal is another mistake contributing to a crisis of confidence in the administration and this law.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=060bdfe2-626d-4b25-a1d8-837f21f384f3", "Murkowski Secures Amendment Protecting an Alaska Family\u2019s Cabin from Demolition", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Secures Amendment Protecting an Alaska Family\u2019s Cabin from Demolition \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t \u201cThere\u2019s a Family in Alaska That\u2019s Going to Be Helped\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Lisa Murkowski today secured support for an amendment protecting a privately owned subsistence cabin on an Alaska Native veteran allotment in the Yukon-Delta National Wildlife Refuge from demolition by federal land managers. The cabin was built on the edge of a designated wilderness area because of a mistake made by federal land management agencies.\r\nThe members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee unanimously supported Murkowski\u2019s amendment, which provides an exemption for a subsistence cabin in the Yukon-Delta National Wildlife Refuge that was inadvertently build on the edge of the Andreanoff wilderness area.\r\n.\r\n\u00a0(Click to play video)\u00a0\r\n\u201cEvery now and again, we do things that are so small that they will never make anybody\u2019s headline, but they make a difference in the life of a family. And there\u2019s a family in Alaska today that is going to be helped because of an amendment that we were able to include,\u201d Murkowski said at Thursday\u2019s Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee business meeting.\r\nThe\u00a0amendment\u00a0allows for a one-time exemption to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) to provide William Alstrom ownership to a small plot of federal land in a wilderness area that he was originally issued as a veteran\u2019s allotment.\r\nIn 2003, Alstrom applied for an Alaska Native veterans\u2019 allotment under ANCSA. He was granted a parcel of 80 acres within the Yukon-Delta National Wildlife Refuge in 2008, building a small subsistence cabin on the land later that year.\r\nIn 2011, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials said the allotment had been mistakenly granted on land within a restricted wilderness-designated area and notified Alstrom that the cabin would need to be moved or it would be burned down.\r\nAfter failing to reach a reasonable settlement with the federal agencies, Alstrom visited Murkowski\u2019s office in November and asked for her help. Murkowski drafted language to resolve the issue and correct the federal government\u2019s mistake by granting Alstrom title to the land. Alstrom also agreed to give up a second allotment parcel in exchange for a similar plot of land outside the wilderness boundary.\r\n\u201cThe federal agencies are the ones that made the mistake here and I don\u2019t see why the Alstrom family should have to be punished for their error,\u201d Murkowski said.\u00a0\r\nMurkowski\u2019s amendment was attached to\u00a0S. 404, the Green Mountain Lookout Act, originally introduced by Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell (both D-WA), which provides a similar exemption for a structure to remain on wilderness land in Washington state. The bill was passed out of the energy committee on Thursday and now heads to the full Senate floor for consideration.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-secures-amendment-protecting-an-alaska-familys-cabin-from-demolition", "Murkowski Secures Amendment Protecting an Alaska Familys Cabin from Demolition", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Secures Amendment Protecting an Alaska Family's Cabin from Demolition \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t There's a Family in Alaska That's Going to Be Helped\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Senator Lisa Murkowski today secured support for an amendment protecting a privately owned subsistence cabin on an Alaska Native veteran allotment in the Yukon-Delta National Wildlife Refuge from demolition by federal land managers. The cabin was built on the edge of a designated wilderness area because of a mistake made by federal land management agencies.\r\nThe members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee unanimously supported Murkowski's amendment, which provides an exemption for a subsistence cabin in the Yukon-Delta National Wildlife Refuge that was inadvertently build on the edge of the Andreanoff wilderness area.\r\n.\r\n(Click to play video)\r\nEvery now and again, we do things that are so small that they will never make anybody's headline, but they make a difference in the life of a family. And there's a family in Alaska today that is going to be helped because of an amendment that we were able to include, Murkowski said at Thursday's Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee business meeting.\r\nTheamendmentallows for a one-time exemption to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) to provide William Alstrom ownership to a small plot of federal land in a wilderness area that he was originally issued as a veteran's allotment.\r\nIn 2003, Alstrom applied for an Alaska Native veterans' allotment under ANCSA. He was granted a parcel of 80 acres within the Yukon-Delta National Wildlife Refuge in 2008, building a small subsistence cabin on the land later that year.\r\nIn 2011, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials said the allotment had been mistakenly granted on land within a restricted wilderness-designated area and notified Alstrom that the cabin would need to be moved or it would be burned down.\r\nAfter failing to reach a reasonable settlement with the federal agencies, Alstrom visited Murkowski's office in November and asked for her help. Murkowski drafted language to resolve the issue and correct the federal government's mistake by granting Alstrom title to the land. Alstrom also agreed to give up a second allotment parcel in exchange for a similar plot of land outside the wilderness boundary.\r\nThe federal agencies are the ones that made the mistake here and I don't see why the Alstrom family should have to be punished for their error, Murkowski said.\r\nMurkowski's amendment was attached toS. 404, the Green Mountain Lookout Act, originally introduced by Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell (both D-WA), which provides a similar exemption for a structure to remain on wilderness land in Washington state. The bill was passed out of the energy committee on Thursday and now heads to the full Senate floor for consideration.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=6e6a3b33-33cd-45bf-bab5-c77680d15036", "Murkowski to Wal-Mart: \u201cNo Doubt\u201d Alaska Seafood is Sustainable", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski to Wal-Mart: \u201cNo Doubt\u201d Alaska Seafood is Sustainable \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Reaches Out to New CEO, Pushing to Keep Alaska Fish on Shelves\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Lisa Murkowski today sent a letter (attached) to the incoming President and CEO of Wal-Mart, introducing him to Alaska\u2019s world-renowned sustainable fisheries \u2013 calling it \u201cthe benchmark for fishery management.\u201d Her outreach is aimed at advocating that Wal-Mart make an informed decision to continue to bring Alaskan fish to its consumers nationwide, and at inviting the new CEO to Alaska to \u201csee and taste\u201d it for himself.\r\nAfter spending much of 2013 fighting against third-party adversaries that questioned Alaska\u2019s sustainable seafood, Murkowski is proactively bringing the issue to the new superstore chief as they work with The Sustainability Consortium to certify Alaskan fisheries.\u00a0 In her letter, she writes:\r\n \u201c\u2026 Sustainable use of our fisheries resources has been a fundamental principle, with the requirement that fisheries be well-managed imbedded in our State Constitution.\u00a0 Alaska has earned the reputation as the benchmark for fishery management, both at the state and federal level, and Alaskans are rightly proud of the seafood we produce.\u201d\r\nMurkowski also adds, of the new group:\r\n \u201cWal-Mart has engaged The Sustainability Consortium to evaluate seafood certification programs, and that its initial focus is review of the Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification program supported by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.\u00a0 There are no doubts that Alaska\u2019s fisheries are sustainably managed, and I am confident that the RFM certification program will be validated through this process and Alaska seafood will continue to be available to Wal-Mart\u2019s customers.\u201d\r\nIn closing, she invites Mr. McMillon to Alaska:\r\n \u201cI have found that one of the best ways to understand an issue in my\u00a0state is to see it firsthand, and I would like to invite you to visit with me\u00a0and have a chance to see, and taste, the wild Alaska seafood that you\u00a0customers hold in such high regard.\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-to-wal-mart-no-doubt-alaska-seafood-is-sustainable", "Murkowski to Wal-Mart: No Doubt Alaska Seafood is Sustainable", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski to Wal-Mart: No Doubt Alaska Seafood is Sustainable \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Reaches Out to New CEO, Pushing to Keep Alaska Fish on Shelves\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Senator Lisa Murkowski today sent a letter (attached) to the incoming President and CEO of Wal-Mart, introducing him to Alaska's world-renowned sustainable fisheries  calling it the benchmark for fishery management. Her outreach is aimed at advocating that Wal-Mart make an informed decision to continue to bring Alaskan fish to its consumers nationwide, and at inviting the new CEO to Alaska to see and taste it for himself.\r\nAfter spending much of 2013 fighting against third-party adversaries that questioned Alaska's sustainable seafood, Murkowski is proactively bringing the issue to the new superstore chief as they work with The Sustainability Consortium to certify Alaskan fisheries. In her letter, she writes:\r\n  Sustainable use of our fisheries resources has been a fundamental principle, with the requirement that fisheries be well-managed imbedded in our State Constitution. Alaska has earned the reputation as the benchmark for fishery management, both at the state and federal level, and Alaskans are rightly proud of the seafood we produce.\r\nMurkowski also adds, of the new group:\r\n Wal-Mart has engaged The Sustainability Consortium to evaluate seafood certification programs, and that its initial focus is review of the Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification program supported by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. There are no doubts that Alaska's fisheries are sustainably managed, and I am confident that the RFM certification program will be validated through this process and Alaska seafood will continue to be available to Wal-Mart's customers.\r\nIn closing, she invites Mr. McMillon to Alaska:\r\n I have found that one of the best ways to understand an issue in mystate is to see it firsthand, and I would like to invite you to visit with meand have a chance to see, and taste, the wild Alaska seafood that youcustomers hold in such high regard.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=34351c8a-e24c-4f7e-8c2c-f1c3358db9f8", "Murkowski Statement on Bipartisan Budget Deal", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Statement on Bipartisan Budget Deal \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator: Bill Far From Perfect But Helps Avert Another Shutdown\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted in favor of proceeding to a final vote on H.J. Res 49, the Budget Resolution, a result of bipartisan negotiations between Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) to set funding levels for the federal government into 2015.\u00a0 She shared the following statement with Alaskans afterwards about the bill and her prospective vote tomorrow:\r\n\"After much thought, I cast my vote in support of the Budget Act. The bill is far from perfect, but it helps prevent another shutdown of the federal government, the furlough of thousands of Alaska\u2019s federal employees, and the statewide ripple effect. It is a bipartisan agreement, a step forward for the legislative process, and provides more certainty for the economy. It also allows some relief from the across-the-board sequester cuts, which have hit the Department of Defense and our military particularly hard.  I do not support the bill\u2019s provisions to decrease the cost-of-living-adjustment for retirement payments for military retirees until they turn 62, and support Senator Wicker\u2019s amendment to restore full retirement pay. The Majority Leader prevented all efforts to amend the bill, but I am committed to working with my colleagues to find a better solution for our veterans before the decrease takes effect in December 2015.\"\r\n  \r\nFor more on Senator Murkowski\u2019s views on addressing America\u2019s deficit, click HERE\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-statement-on-bipartisan-budget-deal", "Murkowski Statement on Bipartisan Budget Deal", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Statement on Bipartisan Budget Deal \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator: Bill Far From Perfect But Helps Avert Another Shutdown\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted in favor of proceeding to a final vote on H.J. Res 49, the Budget Resolution, a result of bipartisan negotiations between Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) to set funding levels for the federal government into 2015. She shared the following statement with Alaskans afterwards about the bill and her prospective vote tomorrow:\r\n\"After much thought, I cast my vote in support of the Budget Act. The bill is far from perfect, but it helps prevent another shutdown of the federal government, the furlough of thousands of Alaska's federal employees, and the statewide ripple effect. It is a bipartisan agreement, a step forward for the legislative process, and provides more certainty for the economy. It also allows some relief from the across-the-board sequester cuts, which have hit the Department of Defense and our military particularly hard.  I do not support the bill's provisions to decrease the cost-of-living-adjustment for retirement payments for military retirees until they turn 62, and support Senator Wicker's amendment to restore full retirement pay. The Majority Leader prevented all efforts to amend the bill, but I am committed to working with my colleagues to find a better solution for our veterans before the decrease takes effect in December 2015.\"\r\n  \r\nFor more on Senator Murkowski's views on addressing America's deficit, click HERE\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=e5229b31-3f7b-468a-9a49-e0ce86a0e115", "Murkowski Casts Vote for Coast Guard Future, DHS Nominee", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Casts Vote for Coast Guard Future, DHS Nominee \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Votes to Confirm Department of Homeland Security Secretary\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted to confirm the nomination of Jeh Johnson as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, a critical position in Alaska where DHS watches over the United States Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Security Administration -- sharing her thoughts with Alaskans:\r\n\u201cLast week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mr. Johnson to discuss his outlook on the issues facing our state, where DHS has a rather large presence.\u00a0 Mr. Johnson has been to Alaska and I look forward to inviting him back \u2013 we have the nation\u2019s largest Coast Guard base in Kodiak and are proud of our close relationship with our 1500 active duty personnel statewide.\u00a0 The DHS Secretary also makes recommendations to the President about who should serve as the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.\r\n\u201cMr. Johnson made a commitment to continue the acquisition of National Security Cutters that will be able to provide a more robust presence in the Arctic as opportunities there emerge.\r\n\u201cWhen we discussed FEMA issues, he was also very receptive to my concerns that arose from the inadequate response to Galena after last spring\u2019s floods \u2013 and seemed willing to seek improvements where they can be found.\r\n\u201cI look forward to working with Secretary Johnson in his new position, and to working with him to advance an Arctic maritime agenda for Alaska and the nation.\u201d\r\nJeh Johnson was confirmed by a 78-16 vote.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-casts-vote-for-coast-guard-future-dhs-nominee", "Murkowski Casts Vote for Coast Guard Future, DHS Nominee", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Casts Vote for Coast Guard Future, DHS Nominee \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Votes to Confirm Department of Homeland Security Secretary\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted to confirm the nomination of Jeh Johnson as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, a critical position in Alaska where DHS watches over the United States Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Security Administration -- sharing her thoughts with Alaskans:\r\nLast week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mr. Johnson to discuss his outlook on the issues facing our state, where DHS has a rather large presence. Mr. Johnson has been to Alaska and I look forward to inviting him back  we have the nation's largest Coast Guard base in Kodiak and are proud of our close relationship with our 1500 active duty personnel statewide. The DHS Secretary also makes recommendations to the President about who should serve as the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.\r\nMr. Johnson made a commitment to continue the acquisition of National Security Cutters that will be able to provide a more robust presence in the Arctic as opportunities there emerge.\r\nWhen we discussed FEMA issues, he was also very receptive to my concerns that arose from the inadequate response to Galena after last spring's floods  and seemed willing to seek improvements where they can be found.\r\nI look forward to working with Secretary Johnson in his new position, and to working with him to advance an Arctic maritime agenda for Alaska and the nation.\r\nJeh Johnson was confirmed by a 78-16 vote.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364504", "Congressman Young Introduces Bill to Encourage Wild Game Donation to Food-based Charities", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - In an effort to fight chronic hunger in Alaska and across the country, yesterday\u00a0Alaskan Congressman Don Young\u00a0reintroduced H.R. 3728, the Wild Game Donation Act of 2013. The bipartisan legislation will provide hunters with charitable deductions for the costs associated with donating processed moose, caribou, and other wild game meat to food-based charities. In addition to providing tax relief for hunters, this legislation will also provide tax relief for game processors participating in the program, which would allow processors to pass savings on to local food banks. \u00a0\n\u201cIn a state like Alaska, with a great abundance of natural resources and wildlife, it\u2019s a shame that people still go hungry,\u201d said Congressman Don Young. \u201cThe Food Bank of Alaska tells me that more than 106,000 Alaskans don\u2019t know where their next meal is coming from, and I have a real problem with that. My bill will begin to help solve some of these hunger problems while also providing an economic incentive for hunters to donate their game. I\u2019ve already received bipartisan support from across the country and look forward to filling the freezers of our food-based charities.\u201d \u00a0 FOR FULL BILL TEXT OF H.R. 3728, THE WILD GAME DONATION ACT CLICK HERE\nFeeding America, the Food Bank of Alaska\u2019s national partner, estimates that one in six Americans and nearly 15.9 million children live in food insecure households. In fact, an estimated 3.1 million rural households are food insecure.\u00a0 Currently, food banks across the country struggle to keep up with the increasing demand for food. Last year, 37 million Americans or roughly one-eighth of the population, required help from food banks. Hunters across the U.S are ready to do their part and donate their wild game meat to help feed the hungry.\nH.R. 3728 requires all animals be killed in accordance with state and local laws and by the individual making the charitable contribution. The Wild Game Donation Act has received support from Feeding America, the National Rifle Association, and the Safari Club International. Upon introduction by Congressman Don Young and Ann Kuster (D-NH), this bill has the bipartisan support of 11 other original cosponsors including Representatives Dan Benishek (R-MI), Tom Cole (R-OK), Phil Gingrey (R-GA), Michael Grimm (R-NY), Ron Kind (D-WI), Dough LaMalfa ( R-CA), David Loebsack (D-IA), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Colin Peterson (D-MN), Ted Poe R-TX), and Timothy Walz (D-MN).\n\n    \n        \n            \n        \n    \n\n\n  \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364523", "Congressman Don Young Assists Alaskan Radiation Center with Clarification of Federal Regulations", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Earlier this week the Anchorage Radiation Therapy Center (ARTC) seemed to face an insurmountable roadblock in providing new state-of-the-art cancer treatment services in Alaska to a number of extremely critical patients. As the Radiation Therapy Center prepared to begin a new treatment next week, with medical experts flying in from around the world to assist with a brand new piece of medical equipment known as the Elekta Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion, an unexpected barrier stood in the way. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) sent notice that they may not meet all the requirements needed to use the Gamma Knife. \r\nAfter urgent e-mails and phone calls to Congressman Don Young, he and his Anchorage staff intervened to clear up the misunderstandings the NRC had with the ARTC. Within days, ARTC has received notice they have been cleared to launch their new treatment as originally planned next week.\r\n\u00a0\u201cWe have to thank Representative Don Young and the rest of his team for coming to our aid with respect to our urgent issue with the new Gamma Knife and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,\u201d wrote Dr. Steve Settle, Dr. Richard Chung and Kari Disbrow of the Anchorage Radiation Therapy Center & Alaska Gamma-Knife Center.\u00a0\u201cThanks to your efforts we now will be able to go-live and treat our cancer patients next week with the new technology.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\u201cThis is the least we can do for such an important group of people who provide a vital service to Alaskans suffering from cancer,\u201d said Congressman Don Young. \u201cFederal regulations shouldn\u2019t be restricting new technologies in our state, agencies should be welcoming them. We see these problems all the time, people misunderstand Alaska and some of the challenges we face here. That\u2019s in part what I do here in Congress, help federal agencies understand our problems and differences. I\u2019m glad the Nuclear Regulatory Commission was able to move quickly on this issue and provide people with the treatment they\u2019ve been long preparing for.\u201d ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=5c1813cc-6a33-4aa2-b2ab-55935c8ad6c8", "Murkowski Helps Bring State of the Art Cancer Technology to Alaska", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Helps Bring State of the Art Cancer Technology to Alaska \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Cuts Through Red Tape, Allows Procedures to Start Next Week\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t ANCHORAGE, AK \u2013 Senator Lisa Murkowski\u2019s office this week helped a local cancer treatment center bring a state of the art machine online that will allow for the treatment of some brain cancers without ever cutting into the patient\u2019s skull.\u00a0\r\nIt is called a Gamma Knife, and it focuses 200 tiny beams of radiation directly at a tumor with minimal impacts to the surrounding, healthy tissue.\u00a0 Previously, Alaskans needing this type of brain cancer treatment were forced to travel to Seattle on their own dime; paying for travel, hotel, meals for 3 to 4 days plus the emotional toll of being away from home and family during a major treatment for a serious disease.\r\n\u00a0  \r\nThe Gamma Knife at the Anchorage Radiation Therapy Center \r\n(Click on the image for video of doctors discussing the importance of the Gamma Knife in Alaska)\r\nBringing the technology to Alaska has taken years and a specially designed bunker had to be constructed to house the machine at the Anchorage Radiation Therapy Center.\u00a0 But last minute bureaucratic hurdles from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission threatened its operation.\u00a0 Red tape Sen. Murkowski\u2019s office found a way to overcome.\u00a0 Now, four Gamma Knife procedures, the first of their kind in Alaska, can happen as scheduled next week.\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u201cWe were under the impression from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that everything was a go, and then they discovered that there was some additional paperwork that they needed,\u201d said Dr. Stephen Settle, Medical Director of the Gamma Knife Program at the Anchorage Radiation Therapy Center.\u00a0 \u201cThat was going to take some great length of time to resolve and Sen. Murkowski cut through that very quickly.\u00a0 Now those patients who are scheduled for procedures next week can still get them thanks to Sen. Murkowski.\u201d\r\n\u201cWith this machine and this technology, we hope to treat 50 to 75 patients a year,\u201d said Dr. Richard Chung, President of the Anchorage Radiation Therapy Center.\u00a0 \u201cThat means 50 to 75 Alaskans who won\u2019t have to travel out of state to get the treatment they need.\u00a0 This would not have been possible without the Senator\u2019s help.\u201d\r\n# # #\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=b3292c60-a19a-4856-9848-ba435d7df3e2", "Murkowski Votes for Air Force Secretary Nominee", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Votes for Air Force Secretary Nominee \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Sees Confirmation as New Start in New Pacific Era\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted to confirm Deborah Lee James as the next Secretary of the Air Force, sharing the following thoughts:\r\n\u201cThe Air Force community is incredibly important to Alaska\u2019s identity, and it is being seen in a new light by the Pentagon as we embark on a Pacific era in the military \u2013 and the United States Air Force has developed a stronger partnership with Alaska in recent months.\u00a0 Over the past several years the Air Force relationship with Alaska and Congress has suffered from its insular corporate management style that largely ignored the views of stakeholders \u2013 the consideration of warm basing Eielson and transferring the F-16s was a prime example. Today's confirmation of Deborah James Lee completes the arrival of a new management team and a new management style that will serve the Air Force well as it navigates its future in this difficult financial period with a new focus.\u201d\r\nMs. James was confirmed on a vote of 79-6 and will be installed on Tuesday.\r\n\r\n(Senator Murkowski visits with Ms.James in September 2013)\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-helps-bring-state-of-the-art-cancer-technology-to-alaska", "Murkowski Helps Bring State of the Art Cancer Technology to Alaska", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Helps Bring State of the Art Cancer Technology to Alaska \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Cuts Through Red Tape, Allows Procedures to Start Next Week\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t ANCHORAGE, AK  Senator Lisa Murkowski's office this week helped a local cancer treatment center bring a state of the art machine online that will allow for the treatment of some brain cancers without ever cutting into the patient's skull.\r\nIt is called a Gamma Knife, and it focuses 200 tiny beams of radiation directly at a tumor with minimal impacts to the surrounding, healthy tissue. Previously, Alaskans needing this type of brain cancer treatment were forced to travel to Seattle on their own dime; paying for travel, hotel, meals for 3 to 4 days plus the emotional toll of being away from home and family during a major treatment for a serious disease.\r\n  \r\nThe Gamma Knife at the Anchorage Radiation Therapy Center \r\n(Click on the image for video of doctors discussing the importance of the Gamma Knife in Alaska)\r\nBringing the technology to Alaska has taken years and a specially designed bunker had to be constructed to house the machine at the Anchorage Radiation Therapy Center. But last minute bureaucratic hurdles from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission threatened its operation. Red tape Sen. Murkowski's office found a way to overcome. Now, four Gamma Knife procedures, the first of their kind in Alaska, can happen as scheduled next week.\r\nWe were under the impression from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that everything was a go, and then they discovered that there was some additional paperwork that they needed, said Dr. Stephen Settle, Medical Director of the Gamma Knife Program at the Anchorage Radiation Therapy Center. That was going to take some great length of time to resolve and Sen. Murkowski cut through that very quickly. Now those patients who are scheduled for procedures next week can still get them thanks to Sen. Murkowski.\r\nWith this machine and this technology, we hope to treat 50 to 75 patients a year, said Dr. Richard Chung, President of the Anchorage Radiation Therapy Center. That means 50 to 75 Alaskans who won't have to travel out of state to get the treatment they need. This would not have been possible without the Senator's help.\r\n# # #\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-votes-for-air-force-secretary-nominee", "Murkowski Votes for Air Force Secretary Nominee", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Votes for Air Force Secretary Nominee \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Sees Confirmation as New Start in New Pacific Era\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted to confirm Deborah Lee James as the next Secretary of the Air Force, sharing the following thoughts:\r\nThe Air Force community is incredibly important to Alaska's identity, and it is being seen in a new light by the Pentagon as we embark on a Pacific era in the military  and the United States Air Force has developed a stronger partnership with Alaska in recent months. Over the past several years the Air Force relationship with Alaska and Congress has suffered from its insular corporate management style that largely ignored the views of stakeholders  the consideration of warm basing Eielson and transferring the F-16s was a prime example. Today's confirmation of Deborah James Lee completes the arrival of a new management team and a new management style that will serve the Air Force well as it navigates its future in this difficult financial period with a new focus.\r\nMs. James was confirmed on a vote of 79-6 and will be installed on Tuesday.\r\n\r\n(Senator Murkowski visits with Ms.James in September 2013)\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364366", "Congressman Young Supports Bipartisan Budget Deal", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Alaskan Congressman Don Young\u00a0today voted in favor of H.J. Res. 59, The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, legislation that would establish a two-year budget for the federal government and set forth appropriate budget levels for the remainder of Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 332-94.\r\n\u00a0\u201cThe budget deal I supported today in the House of Representatives is far from perfect, but it\u2019s a small step towards reducing our deficit and reigning in outrageous spending in Washington, D.C., said Congressman Don Young. \u201cThis budget compromise, championed by Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), helps the American people and job-creating businesses steer clear of Washington-created uncertainty by avoiding the jump from one crisis to the next.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\u201cThis compromise begins to address our budgetary woes through spending reforms rather than on the backs of taxpayers. It also helps soften the blow of Sequestration that greatly impacted training, readiness, and the morale across all branches of our nation\u2019s military.\u201d\r\n\u201cI\u2019ve been very clear that Congress must return to a regular budgeting process, because this is where the power of the purse should exist. As a nation we cannot cut or spend our way to prosperity nor can we tax our way to a budget surpluses. This is why I have supported several budget plans that eliminate wasteful spending, reform entitlements, reduce our budget deficit, and cut the size of government, all without raising taxes. This was the best plan we were going to get from Senate Democrats at this time and as I\u2019ve said before, if you try to swallow the entire apple at once, you\u2019ll choke. You have to take it one bite at a time.\u201d\r\nWhile Congressman has expressed general concerns with a number of provisions within the bill, including the increase to Aviation Security Fees, he is happy that the bill accomplished the following:\r\n \r\n    Lowers Senate Spending Levels:\u00a0 Sets overall discretionary spending for the current fiscal year at $1.012 trillion \u2014 lower than the Senate budget level of $1.058 trillion.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Replaces Arbitrary and Indiscriminate Sequestration:\u00a0 Provides $63 billion in sequester relief over two years, split evenly between defense and non-defense programs; offset in other places of the budget. Increases military mission readiness in Alaska, across the country, and abroad through restored sequester funding.\r\n \r\n \r\n     Reduces the Deficit by over $20 Billion:\u00a0 Reduces the deficit by between $20 and $23 billion through dozens of specific deficit-reduction provisions, with mandatory savings and non-tax revenue totaling approximately $85 billion.\u00a0\r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364369", "House Passes National Defense Bill", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Alaskan Congressman Don Young today supported the House passage of H.R. 3304, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included a number of provisions he offered to strengthen Alaska\u2019s military. The Fiscal Year 2014 bill authorizes $552.1 billion in spending for national defense, in addition to $80.7 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations.\u00a0 The bill ensures the continuation of critical benefits promised to our troops like combat pay, in addition to rejecting the Administration\u2019s proposals to increase or establish new TRICARE fees. \r\n\u201cToday, the House of Representatives passed a critical bill that provides for our nation\u2019s military and national defense,\u201d said Congressman Don Young. \u201cThis year\u2019s NDAA covers a wide range of Alaska specific issues: prioritizing funding for our nation\u2019s strategic seaports, funding for our missile defense systems, and protections for combating sexual assault in the military. As our nation\u2019s defense priorities shifts to the Pacific, Alaska will no doubt play a critical role in training our soldiers, safeguarding our freedoms, and projecting our nation\u2019s influence in the Pacific and around the world.\u201d \r\nWithin the bill are a number of Alaska specific provisions that will modernize and strengthen critical force structure in Alaska, including large increases to missile defense funding. Congressman Young was also able to include three amendments in the House passed NDAA, including one which prioritizes strategic seaports like the Port of Anchorage, and one which begins the process for finding operating efficiencies to keep all of Alaska\u2019s strategically important bases in Alaska for many years to come.\r\nCongressman Young\u2019s Amendments to the FY2014 NDAA include:\r\n \r\n    Strategic Seaport Prioritization:\u00a0 In support of U.S. national security requirements, this bipartisan amendment allows the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) to prioritize funding for the 21 DoD-designated strategic seaports (including Anchorage) in the United States.\u00a0\r\n \r\n \r\n    Federal and Military Consolidation Report:\u00a0 In order to look for efficiencies, this amendment requires GAO to review the potential of co-locating Federal entities onto military bases, so long as those missions are compatible with the missions of the military installations.\u00a0 This report, which gives special consideration to arctic missions, will focus on federal entities with homeland security, defense, international trade, commerce, and other national security-related functions.\u00a0 This good-government report will provide the foundation to explore new ways in which the U.S. can retain current military installations and still save money.\r\n \r\nAlaska Specific Funding and Provisions: \r\n \r\n    Fort Greely \u2013 Mechanical Engineering Building (Missile Field 1 ): $82 million\r\n \r\n \r\n    Fort Wainwright \u2013 Aviation Battalion Complex: $45 million, Aviation Storage Hanger: $58 million\r\n \r\n \r\n    Clear Air Force Station \u2013 Radar Improvement: $17.204 million\r\n \r\n \r\n    Missile Defense: \u00a0\u00a0Authorizes $9.5 billion for missile defense programs, including those in Alaska.\u00a0 Specifically, this increase will provide $80.0 million for correcting a problem that caused a missile defense flight test failure in July 2013, and $80 million for enhanced kill vehicle and discrimination capabilities.\u00a0\u00a0 This also includes $30 million to deploy second X-band radar to discriminate against long-range ballistic missile threats from North Korea.\r\n \r\n \r\n    C-23 Sherpas and C-27:\u00a0 Allows for the transfer of eight C-23 Sherpa aircraft to the State of Alaska, which helps fill a niche search and rescue and medium-lift need on Alaska\u2019s short rural runways.\u00a0 The NDAA also authorizes the Secretary of Defense to transfer 14 C-27J aircraft to the Coast Guard, which is also vital to search and rescue capabilities in Alaska.\r\n \r\nProvisions of Note:\r\n \r\n    Rejects BRAC and Administration\u2019s TRICARE Proposals:\u00a0\u00a0 Rejects all the Administration\u2019s proposals to increase TRICARE fees or establish new TRICARE fees.\u00a0 Congress has already put TRICARE on a sustainable path through reforms in several recent NDAAs. Those reforms connect TRICARE fee increases to retiree cost of living increases.\u00a0 The NDAA also prohibits DOD from initiating another round of BRAC.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Sexual Assault:\u00a0 Includes over 30 provisions or reforms to the Uniform Code of Military Justice related to combating sexual assault in the military.\u00a0 These reforms include the ability to strip commanders of their authority to dismiss a finding by a court martial, to prohibit commanders from reducing guilty findings to lesser charges, and establishes minimum sentencing guidelines.\u00a0 The NDAA also eliminates the 5 year statute of limitations on rape and sexual assault.\r\n \r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=05edf413-1a6b-4e19-a910-1226cd64351a", "Murkowski Amendment Bringing Disaster Relief Aircraft to Alaska Added to Defense Bill", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Amendment Bringing Disaster Relief Aircraft to Alaska Added to Defense Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Eight C-23 \u201cSherpas\u201d Could Be Headed to Alaska, Boosting State Government Aviation Capacity\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Lisa Murkowski is pleased to see that the amendment she filed to the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act to transfer eight surplus Army C-23 \u201cSherpa\u201d aircraft\u00a0 to the State of Alaska has been added to the bill released yesterday by the House and Senate Armed Services Committee. The bill is expected to be considered in the Senate next week.\r\nMurkowski\u2019s amendment requires the U.S. Army to offer title of eight specific aircraft, preselected by the State of Alaska to Governor Parnell free of charge in early 2014.\r\nAbout 40 C-23 \u201cSherpa\u201d Aircraft (photo below) are parked at Fort Sill, Oklahoma unused and awaiting disposition.\u00a0The C-23 is designed to carry up to 30 passengers or 7,280 pounds of cargo and has a range capability of up to 1,030 nautical miles.\u00a0 These aircraft have been tremendously useful in providing manpower, food and aid to regions impacted by wildfires, floods and hurricanes \u2013 from Hurricane Sandy relief to wildfire responses \u2013 and could boost the State of Alaska\u2019s response capability to natural disasters like the Yukon River flood and the recent Western Alaska storms.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n(Sherpas have provided disaster relief for decades.)\r\n\u201cWhen states are in need, these aircraft and their crews are humanitarian heroes and have proven themselves repeatedly to respond and deliver in the most trying circumstances,\u201d said Senator Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cThese planes are sitting on a tarmac in Oklahoma when they could be put to use to save lives and provide relief in places like Galena, so I appreciate those working on the defense bill for seeing the value in allowing my state with its vast geography, terrain and challenges to have a chance to acquire eight of them.\u201d\r\nThe Army announced its intention to eliminate its entire fleet of 46 aircraft in 2011 and it moved the fleet to Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 2013 where they are presently parked awaiting divestiture. The Army formerly used the aircraft for intra-theatre troop and equipment transport, airdrop and medical evaluation. This intra-theatre mission has been reassigned to the Air Force which plans to use C-130 aircraft for its execution.\r\nMurkowski added an amendment in the 2012 NDAA requiring that the Army offer the C-23s to the Governors of the states that previously operated them before offering them to other federal agencies or selling them as surplus.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=790a92b9-7840-44b3-b288-633ef7c28815", "Murkowski Commends VA Backlog Progress: Service is a Two Way Street, Keep Moving Forward", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Commends VA Backlog Progress: Service is a Two Way Street, Keep Moving Forward \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Pleased with Improvements, But Pushes for Momentum to Continue\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the new Department of Veterans Affairs report (attached) outlining its improved Anchorage Regional Office statistics in cutting through the backlog of claims.\u00a0 The VA provided her with information detailing the positive changes in claim processing time, as well as delays in decisions and benefits.\u00a0 While statistics are slowly increasing in the lower 48, the more dramatic turnaround in Alaska is partly the result of Murkowski\u2019s demand that a long-term manager be found for the facility, after numerous managers cycled through in the last decade.\r\n\u201cOur men and women in uniform performed bravely and in rapid fashion when they were active duty, and that service and speed must be reciprocated and made a priority when they come home,\u201d said Senator Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cThis news from the VA gives me a new, overdue optimism that we are making progress at long last in delivering care and benefits in a more timely fashion \u2013 but \u2018more timely\u2019 is not the goal here; the speediest process possible is.\u201d\r\nThe VA reported that its Anchorage Regional Office has made improvements by:\r\n \r\nReducing its pending disability claims inventory by 30.6 percent.\r\nHelping to eliminate the disability claim backlog by 46.2 percent.\r\nProviding decisions and benefits 98 days quicker.\r\nCutting its \u201cyear plus\u201d list by 98 percent.\r\n \r\nIn some respects, this can be seen as a \u201cworst to first\u201d story for the Alaska VA benefits office. Prior to 2010, the VA Alaska benefits operation was managed by a revolving door of managers, some of whom stayed in the job for a year or less. Due to low productivity Alaska claims were actually being outsourced to other VA offices around the country. Senator Murkowski demanded that the VA turn the ship around, and the VA transferred Chad Pomelow from Maine to Alaska in 2010. The turnaround at the Anchorage Regional Office is largely a result of this important change in leadership.\r\nEarlier this year, Senator Murkowski\u2019s work on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee resulted in a \u201cTen Point Plan\u201d of goals and policies to help the VA reduce its backlog nationwide \u2013 and sent a letter to President Obama calling attention to the atrocious 467 day average processing time for VA disability claims in Alaska.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=b843266a-9d40-45b7-bc46-78b653e88064", "Sen. Murkowski Calls Out Interior\u2019s Inconsistency on King Cove Road", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.13\n\t\t\t Sen. Murkowski Calls Out Interior\u2019s Inconsistency on King Cove Road \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today pressed Rhea Suh, nominated to be the next assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks at the Interior Department, on the importance of approving a life-saving road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge to protect the health and safety of the people of King Cove, Alaska.\r\nMurkowski asked how Interior agencies could continue to defend their opposition to the King Cove road with the argument that it could harm the region\u2019s migrating wildfowl, while at the same time approving a rule granting wind energy companies a 30-year permit to kill or injure American bald and golden eagles?\u00a0\r\n\r\n(Click to play video)\r\n\u201cHow do you reconcile the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service\u2019s ongoing opposition to the King Cove road with its more recent decision to grant permits that allow for the taking of eagles at wind farms around the country?\u201d Murkowski asked Suh at Thursday\u2019s hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.\r\nAfter a number of people died in airplane-related accidents in King Cove, Murkowski crafted legislation offering to add 56,000 acres of state and tribal lands to the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in exchange for allowing the isolated community to build a single-lane, gravel road through a small section of the refuge to an all-weather airport in Cold Bay.\r\nMurkowski\u2019s legislation was signed into law in 2009, but it still requires Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to determine whether the land exchange and road corridor are in the public interest.\r\n\u201cAs I am sure you are aware, the construction of an emergency road for the residents of King Cove is very important to me. As it stands now, the residents of King Cove live only a few short miles from an all-weather airport, but are often unable to access it in emergency situations due to inclement weather,\u201d Murkowski said. \u201cI firmly believe that we should actually protect the residents of this small Alaskan village and provide them access to life saving health care. One more death related to an emergency evacuation is simply unacceptable \u2013 especially when the solution is so simple.\u201d\r\nMurkowski said the people of King Cove are being put at risk because the federal government claims a road would threaten the local bird population, but the government appears to have a different standard when it comes to the harming of federally protected eagles when it furthers its clean energy goals.\r\nThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates wind turbines in the United States kill more than 444,000 birds a year. With more than 100,000 turbines expected to be in operation by 2030, the number of bird deaths is expected to exceed 1 million annually. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\r\nMore information on the King Cove road can be found at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources website.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-amendment-bringing-disaster-relief-aircraft-to-alaska-added-to-defense-bill", "Murkowski Amendment Bringing Disaster Relief Aircraft to Alaska Added to Defense Bill", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Amendment Bringing Disaster Relief Aircraft to Alaska Added to Defense Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Eight C-23 Sherpas Could Be Headed to Alaska, Boosting State Government Aviation Capacity\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Senator Lisa Murkowski is pleased to see that the amendment she filed to the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act to transfer eight surplus Army C-23 Sherpa aircraft to the State of Alaska has been added to the bill released yesterday by the House and Senate Armed Services Committee. The bill is expected to be considered in the Senate next week.\r\nMurkowski's amendment requires the U.S. Army to offer title of eight specific aircraft, preselected by the State of Alaska to Governor Parnell free of charge in early 2014.\r\nAbout 40 C-23 Sherpa Aircraft (photo below) are parked at Fort Sill, Oklahoma unused and awaiting disposition.The C-23 is designed to carry up to 30 passengers or 7,280 pounds of cargo and has a range capability of up to 1,030 nautical miles. These aircraft have been tremendously useful in providing manpower, food and aid to regions impacted by wildfires, floods and hurricanes  from Hurricane Sandy relief to wildfire responses  and could boost the State of Alaska's response capability to natural disasters like the Yukon River flood and the recent Western Alaska storms.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Sherpas have provided disaster relief for decades.)\r\nWhen states are in need, these aircraft and their crews are humanitarian heroes and have proven themselves repeatedly to respond and deliver in the most trying circumstances, said Senator Murkowski. These planes are sitting on a tarmac in Oklahoma when they could be put to use to save lives and provide relief in places like Galena, so I appreciate those working on the defense bill for seeing the value in allowing my state with its vast geography, terrain and challenges to have a chance to acquire eight of them.\r\nThe Army announced its intention to eliminate its entire fleet of 46 aircraft in 2011 and it moved the fleet to Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 2013 where they are presently parked awaiting divestiture. The Army formerly used the aircraft for intra-theatre troop and equipment transport, airdrop and medical evaluation. This intra-theatre mission has been reassigned to the Air Force which plans to use C-130 aircraft for its execution.\r\nMurkowski added an amendment in the 2012 NDAA requiring that the Army offer the C-23s to the Governors of the states that previously operated them before offering them to other federal agencies or selling them as surplus.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-commends-va-backlog-progress-service-is-a-two-way-street-keep-moving-forward", "Murkowski Commends VA Backlog Progress: Service is a Two Way Street, Keep Moving Forward", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Commends VA Backlog Progress: Service is a Two Way Street, Keep Moving Forward \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Pleased with Improvements, But Pushes for Momentum to Continue\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the new Department of Veterans Affairs report (attached) outlining its improved Anchorage Regional Office statistics in cutting through the backlog of claims. The VA provided her with information detailing the positive changes in claim processing time, as well as delays in decisions and benefits. While statistics are slowly increasing in the lower 48, the more dramatic turnaround in Alaska is partly the result of Murkowski's demand that a long-term manager be found for the facility, after numerous managers cycled through in the last decade.\r\nOur men and women in uniform performed bravely and in rapid fashion when they were active duty, and that service and speed must be reciprocated and made a priority when they come home, said Senator Murkowski. This news from the VA gives me a new, overdue optimism that we are making progress at long last in delivering care and benefits in a more timely fashion  but more timely' is not the goal here; the speediest process possible is.\r\nThe VA reported that its Anchorage Regional Office has made improvements by:\r\n \r\nReducing its pending disability claims inventory by 30.6 percent.\r\nHelping to eliminate the disability claim backlog by 46.2 percent.\r\nProviding decisions and benefits 98 days quicker.\r\nCutting its year plus list by 98 percent.\r\n \r\nIn some respects, this can be seen as a worst to first story for the Alaska VA benefits office. Prior to 2010, the VA Alaska benefits operation was managed by a revolving door of managers, some of whom stayed in the job for a year or less. Due to low productivity Alaska claims were actually being outsourced to other VA offices around the country. Senator Murkowski demanded that the VA turn the ship around, and the VA transferred Chad Pomelow from Maine to Alaska in 2010. The turnaround at the Anchorage Regional Office is largely a result of this important change in leadership.\r\nEarlier this year, Senator Murkowski's work on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee resulted in a Ten Point Plan of goals and policies to help the VA reduce its backlog nationwide  and sent a letter to President Obama calling attention to the atrocious 467 day average processing time for VA disability claims in Alaska.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/sen-murkowski-calls-out-interiors-inconsistency-on-king-cove-road", "Sen. Murkowski Calls Out Interiors Inconsistency on King Cove Road", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.13\n\t\t\t Sen. Murkowski Calls Out Interior's Inconsistency on King Cove Road \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today pressed Rhea Suh, nominated to be the next assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks at the Interior Department, on the importance of approving a life-saving road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge to protect the health and safety of the people of King Cove, Alaska.\r\nMurkowski asked how Interior agencies could continue to defend their opposition to the King Cove road with the argument that it could harm the region's migrating wildfowl, while at the same time approving a rule granting wind energy companies a 30-year permit to kill or injure American bald and golden eagles?\r\n\r\n(Click to play video)\r\nHow do you reconcile the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's ongoing opposition to the King Cove road with its more recent decision to grant permits that allow for the taking of eagles at wind farms around the country? Murkowski asked Suh at Thursday's hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.\r\nAfter a number of people died in airplane-related accidents in King Cove, Murkowski crafted legislation offering to add 56,000 acres of state and tribal lands to the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in exchange for allowing the isolated community to build a single-lane, gravel road through a small section of the refuge to an all-weather airport in Cold Bay.\r\nMurkowski's legislation was signed into law in 2009, but it still requires Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to determine whether the land exchange and road corridor are in the public interest.\r\nAs I am sure you are aware, the construction of an emergency road for the residents of King Cove is very important to me. As it stands now, the residents of King Cove live only a few short miles from an all-weather airport, but are often unable to access it in emergency situations due to inclement weather, Murkowski said. I firmly believe that we should actually protect the residents of this small Alaskan village and provide them access to life saving health care. One more death related to an emergency evacuation is simply unacceptable  especially when the solution is so simple.\r\nMurkowski said the people of King Cove are being put at risk because the federal government claims a road would threaten the local bird population, but the government appears to have a different standard when it comes to the harming of federally protected eagles when it furthers its clean energy goals.\r\nThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates wind turbines in the United States kill more than 444,000 birds a year. With more than 100,000 turbines expected to be in operation by 2030, the number of bird deaths is expected to exceed 1 million annually.                                                \r\nMore information on the King Cove road can be found at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources website.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364205", "Congressman Young Comments on November Obamacare Numbers", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Congressman Don Young today issued the following statement after the Department of Health and Human Services announced that 260,000 Americans have registered for Obamacare in the month of November. \r\n\u201cWhile the Administration says their second month Obamacare enrollment numbers have drastically improved, in reality they have fallen flat on their face in terms of reaching their initial two month enrollment goal of 800,000 people. A private insurance brokerage assisting Alaskans through the enrollment process, Enroll Alaska, is also reporting less than 400 Alaskan enrollees at a time when initial estimates for the month of October were approximately 4,000 individuals.\u201d \r\n\u201cThese results are clear; the Administration is not equipped to run the infrastructure needed to sign up for the healthcare exchange, let alone manage the implementation of the entire law. But this is about much more than a failed website, this is about a failure to listen to the American people and the negative impacts this law with have on Alaskan businesses and families.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=57903919-d853-4ac2-921e-293ba93bfdf7", "On Pearl Harbor Anniversary, WWII Veteran Says \u201cLife is Magnificent\u201d", "2013-12-07", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.07.13\n\t\t\t On Pearl Harbor Anniversary, WWII Veteran Says \u201cLife is Magnificent\u201d \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Murkowski Spotlights 90 Year Old Army Veteran to Mark \u201cDate Which Will Live in Infamy\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Anchorage resident Norman Hogg carries with him an Army-issued Bible received during his service time in World War II, bearing an inscription from then President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.\u00a0 He also carries a remarkable abundance of stories, observations and an authentic Alaskan brand of optimism. As the nation remembers the December 7th, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the United States into the Second World War \u2013 a \u201cdate which will live in infamy\u201d in Roosevelt\u2019s words \u2013 Senator Lisa Murkowski is releasing her 19th Veteran Spotlight interview, focusing on the military service of WWII veteran Norman Hogg.\u00a0 Hogg was just 19 years old when he recalls hearing of the Pearl Harbor attack on the \u201cwireless\u201d radio.\u00a0 He would join the U.S. Army just a few months later at age 20.\r\nDuring his interview, Hogg recounts being assigned to the Signal Corps, where he would put his Eagle Scout training to good use teaching his fellow soldiers how to survive in life-threatening water combat operations.\u00a0 Though he remained in the United States throughout his military carrier, Hogg recalls losing his childhood friends to the WWII battles overseas and the impact it had on the rest of his life.\r\n\r\n(Click here for excerpt of Norman recalling hearing about the Pearl Harbor Attack over the radio.\u00a0CLICK HERE for the extended interview)\r\n\u201cAmericans were killed by a foreign country and I knew we were going to war,\u201d said Norman Hogg.\u00a0 \u201cThere was this comradeship between soldiers that I remember.\u00a0 We became family.\u00a0 Those 400,000 people who died, they sacrificed their lives, and I am very grateful to them, because otherwise there would have been tyranny.\u201d\r\nThis past October, Hogg was one of 29 Alaskan World War II veterans who traveled Washington, D.C. to visit the WWII memorial as part of the inaugural Last Frontier Honor Flight.\u00a0 Hogg brought his Bible with him as a link to the past that he says brought him and his service in the military full circle.\r\n\u201cAs you get older, memories become more important,\u201d said Hogg.\u00a0 \u201cI remember times from the war and my childhood and the early years in Alaska.\u00a0 All these memories are mixed up in you, and they are you.\u00a0 Life has been good to me.\u00a0 Life is magnificent!\u201d\r\n\u201cNorman Hogg\u2019s story is one of an American hero,\u201d said Senator Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cHe stepped up and served our country during one of the most trying times in our nation\u2019s history.\u00a0 His memories and his legacy should not be forgotten.\u00a0 We owe it to veterans like Norman to honor them through sharing their stories, and we owe it to the rest of us to learn from the high levels of patriotism, commitment and service they demonstrate for us.\u201d\u00a0\r\nThe \u201cVeteran Spotlight\u201d project is Senator Murkowski\u2019s monthly focus on an Alaska veteran of American conflicts worldwide to honor and draw well-deserved attention to Alaska\u2019s men and women who served.\u00a0 Today\u2019s installment is the nineteenth in the series that began on Memorial Day weekend of 2012.\u00a0 Every month, Sen. Murkowski posts a biography and an interview with an Alaskan who served our country abroad in conjunction with the Library of Congress\u2019 Veterans History Project.\u00a0 You can watch them all by clicking here.\r\nSenator Murkowski invites all Alaskans to nominate a veteran from the 49th state to be featured in the Veteran Spotlight project.\u00a0 If you have a family member or friend in the community you think has a story to share, email Spotlight@Murkowski.Senate.Gov.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/on-pearl-harbor-anniversary-wwii-veteran-says-life-is-magnificent", "On Pearl Harbor Anniversary, WWII Veteran Says Life is Magnificent", "2013-12-07", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.07.13\n\t\t\t On Pearl Harbor Anniversary, WWII Veteran Says Life is Magnificent \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Murkowski Spotlights 90 Year Old Army Veteran to Mark Date Which Will Live in Infamy\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Anchorage resident Norman Hogg carries with him an Army-issued Bible received during his service time in World War II, bearing an inscription from then President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He also carries a remarkable abundance of stories, observations and an authentic Alaskan brand of optimism. As the nation remembers the December 7th, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the United States into the Second World War  a date which will live in infamy in Roosevelt's words  Senator Lisa Murkowski is releasing her 19th Veteran Spotlight interview, focusing on the military service of WWII veteran Norman Hogg. Hogg was just 19 years old when he recalls hearing of the Pearl Harbor attack on the wireless radio. He would join the U.S. Army just a few months later at age 20.\r\nDuring his interview, Hogg recounts being assigned to the Signal Corps, where he would put his Eagle Scout training to good use teaching his fellow soldiers how to survive in life-threatening water combat operations. Though he remained in the United States throughout his military carrier, Hogg recalls losing his childhood friends to the WWII battles overseas and the impact it had on the rest of his life.\r\n\r\n(Click here for excerpt of Norman recalling hearing about the Pearl Harbor Attack over the radio.CLICK HERE for the extended interview)\r\nAmericans were killed by a foreign country and I knew we were going to war, said Norman Hogg. There was this comradeship between soldiers that I remember. We became family. Those 400,000 people who died, they sacrificed their lives, and I am very grateful to them, because otherwise there would have been tyranny.\r\nThis past October, Hogg was one of 29 Alaskan World War II veterans who traveled Washington, D.C. to visit the WWII memorial as part of the inaugural Last Frontier Honor Flight. Hogg brought his Bible with him as a link to the past that he says brought him and his service in the military full circle.\r\nAs you get older, memories become more important, said Hogg. I remember times from the war and my childhood and the early years in Alaska. All these memories are mixed up in you, and they are you. Life has been good to me. Life is magnificent!\r\nNorman Hogg's story is one of an American hero, said Senator Murkowski. He stepped up and served our country during one of the most trying times in our nation's history. His memories and his legacy should not be forgotten. We owe it to veterans like Norman to honor them through sharing their stories, and we owe it to the rest of us to learn from the high levels of patriotism, commitment and service they demonstrate for us.\r\nThe Veteran Spotlight project is Senator Murkowski's monthly focus on an Alaska veteran of American conflicts worldwide to honor and draw well-deserved attention to Alaska's men and women who served. Today's installment is the nineteenth in the series that began on Memorial Day weekend of 2012. Every month, Sen. Murkowski posts a biography and an interview with an Alaskan who served our country abroad in conjunction with the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project. You can watch them all by clicking here.\r\nSenator Murkowski invites all Alaskans to nominate a veteran from the 49th state to be featured in the Veteran Spotlight project. If you have a family member or friend in the community you think has a story to share, email Spotlight@Murkowski.Senate.Gov.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363461", "Congressman Young Moves Marine Debris Legislation Forward to Protect Alaskan Waters", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Alaskan Congressman Don Young today applauded the unanimous passage of two bills from the House Natural Resources Committee that would allow impacted states like Alaska \u2013 with more than 44,000 miles of coastline \u2013 to receive direct grants from funds donated by the Japanese government in the wake of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, in addition to streamlining the current grant process for marine disasters considered to be \u201csevere.\u201d Congressman Young was the lead Republican sponsor of both bipartisan bills, H.R. 1491 and H.R. 1425, which both successfully passed the committee with amendments he offered.\u00a0\n\u201cToday we unanimously sent two bills to the full House that would help coastal communities in Alaska and in other affected areas with the cleanup of marine debris hitting our shores,\u201d said Congressman Don Young. \u201cAs the people of Japan still recover from their earthquake and subsequent tsunami, the United States must brace for what could be years more of waste and debris. This legislation gives organizations and coastal communities the tools to continue the arduous cleanup process, while also improving the response capabilities for future events.\u201d \nH.R. 1425 would allow a priority process for grants addressing severe marine debris events, including those likely to introduce marine invasive species.\u00a0 Additionally, H.R. 1425 would allow governors to request the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator to make a severe marine debris determination.\nH.R. 1491 would allow the Administrator of NOAA to use funds, provided to the U.S. from the Government of Japan, to address debris related to the March 2011 tsunami as grants to any State, locality or tribal government effected by the marine debris event. Furthermore, H.R. 1491 would give NOAA the authority to repay States for past costs of debris removal efforts. \nIn addition to helping pass into law H.R. 1171, the Marine Debris Act Amendment of 2012, Congressman Young has led a continued effort (watch video of Congressman Young speaking on the House floor) to bring awareness to the crisis in our oceans that is affecting Alaska\u2019s fisherman and countless coastal communities. Today\u2019s passage of H.R. 1491 and H.R. 1425 is the next step in funding additional marine debris cleanup in a timely manner.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=80b2d4b3-333a-434a-b954-d1316c6e6564", "Murkowski Hires New Legislative Director", "2013-12-02", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Hires New Legislative Director  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Promotes Juneau-Born and Raised Former Stevens Staffer to Direct Policy Aims\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced the promotion of Kate Williams to become her new Legislative Director in Washington, DC, to oversee her legislative efforts in the United States Senate.\u00a0 Williams will fill the vacancy created by Tara Shaw\u2019s departure to run the policy operations of Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY).\r\n\u201cKate Williams has a stellar track record of advancing Alaskan issues and serving Alaskans \u2013 and I look forward to having her hand guiding our policy aims as we do what\u2019s right for our state and nation,\u201d said Senator Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cKate has been instrumental in guiding oil and gas issues on the Energy Committee; Alaskans will benefit greatly from her guidance on a broader portfolio of issues in her new role as Legislative Director.\u201d\r\nBorn and raised in Juneau, Kate Williams has had a robust resume rising from front desk staffer for Senator Ted Stevens to eventually becoming his legislative director. After Stevens left office, Williams practiced law in Anchorage, worked for the Alaska Oil and Gas Association and then joined Senator Murkowski\u2019s Energy Committee team as the Oil and Gas Counsel.\u00a0 She graduated from Juneau-Douglas H.S. received an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina and got her law degree from the University of San Diego.\r\nWilliams begins today.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n(Kate Williams)\r\n\u00a0\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-hires-new-legislative-director", "Murkowski Hires New Legislative Director", "2013-12-02", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Hires New Legislative Director  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Promotes Juneau-Born and Raised Former Stevens Staffer to Direct Policy Aims\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced the promotion of Kate Williams to become her new Legislative Director in Washington, DC, to oversee her legislative efforts in the United States Senate. Williams will fill the vacancy created by Tara Shaw's departure to run the policy operations of Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY).\r\nKate Williams has a stellar track record of advancing Alaskan issues and serving Alaskans  and I look forward to having her hand guiding our policy aims as we do what's right for our state and nation, said Senator Murkowski. Kate has been instrumental in guiding oil and gas issues on the Energy Committee; Alaskans will benefit greatly from her guidance on a broader portfolio of issues in her new role as Legislative Director.\r\nBorn and raised in Juneau, Kate Williams has had a robust resume rising from front desk staffer for Senator Ted Stevens to eventually becoming his legislative director. After Stevens left office, Williams practiced law in Anchorage, worked for the Alaska Oil and Gas Association and then joined Senator Murkowski's Energy Committee team as the Oil and Gas Counsel. She graduated from Juneau-Douglas H.S. received an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina and got her law degree from the University of San Diego.\r\nWilliams begins today.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Kate Williams)\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=370287", "Fairbanks Daily News Miner: LETTER - Thoughtful responses", "2013-11-29", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Fairbanks Daily News Miner: LETTER - Thoughtful responses \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      By Congressman Don Young \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, D.C.,\r\n        November 29, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      To the editor: I depend on hearing from all my constituents; their letters, emails and phone calls help me do the job Alaskans have elected me to do for more than 40 years. I take pride in providing thoughtful responses, in a timely manner, for the 40,000-plus constituent interactions my office will receive this year. \r\nProviding answers to the many questions and concerns of Alaskans, finding resolutions to problems with federal agencies, and streamlining the bureaucratic processes are all part of my congressional duties.\r\nAs much as I wish I could ensure every person, every letter, every call was answered with 100 percent accuracy, mistakes sometimes can happen, and for this I offer my apologies. If my response leaves you wanting more information, or in the rare case it goes unanswered, please do not hesitate to follow up with one of my offices. Any one of my capable staff will happily assist you and share your concerns with me directly. I appreciate all those who continue to contact my office, to ask the tough questions and express your thoughts about the direction this country is headed.\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=b2b72729-eceb-42ab-9e7a-efc63daf7773", "Murkowski Encourages Alaskans to Shop Small this Saturday", "2013-11-29", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.29.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Encourages Alaskans to Shop Small this Saturday \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Alaska\u2019s Small Businesses \u201cKnow Us Because They Are Us\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013  Senator Murkowski shared a message supporting Small Business Saturday.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nClick on the image above to watch her video message\r\n\u201cThis Saturday, November 30th, is small business Saturday across America. We know by now that the Friday after Turkey Day is known affectionately as Black Friday. With people who set their alarm clocks way too early and shoppers stampeding for bargains at the same big box stores. But I\u2019d like to urge you, on Saturday, to get out and support the local businesses that rely on continued community support to thrive.\r\n\u201cSmall business Saturday is an opportunity to revitalize each and every Alaskan. Local businesses understand the community better than most and their connection to all of us can be seen in their selection of products and services. They know us because they are us.\r\n\u201cBecause they are us, when you and I visit a local small business and support them. That money stays home, it stays in Alaska. It doesn\u2019t go to the corporate offices in the lower 48. It stays with the employees, with the owners, with the managers and it gets pumped right back into the local economy.\r\n\u201cSo I encourage you to enjoy the local business community to the fullest. Start your day with a cup of coffee from your favorite barista with a great blend roasted there in town. Go find that unique Alaskan holiday gift that you\u2019re not going to find any national chain carrying.\u00a0 Buy it for your loved ones and celebrate - say this is homegrown, this is local. Or start a new home improvement project with a can of paint from the local hardware store.\r\n\u201cEmpower local businesses this Saturday and connect to your community. I know that\u2019s what Verne and I are going to do.\u201d\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-encourages-alaskans-to-shop-small-this-saturday", "Murkowski Encourages Alaskans to Shop Small this Saturday", "2013-11-29", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.29.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Encourages Alaskans to Shop Small this Saturday \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Alaska's Small Businesses Know Us Because They Are Us\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.   Senator Murkowski shared a message supporting Small Business Saturday.\r\n\r\n\r\nClick on the image above to watch her video message\r\nThis Saturday, November 30th, is small business Saturday across America. We know by now that the Friday after Turkey Day is known affectionately as Black Friday. With people who set their alarm clocks way too early and shoppers stampeding for bargains at the same big box stores. But I'd like to urge you, on Saturday, to get out and support the local businesses that rely on continued community support to thrive.\r\nSmall business Saturday is an opportunity to revitalize each and every Alaskan. Local businesses understand the community better than most and their connection to all of us can be seen in their selection of products and services. They know us because they are us.\r\nBecause they are us, when you and I visit a local small business and support them. That money stays home, it stays in Alaska. It doesn't go to the corporate offices in the lower 48. It stays with the employees, with the owners, with the managers and it gets pumped right back into the local economy.\r\nSo I encourage you to enjoy the local business community to the fullest. Start your day with a cup of coffee from your favorite barista with a great blend roasted there in town. Go find that unique Alaskan holiday gift that you're not going to find any national chain carrying. Buy it for your loved ones and celebrate - say this is homegrown, this is local. Or start a new home improvement project with a can of paint from the local hardware store.\r\nEmpower local businesses this Saturday and connect to your community. I know that's what Verne and I are going to do.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363058", "Congressman Don Young Shares a Message with Alaskans this Thanksgiving", "2013-11-27", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Don Young Shares a Message with Alaskans this Thanksgiving \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, D.C.,\r\n        November 27, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Washington, D.C. - Alaskan Congressman Don Young today shared the following message with fellow Alaskans this Thanksgiving.\r\n\u201cAs we begin to gather around the dinner table with friends and family this Thanksgiving, I\u2019m reminded of the many things to be thankful for this year. I am eternally grateful for the servicemen and women who serve to protect the freedoms we hold near and dear to our hearts in our great nation. These men and women, who are often far and away from loved ones during the holidays, serve for a cause much greater than their own. To the people of Alaska, I continue to appreciate the opportunity and support to serve the 49th\u00a0state in Congress over these last 40 years. I\u2019m thankful to God, for blessing me with good health and the love of family; my two daughters, sons-in-law and 14 grandchildren.\r\n\u201cAs you join together in good company this holiday season, I hope you may also reflect on the many things that bring you and your family happiness and joy this year. I wish you a very warm beginning to your holiday season.\u201d\u00a0\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=cc6881d7-d2cc-4167-b398-edb89ac90e01", "Murkowski Sustainability Fight Gets Major Change in Guidelines", "2013-11-26", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.26.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Sustainability Fight Gets Major Change in Guidelines \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Third-Party Alaska Salmon Adversaries Removed From Federal Operation Guide Altogether\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has wiped the names of controversial outside groups that decline to consider Wild Alaska salmon as \u2018sustainable\u2019 \u2013 when Alaska is the only state to have a sustainability mandate written in its Constitution and salmon known as \u201cthe flagship species for sustainability around the world\u201d \u2013 from its concessions guidelines after a half-year struggle by Senator Lisa Murkowski.\u00a0 In a recent letter (attached) from a GSA Assistant Commissioner, the official writes to Senator Murkowski that the agency agrees, and that \u201cAmerican managed fisheries do not require third-party certification to demonstrate responsible and sustainable practices.\u201d\r\nThe federal government\u2019s internal rules explicitly state \u201cthe government does not endorse any particular labeling or documentation system or program over another.\u201d\u00a0 Despite this, the National Park Service and other government agencies had begun to consult earlier this year with questionable groups like the Marine Stewardship Council to certify whether wild Alaska salmon is \u2018sustainable\u2019 \u2013 dubbed \u201ca high-priced eco-endorsement\u201d by the Alaska press, due to the fees involved in this label.\u00a0 But after a strenuous campaign of letters, hearings and proposed legislation from Murkowski, the GSA has reconsidered this dubious (and unnecessary) relationship and removed the third-party groups names from its internal rules.\r\nIn the GSA\u2019s Concession Sustainability Guidelines released in July (also attached), it read:\r\n \r\nTHEN- Only offer fish/seafood identified as \u201cBest Choices\u201d or \u201cGood Alternatives\u201d on the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch List or certified by Marine Stewardship Council (or equivalent program).\r\n \r\nA recent revision to the same GSA guidelines reads very differently, now saying:\r\n \r\nNOW- Where seafood options are offered, provide those procured from responsibly managed, sustainable healthy fisheries.\r\n \r\n\u201cAlaska has a sustainability mandate written in our Constitution and we take our fisheries management pretty seriously.\u00a0 At the federal level, NOAA is the agency with expertise on confirming fisheries sustainability, and it was disturbing to me that they were not involved in the development of the GSA or the Park Service guidelines,\u201d said Senator Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cThe revised guidelines on sustainability are a simple-but-significant improvement, and I appreciate the GSA making this change.\u201d\r\nBACKGROUNDER: Murkowski initially urged the federal government to reconsider utilizing third parties in July, followed that up with a tense Senate committee hearing days later where she was able to have the National Park Service reverse course.\u00a0 In September, she introduced legislation to prohibit federal agencies from ignoring their own internal rules and using third party non-governmental certification schemes when considering or labeling any domestic catch as \u2018sustainable.\u2019\u00a0 Amid this ongoing battle over sustainability and rising scrutiny, the regional director of the Marine Stewardship Council resigned earlier this month.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-sustainability-fight-gets-major-change-in-guidelines", "Murkowski Sustainability Fight Gets Major Change in Guidelines", "2013-11-26", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.26.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Sustainability Fight Gets Major Change in Guidelines \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Third-Party Alaska Salmon Adversaries Removed From Federal Operation Guide Altogether\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has wiped the names of controversial outside groups that decline to consider Wild Alaska salmon as sustainable'  when Alaska is the only state to have a sustainability mandate written in its Constitution and salmon known as the flagship species for sustainability around the world  from its concessions guidelines after a half-year struggle by Senator Lisa Murkowski. In a recent letter (attached) from a GSA Assistant Commissioner, the official writes to Senator Murkowski that the agency agrees, and that American managed fisheries do not require third-party certification to demonstrate responsible and sustainable practices.\r\nThe federal government's internal rules explicitly state the government does not endorse any particular labeling or documentation system or program over another. Despite this, the National Park Service and other government agencies had begun to consult earlier this year with questionable groups like the Marine Stewardship Council to certify whether wild Alaska salmon is sustainable'  dubbed a high-priced eco-endorsement by the Alaska press, due to the fees involved in this label. But after a strenuous campaign of letters, hearings and proposed legislation from Murkowski, the GSA has reconsidered this dubious (and unnecessary) relationship and removed the third-party groups names from its internal rules.\r\nIn the GSA's Concession Sustainability Guidelines released in July (also attached), it read:\r\n \r\nTHEN- Only offer fish/seafood identified as Best Choices or Good Alternatives on the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch List or certified by Marine Stewardship Council (or equivalent program).\r\n \r\nA recent revision to the same GSA guidelines reads very differently, now saying:\r\n \r\nNOW- Where seafood options are offered, provide those procured from responsibly managed, sustainable healthy fisheries.\r\n \r\nAlaska has a sustainability mandate written in our Constitution and we take our fisheries management pretty seriously. At the federal level, NOAA is the agency with expertise on confirming fisheries sustainability, and it was disturbing to me that they were not involved in the development of the GSA or the Park Service guidelines, said Senator Murkowski. The revised guidelines on sustainability are a simple-but-significant improvement, and I appreciate the GSA making this change.\r\nBACKGROUNDER: Murkowski initially urged the federal government to reconsider utilizing third parties in July, followed that up with a tense Senate committee hearing days later where she was able to have the National Park Service reverse course. In September, she introduced legislation to prohibit federal agencies from ignoring their own internal rules and using third party non-governmental certification schemes when considering or labeling any domestic catch as sustainable.' Amid this ongoing battle over sustainability and rising scrutiny, the regional director of the Marine Stewardship Council resigned earlier this month.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362785", "Congressman Don Young Receives High Honors for Vietnam War Memorial Legislation", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 On Thursday, Alaskan Congressman Don Young was honored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) for \u201cexemplary and courageous service to the country\u201d for his work on commonsense legislation that will make possible the construction of a state-of-the-art visitor\u2019s education center at the Vietnam Veterans Wall Memorial in Washington, D.C.\u00a0\nCongressman Young was recognized at the VVMF\u2019s \u201c2013 Build the Center Benefit\u201d with the Charles \u201cMac\u201d Mathias Award for his efforts in passing H.R. 588, the Vietnam Veterans Donor Acknowledgement Act. Congressman Young\u2019s legislation, which was signed into law on July 1st of this year, removes unnecessary fundraising restrictions on the VVMF by allowing them to publicly recognize donors to their future Education Center at the Wall. This bill will help the VVMF make substantial steps forward in raising the nearly $100 million necessary for construction of an education center on the National Mall intended to educate visitors about the Vietnam War and honor the veterans who so honorably served.\nCongressman Don Young accepting the Charles \u201cMac\u201d Mathias Award from Former Governor and Former DHS Secretary Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania.\n\u201cWhile I am thankful and humbled to receive this distinguished award that has honored great people before me, I must say I do not feel deserving,\u201d said Congressman Don Young when accepting the award. \u201cMy role in this Education Center was simple \u2013 I did my job and passed commonsense legislation that made right one of our nation\u2019s many wrongs. I was extremely happy to help spearhead this cause through Congress that cuts away the bureaucratic red tape we often see in Washington, D.C., and works to educate the millions of visitors to the Vietnam War Memorial each year at no cost to the taxpayer.\n\nThe Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Charles \u201cMac\u201d Mathias Award was presented to Congressman Don Young on Thursday evening.\n    \n        \n            \n        \n    \nThe award honoring Senator Charles Mathias, the man responsible for choosing the National Mall as the site of the Memorial and major proponent of the 1979 legislation that authorized the construction of the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial, has previously been awarded to former Governor and former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge (2012), Secretary of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel (2011), and former Senator John Warner (2010).\nIn 2003, Congress unanimously passed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center Act to authorize the construction of an Education Center at the Vietnam Wall. The bill passed in large part to the strong support of the millions of visitors each year who stand in honor of the more than 58,000 name\u2019s of fallen soldiers. The bill, however, contained restrictions that prohibited donor recognition at the Education Center even if it abided by National Parks Service regulations and was discreet, unobtrusive, and would not contain any advertising or company logos. \u00a0Since 2003, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund have raised over $40 million from private donors to date, but this number still falls short of the funds needed.\n\u201cOverall, my bill was very straightforward,\u201d said Congressman Young.\u00a0 \u201cIt merely provided the VVMF the ability to recognize their patriotic donors.\u00a0 This recognition will lead to larger donations, a faster fundraising pace, and a more quick and timely construction of the Education Center. Due to the combined efforts of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and a number of other Veteran Organization like the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), we will finally be able to build this Center so that the American people will always remember the sacrifices made on their behalf.\u201d\nThe Education Center at the Wall will tell interactive stories and pay tribute to American service members lost in the Vietnam War and will serve as a memorial for veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, until they are able to get one of their own.\n\nArchitectural designs for the \u201cEducation Center at The Wall\u201d\n    \n        \n            \n        \n    \n    \n        \n            \n        \n    \n\u00a0###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=4f8a37c5-618c-40b7-bc0c-8df477f3e6f1", "Murkowski Responds to Pentagon Arctic Strategy Announcement", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.22.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Responds to Pentagon Arctic Strategy Announcement \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Appreciates Elevation of Attention and Engagement\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the release of the United States Department of Defense Arctic Strategy showing it wants to be \u2018very active and very involved\u2019 in the region, saying:\r\n\u201cI welcome the Department of Defense\u2019s increased attention to, and engagement in, the Arctic. All components of the U.S. Government need to be involved to make the Arctic a national priority and our Armed Forces play a vital role toward that end.\u00a0 There is a tremendous opportunity in front of us for increased international cooperation, collaboration, and partnerships in the Arctic.\r\n\u201cWhile the Arctic is currently considered a low threat level, we want to keep the threat level low as the potential for conflict rises with increased activity and resource development.\u00a0 \u00a0The Department of Defense\u2019s Arctic Strategy recognizes this reality.\u00a0 I appreciated Secretary Hagel sitting down with me last week and I look forward to working with him and the rest of the Department moving forward and in ensuring Alaska and our Arctic stakeholders are engaged as the Department moves forward with their Strategy.\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=9c3d3412-4098-441b-bc0e-2dc481a8b32e", "Murkowski Launches #AKThanks Campaign, Engages Alaskans", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.22.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Launches #AKThanks Campaign, Engages Alaskans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator\u2019s Focus on Blessings Will Culminate with Tuesday Premiere of Her \u201cAppreciating Alaska\u201d Mini-Documentary\r\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2014 With Thanksgiving less than a week away, Senator Lisa Murkowski today is inviting Alaskans to focus on what they are grateful for, by starting a social media campaign to initiate a statewide conversation to \u2018accentuate the positive.\u2019\u00a0 The Senator will invite all Alaskans on Facebook and Twitter to share their thoughts and stories, contributing daily the things she is thankful for.\u00a0 On Tuesday, Murkowski will share the recent \u201cAppreciating Alaska\u201d video project she created with the Alaska Channel.\r\n\u201cSometimes it\u2019s easy to get caught up in the negative things or the things that bug us, but that\u2019s why we have Thanksgiving: to catch up with loved ones and take a moment to reflect on all the good we enjoy \u2013 whether it\u2019s our families, culture, abundant resources and incredible beauty,\u201d said Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cSince everything is bigger in Alaska, I think that we should do Thanksgiving bigger, and set aside more than one day \u2013 so I\u2019m inviting Alaskans to take this chance to remind ourselves and one another about all there is to celebrate in our lives.\u201d\r\nThe campaign will consist of every Alaskan online who wants to participate \u2013 via pictures, messages or videos via Twitter or Facebook \u2013 using the hashtag \u201c#AKThanks.\u2019 Several participating Alaskans\u2019 posts, pictures, tweets or stories will be shared via news release when Senator Murkowski\u2019s \u201cAppreciating Alaska\u201d premieres on Tuesday.\r\n(Still from Senator Lisa Murkowski\u2019s mini-doc: \u201cAppreciating Alaska\u201d)\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=ee43291c-6d3e-4d98-8ba5-ba8c4ae5f457", "Murkowski Proposes Alaska-Focused Amendments in Defense Bill", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.22.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Proposes Alaska-Focused Amendments in Defense Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator: Actions Speak Louder Than Words When Demonstrating Support\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t With the National Defense Authorization Act still before the United States Senate, Senator Lisa Murkowski has submitted a number of amendments focused on supporting Alaska\u2019s military through tangible projects such as rescue helicopters, aircraft and space launch capabilities.\u00a0 She is also continuing her advocacy to protect victims of military sexual assault and support a \u2018culture change\u2019 within the military.\r\nAiming also to improve quality of life issues for the military, Senator Murkowski also offered legislation designed to improve the medical attention and mental health care given to service members, veterans and their families. Another amendment offered by Senator Murkowski would ensure the Alaska Fire Service remains stationed at Fort Wainwright by the Bureau of Land Management.\r\n\u201cOur men and women in uniform appreciate our verbal support, but I also believe that actions speak louder than words when it comes time to congressional action,\u201d said Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why I have submitted a number of amendments to the NDAA that will support our troops in a wide range of ways \u2013 from providing robust equipment and vehicles to boosting our health care and justice system among the ranks.\u201d\r\nSenator Murkowski\u2019s amendments would:\u00a0\r\n \r\nStrengthen Alaska National Guard Aviation \u2013 This amendment would require the U.S. Air Force study the nation\u2019s aging combat rescue helicopter fleet with emphasis on the life expectancy of helicopters assigned to Air National Guard rescue squadrons and its plan to replace many of the critical Pave Hawk rescue helicopters used in life-saving search and rescue missions across Alaska that have been worn down through age and use.\u00a0\r\n \r\n \r\nBoost Alaska\u2019s Disaster Reponse Capacity \u2013 This amendment would require the U.S. Army to offer Governor Parnell title to eight C-23 Sherpa Aircraft for the Alaska National Guard that are currently parked and unused at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in order to give improve disaster response capabilities for events like the Yukon River flood and the recent Western Alaska storms.\u00a0\r\n \r\n \r\nSustain Spaceport Facilities Like Kodiak Launch Complex \u2013 This amendment would stress that the nation\u2019s FAA-licensed commercial spaceports (like Kodiak and Wallops Island in Virginia) can enter cooperative agreements with the Pentagon and gain access to more resources through sustainment funding from the Air Force Space Command.\u00a0\r\n \r\n \r\nKeep the Alaska Fire Service At Fort Wainwright \u2013 This amendment would ensure that the U.S. Army continues to house the Alaska Fire Service at Fort Wainwright, so it is positioned to respond to Interior fires like this past summer\u2019s Stuart Creek 2 fire where the aircraft provided key firefighting services.\u00a0\r\n \r\n \r\nEnsure Military Access to Behavioral Health Professionals \u2013 A new regulation proposes to drop Alaska licensed health counselors from the TRICARE network at the end of next year.\u00a0 This amendment would push that deadline back a full year and requires TRICARE to fully explain why the health care counselors who have effectively treated Alaskan military personnel, veterans and their families cannot continue doing so.\u00a0\r\n \r\n \r\nAid Sexual Assault Victims in our Nation\u2019s Service Academies \u2013 This amendment would require each branch of the Armed Forces to assess their current state of medical and mental health care \u2013 as well as forensic collection activities \u2013 for victims of sexual assault who are attending the academies, and provide Congress with a report of where things stand and how they will approve any deficiencies.\u00a0\r\n \r\n \r\nProvide Legal Support to Sexual Assault Victims in the Military Academies \u2013 This amendment would provide attorney-advocates designated as Special Victims Counsel by expanding a new program available to active duty military and allow academy students the same service.\u00a0\r\n \r\n \r\nMilitary Mental Health Improvement Act \u2013 This amendment would clearly and comprehensively communicate to service members entering the military exactly how their mental health records can be accessed or used throughout their career, so that misinformation that would make them more reluctant to share problems is not given a chance to take hold.\r\n \r\nThe Senate is presently scheduled to resume consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act on Monday, December 9th.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-launches-akthanks-campaign-engages-alaskans", "Murkowski Launches #AKThanks Campaign, Engages Alaskans", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.22.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Launches #AKThanks Campaign, Engages Alaskans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator's Focus on Blessings Will Culminate with Tuesday Premiere of Her Appreciating Alaska Mini-Documentary\r\nWASHINGTON, DC  With Thanksgiving less than a week away, Senator Lisa Murkowski today is inviting Alaskans to focus on what they are grateful for, by starting a social media campaign to initiate a statewide conversation to accentuate the positive.' The Senator will invite all Alaskans on Facebook and Twitter to share their thoughts and stories, contributing daily the things she is thankful for. On Tuesday, Murkowski will share the recent Appreciating Alaska video project she created with the Alaska Channel.\r\nSometimes it's easy to get caught up in the negative things or the things that bug us, but that's why we have Thanksgiving: to catch up with loved ones and take a moment to reflect on all the good we enjoy  whether it's our families, culture, abundant resources and incredible beauty, said Murkowski. Since everything is bigger in Alaska, I think that we should do Thanksgiving bigger, and set aside more than one day  so I'm inviting Alaskans to take this chance to remind ourselves and one another about all there is to celebrate in our lives.\r\nThe campaign will consist of every Alaskan online who wants to participate  via pictures, messages or videos via Twitter or Facebook  using the hashtag #AKThanks.' Several participating Alaskans' posts, pictures, tweets or stories will be shared via news release when Senator Murkowski's Appreciating Alaska premieres on Tuesday.\r\n(Still from Senator Lisa Murkowski's mini-doc: Appreciating Alaska)\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-proposes-alaska-focused-amendments-in-defense-bill", "Murkowski Proposes Alaska-Focused Amendments in Defense Bill", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.22.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Proposes Alaska-Focused Amendments in Defense Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator: Actions Speak Louder Than Words When Demonstrating Support\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t With the National Defense Authorization Act still before the United States Senate, Senator Lisa Murkowski has submitted a number of amendments focused on supporting Alaska's military through tangible projects such as rescue helicopters, aircraft and space launch capabilities. She is also continuing her advocacy to protect victims of military sexual assault and support a culture change' within the military.\r\nAiming also to improve quality of life issues for the military, Senator Murkowski also offered legislation designed to improve the medical attention and mental health care given to service members, veterans and their families. Another amendment offered by Senator Murkowski would ensure the Alaska Fire Service remains stationed at Fort Wainwright by the Bureau of Land Management.\r\nOur men and women in uniform appreciate our verbal support, but I also believe that actions speak louder than words when it comes time to congressional action, said Murkowski. That's why I have submitted a number of amendments to the NDAA that will support our troops in a wide range of ways  from providing robust equipment and vehicles to boosting our health care and justice system among the ranks.\r\nSenator Murkowski's amendments would:\r\n \r\nStrengthen Alaska National Guard Aviation  This amendment would require the U.S. Air Force study the nation's aging combat rescue helicopter fleet with emphasis on the life expectancy of helicopters assigned to Air National Guard rescue squadrons and its plan to replace many of the critical Pave Hawk rescue helicopters used in life-saving search and rescue missions across Alaska that have been worn down through age and use.\r\n \r\n \r\nBoost Alaska's Disaster Reponse Capacity  This amendment would require the U.S. Army to offer Governor Parnell title to eight C-23 Sherpa Aircraft for the Alaska National Guard that are currently parked and unused at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in order to give improve disaster response capabilities for events like the Yukon River flood and the recent Western Alaska storms.\r\n \r\n \r\nSustain Spaceport Facilities Like Kodiak Launch Complex  This amendment would stress that the nation's FAA-licensed commercial spaceports (like Kodiak and Wallops Island in Virginia) can enter cooperative agreements with the Pentagon and gain access to more resources through sustainment funding from the Air Force Space Command.\r\n \r\n \r\nKeep the Alaska Fire Service At Fort Wainwright  This amendment would ensure that the U.S. Army continues to house the Alaska Fire Service at Fort Wainwright, so it is positioned to respond to Interior fires like this past summer's Stuart Creek 2 fire where the aircraft provided key firefighting services.\r\n \r\n \r\nEnsure Military Access to Behavioral Health Professionals  A new regulation proposes to drop Alaska licensed health counselors from the TRICARE network at the end of next year. This amendment would push that deadline back a full year and requires TRICARE to fully explain why the health care counselors who have effectively treated Alaskan military personnel, veterans and their families cannot continue doing so.\r\n \r\n \r\nAid Sexual Assault Victims in our Nation's Service Academies  This amendment would require each branch of the Armed Forces to assess their current state of medical and mental health care  as well as forensic collection activities  for victims of sexual assault who are attending the academies, and provide Congress with a report of where things stand and how they will approve any deficiencies.\r\n \r\n \r\nProvide Legal Support to Sexual Assault Victims in the Military Academies  This amendment would provide attorney-advocates designated as Special Victims Counsel by expanding a new program available to active duty military and allow academy students the same service.\r\n \r\n \r\nMilitary Mental Health Improvement Act  This amendment would clearly and comprehensively communicate to service members entering the military exactly how their mental health records can be accessed or used throughout their career, so that misinformation that would make them more reluctant to share problems is not given a chance to take hold.\r\n \r\nThe Senate is presently scheduled to resume consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act on Monday, December 9th.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-responds-to-pentagon-arctic-strategy-announcement", "Murkowski Responds to Pentagon Arctic Strategy Announcement", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.22.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Responds to Pentagon Arctic Strategy Announcement \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Appreciates Elevation of Attention and Engagement\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC  Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the release of the United States Department of Defense Arctic Strategy showing it wants to be very active and very involved' in the region, saying:\r\nI welcome the Department of Defense's increased attention to, and engagement in, the Arctic. All components of the U.S. Government need to be involved to make the Arctic a national priority and our Armed Forces play a vital role toward that end. There is a tremendous opportunity in front of us for increased international cooperation, collaboration, and partnerships in the Arctic.\r\nWhile the Arctic is currently considered a low threat level, we want to keep the threat level low as the potential for conflict rises with increased activity and resource development. The Department of Defense's Arctic Strategy recognizes this reality. I appreciated Secretary Hagel sitting down with me last week and I look forward to working with him and the rest of the Department moving forward and in ensuring Alaska and our Arctic stakeholders are engaged as the Department moves forward with their Strategy.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362614", "Congressman Young Supports State Management of Federal Lands, Highlights Fed\u2019s Failures", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u201cStates across the country, including Alaska, have a proven record of success in managing public lands,\u201d said Congressman Young. \u201cAlaska alone manages millions of acres of state parks, forests, historic sites, a network of trails and public use cabins. This legislation addresses the major failure by our federal land management agencies to effectively manage our public lands and provides State agencies the opportunity to do better.\u201d\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington, D.C. - In a House Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing today, Alaskan Congressman Don Young raised serious concern over the unending failures of the federal lands management agencies in Alaska and across the country, while addressing legislation he introduced to give states the ability to exercise management authority on selected federal lands managed by agencies such as the Forest Service and the National Park Service.\n\u00a0\u201cStates across the country, including Alaska, have a proven record of success in managing public lands,\u201d said Congressman Young. \u201cAlaska alone manages millions of acres of state parks, forests, historic sites, a network of trails and public use cabins. This legislation addresses the major failure by our federal land management agencies to effectively manage our public lands and provides State agencies the opportunity to do better.\u201d\n\u00a0Congressman Young\u2019s bill, H.R. 3294, the State Run Federal Lands Act, would provide a process for state controlled management of federal lands for states willing to pay 50 percent of the costs associated with managing the lands. The federal government would retain ownership.\n\u00a0\u201cOur forests are in the worst condition they\u2019ve ever been because of Forest Service inaction,\u201d said Congressman Young. \u201cFires, pollution of the air, no management, and loss of fiber, are all related to the Forest Service. Regardless of perspective on this solution, I think we can all agree that federal management is both expensive and not working well. By allowing cooperative agreements with states who are willing to share the financial obligation, we put some skin in the game.\u201d\nCongressman Young speaking on behalf of H.R. 3294, the State Run Federal Lands Act and the major failures of the National Park Service (Click Here to Watch)\nCongressman Young\u2019s legislation comes on the heels of the National Parks Service and other Department of Interior agencies unnecessarily turning millions of Americans away from open-air monuments, vehicle pull-outs, and restricting hunting opportunities and other activities.\u00a0\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=b72588ce-6ea9-4c4b-ba7c-33b819197e4e", "Murkowski Statement on U.S. Senate \u201cPower Grab\u201d", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.21.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Statement on U.S. Senate \u201cPower Grab\u201d \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator - We\u2019ve Seen Where Party Line Votes Get Us: the Health Care Law\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Senator Lisa Murkowski today shared her disappointment with the United States Senate\u2019s vote to eliminate filibuster rights for certain nominations \u2013 and according to Reuters news service, \u201cDitch a Historic Senate Rule\u201d \u2013 taking away the Senate Minority\u2019s capacity to influence or impact the nomination process, saying:\r\n\u201cToday, Senate Democrats decided they want more party line votes to push their agenda forward without needing to engage a single Republican.\u00a0 It\u2019s a power grab, plain and simple.\u00a0 We\u2019ve seen this movie before; it\u2019s called the health care law, and I am astonished that only three Democrats refused to make this drastic political move to change the process.\r\n\u201cYesterday I stood with Senate colleagues from the most conservative side of my party to the left end of the other and we advocated together for changes in the military justice system; ours was a coalition built upon negotiation and solid thinking.\u00a0 We were working to build policy in a collaborative and cooperative way.\u00a0 The action on the floor today was a stunning contrast to that collaborative effort.\r\n\u201cToday\u2019s vote saddens me more than it angers me.\u00a0 This is a sad day for the institution of the U.S. Senate, the legislative body designed to guard the views and the voices of the minority and to be \u2013 in the words of George Washington \u2013 the \u2018saucer used to cool the tea.\u2019 Senate Democrats have shattered that saucer into pieces.\u00a0 I\u2019m afraid today\u2019s rules change will fundamentally alter our operations and lead us to being a less tempered body.\u201d\u00a0\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-statement-on-us-senate-power-grab", "Murkowski Statement on U.S. Senate Power Grab", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.21.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Statement on U.S. Senate Power Grab \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator - We've Seen Where Party Line Votes Get Us: the Health Care Law\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC  Senator Lisa Murkowski today shared her disappointment with the United States Senate's vote to eliminate filibuster rights for certain nominations  and according to Reuters news service, Ditch a Historic Senate Rule  taking away the Senate Minority's capacity to influence or impact the nomination process, saying:\r\nToday, Senate Democrats decided they want more party line votes to push their agenda forward without needing to engage a single Republican. It's a power grab, plain and simple. We've seen this movie before; it's called the health care law, and I am astonished that only three Democrats refused to make this drastic political move to change the process.\r\nYesterday I stood with Senate colleagues from the most conservative side of my party to the left end of the other and we advocated together for changes in the military justice system; ours was a coalition built upon negotiation and solid thinking. We were working to build policy in a collaborative and cooperative way. The action on the floor today was a stunning contrast to that collaborative effort.\r\nToday's vote saddens me more than it angers me. This is a sad day for the institution of the U.S. Senate, the legislative body designed to guard the views and the voices of the minority and to be  in the words of George Washington  the saucer used to cool the tea.' Senate Democrats have shattered that saucer into pieces. I'm afraid today's rules change will fundamentally alter our operations and lead us to being a less tempered body.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362366", "Congressman Young Includes Two Alaskan Energy Policies in House Energy Package", "2013-11-20", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u201cWhile many Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations have made great strides in building businesses and strengthening their economies, tribal communities remain at the bottom of nearly every economic and social indicator,\u201d said Rep. Young in an impassioned speech on the House floor yesterday. \u201cThe sad fact is that in 21st century America, severe poverty wears a Native face. Instead of helping tribes make positive strides in energy development, the Obama Administration is erecting new hurdles.\u201d\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington, D.C. \u2013 Two pieces of Alaskan energy legislation introduced by Congressman Don Young were included today within a larger House energy bill, H.R. 1965 the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act of 2013. \u00a0The two bills would help promote energy development for Alaska Native Corporations and Indian tribes as well as expedite exploration and production in the National Petroleum Reserve \u2013 Alaska (NPR-A). The combined energy package focusing on domestic onshore energy production and leasing passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 228 - 192.\r\nThe first bill, the Native American Energy Act, promotes energy development by Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations by streamlining the permitting process, deterring frivolous lawsuits, and reducing heavy handed federal regulations that continue to obstruct energy exploration, development, and production on tribal lands, where more than ten percent of our nation\u2019s energy is estimated to be contained.\r\nClick here to view Congressman Young speaking on behalf of the \u201cNative American Energy Act\u201d on the House Floor\r\nCongressman Young emphasized outdated federal policies that continue to prevent tribes the ability to develop areas rich in untapped energy resources, citing the 56 million acres of lands held in trust by the federal government for the benefit of Indians and the 44 million acres owned in fee by Alaska Native Corporations.\r\n\u201cWhile many Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations have made great strides in building businesses and strengthening their economies, tribal communities remain at the bottom of nearly every economic and social indicator,\u201d said Rep. Young in an impassioned speech on the House floor yesterday. \u201cThe sad fact is that in 21st century America, severe poverty wears a Native face. Instead of helping tribes make positive strides in energy development, the Obama Administration is erecting new hurdles.\u201d\r\nThe second bill, the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act would remove governmental roadblocks to ensure that Alaska\u2019s oil and gas resources in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) are responsibly developed by requiring annual lease sales, firm timelines for infrastructure permits, and requiring a brand new integrated activity plan from the Bureau of Land Management.\u00a0 \r\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased to see that lands which were designated for responsible resource development, such as the National Petroleum Reserve \u2013 Alaska, will finally be recognized as such,\u201d said Rep. Young. \u201cThis is a victory for not only Alaska, but for the entire United States as we work towards energy independence and continue to remove overbearing Administration policies that damage our economic recovery and continue down this path of unreasonable resource development on Alaska\u2019s fertile lands.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362419", "Congress Honors Tlingit Code Talkers, Forgotten Heroes of Both World Wars", "2013-11-20", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.- Senators Lisa Murkowski, Mark Begich, and Congressman Don Young today honored the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and 32 other tribes from across the country with the highest honor bestowed by Congress, the Congressional Gold Medal, for their critical service and unrecognized role as Code Talkers during both World Wars.\r\n\u00a0The honor bestowed upon Alaska\u2019s five Tlingit Code Talkers today represents Congress\u2019 \u201chighest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. The Tlingit and Haida tribe was represented at a ceremony hosted in the United States Capitol by three Alaskans; Commander William \u201cOzzie\u201d Sheakley, William Thomas Jr., and Jeff David Jr. \u2013 a Tlingit code talker descendant. In addition to the 33 gold medals presented today, more than 200 silver medals were presented to the code talkers and their families.\r\n\u201cThe critical role these men played in sparing the lives of fellow servicemen is remarkable,\u201d said Representative Don Young.\u00a0 \u201cBy communicating in spoken code at places like Iwo Jima and Normandy, these fine men forever changed history. Because of them, we were able to relay real-time information on enemy positions, provide directions to troops on the ground, and gather intelligence that helped us end a dark time in the world\u2019s history.\u201d \r\n\u201cThese Tlingit soldiers bravely passed along our nation\u2019s secrets at a very difficult time, but their story should not be a secret to Americans today,\u201d said Senator Lisa Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cAlaska\u2019s World War II history is far too often an untold and unappreciated part of our nation\u2019s history.\u00a0 Our territory was occupied in the Aleutians, our first people represented the Alaska Territorial Guard and our Code Talkers stepped forward with a willingness to defend a nation they had yet to fully belong to.\u00a0 I thank them and their people for their courage and commitment.\u201d\r\n\u201cToday is a proud and long overdue day for members of the Tlingit tribe and the families of the Tlingit code talkers,\u201d said Senator Mark Begich. \u201cAs a result of the tireless efforts of the Tlingit code talkers in WWII, thousands of American and Allied lives were saved. Few men are so deserving of the gold medal and I was honored and humbled to be able to witness the recognition of these five brave, patriotic men.\u201d\r\nCode Talkers were first utilized in WWI, when standard methods of communications had become decoded by enemy intelligence. Native American Code Talkers used their native tongue to communicate real-time wartime messages with great accuracy and speed, at a time when secret messages otherwise would have taken up to a half-hour to decipher their information. This top-secret communications method continued extensively throughout World War II in both the European and Pacific theaters. But these instrumental soldiers, who laid the groundwork for wartime communications, returned home not as praised heroes but rather sworn to secrecy. The Code Talker program remained classified until 1968. \r\nSenators Lisa Murkowski and Congressman Don Young were both cosponsors of the 2008 legislation, the Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008 (H.R. 4544), that honored these previously unrecognized tribal groups and veterans. Navajo Code Talkers were honored with the same distinction nearly a decade earlier.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=275fc6f7-9750-42c1-b6a9-4f9fdd0fd8f9", "Murkowski: Alaskan Examples Bear Witness to Need for Military \u201cCulture Change,\u201d Pushes Need for Transparency", "2013-11-20", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.20.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Alaskan Examples Bear Witness to Need for Military \u201cCulture Change,\u201d Pushes Need for Transparency \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator\u2019s Floor Speech: \u201cThis is Not What Zero Tolerance Looks Like\u201d\r\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2014 With the United States Senate debating S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Bill, Senator Lisa Murkowski today spoke on the Senate floor to continue her advocacy for S.967, the Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA) to deliver the \u201cculture change\u201d on sexual misconduct within the Armed Forces that the Secretary of Defense himself has acknowledged is necessary.\r\nCo-sponsored by Senator Murkowski in May, the bill would eliminate many obstacles faced by victims of military sexual assault who often decide not to report the crimes due to the bias and inherent conflicts of interest within the military chain of command.\u00a0 Repeatedly, Murkowski called for more transparency in the meting out of justice \u2013 saying that the MJIA would provide a \u2018breath of fresh air\u2019 in the culture.\r\nThe United States Senate is presently weighing a number of approaches to dealing with this problem, but Murkowski is backing the effort that has attracted broad political support from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) \u2013 the bill\u2019s sponsor \u2013 to Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Ted Cruz (R-TX).\r\nIn a floor speech meant to encourage more Senate colleagues to consider the approach taken by this bill, Senator Murkowski laid out this legislation\u2019s advantages:\r\nThe current\u00a0system of military judgment\u00a0relies upon the individual\u00a0decisions of commanders for a\u00a0decision on whether or not an\u00a0offense is to be punished and\u00a0which charges are to be brought.\u00a0In our complex military, there\u00a0are many, many commanders and while our code of\u00a0military justice, may be\u00a0uniform \u2014 we're\u00a0seeing strong evidence that its\u00a0implementation is anything but\u00a0uniform.\u00a0\r\nSenator Gillibrand's approach\u00a0ensures that charges will be\u00a0investigated and that the\u00a0charging decision will be made\u00a0by disinterested military\u00a0prosecutors whose\u00a0only interest is that the\u00a0perpetrators account for their\u00a0actions, that victims'\u00a0interests are protected and that\u00a0integrity in the charging\u00a0decisions is really paramount.\r\nI think that this is very\u00a0important.\u00a0I think this is actually a\u00a0breath of fresh air because the\u00a0recent experiences that I have\u00a0had as a Senator from Alaska\u00a0with the transparency of\u00a0decisions made within the chain\u00a0of command I believe leave much\u00a0to be desired.\r\nMurkowski lays out advantages of Military Justice Improvement Act \u2013 Click image to watch excerpt.\r\nSenator Murkowski then used the example of the recent fraternization and adultery investigation at Fort Greely as key reason that more transparency be introduced into how the military justice system operates.\u00a0 Murkowski called for a closer look at this incident where an Alaskan Guardsman was detained by his Chain of Command in order to deny his visitation rights of his child in the midst of a child custody dispute involving another Guardsman. Murkowski referred the matter to the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), but it was subsumed into the chain of command.\u00a0 Murkowski questioned this approach, asking:\r\nAre we\u00a0supposed to call this military\u00a0justice?\u00a0Maybe it's frontier justice.\u00a0Maybe it's military justice in\u00a0the last frontier.\u00a0I don't like it, and I don't\u00a0think that we should ever accept\u00a0it.\u00a0I asked the U.S. Army CID to\u00a0look into this incident because\u00a0it was my impression that an\u00a0unlawful denial of one's\u00a0freedom is a criminal\u00a0offense.\u00a0I understand the complaint\u00a0from my office was forwarded up,\u00a0but not to Army CID.\u00a0 It was pursued by the Space and Missile Defense Command.\r\nI am most appreciative that\u00a0an investigation was pursued.\u00a0But you might legitimately ask\u00a0the question, so how did it end?\u00a0What's the outcome of this\u00a0story?\u00a0I don't know.\u00a0I don't know.\u00a0Alaskans don't know.\u00a0We don't know.\u00a0Neither I nor the individual who\u00a0sought the investigation has\u00a0been informed of the outcome;\u00a0just we were told that the chain\u00a0of command had looked into it.\u00a0\r\nWhere is the transparency here?\u00a0\r\nMurkowski: Where is the transparency here? \u2013 Click image to view excerpt.\r\nSharing a personal anecdote, Senator Murkowski later went off her prepared remarks and shared the story of an anonymous woman who approached her at the recent \u2018Sochi Sendoff\u2019 event in Downtown Anchorage last weekend.\u00a0 The woman came to her in tears and asked Murkowski to not give up the fight to improve the protections given our men and women in uniform.\r\nI was home in Alaska\u00a0two weeks ago, it was a pretty\u00a0cold Saturday afternoon, and I\u00a0was at a big community event\u00a0outside, where I was approached by\u00a0a woman who had seen me from\u00a0across the street.\u00a0She was at a conference.\u00a0She came across the street into\u00a0the town square.\u00a0She wasn't wearing a coat.\u00a0I was prepared for the cold.\u00a0But she wanted to make sure that\u00a0I knew that she, too, had been a\u00a0victim, that she had not had the\u00a0strength to report.\u00a0She just left, and her ask to me\u00a0was, don't give up on this\u00a0because I had to step down from\u00a0my military career, and the\u00a0perpetrator stayed on.\u00a0And as he stayed on, he\u00a0continued to be promoted.\u00a0 Here plea to me was, please\u00a0don't let that continue.\r\nMurkowski: An Alaskan woman recently told me \u201cPlease don\u2019t give up on this.\u201d \u2013 Click to watch.\r\nMurkowski closed her floor remarks with a call to action, advocating for \u201cprofound change\u201d in the wake of not merely the recent Alaskan examples she laid out, but decades of inaction for national accusations and controversies over the years.\r\nI've listened to my colleagues\u00a0on the\u00a0floor\u00a0here talk about Tailhook [scandal], we talked about so\u00a0many of the other high-profile\u00a0instances where we have heard our military leaders say, never\u00a0again, never again \u2013 zero tolerance.\u00a0They're using all the right\u00a0words.\u00a0But it really does cause you to question, are we to\u00a0attribute this cycle that we're\u00a0seeing to attention deficit on\u00a0part of us here in Congress?\u00a0 Attention deficit on the part\u00a0of our military leaders?\u00a0\r\nThis is not what zero tolerance\u00a0looks like.\u00a0\r\nWhatever the case, I think it's\u00a0going to take some very strong\u00a0medicine to break through this\u00a0powerful attention deficit that\u00a0we have seen historically.\u00a0Incremental steps, in my view,\u00a0don't cut it anymore.\u00a0The young woman, again, whose\u00a0military career is no longer.\u00a0 The woman I met out in the cold\u00a0who gave up her dream and had to\u00a0stand by and watch her\u00a0perpetrator ascend his career\u00a0ladder, incremental measures\u00a0don't cut it.\u00a0I think it is time for profound\u00a0change.\u00a0\r\nMurkowski: This is not what zero tolerance looks like \u2013 Click image for excerpt. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-alaskan-examples-bear-witness-to-need-for-military-culture-change-pushes-need-for-transparency", "Murkowski: Alaskan Examples Bear Witness to Need for Military Culture Change, Pushes Need for Transparency", "2013-11-20", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.20.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Alaskan Examples Bear Witness to Need for Military Culture Change, Pushes Need for Transparency \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator's Floor Speech: This is Not What Zero Tolerance Looks Like\r\nWASHINGTON, DC  With the United States Senate debating S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Bill, Senator Lisa Murkowski today spoke on the Senate floor to continue her advocacy for S.967, the Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA) to deliver the culture change on sexual misconduct within the Armed Forces that the Secretary of Defense himself has acknowledged is necessary.\r\nCo-sponsored by Senator Murkowski in May, the bill would eliminate many obstacles faced by victims of military sexual assault who often decide not to report the crimes due to the bias and inherent conflicts of interest within the military chain of command. Repeatedly, Murkowski called for more transparency in the meting out of justice  saying that the MJIA would provide a breath of fresh air' in the culture.\r\nThe United States Senate is presently weighing a number of approaches to dealing with this problem, but Murkowski is backing the effort that has attracted broad political support from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)  the bill's sponsor  to Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Ted Cruz (R-TX).\r\nIn a floor speech meant to encourage more Senate colleagues to consider the approach taken by this bill, Senator Murkowski laid out this legislation's advantages:\r\nThe currentsystem of military judgmentrelies upon the individualdecisions of commanders for adecision on whether or not anoffense is to be punished andwhich charges are to be brought.In our complex military, thereare many, many commanders and while our code ofmilitary justice, may beuniform  we'reseeing strong evidence that itsimplementation is anything butuniform.\r\nSenator Gillibrand's approachensures that charges will beinvestigated and that thecharging decision will be madeby disinterested militaryprosecutors whoseonly interest is that theperpetrators account for theiractions, that victims'interests are protected and thatintegrity in the chargingdecisions is really paramount.\r\nI think that this is veryimportant.I think this is actually abreath of fresh air because therecent experiences that I havehad as a Senator from Alaskawith the transparency ofdecisions made within the chainof command I believe leave muchto be desired.\r\nMurkowski lays out advantages of Military Justice Improvement Act  Click image to watch excerpt.\r\nSenator Murkowski then used the example of the recent fraternization and adultery investigation at Fort Greely as key reason that more transparency be introduced into how the military justice system operates. Murkowski called for a closer look at this incident where an Alaskan Guardsman was detained by his Chain of Command in order to deny his visitation rights of his child in the midst of a child custody dispute involving another Guardsman. Murkowski referred the matter to the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), but it was subsumed into the chain of command. Murkowski questioned this approach, asking:\r\nAre wesupposed to call this militaryjustice?Maybe it's frontier justice.Maybe it's military justice inthe last frontier.I don't like it, and I don'tthink that we should ever acceptit.I asked the U.S. Army CID tolook into this incident becauseit was my impression that anunlawful denial of one'sfreedom is a criminaloffense.I understand the complaintfrom my office was forwarded up,but not to Army CID. It was pursued by the Space and Missile Defense Command.\r\nI am most appreciative thatan investigation was pursued.But you might legitimately askthe question, so how did it end?What's the outcome of thisstory?I don't know.I don't know.Alaskans don't know.We don't know.Neither I nor the individual whosought the investigation hasbeen informed of the outcome;just we were told that the chainof command had looked into it.\r\nWhere is the transparency here?\r\nMurkowski: Where is the transparency here?  Click image to view excerpt.\r\nSharing a personal anecdote, Senator Murkowski later went off her prepared remarks and shared the story of an anonymous woman who approached her at the recent Sochi Sendoff' event in Downtown Anchorage last weekend. The woman came to her in tears and asked Murkowski to not give up the fight to improve the protections given our men and women in uniform.\r\nI was home in Alaskatwo weeks ago, it was a prettycold Saturday afternoon, and Iwas at a big community eventoutside, where I was approached bya woman who had seen me fromacross the street.She was at a conference.She came across the street intothe town square.She wasn't wearing a coat.I was prepared for the cold.But she wanted to make sure thatI knew that she, too, had been avictim, that she had not had thestrength to report.She just left, and her ask to mewas, don't give up on thisbecause I had to step down frommy military career, and theperpetrator stayed on.And as he stayed on, hecontinued to be promoted. Here plea to me was, pleasedon't let that continue.\r\nMurkowski: An Alaskan woman recently told me Please don't give up on this.  Click to watch.\r\nMurkowski closed her floor remarks with a call to action, advocating for profound change in the wake of not merely the recent Alaskan examples she laid out, but decades of inaction for national accusations and controversies over the years.\r\nI've listened to my colleagueson thefloorhere talk about Tailhook [scandal], we talked about somany of the other high-profileinstances where we have heard our military leaders say, neveragain, never again  zero tolerance.They're using all the rightwords.But it really does cause you to question, are we toattribute this cycle that we'reseeing to attention deficit onpart of us here in Congress? Attention deficit on the partof our military leaders?\r\nThis is not what zero tolerancelooks like.\r\nWhatever the case, I think it'sgoing to take some very strongmedicine to break through thispowerful attention deficit thatwe have seen historically.Incremental steps, in my view,don't cut it anymore.The young woman, again, whosemilitary career is no longer. The woman I met out in the coldwho gave up her dream and had tostand by and watch herperpetrator ascend his careerladder, incremental measuresdon't cut it.I think it is time for profoundchange.\r\nMurkowski: This is not what zero tolerance looks like  Click image for excerpt. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=201283e8-7e04-4bcb-afb9-33a4e663f163", "Murkowski Urges Detailed Arctic Agenda At State Department", "2013-11-19", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.19.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Urges Detailed Arctic Agenda At State Department \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Visits with Secretary of State to Push Arctic Conversation Beyond Talking Points\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Senator Lisa Murkowski today visited the State Department for a face-to-face meeting with Secretary John Kerry, where she continued her work with international global leaders to pave a path towards an effective Arctic strategy for the United States.\r\nDuring the meeting, Senator Murkowski raised the issue of defining the United States\u2019 action plan in anticipation of the United States assuming the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council in May 2015, with Murkowski expressing a desire for increased activity by the State Department to be actively engaged in creating a detailed action plan.\u00a0 Secretary Kerry agreed with her that a clear agenda laying out concrete goals with input from all stakeholders would be developed.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cAlaskans know the position we\u2019re in at this moment; they read it and hear it every day: \u2018America is an Arctic Nation,\u2019 \u2018the Arctic is an abundant region, full of opportunities\u2019 and \u2018we need to map out an Arctic Future.\u2019 These are all true, broad facts, but the most crucial step is the next one: what next and how do we move forward right now?\u201d said Murkowski. \u201cWe must dig in on the details now about what our next steps are \u2013 because our neighbors in the Arctic Circle have already begun moving forward and we cannot fall further behind.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nSenator Murkowski Discusses America\u2019s Arctic Future with Secretary of State John Kerry \u2013 Photo Credit: Department of State\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-urges-detailed-arctic-agenda-at-state-department", "Murkowski Urges Detailed Arctic Agenda At State Department", "2013-11-19", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.19.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Urges Detailed Arctic Agenda At State Department \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Visits with Secretary of State to Push Arctic Conversation Beyond Talking Points\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC  Senator Lisa Murkowski today visited the State Department for a face-to-face meeting with Secretary John Kerry, where she continued her work with international global leaders to pave a path towards an effective Arctic strategy for the United States.\r\nDuring the meeting, Senator Murkowski raised the issue of defining the United States' action plan in anticipation of the United States assuming the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council in May 2015, with Murkowski expressing a desire for increased activity by the State Department to be actively engaged in creating a detailed action plan. Secretary Kerry agreed with her that a clear agenda laying out concrete goals with input from all stakeholders would be developed.\r\n\r\nAlaskans know the position we're in at this moment; they read it and hear it every day: America is an Arctic Nation,' the Arctic is an abundant region, full of opportunities' and we need to map out an Arctic Future.' These are all true, broad facts, but the most crucial step is the next one: what next and how do we move forward right now? said Murkowski. We must dig in on the details now about what our next steps are  because our neighbors in the Arctic Circle have already begun moving forward and we cannot fall further behind.\r\n\r\n\r\nSenator Murkowski Discusses America's Arctic Future with Secretary of State John Kerry  Photo Credit: Department of State\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Newsletters&ContentRecord_id=63f8b373-a393-4b6a-acf4-3786c55461b4", "Senator Murkowski's E-Newsletter for the week of November 17, 2013", "2013-11-17", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.17.13\n\t\t\t Senator Murkowski's E-Newsletter for the week of November 17, 2013 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWrap up from Alaska to DC:\r\nVeterans Day:\r\nVeterans Day is a day the nation sets aside to reflect, honor and appreciate those who have put their lives on the line for our country and our freedoms. Here in Alaska, we have the highest concentration of vets in America. Seventy-seven thousands of our neighbors, co-workers and best friends have answered the call to serve. It is important to recognize not only their sacrifice, but also the sacrifice of their families, not just once a year, but every day. Words cannot express the appreciation I and so many Alaskans feel for our warriors and veterans. From the bottom of my heart: Thank you.\r\n\r\nI had the honor of placing a wreath at the National Cemetery on JBER at a Canadian Remembrance Day ceremony. The annual Veterans Day event at JBER is a ceremony that also acknowledges the contributions of Canadians who have fought with us.\r\n\r\nThomas Struth celebrated his 100th birthday on Tuesday, 11-12-13. It was an honor to meet this WWII and Korea war veteran.\u00a0\r\nVeteran Spotlight- Korea Veteran Herb Stettler:\r\nI am pleased to share the most recent edition of my Veteran Spotlight featuring Kenai resident Herb Stettler, who served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. These days, Stettler is an active member of the Kenai Peninsula veteran community, supporting his fellow veterans and honoring their sacrifice at local events and ceremonies.\r\nStettler enlisted in the Army at age 20 and his superior officers capitalized on his farm-honed strength by making him a machine gun operator.\u00a0 During his 13 month Korean War tour, Stettler says there were some \u201chairy times\u201d and he was often called upon to provide machine gun cover for his fellow soldiers to escape enemy fire.\r\nToday, at 82 years old, he is an active officer for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10046 and the American Legion where he works to honor veterans, their service, and our country.\u00a0 It\u2019s a commitment the Kenai community returned in an overwhelming way last year, when his home burnt to the ground and the\u00a0community came together to help him rebuild.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nClick on the image above or\u00a0CLICK HERE\u00a0to hear Herb\u2019s story of the Korean War, and how the Kenai community recently rallied around him and helped him back on his feet.\r\nI invite you to hear Herb\u2019s story \u2013 how he proudly stepped up to serve our country and the devotion he has for helping his fellow veterans in the Kenai area. If you have a family member or friend in the community you think has a story to share about their military service, email me at\u00a0Spotlight@Murkowski.Senate.Gov.\r\nFood Bank Visit:\r\nLast weekend in Anchorage, some of my staff and I helped pack Thanksgiving Blessing food boxes at the Food Bank of Alaska. The project is an interfaith collaboration with Food Bank of Alaska to provide the groceries a family needs to prepare a Thanksgiving meal.\u00a0 The Food Bank distributes the boxes to over 10,500 families in need in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley each year and 150 of those meals are delivered to Alaskans confined to their homes. Helping pack the boxes was a way for us to lend a helping hand and give back to our Alaskan community as we head into the holiday season.\r\n\u00a0\r\nByron Washington, a United States Air Force airman, stopped by the Food Bank while we were working. With 28 pounds of food in his refrigerator and about to be deployed for seven months, this conscientious Alaskan donated what he didn\u2019t want to leave behind. Here we are with Mike Miller, Executive Director of the Food Bank.\r\n\r\nHelping out at the Food Bank of Alaska. (Right to left: Christy O\u2019Brien, Robin Phillips, Sherry Edwards, Mary Sullivan, Angelina Burney, Mike Miller)\r\nHealthcare Frustrations:\r\nMany Alaskans have reached out to me in the last few weeks about the botched healthcare website roll-out. Thousands have been notified that they will no longer be able to keep their health insurance. The website enrollment process has been a continuous disappointment to the nation, and downright frustrating for anxious Alaskans. On Wednesday the enrollment numbers for Alaska were a dismal 53 people.\u00a0\r\nLast week I spoke with the Administrator for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services over the problems facing Americans when trying to enroll. Having had only three Alaskans successfully enrolled in the first month via Enroll Alaska, Administrator Tavenner did little to prove these problems were being properly addressed.\r\nWhen 5,400 Alaskans were kicked off of their current insurance, this came as a surprise given the President\u2019s repeated promises that \u201cIf you like your health care, you can keep it.\u201d\u00a0 It was a pretty simple promise that the President failed to deliver on. This past Thursday, in response to a spectacular failure of a rollout of the exchange and the outrage of millions of Americans, he has recalibrated and has announced that the insurance companies have the option to reinstate the millions of Americans back to their previous plans \u2013 but for only a year. So that promise has been downgraded to \u201cYou can keep your health care coverage at least for the next year if your provider will reissue it.\u201d\u00a0 This does not keep the promise made to Alaskans, and it does not fix the problem.\r\nI did not support the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as I did not believe that it would effectively reduce healthcare costs and increase access to care. I remain unconvinced and continue to work towards solutions that will reform healthcare in this country.\u00a0\r\nSexual Assault in the Military:\r\nHaving heard stories from various constituents, who have put on our nation\u2019s uniform only to be victimized; it is clearly past time to do something about Military Sexual Assault. For 20 years, we have heard the same story from the officials at the Department of Defense, that they say they are working towards a \u201cCommitment to Zero Tolerance\u201d when it comes to sexual assault. Their words aren\u2019t solving the problem. There are still people suffering in silence, oftentimes believing that the military chain of command is working against their pursuit of justice.\r\nI have\u00a0joined a bipartisan coalition\u00a0spanning the political spectrum to make a final push to create an independent, objective and non-biased military justice system \u2013 through the\u00a0Military Justice Improvement Act\u00a0\u2013 with the Senate expected to debate the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the coming days before Thanksgiving. I hope we do more than speak. We need to have real teeth when dealing with Military Sexual Assault, and the time to do it is now.\r\n\r\nAt the press conference for the Military Justice Improvement Act with Senators Gillibrand, Paul, Cruz, Grassley, Boxer and Hirono.\r\nSochi Send-off:\r\nWith under a hundred days until the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia begin, Alaskans gathered in Anchorage\u2019s Town Square to wish the athletes good luck before they leave our state to train with the rest of the U.S. Olympic Team. It was great to spend some time with athletes like Kikan Randall, Keegan Messing and Holly Brooks.\u00a0 Representing America, as well as Alaska, is such an honor. I am proud of our athletes and look forward to watching them compete in February.\r\n\r\nMeeting the Olympic athletes headed to train for Sochi!\r\n\r\nI also got to spend time with my Special Olympic athlete friends who have always represented Alaska well.\r\n\r\nFew can top Olumpic champion Rosey Fletcher or\u00a0Callan Chythlook-Sifsof on the snowboard but it was fun to pretend we were on the slopes.\u00a0\r\nBP and the Olympics:\r\nBP has very generously donated $1 million to the new Ted Stevens Sports Services Center at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and to existing U.S. Paralympic programs. This new facility will help athletes train, recover, and learn to be the best athletes they can be. Senator Stevens was a champion for the Olympics. As we mark his 90th birthday next week, Ted would be humbled to know that his efforts live on through this amazing facility that help develop our athletes.\u00a0\r\n\r\nBrad Snyder, a\u00a0paralympian, who was injured by an IED in Iraq and is now permanently blind, shared his story to an enthusiastic crowd. I was honored to be able to speak with him about his journey to London last year.\u00a0\r\n\r\nVisiting with Catherine Stevens, wife of the late Senator Stevens, and Greg Chapodos, former chief of staff to Stevens (as well as my classmate from High School in Fairbanks).\r\nOut and About:\r\n\r\nI met with Stacy Ross, Kimberly Quintilani and Joyce Gregory at the International Association of Lions Clubs District 49A Mid-Winter Conference in Anchorage.\r\n\r\nI recently did an interview about \u201cVeterans Spotlight\u201d for Town Square 49 on Alaska Public Radio Network -\u00a0you can listen to the interview here.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThis past weekend I presented Suellyn Novak of the Alaska Veterans Museum a Congressional statement marking the 70th\u00a0Anniversary of the Battle of Attu. Suellen has been a tireless advocate on behalf of veterans and has done an amazing job building support for the veterans museum. Check out the display honoring our veterans at 344 W. 4th Ave in Anchorage.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe United Way was having a coat drive during the Sochi Send-off so I donated some of my winter gear to help the cause.\r\n\r\nVisiting with Maryann Mills, Katherine Gottlieb, Gail Alstrom, Dr. Angela Michaud, Jaylene Peterson-Nyren, at the White House Tribal Summit in Washington, DC just before the President's address.\r\n\r\nCatching up with Camille Ferguson and Rachel Moreno of the Sitka Tribe back in DC at a constituent coffee I hosted with the other members of the delegation at the conclusion of the White House Triabl Nation Conference.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361772", "Rep. Young Supports Plan to Right President\u2019s Broken Promise", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Alaskan Congressman Don Young today praised the final passage of H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act, legislation he cosponsored to allow millions of Americans with canceled healthcare policies under the Affordable Care Act the ability to keep their existing plans. This commonsense, bipartisan legislation makes good on the President\u2019s broken promise that every American would be able to remain under their current insurance policy.\u00a0\r\n\u201cToday\u2019s passage of the Keep Your Health Plan Act gives the estimated 5,400 Alaskans and 5 million Americans who received cancellation notices the ability to remain on the plans the President assured them for years they would be able to stay on,\u201d said Rep. Young. \u201cIt\u2019s very clear that the American public is fed up and tired with the lies surrounding the Affordable Care Act and are demanding these failures be changed. I\u2019ve said it many times before, Alaskans deserve better than this law and the only way to truly negate the negative effects is to fully repeal and replace it.\u201d\r\nThe Keep Your Health Plan Act passed the House by a vote of 261-157, with 39 House Democrats joining the effort.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361817", "Rep. Young:  \u201cCustoms and Border Protection got the message loud and clear\u201d", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Young:  \u201cCustoms and Border Protection got the message loud and clear\u201d \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, D.C.,\r\n        November 15, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n      \r\n    \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Alaskan Congressman Don Young received positive news today from the U.S. Custom and Border Protection (CBP) that they have reversed their decision to deny increased international travel to the Fairbanks International Airport by limiting landing rights for Air North \u2013 a Yukon Territory based airline service working closely with Holland America to bring visitors to Alaska. The decision comes only days after Congressman Young wrote CBP Assistant Commissioner Susan T. Mitchell asking the agency to reconsider their position, citing numerous reasons (click here to view the letter).\n\u00a0\u201cI am glad to hear that CBP got the message loud and clear and found room to make this right,\u201d said Rep. Young. \u201cThe permanent addition of three CBP staff to Fairbanks International Airport, without affecting other international travel, is a victory for not only Fairbanks but our state\u2019s entire tourism industry \u2013 laying the foundation for substantially greater travel to the Interior. It was pretty clear to me that CBP\u2019s original decision was shortsighted.\u201d\nThe joint effort between the Alaska Delegation and Governor Parnell to seek reversal of the CBP decision began earlier this summer when the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau brought the issue to their attention. The unified efforts between all parties represented much more than two seasonal flights to Fairbanks, but larger issues surrounding one of Alaska\u2019s greatest industries.\n###\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=1213affa-0412-487b-8318-95f840706e0b", "Murkowski: Customs and Border Patrol Decision Makes Fairbanks a Year-Round Destination", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.15.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Customs and Border Patrol Decision Makes Fairbanks a Year-Round Destination \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator: \u201cWe Made Our Case - and Then Some\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the news that United States Customs and Border Protection is permanently creating three new customs positions slots at Fairbanks International Airport \u2013 not only permitting the Dawson City to Fairbanks summer flights initially denied, but opening up new possibilities for the Golden Heart City to attract more visitors year-round:\r\n\u201cWhen Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initially decided to deny additional summer flights to transport 19,000 Holland America cruise tour passengers into Fairbanks, I mobilized the delegation\u2019s resources and brought the Alaska stakeholders to a table with CBP and explained the greater meaning this move would have for Interior Alaska\u2019s expanding international visitor industry.\u00a0 Together with the Fairbanks community, it is clear we made our case \u2013 and then some.\u00a0 This is more than a silver lining to the storm cloud that we saw overhead for a bit; this is an open door to 365 days of more international tourism and an increased stream of visitors, commerce and visibility for all of Alaska, but especially the Interior and Alaska's northern region.\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=5be005c2-8e6c-4148-bdfb-94f064fb46bf", "Murkowski Bill Would Arm Soldiers With Information on Strain, Stress", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.15.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Bill Would Arm Soldiers With Information on Strain, Stress \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Introduces Military Mental Health Improvement Act, To Combat Suicides By Reducing Stigma Through Better Information\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 As the United States Senate prepares to debate the National Defense Authorization Act \u2013 authorizing military pay, benefits and some policy initiatives \u2013 next week, Senator Lisa Murkowski is prioritizing our men and women in uniform by introducing S.1703, the Military Mental Health Improvement Act.\u00a0 This bill would clearly and comprehensively communicate exactly how their mental health records can be accessed or used throughout their career to service members when they enter the military \u2013 so that misinformation that would make them more reluctant to share problems is not given a chance to take hold.\r\n\u201cMilitary service on American soil and aboard is an intense and often life-changing experience for our troops, resulting in unseen scars that too many believe they must tolerate in deafening silence,\u201d said Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cThere is a considerable stigma attached to seeking psychological help to treat the spectrum of stress and depression \u2013 where soldiers incorrectly believe their file will be flagged and their military career path will be hurt.\u00a0 One of the bravest things someone can do is to ask for help; I believe that improving the information flow will keep soldiers from believing they must choose between their career and their health.\u201d\r\nMore members of the U.S. military took their own lives (349) in 2012 than the number of combat casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan combined, which many mental health care providers and active duty military trace back to the stigma of seeking the care of a psychologist and the rampant myths that making that call or appointment would impede one\u2019s professional advancement pursuit.\r\nMurkowski\u2019s introduction of the bill has already been appreciated by veterans groups nationwide.\u00a0 The Veterans of Foreign Wars wrote her \u201cAlthough service members readily seek care for physical injuries, many are still reluctant to seek out mental health care.\u00a0 It is clear that the negative stigma associated with mental health problems remains a significant challenge \u2026 the VFW commends you for your leadership on this issue.\u201d The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America lauded Senator Murkowski\u2019s launching of the bill in the Senate.\u00a0 \u201cBy relaying this information to officers and enlisted personnel at the initial stages of their military training, the bill seeks to eliminate any misunderstandings service members may potentially have should they encounter any inaccurate information during their time of service,\u201d said IAVA Chief Executive Officer and Founder Paul Rieckhoff.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Senator Murkowski also recently taped a mental health PSA, to provide veterans a number to call)\r\nSenator Murkowski has made advocacy for veterans a signature issue for her, whether it be through expanding health care closer to home in Alaska, introducing legislation to ease the risks facing veterans, spreading awareness through her Veteran Spotlight or events like listening sessions and field hearings across Alaska spanning her Senate career.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-bill-would-arm-soldiers-with-information-on-strain-stress", "Murkowski Bill Would Arm Soldiers With Information on Strain, Stress", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.15.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Bill Would Arm Soldiers With Information on Strain, Stress \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Introduces Military Mental Health Improvement Act, To Combat Suicides By Reducing Stigma Through Better Information\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC  As the United States Senate prepares to debate the National Defense Authorization Act  authorizing military pay, benefits and some policy initiatives  next week, Senator Lisa Murkowski is prioritizing our men and women in uniform by introducing S.1703, the Military Mental Health Improvement Act. This bill would clearly and comprehensively communicate exactly how their mental health records can be accessed or used throughout their career to service members when they enter the military  so that misinformation that would make them more reluctant to share problems is not given a chance to take hold.\r\nMilitary service on American soil and aboard is an intense and often life-changing experience for our troops, resulting in unseen scars that too many believe they must tolerate in deafening silence, said Murkowski. There is a considerable stigma attached to seeking psychological help to treat the spectrum of stress and depression  where soldiers incorrectly believe their file will be flagged and their military career path will be hurt. One of the bravest things someone can do is to ask for help; I believe that improving the information flow will keep soldiers from believing they must choose between their career and their health.\r\nMore members of the U.S. military took their own lives (349) in 2012 than the number of combat casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan combined, which many mental health care providers and active duty military trace back to the stigma of seeking the care of a psychologist and the rampant myths that making that call or appointment would impede one's professional advancement pursuit.\r\nMurkowski's introduction of the bill has already been appreciated by veterans groups nationwide. The Veterans of Foreign Wars wrote her Although service members readily seek care for physical injuries, many are still reluctant to seek out mental health care. It is clear that the negative stigma associated with mental health problems remains a significant challenge  the VFW commends you for your leadership on this issue. The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America lauded Senator Murkowski's launching of the bill in the Senate. By relaying this information to officers and enlisted personnel at the initial stages of their military training, the bill seeks to eliminate any misunderstandings service members may potentially have should they encounter any inaccurate information during their time of service, said IAVA Chief Executive Officer and Founder Paul Rieckhoff.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Senator Murkowski also recently taped a mental health PSA, to provide veterans a number to call)\r\nSenator Murkowski has made advocacy for veterans a signature issue for her, whether it be through expanding health care closer to home in Alaska, introducing legislation to ease the risks facing veterans, spreading awareness through her Veteran Spotlight or events like listening sessions and field hearings across Alaska spanning her Senate career.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-customs-and-border-patrol-decision-makes-fairbanks-a-year-round-destination", "Murkowski: Customs and Border Patrol Decision Makes Fairbanks a Year-Round Destination", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.15.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Customs and Border Patrol Decision Makes Fairbanks a Year-Round Destination \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator: We Made Our Case - and Then Some\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC  Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the news that United States Customs and Border Protection is permanently creating three new customs positions slots at Fairbanks International Airport  not only permitting the Dawson City to Fairbanks summer flights initially denied, but opening up new possibilities for the Golden Heart City to attract more visitors year-round:\r\nWhen Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initially decided to deny additional summer flights to transport 19,000 Holland America cruise tour passengers into Fairbanks, I mobilized the delegation's resources and brought the Alaska stakeholders to a table with CBP and explained the greater meaning this move would have for Interior Alaska's expanding international visitor industry. Together with the Fairbanks community, it is clear we made our case  and then some. This is more than a silver lining to the storm cloud that we saw overhead for a bit; this is an open door to 365 days of more international tourism and an increased stream of visitors, commerce and visibility for all of Alaska, but especially the Interior and Alaska's northern region.\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=6e859fd4-2eb9-4343-948f-b83e7f3d1972", "Murkowski Responds to Obama Health Care Reversal", "2013-11-14", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.14.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Responds to Obama Health Care Reversal \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t \u201cThis Does Not Keep the Promise Made to Alaskans, and It Does Not Fix The Problem\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski shared the following response to President Barack Obama\u2019s news that he will allow exchanges to restore cancelled insurance plans for a year:\r\n\u201cPresident Obama\u2019s so-called \u2018fix\u2019 today amounts to little more than a punt in several directions. He punted health care cancellations for another year, but didn\u2019t resolve any other issues with the law. He punted the discretion to deliver on this \u2018keep your health care\u2019 promise to health commissioners across the country.\u00a0 He punted on fulfilling his promise for a year back to the health care insurance companies.\r\n\u201cThe President\u2019s promise was pretty simple \u2013 if you like your health care plan, you can keep it.\u00a0 Period.\u00a0 Now, in response to a spectacular failure of a rollout of the exchange and the outrage of millions of Americans, he has recalibrated.\u00a0 Now you can keep your health care at least for the next year if your provider will reissue it.\u00a0 This does not keep the promise made to Alaskans, and it does not fix the problem.\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=f59f6ef2-abdd-435a-8116-ba5e2349eaf9", "Murkowski \u201cIncredulous\u201d at Indian Health Service\u2019s Failure to Fully Fund Native Health Clinic Contracts", "2013-11-14", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.14.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski \u201cIncredulous\u201d at Indian Health Service\u2019s Failure to Fully Fund Native Health Clinic Contracts \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t \u201cI Feel Like I Am Fighting the Administration\u201d to Abide by Supreme Court Ruling\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Senator Lisa Murkowski today had a candid exchange with the Director of the Indian Health Service over the Obama administration\u2019s continuing refusal to fully fund the contract support costs for tribal health care providers nationwide, saying she is \u201cincredulous that we are still living through this\u201d fight.\u00a0Contract support costs are the operational costs of tribes to manage tribal health programs \u2013including personal management systems, liability insurance, and facility support costs. Last year, the Supreme Court ruled in the case Ramah vs Salazar that tribes should be fully compensated to for the operation of self-governance contracts in delivering the promises of the Federal trust responsibility.\r\nMurkowski also rebuffed President Obama\u2019s recent comments at the White House Tribal Nations Summit acknowledging his administration is shortchanging native tribes but seeking answers.\u00a0 \u201cI went to the summit to focus on what the President would say about Contract Support Costs.\u00a0 The President said \u2018I hear you loud and clear and we need to find answers,\u2019\u201d recalled Murkowski in her introduction. (clip below) \u201cWe don\u2019t need to find answers; I think the Supreme Court laid it out very clearly \u2013 full reimbursement must be provided.\u201d\r\n\r\n(Murkowski on Obama claim: Supreme Court\u2019s decision requiring full funding was \u201cunequivocal\u201d \u2013 click image to watch statement.)\r\nWhen the time came for questioning witnesses, Murkowski again referred back to the Ramah ruling when she opened her line of questioning.\u00a0 She focused on the administration\u2019s continuing practice of shortchanging tribes despite the Supreme Court ruling. \u201cI am still incredulous that we are still living through this.\u00a0 I had to work with my colleagues here in the Senate and \u00a0on the House of Representatives side of Capitol Hill to keep that language out of the current continuing resolution (CR) because the administration was insisting on putting it in,\u201d Murkowski said.\u00a0 \u201cYou say you\u2019re listening, but you still keep capping funds in the C.R\u2026. I want to know whether the administration is planning to propose the same language in this year\u2019s budget, capping contract support costs.\u201d\r\n\r\n(Murkowski \u2018incredulous\u2019 at the continuing refusal to fully fund contract support costs \u2013 click image to watch statement.)\r\nIHS Director Yvette Roubideaux then testified to Senator Murkowski about the extent that the agency was consulting with tribes when mapping out future budgets.\u00a0 Challenging the director\u2019s testimony, Murkowski said she has been informed that the \u201cIndian Health Service is going to be limited to a 2% sequestration cut in FY14 if a sequestration proceeds under the Budget Control Act - is that your understanding?\u201d\u00a0 When Roubideaux responded that she did not have final information about the funding levels, Murkowski interrupted her with a follow-up question \u201cSo our tribal health providers actually have more information than you do about this?\u201d\r\n\r\n(Murkowski to Roubideaux: \u201cAlaska tribal health providers have more information than you?\u201d Click image for exchange.)\r\nRoubideaux again claimed that she did not have a final determination on budget figures, eliciting a frustrated response from Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cI feel like I\u2019m fighting the administration. You all are supposed to be working to advance this. You\u2019re supposed to be consulting with the tribes on this.\u00a0 You say you are listening, but I want to see that translated into advocating with us on the budget. You can\u2019t put the monkey on our back unless you\u2019re willing to step up and be that advocate with us.\u201d\r\nAfter these remarks from Senator Murkowski, Roubideaux finally acknowledged that she did believe that the 2% cut figure mentioned by the Senator was correct, and promised to confirm that once she had final figures.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-incredulous-at-indian-health-services-failure-to-fully-fund-native-health-clinic-contracts", "Murkowski Incredulous at Indian Health Services Failure to Fully Fund Native Health Clinic Contracts", "2013-11-14", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.14.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Incredulous at Indian Health Service's Failure to Fully Fund Native Health Clinic Contracts \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t I Feel Like I Am Fighting the Administration to Abide by Supreme Court Ruling\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC  Senator Lisa Murkowski today had a candid exchange with the Director of the Indian Health Service over the Obama administration's continuing refusal to fully fund the contract support costs for tribal health care providers nationwide, saying she is incredulous that we are still living through this fight.Contract support costs are the operational costs of tribes to manage tribal health programs including personal management systems, liability insurance, and facility support costs. Last year, the Supreme Court ruled in the case Ramah vs Salazar that tribes should be fully compensated to for the operation of self-governance contracts in delivering the promises of the Federal trust responsibility.\r\nMurkowski also rebuffed President Obama's recent comments at the White House Tribal Nations Summit acknowledging his administration is shortchanging native tribes but seeking answers. I went to the summit to focus on what the President would say about Contract Support Costs. The President said I hear you loud and clear and we need to find answers,' recalled Murkowski in her introduction. (clip below) We don't need to find answers; I think the Supreme Court laid it out very clearly  full reimbursement must be provided.\r\n\r\n(Murkowski on Obama claim: Supreme Court's decision requiring full funding was unequivocal  click image to watch statement.)\r\nWhen the time came for questioning witnesses, Murkowski again referred back to the Ramah ruling when she opened her line of questioning. She focused on the administration's continuing practice of shortchanging tribes despite the Supreme Court ruling. I am still incredulous that we are still living through this. I had to work with my colleagues here in the Senate and on the House of Representatives side of Capitol Hill to keep that language out of the current continuing resolution (CR) because the administration was insisting on putting it in, Murkowski said. You say you're listening, but you still keep capping funds in the C.R. I want to know whether the administration is planning to propose the same language in this year's budget, capping contract support costs.\r\n\r\n(Murkowski incredulous' at the continuing refusal to fully fund contract support costs  click image to watch statement.)\r\nIHS Director Yvette Roubideaux then testified to Senator Murkowski about the extent that the agency was consulting with tribes when mapping out future budgets. Challenging the director's testimony, Murkowski said she has been informed that the Indian Health Service is going to be limited to a 2% sequestration cut in FY14 if a sequestration proceeds under the Budget Control Act - is that your understanding? When Roubideaux responded that she did not have final information about the funding levels, Murkowski interrupted her with a follow-up question So our tribal health providers actually have more information than you do about this?\r\n\r\n(Murkowski to Roubideaux: Alaska tribal health providers have more information than you? Click image for exchange.)\r\nRoubideaux again claimed that she did not have a final determination on budget figures, eliciting a frustrated response from Murkowski. I feel like I'm fighting the administration. You all are supposed to be working to advance this. You're supposed to be consulting with the tribes on this. You say you are listening, but I want to see that translated into advocating with us on the budget. You can't put the monkey on our back unless you're willing to step up and be that advocate with us.\r\nAfter these remarks from Senator Murkowski, Roubideaux finally acknowledged that she did believe that the 2% cut figure mentioned by the Senator was correct, and promised to confirm that once she had final figures.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-responds-to-obama-health-care-reversal", "Murkowski Responds to Obama Health Care Reversal", "2013-11-14", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.14.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Responds to Obama Health Care Reversal \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t This Does Not Keep the Promise Made to Alaskans, and It Does Not Fix The Problem\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski shared the following response to President Barack Obama's news that he will allow exchanges to restore cancelled insurance plans for a year:\r\nPresident Obama's so-called fix' today amounts to little more than a punt in several directions. He punted health care cancellations for another year, but didn't resolve any other issues with the law. He punted the discretion to deliver on this keep your health care' promise to health commissioners across the country. He punted on fulfilling his promise for a year back to the health care insurance companies.\r\nThe President's promise was pretty simple  if you like your health care plan, you can keep it. Period. Now, in response to a spectacular failure of a rollout of the exchange and the outrage of millions of Americans, he has recalibrated. Now you can keep your health care at least for the next year if your provider will reissue it. This does not keep the promise made to Alaskans, and it does not fix the problem.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361311", "Rep. Young Unsurprised by Low Enrollment Numbers, Underscores Failures of Law", "2013-11-13", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today Alaskan Congressman Don Young issued the following statement in response to the Department of Health and Human Services release of Affordable Care Act enrollment numbers.\r\n\u201cAfter nearly 4 years of planning and preparation for the rollout of this unsound healthcare law, the Administration has failed the American public once again by spending nearly $600 million taxpayer dollars on an unsecured, untested, and unworkable infrastructure to register and sign up for the healthcare exchange. Today\u2019s enrollment numbers underscore the failures of this law and are a true reflection of what my colleagues and I have been saying for years; this law is a sinking ship with too many holes to fill.\u201d\r\n\u201cAs a cosponsor of H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act, I look forward to the House passing legislation this week that gives Americans the right to keep the healthcare plans they like \u2013 one of the many promises the President has failed to keep. I will continue my efforts to relieve the hardship and pain inflicted upon Alaskans by working to delay, repeal and replace this law.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361354", "Rep. Young Joins Growing Support for Fishery Disaster Relief", "2013-11-13", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Alaskan Congressman Don Young today joined 38 members of Congress in signing a bipartisan letter urging leadership in both the House and Senate to include fishery disaster relief in the final funding package for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014. The bipartisan coalition from coastal states across the country emphasized the devastating impacts fisheries disasters have had on coastal communities over recent years, and why these federally declared disasters should not be overlooked.\r\n\u201cAlaskans rely heavily on fish for basic survival \u2013 especially those living on the Yukon River, Kuskokwim River and Cook Inlet,\u201d said\u00a0Representative Don\u00a0Young. \u201cWhen disaster strikes, it can come in many forms, even fisheries disaster. We owe it to the people of Alaska, and those affected by similar disasters across the country to include federal relief for authorized disasters that have not received appropriations.\u201d\r\nIn the attached letter, Congressman Young and the 37 co-authors wrote: \r\nSince 2012, the Department of Commerce declared a number of fishery failures in the\u00a0United States. Regrettably funding has not been appropriated yet to deal with the effects of these\u00a0disasters, which continue to affect communities in our states and districts. Indeed, while the\u00a0Senate Appropriations Committee has included $150 million for fishery failures in the FY 2014\u00a0Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill, funds have not been\u00a0enacted into law to address the full spectrum of disaster needs.\r\nThe 2012 federally declared disasters addressed in the letter are:\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Alaska Chinook\u00a0\u2013 On September 12, 2012, a federal fisheries disaster was declared for Alaska Chinook salmon fisheries in the Yukon River, Kuskokwim River and Cook Inlet.\u00a0\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mississippi Oyster and Blue Crab\u00a0\u2013 On September 12, 2012, a federal fisheries disaster was declared for commercial oyster and blue crab fisheries in Mississippi.\u00a0\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Northeast Multispecies Groundfish Fishery\u00a0\u2013 On September 13, 2012, a federal fisheries disaster was declared for Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York.\u00a0\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Superstorm Sandy fisheries impacts\u00a0\u2013 On November 16, 2012, a federal fisheries disaster was declared for New Jersey and New York due to the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy.\u00a0\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Florida Oysters\u00a0\u2013 On August 12, 2013, a federal fisheries disaster was declared for the oyster fishery along the west coast of Florida. \r\nIn addition to both Senators Murkowski and Begich, the bipartisan letter was also signed by 17 additional U.S. Senators and 18 U.S. Representatives.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=702d697c-e0ee-441a-9515-fe7952c8b8c4", "Flawed Eielson F-16 Proposal Suggests Sequestration Driving Military Strategy", "2013-11-13", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.13.13\n\t\t\t Flawed Eielson F-16 Proposal Suggests Sequestration Driving Military Strategy \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator Questions Strategy When Making Cuts - \u201cWhat is the Target Here?\u201d\r\nLower 48 Mayor Agrees With Need for Discretion When Seeking Savings\r\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Senator Lisa Murkowski today seized an opportunity during a Capitol Hill hearing to continue pressing for agencies to have discretion when making mandatory, across-the-board sequestration cuts \u2013 using the example of the recently-scuttled proposal to transfer F-16 aircraft from Eielson AFB to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson.\u00a0 Calling it an \u201ceye opener,\u201d Murkowski lamented the fact that the cuts are driving strategy instead of the other way around.\r\nDuring a Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing focused on \u201cSequestration Impacts on Defense Programs,\u201d Senator Murkowski began with an opening statement focusing on the flawed reasoning of the United States Air Force proposal, forced upon them by the blind cuts imposed by sequestration on all programs.\u00a0 \u201cAre we really working towards a strategy, or is the strategy being driven by sequestration,\u201d asked Murkowski, before reminding her Senate colleagues that this transfer proposal had been made amid a heightened Pentagon focus on the Pacific region, closing with \u201cDon\u2019t you need to have these assets here?\u201d\r\n(Eielson was \u201ca real eye opener for us.\u201d \u2013 Click image to watch except cited below. Click here to see Murkowski share how the Eielson proposal originated.)\r\nExcerpt:\r\n\u201cIt was a real eye opener for us in the sense that what was happening was this decision was being driven by a request to drive costs down: a budget request.\u00a0 In the long run it was going to be\u00a0a bad move for the Air Force and the Air Force changed their position \u2013 not without a little encouragement from the delegation, I might add.\u00a0 But it was an opportunity to focus and force that conversation about \u201cwell what was the strategy here.\u201d Mr. Chairman, I am so concerned that in an effort to chase the dollars \u2013 in an effort to drive down costs \u2013 we are putting our country and national defense in jeopardy because decisions are being\u00a0driven by sequestration and we are not keeping our eye on the bigger picture.\u201d\r\nTowards the end of her questioning period, she heard agreement from an Illinois mayor.\u00a0 Rockford, Illinois Mayor Larry Morrissey responded to her open-ended question seeking his view.\u00a0 Morrissey then proceeded to make his case that more flexibility would allow him efficient discretion, since he knows best what programs are most needed in his community.\r\n(Murkowski inquires about the needs of those on the ground seeing sequestration first-hand)\r\nMurkowski:\r\n\u201cWe are coming to the end of 2013 pretty quickly.\u00a0 The challenges that our military services will face in 2014 as they deal with this frontloaded sequestration requirements are staring us in the face. There is a concern that we may be in a situation where we don\u2019t see sequestration going away. What would you do if you were sitting in our shoes? Mayor [Morrissey], you complimented the Chairman and all of us, saying we have a hard job here.\u00a0 What would you do in the remaining few weeks of this year to lead our nation away from this crisis that we are currently facing with sequestration?\u00a0\r\n(Mayor Morrissey testifies that he is seeking flexibility.)\r\nMayor Larry Morrissey:\r\nHere\u2019s the final deal that I\u2019d take in an instant: I know we have to take cuts.\u00a0 But instead of just coming at it with an axe for an unintelligent whack, let\u2019s talk to local governments about what they\u2019re willing to trade off.\u00a0 I\u2019ll tell you what I\u2019d cut off \u2013 you want to cut my budget, give me flexibility and hold me accountable for results and don\u2019t micromanage the process.\r\nBackgrounder on Flexibility: Earlier this year, Senator Lisa Murkowski voted in support of the Sequestration Flexibility Act that would allow each federal agency to determine where to prioritize the cuts.\u00a0 She has frequently used the example of a Super Bowl flyover by the U.S. Navy that cost $450,000 \u2013 when the roof of that stadium was closed \u2013 to illustrate what would be smarter cuts to make than others.\r\n\u00a0\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=e53dbb8f-457c-4be6-8237-a5028293cfec", "Murkowski Doubles Fishery Failure Relief Support on Capitol Hill", "2013-11-13", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.13.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Doubles Fishery Failure Relief Support on Capitol Hill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Attracts Twenty Two New Congressional Lawmakers to her Original \u201cCoastal Coalition\u201d of Sixteen Senators\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 In her continuing efforts to secure federal relief funds for Alaskan communities along the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers \u2013 as well as Cook Inlet \u2013 damaged by low salmon runs in 2012, Senator Lisa Murkowski today more than doubled the number of lawmakers on both sides of Capitol Hill advocating for resources for fisheries that have experienced their own \u201cfish droughts\u201d over the past two years.\r\nMurkowski already established strong bipartisan backing from 15 of her Senate colleagues earlier this year.\u00a0 Her continued efforts to boost the visibility of the issue can be seen in today\u2019s letter to Congressional leadership from lawmakers concerned about fishery failure funds.\u00a0 Beyond the original sixteen legislators, today\u2019s letter includes three more Senate colleagues from the East Coast \u2013 Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) \u2013 as well as nineteen members of the House of Representatives, bringing the total to 38 signatories.\r\nIn the letter (below), Murkowski and the co-signatories write:\r\nFor the communities they affect, fisheries disasters are as devastating as other federally-declared disasters. \u00a0Therefore, we request your assistance in ensuring that the $150 million fisheries disaster mitigation fund included in the Senate-version of the CJS appropriations bill is included in any final FY 2014 funding package.\u00a0 These funds could be used in a variety of ways to provide fishermen vital help including support for emergency financial assistance, operational costs where necessary, economic development programs and science to manage the fishery in a timely way that gives confidence to all stakeholders.\r\nMurkowski\u2019s Fisheries Disaster Funding Efforts\r\nToday\u2019s development marks just the latest effort of Senator Murkowski to deliver resources and results to Alaska\u2019s fishing communities reeling from 2012\u2019s anemic salmon run \u2013 along with other national fisheries that have faced similar setbacks since then. Up to this point, Murkowski\u2019s fight for fishery failure relief has included:\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/flawed-eielson-f-16-proposal-suggests-sequestration-driving-military-strategy", "Flawed Eielson F-16 Proposal Suggests Sequestration Driving Military Strategy", "2013-11-13", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.13.13\n\t\t\t Flawed Eielson F-16 Proposal Suggests Sequestration Driving Military Strategy \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator Questions Strategy When Making Cuts - What is the Target Here?\r\nLower 48 Mayor Agrees With Need for Discretion When Seeking Savings\r\nWASHINGTON, DC  Senator Lisa Murkowski today seized an opportunity during a Capitol Hill hearing to continue pressing for agencies to have discretion when making mandatory, across-the-board sequestration cuts  using the example of the recently-scuttled proposal to transfer F-16 aircraft from Eielson AFB to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. Calling it an eye opener, Murkowski lamented the fact that the cuts are driving strategy instead of the other way around.\r\nDuring a Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing focused on Sequestration Impacts on Defense Programs, Senator Murkowski began with an opening statement focusing on the flawed reasoning of the United States Air Force proposal, forced upon them by the blind cuts imposed by sequestration on all programs. Are we really working towards a strategy, or is the strategy being driven by sequestration, asked Murkowski, before reminding her Senate colleagues that this transfer proposal had been made amid a heightened Pentagon focus on the Pacific region, closing with Don't you need to have these assets here?\r\n(Eielson was a real eye opener for us.  Click image to watch except cited below. Click here to see Murkowski share how the Eielson proposal originated.)\r\nExcerpt:\r\nIt was a real eye opener for us in the sense that what was happening was this decision was being driven by a request to drive costs down: a budget request. In the long run it was going to bea bad move for the Air Force and the Air Force changed their position  not without a little encouragement from the delegation, I might add. But it was an opportunity to focus and force that conversation about well what was the strategy here. Mr. Chairman, I am so concerned that in an effort to chase the dollars  in an effort to drive down costs  we are putting our country and national defense in jeopardy because decisions are beingdriven by sequestration and we are not keeping our eye on the bigger picture.\r\nTowards the end of her questioning period, she heard agreement from an Illinois mayor. Rockford, Illinois Mayor Larry Morrissey responded to her open-ended question seeking his view. Morrissey then proceeded to make his case that more flexibility would allow him efficient discretion, since he knows best what programs are most needed in his community.\r\n(Murkowski inquires about the needs of those on the ground seeing sequestration first-hand)\r\nMurkowski:\r\nWe are coming to the end of 2013 pretty quickly. The challenges that our military services will face in 2014 as they deal with this frontloaded sequestration requirements are staring us in the face. There is a concern that we may be in a situation where we don't see sequestration going away. What would you do if you were sitting in our shoes? Mayor [Morrissey], you complimented the Chairman and all of us, saying we have a hard job here. What would you do in the remaining few weeks of this year to lead our nation away from this crisis that we are currently facing with sequestration?\r\n(Mayor Morrissey testifies that he is seeking flexibility.)\r\nMayor Larry Morrissey:\r\nHere's the final deal that I'd take in an instant: I know we have to take cuts. But instead of just coming at it with an axe for an unintelligent whack, let's talk to local governments about what they're willing to trade off. I'll tell you what I'd cut off  you want to cut my budget, give me flexibility and hold me accountable for results and don't micromanage the process.\r\nBackgrounder on Flexibility: Earlier this year, Senator Lisa Murkowski voted in support of the Sequestration Flexibility Act that would allow each federal agency to determine where to prioritize the cuts. She has frequently used the example of a Super Bowl flyover by the U.S. Navy that cost $450,000  when the roof of that stadium was closed  to illustrate what would be smarter cuts to make than others.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-doubles-fishery-failure-relief-support-on-capitol-hill", "Murkowski Doubles Fishery Failure Relief Support on Capitol Hill", "2013-11-13", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.13.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Doubles Fishery Failure Relief Support on Capitol Hill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Attracts Twenty Two New Congressional Lawmakers to her Original Coastal Coalition of Sixteen Senators\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  In her continuing efforts to secure federal relief funds for Alaskan communities along the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers  as well as Cook Inlet  damaged by low salmon runs in 2012, Senator Lisa Murkowski today more than doubled the number of lawmakers on both sides of Capitol Hill advocating for resources for fisheries that have experienced their own fish droughts over the past two years.\r\nMurkowski already established strong bipartisan backing from 15 of her Senate colleagues earlier this year. Her continued efforts to boost the visibility of the issue can be seen in today's letter to Congressional leadership from lawmakers concerned about fishery failure funds. Beyond the original sixteen legislators, today's letter includes three more Senate colleagues from the East Coast  Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Marco Rubio (R-FL)  as well as nineteen members of the House of Representatives, bringing the total to 38 signatories.\r\nIn the letter (below), Murkowski and the co-signatories write:\r\nFor the communities they affect, fisheries disasters are as devastating as other federally-declared disasters. Therefore, we request your assistance in ensuring that the $150 million fisheries disaster mitigation fund included in the Senate-version of the CJS appropriations bill is included in any final FY 2014 funding package. These funds could be used in a variety of ways to provide fishermen vital help including support for emergency financial assistance, operational costs where necessary, economic development programs and science to manage the fishery in a timely way that gives confidence to all stakeholders.\r\nMurkowski's Fisheries Disaster Funding Efforts\r\nToday's development marks just the latest effort of Senator Murkowski to deliver resources and results to Alaska's fishing communities reeling from 2012's anemic salmon run  along with other national fisheries that have faced similar setbacks since then. Up to this point, Murkowski's fight for fishery failure relief has included:\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361120", "Alaska Delegation Pushes for Equal Treatment for Indian Health Service and VA", "2013-11-12", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Alaska\u2019s Congressional Delegation is advocating that Congress use the same approach it does with the Veterans Administration and fund the Indian Health Service one year in advance, to avoid the recurring and needless uncertainty faced by Alaska Native health care providers and those of providers for all indigenous people.\u00a0 Given the fact that the IHS has received its funding on time only once in the last fifteen years, the delegation wrote a letter pressing House and Senate Budget Committee Leadership to foster an environment for future budgets that does away with this nearly annual stress on the system:\r\nSenators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich joined Congressman Don Young in writing:\r\n\u201cWe respectfully request your support in allowing Congress to fund the Indian Health Service (IHS) on the same advance appropriations schedule that is currently used for Veteran Administration (VA) medical accounts.\u00a0 This request would not require increased appropriations. We simply ask the Budget Conference to enable Congress to fund IHS one fiscal year in advance.\r\n\u201cCongress, in enacting the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009, authorized advance appropriations for the VA.\u00a0 Congress supported this effort in an overwhelming, bipartisan manner.\u00a0 The VA and IHS are the only agencies that provide direct, federally-funded healthcare to specific populations and both agencies provide the services pursuant to longstanding federal policies.\u00a0 Providing for the healthcare of our nation\u2019s Native peoples is a critical component of our federal trust responsibility to tribes\u2026\u201d\r\nThey also spotlighted the consistency of this problem by pointing out:\r\n\u201cSince 1998, the Interior Appropriations bill, which funds IHS, has only once been enacted on time...\u201d\r\nClosing out the letter, they informed the Conferees that this concept has national support:\r\n\u201cEnabling advance appropriations for IHS is supported by a number of Native organizations and veterans advocacy groups including: the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), the Maniilaq Association, and National American Indian Veterans (NAIV).\u201d\r\nThe delegation letter is attached.\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=0761d9a5-b0cf-4664-93e3-34245885dd65", "Alaska Delegation Pushes for Equal Treatment for Indian Health Service and VA", "2013-11-12", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.12.13\n\t\t\t Alaska Delegation Pushes for Equal Treatment for Indian Health Service and VA \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Alaskan Lawmakers Seek Forward Funding for I.H.S. Consistent with How Resources are Directed to Veterans Administration\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Alaska\u2019s Congressional Delegation is advocating that Congress use the same approach it does with the Veterans Administration and fund the Indian Health Service one year in advance, to avoid the recurring and needless uncertainty faced by Alaska Native health care providers and those of providers for all indigenous people.\u00a0 Given the fact that the IHS has received its funding on time only once in the last fifteen years, the delegation wrote a letter pressing House and Senate Budget Committee Leadership to foster an environment for future budgets that does away with this nearly annual stress on the system:\u00a0\r\nSenators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich joined Congressman Don Young in writing:\r\n\u201cWe respectfully request your support in allowing Congress to fund the Indian Health Service (IHS) on the same advance appropriations schedule that is currently used for Veteran Administration (VA) medical accounts.\u00a0 This request would not require increased appropriations. We simply ask the Budget Conference to enable Congress to fund IHS one fiscal year in advance.\u00a0\r\n\u201cCongress, in enacting the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009, authorized advance appropriations for the VA.\u00a0 Congress supported this effort in an overwhelming, bipartisan manner.\u00a0 The VA and IHS are the only agencies that provide direct, federally-funded healthcare to specific populations and both agencies provide the services pursuant to longstanding federal policies.\u00a0 Providing for the healthcare of our nation\u2019s Native peoples is a critical component of our federal trust responsibility to tribes\u2026\u201d\u00a0\r\nThey also spotlighted the consistency of this problem by pointing out:\r\n\u201cSince 1998, the Interior Appropriations bill, which funds IHS, has only once been enacted on time...\"\u00a0\r\nClosing out the letter, they informed the Conferees that this concept has national support:\r\n\u201cEnabling advance appropriations for IHS is supported by a number of Native organizations and veterans advocacy groups including: the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), the Maniilaq Association, and National American Indian Veterans (NAIV).\u201d\r\nThe delegation letter is attached.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-pushes-for-equal-treatment-for-indian-health-service-and-va", "Alaska Delegation Pushes for Equal Treatment for Indian Health Service and VA", "2013-11-12", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.12.13\n\t\t\t Alaska Delegation Pushes for Equal Treatment for Indian Health Service and VA \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Alaskan Lawmakers Seek Forward Funding for I.H.S. Consistent with How Resources are Directed to Veterans Administration\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Alaska's Congressional Delegation is advocating that Congress use the same approach it does with the Veterans Administration and fund the Indian Health Service one year in advance, to avoid the recurring and needless uncertainty faced by Alaska Native health care providers and those of providers for all indigenous people. Given the fact that the IHS has received its funding on time only once in the last fifteen years, the delegation wrote a letter pressing House and Senate Budget Committee Leadership to foster an environment for future budgets that does away with this nearly annual stress on the system:\r\nSenators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich joined Congressman Don Young in writing:\r\nWe respectfully request your support in allowing Congress to fund the Indian Health Service (IHS) on the same advance appropriations schedule that is currently used for Veteran Administration (VA) medical accounts. This request would not require increased appropriations. We simply ask the Budget Conference to enable Congress to fund IHS one fiscal year in advance.\r\nCongress, in enacting the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009, authorized advance appropriations for the VA. Congress supported this effort in an overwhelming, bipartisan manner. The VA and IHS are the only agencies that provide direct, federally-funded healthcare to specific populations and both agencies provide the services pursuant to longstanding federal policies. Providing for the healthcare of our nation's Native peoples is a critical component of our federal trust responsibility to tribes\r\nThey also spotlighted the consistency of this problem by pointing out:\r\nSince 1998, the Interior Appropriations bill, which funds IHS, has only once been enacted on time...\"\r\nClosing out the letter, they informed the Conferees that this concept has national support:\r\nEnabling advance appropriations for IHS is supported by a number of Native organizations and veterans advocacy groups including: the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), the Maniilaq Association, and National American Indian Veterans (NAIV).\r\nThe delegation letter is attached.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360895", "Congressman Young Receives Clean Bill of Health", "2013-11-10", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Young Receives Clean Bill of Health \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, D.C.,\r\n        November 10, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Washington, D.C. - While traveling in Southeast Alaska this week during the Congressional state work period, Alaska Congressman Don Young experienced some minor chest discomfort and out of caution went for examination at the Wrangell Medical Center. After observation, he was advised to seek further diagnostic tests, which he undertook Saturday afternoon in Anchorage.\r\nFollowing tests, Congressman Young was given a clean bill of health and is in excellent spirits. Saturday\u2019s tests are standard procedure for someone who has had major heart surgery, which Congressman Young underwent in 1997.\r\nCongressman Young thanks the medical personnel and staff who assisted him in both Wrangell and Anchorage for their professionalism and excellent care, and encourages anyone experiencing this kind of discomfort not to hesitate to seek medical attention.\r\n###\u00a0\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=ea3cebb3-89c9-4e05-9a17-b3ec57a412b0", "Senator Murkowski Shares Veterans Day Message with Alaskans", "2013-11-10", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.10.13\n\t\t\t Senator Murkowski Shares Veterans Day Message with Alaskans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Back Home, \u201cVeterans are Teachers, Co-workers, Police Officers and Best Friends\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.\u2014 Senator Lisa Murkowski offered the following statement in observance of Veterans Day:\r\n\u201cThis Veteran\u2019s Day, I\u2019d like to thank all of the veterans who have served our country when called upon.\u00a0 The decision to enter into any military service is not one to be taken lightly, nor is it an easy burden to bear.\u00a0 Standing up to serve is something to be commended, something to be respected \u2013 and something to be honored by all of us who breathe easier and live freely because of those who have defended us at home and abroad.\u201d\r\n\u201cOur veterans connect all Americans- in ways that many may not realize. In Alaska, we have more veterans per capita than any other state. Our veterans are teachers, co-workers, police officers, and best friends. They continue serving their communities long after they take off their uniforms. It is in this capacity that they can connect all Americans.\u201d\r\n\u201cWe saw this most recently when hundreds of Alaskans came and saluted a group of WWII veterans on their Last Frontier Honor Flight- which made its inaugural trip to Washington, D.C. in October. I had the privilege of greeting these veterans at the send-off at Ted Stevens International Airport as they began their trip to our nation\u2019s capital to see the memorial built to honor them and their duty. It was incredibly meaningful to share their pride and anticipation of this trip.\u201d\r\n\u201cI have been honored to share the stories of Alaska veterans through my monthly \u2018Veteran Spotlight\u2019 project. I am inspired as I listen to acts of sacrifice and courage and a willingness to risk everything to defend our country.\u201d\r\n\u201cI thank all of our veterans and their families for their selfless gift to our Nation \u2013 because the spouses and children of our military also serve.\u00a0 All Americans owe you a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices you have made so that we might enjoy the blessings of liberty.\u00a0 While words fall short of expressing our appreciation, we pause to honor and thank you for your service this Veterans Day.\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/2013/11/10/senator-murkowski-shares-veterans-day-message-with-alaskans", "Senator Murkowski Shares Veterans Day Message with Alaskans", "2013-11-10", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.10.13\n\t\t\t Senator Murkowski Shares Veterans Day Message with Alaskans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Back Home, Veterans are Teachers, Co-workers, Police Officers and Best Friends\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C. Senator Lisa Murkowski offered the following statement in observance of Veterans Day:\r\nThis Veteran's Day, I'd like to thank all of the veterans who have served our country when called upon. The decision to enter into any military service is not one to be taken lightly, nor is it an easy burden to bear. Standing up to serve is something to be commended, something to be respected  and something to be honored by all of us who breathe easier and live freely because of those who have defended us at home and abroad.\r\nOur veterans connect all Americans- in ways that many may not realize. In Alaska, we have more veterans per capita than any other state. Our veterans are teachers, co-workers, police officers, and best friends. They continue serving their communities long after they take off their uniforms. It is in this capacity that they can connect all Americans.\r\nWe saw this most recently when hundreds of Alaskans came and saluted a group of WWII veterans on their Last Frontier Honor Flight- which made its inaugural trip to Washington, D.C. in October. I had the privilege of greeting these veterans at the send-off at Ted Stevens International Airport as they began their trip to our nation's capital to see the memorial built to honor them and their duty. It was incredibly meaningful to share their pride and anticipation of this trip.\r\nI have been honored to share the stories of Alaska veterans through my monthly Veteran Spotlight' project. I am inspired as I listen to acts of sacrifice and courage and a willingness to risk everything to defend our country.\r\nI thank all of our veterans and their families for their selfless gift to our Nation  because the spouses and children of our military also serve. All Americans owe you a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices you have made so that we might enjoy the blessings of liberty. While words fall short of expressing our appreciation, we pause to honor and thank you for your service this Veterans Day.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360834", "Congressman Young Honors Our Veterans", "2013-11-08", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today Alaskan Congressman Don Young (U.S. Army 1955-1957) released the following statement commemorating Veterans Day:\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today Alaskan Congressman Don Young (U.S. Army 1955-1957) released the following statement commemorating Veterans Day:\r\n\"On Monday, the 11th day of November, we honor the sacrifice and commitment of our nation\u2019s servicemen and women. Without their service, courage, and willingness to lay their lives on the line, the United States would not be the great nation we call home today.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\u201cIn Alaska, where more than 20,000 active duty servicemen and women and over 77,000 veterans call home, it\u2019s critically important that we take a moment to reflect on those who defend the freedoms we know here at home and sometimes take for granted. I encourage every Alaskan to take a moment out of their busy schedule this weekend to offer their sincerest gratitude to our veterans.\r\n\u00a0\u201cI want to personally thank each and every veteran for their service to this great nation. I am eternally grateful for the commitments you\u2019ve made and the sacrifices you\u2019ve faced. May God bless you and your families.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=3ac80d31-eb24-4070-8d4a-1ba6a470eb5c", "Murkowski: Health Care Law\u2019s Full-Time Definition is \u201cOut of Step,\u201d Risking Work Hour Cuts", "2013-11-08", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.08.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Health Care Law\u2019s Full-Time Definition is \u201cOut of Step,\u201d Risking Work Hour Cuts \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Continues to Fight Widespread Negative Impacts of Law,  Joins Bipartisan Push to Advance Forty Hours is Full Time Act\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 With the health care law\u2019s employer mandate causing cuts to work hours nationwide, Senator Lisa Murkowski and a bipartisan group of Senators is urging the Budget Conference Committee to take up the Forty Hours is Full Time Act (S. 1188) she co-sponsored earlier this year. This bill aims to redefine the use of \u201cfull-time\u201d employee in the health care law since the law presently considers that a \u201cfull-time employee\u201d works a mere 30 hours, which could lead to dramatic decreases in take-home pay for Americans nationwide, especially in crucial Alaskan economic drivers like restaurants, hotels and retail.\r\nIn a letter (attached), Murkowski asserts that effective health care reform \u201cshould expand access to coverage, while not inhibiting economic growth.\u201d Later, she expresses concern that \u201cthe PPACA definition of full time as an employee working just 30 hours a week is out-of-step with standard employment practices in the U.S. today and will hurt the economy and likely cut hours for current full-time employees.\u201d\r\nThe Forty Hours is Full Time Act would change the PPACA\u2019s definition of \u201cfull time employee\u201d to 40 hours a week and would make a matching adjustment in the monthly hours used to calculate \u201cfull time equivalent\u201d employee. After speaking with many small business owners in Alaska who had to cut hours due to new taxes, Murkowski implored the conference members take up this bill to add this sensible definition to the PPACA.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=ea19e6d4-d52a-4dd2-9b4c-fe94d19fe957", "\u201cI Hope the Lord Took all of Our Men Up There for Defending the Freedoms of Our People\u201d", "2013-11-08", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.08.13\n\t\t\t \u201cI Hope the Lord Took all of Our Men Up There for Defending the Freedoms of Our People\u201d \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Murkowski Honors Iconic Kenai Korea Veteran\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 As the United States commemorates Veterans Day weekend, Senator Lisa Murkowski is releasing her 18th Veteran Spotlight interview, focusing on the service of Kenai resident Herb Stettler who served in the U.S. Army and did a 13 month tour during the Korean War.\u00a0 Stettler is an active member of the Kenai Peninsula veteran community, supporting fellow veterans and honoring veteran sacrifice at local events and ceremonies \u2013 and has fostered a special bond with his neighbors for years that was reciprocated when they rallied to his aid last year.\r\nDuring his interview, Stettler recalls being 18 years old when he was asked to register for the draft.\u00a0 At 20, he enlisted in the Army and his superior officers capitalized on his farm-honed strength making him a machine gun operator.\u00a0 During his Korean War tour, Stettler says there were some \u201chairy times\u201d and he was often called upon to provide machine gun cover for his fellow soldiers to escape enemy fire.\r\n\r\n\r\nHerb Stettler, U.S. Army veteran.\r\n(Click on image for excerpt of Herb talking about one of his proudest moments of his Korean War deployment. \r\nCLICK HERE for the extended interview)\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cI hope that the Lord took all of our men up there for defending the freedoms of our people,\u201d Said Herb Stettler.\u00a0 \u201cFor those of us who made it home, we are there for each other.\u00a0 It\u2019s a camaraderie thing with your fellow veterans.\u00a0 You\u2019ve got something in common.\u00a0 You don\u2019t talk about it much- you\u2019re mostly talking about day to day stuff, but you are there to support each other.\u201d\r\nStettler was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge for his service.\u00a0 After he got out of the Army, Stettler made his way to Alaska, eventually settling on the Kenai Peninsula.\u00a0 Today, at 82 years old, he is an active officer for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10046 and the American Legion where he works to honor veterans, their service, and our country.\u00a0 It\u2019s a commitment the Kenai community returned in an overwhelming way last year, when his home burnt to the ground and the community came together to build him a house.\r\n\u201cMy house caught fire.\u00a0 It was a chimney fire that got away and the whole house went,\u201d Said Stettler.\u00a0 \u201cThe community came in and everybody chipped in and they built me a 10 x 34 foot cabin and put a deck on it and an addition behind it.\u00a0 It is warm in there and it doesn\u2019t take much to heat it.\u00a0 They put plumbing in there and my goodness, I am living good.\u00a0 I sure thank the community.\u00a0 I owe them a lot.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cHerb Stettlers\u2019 story is one of an American hero,\u201d said Senator Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cHe has served our country and returned home where he continues to support active duty military members, veterans and the community as a whole.\u00a0 We owe it to veterans like Herb to honor them through sharing their stories, and we owe it to the rest of us to learn from the high levels of patriotism, commitment and service they demonstrate for us.\u201d\r\nThe \u201cVeteran Spotlight\u201d project is Senator Murkowski\u2019s monthly focus on an Alaska veteran of American conflicts worldwide to honor and draw well-deserved attention to Alaska\u2019s men and women who served.\u00a0 Today\u2019s installment is the eighteenth in the series that began on Memorial Day weekend of 2012.\u00a0 Every month, Sen. Murkowski posts a biography and an interview with an Alaskan who served our country abroad in conjunction with the Library of Congress\u2019 Veterans History Project.\u00a0 You can watch them all by clicking here.\u00a0\r\nSenator Murkowski invites all Alaskans to nominate a veteran from the 49th state to be featured in the Veteran Spotlight project.\u00a0 If you have a family member or friend in the community you think has a story to share, email Spotlight@Murkowski.Senate.Gov.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/i-hope-the-lord-took-all-of-our-men-up-there-for-defending-the-freedoms-of-our-people", "I Hope the Lord Took all of Our Men Up There for Defending the Freedoms of Our People", "2013-11-08", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.08.13\n\t\t\t I Hope the Lord Took all of Our Men Up There for Defending the Freedoms of Our People \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Murkowski Honors Iconic Kenai Korea Veteran\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC  As the United States commemorates Veterans Day weekend, Senator Lisa Murkowski is releasing her 18th Veteran Spotlight interview, focusing on the service of Kenai resident Herb Stettler who served in the U.S. Army and did a 13 month tour during the Korean War. Stettler is an active member of the Kenai Peninsula veteran community, supporting fellow veterans and honoring veteran sacrifice at local events and ceremonies  and has fostered a special bond with his neighbors for years that was reciprocated when they rallied to his aid last year.\r\nDuring his interview, Stettler recalls being 18 years old when he was asked to register for the draft. At 20, he enlisted in the Army and his superior officers capitalized on his farm-honed strength making him a machine gun operator. During his Korean War tour, Stettler says there were some hairy times and he was often called upon to provide machine gun cover for his fellow soldiers to escape enemy fire.\r\n\r\n\r\nHerb Stettler, U.S. Army veteran.\r\n(Click on image for excerpt of Herb talking about one of his proudest moments of his Korean War deployment. \r\nCLICK HERE for the extended interview)\r\n\r\nI hope that the Lord took all of our men up there for defending the freedoms of our people, Said Herb Stettler. For those of us who made it home, we are there for each other. It's a camaraderie thing with your fellow veterans. You've got something in common. You don't talk about it much- you're mostly talking about day to day stuff, but you are there to support each other.\r\nStettler was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge for his service. After he got out of the Army, Stettler made his way to Alaska, eventually settling on the Kenai Peninsula. Today, at 82 years old, he is an active officer for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10046 and the American Legion where he works to honor veterans, their service, and our country. It's a commitment the Kenai community returned in an overwhelming way last year, when his home burnt to the ground and the community came together to build him a house.\r\nMy house caught fire. It was a chimney fire that got away and the whole house went, Said Stettler. The community came in and everybody chipped in and they built me a 10 x 34 foot cabin and put a deck on it and an addition behind it. It is warm in there and it doesn't take much to heat it. They put plumbing in there and my goodness, I am living good. I sure thank the community. I owe them a lot.\r\n\r\nHerb Stettlers' story is one of an American hero, said Senator Murkowski. He has served our country and returned home where he continues to support active duty military members, veterans and the community as a whole. We owe it to veterans like Herb to honor them through sharing their stories, and we owe it to the rest of us to learn from the high levels of patriotism, commitment and service they demonstrate for us.\r\nThe Veteran Spotlight project is Senator Murkowski's monthly focus on an Alaska veteran of American conflicts worldwide to honor and draw well-deserved attention to Alaska's men and women who served. Today's installment is the eighteenth in the series that began on Memorial Day weekend of 2012. Every month, Sen. Murkowski posts a biography and an interview with an Alaskan who served our country abroad in conjunction with the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project. You can watch them all by clicking here.\r\nSenator Murkowski invites all Alaskans to nominate a veteran from the 49th state to be featured in the Veteran Spotlight project. If you have a family member or friend in the community you think has a story to share, email Spotlight@Murkowski.Senate.Gov.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-health-care-laws-full-time-definition-is-out-of-step-risking-work-hour-cuts", "Murkowski: Health Care Laws Full-Time Definition is Out of Step, Risking Work Hour Cuts", "2013-11-08", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.08.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Health Care Law's Full-Time Definition is Out of Step, Risking Work Hour Cuts \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Continues to Fight Widespread Negative Impacts of Law,  Joins Bipartisan Push to Advance Forty Hours is Full Time Act\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  With the health care law's employer mandate causing cuts to work hours nationwide, Senator Lisa Murkowski and a bipartisan group of Senators is urging the Budget Conference Committee to take up the Forty Hours is Full Time Act (S. 1188) she co-sponsored earlier this year. This bill aims to redefine the use of full-time employee in the health care law since the law presently considers that a full-time employee works a mere 30 hours, which could lead to dramatic decreases in take-home pay for Americans nationwide, especially in crucial Alaskan economic drivers like restaurants, hotels and retail.\r\nIn a letter (attached), Murkowski asserts that effective health care reform should expand access to coverage, while not inhibiting economic growth. Later, she expresses concern that the PPACA definition of full time as an employee working just 30 hours a week is out-of-step with standard employment practices in the U.S. today and will hurt the economy and likely cut hours for current full-time employees.\r\nThe Forty Hours is Full Time Act would change the PPACA's definition of full time employee to 40 hours a week and would make a matching adjustment in the monthly hours used to calculate full time equivalent employee. After speaking with many small business owners in Alaska who had to cut hours due to new taxes, Murkowski implored the conference members take up this bill to add this sensible definition to the PPACA.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=fcfcaaf7-f7e1-49e4-8816-911364dd9fd8", "Murkowski Votes to Protect Alaskans From Discrimination", "2013-11-07", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.07.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Votes to Protect Alaskans From Discrimination \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator: Judge Workers on Merits, Performance\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Senator Lisa Murkowski today cast her vote in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill that protects Alaskans from discrimination.\u00a0 Murkowski also supported an amendment to the bill protecting religious freedom in implementation of the law.\u00a0 Moments ago, the legislation passed the Senate by a count of 64-32.\r\nOn the floor of the Senate, Murkowski expressed the view that employees should be judged solely on the basis of ability or skill:\r\n\r\n\r\n(Murkowski makes argument for ENDA: \u201cNo discrimination\u201d \u2013 11/6 \u2013 Click image for excerpt.)\u00a0\r\n\u201cCurrent law\u00a0protects against discrimination\u00a0in the workplace for many\u00a0classes of individuals.\u00a0Many of us have been involved in\u00a0working to refine these laws\u00a0that protect against\u00a0discrimination affecting\u00a0employment practices not on the\u00a0basis of one's merits or\u00a0qualifications but on the sole\u00a0basis of factors unrelated to an\u00a0individual's work experience,\u00a0such as race, ethnicity,\u00a0national origin, religion, age,\u00a0disability, and sex or gender.\r\n\u201cWe have made sure to\u00a0put protections in place against discrimination in\u00a0the workplace for these classes,\u00a0these categories of individuals.\u00a0But for those in the LGBT community for\u00a0whom discrimination on the basis\u00a0of sex does not apply, ENDA bridges that\u00a0gap.\u00a0 \u201cIt is time that that gap\u00a0is resolved.\u00a0 In fact, the separation that\u00a0has been in place would be eliminated.\u00a0Discrimination should never be accepted in any workplace or anywhere for that\u00a0matter.\u00a0It's just pretty simple -- just\u00a0no discrimination.\u00a0I am a strong, strong believer\u00a0that individuals should be\u00a0judged on their merits and not\u00a0how they look or how they are\u00a0perceived to be.\u201d\r\nABOUT ENDA: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 currently protect employees from unlawful employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex and national origin.\u00a0 The Employment Non-Discrimination Act extends employment non-discrimination protections to individuals on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.\u00a0 Other employment discrimination protections currently exist for individuals with disabilities and pregnant workers.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-votes-to-protect-alaskans-from-discrimination", "Murkowski Votes to Protect Alaskans From Discrimination", "2013-11-07", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.07.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Votes to Protect Alaskans From Discrimination \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator: Judge Workers on Merits, Performance\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC  Senator Lisa Murkowski today cast her vote in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill that protects Alaskans from discrimination. Murkowski also supported an amendment to the bill protecting religious freedom in implementation of the law. Moments ago, the legislation passed the Senate by a count of 64-32.\r\nOn the floor of the Senate, Murkowski expressed the view that employees should be judged solely on the basis of ability or skill:\r\n\r\n\r\n(Murkowski makes argument for ENDA: No discrimination  11/6  Click image for excerpt.)\r\nCurrent lawprotects against discriminationin the workplace for manyclasses of individuals.Many of us have been involved inworking to refine these lawsthat protect againstdiscrimination affectingemployment practices not on thebasis of one's merits orqualifications but on the solebasis of factors unrelated to anindividual's work experience,such as race, ethnicity,national origin, religion, age,disability, and sex or gender.\r\nWe have made sure toput protections in place against discrimination inthe workplace for these classes,these categories of individuals.But for those in the LGBT community forwhom discrimination on the basisof sex does not apply, ENDA bridges thatgap. It is time that that gapis resolved. In fact, the separation thathas been in place would be eliminated.Discrimination should never be accepted in any workplace or anywhere for thatmatter.It's just pretty simple -- justno discrimination.I am a strong, strong believerthat individuals should bejudged on their merits and nothow they look or how they areperceived to be.\r\nABOUT ENDA: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 currently protect employees from unlawful employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex and national origin. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act extends employment non-discrimination protections to individuals on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Other employment discrimination protections currently exist for individuals with disabilities and pregnant workers.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=abcaa37b-045a-43ce-b090-d28baf05f35d", "Murkowski Backs \u201cIf You Like Your Health Plan, You Can Keep It\u201d Act", "2013-11-06", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.06.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Backs \u201cIf You Like Your Health Plan, You Can Keep It\u201d Act \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Co-Sponsors Legislation to Deliver on Broken Promise\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced her co-sponsorship of S.1617, the If You Like Your Health Plan You Can Keep It Act of 2013, amid rising reports of thousands of Alaskans\u2019 inability to continue on with their current health care plan as President Obama had promised during the campaign to pass the legislation.\r\n\u201c'Keep your health care plan if you like it\u2019 was one of the key claims that President Obama used to force this flawed law through Congress, and now over 5,000 Alaskans have seen this promise broken in the first month of its rollout,\u201d said Senator Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cAmericans deserve honesty.\u00a0 Nancy Pelosi said we had to pass this bill to find out what was in it, and it turns out to be a work of fiction.\u00a0 That\u2019s not fair to Alaskans who are anxious and uncertain about their coverage and that of their families.\u201d\r\nThe legislation will amend the Affordable Care Act to allow Americans to hold onto the health insurance plans they are satisfied with, and not force them to discontinue their plans and enter the health care exchange.\u00a0 Last week, a key health care exchange provider, Enroll Alaska, announced they were indefinitely suspending their operations due to widespread problems with the system that included its subsidy calculator.\r\nSenator Murkowski is joined on this bill by the sponsor Ron Johnson (WI) and Senators Lamar Alexander (TN), Kelly Ayotte (NH), John Barrasso (WY), Richard Burr (NC), Roy Blunt (MO), John Boozman (AR), Saxby Chambliss (GA), Daniel Coats (IN), Thomas Coburn (OK), Thad Cochran (MS), Susan Collins (ME), Bob Corker (TN), John Cornyn (TX), Michael Crapo (ID), Michael Enzi (WY), Deb Fischer (NE), Jeff Flake (AZ), Lindsey Graham (SC), Charles Grassley (IA), Orrin Hatch (UT), Dean Heller (NV), John Hoeven (ND), James Inhofe (OK), John Isakson (GA), Mike Johanns (NE), Mark Kirk (IL), John McCain (AZ), Mitch McConnell (KY), Jerry Moran (KS), Rand Paul (KY), Robert Portman (OH), James Risch (ID), Pat Roberts (KS), Marco Rubio (FL), Tim Scott (SC), Jeff Sessions (AL), Richard Shelby (AL), John Thune (SD), Pat Toomey (PA), David Vitter (LA), and Roger Wicker (MS).\r\n\u00a0\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=f3a35dd7-8116-4256-bf59-0283583fc14d", "Murkowski: \u201cWords  Aren\u2019t Solving the Problem\u201d of Military Sexual Assault", "2013-11-06", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.06.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski: \u201cWords  Aren\u2019t Solving the Problem\u201d of Military Sexual Assault  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Joins Major Bipartisan Push to Pass Military Justice Improvement Act\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined a bipartisan coalition of her colleagues to kick off a final two week push to create an independent, objective and non-biased military justice system \u2013 through the Military Justice Improvement Act \u2013 as the Senate is expected to debate the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) before Thanksgiving.\r\nThe legislation that Murkowski co-sponsored in May would eliminate many obstacles that numerous victims of military sexual assault have described in deciding whether to report the crimes committed against them due to the bias and inherent conflicts of interest posed by the military chain of command's current sole decision-making power.\u00a0\r\nAt a press conference earlier today, Murkowski was joined by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Rand Paul (R-KY), Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) discussing how the problem has been acknowledged publicly by the Pentagon brass for decades, but no hard solutions have been enacted or created that provide a better environment for victims \u2013 this bill would take the decision out of the hands of the Commanding Officer and allow an independent Judge Advocate General to determine whether a court case should proceed.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n(Senator Murkowski cites need for Military Justice Improvement Act \u2013 Click image to view)\r\n\u00a0\r\nIn discussing the acknowledgements of military officials on the topic, Murkowski said:\r\n\u201cThere is a notion that somehow or other our military has addressed this issue because they are saying the right words.\u00a0 Because they have said there is a \u2018Commitment to Zero Tolerance\u2019 here.\u00a0 I have heard it and all my colleagues have heard it from every General who has chosen to visit in the last six months.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThey say \u2018We\u2019ve had our eyes opened wide.\u2019\u00a0 Well, they\u2019ve had those wide eyes for twenty years now.\u00a0 Instead of seeing a change in the attitude, a change in the direction, so we don\u2019t see survivors like we see here writing letters saying \u2018Please can\u2019t you do something to affect real change.\u2019\r\n\u201cThe words aren\u2019t solving the problem\u00a0\r\n\u201cIn many of the letters that have been received, they say things like \u2018This has been a persistent problem.\u2019\u00a0 Brigadier General Sutton describes it as a \u2018sorrowful history of inattention and ineptitude,\u2019 an \u2018inadequate response to sexual assault\u2019 or \u2018DOD\u2019s time to solve the problem on its own has expired.\u2019\r\n\u201cThere\u2019s a recognition we\u2019re not talking about something current.\u00a0 We\u2019re talking about a historic problem, a historic tragedy that needs to be rectified and corrected.\u00a0 This bill is a shake-up.\u00a0 Senator Gillibrand, thank you for working so aggressively to shake it up because the words have not helped the survivors.\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-backs-if-you-like-your-health-plan-you-can-keep-it-act", "Murkowski Backs If You Like Your Health Plan, You Can Keep It Act", "2013-11-06", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.06.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski Backs If You Like Your Health Plan, You Can Keep It Act \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Co-Sponsors Legislation to Deliver on Broken Promise\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced her co-sponsorship of S.1617, the If You Like Your Health Plan You Can Keep It Act of 2013, amid rising reports of thousands of Alaskans' inability to continue on with their current health care plan as President Obama had promised during the campaign to pass the legislation.\r\n'Keep your health care plan if you like it' was one of the key claims that President Obama used to force this flawed law through Congress, and now over 5,000 Alaskans have seen this promise broken in the first month of its rollout, said Senator Murkowski. Americans deserve honesty. Nancy Pelosi said we had to pass this bill to find out what was in it, and it turns out to be a work of fiction. That's not fair to Alaskans who are anxious and uncertain about their coverage and that of their families.\r\nThe legislation will amend the Affordable Care Act to allow Americans to hold onto the health insurance plans they are satisfied with, and not force them to discontinue their plans and enter the health care exchange. Last week, a key health care exchange provider, Enroll Alaska, announced they were indefinitely suspending their operations due to widespread problems with the system that included its subsidy calculator.\r\nSenator Murkowski is joined on this bill by the sponsor Ron Johnson (WI) and Senators Lamar Alexander (TN), Kelly Ayotte (NH), John Barrasso (WY), Richard Burr (NC), Roy Blunt (MO), John Boozman (AR), Saxby Chambliss (GA), Daniel Coats (IN), Thomas Coburn (OK), Thad Cochran (MS), Susan Collins (ME), Bob Corker (TN), John Cornyn (TX), Michael Crapo (ID), Michael Enzi (WY), Deb Fischer (NE), Jeff Flake (AZ), Lindsey Graham (SC), Charles Grassley (IA), Orrin Hatch (UT), Dean Heller (NV), John Hoeven (ND), James Inhofe (OK), John Isakson (GA), Mike Johanns (NE), Mark Kirk (IL), John McCain (AZ), Mitch McConnell (KY), Jerry Moran (KS), Rand Paul (KY), Robert Portman (OH), James Risch (ID), Pat Roberts (KS), Marco Rubio (FL), Tim Scott (SC), Jeff Sessions (AL), Richard Shelby (AL), John Thune (SD), Pat Toomey (PA), David Vitter (LA), and Roger Wicker (MS).\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-words-arent-solving-the-problem-of-military-sexual-assault", "Murkowski: Words  Arent Solving the Problem of Military Sexual Assault", "2013-11-06", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.06.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Words  Aren't Solving the Problem of Military Sexual Assault  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Joins Major Bipartisan Push to Pass Military Justice Improvement Act\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined a bipartisan coalition of her colleagues to kick off a final two week push to create an independent, objective and non-biased military justice system  through the Military Justice Improvement Act  as the Senate is expected to debate the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) before Thanksgiving.\r\nThe legislation that Murkowski co-sponsored in May would eliminate many obstacles that numerous victims of military sexual assault have described in deciding whether to report the crimes committed against them due to the bias and inherent conflicts of interest posed by the military chain of command's current sole decision-making power.\r\nAt a press conference earlier today, Murkowski was joined by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Rand Paul (R-KY), Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) discussing how the problem has been acknowledged publicly by the Pentagon brass for decades, but no hard solutions have been enacted or created that provide a better environment for victims  this bill would take the decision out of the hands of the Commanding Officer and allow an independent Judge Advocate General to determine whether a court case should proceed.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Senator Murkowski cites need for Military Justice Improvement Act  Click image to view)\r\n\r\nIn discussing the acknowledgements of military officials on the topic, Murkowski said:\r\nThere is a notion that somehow or other our military has addressed this issue because they are saying the right words. Because they have said there is a Commitment to Zero Tolerance' here. I have heard it and all my colleagues have heard it from every General who has chosen to visit in the last six months.\r\nThey say We've had our eyes opened wide.' Well, they've had those wide eyes for twenty years now. Instead of seeing a change in the attitude, a change in the direction, so we don't see survivors like we see here writing letters saying Please can't you do something to affect real change.'\r\nThe words aren't solving the problem\r\nIn many of the letters that have been received, they say things like This has been a persistent problem.' Brigadier General Sutton describes it as a sorrowful history of inattention and ineptitude,' an inadequate response to sexual assault' or DOD's time to solve the problem on its own has expired.'\r\nThere's a recognition we're not talking about something current. We're talking about a historic problem, a historic tragedy that needs to be rectified and corrected. This bill is a shake-up. Senator Gillibrand, thank you for working so aggressively to shake it up because the words have not helped the survivors.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360367", "Representative Young Announces Public Schedule for Week of November 4th", "2013-11-05", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Alaskan Congressman Don Young today announced he will visit Ketchikan, Wrangell, and Petersburg  this week to meet with members of the community.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Alaskan Congressman Don Young\u00a0today announced the following public events during his travels to Southeast Alaska this week.\r\nKetchikan\r\nWednesday, November 6, 2013\u00a0\r\n12:00 p.m \u2013 Congressman Young will speak to the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce -- Media Availability to Follow \r\nLocation: Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce - 111 Stedman St, Ketchikan, AK\r\nWrangell\r\nThursday, November 7, 2013\u00a0\r\n3:00 p.m \u2013 Congressman Young will host a constituent \u201cMeet and Greet\u201d regarding current issues with the federal government -- Media Availability to Follow \r\nLocation: Address: Nolan Civic Center, 296 Campbell Drive, Wrangell, AK\r\nPetersburg\r\nFriday, November 8, 2013\u00a0\r\n3:00 p.m \u2013 Congressman Young will participate in a community meeting sponsored by the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce -- Media Availability to Follow \r\nLocation: Assembly Chambers, Petersburg, AK\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=0cc5ae7a-dd44-424e-823d-ee2552ffea66", "Murkowski: Health Care Cost Increases Aren\u2019t Statistics, They Are Alaskans", "2013-11-05", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.05.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Health Care Cost Increases Aren\u2019t Statistics, They Are Alaskans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Letters from Fairbanks, Anchorage, Petersburg, Valdez and Others Read on Floor\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014On the heels of her Committee Hearing exchange with the CMS Administrator earlier, Senator Lisa Murkowski today took the stories of everyday Alaskans with her to the floor of the United States Senate, in order to have more time to fully share their concerns and frustrations at the rollout of the health care exchanges in Alaska \u2013 both in terms of technical glitches and sticker shock at the dramatic rise in premiums.\r\nAt the opening of her speech, Senator Murkowski recounted the questions she raised to the CMS Administrator earlier \u2013 focusing on website glitches and rising anxieties \u2013 before turning towards the authentic voices of Alaskans who have looked into the heath care law and been surprised at the higher costs they are finding.\u00a0 Senator Murkowski shared the stories of:\r\n \r\nA Fairbanks family who runs a knife and tool shop expecting to see a 60% leap in their premium.\r\nA woman over 55 years old who expects to see a $1,500 monthly premium, who wrote \u201cThis is more than our mortgage. This is like a second mortgage.\u201d\r\nAn Anchorage woman worried about a 23% increase in her monthly premium.\r\nA 25 year old non-smoker from Petersburg whose monthly charges are rising from $102 to $281.\r\nA 41 year old Valdez man who says his estimated premium increase is 85 percent.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n(Senator Lisa Murkowski shares Alaskans\u2019 letters with her Senate colleagues \u2013 click image to view excerpt.\u00a0 Click here for entire speech.)\r\n\u00a0\r\nWhen Senator Murkowski concluded her summary of the interaction she has had with Alaskans, she told her colleagues on the Senate floor, \u201cWe go through these stories \u2026 These\u00a0stories are people that I represent.\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=b4072c6a-5837-4595-a786-95a06c2ad035", "Murkowski: \u201cWho\u2019s On The Hook\u201d For Health Care Law Failures?", "2013-11-05", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.05.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski: \u201cWho\u2019s On The Hook\u201d For Health Care Law Failures? \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Vents Alaskan Frustrations, Anxieties With Administration Witness\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Senator Lisa Murkowski today grilled the Administrator for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services over myriad failures and problems being experienced with Alaska\u2019s health care exchange in a hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee for Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.\r\nMurkowski\u2019s frustrations focused on:\r\n\r\n\r\n(AK exchange officials telling Murkowski \u201cStop.\u00a0 It\u2019s not working.\u201d Click image for excerpt.)\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cI had a meeting a few days ago with the navigators who are trying to facilitate these exchanges including Enroll Alaska that has been set up specifically for this process.\u00a0 These are all folks that want this to work.\u00a0 What I heard from them was \u2018Stop.\u00a0 It\u2019s not working.\u2019\u00a0 As of the 29th of October, Enroll Alaska confirmed that there were three Alaskans who had successfully enrolled.\u00a0 There is nobody else who has stepped forward to say they successfully enrolled in the exchange from Alaska\u2026 One of the things that was troubling in that meeting was to hear that the three people who have enrolled have been given incorrect information.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n(9pm-1am window doesn\u2019t work for Alaska.\u00a0 \u201cThe sun does not rise and set over Washington, DC.\u201d Click image for excerpt.)\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cUnlike what some might believe here, the sun does not rise and set over Washington, DC or in Eastern Standard Time. So when a family finishes up dinner, does the dishes and puts the kids to bed in Alaska, 9pm is 1am. At the time period when Alaskans can sit and move through any aspect of this exchange, you\u2019re shutdown.\u00a0 When will this site be available for all Americans to take a look at?\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n(If things fail for Alaskans on January 1st, \u201cWho is on the hook?\u201d \u2013 Click image for excerpt.)\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cIf we\u2019re in this situation where we have a concern with the subsidy calculator, we may have three people enrolled and we can\u2019t get onto the exchanges when we have downtime, I have Alaskans asking me \u2018What happens to me on January 5th when I have an incident? We have sixty percent of the folks who receive their insurance from Premera \u2013 our largest insurer by a large margin \u2013 they have received cancellation notices.\u00a0 You have that going on, you can\u2019t get onto the exchanges .. Alaskans are coming to me and asking what happens if something happens to me the first week of January?\u00a0 Is the individual on the hook?\u00a0 Is it [Department of Health and Human Services] because there\u2019s been a glitch here?\u00a0 They want to know \u2018If I fall through the cracks, what happens to me?\u2019 I don\u2019t have an answer for them.\u00a0 Who is on the hook?\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nFor entire one box video, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YxN_lC6c9U&feature=youtu.be\r\nFor entire split-screen video, click here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqMcJahfPz4&feature=youtu.be\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-health-care-cost-increases-arent-statistics-they-are-alaskans", "Murkowski: Health Care Cost Increases Arent Statistics, They Are Alaskans", "2013-11-05", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.05.13\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Health Care Cost Increases Aren't Statistics, They Are Alaskans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Letters from Fairbanks, Anchorage, Petersburg, Valdez and Others Read on Floor\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.On the heels of her Committee Hearing exchange with the CMS Administrator earlier, Senator Lisa Murkowski today took the stories of everyday Alaskans with her to the floor of the United States Senate, in order to have more time to fully share their concerns and frustrations at the rollout of the health care exchanges in Alaska  both in terms of technical glitches and sticker shock at the dramatic rise in premiums.\r\nAt the opening of her speech, Senator Murkowski recounted the questions she raised to the CMS Administrator earlier  focusing on website glitches and rising anxieties  before turning towards the authentic voices of Alaskans who have looked into the heath care law and been surprised at the higher costs they are finding. Senator Murkowski shared the stories of:\r\n \r\nA Fairbanks family who runs a knife and tool shop expecting to see a 60% leap in their premium.\r\nA woman over 55 years old who expects to see a $1,500 monthly premium, who wrote This is more than our mortgage. This is like a second mortgage.\r\nAn Anchorage woman worried about a 23% increase in her monthly premium.\r\nA 25 year old non-smoker from Petersburg whose monthly charges are rising from $102 to $281.\r\nA 41 year old Valdez man who says his estimated premium increase is 85 percent.\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n(Senator Lisa Murkowski shares Alaskans' letters with her Senate colleagues  click image to view excerpt. Click here for entire speech.)\r\n\r\nWhen Senator Murkowski concluded her summary of the interaction she has had with Alaskans, she told her colleagues on the Senate floor, We go through these stories  Thesestories are people that I represent.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 671, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Republican", "p1": "AK", "p2": "2013"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AK&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 671, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AK&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AK&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 671, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AK&year=2013&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AK&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "AK", "label": "AK", "count": 671, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AK&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "2013", "label": "2013", "count": 671, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AK", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2013-11-05,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Emurkowski~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpress~2Frelease~2Fmurkowski-health-care-cost-increases-arent-statistics-they-are-alaskans", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AK&year=2013&_next=2013-11-05%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Emurkowski~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpress~2Frelease~2Fmurkowski-health-care-cost-increases-arent-statistics-they-are-alaskans&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 220.61191499233246, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}