{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"AK\" and year = 2014 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398013", "E-Newsletter: Merry Christmas From Congressman Young", "2014-12-22", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friends,\nAs we approach the final days of 2014 and the close of the 113th Congress, it\u2019s important to reflect back on the year we\u2019ve had. There\u2019s no question that as Alaskans and Americans we\u2019ve faced significant challenges and opportunities. I\u2019ve heard from countless Alaskans \u2013 school teachers, business owners, fisherman and doctors \u2013 all expressing their frustration and concern for the direction this nation is headed and for the massive expansion of federal policies that harm our local economies and threaten our way of life. Alaskans deserve better and I look forward to tackling these many issues when Congress returns in January.\nI am once again grateful to the Alaskan people for the responsibility you\u2019ve entrusted in me to serve the people and state I love so dearly. I thank you for your continued support and for always speaking your mind and making your voices heard as Congress takes up the many difficult decisions to move this country forward.\n\nMerry Christmas From Congressman Young\nCongressman Young wishing Alaskans a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (click here to watch).\nAs friends and families gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and the holiday season, I would like to take a moment to recognize the hardworking men and women of our military. These guardians of freedom and stewards of peace sacrifice so much for this nation and deserve the utmost gratitude and thanks from all Americans.\nTo everyone in the state of Alaska and beyond, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May this time of happiness and joy be a reminder of the many blessings God has given us \u2013 the love of friends and family, good health, and our undeniable Alaskan spirit and determination. \u00a0\u00a0\nMerry Christmas, Happy New Year, and God Bless you all!\nThe Capitol Tree lighting ceremony, one of the many Christmas traditions in the nation\u2019s capital. Next year\u2019s tree will be cut and transported from Alaska\u2019s Chugach National Forest.\nHappy Hanukkah to all those in Alaska celebrating the Festival of Lights!\nAn annual Christmas tradition of mine, ringing the Salvation Army bell at the 5th Avenue Mall in Anchorage.\n\u00a0\nHappy Winter Solstice Alaska! Yesterday, we celebrated the shortest day of the year. Check out this wide range of daylight across the state: Juneau: 6 hours 22 minutes; Anchorage: 5 hours 28 minutes; Fairbanks: 3 hours 42 minutes; Barrow: Darkness until January 23rd, 2015\n\"A Christmas Story\" from Congressman Young\nI was recently asked to describe my favorite childhood Christmas gift. Here is what I said:\n\u201cThe best gift I ever received was a BB gun when I was six years old \u2013 a Red Ryder BB gun. It cost $2.50. My brother and I both got one that year. He shot his off in front of the family on Christmas day and shot a hole in the ceiling. His was taken away from him and I got to keep mine. That was my first of many guns, one I\u2019ll always remember.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\n113th Congress in Review\nOne of the most important responsibilities I have as Alaska\u2019s sole Representative is assisting and helping individuals, groups and organizations with the many problems they face when dealing with the federal government. This often challenging task is particularly important as the size and scope of federal government continues to encroach on our everyday lives. While there are countless numbers to share over the last two years, I am most proud of the work my office has done to ensure individual Alaskans are getting the response and treatment they deserve from the federal government.\nIt\u2019s no secret that the 113th Congress in considered one of the least productive since before WWII \u2013 having passed only 296 bills into law. While legislation isn\u2019t always the answer to our nation\u2019s problems, this number is an indication of the nation\u2019s vast differences and the polarizing climate that has plagued our nation for too long. \u00a0\nEven in these divided times, my efforts to protect Alaska\u2019s interests and achieve success for our people didn\u2019t go unanswered. \u00a0In the 113th Congress, I am proud to report that three pieces of legislation I wrote and introduced were signed into law, in an addition to numerous other bills, amendments and provisions that passed in larger pieces of legislation.\n \n    H.R. 588, the Vietnam Veterans Donor Acknowledgment Act of 2013 (Public Law No: 113-121)\n \n \n    H.R. 623, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land Transfer Act Public Law No: 113-68)\n \n \n    H.R. 3110, the Huna Tlingit Traditional Gull Egg Use Act (Public Law No: 113-142)\n \n\u00a0\nLooking Forward\nWhen Congress reconvenes in January, I will be returning as the longest serving Republican and 3rd most senior member of the House of Representatives. This seniority, combined with the leadership of Senator Lisa Murkowski as the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, will bring significant opportunity for the Alaskan people and our many interests.\nI will once again serve as the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, responsible for overseeing legislation that impacts more than 100,000 Alaskan residents. This tremendous honor has yielded a number of successes for Alaska and I look forward to serving in this capacity again.\nAs Congress moves forward, I will also be taking the lead on the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, legislation that sets federal fisheries policies across the nation. With a commitment from my House colleagues, I look forward to hitting the ground running and introducing MSA legislation that addresses the concerns of all our fishermen. \u00a0\nWith that said, my top three legislative priorities for the 114th Congress are:\n1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ensuring access to our federal lands and resources;\n2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Building Alaska\u2019s infrastructure;\n3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ensuring a strong national defense and providing the resources to care for our veterans.\nThe biggest battle related to the first two priorities is the ongoing fight against the Obama Administration\u2019s cascade of regulations pouring out of federal agencies in Washington D.C. Without access to our resources and the infrastructure necessary to support industry and our population, Alaska\u2019s economy will contract and we will cease to thrive as a state.\nIn regard to the third priority, the Obama Administration is proposing to shrink our military at levels not seen since the early 20th Century. Without adequately providing for the defense of this nation, the United States will cease to be the beacon of freedom we are today. I will continue to work towards passing legislation that promotes a vibrant economy and strong military for all Americans.\u00a0\nLegislative Roundup\n In the final days of the 113th Congress, the House and Senate made a significant push to move a number of outstanding bills. While a number of House passed bills \u2013 meant to spur economic growth, reduce burdensome regulations, and hold the federal government accountable for their actions \u2013 failed to receive consideration in the Senate, I was proud to see the passage of important Alaskan legislation and provisions. \u00a0 \nHere\u2019s a list of Alaska specific bills and provisions recently signed into law by the President:\nH.R. 5069, the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014\nCongress recently sent legislation to the President that adjusts the price of the federal duck stamp, an annual permit required to hunt ducks across the nation. I was proud to include language in this legislation that exempts subsistence hunters in rural Alaska from purchasing these annual stamps. This was a major victory for rural Alaska and our many residents who have faced hardships in obtaining the federal duck stamp.\u00a0Click here\u00a0to read more.\nCongressman Young discussing the passage of H.R. 5069, the Federal Duck Stamp Act (click here to listen)\n\nS. 2444, the Howard Coble Coast Guard Transportation Act of 2014\nAs the former Chairmen and senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I was proud to see the passage of a one year Coast Guard reauthorization that advanced a number of important Alaskan causes, including a 3-year moratorium on overbearing EPA regulations facing fisherman and vessel owners, improvements to USCG lands and housing infrastructure, raises for our service members and improvements for veteran employment opportunities. \nAs Alaskans, we understand the critical role the Coast Guard plays in protecting our waterways and securing our coastlines, and this legislation represents a firm commitment by Congress to strengthen and support the Coast Guard\u2019s mission, which includes more than 2,500 active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel in Alaska.\u00a0Click here\u00a0to read more.\nS. 1847, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015 (NDAA)\nCongress recently moved legislation to provide a number of key military reforms across the country, including efforts to protect Alaskan military operations and service members, prevent military sexual assault and suicide, reaffirm the F-35 basing at Eielson Air Force Base, and convey federal lands to local entities.\nWhile I would have preferred to see passage of this important legislation months ago, I\u2019m pleased to see the House and Senate come together in our final days to find common ground. In these divided times, it\u2019s often difficult to achieve perfect legislation, but this bipartisan, bicameral agreement works to put our military men and women first and provide them with the resources and reforms they need to train, fight, and protect our country.\nThe legislation included a number of important public land provisions in Alaska, items I worked on and supported in the House. \u00a0Click here\u00a0to read more.\n \n    Olgoonik Land Transfer: The conveyance of 1,518 acres of federal land at the former Distant Early Warning Site near Wainwright, Alaska to the Olgoonik Corporation.\n \n \n    Sealaska Land Transfer: The Sealaska land entitlement finalization, which conveys 70,075 of acres of land to Sealaska.\n \n \n    3 Parcels of Anchorage Land: The removal of a federal reversionary clause on three parcels of land previously conveyed to the Municipality of Anchorage. Under the existing title, the reversionary clause would have required the land\u2019s ownership to revert back to the federal government if the Municipality of Anchorage no longer used them for \u201cmunicipal purposes.\u201d\n \n \n    \u00a0Nome Land Transfer: Transfers seven acres of federal land \u2013 the West Nome Fuel Tank Farm \u2013 from the Air Force to the City of Nome for future economic purposes.\n \n\u00a0  \nS.1474, Legislation to Repeal Section 910 of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013\nIn the many conversations I had with Alaska Native leaders and families since the reauthorization of VAWA last year, I heard a consistent, clear, and powerful message: Section 910 was\u00a0an error and must be repealed.\u00a0 I was proud to work with Senator Murkowski in the final moments of the 113th Congress to ensure that one of the final acts was to empower Alaska\u2019s tribes and uplift Alaska Native women.\u00a0Click here\u00a0to read more.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=0a9ce58c-4a96-4f04-ba36-ad2353630d31", "Murkowski Votes For Tax Certainty for Alaskans", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Votes For Tax Certainty for 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 Senator Also Supports Legislation She Co-Sponsored Expanding Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Murkowski today joined 75 of her colleagues in passing H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, a one-year bill to extend over 50 now-expired individual, business, and energy-related tax code provisions for this calendar year. Though she supported this measure to protect Alaskans from an unwelcome tax hike in their 2014 returns, Murkowski believes the bill only underscores the need for comprehensive tax reform in the next Congress.\u00a0 The bill also includes the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, to provide additional financial options to persons with disabilities. \r\n\u201cWhile do not believe eleventh hour bills like this are the way to legislate responsible tax policy, the economic harm on Alaskans of having tax deductions disappear was something that had to be avoided,\u201d said Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cThough I am concerned the bill benefits a number of small, questionable interests \u2013 which we must get a handle on \u2013 it contains many provisions to help our hard-working families and small business owners and we owe it to our taxpayers to provide this certainty as we get ready to start the 2014 tax season.\u201d \r\nSenator Murkowski also objected to the full extension of the production tax credit (PTC) for wind energy included in the bill, saying \u201cThis is the last time I intend to vote for a full extension of the wind PTC. \u00a0Wind is an important but increasingly mature technology. Instead of retroactive renewals, we should be focused on the rapid phase-out of this increasingly-costly provision. \u00a0That will save taxpayer dollars - and help drive the innovation and cost-cutting needed for this industry to stand on its own.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Tax Increase Prevention Act contains some provisions to help working families \u2013 like the state and local sales tax deduction, college tuition deduction, making purchasing school supplies a tax deductible expense for school teachers, and the discharge of mortgage indebtedness from gross income.\u00a0 The bill also contains provisions that help out Alaska\u2019s small business economy, like bonus depreciation and business expensing provisions. \r\nSenator Murkowski co-sponsored the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act in the Senate, which allows for the creation of tax-preferred disability savings accounts for qualified expenses, including education, housing, transportation and medical expenses. ABLE accounts would operate similar to 529 higher education savings plans.\u00a0 The bill also supplements other benefits for persons with disabilities without jeopardizing their eligibility for much needed benefits, including Social Security and Medicaid benefits. \r\n\u201cI was proud to have co-sponsored this legislation and am pleased to support its final passage.\u00a0 The ABLE Act will help level the playing field for those persons with disabilities by allowing them to save for education, medical, transportation and housing expenses \u2013 all in the interest of supporting them reach a better quality of life.\u201d\r\n\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=2e9f0b75-e8d6-4628-8d04-54fc9703dc92", "Sen. Murkowski Responds to Withdrawal of North Aleutian Basin from Five-Year Leasing Plan", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.14\n\t\t\t Sen. Murkowski Responds to Withdrawal of North Aleutian Basin from Five-Year Leasing Plan \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on President Obama\u2019s decision to withdraw Alaska\u2019s North Aleutian Basin from potential oil and natural gas activity.\r\n\u201cGiven the lack of interest by industry and the public divide over allowing oil and gas exploration in this area, I am not objecting to this decision at this time,\u201d Murkowski said. \u201cI think we all recognize that these are some of our state\u2019s richest fishing waters.\u00a0 What I do not understand is why this decision could not be made within the context of the administration\u2019s upcoming plan for offshore leasing \u2013 or at least announced at the same time.\u201d \r\nInterior Secretary Sally Jewell on Tuesday announced the administration was withdrawing the federal waters of the North Aleutian Basin, located off the Alaska Peninsula, from consideration for oil and gas leasing for an indeterminate period of time. The prohibition will remain in place until lifted by the Obama administration or a future administration. \r\nMurkowski also expressed her strong concerns that the Obama Administration is still dramatically out of step with Alaska\u2019s most pressing needs. \r\n\u201cIt is incredibly frustrating that this administration looks at Alaska \u2013 with oil production at a fraction of the level it could be at, and with low oil prices about to force steep across-the-board budget cuts \u2013 and decides that conservation is our most pressing need,\u201d Murkowski said. \u201cWe are not asking to produce everywhere \u2013 but right now, we are not being allowed to produce anywhere.\u00a0 Despite strong support, we are seeing development blocked in the Chukchi, the Beaufort, in NPR-A, and on the Coastal Plain. What we need are decisions to open lands and waters in Alaska, not the familiar and frustrating pattern of shutting everything down.\u201d \r\nThe withdrawal will prevent the federal waters of Bristol Bay from being offered for oil and gas leasing under the Interior Department\u2019s next five-year plan for development of the Outer Continental Shelf, which is expected to be released in a matter of weeks. The Interior Department said its prohibition does not affect commercial fishing or other potential economic activity in the region. Interior previously dropped the North Aleutian Basin from its 2012-2017 plan, so today\u2019s announcement largely represents the continuation of an existing policy. \r\n\u201cI also believe the Interior Department must continue to invest in baseline environmental research to determine the health of fishery and crab resources in the region so that future administrations can make informed decisions,\u201d Murkowski said.\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-tax-certainty-for-alaskans", "Murkowski Votes For Tax Certainty for Alaskans", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Votes For Tax Certainty for 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 Senator Also Supports Legislation She Co-Sponsored Expanding Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Murkowski today joined 75 of her colleagues in passing H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, a one-year bill to extend over 50 now-expired individual, business, and energy-related tax code provisions for this calendar year. Though she supported this measure to protect Alaskans from an unwelcome tax hike in their 2014 returns, Murkowski believes the bill only underscores the need for comprehensive tax reform in the next Congress. The bill also includes the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, to provide additional financial options to persons with disabilities. \r\nWhile do not believe eleventh hour bills like this are the way to legislate responsible tax policy, the economic harm on Alaskans of having tax deductions disappear was something that had to be avoided, said Murkowski. Though I am concerned the bill benefits a number of small, questionable interests  which we must get a handle on  it contains many provisions to help our hard-working families and small business owners and we owe it to our taxpayers to provide this certainty as we get ready to start the 2014 tax season. \r\nSenator Murkowski also objected to the full extension of the production tax credit (PTC) for wind energy included in the bill, saying This is the last time I intend to vote for a full extension of the wind PTC. Wind is an important but increasingly mature technology. Instead of retroactive renewals, we should be focused on the rapid phase-out of this increasingly-costly provision. That will save taxpayer dollars - and help drive the innovation and cost-cutting needed for this industry to stand on its own.\r\n\r\nThe Tax Increase Prevention Act contains some provisions to help working families  like the state and local sales tax deduction, college tuition deduction, making purchasing school supplies a tax deductible expense for school teachers, and the discharge of mortgage indebtedness from gross income. The bill also contains provisions that help out Alaska's small business economy, like bonus depreciation and business expensing provisions. \r\nSenator Murkowski co-sponsored the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act in the Senate, which allows for the creation of tax-preferred disability savings accounts for qualified expenses, including education, housing, transportation and medical expenses. ABLE accounts would operate similar to 529 higher education savings plans. The bill also supplements other benefits for persons with disabilities without jeopardizing their eligibility for much needed benefits, including Social Security and Medicaid benefits. \r\nI was proud to have co-sponsored this legislation and am pleased to support its final passage. The ABLE Act will help level the playing field for those persons with disabilities by allowing them to save for education, medical, transportation and housing expenses  all in the interest of supporting them reach a better quality of life.\r\n\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-responds-to-withdrawal-of-north-aleutian-basin-from-five-year-leasing-plan", "Sen. Murkowski Responds to Withdrawal of North Aleutian Basin from Five-Year Leasing Plan", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.14\n\t\t\t Sen. Murkowski Responds to Withdrawal of North Aleutian Basin from Five-Year Leasing Plan \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on President Obama's decision to withdraw Alaska's North Aleutian Basin from potential oil and natural gas activity.\r\nGiven the lack of interest by industry and the public divide over allowing oil and gas exploration in this area, I am not objecting to this decision at this time, Murkowski said. I think we all recognize that these are some of our state's richest fishing waters. What I do not understand is why this decision could not be made within the context of the administration's upcoming plan for offshore leasing  or at least announced at the same time. \r\nInterior Secretary Sally Jewell on Tuesday announced the administration was withdrawing the federal waters of the North Aleutian Basin, located off the Alaska Peninsula, from consideration for oil and gas leasing for an indeterminate period of time. The prohibition will remain in place until lifted by the Obama administration or a future administration. \r\nMurkowski also expressed her strong concerns that the Obama Administration is still dramatically out of step with Alaska's most pressing needs. \r\nIt is incredibly frustrating that this administration looks at Alaska  with oil production at a fraction of the level it could be at, and with low oil prices about to force steep across-the-board budget cuts  and decides that conservation is our most pressing need, Murkowski said. We are not asking to produce everywhere  but right now, we are not being allowed to produce anywhere. Despite strong support, we are seeing development blocked in the Chukchi, the Beaufort, in NPR-A, and on the Coastal Plain. What we need are decisions to open lands and waters in Alaska, not the familiar and frustrating pattern of shutting everything down. \r\nThe withdrawal will prevent the federal waters of Bristol Bay from being offered for oil and gas leasing under the Interior Department's next five-year plan for development of the Outer Continental Shelf, which is expected to be released in a matter of weeks. The Interior Department said its prohibition does not affect commercial fishing or other potential economic activity in the region. Interior previously dropped the North Aleutian Basin from its 2012-2017 plan, so today's announcement largely represents the continuation of an existing policy. \r\nI also believe the Interior Department must continue to invest in baseline environmental research to determine the health of fishery and crab resources in the region so that future administrations can make informed decisions, Murkowski said.\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=57338281-80ce-4d23-987e-f4ae76fb79f0", "2015 Budget Spotlights Murkowski Interior Approps Leadership", "2014-12-13", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.14\n\t\t\t 2015 Budget Spotlights Murkowski Interior Approps Leadership \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 Ranking Republican\u2019s Budget Negotiations Pass in Final \u2018CRomnibus\u2019 Bill, Show Continued Success for Jobs, Lands, Alaska Native Health Care Providers\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Today, Senator Lisa Murkowski voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2015 spending bill that included the Interior Department budget and agenda she helped craft with Congressional Leadership addressing many core Alaska needs; having passed both Congressional chambers, the budget bill now heads to the President\u2019s desk.\u00a0 With the Department of the Interior managing a majority of Alaska\u2019s lands, forests and waters \u2013 in addition to providing oversight of many services and programs for Alaska Natives and tribes \u2013 her work on this bill has an oversized impact to Alaskans statewide.\r\nProviding financial certainty to Alaska\u2019s tribal health care providers, Murkowski successfully added $45 million over the President\u2019s budget request for contract support costs (CSCs) in the 2015 budget \u2013 a welcome result after years of the government shortchanging this responsibility.\u00a0 Earlier this year, Murkowski led the effort with the Alaska delegation to fully fund CSCs to assure that tribal health centers could provide care for Alaska Natives, improve the health and well-being of Alaska\u2019s First People and create jobs for medical professionals and support staff.\r\n\u201cThis bill is a way of remedying past injustices, where the federal government fell short of its responsibility to Alaska and a solemn obligation to our First People to fulfill its commitments to us, our lands, our way of life, our safety, and our well-being,\u201d said Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cWhile this is not a perfect bill, I am proud that the work I did on the Interior Department\u2019s 2015 plan lines up with so many of Alaskans\u2019 everyday needs, realities and challenges.\u201d\r\nMurkowski was able to leverage her position as Ranking Republican on the Committee to prioritize Alaska Native health care, public land, rural infrastructure, justice and public safety needs.\r\nAlaska Tribal Priorities and Rural Communities\r\nDelivering Care and Certainty for Native Health: Senator Murkowski secured an additional $45 million above last year\u2019s level to address Contract Support Cost (CSC) shortfalls within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service. Alaska tribes, who operate tribal self-governance agreements with the federal government to deliver health care services to Alaska Natives will be provided $200 million for the operational costs of those agreements. Adequate support for tribal self-governance compacts and contracts allows tribes to improve the delivery of health and social services.\r\nBackground:\u00a0 For years, the administration shortchanged tribes nationwide by funding less than full contract support costs for the BIA and IHS.\u00a0 It was Murkowski\u2019s work in conjunction with her subcommittee colleagues, which halted this practice earlier this year.\r\n\r\n(Dentists chairs ready for Alaskans at the Benteh Nuutah Valley Native Primary Care Center in Wasilla.)\r\nStaffing of health facilities:\u00a0 The bill fully funds the request of $71 million for staffing of new facilities across the nation.\u00a0 In addition, full funding is provided to maintain staffing packages for facilities opened in Alaska during the past year and operated by the Southcentral Foundation, Norton Sound Health Corporation, Tanana Chiefs, the Barrow Hospital, Copper River, and Kenaitze.\u00a0 The staffing packages will bring hundreds of jobs to these communities.\r\nPromoting and Empowering Tribal Justice:\u00a0 Today\u2019s bill not only includes over $352 million to support public safety and justice programs across the country, but requires the Department of the Interior to review and provide a report on the funding needs of tribal courts in states like Alaska that do not currently receive dedicated tribal court funding.\r\nSafe Drinking Water and Wastewater Funding:\u00a0 In contrast to the steep cuts proposed by the administration, Senator Murkowski helped maintain $17 million in support of Alaska\u2019s efforts through the EPA\u2019s State Water Revolving Funds program.\r\nRural Water Infrastructure:\u00a0 The bill includes $10 million for EPA's Alaska Native Villages program which provides grants to implement critical wastewater and drinking water projects in Alaska\u2019s villages.\r\n\r\n(Installing water pipes in Selawik.)\r\nSupporting Native Children\u2019s Unique Needs:\u00a0 Already the co-sponsor of a bipartisan bill to create a Commission on Native Children, Senator Murkowski sponsored language in the 2015 Interior funding bill to promote interagency collaboration to streamline efforts to improve \u201chealth care, social service, child welfare and juvenile justice programs.\u201d\u00a0 Murkowski believes these preliminary efforts will create a better foundation for the future commission to fully serve Native youth nationwide.\r\nAlaska Subsistence: A year after Senator Murkowski pushed back against the administration\u2019s attempt to cut the Fish and Wildlife Service\u2019s budget for the Alaska Subsistence Program, its funding level this year remained constant at $12.4 million.\u00a0 The program promotes and regulates subsistence use on federal lands by overseeing harvest assessments and resource monitoring, conducting population assessments, and participating in Native outreach and education.\u00a0 In addition, the Forest Service\u2019s proposal to eliminate $2.5 million from the subsistence program\u2019s budget was rejected and these funds were restored in the bill.\r\n\r\n(A salmon smokehouse in Chignik.)\r\nFighting Federal Overreach\r\nProhibiting New Wild Lands: Senator Murkowski was instrumental in making sure that the administration was not able to implement a controversial Department of Interior Secretarial Order that would designate new special conservation protection areas.\r\nAvoiding EPA Interference With Hunting and Fishing: The bill contains a provision to prohibit the use of Environmental Protection Agency funds from regulating lead content of ammunition, ammunition components, and fishing tackle.\r\nBlocking Coastal Marine Special Planning (CMSP): Alaskans oppose CMSP in our waters \u2013 with officials on record calling it a \u201cnew layer of bureaucracy\u201d on top of what Alaska policies already cover.\u00a0 Senator Murkowski has been told by the administration that \u201cstates that do not want to participate [in the program] will not have to.\u201d To make certain that this is the case, Murkowski supported language in the budget prohibiting Interior Department funds from implementing CMSP.\r\nLands and Forests\r\nResources and Accountability on Contaminated ANCSA lands: In 1998, the Department of the Interior submitted a report to Congress acknowledging that it conveyed approximately 650 contaminated sites through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA).\u00a0 No significant efforts have been made by the Department to clean up these sites since this report was issued.\u00a0 The bill requires the Department to provide an updated report which includes not only an inventory of these sites but a detailed plan for how the Department intends to remediate them.\r\nLand Conveyance Funding Restored:\u00a0 The federal government\u2019s conveyance program of land owed to Alaska and Alaska Natives is mandated under the Alaska Native Settlement Claims Act (ANCSA).\u00a0 In order to speed up this process, Senator Murkowski passed the Alaska Lands Transfer Acceleration Act in 2004.\u00a0 However, the President\u2019s budget slashed the funding for Alaska land conveyance work.\u00a0 Murkowski was able to restore the funding to\u00a0$22 million to further provide Alaskans and Native Corporations final title to lands selected under the Alaska Statehood Act and ANCSA.\r\nFighting for True Timber Balance:\u00a0 Over the last ten years, Region 10 of the United States Forest Service has limited the allowable timber sales in the Tongass to less than ten percent of the actual land management plan \u2013 damaging the timber industry and shutting down mills.\u00a0 Today\u2019s bill contains a provision mandating the government alter its course to restore proper balance by offering timber sales plans within two years that will offer economic opportunity and confidence in the federal government\u2019s timber program.\r\nAlaska Red Cedar: Murkowski included language in the bill requiring that timber sales in Alaska be economic and for the U.S. Forest Service to use an appraisal system best suited to the unique needs of Alaska.\u00a0 The provision reads, in part:\r\nNo timber sale in Alaska\u2019s Region 10 shall be advertised if the indicated rate is deficit (defined as the value of the timber is not sufficient to cover all logging and stumpage costs and provide a normal profit and risk allowance under the Forest Service\u2019s appraisal process) when appraised using a residual value appraisal. The western red cedar timber from those sales which is surplus to the needs of the domestic processors in Alaska, shall be made available to domestic processors in the contiguous 48 United States at prevailing domestic prices\u2026\r\nSupporting Alaska Public Safety\r\nStrengthening Alaska Volcano Observatory\u2019s Work:\u00a0 With activity from the \u201cRing of Fire\u201d a regular occurrence, Alaskans rely on the Alaska Volcano Observatory\u2019s ability to detect threats to life, health and the state\u2019s economy.\u00a0 Senator Murkowski included language in today\u2019s bill that will increase the United States Geographical Survey Volcano Hazards program by an additional $2 million to assist the Survey in repairing and upgrading current monitoring systems.\u00a0 Several of the current seismic monitors are inoperable and maintenance is needed to continue rapid detection of these volcano threats.\r\n\r\n(The Alaska Volcano Observatory\u2019s important work available online.)\r\nAlaska Mapping Gets a Boost: Accurate, up-to-date topographic maps are necessary for aviation safety, energy development and resource assessments.\u00a0 Much of the state\u2019s topographic maps are more than a half-century old. \u00a0The bill includes $3.050 million for the U.S. Geological Survey\u2019s Alaska Mapping Initiative, which will be used to acquire data needed to provide accurate, current and publicly accessible statewide topographic maps.\r\nImproving Alaska\u2019s National Parks\r\nKatmai National Park, Brooks Lodge: With $4.4 million being provided to upgrade the current bridge to Brooks Falls to provide better public access and avoid human-bear interactions, Senator Murkowski included language directing the National Park Service to discontinue the consideration of funds to relocate the Brooks Lodge in Katmai National Park based on an outdated land use plan.\u00a0 This historic lodge is enjoyed by many Alaskans and tourists from around the world for the unique opportunity of observing bears up close in the wild.\r\n\r\n(Current floating bridge at Brooks Camp.)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=c0cdfeca-2b24-4836-9930-c67f396e156f", "Murkowski Lauds Alaskan Priorities in 2015 Funding Bill", "2014-12-13", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Lauds Alaskan Priorities in 2015 Funding 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 Military, Arctic, Fishing Industry, Vets, Infrastructure\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Several provisions championed by Senator Lisa Murkowski are included the federal spending bill that passed the Senate today and heads to the President\u2019s desk.\u00a0 The bill to fund the federal government operations for Fiscal Year 2015 \u2013 with the exception of the Department of Homeland Security, which is funded through March \u2013 includes vital items related to the Arctic, military rural infrastructure, transportation, energy, education, and veteran support.\r\n\u201cThis bill is not perfect, but it is the product of bipartisan negotiations and directs resources critical to our state \u2013 protecting the health and well-being of Alaskans and our fisheries, prioritizing our defense and investing in infrastructure for our state\u2019s needs and America\u2019s Arctic future,\u201d said Murkowski. \u201cI thank my colleagues for coming together to avoid another unnecessary government shutdown, and I thank them for recognizing the importance of these provisions for Alaska.\u201d\r\nProvisions for Alaska in the bill:\r\n\u00a0Military Investments\r\n\u00a0Missile Defense in Alaska: With the momentum of June\u2019s successful interceptor test, the bill allocates $50 million for improvements to interceptors, additional launch equipment and fire control, and stockpile reliability. \r\nLong Range Discrimination Radar Project: A priority the Missile Defense Agency described as \u2018absolutely vital\u2019 to Senator Murkowski in June, the funding bill allocates $50.5 million to a Long Range Discrimination Radar project to be built within Alaska \u2013 with a construction timeframe of roughly five years.\r\nKodiak Launch Complex Funds: Alaska\u2019s Kodiak Launch Complex and the Wallops Island Flight Facility are the nation\u2019s only private space launch complexes with FAA licenses.\u00a0\r\nMurkowski worked with Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski to assure $6 million will go to fund their infrastructure and overhead, which will be evenly divided between the two facilities.\r\nLife-Saving Combat Rescue Helicopters (CRH): Called a champion of the CRH by Air Force Magazine because it has been utilized by the Alaska Air National Guard to rescue 2,000 lives over the last twenty years, Murkowski was pleased to see a down payment included in the spending bill to recapitalize the aging HH-60 fleet.\r\n\r\n(Combat Rescue Helicopters at work.)\r\nDelivering Care for Alaska Veterans\r\nStaffing of the Wasilla Community Based Outpatient Clinic: Senator Murkowski held a veterans\u2019 listening session in Wasilla to hear firsthand the challenges faced by the military retiree community who seek care at the CBOC that has difficulty retaining staff.\u00a0 To get answers for Mat-Su Alaskans, she secured language in the bill to request a two-part report on staffing issues at the Wasilla CBOC. The report will look into ways to address the staffing shortage and a separate report will analyze the overall Community Based Outpatient Clinic program \u2013 both to be completed by February 1, 2015.\r\nLou Gehrig\u2019s Disease Research: Military members are twice as likely to suffer from ALS than the average population rate, which led Senator Murkowski to help allocate $7.5 million specifically to research the devastating disease.\u00a0 Today\u2019s bill also reflects a 5 percent increase in Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program for solutions and medical conditions that benefit our veterans.\r\nVeterans Employment and Training Service (VETS): VETS delivers job training to Alaska\u2019s 70,000 veterans. This program received $270 million, an increase of $458,000 from Fiscal Year 2014. This funding increase reflects Senator Murkowski\u2019s commitment to the VOW to HIRE HEROES initiative.\r\nAlaskanizing VA Reimbursement Rates: With Alaska\u2019s medical expenses being far higher than the national averages, Senator Murkowski is pleased to see a provision in today\u2019s spending bill that allows the Alaska VA to set its own rates for reimbursements, and not be tied to Medicare rates.\u00a0 Taking this action will help support the successful implementation of the Choice Card program.\r\nAlaska\u2019s Fishing and Nautical Needs\r\nElectronic Monitoring for Alaska\u2019s Fishing Fleet: The budget includes $2 million to implement electronic monitoring systems on fishing vessels.\u00a0Last year, Senator Murkowski told NOAA that using cameras could be more efficient and safer than placing an observer on-board.\u00a0The bill also includes language from Senator Murkowski urging the agency to be flexible regarding waiver requests for the observer program, reading:\r\n\u201cFurther, NMFS is encouraged to exercise reasonable discretion when evaluating requests by small boat fixed gear vessels seeking a release from the requirement to carry a human observer due to a lack of physical space or other physical constraint.\u00a0 The Committee is concerned with NMFS\u2019s approach to granting observer relief based on hardship and therefore directs the agency to grant such releases based on the actual number of bunks on a vessel and reasonable assessment of vessel operations with due consideration for the well-being of the crew.\u00a0 The Committee encourages NMFS to support the use of experimental fisheries permits, to continue the expeditious development of electronic monitoring equipment and procedures, and to use the experimental fisheries permits as the bridge between cooperative research and the implementation of electronic monitoring technology by regulation as a component of the Observer Program for small boat fixed gear fleets.\u201d\r\nAiding Alaska\u2019s Federal Coastline Fight Against Tsunami Debris: Senator Murkowski has pressed that since thousands of miles of Alaska\u2019s coastline are federally managed, the federal government should adequately fund clean-up efforts on the lands that it owns. The 2015 spending bill includes $6 million to address this need, and Murkowski\u2019s language:\r\n\u201cThe Committee supports the requested level for NOAA's Marine Debris Program but is concerned that NOAA has placed insufficient emphasis to clean up and dispose of marine debris resulting from the 2011 Japanese tsunami. Within funds provided, NOAA shall give priority for clean-up and disposal activities on Federal lands within States inundated with debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami.\u201d\r\n\r\n(Murkowski speaks on 2nd anniversary of the Japanese Earthquake\u2014click image to watch video.)\r\n\r\nSustainably Managed Seafood: Senator Murkowski is continuing her fight against the efforts of non-governmental organizations seeking to judge the sustainability of Alaskan seafood through this funding bill, inserting language that prohibits many federal agencies from using outside groups to certify the quality of fish caught in U.S. waters. \r\nSeafood Economic Integrity: Given that the FDA has not worked as diligently as possible to address the mislabeling of species and seafood product weights, Senator Murkowski helped secure language that encourages FDA to work with states and NOAA to address potential fraud in these areas.\r\nConsistent Funding for Salmon Management Activities: This year\u2019s budget maintains funding at $30.2 million, rebuffing the Obama administration\u2019s attempt to cut funding by $3 million.\r\nSupport for the National Data Buoy Center: $28.2 million for the project, along with Murkowski language prioritizing the need to curb the amount of outages among the buoy network.\r\nConsistent Funding for Fishery Stock Assessments: This year\u2019s bill includes $72 million in expanded stock assessments and $24 million for survey and monitoring projects within the Fisheries Research and Management Account. \r\nRural Infrastructure\r\nDenali Commission: The Denali Commission is tasked with coordinating construction and infrastructure efforts in rural Alaska. Though the President attempted to cut the Commission\u2019s budget by more than 25 percent, Senator Murkowski was able to hold funding steady at $10 million.\r\nHigh Energy Cost Grant Program: Senator Murkowski successfully had $10 million included for high energy cost grants. According to the Department of Agriculture, the program benefits the Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority, Gwitchyaa Zhee Utility Company and Alaska Village Initiatives.\r\nOffice of Indian Energy Policy: The Office of Indian Energy Policy is an Energy Department initiative that assists tribes with energy needs and projects on their lands. Though the President\u2019s budget allotted no funds for this program, Senator Murkowski successfully added $16 million to help consolidate policy and grant functions in one office within DoE.\r\nRural Infrastructure: Senator Murkowski requested funds for the Tribal High Priority Projects program in order to ensure that essential road, bridge and safety and bridges receive support. The THPP will continue to be funded at a $450 million.\r\nResources for an Arctic Agenda\r\nBoosting Arctic Navigation: $25 million is included for hydrographic surveys \u2013 or sonar mapping \u2013 of the nation\u2019s coastline. Senator Murkowski also secured report language emphasizing the need for Arctic mapping:\r\n\u201cThe Committee directs NOAA to report within 60 days of enactment on progress made to survey and prepare navigational information for the Bering Straits region and the Arctic.\u00a0 NOAA is further directed to report on hydrographic activities planned for fiscal year 2015, including: vessels to be utilized, the areas to be surveyed, and the remaining gaps in the Arctic region.\u201d\r\n\r\nChairing the Arctic Council: Senator Murkowski consistently emphasizes America\u2019s need to prioritize Arctic issues. Murkowski requested $2 million, funding included in this bill, to prepare the U.S. to assume the role of chair of the Arctic Council in 2015. The language reads: \r\n\u201cThe Committee recognizes the strategic importance of the Arctic region to the long-term economic and national security interests of the United States and notes that the United States will assume the Chair of the Arctic Council in May 2015. The Committee recommends $2,000,000 for preparation and support for the chairmanship of the Arctic Council, and encourages the Department of State to increase the number of personnel assigned to Arctic Council issues. The Committee also encourages the Department of State to establish the position of U.S. Ambassador to the Arctic in order to enhance engagement with other Arctic nations. \r\nThe Committee strongly supports the participation of American indigenous communities in the Arctic Council, and section 7034(t) of this act provides up to $500,000 for grants to support the application of science and technology to foreign policy issues in the Arctic region, including to facilitate the participation of indigenous communities in the Council.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nArctic Awareness and Icebreakers:\u00a0 Demonstrating her continued Arctic focus, Senator Murkowski also added language to the bill expressing concern about the nation\u2019s slow pace in addressing Arctic investment, and directing the Department of Defense to conduct a study of the nation\u2019s satellite coverage of the Arctic region as activities increase.\u00a0 The spending plan also requires the Department of Defense to work with the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard to address our nation\u2019s shortage of polar icebreakers and Arctic class vessels.\r\nTactical Technology \u2013 Arctic Operations: The Defense Advanced Projects Agency within the Pentagon will receive $7.25 million to develop technology to enable maritime domain awareness in the Arctic \u2013 over double what the administration proposed.\r\nResources for Those in Need \r\nFunding for FASD Center for Excellence: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is the number one most preventable cause of developmental disabilities and birth defects. As a champion for the awareness and prevention of FASD, Senator Murkowski is pleased that $1 million is being directed to the FASD Center for Excellence.\r\nLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Senator Murkowski is committed to ensuring that Alaskans never face the harsh choice between paying for household energy or other basic necessities. Although President Obama proposed a $50 million decrease in LIHEAP\u2019s budget from Fiscal Year 2014, Murkowski was able to help secure $3.39 billion to fund this critical program\u2019s future.\r\nAccess to Healthy Food: Alaskans know first-hand the health benefits of eating salmon, and the federal government has come to recognize this as well. Senator Murkowski inserted language in the omnibus, requesting a study of the effects of putting low-mercury salmon in Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food packages. The language reads:\r\nThe Committee understands the Department is working with the Institute of Medicine to make recommendations for the fish species to include in the WIC food packages that scientific evidence shows to be low in mercury and in other respects nutritious, including wild salmon, for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women.\u00a0 The Committee requests a report, within 120 days of enactment of this act, on this effort.\r\nHead Start: Head Start provides educational and health services to over 3,000 young Alaskans in 100 communities, and funding will remain at last year\u2019s level: $8.598 billion. Language in this bill also encourages the Department of Health and Human Services to consider the unique challenges faced by Head Start providers in remote and frontier areas.\r\nJob Corps: Senator Murkowski is an advocate for this important program that provides free career and technical training to young Alaskans. $1.7 billion is directed to this nationwide program.\r\nChild Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG): Senator Murkowski strongly supports the increase in CCDBG funding from $2.36 billion to $2.435 billion, to assist states, tribes, and providers in improving the quality of child care for America\u2019s working families.\u00a0This increase could trigger language Murkowski added to the CCDBG Act earlier this year, and allow tribal grantees\u2019 allocations to increase.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/2015-budget-spotlights-murkowski-interior-approps-leadership", "2015 Budget Spotlights Murkowski Interior Approps Leadership", "2014-12-13", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.14\n\t\t\t 2015 Budget Spotlights Murkowski Interior Approps Leadership \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 Ranking Republican's Budget Negotiations Pass in Final CRomnibus' Bill, Show Continued Success for Jobs, Lands, Alaska Native Health Care Providers\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Today, Senator Lisa Murkowski voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2015 spending bill that included the Interior Department budget and agenda she helped craft with Congressional Leadership addressing many core Alaska needs; having passed both Congressional chambers, the budget bill now heads to the President's desk. With the Department of the Interior managing a majority of Alaska's lands, forests and waters  in addition to providing oversight of many services and programs for Alaska Natives and tribes  her work on this bill has an oversized impact to Alaskans statewide.\r\nProviding financial certainty to Alaska's tribal health care providers, Murkowski successfully added $45 million over the President's budget request for contract support costs (CSCs) in the 2015 budget  a welcome result after years of the government shortchanging this responsibility. Earlier this year, Murkowski led the effort with the Alaska delegation to fully fund CSCs to assure that tribal health centers could provide care for Alaska Natives, improve the health and well-being of Alaska's First People and create jobs for medical professionals and support staff.\r\nThis bill is a way of remedying past injustices, where the federal government fell short of its responsibility to Alaska and a solemn obligation to our First People to fulfill its commitments to us, our lands, our way of life, our safety, and our well-being, said Murkowski. While this is not a perfect bill, I am proud that the work I did on the Interior Department's 2015 plan lines up with so many of Alaskans' everyday needs, realities and challenges.\r\nMurkowski was able to leverage her position as Ranking Republican on the Committee to prioritize Alaska Native health care, public land, rural infrastructure, justice and public safety needs.\r\nAlaska Tribal Priorities and Rural Communities\r\nDelivering Care and Certainty for Native Health: Senator Murkowski secured an additional $45 million above last year's level to address Contract Support Cost (CSC) shortfalls within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service. Alaska tribes, who operate tribal self-governance agreements with the federal government to deliver health care services to Alaska Natives will be provided $200 million for the operational costs of those agreements. Adequate support for tribal self-governance compacts and contracts allows tribes to improve the delivery of health and social services.\r\nBackground: For years, the administration shortchanged tribes nationwide by funding less than full contract support costs for the BIA and IHS. It was Murkowski's work in conjunction with her subcommittee colleagues, which halted this practice earlier this year.\r\n\r\n(Dentists chairs ready for Alaskans at the Benteh Nuutah Valley Native Primary Care Center in Wasilla.)\r\nStaffing of health facilities: The bill fully funds the request of $71 million for staffing of new facilities across the nation. In addition, full funding is provided to maintain staffing packages for facilities opened in Alaska during the past year and operated by the Southcentral Foundation, Norton Sound Health Corporation, Tanana Chiefs, the Barrow Hospital, Copper River, and Kenaitze. The staffing packages will bring hundreds of jobs to these communities.\r\nPromoting and Empowering Tribal Justice: Today's bill not only includes over $352 million to support public safety and justice programs across the country, but requires the Department of the Interior to review and provide a report on the funding needs of tribal courts in states like Alaska that do not currently receive dedicated tribal court funding.\r\nSafe Drinking Water and Wastewater Funding: In contrast to the steep cuts proposed by the administration, Senator Murkowski helped maintain $17 million in support of Alaska's efforts through the EPA's State Water Revolving Funds program.\r\nRural Water Infrastructure: The bill includes $10 million for EPA's Alaska Native Villages program which provides grants to implement critical wastewater and drinking water projects in Alaska's villages.\r\n\r\n(Installing water pipes in Selawik.)\r\nSupporting Native Children's Unique Needs: Already the co-sponsor of a bipartisan bill to create a Commission on Native Children, Senator Murkowski sponsored language in the 2015 Interior funding bill to promote interagency collaboration to streamline efforts to improve health care, social service, child welfare and juvenile justice programs. Murkowski believes these preliminary efforts will create a better foundation for the future commission to fully serve Native youth nationwide.\r\nAlaska Subsistence: A year after Senator Murkowski pushed back against the administration's attempt to cut the Fish and Wildlife Service's budget for the Alaska Subsistence Program, its funding level this year remained constant at $12.4 million. The program promotes and regulates subsistence use on federal lands by overseeing harvest assessments and resource monitoring, conducting population assessments, and participating in Native outreach and education. In addition, the Forest Service's proposal to eliminate $2.5 million from the subsistence program's budget was rejected and these funds were restored in the bill.\r\n\r\n(A salmon smokehouse in Chignik.)\r\nFighting Federal Overreach\r\nProhibiting New Wild Lands: Senator Murkowski was instrumental in making sure that the administration was not able to implement a controversial Department of Interior Secretarial Order that would designate new special conservation protection areas.\r\nAvoiding EPA Interference With Hunting and Fishing: The bill contains a provision to prohibit the use of Environmental Protection Agency funds from regulating lead content of ammunition, ammunition components, and fishing tackle.\r\nBlocking Coastal Marine Special Planning (CMSP): Alaskans oppose CMSP in our waters  with officials on record calling it a new layer of bureaucracy on top of what Alaska policies already cover. Senator Murkowski has been told by the administration that states that do not want to participate [in the program] will not have to. To make certain that this is the case, Murkowski supported language in the budget prohibiting Interior Department funds from implementing CMSP.\r\nLands and Forests\r\nResources and Accountability on Contaminated ANCSA lands: In 1998, the Department of the Interior submitted a report to Congress acknowledging that it conveyed approximately 650 contaminated sites through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). No significant efforts have been made by the Department to clean up these sites since this report was issued. The bill requires the Department to provide an updated report which includes not only an inventory of these sites but a detailed plan for how the Department intends to remediate them.\r\nLand Conveyance Funding Restored: The federal government's conveyance program of land owed to Alaska and Alaska Natives is mandated under the Alaska Native Settlement Claims Act (ANCSA). In order to speed up this process, Senator Murkowski passed the Alaska Lands Transfer Acceleration Act in 2004. However, the President's budget slashed the funding for Alaska land conveyance work. Murkowski was able to restore the funding to$22 million to further provide Alaskans and Native Corporations final title to lands selected under the Alaska Statehood Act and ANCSA.\r\nFighting for True Timber Balance: Over the last ten years, Region 10 of the United States Forest Service has limited the allowable timber sales in the Tongass to less than ten percent of the actual land management plan  damaging the timber industry and shutting down mills. Today's bill contains a provision mandating the government alter its course to restore proper balance by offering timber sales plans within two years that will offer economic opportunity and confidence in the federal government's timber program.\r\nAlaska Red Cedar: Murkowski included language in the bill requiring that timber sales in Alaska be economic and for the U.S. Forest Service to use an appraisal system best suited to the unique needs of Alaska. The provision reads, in part:\r\nNo timber sale in Alaska's Region 10 shall be advertised if the indicated rate is deficit (defined as the value of the timber is not sufficient to cover all logging and stumpage costs and provide a normal profit and risk allowance under the Forest Service's appraisal process) when appraised using a residual value appraisal. The western red cedar timber from those sales which is surplus to the needs of the domestic processors in Alaska, shall be made available to domestic processors in the contiguous 48 United States at prevailing domestic prices\r\nSupporting Alaska Public Safety\r\nStrengthening Alaska Volcano Observatory's Work: With activity from the Ring of Fire a regular occurrence, Alaskans rely on the Alaska Volcano Observatory's ability to detect threats to life, health and the state's economy. Senator Murkowski included language in today's bill that will increase the United States Geographical Survey Volcano Hazards program by an additional $2 million to assist the Survey in repairing and upgrading current monitoring systems. Several of the current seismic monitors are inoperable and maintenance is needed to continue rapid detection of these volcano threats.\r\n\r\n(The Alaska Volcano Observatory's important work available online.)\r\nAlaska Mapping Gets a Boost: Accurate, up-to-date topographic maps are necessary for aviation safety, energy development and resource assessments. Much of the state's topographic maps are more than a half-century old. The bill includes $3.050 million for the U.S. Geological Survey's Alaska Mapping Initiative, which will be used to acquire data needed to provide accurate, current and publicly accessible statewide topographic maps.\r\nImproving Alaska's National Parks\r\nKatmai National Park, Brooks Lodge: With $4.4 million being provided to upgrade the current bridge to Brooks Falls to provide better public access and avoid human-bear interactions, Senator Murkowski included language directing the National Park Service to discontinue the consideration of funds to relocate the Brooks Lodge in Katmai National Park based on an outdated land use plan. This historic lodge is enjoyed by many Alaskans and tourists from around the world for the unique opportunity of observing bears up close in the wild.\r\n\r\n(Current floating bridge at Brooks Camp.)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-lauds-alaskan-priorities-in-2015-funding-bill", "Murkowski Lauds Alaskan Priorities in 2015 Funding Bill", "2014-12-13", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Lauds Alaskan Priorities in 2015 Funding 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 Military, Arctic, Fishing Industry, Vets, Infrastructure\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Several provisions championed by Senator Lisa Murkowski are included the federal spending bill that passed the Senate today and heads to the President's desk. The bill to fund the federal government operations for Fiscal Year 2015  with the exception of the Department of Homeland Security, which is funded through March  includes vital items related to the Arctic, military rural infrastructure, transportation, energy, education, and veteran support.\r\nThis bill is not perfect, but it is the product of bipartisan negotiations and directs resources critical to our state  protecting the health and well-being of Alaskans and our fisheries, prioritizing our defense and investing in infrastructure for our state's needs and America's Arctic future, said Murkowski. I thank my colleagues for coming together to avoid another unnecessary government shutdown, and I thank them for recognizing the importance of these provisions for Alaska.\r\nProvisions for Alaska in the bill:\r\nMilitary Investments\r\nMissile Defense in Alaska: With the momentum of June's successful interceptor test, the bill allocates $50 million for improvements to interceptors, additional launch equipment and fire control, and stockpile reliability. \r\nLong Range Discrimination Radar Project: A priority the Missile Defense Agency described as absolutely vital' to Senator Murkowski in June, the funding bill allocates $50.5 million to a Long Range Discrimination Radar project to be built within Alaska  with a construction timeframe of roughly five years.\r\nKodiak Launch Complex Funds: Alaska's Kodiak Launch Complex and the Wallops Island Flight Facility are the nation's only private space launch complexes with FAA licenses.\r\nMurkowski worked with Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski to assure $6 million will go to fund their infrastructure and overhead, which will be evenly divided between the two facilities.\r\nLife-Saving Combat Rescue Helicopters (CRH): Called a champion of the CRH by Air Force Magazine because it has been utilized by the Alaska Air National Guard to rescue 2,000 lives over the last twenty years, Murkowski was pleased to see a down payment included in the spending bill to recapitalize the aging HH-60 fleet.\r\n\r\n(Combat Rescue Helicopters at work.)\r\nDelivering Care for Alaska Veterans\r\nStaffing of the Wasilla Community Based Outpatient Clinic: Senator Murkowski held a veterans' listening session in Wasilla to hear firsthand the challenges faced by the military retiree community who seek care at the CBOC that has difficulty retaining staff. To get answers for Mat-Su Alaskans, she secured language in the bill to request a two-part report on staffing issues at the Wasilla CBOC. The report will look into ways to address the staffing shortage and a separate report will analyze the overall Community Based Outpatient Clinic program  both to be completed by February 1, 2015.\r\nLou Gehrig's Disease Research: Military members are twice as likely to suffer from ALS than the average population rate, which led Senator Murkowski to help allocate $7.5 million specifically to research the devastating disease. Today's bill also reflects a 5 percent increase in Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program for solutions and medical conditions that benefit our veterans.\r\nVeterans Employment and Training Service (VETS): VETS delivers job training to Alaska's 70,000 veterans. This program received $270 million, an increase of $458,000 from Fiscal Year 2014. This funding increase reflects Senator Murkowski's commitment to the VOW to HIRE HEROES initiative.\r\nAlaskanizing VA Reimbursement Rates: With Alaska's medical expenses being far higher than the national averages, Senator Murkowski is pleased to see a provision in today's spending bill that allows the Alaska VA to set its own rates for reimbursements, and not be tied to Medicare rates. Taking this action will help support the successful implementation of the Choice Card program.\r\nAlaska's Fishing and Nautical Needs\r\nElectronic Monitoring for Alaska's Fishing Fleet: The budget includes $2 million to implement electronic monitoring systems on fishing vessels.Last year, Senator Murkowski told NOAA that using cameras could be more efficient and safer than placing an observer on-board.The bill also includes language from Senator Murkowski urging the agency to be flexible regarding waiver requests for the observer program, reading:\r\nFurther, NMFS is encouraged to exercise reasonable discretion when evaluating requests by small boat fixed gear vessels seeking a release from the requirement to carry a human observer due to a lack of physical space or other physical constraint. The Committee is concerned with NMFS's approach to granting observer relief based on hardship and therefore directs the agency to grant such releases based on the actual number of bunks on a vessel and reasonable assessment of vessel operations with due consideration for the well-being of the crew. The Committee encourages NMFS to support the use of experimental fisheries permits, to continue the expeditious development of electronic monitoring equipment and procedures, and to use the experimental fisheries permits as the bridge between cooperative research and the implementation of electronic monitoring technology by regulation as a component of the Observer Program for small boat fixed gear fleets.\r\nAiding Alaska's Federal Coastline Fight Against Tsunami Debris: Senator Murkowski has pressed that since thousands of miles of Alaska's coastline are federally managed, the federal government should adequately fund clean-up efforts on the lands that it owns. The 2015 spending bill includes $6 million to address this need, and Murkowski's language:\r\nThe Committee supports the requested level for NOAA's Marine Debris Program but is concerned that NOAA has placed insufficient emphasis to clean up and dispose of marine debris resulting from the 2011 Japanese tsunami. Within funds provided, NOAA shall give priority for clean-up and disposal activities on Federal lands within States inundated with debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami.\r\n\r\n(Murkowski speaks on 2nd anniversary of the Japanese Earthquakeclick image to watch video.)\r\n\r\nSustainably Managed Seafood: Senator Murkowski is continuing her fight against the efforts of non-governmental organizations seeking to judge the sustainability of Alaskan seafood through this funding bill, inserting language that prohibits many federal agencies from using outside groups to certify the quality of fish caught in U.S. waters. \r\nSeafood Economic Integrity: Given that the FDA has not worked as diligently as possible to address the mislabeling of species and seafood product weights, Senator Murkowski helped secure language that encourages FDA to work with states and NOAA to address potential fraud in these areas.\r\nConsistent Funding for Salmon Management Activities: This year's budget maintains funding at $30.2 million, rebuffing the Obama administration's attempt to cut funding by $3 million.\r\nSupport for the National Data Buoy Center: $28.2 million for the project, along with Murkowski language prioritizing the need to curb the amount of outages among the buoy network.\r\nConsistent Funding for Fishery Stock Assessments: This year's bill includes $72 million in expanded stock assessments and $24 million for survey and monitoring projects within the Fisheries Research and Management Account. \r\nRural Infrastructure\r\nDenali Commission: The Denali Commission is tasked with coordinating construction and infrastructure efforts in rural Alaska. Though the President attempted to cut the Commission's budget by more than 25 percent, Senator Murkowski was able to hold funding steady at $10 million.\r\nHigh Energy Cost Grant Program: Senator Murkowski successfully had $10 million included for high energy cost grants. According to the Department of Agriculture, the program benefits the Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority, Gwitchyaa Zhee Utility Company and Alaska Village Initiatives.\r\nOffice of Indian Energy Policy: The Office of Indian Energy Policy is an Energy Department initiative that assists tribes with energy needs and projects on their lands. Though the President's budget allotted no funds for this program, Senator Murkowski successfully added $16 million to help consolidate policy and grant functions in one office within DoE.\r\nRural Infrastructure: Senator Murkowski requested funds for the Tribal High Priority Projects program in order to ensure that essential road, bridge and safety and bridges receive support. The THPP will continue to be funded at a $450 million.\r\nResources for an Arctic Agenda\r\nBoosting Arctic Navigation: $25 million is included for hydrographic surveys  or sonar mapping  of the nation's coastline. Senator Murkowski also secured report language emphasizing the need for Arctic mapping:\r\nThe Committee directs NOAA to report within 60 days of enactment on progress made to survey and prepare navigational information for the Bering Straits region and the Arctic. NOAA is further directed to report on hydrographic activities planned for fiscal year 2015, including: vessels to be utilized, the areas to be surveyed, and the remaining gaps in the Arctic region.\r\n\r\nChairing the Arctic Council: Senator Murkowski consistently emphasizes America's need to prioritize Arctic issues. Murkowski requested $2 million, funding included in this bill, to prepare the U.S. to assume the role of chair of the Arctic Council in 2015. The language reads: \r\nThe Committee recognizes the strategic importance of the Arctic region to the long-term economic and national security interests of the United States and notes that the United States will assume the Chair of the Arctic Council in May 2015. The Committee recommends $2,000,000 for preparation and support for the chairmanship of the Arctic Council, and encourages the Department of State to increase the number of personnel assigned to Arctic Council issues. The Committee also encourages the Department of State to establish the position of U.S. Ambassador to the Arctic in order to enhance engagement with other Arctic nations. \r\nThe Committee strongly supports the participation of American indigenous communities in the Arctic Council, and section 7034(t) of this act provides up to $500,000 for grants to support the application of science and technology to foreign policy issues in the Arctic region, including to facilitate the participation of indigenous communities in the Council.\r\n\r\nArctic Awareness and Icebreakers: Demonstrating her continued Arctic focus, Senator Murkowski also added language to the bill expressing concern about the nation's slow pace in addressing Arctic investment, and directing the Department of Defense to conduct a study of the nation's satellite coverage of the Arctic region as activities increase. The spending plan also requires the Department of Defense to work with the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard to address our nation's shortage of polar icebreakers and Arctic class vessels.\r\nTactical Technology  Arctic Operations: The Defense Advanced Projects Agency within the Pentagon will receive $7.25 million to develop technology to enable maritime domain awareness in the Arctic  over double what the administration proposed.\r\nResources for Those in Need \r\nFunding for FASD Center for Excellence: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is the number one most preventable cause of developmental disabilities and birth defects. As a champion for the awareness and prevention of FASD, Senator Murkowski is pleased that $1 million is being directed to the FASD Center for Excellence.\r\nLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Senator Murkowski is committed to ensuring that Alaskans never face the harsh choice between paying for household energy or other basic necessities. Although President Obama proposed a $50 million decrease in LIHEAP's budget from Fiscal Year 2014, Murkowski was able to help secure $3.39 billion to fund this critical program's future.\r\nAccess to Healthy Food: Alaskans know first-hand the health benefits of eating salmon, and the federal government has come to recognize this as well. Senator Murkowski inserted language in the omnibus, requesting a study of the effects of putting low-mercury salmon in Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food packages. The language reads:\r\nThe Committee understands the Department is working with the Institute of Medicine to make recommendations for the fish species to include in the WIC food packages that scientific evidence shows to be low in mercury and in other respects nutritious, including wild salmon, for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women. The Committee requests a report, within 120 days of enactment of this act, on this effort.\r\nHead Start: Head Start provides educational and health services to over 3,000 young Alaskans in 100 communities, and funding will remain at last year's level: $8.598 billion. Language in this bill also encourages the Department of Health and Human Services to consider the unique challenges faced by Head Start providers in remote and frontier areas.\r\nJob Corps: Senator Murkowski is an advocate for this important program that provides free career and technical training to young Alaskans. $1.7 billion is directed to this nationwide program.\r\nChild Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG): Senator Murkowski strongly supports the increase in CCDBG funding from $2.36 billion to $2.435 billion, to assist states, tribes, and providers in improving the quality of child care for America's working families.This increase could trigger language Murkowski added to the CCDBG Act earlier this year, and allow tribal grantees' allocations to increase.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397998", "Murkowski, Young Assure VAWA Amendment Repeal", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Lisa Murkowski and Congressman Don Young today teamed up to make sure that Section 910 of the Violence Against Women Act was repealed. Through numerous conversations with their House and Senate colleagues, the two Alaska lawmakers succeeded in having the provision removed from the law.\r\nIn the final days of the 113th Congress, Representative Young worked directly with House leadership \u2013 including several interactions with Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and other senior House members \u2013 to secure expedited passage of the bill in one of the House\u2019s final actions prior to adjourning. \u00a0Meanwhile, Senator Murkowski worked with her Senate colleagues to build support for the action, including a call across Capitol Hill before the vote to Majority Leader McCarthy, encouraging his consent for the move that officially took place after tonight\u2019s final budget vote.\r\n\u201cAlaska tribes asked me to repeal Section 910 of VAWA, and I thank the Alaska Delegation for working with me on their behalf,\u201d said Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cBut it doesn\u2019t stop today; in the new Congress beginning next month, it will be imperative to ensure that our tribal courts in Alaska receive the funding they need to deliver the justice and protection the need and deserve \u2013 not only for training and capacity development, but also for operations.\u201d\r\n\u201cToday I am pleased that the House of Representatives passed S. 1474, a bill which repeals Section 910 of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA).\u00a0 In the many conversations I have had with Alaska Native leaders and families since the reauthorization of VAWA last year, I heard a consistent, clear, and powerful message: that Section 910 was\u00a0an error and must be repealed,\u201d said Congressman Young.\u00a0 \u201cI was proud to work with Lisa in these final moments to ensure that one of the final acts of the House of Representatives in the 113th Congress was to empower Alaska\u2019s tribes and uplift Alaska Native women.\u201d ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398000", "Congressman Young Commends Senate Passage of NDAA", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Alaskan Congressman Don Young today shared the following statement after Senate passage of S. 1847, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015 (NDAA), which authorizes $521.3 billion in national defense spending, provides a number of key reforms for military operations across the nation, and approves a number of critical Alaska lands provisions.\n\u00a0\u201cWhile I would\u2019ve preferred to see passage of this important legislation months ago, I\u2019m pleased to see the House and Senate come together in our final days to find common ground,\u201d said Congressman Don Young. \u201cIn these divided times, it\u2019s often difficult to achieve perfect legislation, but this bipartisan, bicameral agreement works to put our military men and women first and provide them with the resources and reforms they need to train, fight, and protect our country.\u201d \n\u201cIn addition to making important reforms to stem the tide of sexual assault and suicide, this legislation also takes significant steps to support military operations in Alaska,\u201d Young said. \u201cI was proud to see the inclusion of language that reaffirms the F-35 basing at Eielson Air Force Base, begins the process of getting our 168th Air Refueling Wing the manpower they need to execute their missions, and makes a number of Alaskan land conveyances reality.\u201d\nS. 1847, a bipartisan compromise hatched between the House and Senate, also includes three Alaska public land provisions previously passed in the House under the leadership of Congressman Young.\u00a0 The bill includes:\n \n    The conveyance of 1,518 acres of federal land at the former Distant Early Warning Site near Wainwright, Alaska to the Olgoonik Corporation. The House bill, H.R. 5167,\u00a0passed by voice vote\u00a0on November 13, 2014.\n \n \n    The Sealaska land entitlement finalization, which conveys 70,075 of acres of land to Sealaska. On September 10, 2013, the House Natural Resources Committee reported a version of this bill, which also passed in the House during the 112th\u00a0Congress.\n \n \n    The removal of federal reversionary interest to three parcels of land conveyed to the Municipality of Anchorage. Under the existing title, a reversionary clause requires the land ownership revert back to the federal government should the land no longer be used for \u201cmunicipal purposes.\u201d This\u00a0bill passed the House\u00a0on February 6, 2014.\u00a0\n \n\u00a0\nProvisions included in the 2015 NDAA of Alaskan benefit and interest:\u00a0\n \n    Ground-Based Missile Defense:\u00a0 Authorizes a $40 million increase to the Ballistic Missile Defense System at Ft. Greely for upgrades to the current system of ground-based missile interceptors.\u00a0 This bill also blocks funding to explore an East Coast missile site and instead directs funding to improving Alaska\u2019s capacity.\n \n \n    Ballistic Missile Defense Sensors:\u00a0\u00a0Authorizes $392.9 million for Ballistic Missile Defense Sensors, one of which is located at Clear Air Force Station.\n \n \n    Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR):\u00a0 This bill authorizes funding to begin building the LRDR, a vital missile defense radar which will be constructed in Alaska within ten years.\n \n \n    Clear Air Force Station Military Construction:\u00a0Authorizes $11.5 million for an Emergency Power Plant fuel storage.\n \n \n    F-35:\u00a0 $6.7 billion for the procurement for 34 aircraft and continued research and development.\u00a0 Currently, Alaska is home to Eielson AFB the preferred location for the Air Force\u2019s OCONUS F-35 basing of two squadrons for F-35As.\n \n \n    Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC):\u00a0Includes a provision explicitly stating nothing with the NDAA should be construed as authorizing an additional round of BRAC.\n \n \n    National Guard Force Structure Adjustments:\u00a0Includes a provision to have the Government Accountability Organization (GAO) study the appropriate balance between the Active force and the Guard.\u00a0The re-distribution of important Guard aviation assets are also blocked in FY2015.\n \n \n    Nome Land Transfer: Transfers seven acres of federal land \u2013 the West Nome Fuel Tank Farm \u2013 from the Air Force to the City of Nome for future economic purposes.\n \n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=ae0ce128-5e3f-4e14-ad3d-70d47763e9e8", "Murkowski, Young Assure VAWA Amendment Repeal", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski, Young Assure VAWA Amendment Repeal \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 Duo\u2019s Efforts Solidified Support to Remove Provision as Congress Adjourns\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski and Congressman Don Young today teamed up to make sure that Section 910 of the Violence Against Women Act was repealed, an effort co-sponsored by Senators Murkowski and Mark Begich and passed through the U.S. Senate earlier this week. (Legislation attached) Through numerous conversations with their House and Senate colleagues, the two Alaska lawmakers succeeded in having the provision removed from the law.\r\nIn the final days of the 113th Congress, Representative Young worked directly with House leadership \u2013 including several interactions with Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and other senior House members \u2013 to secure expedited passage of the bill in one of the House\u2019s final actions prior to adjourning. \u00a0Meanwhile, Senator Murkowski worked with her Senate colleagues to build support for the action, including a call across Capitol Hill before the vote to Majority Leader McCarthy, encouraging his consent for the move that officially took place after tonight\u2019s final budget vote.\r\n\u201cAlaska tribes asked me to repeal Section 910 of VAWA, and I thank the Alaska Delegation for working with me on their behalf,\u201d said Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cBut it doesn\u2019t stop today; in the new Congress beginning next month, it will be imperative to ensure that our tribal courts in Alaska receive the funding they need \u2013 not only for training and capacity development, but also for operations.\u201d\r\n\u201cToday I am pleased that the House of Representatives passed S. 1474, a bill which repeals Section 910 of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA).\u00a0 In the many conversations I have had with Alaska Native leaders and families since the reauthorization of VAWA last year, I heard a consistent, clear, and powerful message: that Section 910 was\u00a0an error and must be repealed,\u201d said Congressman Young.\u00a0 \u201cI was proud to work with Lisa in these final moments to ensure that one of the final acts of the House of Representatives in the 113th Congress was to empower Alaska\u2019s tribes and uplift Alaska Native women.\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=d276723c-713d-4b0c-bccd-e96b4094e9c0", "Defense Bill Containing Key Alaska Benefits Passes Senate", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.14\n\t\t\t Defense Bill Containing Key Alaska Benefits Passes Senate \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\u2019s Work to Support Alaska\u2019s Military Community, Boost the Nation\u2019s Defense Heads to President\u2019s Desk\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today proudly cast her vote for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that funds America\u2019s military for the upcoming year and contains a wide array of key Alaskan priorities she worked with Congressional leadership to advance.\u00a0 The NDAA passed the Senate 89-11 and will head to the President\u2019s desk for a signature.\r\n\u201cThe provisions in the NDAA for Alaska show the importance of our state to the nation\u2019s defense \u2013 both current and long-term,\u201d said Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m pleased that Congress passed this bill on a bipartisan basis and sent it to the President\u2019s desk for the 54th straight year.\u201d\r\nAmong the results for Alaska:\r\n \r\n$40 Million \u2013 and Certainty \u2013 for Missile Defense in Alaska: With the momentum of June\u2019s successful interceptor test, the bill contains $40 million for improvements and expansions to the missile defense system at Fort Greely.\u00a0 Of similar importance, the NDAA also blocks funding for consideration of an East Coast missile site \u2013 demonstrating the Pentagon\u2019s focus on Alaska\u2019s capacity rather than envisioning alternatives elsewhere.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n(Murkowski questions MDA Director about missile test prior to June success.)\r\n \r\nLong Range Discrimination Radar Project Gets Green Light: A priority the Missile Defense Agency described as \u2018absolutely vital\u2019 to Senator Murkowski in June, this year\u2019s NDAA authorizes funding to begin design of a missile defense radar that will be built within Alaska \u2013 with a construction timeframe of roughly five years.\u00a0\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n(Murkowski stresses need for Long Range Discrimination Radar in Alaska.)\r\n \r\nAffirming Eielson\u2019s F-35s: The NDAA\u2019s \u2018explanatory report\u2019 that details the reasoning behind the bill\u2019s provisions clearly states that Eielson Air Force Base is the preferred location for two squadrons of F-35s and delivers full funding to keep the goal of 2019 aircraft basing on track.\u00a0 Congressman Don Young successfully included language in the House to express Congress\u2019 support for stationing the F-35 at\u00a0Eielson AFB.\r\n \r\n \r\nAdditional Considerations for Eielson AFB:\u00a0 The Defense authorization bill requires the United States Air Force to conduct an analysis of the merits of having additional KC-135 refueling aircraft at Eielson that would require more Air Force personnel to man and maintain, where this is currently only an Alaska Air National Guard operation.\u00a0 The language, which the Alaska National Guard considered their top priority for FY2015, was included by Congressman Young as an amendment in the House.\r\n \r\n \r\nNome Land Transfer: The NDAA also transfers 7 acres of land in Nome near the Port from the U.S. Air Force to the City of Nome in order to expand possible economic development opportunities.\r\n \r\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/defense-bill-containing-key-alaska-benefits-passes-senate", "Defense Bill Containing Key Alaska Benefits Passes Senate", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.14\n\t\t\t Defense Bill Containing Key Alaska Benefits Passes Senate \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's Work to Support Alaska's Military Community, Boost the Nation's Defense Heads to President's Desk\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today proudly cast her vote for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that funds America's military for the upcoming year and contains a wide array of key Alaskan priorities she worked with Congressional leadership to advance. The NDAA passed the Senate 89-11 and will head to the President's desk for a signature.\r\nThe provisions in the NDAA for Alaska show the importance of our state to the nation's defense  both current and long-term, said Murkowski. I'm pleased that Congress passed this bill on a bipartisan basis and sent it to the President's desk for the 54th straight year.\r\nAmong the results for Alaska:\r\n \r\n$40 Million  and Certainty  for Missile Defense in Alaska: With the momentum of June's successful interceptor test, the bill contains $40 million for improvements and expansions to the missile defense system at Fort Greely. Of similar importance, the NDAA also blocks funding for consideration of an East Coast missile site  demonstrating the Pentagon's focus on Alaska's capacity rather than envisioning alternatives elsewhere.\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n(Murkowski questions MDA Director about missile test prior to June success.)\r\n \r\nLong Range Discrimination Radar Project Gets Green Light: A priority the Missile Defense Agency described as absolutely vital' to Senator Murkowski in June, this year's NDAA authorizes funding to begin design of a missile defense radar that will be built within Alaska  with a construction timeframe of roughly five years.\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n(Murkowski stresses need for Long Range Discrimination Radar in Alaska.)\r\n \r\nAffirming Eielson's F-35s: The NDAA's explanatory report' that details the reasoning behind the bill's provisions clearly states that Eielson Air Force Base is the preferred location for two squadrons of F-35s and delivers full funding to keep the goal of 2019 aircraft basing on track. Congressman Don Young successfully included language in the House to express Congress' support for stationing the F-35 atEielson AFB.\r\n \r\n \r\nAdditional Considerations for Eielson AFB: The Defense authorization bill requires the United States Air Force to conduct an analysis of the merits of having additional KC-135 refueling aircraft at Eielson that would require more Air Force personnel to man and maintain, where this is currently only an Alaska Air National Guard operation. The language, which the Alaska National Guard considered their top priority for FY2015, was included by Congressman Young as an amendment in the House.\r\n \r\n \r\nNome Land Transfer: The NDAA also transfers 7 acres of land in Nome near the Port from the U.S. Air Force to the City of Nome in order to expand possible economic development opportunities.\r\n \r\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-young-assure-vawa-amendment-repeal", "Murkowski, Young Assure VAWA Amendment Repeal", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski, Young Assure VAWA Amendment Repeal \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 Duo's Efforts Solidified Support to Remove Provision as Congress Adjourns\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski and Congressman Don Young today teamed up to make sure that Section 910 of the Violence Against Women Act was repealed, an effort co-sponsored by Senators Murkowski and Mark Begich and passed through the U.S. Senate earlier this week. (Legislation attached) Through numerous conversations with their House and Senate colleagues, the two Alaska lawmakers succeeded in having the provision removed from the law.\r\nIn the final days of the 113th Congress, Representative Young worked directly with House leadership  including several interactions with Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and other senior House members  to secure expedited passage of the bill in one of the House's final actions prior to adjourning. Meanwhile, Senator Murkowski worked with her Senate colleagues to build support for the action, including a call across Capitol Hill before the vote to Majority Leader McCarthy, encouraging his consent for the move that officially took place after tonight's final budget vote.\r\nAlaska tribes asked me to repeal Section 910 of VAWA, and I thank the Alaska Delegation for working with me on their behalf, said Murkowski. But it doesn't stop today; in the new Congress beginning next month, it will be imperative to ensure that our tribal courts in Alaska receive the funding they need  not only for training and capacity development, but also for operations.\r\nToday I am pleased that the House of Representatives passed S. 1474, a bill which repeals Section 910 of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA). In the many conversations I have had with Alaska Native leaders and families since the reauthorization of VAWA last year, I heard a consistent, clear, and powerful message: that Section 910 wasan error and must be repealed, said Congressman Young. I was proud to work with Lisa in these final moments to ensure that one of the final acts of the House of Representatives in the 113th Congress was to empower Alaska's tribes and uplift Alaska Native women.\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=397996", "Congress Sends Coast Guard Reauthorization to Presidents Desk", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Former Chairmen and senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Congressman Don Young today issued the following statement on the passage of the Howard Coble Coast Guard Transportation Act of 2014, legislation that authorizes Coast Guard spending for one year and advances a number of important Alaskan causes, including a 3-year moratorium on overbearing EPA regulations facing fisherman and vessel owners, and improvements to the USCG lands and housing infrastructure.\n\u201cAs Alaskans, we understand the critical role the Coast Guard plays in protecting our waterways and securing our coastlines,\u201d said Congressman Don Young. \u201cThis legislation represents a firm commitment from Congress to strengthen and support the Coast Guard\u2019s mission, which includes more than 2,500 active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel in Alaska. While it\u2019s unfortunate the Senate could not agree to a permanent fix for our fisherman and small vessel owners \u00ad\u2013 much like the one negotiated in the House \u2013 I was pleased with the inclusion of a 3-year moratorium on the EPA\u2019s incidental discharge permit. I remain committed to seeing this issue through and providing the permanent relief and certainty these small business owners deserve.\"\nThe Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 also includes language from Congressman Young that supports the economic development of unused USCG property in Women\u2019s Bay, AK on Kodiak Island, which currently faces long-term lease restrictions.\n\u201cThe short term lease limitations imposed on Coast Guard lands in locations like Womens Bay greatly hinder future development projects in communities that support our Coast Guard,\u201d\u00a0Congressman Don Young said. \u201cAt a time when federal funds are scarce for infrastructure, we are letting regulations stand in the way of private development wanted by all parties.\u00a0This legislation would add a small tool in the arsenal for the USCG by enabling the Commandant complete discretion on whether or not to lease submerged and tidal lands for a longer period of time.\"\nCongressman Young supported the following provisions of Alaskan interest, which:\n \n    Support servicemember pay raises and provides more resources for Coast Guard housing.\n \n \n    Ensure servicemembers in certain fields have opportunity for career advancement by addressing long-standing barriers and regulatory impediments for Sea Service veterans seeking employment within the U.S.-flag merchant marine.\n \n \n    Require a determination on the feasibility of refurbishing the USCGC Polar Sea, and provides authorization for a service life extension for the vessel that currently sits in port out of service.\u00a0\n \n \n    Require the Coast Guard to provide Congress with a strategy to maintain icebreaking capabilities in the Polar Regions that includes an analysis of the cost effectiveness of acquiring or leasing new icebreaker assets.\n \n \n    Require regular reporting on the status of the\u00a0International Maritime Organization\u00a0(IMO) Polar Code negotiations, including safety for ships operating in polar waters, and the impacts on coastal communities in regards to the costs of delivering freight and fuel, as well on the safety of maritime transportation.\n \n \n    At request of the Senate Majority, the bill reiterates currently existing authority for the construction of forward operating facilities in the Arctic.\n \n \n    Reauthorizes fishing vessel safety grants.\n \n \n    Provides an inflationary adjustment to the funding provided for the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council.\n \nClick here for more information about the legislation.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397997", "Congressman Young Shares Thoughts on House Passage of FY15 Appropriations Omnibus Bill", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Following the House passage of\u00a0H.R. 83, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act\u00a0\u2013 which provides federal funding for 11 Appropriations bills through Fiscal Year 2015 and funding for the Department of Homeland Security through February 27, 2015 \u2013 Alaskan Congressman Don Young shared the following thoughts:\r\n\u201cUnfortunately, due to months of inaction and dysfunction on the part of the Senate Majority, we were once again faced with the threat of a government shutdown and yet another 11th\u00a0hour funding package that leaves much to be desired. These types of manufactured emergencies are no way to operate and the American people deserve better.\u201d\r\n\u201cIn recent days, weeks and months, I have heard from countless Alaskans to express their heartfelt concerns for the fiscal security of this great nation. While this piece of legislation is no way for the Congress to operate, I do believe it takes a number of serious steps to stand up for fiscal responsibility, reduce the size of the federal government, defend the homeland and protect our men and women in uniform, and target much needed reforms for growing federal agencies like the EPA and IRS. However, until Congress returns to working order and passes individual appropriations bills, our nation\u2019s growing debt and fiscal certainty may never be restored.\"\r\n\u201cThere is no question that the American people sent a resounding message this past November; that the failed policies of this President \u2013 including his efforts to operate around the will of the people and Congress \u2013 must end.\u00a0 Alaskans sent me to Congress to stand up for fiscal responsibility, fight back against onerous federal regulations, and stand up to executive overreach, and that is exactly what I will continue to do. I look forward to restoring the checks and balances of our federal government and once again address the concerns of the Alaskan people when our Republican majority arrives in Congress in January.\u201d\r\nFollowing the passage of the H.R. 83,\u00a0Congressman Young\u00a0expressed his disappointment with the exclusion of Secure Rural Schools funding from the package, a shortfall that could have been prevented had the Senate moved on federal forest policy legislation passed by the House in September 2013.\r\n\u201cThe absence of Secure Rural Schools funding is a huge blow to forested communities in the West, particularly those in Alaska, which depend heavily on the program to lessen the impact of declines of revenue due to reductions in federal timber harvests. This delay in funding, which House leaders have committed to addressing in the first quarter of next year, will hamper our Alaskan school districts\u2019 ability to plan and budget effectively.\u201d\r\nAlaskan Interests included in the\u00a0H.R. 83:\r\n \r\n    Alaska Education Equity - $31.5M\r\n    High Cost Energy Grants - $10M\r\n    Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund - $65M\r\n    Promotion of Alaska Native High Education Programs \u00ad- $12.8M\r\n    Brooks Camp bridge in Katmai National Park - $4.374M\r\n    Alaska Conveyance Program - $22M\r\n    State and Tribal Assistance Grants for water and wastewater infrastructure in Alaska Native Villages - $10M\r\n    Emergency Power Plant Fuel Storage (Clear AFS) - $11.5M\r\n    Kodiak Launch Complex and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), split equally - $6M\r\n    Village Safe Water Program - $30M\r\n    Denali Commission - $10M\r\n \r\n \r\n    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:\r\n    \r\n        Studies/Investigations:\r\n        \r\n            Small, Remote, Subsistence Harbors $2.2M\r\n            AK Regional (Arctic) Ports - $50k\r\n            Craig Harbor - $300k\r\n            Port Lions Harbor - $300\r\n        \r\n        Operations and Maintenance:\r\n        \r\n            Port of Anchorage - $11M\r\n            Chena River Lakes - $3.6M\r\n            Cook Inlet Shoals - $816K\r\n            Dillingham Harbor- $540K\r\n            Homer Harbor \u2013 $410k\r\n            Lowell Creek Tunnel - $300k\r\n            Ninilchik Harbor - $269k\r\n            Nome Harbor - $1.451M\r\n        \r\n    \r\n \r\n\r\nProvisions and Funding of Alaskan Interest Included in the\u00a0H.R. 83:\r\nPOSTAL:\r\n \r\n    Requires the Postal Service to continue Saturday deliveries and keep all post offices open through the fiscal year.\r\n \r\nEPA:\r\n \r\n    Blocks the EPA from banning bullets and fishing tackle made from lead, in addition to regulating lead content.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Cuts the EPA by $60 million, which represents the fifth consecutive year of cuts \u2013 a 21% reduction since FY10 and lowest level of EPA staffing since 1989.\r\n \r\n\r\nDEFENSE:\r\n \r\n    Fully funds troop pay raises authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act.\r\n    Provides $64 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding for our troops, to combat threats from ISIS, train and equip foreign allies, and support for Ukraine\r\n    Prohibits the transfer or release of Guantanamo detainees into the U.S.\r\n    Provides funding for 38 F-35 joint Strike Fighters.\r\n    \u00a0Fully funds the cost\u2010of\u2010living allowance shortfall for military retirees.\r\n \r\n\r\nINDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE:\r\n \r\n    $4.6B for Indian Health Service Funding \u2013 a $208M increase from FY14\r\n    $2.6 billion for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Education \u2013 a $70M increase from FY14\r\n    $662.97M for Contract Support Costs\r\n    $650M for NAHASDA block grants\r\n    $75M for veterans rental assistance vouchers for Native American vets under a new Native Veterans Housing Demo Program.\r\n    \u00a0811 Language:\u00a0 Retains language to require a GAO Report on the impact on Section 811 on Native Contracting.\r\n \r\n\r\nINTERIOR:\r\n \r\n    Fully funds Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) at $442 million\r\n    Prevents new fees on onshore oil and gas producers.\r\n \r\n\r\nINTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS):\r\n \r\n    Cuts IRS funding by nearly $350 million\r\n    Prohibits IRS targeting of organizations based on their ideological beliefs or for exercising their First Amendment rights.\r\n    Prohibits the White House from ordering review of tax-exempt status.\r\n \r\n\r\nVETERANS ADMINISTRATION:\r\n \r\n    Provides $2.5 billion for processing VA disability claims to end the backlog\r\n    Rescinds $41 million in performance based bonuses at the VA\r\n \r\n\r\nMISCELLANEOUS:\r\n \r\n    Provides flexibility for the Administration\u2019s school lunch regulations\u00a0\r\n    Prohibits the Obama Administration from implementing the UN Arms Trade Treaty\r\n    Allows for a one percent pay increase for federal employees to take effect January 1, 2015.\r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=b89fe9b3-7fce-42df-9b14-6eaf717a0c9a", "Murkowski: Justice Department Accountability Remains Unacceptable", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Justice Department Accountability Remains \u201cUnacceptable\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 Government Review of DoJ Discipline Shows Lack of Follow-Through\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today released a study assessing how the Department of Justice is addressing instances of prosecutorial misconduct.\u00a0 The study, conducted at the request of Senator Lisa Murkowski, found a lack of progress, oversight and follow through by the Department to address misconduct, which a recent study found still prevalent in cases nationwide \u2013 and that several of the accused agents continue to be assigned new cases despite their track record.\r\nNotably, the study\u2019s summary observes that:\r\n\u201c[The Department of Justice] has not implemented plans to improve processes for demonstrating that discipline is implemented, or achieving timely and consistent discipline decisions.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe fact is that DOJ attorneys continue to defy the law and erode the nation\u2019s faith in the criminal justice system,\u201d said Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cWhile awareness of the problem is at an all-time high, the Department has failed to adequately address these serious issues, which is unacceptable.\u201d\r\nBackground: Senator Murkowski has sought greater accountability and transparency from the Department of Justice since before the Ted Stevens verdict was thrown out at the request of Attorney General Eric Holder because DOJ attorneys withheld key evidence. Murkowski has repeatedly questioned to government officials about the discipline imposed against the DOJ attorneys who handled the Stevens\u2019 case, but her questions have gone unanswered.\r\n\r\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=e0423d35-d4bc-48f3-84f0-452955b18953", "Sen. Murkowski Highlights Lands Packages Importance to the West", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.14\n\t\t\t Sen. Murkowski Highlights Lands Package\u2019s Importance to the West \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 NDAA Title Will Provide Economic Opportunities, Create Jobs in Western States\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate about the importance of Title 30 \u2013 a package of public lands bills \u2013 within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015. Murkowski highlighted the title\u2019s importance to federal oil and gas permitting, grazing, mining, and other economic and community development opportunities in western states.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\r\n(Click for video of Sen. Murkowski\u2019s floor speech)\r\n\u201cAfter months of negotiations, we have agreed to this balanced, revenue-neutral, bicameral, and bipartisan package,\u201d Murkowski said. \u201cThese provisions will create thousands of American jobs, cut red tape to energy production, and boost American mineral production. They protect multiple-use and public recreation, convey federal land for economic and community development, protect treasured lands, and provide new means for private dollars to support our national parks.\u201d\r\nMurkowski explained that while the federal government owns 640 million acres nationwide, 93 percent of those lands are clustered in just 12 western states. Those high levels of federal ownership significantly increase the need for legislation for everything from resource production to land conveyances, and result in hundreds of public lands bills being introduced each Congress.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\nThroughout her statement, Murkowski highlighted the benefits the package would provide, including transfering nearly 110,000 acres of federal land into private or state hands through conveyances, exchanges, or sales. More than 26,000 acres of land are also released from wilderness study back into multiple use, which could facilitate transmission lines and motorized recreation.\r\n\u201cWe have included a bipartisan provision to streamline oil and gas permitting on federal lands,\u201d Murkowski said. \u201cWe have included a provision to address the backlog of grazing permit renewals for western ranchers, to ease their burdens, and another provision to help prevent the collapse of the timber industry in Southeast Alaska.\u201d\u00a0\r\nMurkowski also addressed concerns that the public lands package might add to the maintenance backlog of the National Park Service (NPS) and other federal land management agencies by creating new wilderness and new parks.\r\n\u201cThis is a balanced, revenue-neutral package,\u201d Murkowski explained. \u201cWe have taken great care to make sure it is not simply a conglomeration of new wilderness and new parks. In western states, in particular, virtually none of us would support that type of package.\u201d\r\nMurkowski further highlighted the strong protections that she and others who crafted the package included for private property interests, noting that, \u201cWe have forbidden the use of eminent domain and the condemnation of private property. We have also set a positive precedent by eliminating the potential use of buffer zones around designated lands.\u201d\u00a0\r\nNative American rights and recreational, sport, and hunting users are also fully protected by provisions in the title, Murkowski explained during her remarks. \u00a0\r\nWith time running out in this Congress, Murkowski urged her colleagues to support the package, rather than resetting the clock and returning to the bills within it at the start of next year.\r\n\u201cThis package is the result of bipartisan and bicameral negotiations \u2013 weeks of meetings among the members and staff of the committees of jurisdiction, the committees who have crafted the overall NDAA bill, leadership in both chambers, and a wide range of individual members,\u201d Murkowski said. \u201cOur final result is hardly a rush to judgment, but instead the end of a long and actually very traditional process. We have considered, debated, and amended these provisions over the course of the Congress, using the Committee process and the House and Senate floor when we could.\u201d\u00a0\r\nMurkowski pointed out that every bill within the public lands package has already been reviewed by the committees of jurisdiction, including at least 30 that have already passed the House and seven that have passed the Senate.\r\n\u201cWe don\u2019t need to start over, working on the same bills in a new Congress,\u201d Murkowski said. \u201cIt\u2019s time to finish this. It\u2019s time to pass these reasonable measures. I encourage the Senate to support this package as it is \u2013 as part of the larger NDAA bill \u2013 so that we can fulfill our responsibility to western states in a timely manner.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-justice-department-accountability-remains-unacceptable", "Murkowski: Justice Department Accountability Remains Unacceptable", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Justice Department Accountability Remains Unacceptable \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 Government Review of DoJ Discipline Shows Lack of Follow-Through\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today released a study assessing how the Department of Justice is addressing instances of prosecutorial misconduct. The study, conducted at the request of Senator Lisa Murkowski, found a lack of progress, oversight and follow through by the Department to address misconduct, which a recent study found still prevalent in cases nationwide  and that several of the accused agents continue to be assigned new cases despite their track record.\r\nNotably, the study's summary observes that:\r\n[The Department of Justice] has not implemented plans to improve processes for demonstrating that discipline is implemented, or achieving timely and consistent discipline decisions.\r\nThe fact is that DOJ attorneys continue to defy the law and erode the nation's faith in the criminal justice system, said Murkowski. While awareness of the problem is at an all-time high, the Department has failed to adequately address these serious issues, which is unacceptable.\r\nBackground: Senator Murkowski has sought greater accountability and transparency from the Department of Justice since before the Ted Stevens verdict was thrown out at the request of Attorney General Eric Holder because DOJ attorneys withheld key evidence. Murkowski has repeatedly questioned to government officials about the discipline imposed against the DOJ attorneys who handled the Stevens' case, but her questions have gone unanswered.\r\n\r\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-highlights-lands-packages-importance-to-the-west", "Sen. Murkowski Highlights Lands Packages Importance to the West", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.14\n\t\t\t Sen. Murkowski Highlights Lands Package's Importance to the West \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 NDAA Title Will Provide Economic Opportunities, Create Jobs in Western States\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate about the importance of Title 30  a package of public lands bills  within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015. Murkowski highlighted the title's importance to federal oil and gas permitting, grazing, mining, and other economic and community development opportunities in western states.\r\n\r\n(Click for video of Sen. Murkowski's floor speech)\r\nAfter months of negotiations, we have agreed to this balanced, revenue-neutral, bicameral, and bipartisan package, Murkowski said. These provisions will create thousands of American jobs, cut red tape to energy production, and boost American mineral production. They protect multiple-use and public recreation, convey federal land for economic and community development, protect treasured lands, and provide new means for private dollars to support our national parks.\r\nMurkowski explained that while the federal government owns 640 million acres nationwide, 93 percent of those lands are clustered in just 12 western states. Those high levels of federal ownership significantly increase the need for legislation for everything from resource production to land conveyances, and result in hundreds of public lands bills being introduced each Congress.\r\nThroughout her statement, Murkowski highlighted the benefits the package would provide, including transfering nearly 110,000 acres of federal land into private or state hands through conveyances, exchanges, or sales. More than 26,000 acres of land are also released from wilderness study back into multiple use, which could facilitate transmission lines and motorized recreation.\r\nWe have included a bipartisan provision to streamline oil and gas permitting on federal lands, Murkowski said. We have included a provision to address the backlog of grazing permit renewals for western ranchers, to ease their burdens, and another provision to help prevent the collapse of the timber industry in Southeast Alaska.\r\nMurkowski also addressed concerns that the public lands package might add to the maintenance backlog of the National Park Service (NPS) and other federal land management agencies by creating new wilderness and new parks.\r\nThis is a balanced, revenue-neutral package, Murkowski explained. We have taken great care to make sure it is not simply a conglomeration of new wilderness and new parks. In western states, in particular, virtually none of us would support that type of package.\r\nMurkowski further highlighted the strong protections that she and others who crafted the package included for private property interests, noting that, We have forbidden the use of eminent domain and the condemnation of private property. We have also set a positive precedent by eliminating the potential use of buffer zones around designated lands.\r\nNative American rights and recreational, sport, and hunting users are also fully protected by provisions in the title, Murkowski explained during her remarks. \r\nWith time running out in this Congress, Murkowski urged her colleagues to support the package, rather than resetting the clock and returning to the bills within it at the start of next year.\r\nThis package is the result of bipartisan and bicameral negotiations  weeks of meetings among the members and staff of the committees of jurisdiction, the committees who have crafted the overall NDAA bill, leadership in both chambers, and a wide range of individual members, Murkowski said. Our final result is hardly a rush to judgment, but instead the end of a long and actually very traditional process. We have considered, debated, and amended these provisions over the course of the Congress, using the Committee process and the House and Senate floor when we could.\r\nMurkowski pointed out that every bill within the public lands package has already been reviewed by the committees of jurisdiction, including at least 30 that have already passed the House and seven that have passed the Senate.\r\nWe don't need to start over, working on the same bills in a new Congress, Murkowski said. It's time to finish this. It's time to pass these reasonable measures. I encourage the Senate to support this package as it is  as part of the larger NDAA bill  so that we can fulfill our responsibility to western states in a timely manner.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=a2b43fb2-ee37-4ea5-907e-070711b3d40c", "Murkowskis Arctic, Coastal, Fishery Priorities for Alaska in 2015 Budget", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.10.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski\u2019s Arctic, Coastal, Fishery Priorities for Alaska in 2015 Budget \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 \u201cCRomnibus\u201d Government Spending Bill Includes Funding for Alaska\u2019s Fisheries, Arctic Navigation, Tsunami Debris Protection\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t The federal government\u2019s Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) budget for fiscal year 2015 includes several provisions written and advanced by Senator Lisa Murkowski. Among them are items to support Alaska\u2019s world class fisheries, improve Arctic navigation, and protect the state\u2019s coastline from the continued debris related to the 2011 Japanese tsunami. The CJS budget is a smaller portion of the omnibus agreement to fund the federal government next year.\r\n\u201cI want to thank my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee for seeing the value of these vital Alaska needs,\u201d said Murkowski. \u201cThe focus given to these Alaskan priorities underscores the importance of our state\u2019s fisheries and coastlines and the growing awareness on Capitol Hill that we are an Arctic Nation and we must invest in our Arctic Future.\u201d\r\nBoosting Arctic Navigation: $25 million is included for hydrographic surveys \u2013 or sonar mapping \u2013 of the nation\u2019s coastline. Senator Murkowski also secured report language emphasizing the need for Arctic mapping:\r\n\u201cThe Committee directs NOAA to report within 60 days of enactment on progress made to survey and prepare navigational information for the Bering Straits region and the Arctic.\u00a0 NOAA is further directed to report on hydrographic activities planned for fiscal year 2015, including: vessels to be utilized, the areas to be surveyed, and the remaining gaps in the Arctic region.\u201d\r\nElectronic Monitoring for Alaska\u2019s Fishing Fleet: The appropriations bill includes $2 million in funding to implement electronic monitoringsystems on fishing vessels.\u00a0Last year, Senator Murkowski told NOAA that using cameras could be more efficient and safer than placing an observer on-board.\u00a0The bill also includes language from Senator Murkowski urging the agency to be more flexible regarding waiver requests for the observer program, reading:\r\n\u201cFurther, NMFS is encouraged to exercise reasonable discretion when evaluating requests by small boat fixed gear vessels seeking a release from the requirement to carry a human observer due to a lack of physical space or other physical constraint.\u00a0 The Committee is concerned with NMFS\u2019s approach to granting observer relief based on hardship and therefore directs the agency to grant such releases based on the actual number of bunks on a vessel and reasonable assessment of vessel operations with due consideration for the well-being of the crew.\u00a0 The Committee encourages NMFS to support the use of experimental fisheries permits, to continue the expeditious development of electronic monitoring equipment and procedures, and to use the experimental fisheries permits as the bridge between cooperative research and the implementation of electronic monitoring technology by regulation as a component of the Observer Program for small boat fixed gear fleets.\u201d\r\nAiding Alaska\u2019s Federal Coastline Fight Against Tsunami Debris: Senator Murkowski has stressed that since thousands of miles of Alaska\u2019s coastline are federally managed, the federal government should adequately fund clean-up efforts on the lands that it owns. The 2015 spending bill includes $6 million to address this need, and Murkowski\u2019s language:\r\n\u201cThe Committee supports the requested level for NOAA's Marine Debris Program but is concerned that NOAA has placed insufficient emphasis to clean up and dispose of marine debris resulting from the 2011 Japanese tsunami. Within funds provided, NOAA shall give priority for clean-up and disposal activities on Federal lands within States inundated with debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami.\u201d\r\nSustainably Managed Seafood: Senator Murkowski is continuing her fight against the efforts of non-governmental organizations seeking to judge the sustainability of Alaskan seafood, inserting language in this year\u2019s bill prohibiting federal agencies from using outside groups to certify the quality of fish caught in U.S. waters, reading:   \r\n\u201cThe U.S. leads the world in responsibly managed fisheries and aquaculture, and the Committee supports NOAA\u2019s activities to inform consumers about our nation\u2019s sustainable fisheries through the agency\u2019s Fish Watch program.\u00a0 However, the Committee is concerned that the exclusive use or recognition of third-party certifications for seafood sustainability by the Department could have unintended consequences for various domestic fisheries.\u00a0 The Committee acknowledges that some U.S. fisheries voluntarily utilize third-party seafood sustainability certification schemes but believes it is not the Department\u2019s role to adopt such certification schemes when doing so could result in the Department arbitrarily influencing the domestic seafood market.\u00a0 The Committee believes support for third-party certifications is best presented in non-governmental forums.\u00a0 Therefore, the Committee directs the Department not to adopt, use, or promote any third-party certification scheme for seafood sustainability, but to continue providing consumers with independent and accountable information generated from within the Department.\u201d \r\n \r\nRelated successes: Senator Murkowski also successfully prohibited third party, non-governmental seafood sustainability certification in both the Labor, Health and Human Services budget and the Department of Defense budget.\r\n \r\nOther Alaskan priorities in the finalized funding bill include:\r\n \r\nConsistent Funding for Salmon Management Activities: This year\u2019s budget maintains funding at $30.2 million, rebuffing the Obama administration\u2019s attempt to cut funding by $3 million.\r\nSupport for the National Data Buoy Center: $28.2 million for the project, along with Murkowski language prioritizing the need to curb the amount of outages among the buoy network.\r\nConsistent Funding for Fishery Stock Assessments: This year\u2019s bill includes $72 million in expanded stock assessments and $24 million for survey and monitoring projects within the Fisheries Research and Management Account.\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=e6848a1d-48c5-4131-ad6f-d11a1d776c09", "Murkowski Interior Subcommittee Leadership Brings Results for Alaska Tribal Health, Lands and Parks in Spending Bill", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.10.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Interior Subcommittee Leadership Brings Results for Alaska Tribal Health, Lands and Parks in Spending 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 Ranking Republican Shares Final Results of FY2015 Interior Budget Negotiations, Continued Success for Alaska Native Health Care Providers\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t As the top Republican on the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Lisa Murkowski today shared the results of her collaborations with Congressional Appropriations Committee members in crafting a 2015 Interior Department budget that addresses a number of core Alaska needs.\u00a0 With the Department of the Interior managing a majority of Alaska\u2019s lands, forests and waters \u2013 in addition to providing oversight of many services and programs for Alaska Natives and tribes \u2013 this bill has an oversized impact to Alaskans statewide.\r\nProviding financial certainty to Alaska\u2019s tribal health care providers, Murkowski successfully added more money than requested by the President for contract support costs (CSCs) in the 2015 budget \u2013 a welcome result after years of the government shortchanging their efforts.\u00a0 Earlier this year, Murkowski led the effort with the Alaska delegation to fully fund CSCs to assure that tribal health centers could provide care for Alaska Natives, improving the health and well-being of Alaska\u2019s First People and creating jobs for medical professionals and support staff.\r\n\u201cThe federal government has a responsibility to Alaska and a solemn obligation to our First People to fulfill its commitments to us, our lands, our way of life, our safety, and our well-being,\u201d said Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cI thank Chairman Jack Reed and the House Interior Leadership for working with me to responsibly fund the Department of Interior\u2019s large footprint in Alaska.\u201d\r\nMurkowski was able to leverage her position as Ranking Republican on the Committee to prioritize Alaska Native health care needs, public land usage, rural infrastructure, justice and public safety.\r\nAlaska Tribal Priorities and Rural Communities\r\nDelivering Care and Certainty for Native Health: Senator Murkowski secured an additional $79 million above last year\u2019s level to address Contract Support Cost (CSC) shortfalls within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service. Alaska tribes, who operate tribal self-governance agreements with the federal government to deliver health care services of the United States to Alaska Natives will be provided $200 million for the operational costs of those agreements. Adequate support for tribal self-governance compacts and contracts allows tribes to improve the delivery of health and social services.\r\nBackground:\u00a0 For years, the administration shortchanged tribes nationwide by funding less than full contract support costs for the BIA and IHS.\u00a0 It was Murkowski\u2019s work in conjunction with her subcommittee colleagues, which culminated earlier this year to halt this practice.\r\n\r\n(Dentists chairs ready for Alaskans at the Benteh Nuutah Valley Native Primary Care Center in Wasilla.)\r\nStaffing of health facilities:\u00a0 The bill fully funds the request of $71 million for staffing of new facilities across the nation.\u00a0 In addition, full funding is provided to maintain staffing packages for facilities opened in Alaska during the past year and operated by the Southcentral Foundation, Norton Sound Health Corporation, Tanana Chiefs, the Barrow Hospital, Copper River, and Kenaitze.\u00a0 The staffing packages will bring hundreds of jobs to communities.\r\nPromoting and Empowering Tribal Justice:\u00a0 Today\u2019s bill not only includes over $352 million to support public safety and justice programs across the country, but requires the Department of the Interior to review and provide a report on the funding needs of tribal courts in states like Alaska that do not currently receive dedicated tribal court funding.\r\nSafe Drinking Water and Wastewater Funding:\u00a0 In contrast to the steep cuts proposed by the administration, Senator Murkowski helped maintain $17 million in support of Alaska\u2019s efforts through the EPA\u2019s State Water Revolving Funds program.\r\nRural Water Infrastructure:\u00a0 The bill includes $10 million for EPA's Alaska Native Villages program which provides grants to implement critical wastewater and drinking water projects for Alaska Natives.\r\n\r\n(Installing water pipes in Selawik.)\r\nSupporting Native Children\u2019s Unique Needs:\u00a0 Already the co-sponsor of a bipartisan bill to create a Commission on Native Children, Senator Murkowski sponsored language in the 2015 Interior funding bill to promote interagency collaboration to streamline efforts to improve \u201chealth care, social service, child welfare and juvenile justice programs.\u201d\u00a0 Murkowski believes these preliminary efforts will create a better foundation for the future commission to fully serve Native youth nationwide.\r\nAlaska Subsistence: A year after Senator Murkowski pushed back against the administration\u2019s attempt to cut the Fish and Wildlife Service\u2019s budget for the Alaska Subsistence Program, its funding level this year remained constant at $12.4 million.\u00a0 The program promotes and regulates subsistence use on federal lands by overseeing harvest assessments and resource monitoring, conducting population assessments, and participating in Native outreach and education.\u00a0 In addition, the Forest Service\u2019s proposal to eliminate $2.5 million for the subsistence program was rejected and these funds were restored in the bill.\r\n\r\n(A salmon smokehouse in Chignik.)\r\n\u00a0\r\nFighting Federal Overreach\r\n\u00a0\r\nProhibiting New Wild Lands: Senator Murkowski was instrumental in making sure that the administration was not able to implement a controversial Department of Interior Secretarial Order that would designate new special conservation protection areas.\r\n\u00a0\r\nAvoiding EPA Interference With Hunting and Fishing: The bill contains a provision to prohibit the use of Environmental Protection Agency funds from regulating lead content of ammunition, ammunition components, and fishing tackle.\r\n\u00a0\r\nBlocking Coastal Marine Special Planning (CMSP) in Alaska: Alaskans are against CMSP in our waters \u2013 with officials on record calling it a \u201cnew layer of bureaucracy\u201d on top of what Alaska policies already cover.\u00a0 Earlier this Congressional session, Senator Murkowski was told by then-acting Commerce Secretary Blank earlier this Congressional session that \u201cstates that do not want to participate [in the program] will not have to.\u201d To make certain that this is the case, Murkowski supported language in the budget prohibiting Interior Department funds from being used for CMSP in and around Alaska.\r\nLands and Forests\r\nResources and Accountability on Contaminated ANCSA lands: In 1998, the Department of the Interior submitted a report to Congress acknowledging that it conveyed approximately 650 contaminated sites through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA).\u00a0 No significant efforts have been made by the Department to clean up these sites since this report was issued.\u00a0 The bill requires the Department to provide an updated report which includes not only an inventory of these sites but a detailed plan for how the Department intends to remediate them.\r\nLand Conveyance Funding Restored:\u00a0 The federal government\u2019s conveyance program of land owed to Alaska and Alaska Natives is mandated under the 43-year-old Alaska Native Settlement Claims Act (ANCSA).\u00a0 In order to speed up this process, Senator Murkowski passed the Alaska Lands Transfer Acceleration Act in 2004.\u00a0 However, the President\u2019s budget slashed the funding for Alaska land conveyance work.\u00a0 Murkowski was able to restore the funding to\u00a0$22 million to further provide Alaskans and Native Corporations final title to lands selected under the Alaska Statehood Act and ANCSA.\r\nFighting for True Timber Balance:\u00a0 Over the last ten years, the United States Forest Service\u2019s Region 10 has limited the allowable timber sales to less than ten percent of the actual land management plan \u2013 damaging the timber industry and shutting down numerous mills.\u00a0 Today\u2019s Interior bill contains a provision forcing the government to alter its course to restore proper balance by offering timber sales plans within two years that will offer economic opportunity and confidence.\r\nAlaska Red Cedar: Murkowski included language in the bill requiring that timber sales in Alaska be economic and for the U.S. Forest Service to use an appraisal system best suited to the unique needs of Alaska.\u00a0 The provision reads, in part:\r\n\u00a0\r\nNo timber sale in Alaska\u2019s Region 10 shall be advertised if the indicated rate is deficit (defined as the value of the timber is not sufficient to cover all logging and stumpage costs and provide a normal profit and risk allowance under the Forest Service\u2019s appraisal process) when appraised using a residual value appraisal. The western red cedar timber from those sales which is surplus to the needs of the domestic processors in Alaska, shall be made available to domestic processors in the contiguous 48 United States at prevailing domestic prices\u2026\r\nSupporting Alaska Public Safety\r\n\u00a0Strengthening Alaska Volcano Observatory\u2019s Work:\u00a0 With activity from the \u201cRing of Fire\u201d a regular occurrence, Alaskans rely on the Alaska Volcano Observatory\u2019s ability to detect threats to life, health and the state\u2019s economy.\u00a0 Senator Murkowski included language in today\u2019s bill that will increase the United States Geographical Survey Volcano Hazards program by an additional $2 million to assist the Survey in repairing and upgrading current monitoring systems.\u00a0 Several of the current seismic monitors are inoperable and maintenance is needed to continue rapid detection of these volcano threats.\r\n\r\n(The Alaska Volcano Observatory\u2019s important work available online.)\r\nAlaska Mapping Gets a Boost: Accurate, up-to-date topographic maps are necessary for aviation safety, energy development and resource assessments.\u00a0 Much of the state\u2019s topographic maps are more than a half-century old. \u00a0The bill includes $3.050 million for the U.S. Geological Survey\u2019s Alaska Mapping Initiative, which will be used to acquire data needed to provide accurate, current and publicly accessible statewide topographic maps.\r\nImproving Alaska\u2019s National Parks\r\nKatmai National Park, Brooks Lodge: With $4.4 million being provided to upgrade the current bridge to Brooks Falls to provide better public access and avoid human-bear interactions, Senator Murkowski included language directing the National Park Service to discontinue considering the use of funds to relocate the Brooks Lodge in Katmai National Park based on an outdated land use plan.\u00a0 This historic lodge is enjoyed by many Alaskans and tourists from around the world for the unique opportunity of observing bears up close in the wild.\r\n\r\n(Current floating bridge at Brooks Camp.)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=f805efd4-17b2-4035-8cc0-7575b79f413e", "Murkowski Protects 8,500 Alaska Fishing Boats from Costly Regulation", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.10.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Protects 8,500 Alaska Fishing Boats from Costly Regulation \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\u2019s Work Against Onerous E.P.A. Permit Succeeds\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today succeeded in brokering a bipartisan agreement to block a costly and redundant EPA regulation on Alaska\u2019s commercial fishing fleet and commercial vessels under 79 feet that would have hurt fishermen and coastal communities.\u00a0 Today\u2019s unanimous U.S. Senate vote comes just weeks after Murkowski introduced a bill with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to extend the current moratorium and co-sponsored efforts establish a permanent exemption.\u00a0 Since then, she has been engaged in continuous negotiations with Senators to reach a workable solution.\r\nWith the present commercial vessel exemption expiring at Midnight on December 18th, the compromise she reached with Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), John Thune (R-SD) and David Vitter (R-LA) will shield fishermen from these regulations for three years.\u00a0 The Senators also agreed to work to pass permanent legislation in the new Congress.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n(Murkowski -- EPA regulation is about \u201ca little bit of slime\u201d and \u201csalmon guts.\u201d)\r\n\u00a0\r\nSenator Murkowski explained the unacceptable standard that would be imposed on Alaska\u2019s fishing fleet on the Senate floor, saying:\r\nFor those who need a little\u00a0more graphic detail as to what\u00a0we're talking about, when you\u00a0take a commercial fishing vessel\u00a0out, your 45-foot\u00a0commercial fishing vessel and\u00a0you have a good day fishing,\u00a0you've got some salmon guts on\u00a0the deck.\u00a0 You've got a little\u00a0bit of slime.\u00a0You hose it off.\u00a0 That would be\u00a0an incidental discharge that\u00a0would be reportable to the\u00a0E.P.A., and if you fail to\u00a0report, you could be subject to\u00a0civil penalties.\u00a0That's what we're talking\u00a0about here.\r\nThe vessel discharge moratorium extension, a provision of the Coast Guard Authorization Act, now heads to the House of Representatives for a vote before the current Congressional session concludes.\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-interior-subcommittee-leadership-brings-results-for-alaska-tribal-health-lands-and-parks-in-spending-bill", "Murkowski Interior Subcommittee Leadership Brings Results for Alaska Tribal Health, Lands and Parks in Spending Bill", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.10.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Interior Subcommittee Leadership Brings Results for Alaska Tribal Health, Lands and Parks in Spending 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 Ranking Republican Shares Final Results of FY2015 Interior Budget Negotiations, Continued Success for Alaska Native Health Care Providers\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t As the top Republican on the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Lisa Murkowski today shared the results of her collaborations with Congressional Appropriations Committee members in crafting a 2015 Interior Department budget that addresses a number of core Alaska needs. With the Department of the Interior managing a majority of Alaska's lands, forests and waters  in addition to providing oversight of many services and programs for Alaska Natives and tribes  this bill has an oversized impact to Alaskans statewide.\r\nProviding financial certainty to Alaska's tribal health care providers, Murkowski successfully added more money than requested by the President for contract support costs (CSCs) in the 2015 budget  a welcome result after years of the government shortchanging their efforts. Earlier this year, Murkowski led the effort with the Alaska delegation to fully fund CSCs to assure that tribal health centers could provide care for Alaska Natives, improving the health and well-being of Alaska's First People and creating jobs for medical professionals and support staff.\r\nThe federal government has a responsibility to Alaska and a solemn obligation to our First People to fulfill its commitments to us, our lands, our way of life, our safety, and our well-being, said Murkowski. I thank Chairman Jack Reed and the House Interior Leadership for working with me to responsibly fund the Department of Interior's large footprint in Alaska.\r\nMurkowski was able to leverage her position as Ranking Republican on the Committee to prioritize Alaska Native health care needs, public land usage, rural infrastructure, justice and public safety.\r\nAlaska Tribal Priorities and Rural Communities\r\nDelivering Care and Certainty for Native Health: Senator Murkowski secured an additional $79 million above last year's level to address Contract Support Cost (CSC) shortfalls within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service. Alaska tribes, who operate tribal self-governance agreements with the federal government to deliver health care services of the United States to Alaska Natives will be provided $200 million for the operational costs of those agreements. Adequate support for tribal self-governance compacts and contracts allows tribes to improve the delivery of health and social services.\r\nBackground: For years, the administration shortchanged tribes nationwide by funding less than full contract support costs for the BIA and IHS. It was Murkowski's work in conjunction with her subcommittee colleagues, which culminated earlier this year to halt this practice.\r\n\r\n(Dentists chairs ready for Alaskans at the Benteh Nuutah Valley Native Primary Care Center in Wasilla.)\r\nStaffing of health facilities: The bill fully funds the request of $71 million for staffing of new facilities across the nation. In addition, full funding is provided to maintain staffing packages for facilities opened in Alaska during the past year and operated by the Southcentral Foundation, Norton Sound Health Corporation, Tanana Chiefs, the Barrow Hospital, Copper River, and Kenaitze. The staffing packages will bring hundreds of jobs to communities.\r\nPromoting and Empowering Tribal Justice: Today's bill not only includes over $352 million to support public safety and justice programs across the country, but requires the Department of the Interior to review and provide a report on the funding needs of tribal courts in states like Alaska that do not currently receive dedicated tribal court funding.\r\nSafe Drinking Water and Wastewater Funding: In contrast to the steep cuts proposed by the administration, Senator Murkowski helped maintain $17 million in support of Alaska's efforts through the EPA's State Water Revolving Funds program.\r\nRural Water Infrastructure: The bill includes $10 million for EPA's Alaska Native Villages program which provides grants to implement critical wastewater and drinking water projects for Alaska Natives.\r\n\r\n(Installing water pipes in Selawik.)\r\nSupporting Native Children's Unique Needs: Already the co-sponsor of a bipartisan bill to create a Commission on Native Children, Senator Murkowski sponsored language in the 2015 Interior funding bill to promote interagency collaboration to streamline efforts to improve health care, social service, child welfare and juvenile justice programs. Murkowski believes these preliminary efforts will create a better foundation for the future commission to fully serve Native youth nationwide.\r\nAlaska Subsistence: A year after Senator Murkowski pushed back against the administration's attempt to cut the Fish and Wildlife Service's budget for the Alaska Subsistence Program, its funding level this year remained constant at $12.4 million. The program promotes and regulates subsistence use on federal lands by overseeing harvest assessments and resource monitoring, conducting population assessments, and participating in Native outreach and education. In addition, the Forest Service's proposal to eliminate $2.5 million for the subsistence program was rejected and these funds were restored in the bill.\r\n\r\n(A salmon smokehouse in Chignik.)\r\n\r\nFighting Federal Overreach\r\n\r\nProhibiting New Wild Lands: Senator Murkowski was instrumental in making sure that the administration was not able to implement a controversial Department of Interior Secretarial Order that would designate new special conservation protection areas.\r\n\r\nAvoiding EPA Interference With Hunting and Fishing: The bill contains a provision to prohibit the use of Environmental Protection Agency funds from regulating lead content of ammunition, ammunition components, and fishing tackle.\r\n\r\nBlocking Coastal Marine Special Planning (CMSP) in Alaska: Alaskans are against CMSP in our waters  with officials on record calling it a new layer of bureaucracy on top of what Alaska policies already cover. Earlier this Congressional session, Senator Murkowski was told by then-acting Commerce Secretary Blank earlier this Congressional session that states that do not want to participate [in the program] will not have to. To make certain that this is the case, Murkowski supported language in the budget prohibiting Interior Department funds from being used for CMSP in and around Alaska.\r\nLands and Forests\r\nResources and Accountability on Contaminated ANCSA lands: In 1998, the Department of the Interior submitted a report to Congress acknowledging that it conveyed approximately 650 contaminated sites through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). No significant efforts have been made by the Department to clean up these sites since this report was issued. The bill requires the Department to provide an updated report which includes not only an inventory of these sites but a detailed plan for how the Department intends to remediate them.\r\nLand Conveyance Funding Restored: The federal government's conveyance program of land owed to Alaska and Alaska Natives is mandated under the 43-year-old Alaska Native Settlement Claims Act (ANCSA). In order to speed up this process, Senator Murkowski passed the Alaska Lands Transfer Acceleration Act in 2004. However, the President's budget slashed the funding for Alaska land conveyance work. Murkowski was able to restore the funding to$22 million to further provide Alaskans and Native Corporations final title to lands selected under the Alaska Statehood Act and ANCSA.\r\nFighting for True Timber Balance: Over the last ten years, the United States Forest Service's Region 10 has limited the allowable timber sales to less than ten percent of the actual land management plan  damaging the timber industry and shutting down numerous mills. Today's Interior bill contains a provision forcing the government to alter its course to restore proper balance by offering timber sales plans within two years that will offer economic opportunity and confidence.\r\nAlaska Red Cedar: Murkowski included language in the bill requiring that timber sales in Alaska be economic and for the U.S. Forest Service to use an appraisal system best suited to the unique needs of Alaska. The provision reads, in part:\r\n\r\nNo timber sale in Alaska's Region 10 shall be advertised if the indicated rate is deficit (defined as the value of the timber is not sufficient to cover all logging and stumpage costs and provide a normal profit and risk allowance under the Forest Service's appraisal process) when appraised using a residual value appraisal. The western red cedar timber from those sales which is surplus to the needs of the domestic processors in Alaska, shall be made available to domestic processors in the contiguous 48 United States at prevailing domestic prices\r\nSupporting Alaska Public Safety\r\nStrengthening Alaska Volcano Observatory's Work: With activity from the Ring of Fire a regular occurrence, Alaskans rely on the Alaska Volcano Observatory's ability to detect threats to life, health and the state's economy. Senator Murkowski included language in today's bill that will increase the United States Geographical Survey Volcano Hazards program by an additional $2 million to assist the Survey in repairing and upgrading current monitoring systems. Several of the current seismic monitors are inoperable and maintenance is needed to continue rapid detection of these volcano threats.\r\n\r\n(The Alaska Volcano Observatory's important work available online.)\r\nAlaska Mapping Gets a Boost: Accurate, up-to-date topographic maps are necessary for aviation safety, energy development and resource assessments. Much of the state's topographic maps are more than a half-century old. The bill includes $3.050 million for the U.S. Geological Survey's Alaska Mapping Initiative, which will be used to acquire data needed to provide accurate, current and publicly accessible statewide topographic maps.\r\nImproving Alaska's National Parks\r\nKatmai National Park, Brooks Lodge: With $4.4 million being provided to upgrade the current bridge to Brooks Falls to provide better public access and avoid human-bear interactions, Senator Murkowski included language directing the National Park Service to discontinue considering the use of funds to relocate the Brooks Lodge in Katmai National Park based on an outdated land use plan. This historic lodge is enjoyed by many Alaskans and tourists from around the world for the unique opportunity of observing bears up close in the wild.\r\n\r\n(Current floating bridge at Brooks Camp.)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-protects-8-500-alaska-fishing-boats-from-costly-regulation", "Murkowski Protects 8,500 Alaska Fishing Boats from Costly Regulation", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.10.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Protects 8,500 Alaska Fishing Boats from Costly Regulation \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's Work Against Onerous E.P.A. Permit Succeeds\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today succeeded in brokering a bipartisan agreement to block a costly and redundant EPA regulation on Alaska's commercial fishing fleet and commercial vessels under 79 feet that would have hurt fishermen and coastal communities. Today's unanimous U.S. Senate vote comes just weeks after Murkowski introduced a bill with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to extend the current moratorium and co-sponsored efforts establish a permanent exemption. Since then, she has been engaged in continuous negotiations with Senators to reach a workable solution.\r\nWith the present commercial vessel exemption expiring at Midnight on December 18th, the compromise she reached with Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), John Thune (R-SD) and David Vitter (R-LA) will shield fishermen from these regulations for three years. The Senators also agreed to work to pass permanent legislation in the new Congress.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Murkowski -- EPA regulation is about a little bit of slime and salmon guts.)\r\n\r\nSenator Murkowski explained the unacceptable standard that would be imposed on Alaska's fishing fleet on the Senate floor, saying:\r\nFor those who need a littlemore graphic detail as to whatwe're talking about, when youtake a commercial fishing vesselout, your 45-footcommercial fishing vessel andyou have a good day fishing,you've got some salmon guts onthe deck. You've got a littlebit of slime.You hose it off. That would bean incidental discharge thatwould be reportable to theE.P.A., and if you fail toreport, you could be subject tocivil penalties.That's what we're talkingabout here.\r\nThe vessel discharge moratorium extension, a provision of the Coast Guard Authorization Act, now heads to the House of Representatives for a vote before the current Congressional session concludes.\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-arctic-coastal-fishery-priorities-for-alaska-in-2015-budget", "Murkowskis Arctic, Coastal, Fishery Priorities for Alaska in 2015 Budget", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.10.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski's Arctic, Coastal, Fishery Priorities for Alaska in 2015 Budget \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 CRomnibus Government Spending Bill Includes Funding for Alaska's Fisheries, Arctic Navigation, Tsunami Debris Protection\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t The federal government's Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) budget for fiscal year 2015 includes several provisions written and advanced by Senator Lisa Murkowski. Among them are items to support Alaska's world class fisheries, improve Arctic navigation, and protect the state's coastline from the continued debris related to the 2011 Japanese tsunami. The CJS budget is a smaller portion of the omnibus agreement to fund the federal government next year.\r\nI want to thank my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee for seeing the value of these vital Alaska needs, said Murkowski. The focus given to these Alaskan priorities underscores the importance of our state's fisheries and coastlines and the growing awareness on Capitol Hill that we are an Arctic Nation and we must invest in our Arctic Future.\r\nBoosting Arctic Navigation: $25 million is included for hydrographic surveys  or sonar mapping  of the nation's coastline. Senator Murkowski also secured report language emphasizing the need for Arctic mapping:\r\nThe Committee directs NOAA to report within 60 days of enactment on progress made to survey and prepare navigational information for the Bering Straits region and the Arctic. NOAA is further directed to report on hydrographic activities planned for fiscal year 2015, including: vessels to be utilized, the areas to be surveyed, and the remaining gaps in the Arctic region.\r\nElectronic Monitoring for Alaska's Fishing Fleet: The appropriations bill includes $2 million in funding to implement electronic monitoringsystems on fishing vessels.Last year, Senator Murkowski told NOAA that using cameras could be more efficient and safer than placing an observer on-board.The bill also includes language from Senator Murkowski urging the agency to be more flexible regarding waiver requests for the observer program, reading:\r\nFurther, NMFS is encouraged to exercise reasonable discretion when evaluating requests by small boat fixed gear vessels seeking a release from the requirement to carry a human observer due to a lack of physical space or other physical constraint. The Committee is concerned with NMFS's approach to granting observer relief based on hardship and therefore directs the agency to grant such releases based on the actual number of bunks on a vessel and reasonable assessment of vessel operations with due consideration for the well-being of the crew. The Committee encourages NMFS to support the use of experimental fisheries permits, to continue the expeditious development of electronic monitoring equipment and procedures, and to use the experimental fisheries permits as the bridge between cooperative research and the implementation of electronic monitoring technology by regulation as a component of the Observer Program for small boat fixed gear fleets.\r\nAiding Alaska's Federal Coastline Fight Against Tsunami Debris: Senator Murkowski has stressed that since thousands of miles of Alaska's coastline are federally managed, the federal government should adequately fund clean-up efforts on the lands that it owns. The 2015 spending bill includes $6 million to address this need, and Murkowski's language:\r\nThe Committee supports the requested level for NOAA's Marine Debris Program but is concerned that NOAA has placed insufficient emphasis to clean up and dispose of marine debris resulting from the 2011 Japanese tsunami. Within funds provided, NOAA shall give priority for clean-up and disposal activities on Federal lands within States inundated with debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami.\r\nSustainably Managed Seafood: Senator Murkowski is continuing her fight against the efforts of non-governmental organizations seeking to judge the sustainability of Alaskan seafood, inserting language in this year's bill prohibiting federal agencies from using outside groups to certify the quality of fish caught in U.S. waters, reading:   \r\nThe U.S. leads the world in responsibly managed fisheries and aquaculture, and the Committee supports NOAA's activities to inform consumers about our nation's sustainable fisheries through the agency's Fish Watch program. However, the Committee is concerned that the exclusive use or recognition of third-party certifications for seafood sustainability by the Department could have unintended consequences for various domestic fisheries. The Committee acknowledges that some U.S. fisheries voluntarily utilize third-party seafood sustainability certification schemes but believes it is not the Department's role to adopt such certification schemes when doing so could result in the Department arbitrarily influencing the domestic seafood market. The Committee believes support for third-party certifications is best presented in non-governmental forums. Therefore, the Committee directs the Department not to adopt, use, or promote any third-party certification scheme for seafood sustainability, but to continue providing consumers with independent and accountable information generated from within the Department. \r\n \r\nRelated successes: Senator Murkowski also successfully prohibited third party, non-governmental seafood sustainability certification in both the Labor, Health and Human Services budget and the Department of Defense budget.\r\n \r\nOther Alaskan priorities in the finalized funding bill include:\r\n \r\nConsistent Funding for Salmon Management Activities: This year's budget maintains funding at $30.2 million, rebuffing the Obama administration's attempt to cut funding by $3 million.\r\nSupport for the National Data Buoy Center: $28.2 million for the project, along with Murkowski language prioritizing the need to curb the amount of outages among the buoy network.\r\nConsistent Funding for Fishery Stock Assessments: This year's bill includes $72 million in expanded stock assessments and $24 million for survey and monitoring projects within the Fisheries Research and Management Account.\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=9ee7b26b-dce5-44ad-9228-b6b1aada83ab", "Murkowski Veterans Mental Health Efforts Reflected in Defense Bill", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.05.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Veteran\u2019s Mental Health Efforts Reflected 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\u2019s Legislation Mirrored in Provision Within NDAA\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced that her priority of working for veterans\u2019 health and well-being on the home front through the DoD Suicide Tracking Act of 2014 has been included within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\u00a0 With the NDAA having passed the House of Representatives overwhelmingly yesterday, Murkowski is one step closer to helping empower the nation\u2019s military community against the tragic and all too prevalent problem of suicide.\r\nSenator Murkowski introduced the DoD Suicide Tracking Act of 2014 in May to improve and inform the Pentagon\u2019s strategy in responding to the high number of suicides among the military ranks and their family members as the nation attempts to wind down its efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. \r\n\u201cOftentimes, the most consuming wounds our veterans deal with are the unseen ones they battle internally, which is why military suicide claims an unacceptable 22 lives a day on average. We simply must do better for our men and women in uniform and their families,\u201d said Murkowski, \u201cThis language in the NDAA will make sure that our government collects data and analyzes trends more intelligently to help determine the best approach to protect the lives and well-being of those who fought for us.\u201d\r\nSpecifically, the DoD Suicide Tracking Act of 2014:\r\n \r\nImproves consistency in reserve component suicide prevention and resiliency programs: Requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a standard method for collecting, reporting, and assessing suicide data and suicide attempt data involving members of the National Guard and Reserves.\r\nEstablishes a DoD suicide prevention program for military dependents: Requires each service to implement programs to track, report and analyze information regarding suicides involving active duty and reserve family members.\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-veterans-mental-health-efforts-reflected-in-defense-bill", "Murkowski Veterans Mental Health Efforts Reflected in Defense Bill", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.05.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Veteran's Mental Health Efforts Reflected 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's Legislation Mirrored in Provision Within NDAA\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced that her priority of working for veterans' health and well-being on the home front through the DoD Suicide Tracking Act of 2014 has been included within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). With the NDAA having passed the House of Representatives overwhelmingly yesterday, Murkowski is one step closer to helping empower the nation's military community against the tragic and all too prevalent problem of suicide.\r\nSenator Murkowski introduced the DoD Suicide Tracking Act of 2014 in May to improve and inform the Pentagon's strategy in responding to the high number of suicides among the military ranks and their family members as the nation attempts to wind down its efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. \r\nOftentimes, the most consuming wounds our veterans deal with are the unseen ones they battle internally, which is why military suicide claims an unacceptable 22 lives a day on average. We simply must do better for our men and women in uniform and their families, said Murkowski, This language in the NDAA will make sure that our government collects data and analyzes trends more intelligently to help determine the best approach to protect the lives and well-being of those who fought for us.\r\nSpecifically, the DoD Suicide Tracking Act of 2014:\r\n \r\nImproves consistency in reserve component suicide prevention and resiliency programs: Requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a standard method for collecting, reporting, and assessing suicide data and suicide attempt data involving members of the National Guard and Reserves.\r\nEstablishes a DoD suicide prevention program for military dependents: Requires each service to implement programs to track, report and analyze information regarding suicides involving active duty and reserve family members.\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=397993", "Congress Moves Closer to National Defense Reauthorization", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The House of Representatives and Alaskan Congressman Don Young today passed bicameral legislation to authorize $521.3 billion in national defense spending and $63.7 billion for overseas operations, in addition to providing key reforms to protect Alaskan military operations and service members, prevent military sexual assault and suicide, reaffirm the F-35 basing at Eielson Air Force Base, and convey federal lands to local entities.\n\u201cThis important piece of legislation funds our fighting men and women and gives them the resources they need to train, fight, and keep America safe,\u201d said Congressman Young.\u00a0\u201cWhile the bill isn\u2019t perfect, it does include many important items for Alaska and the rest of the nation.\u00a0 I\u2019m proud to see the inclusion of my language to begin the process of getting Eielson\u2019s tankers the manpower they need to execute all of their missions, and pleased to confirm what Alaskans already know, that Eielson is the best place for the Air Force\u2019s F-35s. I must also commend Senator Murkowski for her leadership, as Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, \u00a0in ensuring many of these provisions, particularly the public lands measures, were included in the final bill.\u201d\nIncluded within S. 1847, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015 (NDAA), are key Alaska provisions supported and included by Congressman Young that highlight Alaska\u2019s unique landscape and strategic location. Additionally, the legislation mitigates drastic cuts to TRICARE, housing allowances, and commissary benefits. S. 1847 passed with overwhelming support today by a vote of 300 to 119, and will now be taken up by the Senate.\u00a0\nCongressman Young successfully included the following provisions in the 2015 NDAA:\nEielson and F-35s:\u00a0 Language included in the NDAA\u2019s explanatory report clearly states that Eielson Air Force Base is the preferred location for two squadrons of F-35s.\nArctic Capabilities Study:\u00a0 A Government Accountability Office (GAO) study to analyze and identify existing capability gaps that hinder the DOD\u2019s ability to carry out the Administration\u2019s new Arctic Strategy, released late last year. The study will examine the need for increased ice breaking capacity, a suitable replacement plan for the aging Small Unit Support Vehicle (SUSV), and the need for Arctic based programs\u00a0and training similar to the U.S. Army Alaska\u2019s (USARAK) Northern Warfare Training Center.\nBusiness Case Analysis for the 168th ARW:\u00a0 A Business Case Analysis (BCA) by the Air Force for forming an Active Association with the Alaska National Guard\u2019s 168th Air Refueling Wing (AWR) at Eielson Air Force Base (AFB), Alaska. At this time, the 168th ARW does not possess the manpower to fulfill all air refueling requirements of the Northern Pacific and Arctic region, which results in nearly forty percent of refueling missions requiring costly augmentation from temporarily assigned Air Mobility Command (AMC) tanker assets.\u00a0 This is the Alaska National Guard\u2019s top legislative priority for FY2015.\u00a0\nThe legislation also includes three Alaska public land provisions previously passed in the House under the leadership of Congressman Young.\u00a0 The bill includes:\n \n    The conveyance of 1,518 acres of federal land at the former Distant Early Warning Site near Wainwright, Alaska to the Olgoonik Corporation. The House bill, H.R. 5167, passed by voice vote on November 13, 2014.\n \n \n    The Sealaska land entitlement finalization, which conveys 70,075 of acres of land to Sealaska. On September 10, 2013, the House Natural Resources Committee reported a version of this bill, which also passed in the House during the 112th Congress.\n \n \n    The removal of federal reversionary interest to three parcels of land conveyed to the Municipality of Anchorage. Under the existing title, a reversionary clause requires the land ownership revert back to the federal government should the land no longer be used for \u201cmunicipal purposes.\u201d This bill passed the House on February 6, 2014.\u00a0\n \nProvisions included in the 2015 NDAA of Alaskan benefit and interest:\u00a0\n \n    Ground-Based Missile Defense:\u00a0 Authorizes a $40 million increase to the Ballistic Missile Defense System at Ft. Greely for upgrades to the current system of ground-based missile interceptors.\u00a0 This bill also blocks funding to explore an East Coast missile site and instead directs funding to improving Alaska\u2019s capacity.\n \n \n    Ballistic Missile Defense Sensors:\u00a0 Authorizes $392.9 million for Ballistic Missile Defense Sensors, one of which is located at Clear Air Force Station.\n \n \n    Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR):\u00a0 This bill authorizes funding to begin building the LRDR, a vital missile defense radar which will be constructed in Alaska within ten years.\n \n \n    Clear Air Force Station Military Construction: Authorizes $11.5 million for an Emergency Power Plant fuel storage.\n \n \n    F-35:\u00a0 $6.7 billion for the procurement for 34 aircraft and continued research and development.\u00a0 Currently, Alaska is home to Eielson AFB the preferred location for the Air Force\u2019s OCONUS F-35 basing of two squadrons for F-35As.\n \n \n    Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC): Includes a provision explicitly stating nothing with the NDAA should be construed as authorizing an additional round of BRAC.\n \n \n    National Guard Force Structure Adjustments:\u00a0Includes a provision to have the Government Accountability Organization (GAO) study the appropriate balance between the Active force and the Guard.\u00a0The re-distribution of important Guard aviation assets are also blocked in FY2015.\n \n \n    Nome Land Transfer: Transfers seven acres of federal land \u2013 the West Nome Fuel Tank Farm \u2013 from the Air Force to the City of Nome for future economic purposes. \n \n\u00a0\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397995", "House Passes Legislation to Rein in Executive Overreach on Immigration", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u00ad\u2013 Following passage of H.R. 5759, the Executive Amnesty Prevention Act of 2014, Alaskan Congressman Don Young detailed his support for the House\u2019s first legislative response to the President\u2019s controversial executive order on immigration:\n\u201cTwo weeks ago, through executive order, President Obama circumvented Congress by directing his federal agencies to stop the deportation of more than 5 million unlawful immigrants. At that time, he also expanded his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, otherwise known as Dreamers, allowing even more unlawful immigrants to stay in this country. He justified his actions by claiming his Administration is merely exercising its power of prosecutorial discretion, similar to past presidents.\u00a0 As I have said before, that comparison and his use of executive action in this case are plain wrong.\u201d\n\u201cPast presidents have used executive action to clarify bipartisan immigration laws that were passed by Congress.\u00a0 President Obama\u2019s executive order, in stark contrast, was not issued to clarify Congressional action, but because Congress wasn\u2019t giving him the answers he wanted in the timeline he promised.\u00a0 This is not how elected officials restore the public\u2019s faith in our government.\u00a0 This is how you erode the public\u2019s faith.\u201d\n\u201cWhen the President first announced his executive order, I pledged to work with my colleagues in the House to pass legislation to rein in this overreach.\u00a0 Today, I backed up those words by supporting legislation that clearly established, in law, that the President does not have the authority to exempt or defer deportation for whole categories of persons unlawfully present in the country.\u00a0 Any executive action that violates this statutory limit will be considered null and void.\u00a0 This legislation would apply to the President recent executive order and any future ones that work to circumvent our immigration laws.\u201d\nFor more information on the law in detail, click here.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397991", "House Passes Commonsense Tax Relief for American Households", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Alaskan Congressman Don Young today supported the passage of two tax bills aimed at providing relief for countless American households and individuals living with disabilities. Both bills, H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 and H.R. 647, the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE), passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.\r\nH.R. 647, the ABLE Act, works to provide families with severely disabled children the commonsense tools they need to save for long-term disability expenses. Under the current tax code, many disabled individuals and their families lack the same type of saving instruments and tax incentives that many American families enjoy for expenses like college, retirement, and other life events.\r\n\u201cI am a proud cosponsor of the ABLE Act, which establishes optional, tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities,\u201d said Congressman Young.\u00a0 \u201cUnder this bill, individuals and families caring for a severely disabled child can use these tax-free savings accounts to pay for expenses such as housing, career development, and medical expenses not covered by SSI or Medicaid. This commonsense approach lets families struggling to pay for their disabled loved ones keep more of their money so they can provide the care they need most, which varies in every home and every state. \u00a0This is a theme you will see again and again with House Republicans; incentivizing positive fiscal behavior by offering tax cuts or tax deferred accounts for worthwhile causes.\u201d\r\nH.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, would provide a one year extension on a variety of tax deductions that expired at the end of 2013 or during the current year. This short-term extension comes following a White House veto threat on a 10-year tax extension negotiated by House Republicans and Senate Democrats.\r\n\u201cIt was imperative that my colleagues in the House and I move quickly to pass this tax extenders package before the 2014 tax filing season begins,\u201d said Congressman Young, \u201cThis one year extension will have a significant impact on American and Alaskan households. Once this bill is enacted, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the 114th Congress to build and pass a larger tax reform package that makes certain expiring tax provisions permanent. Americans deserve tax relief and certainty so they can make their budgets accordingly.\u00a0 As a fiscal conservative and Alaskan who values independence, I will continue to work to help households keep more of their hard earned paychecks because I trust they can spend it better than the federal government.\u201d\r\nClick here for a section by section summary of H.R. 647.\r\nClick here for a section by section summary of H.R. 5771.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397992", "House Makes Final Push on Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill, Sends Bipartisan Agreement to Senate", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 The House of Representatives today approved a bipartisan, bicameral Coast Guard agreement that works to protect the nation\u2019s oceans and waterways, improve the USCG\u2019s mission readiness, and support our men and women in uniform. The legislation, H.R. 5769, the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014, also works to advance a number of Alaskan priorities supported by Congressman Don Young, including a 1-year moratorium on regulatory burdens facing fisherman and vessel owners, and improvements to USCG lands and housing infrastructure.\r\n\u201cWe always knew a Coast Guard reauthorization bill would come down to the wire, not because the legislation lacked the necessary improvements and reforms, but because of the sluggish environment currently plaguing Washington, D.C.\u201d said Congressman Don Young. \u201cThis legislation, which reduces regulatory burdens and improves Coast Guard operations across Alaska and the nation, has always remained a top priority of mine and I look forward to seeing it enacted into law. It\u2019s unfortunate the Senate could not agree to a permanent fix to provide surety for our fishermen from regulatory burdens, but I expect we will be able to finally solve this problem in the new Congress.\u201d\r\nOf particular note, H.R. 5769 extends a one year moratorium for owners of fishing vessels and small commercial vessels from having to obtain EPA permits for incidental discharges, such as deck water runoff.\r\nCongressman Young also included language within H.R. 5769 that supports the economic development of unused USCG property in Womens Bay, AK on Kodiak Island. Under current law, the USCG is prohibited from leasing submerged or tidal lands beyond a 5-year maximum, which has proven to restrict long-term planning and asset management of USCG lands.\r\n\u201cThe short term lease limitations imposed on Coast Guard lands in locations like Womens Bay greatly hinder future development projects in communities that support our Coast Guard,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Don Young. \u201cAt a time when federal funds are scarce for infrastructure, we are letting regulations stand in the way of private development wanted by all parties.\u00a0This legislation would add a small tool in the arsenal for the USCG by enabling the Commandant complete discretion on whether or not to lease submerged and tidal lands for a longer period of time. \r\nCongressman Young supported the following provisions of Alaskan interest, which:\r\n \r\n    Support servicemember pay raises and provides more resources for Coast Guard housing.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Ensure servicemembers in certain fields have opportunity for career advancement by addressing long-standing barriers and regulatory impediments for Sea Service veterans seeking employment within the U.S.-flag merchant marine.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Require a determination on the feasibility of refurbishing the USCGC Polar Sea, and provides authorization for a service life extension for the vessel that currently sits in port out of service.\u00a0\r\n \r\n \r\n    Require the Coast Guard to provide Congress with a strategy to maintain icebreaking capabilities in the Polar Regions that includes an analysis of the cost effectiveness of acquiring or leasing new icebreaker assets.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Require regular reporting on the status of the International Maritime Organization\u00a0(IMO) Polar Code negotiations, including safety for ships operating in polar waters, and the impacts on coastal communities in regards to the costs of delivering freight and fuel, as well on the safety of maritime transportation.\r\n \r\n \r\n    At request of the Senate Majority, the bill reiterates currently existing authority for the construction of forward operating facilities in the Arctic.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Reauthorizes fishing vessel safety grants.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Provides an inflationary adjustment to the funding provided for the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council.\r\n \r\n\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=69170554-b1d8-4055-9442-fa25b0890f90", "Sen. Murkowski Announces Agreement on Public Lands Package", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.14\n\t\t\t Sen. Murkowski Announces Agreement on Public Lands Package \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 Result of Weeks of Negotiation Will Substantially Benefit Alaska, Western States\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced a bipartisan and bicameral agreement to advance a package of lands bills focused on expanding economic opportunities in Alaska and other Western states and will be included within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). \r\nThe joint agreement on the package will support job creation and economic growth through a balanced approach to improving public lands management, natural resource development, and conservation, while fully protecting private property rights and recreational interests.\u00a0\r\n\u201cI am pleased that after weeks of negotiations, we have reached a bipartisan and bicameral agreement to advance this series of public lands bills,\u201d Murkowski said. \u201cWe have worked hard to develop a balanced package that will increase resource production and provide new economic opportunities for western communities.\u201d\r\nMurkowski highlighted several provisions in the package that will benefit Alaska.\r\n\u201cThis package includes important provisions that will boost communities throughout our state, including the settlement and finalization of lands issues in Southeast Alaska, the conveyances of land for community development in Anchorage, and at Fort Wainwright,\u201d Murkowski said.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nAdditional Highlights:\r\nExpands Access to American Energy and Minerals\r\n \r\nExtends and expands nationwide the successful Bureau of Land Management permit streamlining program to increase oil and gas production from federal lands;\r\nFacilitates several proposed mineral development projects, including the third-largest undeveloped copper resource in the world; and\r\nProvides federal land management agencies with needed authorities to efficiently renew and process grazing permits and leases on more than 200 million acres of public rangeland.\r\n \r\nBalances Conservation with Federal Land Conveyances\r\n \r\nProvides more than 110,000 acres of land to be conveyed out of federal ownership for economic and community development, which will in turn create good-paying jobs and new opportunities for thousands of Americans;\r\nProvides new means of enhancing private funding for parks;\r\nDesignates a limited number of new park units, all of which have strong local support;\r\n \r\n \r\nCreates 245,000 acres of new wilderness areas \u2013 nearly half of which were already being treated by federal land managers \u201cas if\u201d wilderness \u2013 in wilderness study or roadless areas; and\r\nReleases more than 26,000 acres back to multiple-use designation.\r\n \r\nNative American Interests\r\n \r\nSettles Northern Cheyenne\u2019s claims against the federal government for failing to take the subsurface estate under its reservation into trust;\r\nSettles land claims for the Sealaska Native Corp.;\r\nConveys federal property to an Alaska Native village for economic development; and\r\nProvides access and protection for cultural resources and traditional uses at Oak Flat and Apache Leap in Superior, Arizona. \r\n \r\nProtects Private Property Rights\r\n \r\nEnsures private property interests are fully protected in all special land designations;\r\nProtects all private activities taking place outside of the special land designations;\r\nEnsures no private property can be condemned, and prevents acquisitions through eminent domain; and\r\nProhibits buffer zones and protective perimeters.\r\n \r\nAll of the provisions within the package were subject to extensive consideration, debate, and refinement by the relevant committees of jurisdiction, including the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.\r\n\u201cThis is the culmination of two years of effort by members on both sides of the aisle and from both chambers,\u201d Murkowski said. \u201cThe balanced package we have developed is largely focused on unlocking the federal estate to bring economic prosperity and good-paying jobs to western states.\u201d\r\nMurkowski is the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee\u2019s lead Republican member.\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=a6220f46-43bb-4857-affa-30d706b41f66", "Sen. Murkowski Advances Legislation Finalizing Sealaska Land Claims", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.14\n\t\t\t Sen. Murkowski Advances Legislation Finalizing Sealaska Land Claims \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, last night announced a bipartisan and bicameral agreement she helped negotiate to advance a lands bill package, including legislation to complete the aboriginal land claims of the Sealaska Native Regional Corp.\r\nMurkowski included the Southeast Alaska Native Land Entitlement Finalization and Jobs Protection Act, which she originally introduced as S. 340, in the package of lands bills developed by Senate and House leaders. Both chambers are expected to consider the package as part of the National Defense Authorization Act before breaking for the Christmas recess.\r\nThe measure provides Sealaska Corp., the Alaska Native regional corp. for Southeast Alaska, with 70,075 acres to finalize transfer of land owed to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian tribes under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). \r\n\u201cAfter decades of broken federal promises, we are finally close to delivering on the promise of ANCSA for thousands of Southeast Alaska residents,\u201d Murkowski said. \u201cThis has been a difficult process because every acre of the Tongass is precious to someone, but we have worked tirelessly with all stakeholders to address concerns. I truly believe all of that work has resulted in legislation that will help the region\u2019s timber industry, while at the same time protecting more than 150,000 acres for fisheries and habitat.\u201d \r\nUnder ANCSA, which extinguished aboriginal land claims in Alaska, Sealaska was entitled to an estimated 375,000 acres of the 16.9-million acre Tongass National Forest to help improve the livelihoods of its shareholders. Yet the federal government has never made good on its promise. \r\nSealaska is currently owed some 85,000 acres, but under the compromise worked out by Murkowski, the Native corp. will accept about 15,000 acres less in exchange for 68,400 acres available for timber development, 1,099 acres for renewable energy resources and recreational tourism projects, and 490 acres of Native cemetery and historic sites. \r\nThe measure also places 152,067 acres of old-growth timber in new conservation areas to protect salmon and wildlife habitat.\r\n\u201cWe took great care to fulfill the promises made to Sealaska shareholders, while at the same time addressing the concerns of all Southeast residents who utilize the Tongass for everything from subsistence to fisheries and recreation,\u201d Murkowski said. \u201cThe bill ensures public access and protects key salmon streams. It also creates new habitat conservation areas.\u201d \r\nThe legislation also reinstates Michael Faber to the shareholder rolls of the Sealaska corp. Faber had lost his shareholder status due to a federal clerical error while he was serving overseas in the U.S. Military.\r\nAnother provision within the lands package includes language allowing the Olgoonik Native Corp. of Wainwright to acquire the former Air Force defense site \u2013 1,518 acres located next to the North Slope village \u2013 for economic development. \r\nThe package also includes a provision to allow the municipality of Anchorage to sell the Egan Convention Center property and two other parcels of land in downtown Anchorage for redevelopment.\r\nThe package would also streamline Bureau of Land Management permitting for oil and natural gas on federal lands in Alaska and nationwide.\r\n\u201cThis package includes important provisions for Alaska and strikes a good balance between economic opportunity and conservation,\u201d Murkowski said. \u201cWe have worked hard to develop a balanced package that will increase resource production and provide new economic opportunities for our communities.\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=b0886ad9-103b-4d24-8103-c5160d873838", "Murkowski: Defense Bill Bolsters Alaskas Military Footprint", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Defense Bill Bolsters Alaska\u2019s Military Footprint \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\u2019s Missile Defense Advocacy Reaps Improvement Funds, Eielson Confirmed as Preferred Location for F-35s\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced that the House and Senate negotiations to craft a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to fund America\u2019s military for the upcoming year reflect a number of the key Alaskan priorities she has worked with Congressional leadership to advance. \r\n\u201cAlaska\u2019s tactical position on the globe has long made us an ideal investment for the nation\u2019s defense, and the results of this year\u2019s NDAA discussions demonstrate that Congressional leadership continues to prioritize not only Alaska\u2019s current missions, but also a range of operations in the mid- and long-term,\u201d said Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cWhile I welcome Congressional testimony expressing verbal support of Alaska\u2019s military, the funding levels and Congressional commitments are where the rubber meets the road in terms of our nation\u2019s defense and Alaskan benefits.\u201d\r\nAmong the results for Alaska: \r\n \r\n$40 Million \u2013 and Certainty \u2013 for Missile Defense in Alaska: With the momentum of June\u2019s successful interceptor test, the Department of Defense has slotted $40 million for improvements and expansions to the missile defense system at Fort Greely.\u00a0 Of similar importance, the NDAA also blocks funding for consideration of an East Coast missile site \u2013 demonstrating the Pentagon\u2019s focus on Alaska\u2019s capacity rather than envisioning alternatives elsewhere.\r\n \r\n \r\nLong Range Discrimination Radar Project Gets Green Light: A priority the Missile Defense Agency described as \u2018absolutely vital\u2019 to Senator Murkowski in June, this year\u2019s NDAA authorizes funding to begin design of a missile defense radar that will be built within Alaska \u2013 with a construction timeframe of roughly ten years. \r\n \r\n \r\nAffirming Eielson\u2019s F-35s: The NDAA\u2019s \u2018explanatory report\u2019 that details the reasoning behind the bill\u2019s provisions clearly states that Eielson Air Force Base is the preferred location for two squadrons of F-35s and delivers full funding to keep the goal of 2019 aircraft basing on track.\u00a0 Congressman Don Young successfully included language in the House to express Congress\u2019 support for stationing the F-35 at\u00a0Eielson AFB. \r\n \r\n \r\nAdditional Considerations for Eielson AFB:\u00a0 The Defense authorization bill requires the United States Air Force to conduct an analysis of the merits of having additional KC-135 refueling aircraft at Eielson that would require more Air Force personnel to man and maintain, where this is currently only an Alaska Air National Guard operation.\u00a0 The language, which the Alaska National Guard considered their top priority for FY2015, was included by Congressman Young as an amendment in the House. \r\n \r\n \r\nNome Gets Desired Land Transfer: The negotiated National Defense Authorization Act also transfers 7 acres of land in Nome near the Port to the City of Nome in order to expand possible economic development opportunities.\r\n \r\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-bolsters-alaskas-military-footprint", "Murkowski: Defense Bill Bolsters Alaskas Military Footprint", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Defense Bill Bolsters Alaska's Military Footprint \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's Missile Defense Advocacy Reaps Improvement Funds, Eielson Confirmed as Preferred Location for F-35s\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced that the House and Senate negotiations to craft a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to fund America's military for the upcoming year reflect a number of the key Alaskan priorities she has worked with Congressional leadership to advance. \r\nAlaska's tactical position on the globe has long made us an ideal investment for the nation's defense, and the results of this year's NDAA discussions demonstrate that Congressional leadership continues to prioritize not only Alaska's current missions, but also a range of operations in the mid- and long-term, said Murkowski. While I welcome Congressional testimony expressing verbal support of Alaska's military, the funding levels and Congressional commitments are where the rubber meets the road in terms of our nation's defense and Alaskan benefits.\r\nAmong the results for Alaska: \r\n \r\n$40 Million  and Certainty  for Missile Defense in Alaska: With the momentum of June's successful interceptor test, the Department of Defense has slotted $40 million for improvements and expansions to the missile defense system at Fort Greely. Of similar importance, the NDAA also blocks funding for consideration of an East Coast missile site  demonstrating the Pentagon's focus on Alaska's capacity rather than envisioning alternatives elsewhere.\r\n \r\n \r\nLong Range Discrimination Radar Project Gets Green Light: A priority the Missile Defense Agency described as absolutely vital' to Senator Murkowski in June, this year's NDAA authorizes funding to begin design of a missile defense radar that will be built within Alaska  with a construction timeframe of roughly ten years. \r\n \r\n \r\nAffirming Eielson's F-35s: The NDAA's explanatory report' that details the reasoning behind the bill's provisions clearly states that Eielson Air Force Base is the preferred location for two squadrons of F-35s and delivers full funding to keep the goal of 2019 aircraft basing on track. Congressman Don Young successfully included language in the House to express Congress' support for stationing the F-35 atEielson AFB. \r\n \r\n \r\nAdditional Considerations for Eielson AFB: The Defense authorization bill requires the United States Air Force to conduct an analysis of the merits of having additional KC-135 refueling aircraft at Eielson that would require more Air Force personnel to man and maintain, where this is currently only an Alaska Air National Guard operation. The language, which the Alaska National Guard considered their top priority for FY2015, was included by Congressman Young as an amendment in the House. \r\n \r\n \r\nNome Gets Desired Land Transfer: The negotiated National Defense Authorization Act also transfers 7 acres of land in Nome near the Port to the City of Nome in order to expand possible economic development opportunities.\r\n \r\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-advances-legislation-finalizing-sealaska-land-claims", "Sen. Murkowski Advances Legislation Finalizing Sealaska Land Claims", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.14\n\t\t\t Sen. Murkowski Advances Legislation Finalizing Sealaska Land Claims \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, last night announced a bipartisan and bicameral agreement she helped negotiate to advance a lands bill package, including legislation to complete the aboriginal land claims of the Sealaska Native Regional Corp.\r\nMurkowski included the Southeast Alaska Native Land Entitlement Finalization and Jobs Protection Act, which she originally introduced as S. 340, in the package of lands bills developed by Senate and House leaders. Both chambers are expected to consider the package as part of the National Defense Authorization Act before breaking for the Christmas recess.\r\nThe measure provides Sealaska Corp., the Alaska Native regional corp. for Southeast Alaska, with 70,075 acres to finalize transfer of land owed to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian tribes under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). \r\nAfter decades of broken federal promises, we are finally close to delivering on the promise of ANCSA for thousands of Southeast Alaska residents, Murkowski said. This has been a difficult process because every acre of the Tongass is precious to someone, but we have worked tirelessly with all stakeholders to address concerns. I truly believe all of that work has resulted in legislation that will help the region's timber industry, while at the same time protecting more than 150,000 acres for fisheries and habitat. \r\nUnder ANCSA, which extinguished aboriginal land claims in Alaska, Sealaska was entitled to an estimated 375,000 acres of the 16.9-million acre Tongass National Forest to help improve the livelihoods of its shareholders. Yet the federal government has never made good on its promise. \r\nSealaska is currently owed some 85,000 acres, but under the compromise worked out by Murkowski, the Native corp. will accept about 15,000 acres less in exchange for 68,400 acres available for timber development, 1,099 acres for renewable energy resources and recreational tourism projects, and 490 acres of Native cemetery and historic sites. \r\nThe measure also places 152,067 acres of old-growth timber in new conservation areas to protect salmon and wildlife habitat.\r\nWe took great care to fulfill the promises made to Sealaska shareholders, while at the same time addressing the concerns of all Southeast residents who utilize the Tongass for everything from subsistence to fisheries and recreation, Murkowski said. The bill ensures public access and protects key salmon streams. It also creates new habitat conservation areas. \r\nThe legislation also reinstates Michael Faber to the shareholder rolls of the Sealaska corp. Faber had lost his shareholder status due to a federal clerical error while he was serving overseas in the U.S. Military.\r\nAnother provision within the lands package includes language allowing the Olgoonik Native Corp. of Wainwright to acquire the former Air Force defense site  1,518 acres located next to the North Slope village  for economic development. \r\nThe package also includes a provision to allow the municipality of Anchorage to sell the Egan Convention Center property and two other parcels of land in downtown Anchorage for redevelopment.\r\nThe package would also streamline Bureau of Land Management permitting for oil and natural gas on federal lands in Alaska and nationwide.\r\nThis package includes important provisions for Alaska and strikes a good balance between economic opportunity and conservation, Murkowski said. We have worked hard to develop a balanced package that will increase resource production and provide new economic opportunities for our communities.\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-announces-agreement-on-public-lands-package", "Sen. Murkowski Announces Agreement on Public Lands Package", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.14\n\t\t\t Sen. Murkowski Announces Agreement on Public Lands Package \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 Result of Weeks of Negotiation Will Substantially Benefit Alaska, Western States\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced a bipartisan and bicameral agreement to advance a package of lands bills focused on expanding economic opportunities in Alaska and other Western states and will be included within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). \r\nThe joint agreement on the package will support job creation and economic growth through a balanced approach to improving public lands management, natural resource development, and conservation, while fully protecting private property rights and recreational interests.\r\nI am pleased that after weeks of negotiations, we have reached a bipartisan and bicameral agreement to advance this series of public lands bills, Murkowski said. We have worked hard to develop a balanced package that will increase resource production and provide new economic opportunities for western communities.\r\nMurkowski highlighted several provisions in the package that will benefit Alaska.\r\nThis package includes important provisions that will boost communities throughout our state, including the settlement and finalization of lands issues in Southeast Alaska, the conveyances of land for community development in Anchorage, and at Fort Wainwright, Murkowski said. \r\nAdditional Highlights:\r\nExpands Access to American Energy and Minerals\r\n \r\nExtends and expands nationwide the successful Bureau of Land Management permit streamlining program to increase oil and gas production from federal lands;\r\nFacilitates several proposed mineral development projects, including the third-largest undeveloped copper resource in the world; and\r\nProvides federal land management agencies with needed authorities to efficiently renew and process grazing permits and leases on more than 200 million acres of public rangeland.\r\n \r\nBalances Conservation with Federal Land Conveyances\r\n \r\nProvides more than 110,000 acres of land to be conveyed out of federal ownership for economic and community development, which will in turn create good-paying jobs and new opportunities for thousands of Americans;\r\nProvides new means of enhancing private funding for parks;\r\nDesignates a limited number of new park units, all of which have strong local support;\r\n \r\n \r\nCreates 245,000 acres of new wilderness areas  nearly half of which were already being treated by federal land managers as if wilderness  in wilderness study or roadless areas; and\r\nReleases more than 26,000 acres back to multiple-use designation.\r\n \r\nNative American Interests\r\n \r\nSettles Northern Cheyenne's claims against the federal government for failing to take the subsurface estate under its reservation into trust;\r\nSettles land claims for the Sealaska Native Corp.;\r\nConveys federal property to an Alaska Native village for economic development; and\r\nProvides access and protection for cultural resources and traditional uses at Oak Flat and Apache Leap in Superior, Arizona. \r\n \r\nProtects Private Property Rights\r\n \r\nEnsures private property interests are fully protected in all special land designations;\r\nProtects all private activities taking place outside of the special land designations;\r\nEnsures no private property can be condemned, and prevents acquisitions through eminent domain; and\r\nProhibits buffer zones and protective perimeters.\r\n \r\nAll of the provisions within the package were subject to extensive consideration, debate, and refinement by the relevant committees of jurisdiction, including the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.\r\nThis is the culmination of two years of effort by members on both sides of the aisle and from both chambers, Murkowski said. The balanced package we have developed is largely focused on unlocking the federal estate to bring economic prosperity and good-paying jobs to western states.\r\nMurkowski is the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's lead Republican member.\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=397989", "House Reauthorizes Native American Housing Assistance Program", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Under the leadership of Alaskan Congressman Don Young and a bipartisan group of his colleagues, the House of Representatives today passed legislation to reauthorize the primary federal housing program for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians \u2013 the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) \u2013 which empowers Native communities to develop and implement their own innovative housing assistance initiatives.\n\u201cPrior to the passage of NAHASDA in 1996, many federal housing programs failed to take into account the unique challenges and obstacles facing the Alaska Native people,\u201d said Congressman Don Young. \u201cNAHASDA exemplifies the spirit of self-determination by allowing tribes and villages to build housing that makes sense for their particular communities and unique climates. This reauthorization works to uphold the successes of NAHASDA, while making much needed improvements to the program that empower Native communities to better confront their housing challenges.\u201d\n    \n        \n            \n        \n    \nCongressman Young Discussing the Reauthorization of NAHASDA on the House Floor (click here to watch).\nH.R.4329, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self\u2010Determination Reauthorization of 2014, reflects the House\u2019s effort to address some of the worst housing and economic conditions in the country.\u00a0 The legislation would extend NAHASDA for five years and work to streamline the federal approval process, reduce red tape, and make much need reforms to the program. Click here for a section by section description of H.R. 4329.\nReauthorization of NAHASDA is supported by tribes, tribal organizations, and designated Indian housing authorities across the country, including the National American Indian Housing Council, which developed a foundation for the legislation, and the Cook Inlet Housing Authority, a tireless NAHASDA advocate in Alaska.\n\u00a0\u00a0\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397990", "Federal Duck Stamp Legislation Passes Senate with Exemption for Alaskan Subsistence Hunters", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Alaskan Congressman Don Young today applauded the Senate\u2019s passage of H.R. 5069, the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014, which included an amendment he added to the bill in Committee to exempt subsistence hunters in rural Alaska from being required to purchase the annual permit. \n\u201cThe passage of the Federal Duck Stamp Act and the subsistence exemption is a major victory for rural Alaska, our many residents who rely on the resource as a critical food supply, and those in remote villages who have faced hardships in obtaining the federal duck stamp,\u201d said Congressman Don Young. \u201cI must thank the numerous Alaska organizations who came forward and asked me to include this important language in the base bill and for supporting me through the process. I look forward to seeing this legislation signed into law and continuing my work on behalf of all our interest.\u201d\n    \n        \n            \n        \n    \n\u00a0\u00a0Following the passage of H.R. 5069 in the House, Congressman Young shared the following comment (click here to listen):\n\u201cFor many years, subsistence users in Alaska were not required to purchase a stamp, but this changed due to a recent solicitor\u2019s opinion,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Young.\u00a0\u201cSubsistence hunters are not sport hunters. Instead, they are hunting waterfowl to feed their families. While I support raising the price of the duck stamp for sportsmen, myself included, we should not be adding a burden to individuals who rely on subsistence hunting as a means to feed their families. Alaska Natives, and frankly all Alaskans, have done their part to preserve waterfowl habitat and other lands. Tens of millions of acres in Alaska are already tied up in some sort of conservation designation. As a result, none of the funds generated by the duck stamp are spent in Alaska.\u201d\nH.R. 5069, the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014, now heads to the President's desk for his signature.\n\u00a0  \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/innews?ContentRecord_id=89c8ecdb-bee7-401b-a3bd-9d2cbe65efb8", "Roll Call: Murkowskis Energy Manifesto Hiding in Plain Sight", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.14\n\t\t\t Roll Call: Murkowski\u2019s Energy Manifesto Hiding in Plain Sight \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tThere\u2019s plenty of speculation about what Republicans will do on energy in the 114th Congress, and while a lot of details remain to be sorted out, the House and Senate chairs with primary jurisdiction have dropped plenty of hints about their thinking.\r\nIncoming Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has been hiding her agenda in plain sight since February 2013, when she unveiled\u00a0Energy 2020: a Vision for America\u2019s Energy Future.\r\n\r\nSen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, right, speaks with Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell before a June 2013 Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call)\r\n\r\nWhen she gets the gavel, Murkowski\u2019s plan will be nearly two years old. But she has clarified that Energy 2020, which she recently called \u201ca 115-page beautiful treatise on what a good solid energy policy will be,\u201d marks her starting point for next year. \u201cIt will be policy that is focused on abundance, affordability, clean energy sources, diverse energy sources and security,\u201d she said recently.\r\nAware of the mammoth energy packages that have sunk under their own weight in recent years, Murkowski\u2019s plan calls for \u201cdiscrete\u201d energy bills. She\u2019s also expected to use what she calls \u201ctargeted oversight\u201d to build the case for her own policy preferences and to push back against administration ones she opposes.\r\nRemember this about Murkowski: she\u2019ll wield two key gavels in the 114th Congress: Energy and Natural Resources and the Appropriations Interior-Environment Subcommittee. As the top authorizer and appropriator over key energy agencies, she\u2019ll have an oversized role in shaping policy.\r\nAgencies under her jurisdiction will want good relationships with Murkowski, who has shown a willingness to work behind the scenes to achieve sound policy objectives. She has a close working relationship with Energy Secretary Ernest J. Moniz, but her ties to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell have frayed over the administration\u2019s opposition to a proposed road through a remote Alaskan wildlife refuge. Murkowski sees the road as a life-and-death issue for local residents.\r\nKey Areas:\r\n\u2014\u00a0Oil/Natural Gas:\u00a0Murkowski is unabashedly pro-drilling, and can be expected to press to open up more federal lands to oil and gas production. With the Interior Department readying a new five-year offshore drilling plan, Murkowski will seek to facilitate development of her state\u2019s Arctic region, already a major flashpoint between the Obama administration and environmentalists, who say production poses too many risks. She\u2019ll press to open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, as well as to expand leasing of the National Petroleum Reserve?Alaska. Murkowski supports greater sharing of federal oil and gas royalties with state and local governments.\r\n\u2014\u00a0Infrastructure:\u00a0Republicans have already made clear an early item on the energy agenda will be approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. With an Alaskan in charge of the Energy Committee, we may hear about another pipeline: the proposed 800-mile pipeline that would carry natural gas from the North Slope to Cook Inlet for export. There\u2019s certain to be plenty of bureaucratic slowdowns along the way for the roughly $45 billion to $65 billion project and Murkowski will be positioned to lean on federal agencies along the way. More broadly, Murkowski\u2019s energy plan calls for reforming the permitting and review processes for infrastructure projects, areas that will draw scrutiny on both sides of the Capitol next year.\r\n\u2014\u00a0Exports:\u00a0The pro-export Murkowski will be at the table for discussions between the administration and Congress on\u00a0legislation to expedite liquefied natural gas exports. She has urged the Obama administration to ease crude oil export restrictions through its existing power, personally making her case to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker . The push for administrative action reflects the caution with which Republicans are handling crude exports. Legislation repealing the export ban entirely will likely be a long-term effort, as supporters look to build a case that doing so won\u2019t push prices at the pump up for American voters.\r\n\u2014\u00a0Coal:\u00a0Murkowski will push policies to ensure continued use of the U.S.\u2019s vast coal reserves, with an eye for doing it more cleanly by developing carbon capture technologies. Among the items in her energy plan are easing restrictions on federal procurement of coal-based fuels; a broadening of the Energy Department\u2019s coal research and development programs; providing more certainty to the mine permitting process; and encouraging coal exports. She\u2019s also signaled that electric reliability will be a focus in the next two years, providing a forum for coal plants feeling the bite of multiple EPA utility rules.\r\n\u2014\u00a0Renewables/Efficiency: Murkowski has been far more open to renewable energy sources than most Republicans. Reflecting the current GOP skepticism toward federal renewable incentives and mandates, her energy strategy calls for encouraging renewable energy through increased spending on energy research, especially into storage. Specifically, her plan would create an Advanced Energy Trust Fund for alternative technologies, funded in part by federal energy revenue. She espouses a new perspective on \u201cclean energy,\u201d which she argues should be defined as \u201cless intensive in global life cycle impacts on human health and the environment than its likeliest alternative.\u201d Murkowski also supports changes to the renewable fuels standard and DOE\u2019s loan guarantee program.\r\n\u2014\u00a0Nuclear:\u00a0Murkowski backs federal investment in new nuclear technologies, including for small modular reactors. Her biggest potential contribution to nuclear power, however, is her bipartisan work to break the logjam on nuclear waste storage. She\u2019s a co-sponsor of a nuclear waste overhaul (S 1240) that would implement recommendations of a commission convened to hatch a new disposal framework. The challenge for that effort remains convincing Yucca Mountain supporters to support legislative changes that set a course for a new disposal strategy while preserving a role for the facility deep beneath the Nevada desert.\r\n\u2014\u00a0Climate Change:\u00a0Murkowski is one of the few Republicans willing to discuss the changing climate unprompted. While she once co-sponsored a bipartisan cap-and-trade bill offered by Senate centrists, she\u2019s now squarely opposed to carbon pricing. Her energy plan instead calls for federal policies that would stimulate clean energy sources through research funding, financing new technologies and temporary subsidies. She also supports giving states flexibility on new climate policies.\r\nMuch more on Murkowski\u2019s policy views can be found in the\u00a02020 Vision report, as well as\u00a0the reading room section\u00a0of her web site.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t    By Geof Koss", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=51c3c9e6-bc91-4d26-a4be-03d9311eb167", "Murkowski Lauds Passage of Duck Stamp Bill", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Lauds Passage of Duck Stamp 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 Sees Priority Get Passed Through House Legislation, Laments Sportsmen\u2019s Act Failure Earlier This Year\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today thanked her U.S. Senate colleagues for unanimously passing the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014 \u2013 a House of Representatives-passed bill that mirrors the bipartisan bill S. 2621 she co-sponsored and will now head to the President\u2019s desk to become law.\r\n\u201cUpdating and improving the duck stamp process for Alaskans and Americans has been a key priority for me and was one of the core elements of the bipartisan legislation I introduced earlier this year that stalled in political maneuvers on the floor in July \u2013 despite widespread support on both sides of the aisle,\u201d said Murkowski.\r\nThe Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014 updates the fee structure for duck stamps to ensure the rightful place of hunting on our nation\u2019s public lands and also aid conservation efforts for the lands where game and habitat live.\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=bacab799-5bf9-40a2-b7e7-929a4b63340c", "Murkowski Critical of Texas-Sized Ring Seal Designation", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Critical of \u201cTexas-Sized\u201d Ring Seal Designation \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 Announcement Placing Awareness Above Scientific Data\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed strong concerns over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\u2019s (NOAA) proposed rule to designate approximately 350,000 square miles as critical habitat for ringed seals. The massive area (pictured below) would extend from Cape Avinof in Northwest Alaska to the Canadian border, covering the entire North Slope coastline. NOAA\u2019s justification admits several non-scientific reasons motivated its decision, such as \u201cenhanced public awareness\u201d and that the proposed designation \u201cmay help focus and contribute to conservation efforts.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cThis is an unprecedented attempt to place restrictions on a larger than Texas-sized area of water surrounding our state. I remain skeptical that the listing of ringed seals based on a 100 year weather projection was justified, and I am concerned that this designation would severely impact any economic development from Northwest all the way to our border with Canada.\u201d\r\nNOAA acknowledges that the proposed designation would likely result in restrictions on oil and gas activities, marine transportation, port development and commercial fishing.\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-critical-of-texas-sized-ring-seal-designation", "Murkowski Critical of Texas-Sized Ring Seal Designation", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Critical of Texas-Sized Ring Seal Designation \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 Announcement Placing Awareness Above Scientific Data\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed strong concerns over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) proposed rule to designate approximately 350,000 square miles as critical habitat for ringed seals. The massive area (pictured below) would extend from Cape Avinof in Northwest Alaska to the Canadian border, covering the entire North Slope coastline. NOAA's justification admits several non-scientific reasons motivated its decision, such as enhanced public awareness and that the proposed designation may help focus and contribute to conservation efforts.\r\n\r\nThis is an unprecedented attempt to place restrictions on a larger than Texas-sized area of water surrounding our state. I remain skeptical that the listing of ringed seals based on a 100 year weather projection was justified, and I am concerned that this designation would severely impact any economic development from Northwest all the way to our border with Canada.\r\nNOAA acknowledges that the proposed designation would likely result in restrictions on oil and gas activities, marine transportation, port development and commercial fishing.\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-lauds-passage-of-duck-stamp-bill", "Murkowski Lauds Passage of Duck Stamp Bill", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Lauds Passage of Duck Stamp 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 Sees Priority Get Passed Through House Legislation, Laments Sportsmen's Act Failure Earlier This Year\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today thanked her U.S. Senate colleagues for unanimously passing the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014  a House of Representatives-passed bill that mirrors the bipartisan bill S. 2621 she co-sponsored and will now head to the President's desk to become law.\r\nUpdating and improving the duck stamp process for Alaskans and Americans has been a key priority for me and was one of the core elements of the bipartisan legislation I introduced earlier this year that stalled in political maneuvers on the floor in July  despite widespread support on both sides of the aisle, said Murkowski.\r\nThe Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014 updates the fee structure for duck stamps to ensure the rightful place of hunting on our nation's public lands and also aid conservation efforts for the lands where game and habitat live.\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=370285", "Juneau Empire: Rep. Don Young honored for legislation", "2014-11-24", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Juneau Empire: Rep. Don Young honored for legislation \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      By Staff  \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,\r\n        November 24, 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      Alaska\u2019s Rep. Don Young was honored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund on Thursday in Washington, D.C., for legislation that removed fundraising restrictions from the organization, according to a news release from Young\u2019s office.\r\nYoung\u2019s Vietnam Veterans Donor Acknowledgement Act was signed into law July 1, according to the release.\r\n\u201cThis 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,\u201d the release stated.\r\nYoung accepted the Charles \u201cMac\u201d Mathias Award for his legislation at the VVMF\u2019s 2013 Build the Center Benefit.\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://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397984", "Department of Energy Approves Alaska LNG Project Export License", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Department of Energy Approves Alaska LNG Project Export License \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 21, 2014\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 \u2013 Less than two months after calling upon the Department of Energy to expeditiously approve an export license for the proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Alaska, Congressman Don Young has received positive news; the federal agency has granted long term authorization for the proposed Alaska LNG Project to export LNG to free-trade agreement (FTA) nations. \n\u201cRestricting the ability to export LNG would effectively kill the dream of constructing a natural gas pipeline, something we Alaskans have worked on for years,\u201d said Congressman Don Young. \u201cToday\u2019s announcement by the DOE is a positive step in the right direction and moves us closer to bringing our state\u2019s tremendous resources to market. Not only would this project add much needed revenue to the state and provide well paying jobs, it could also provide the Alaskan people access to more affordable energy. As this process moves forward, I remain committed to ensuring red-tape and federal roadblocks don\u2019t stand in the way.\u201d\n\u00a0\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=4a5a4ae4-9537-459c-afb3-d49b5b26df76", "Murkowski Applauds NARA Digitization of State Records", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.21.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Applauds NARA Digitization of State Records \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 Gets Confirmation from Archives that Process is Underway\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Murkowski received confirmation from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) that their Seattle facility plans to digitize the irreplaceable federal records removed from Alaska when the NARA facility in Anchorage closed earlier this year. Based on the input of Alaskans who commented about the importance of various records, the NARA Seattle staff is in the process of prioritizing which records will be digitized first.\r\n\u201cMaintaining access for Alaskans to the history of our great state is critically important\u201d said Senator Murkowski. \u201cOur past tells our story in a direct and exact way that Alaskans should be able to read and learn from. Records of federal agencies pertaining to land sales and real estate, fisheries, forests, and even personal letters and photographs are as important to Alaska\u2019s future as they were in creating Alaska\u2019s past.\u201d\r\nIn July, Senator Murkowski confirmed that NARA was in receipt of the priorities identified by the State of Alaska. Senator Murkowski also wrote to the Archivist of the United States to express her support for those priorities identified by the Alaska Federation of Natives. Senator Murkowski also continues to push for continued access to these important records through the Appropriations Committee.\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=86c0727d-cf27-4afa-95e5-78d688dfa068", "We Must Ensure our Native Vets are Not Homeless", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.21.14\n\t\t\t \u201cWe Must Ensure our Native Vets are Not Homeless\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 Co-Sponsors Legislation to Provide Support to At-Risk Native Veterans\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski co-sponsored bipartisan legislation (S.2960) to provide support for homeless and at-risk Native veterans. The bill was introduced by Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and also co-sponsored by Murkowski\u2019s colleagues on the committee, Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD), Al Franken (D-MN), and Tom Udall (D-NM).\r\nThis bill will allow funds directed to at-risk and homeless veterans to be made available to Native veterans as well. Currently, vouchers are available for rental assistance due to a joint initiative between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs. S.2960 will make these funds available to tribal housing authorities as well.\r\n\u201cJust as our nation has a duty to honor Veterans for their service to our country, America also has a commitment to our First People \u2013 known as the federal Indian trust responsibility,\u201d said Senator Murkowski. \u201cAlaska Natives and American Indians serve at higher rates in our military than any other group in America. We must ensure that our Native vets are not homeless, and this bill demonstrates a fulfillment of this simple promise we must keep.\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-applauds-nara-digitization-of-state-records", "Murkowski Applauds NARA Digitization of State Records", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.21.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Applauds NARA Digitization of State Records \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 Gets Confirmation from Archives that Process is Underway\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Murkowski received confirmation from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) that their Seattle facility plans to digitize the irreplaceable federal records removed from Alaska when the NARA facility in Anchorage closed earlier this year. Based on the input of Alaskans who commented about the importance of various records, the NARA Seattle staff is in the process of prioritizing which records will be digitized first.\r\nMaintaining access for Alaskans to the history of our great state is critically important said Senator Murkowski. Our past tells our story in a direct and exact way that Alaskans should be able to read and learn from. Records of federal agencies pertaining to land sales and real estate, fisheries, forests, and even personal letters and photographs are as important to Alaska's future as they were in creating Alaska's past.\r\nIn July, Senator Murkowski confirmed that NARA was in receipt of the priorities identified by the State of Alaska. Senator Murkowski also wrote to the Archivist of the United States to express her support for those priorities identified by the Alaska Federation of Natives. Senator Murkowski also continues to push for continued access to these important records through the Appropriations Committee.\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/we-must-ensure-our-native-vets-are-not-homeless", "We Must Ensure our Native Vets are Not Homeless", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.21.14\n\t\t\t We Must Ensure our Native Vets are Not Homeless \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 Provide Support to At-Risk Native Veterans\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski co-sponsored bipartisan legislation (S.2960) to provide support for homeless and at-risk Native veterans. The bill was introduced by Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and also co-sponsored by Murkowski's colleagues on the committee, Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD), Al Franken (D-MN), and Tom Udall (D-NM).\r\nThis bill will allow funds directed to at-risk and homeless veterans to be made available to Native veterans as well. Currently, vouchers are available for rental assistance due to a joint initiative between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs. S.2960 will make these funds available to tribal housing authorities as well.\r\nJust as our nation has a duty to honor Veterans for their service to our country, America also has a commitment to our First People  known as the federal Indian trust responsibility, said Senator Murkowski. Alaska Natives and American Indians serve at higher rates in our military than any other group in America. We must ensure that our Native vets are not homeless, and this bill demonstrates a fulfillment of this simple promise we must keep.\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=397983", "Congressman Young Responds to President Obamas  Lets Make a Deal Executive Action on Immigration", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Following President Obama\u2019s declaration to grant executive amnesty to more than 5 million undocumented immigrants, Alaskan Congressman Don Young shared his deep concerns for the size and scope of his actions.\n\u201cThrough Executive Order, President Obama has moved forward on actions he previously said were not within his Constitutional authority over 22 times \u2013 a unilateral declaration to ignore U.S. law and stop the deportation of more than 5 million unlawful immigrants. Bypassing Congress and changing the law himself, simply because the Legislative Branch has not given the answers he\u2019s looking for, is plain wrong. Ignoring the clear majority of Americans who oppose amnesty will only hurt this nation and the principles it was founded upon.\n\u201cArticle I of the Constitution gives Congress the power over naturalization of immigrants, not the President. While past Presidents have used Executive Action or \u2018prosecutorial discretion\u2019 to address immigration, it has only been to enforce or clarify laws already passed by Congress. In stark contrast, President Obama\u2019s lawless executive decree significantly undermines the American people\u2019s trust in the branch of government responsible for enforcing our laws and puts our constitution in great jeopardy.\" \u00a0\n\n    \n        \n            \n        \n    \n\u201cThe notion that I can just suspend deportations through executive order\u2026that\u2019s just not the case.\u201d \u2014 President Obama, March 28, 2011. Sadly, the President has done exactly what he said was against his constitutional authority (click the video above).\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=89c24886-50de-411d-a6ba-93769cd72572", "Murkowski Discusses Arctic Agenda with Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.20.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Discusses Arctic Agenda with Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator Lisa Murkowski today met with Einar Kristinn Gu\u00f0finnsson, the Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament, to discuss the United States\u2019 role in the Arctic, Iceland\u2019s ties with Alaska, U.S.-Iceland relations, and potential areas of cooperation. (Senator Murkowski\u2019s most recent thoughts on America\u2019s Arctic Agenda have been published throughout Alaska, and can be read here.)\r\n\r\n\u201cWhen I was in Reykjavik for the Arctic Circle Assembly last month, I was very impressed by the high level of importance that Iceland places on Arctic matters and wanted to share some thoughts about how to prioritize the Arctic in the United States,\u201d said Murkowski. \u201cAmerica simply must develop a robust Arctic agenda like those seen in the other Arctic nations, and with input from those who have reached this goal in their own countries, we can intelligently press forward to demonstrate leadership in the region.\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://web.archive.org/web/20141205235840/http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/videoclips?ContentRecord_id=37a89120-652e-4a52-aeda-a5b0d142adbc", "Senator Murkowski recently spoke on the Senate floor in support of the Keystone XL pipeline.", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Menu\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbout Lisa\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWelcome Message\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBiography\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCommittee Assignments\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbout Alaska\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tState Facts\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlaska Delegation\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlaska Resources\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVisiting Alaska\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVeteran Spotlight\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tServices\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tServices Offered to Constituents\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAcademy Nominations\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAdoption\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAppropriations Request\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBook Donations\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tD.C. Tour Requests\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFAQ's\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFederal Grants\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFederal Resources\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFlag Requests\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGrant Symposium\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHelp with a Federal Agency\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrivacy Release Forms\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat to See in D.C.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIssues & Legislation\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIssues & Priorities\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSponsored Legislation\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCo-Sponsored Legislation\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVoting Record\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDC Schedules and Events\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLegislative Process\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSenate Resources\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChoose Respect\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEconomic Town Hall\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTsunami Debris Panel 2012\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSubsistence Concerns\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Office\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto Gallery\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOp-Eds\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn the News\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSpeeches\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVideo Clips\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsletters\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHi-Res Photo\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRSS\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEvents\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEvent Live Stream\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHonoring Heroism in Action\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStudents\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA Message From Lisa\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKids' Corner\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInternships\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStudent Resources\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFinancial Aid\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlaska Education Library\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSenate Page Program\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tContact\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tE-Mail Lisa\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsletter Signup\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRequest a Meeting\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOffice Locations\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsletter Unsubscribe\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStaff Directory\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSocial Media\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMurkowski Morning Meeting\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMurkowski Morning Meeting\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\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\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tGlacier Bay National Park\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tHome > Press Office > Video Clips\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRelated Links\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto Gallery\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOp-Eds\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tIn the News\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSpeeches\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tVideo Clips\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsletters\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHi-Res Photo\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRSS\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEvents\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEvent Live Stream\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHonoring Heroism in Action\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tVideo Clips\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\nVideo Clips \n\t\n\t\n\t\u00a0\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCONTACT INFORMATION\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWashington D.C.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t709 Hart Senate BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510Main: 202-224-6665Fax: 202-224-5301\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMain Office\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDirections\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail Me\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFairbanks\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAnchorage\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMatsu\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKetchikan\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKenai\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJuneau\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFairbanks\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t101 12th AvenueSuite #329Fairbanks, AK 99701Main: 907-456-0233Fax: 907-451-7146\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMain Office\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDirections\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail Me\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFairbanks\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAnchorage\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMatsu\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKetchikan\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKenai\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJuneau\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAnchorage\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t510 L StreetSuite 600Anchorage, AK 99501Main: 907-271-3735Toll Free Fax: 1-877-857-0322Toll Free: 1-877-829-6030\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMain Office\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDirections\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail Me\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFairbanks\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAnchorage\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMatsu\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKetchikan\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKenai\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJuneau\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMatsu\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t851 East Westpoint DriveSuite 307Wasilla, AK 99654Main: 907-376-7665Fax: 907-376-8526\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMain Office\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDirections\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail Me\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFairbanks\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAnchorage\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMatsu\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKetchikan\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKenai\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJuneau\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKetchikan\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1900 First AvenueSuite 225Ketchikan, AK 99901Main: 907-225-6880Fax: 907-225-0390\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMain Office\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDirections\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail Me\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFairbanks\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAnchorage\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMatsu\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKetchikan\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKenai\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJuneau\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKenai\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t805 Frontage RoadSuite 105Kenai, AK 99611Main: 907-283-5808Fax: 907-283-4363\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMain Office\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDirections\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail Me\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFairbanks\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAnchorage\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMatsu\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKetchikan\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKenai\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJuneau\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJuneau\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t800 Glacier AvenueSuite 101Juneau, AK 99801Main: 907-586-7277Fax: 907-586-7201\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMain Office\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDirections\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail Me\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFairbanks\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAnchorage\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMatsu\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKetchikan\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKenai\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJuneau\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\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\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tflickr\n\t\t\t\t\ttwitter\n\t\t\t\t\tfacebook\n\t\t\t\t\tyoutube\n\t\t\t\t\trss\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbout Lisa\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbout Alaska\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tServices\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIssues & Legislation\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Office\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStudents\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tContact\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMurkowski Morning Meeting", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141205235845/http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/murkowski-morning-meeting?ContentRecord_id=4ceb0a34-05f1-4993-8ed1-b71bbf551c26", "Murkowski Morning Meeting For Thursday, November 20, 2014", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "What DC is Reading\nU.S. Senate Events\u00a0 \nSafety on the Road\nAlaskan Impact: Driving in Alaska is dangerous enough \u2013 with hazardous weather conditions, wildlife on the roads and summer construction \u2013 without having to worry about our cars and trucks safety features. As we saw in Fairbanks earlier this month, Alaskans count on functioning airbags.\u00a0 Nearly 8 million vehicles have been recalled because of dangerous airbag defects that have caused preventable deaths nationwide. The Senate Commerce Committee today met with representatives from the airbag manufacturers and car companies impacted by the recall to understand how such a hazard came to be.\n6:00a.m. AKST\nSenate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Hearing\nTopic: \"Examining Takata Airbag Defects and the Vehicle Recall Process.\"\nWitnesses:\n \nHiroshi Shimizu, Senior VP for Global Quality Assurance at the Takata Corporation\nRick Schostek, Executive VP of Honda North America\nDavid Friedman, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration\n \n(Click to watch excerpt)Senator Heller (R-NV) seeks accountability and honesty from airbag manufacturer.\nWatch the entire hearing by clicking here.\nLowering the Cost of Medicine\nAlaskan Impact: Alaskans already deal with some of the highest costs of healthcare in the nation, and unfortunately prices only continue to rise. Senator Murkowski wants to ensure that access to healthcare in Alaska is affordable and a big part of that is making sure generic medications stay affordable. Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee discussed why the cost of generic drugs are on the rise.\n9:00a.m. AKST\nSenate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Hearing\nTopic: Primary Health and Aging Subcommittee Hearing on \"Why Are Some Generic Drugs Skyrocketing In Price?\"\nWitnesses:\n \nHouse Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD)\nStephen Schondelmeyer, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy's PRIME Institute\nRobert Frankil, President of Sellersville Pharmacy Inc.\nErez Vigodman, President and CEO of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.\nScott Gottlieb, Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute\n \nWatch the hearing by clicking here.\nU.S. House Events\u00a0 \nWildlife Refuge Mismanagement\nAlaskan Impact: Alaskans know first-hand what it\u2019s like when the federal government mismanages its wildlife refuges. On numerous occasions, Senator Murkowski has fought in the Senate to ensure our nation\u2019s refuges are being managed in a way that truly benefits our nation and the communities they occupy. The Midway Atoll is just one more example of a wildlife refuge that needs oversight in how it\u2019s being managed.\n6:00a.m. AKST\nHouse Natural Resources Committee Hearing\nTopic: Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs Subcommittee hearing on \"Is the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Being Properly Managed?\"\nWitnesses:\n \nKevin Foerster, regional chief for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge System in the Pacific Region\nJames D'Angelo, chairman of the International Midway Memorial Foundation\n \nWatch the entire hearing by clicking here.\nYesterday Afternoon: Alaska Will Be Polite No Longer\nAlaskan Impact: Village built clinics are the backbone of Alaska\u2019s rural health system, but they have been underfunded for years \u2013 in stark contrast to the full funding given to similar centers and programs in the Lower 48.\u00a0 Yesterday, Senator Murkowski sternly told the Acting Director of the Indian Health Service that Alaskans have been polite until now, but we demand change and full support.\nThis story was covered by KTUU, Alaska Public Radio and ABC/Fox-Alaska.\n(click to view excerpt)Senator Murkowski: We have tried being polite; it\u2019s time to demand equal treatment.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-discusses-arctic-agenda-with-speaker-of-the-icelandic-parliament", "Murkowski Discusses Arctic Agenda with Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.20.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Discusses Arctic Agenda with Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator Lisa Murkowski today met with Einar Kristinn Gufinnsson, the Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament, to discuss the United States' role in the Arctic, Iceland's ties with Alaska, U.S.-Iceland relations, and potential areas of cooperation. (Senator Murkowski's most recent thoughts on America's Arctic Agenda have been published throughout Alaska, and can be read here.)\r\n\r\nWhen I was in Reykjavik for the Arctic Circle Assembly last month, I was very impressed by the high level of importance that Iceland places on Arctic matters and wanted to share some thoughts about how to prioritize the Arctic in the United States, said Murkowski. America simply must develop a robust Arctic agenda like those seen in the other Arctic nations, and with input from those who have reached this goal in their own countries, we can intelligently press forward to demonstrate leadership in the 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://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397982", "Young Legislation to Streamline Development on Point Spencer Unanimously Passes Committee", "2014-11-19", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013\u00a0The House Natural Resources Committee today unanimously passed legislation introduced by Alaskan Congressman Don Young to streamline and facilitate development on Point Spencer, Alaska. The legislation, H.R. 4668, would convey certain federal lands to the Bering Straits Native Corporation and the State of Alaska, while also retaining certain land for the U.S. Coast Guard to support their statutory mission and duties.\nUnder Congressman Young\u2019s bill, H.R. 4668, the Coast Guard would retain its footprint at Point Spencer, approximately 140 acres, in order to support possible future uses of the strategic location. That area includes a major footprint on the water, in addition to land on which the Coast Guard boarded up operations in 2010. The bill also provides the Coast Guard with the rights to use the current and any future airstrips for federal purposes at no cost, and permits the leasing of additional lands from the BSNC should the Coast Guard need them.\nThe State of Alaska would receive approximately\u00a0180 acres of federal lands, including the existing airstrip, a shoreline footprint on the water, and a right-of-way for future development of a road from the airstrip to the mainland across Coast Guard and/or BSNC land. Additionally, the tidelands and submerged lands around Point Spencer would be recognized as having continued ownership by the State of Alaska.\nLastly, the bill provides BSNC with the remainder of lands, approximately 2,381 acres, satisfying a portion of BSNC\u2019s land entitlement under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), and thereby allowing for future uses of Point Spencer. The bill also provides language to help ensure protections for archaeological and ancestral items of antiquity through the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.\nCongressman Young made the following statement after introducing the legislation on May 15, 2014:\n\u201cI am proud to be joined by my friend Congressman Duncan Hunter, the Chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, in introducing legislation to provide the means necessary for future use and development of Point Spencer by federal, state, and private sector stakeholders.\u00a0 We are desperately in need of development in the region, particularly as activity in the Arctic continues to increase, and this bill establishes a path forward for a variety of necessary tasks and missions, including search and rescue operations, shipping safety, economic development, oil spill prevention and response, port development and refuge, arctic research, and maritime law enforcement.\u201d\n\u00a0\u201cI believe this legislation is the best path forward to ensure the interests of all stakeholders are fully met when productively developing Point Spencer for uses in the Arctic. Not only is this approach equitable, it sensibly addresses public and private sectors interests for the betterment of our nation, the state of Alaska, the indigenous people of the Bering Strait region, as well as the private sector. The federal government has failed to optimize this critically important piece of land for far too long, and I believe the plan we have set in place works to achieve that goal.\u201d\n\n    \n        \n            \n        \n    \n\n\u00a0\nOn September 10, 2014, Congressman Young chaired the Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Subcommittee hearing to discuss H.R. 4668. Click here to watch.\n\u00a0\nFor full bill text of H.R. 4668 please\u00a0click here. For a brief background on Point Spencer please\u00a0click here. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/opeds?ContentRecord_id=9421886c-3972-4f8e-b1a7-e6966f586e21", "Op-Ed: Embrace Challenges, Rewards of Being an Arctic Nation", "2014-11-19", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.19.14\n\t\t\t Op-Ed: Embrace Challenges, Rewards of Being an Arctic Nation \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tAs Alaskans and the rest of America emerge from their election bunkers and turn on their televisions again, we are faced with another pressing issue of lasting importance: making the Arctic a national and international priority in a manner that benefits those who live in the far north.\r\n  Five months from now, in April 2015, the United States will assume the chair of the Arctic Council, the intergovernmental forum among the eight nations with territory inside the Arctic Circle and that includes active participation of the Arctic indigenous groups, with \u201cobserver nations\u201d that range from Italy to South Korea. Having the Chair through 2017 means that the United States will have the opportunity to focus the world\u2019s attention on our priorities for the Arctic.\r\n  As evidenced by the 1,400-plus participants at the recent 2014 Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, Iceland, it is clear that the Arctic conversation has gained momentum. Not only did the U.S. Special Representative for the Arctic, Admiral Robert Papp and I attend and speak, but so did the Chancellor of Germany and a senior Minister from Singapore. While many around the world are making the Arctic a priority, I left Reykjavik concerned that there is limited recognition by the international community of the needs of those who live in the Arctic.\r\n  For many non-Arctic residents, the Arctic is a pristine, untouched environment that, like a snow globe on a shelf, must not be disturbed. It may come as news to some, but the Arctic is home to approximately four million people, and humans have been living, hunting and working in the Arctic for thousands of years \u2014 since before the term \u201cArctic\u201d was even coined to describe the region \u2014 harvesting the natural resources of the region and developing the land. A focus on climate change and its impact on the Arctic is certainly warranted, but it cannot be our sole focus and it should not prevent those who live in the Arctic from developing the resources that are available within their region in order to create a better standard of living.\r\n  As I noted in my remarks to the conference, as similar as the people of the Arctic are, there are really two different Arctics with different sets of needs. There is the Nordic Arctic of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland where the infrastructure is developed, multiple transportation options exist and reliable telecommunications and internet access is commonplace. Then there is the Arctic in Alaska, Canada, Greenland and parts Russia that still struggle to access clean drinking water, affordable energy and essential services. In those areas, expansion of existing and new economic development remains the highest priority in order to provide hope for the sustainability of our communities, to retain the best and the brightest in our remote villages and to help counter the high suicide and domestic abuse rates we experience.\r\n  When the United States takes over as chair of the Arctic Council, I am hopeful that our agenda will include support for the newly established Arctic Economic Council (AEC) that seeks to bring businesses together with Arctic communities to promote economic investment and benefit those who live in the Arctic. Helping raise awareness of the AEC within the United States, perhaps through interactions with chambers of commerce across the country, will help increase our collective knowledge and interest \u2014 and investment \u2014 in the Arctic as a nation.\r\n  Next year we will be in the driver\u2019s seat on policies, both nationally and internationally, that impact the Arctic. Let\u2019s recognize the benefits as well as the challenges that come from being an Arctic nation and remember our responsibility to those who live in the region. After all, access to clean drinking water should not be too much to ask for in the 21st century.\r\n  Alaskans are by nature (and temperament) pioneering types, drawn to opportunity and adventure. Let\u2019s not let the rest of the world rush to the Arctic Frontier without us.\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=887c0b2b-22ef-4a2b-a546-e8a52d05a6c4", "Murkowski to I.H.S.: Alaskas Patience Has Worn Out", "2014-11-19", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.19.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski to I.H.S.: Alaska\u2019s Patience Has Worn Out \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator Lisa Murkowski today sternly informed the Acting Director of the Indian Health Service and Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention at the U.S. Department of Justice that neither she nor Alaskans will accept underfunding of critical public safety clinics in rural Alaska any longer, that Alaska is past being \u201cpolite\u201d and will now demand the same treatment and resources that Native Americans receive in the Lower 48.\r\nMurkowski also repeated her commitment to repeal the amendment to the Violence Against Women Act that she and Senator Mark Begich originally co-sponsored in 2012 to limit the expansion of tribal authority to issue protective orders over non-members of a tribe. Importantly, the State of Alaska is currently honoring tribal protective orders and sending Alaska State troopers to enforce them.\r\nFunding for Village Built Clinics \u2013 \u201cWe are going to demand you help us.\u201d\r\nSenator Murkowski challenged I.H.S. Acting Director Dr. Yvette Roubideaux on the topic of funding for village clinics\u2013 the backbone of the rural health system, saying:\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re concerned that we\u2019re not getting any support from the administration on ensuring that our village health clinics are adequately funded. We have to have these instruments in place\u2026You have got to help us with these village built clinics. You have got to help us. Yes?\u201d\r\nWhen I.H.S. Director Roubideaux began to explain her agency\u2019s commitment, Murkowski quickly interrupted her, saying:\r\n\u201cWe haven\u2019t seen that through the budgets put forth by this administration. We have seen zero help there. We need you to help us, and I\u2019m going to be very, very direct with that. Because we are going to demand that you help us. We have been very polite, and we have waited a long time, and in the meantime we are losing what we have built.\u201d\r\n\r\n(Murkowski: We have been polite, but we will demand more from the government. \u2013 Click to watch.)\r\nMurkowski also indicated to Dr. Roubideaux that she plans to be far more proactive and aggressive on commitments moving forward, since she is poised to become the Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Committee \u2013 which has jurisdiction of the I.H.S. budget and priorities.\r\nVAWA Provision Repeal\r\nDuring her opening remarks, Murkowski spoke of the pride and resiliency of Alaska Natives and Native Americans who stoically face harsher realities than most Americans, before turning to the information that had been shared by Senator Begich: his intent to alter the Safe Families, Safe Villages bill they co-sponsored in 2013, to only include a repeal of the VAWA Provision.\u00a0 Murkowski has supported a repeal of this provision originally co-sponsored by both Senators in the 2012 version of the VAWA bill that never become law.\r\nIn today\u2019s hearing, she said of Senator Begich\u2019s plan to repeal Section 910 of VAWA:\r\n\u201cTalking about the Village Safe Families Act we\u2019ve been working on, [Senator Mark Begich] has mentioned there has been resistance on the Republican side. That is correct. There are those waiting to hear comments from the Department of Justice [that would implement that law in its entirety]. We\u2019re still waiting. \r\nI\u2019ve committed to him and to Alaska that one of the things we can do is to repeal section 910 of VAWA, an absolutely Alaska-specific item and an effort to go a long way to make sure there is equity for those most vulnerable.\u00a0 I\u2019m happy to look at his revamped version of our bill.\u201d\r\n\r\n(Murkowski backs repeal of VAWA Amendment \u2013 Click to view.)\r\nIn an effort to pursue all opportunities to repeal Section 910, Senator Murkowski has also introduced stand-alone legislation to do so.\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=d19eda3c-9f75-4181-8ae2-e314bb7fe6b1", "Murkowski, Rubio Introduce Bill Extending Discharge Moratorium for Fishing Fleet", "2014-11-19", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.19.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski, Rubio Introduce Bill Extending Discharge Moratorium for Fishing Fleet \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: It\u2019s Tough Enough on Alaska Waters Without Onerous Regs\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senators Lisa Murkowski and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today introduced a bill to extend the moratorium protecting the commercial fishing fleet from unnecessary regulations threatened by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for one additional year. \r\nGiven that the commercial vessels exemption from pending EPA regulations expires at Midnight on December 18, 2014, this bill (attached) aims to shield fishermen from these regulations until permanent legislation can be passed in the new Congress.\r\n\u201cThis one-year extension is an imperative for Alaska\u2019s fishing communities; it will prevent extraordinary hardships on small, family fishing operations throughout coastal Alaska,\u201d said Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cThe EPA permit would impose operational limitations and physical modifications to vessels, many of which just do not make sense for fishing vessels, including trying to limit the \u2018environmental impacts of rainwater or waves running off their deck.\u2019\u00a0 It\u2019s tough enough out on the water, the last thing Alaska\u2019s fishermen need are more EPA regulations.\u201d\r\n\u201cWe need to provide all shippers and other vessel owners engaged in interstate commerce with greater certainty that an overreaching and increasingly unaccountable EPA won\u2019t crush their businesses with burdensome regulations,\u201d said Rubio. \u201cWhile I remain committed to passing broader legislation in the next Congress that addresses more of the problems the EPA is unnecessarily causing commercial vessel owners, we should at least provide this measure of temporary relief until the new Congress can pass a permanent solution. Once the new Congress convenes, one of the first pieces of legislation I will file will be these critical protections of our fishing fleet.\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://web.archive.org/web/20141205235904/http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/murkowski-morning-meeting?ContentRecord_id=2f903dd6-b332-4106-ad64-67b953fa7a7b", "Murkowski Morning Meeting For Wednesday, November 19, 2014", "2014-11-19", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "What DC is Reading\nU.S. Senate Events\u00a0 \nProtecting Vets on the Home Front\nAlaskan Impact: Alaskans have the highest concentration of veterans in the nation, and we know that they return home with both mental and physical wounds. Senator Murkowski has made serving Alaska\u2019s and America\u2019s soldiers a priority of her legislative agenda, focusing on their acute medical and mental health needs \u2013 including co-sponsoring legislation this past Monday to serve veterans better. Today\u2019s Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee hearing (still going on) is discussing what Congress can do to bolster efforts on the home front against depression and suicide.\n6:30am AKST \nSenate Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee Hearing\nTopic: \u201cVeterans' Mental Health and Suicide.\"\nWitnesses:\n \nHarold Kudler, Chief Consultant for Mental Health Services at the Veterans Health Administration\nCaitlin Thompson, Deputy Director of Suicide Prevention at the Veterans Health Administration\nDean Krahn, Deputy Director of the Veterans Health Administration's Office of Mental Health Operations\nSusan Selke, mother of deceased Marine Corps combat veteran Clay Hunt\n \nWatch the entire hearing by clicking here.\n (Click images to watch excerpts) \nSen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA): \u201cWhat is the VA doing system-wide to see to it that the handoff between the initial diagnosis and first treatment is seamless?\u201dSen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) questions VA officials on mental health services in rural areas.\nFighting for Native Children\nAlaskan Impact: Rural Alaska is facing a crisis in when it comes to the rates of childhood abuse, neglect, and trauma. Senator Murkowski has repeatedly addressed these critical issues, including introducing a commission to find solutions for challenges facing Native children. Today the Senate Indian Affairs Committee spoke with a panel of experts, including a witness from Alaska, about what needs to be done to prevent childhood trauma.\n10:30am AKST\nSenate Indian Affairs Committee Hearing\nTopic: \u201cProtecting our Children's Mental Health: Preventing and Addressing Childhood Trauma in Indian Country.\"\nWitnesses:\n \nRobert Listenbee Jr., Administrator of the Justice Department's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention\nYvette Roubideaux, Acting Director of the Indian Health Service\nKana Enomoto, Principal Deputy Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration\nVerne Boerner, President and CEO of the Alaska Native Health Board\n \nWatch the entire hearing by clicking here.\nU.S. House Events\u00a0 \nCreating Sustainable Flood Insurance\nAlaskan Impact: The threat of flooding is a harsh reality in Alaska. Senator Murkowski has continuously worked with FEMA to ensure that the federal government understands the unique challenges of flooding in Alaska, whether that be the mapping of our state\u2019s flood plains or the rebuilding of Galena. Today the House Financial Services Committee will evaluate what needs to be done to create a sustainable flood insurance market.\n10:00am AKST \nHouse Financial Services Committee Hearing\nTopic: \u201cOpportunities for a Private and Competitive Sustainable Flood Insurance Market.\"\nWitnesses:\n \nSteve Ellis, Vice President of Taxpayers for Common Sense\nJordan Gray, Senior Vice President and General Counsel with WNC Insurance Services, Inc.\nDon Brown, Florida property insurance expert\n \nWatch the entire hearing by clicking here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-rubio-introduce-bill-extending-discharge-moratorium-for-fishing-fleet", "Murkowski, Rubio Introduce Bill Extending Discharge Moratorium for Fishing Fleet", "2014-11-19", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.19.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski, Rubio Introduce Bill Extending Discharge Moratorium for Fishing Fleet \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: It's Tough Enough on Alaska Waters Without Onerous Regs\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senators Lisa Murkowski and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today introduced a bill to extend the moratorium protecting the commercial fishing fleet from unnecessary regulations threatened by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for one additional year. \r\nGiven that the commercial vessels exemption from pending EPA regulations expires at Midnight on December 18, 2014, this bill (attached) aims to shield fishermen from these regulations until permanent legislation can be passed in the new Congress.\r\nThis one-year extension is an imperative for Alaska's fishing communities; it will prevent extraordinary hardships on small, family fishing operations throughout coastal Alaska, said Murkowski. The EPA permit would impose operational limitations and physical modifications to vessels, many of which just do not make sense for fishing vessels, including trying to limit the environmental impacts of rainwater or waves running off their deck.' It's tough enough out on the water, the last thing Alaska's fishermen need are more EPA regulations.\r\nWe need to provide all shippers and other vessel owners engaged in interstate commerce with greater certainty that an overreaching and increasingly unaccountable EPA won't crush their businesses with burdensome regulations, said Rubio. While I remain committed to passing broader legislation in the next Congress that addresses more of the problems the EPA is unnecessarily causing commercial vessel owners, we should at least provide this measure of temporary relief until the new Congress can pass a permanent solution. Once the new Congress convenes, one of the first pieces of legislation I will file will be these critical protections of our fishing fleet.\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-ihs-alaskas-patience-has-worn-out", "Murkowski to I.H.S.: Alaskas Patience Has Worn Out", "2014-11-19", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.19.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski to I.H.S.: Alaska's Patience Has Worn Out \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator Lisa Murkowski today sternly informed the Acting Director of the Indian Health Service and Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention at the U.S. Department of Justice that neither she nor Alaskans will accept underfunding of critical public safety clinics in rural Alaska any longer, that Alaska is past being polite and will now demand the same treatment and resources that Native Americans receive in the Lower 48.\r\nMurkowski also repeated her commitment to repeal the amendment to the Violence Against Women Act that she and Senator Mark Begich originally co-sponsored in 2012 to limit the expansion of tribal authority to issue protective orders over non-members of a tribe. Importantly, the State of Alaska is currently honoring tribal protective orders and sending Alaska State troopers to enforce them.\r\nFunding for Village Built Clinics  We are going to demand you help us.\r\nSenator Murkowski challenged I.H.S. Acting Director Dr. Yvette Roubideaux on the topic of funding for village clinics the backbone of the rural health system, saying:\r\nWe're concerned that we're not getting any support from the administration on ensuring that our village health clinics are adequately funded. We have to have these instruments in placeYou have got to help us with these village built clinics. You have got to help us. Yes?\r\nWhen I.H.S. Director Roubideaux began to explain her agency's commitment, Murkowski quickly interrupted her, saying:\r\nWe haven't seen that through the budgets put forth by this administration. We have seen zero help there. We need you to help us, and I'm going to be very, very direct with that. Because we are going to demand that you help us. We have been very polite, and we have waited a long time, and in the meantime we are losing what we have built.\r\n\r\n(Murkowski: We have been polite, but we will demand more from the government.  Click to watch.)\r\nMurkowski also indicated to Dr. Roubideaux that she plans to be far more proactive and aggressive on commitments moving forward, since she is poised to become the Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Committee  which has jurisdiction of the I.H.S. budget and priorities.\r\nVAWA Provision Repeal\r\nDuring her opening remarks, Murkowski spoke of the pride and resiliency of Alaska Natives and Native Americans who stoically face harsher realities than most Americans, before turning to the information that had been shared by Senator Begich: his intent to alter the Safe Families, Safe Villages bill they co-sponsored in 2013, to only include a repeal of the VAWA Provision. Murkowski has supported a repeal of this provision originally co-sponsored by both Senators in the 2012 version of the VAWA bill that never become law.\r\nIn today's hearing, she said of Senator Begich's plan to repeal Section 910 of VAWA:\r\nTalking about the Village Safe Families Act we've been working on, [Senator Mark Begich] has mentioned there has been resistance on the Republican side. That is correct. There are those waiting to hear comments from the Department of Justice [that would implement that law in its entirety]. We're still waiting. \r\nI've committed to him and to Alaska that one of the things we can do is to repeal section 910 of VAWA, an absolutely Alaska-specific item and an effort to go a long way to make sure there is equity for those most vulnerable. I'm happy to look at his revamped version of our bill.\r\n\r\n(Murkowski backs repeal of VAWA Amendment  Click to view.)\r\nIn an effort to pursue all opportunities to repeal Section 910, Senator Murkowski has also introduced stand-alone legislation to do so.\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/innews?ContentRecord_id=476d5929-8647-471f-b94a-c403cf262547", "Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman: Murkowski Singles Out Mat-Su Veteran", "2014-11-18", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.18.14\n\t\t\t Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman: Murkowski Singles Out Mat-Su Veteran \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tAs the U.S. Senate introduced legislation Sen. Lisa Murkowski co-sponsored to try and combat the problem of suicide among veterans Monday, she mentioned one Valley veteran by name. \r\n\u201cToday I co-sponsored bipartisan legislation with a number of my Senate colleagues to bolster America\u2019s efforts to improve mental health care and suicide prevention resources for veterans. It\u2019s named after Clay Hunt \u2014 a Marine who fought in Afghanistan \u2014 but it could be named after R.K. Butts or any of our Alaska-based veterans who did not receive the determined care they deserve,\u201d Murkowski wrote. \r\nThe official title of the legislation is The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act. \r\nButts was a longtime Mat-Su resident and frequent contributor of letters to the editor to the Frontiersman. On Feb. 3, 2011, he took his life outside of the Veterans Administration building on Seward Meridian Parkway. \r\nThis isn\u2019t the first time Murkowski has mentioned Butts\u2019 story. In previous calls for an investigation into staffing problems at the Wasilla clinic she has mentioned Butts as an example of the failures of the VA to meet veterans\u2019 needs. \r\nIn a media report last week she said she believes progress has been made in Wasilla as the VA had offered a full-time position to a doctor to work at the clinic. \r\nShe and her colleague in the U.S. Senate, Democrat Mark Begich, have worked to insure that veterans can use other options, clearing the way for referrals to Alaska Native facilities like the Benteh Nuutah clinic at the intersection of the Palmer-Wasilla Highway extension and Knik-Goose Bay Road. The group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America also has weighed in, thanking the Senate for taking on the issue. \r\n\u201cCombating veteran suicide has been a top priority for IAVA this year,\u201d said Paul Rieckhoff, founder and CEO of IAVA. \u201cWhen passed, this bill will ensure our veterans receive the top quality mental healthcare they deserve, most specifically by implementing evaluation programs to assess the success of mental health and suicide prevention programs at (the Department of Defense) and the VA.\u201d\r\nAccording to a 60 Minutes report from March of 2013, Clay Hunt was a wounded Marine Corps veteran from Houston, Texas, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and worked on veteran\u2019s causes and for charitable disaster relief organizations. He suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and eventually took his own life.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t    By Andrew Wellner\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/newsletters?ContentRecord_id=557dc342-8e5e-47d2-8a37-962b20770324", "Senator Murkowski E-Newsletter for November 18, 2014", "2014-11-18", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.18.14\n\t\t\t Senator Murkowski E-Newsletter for November 18, 2014 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\n TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 \r\n\r\nGreetings Alaskans!\r\nAs always, I loved making the most of my time while in the state in the last month. Connecting with Alaskans day in and day out keeps me informed about what\u2019s happening in your communities and the current issues you face. I definitely didn\u2019t mind the unusually warm November weather\u2026especially when I\u2019m walking my dog at night.\r\nNow, it\u2019s back to D.C. for me as the Senate heads back into session. We have a lot of work to do!\u00a0\r\n Alaska Federation of Natives Convention \r\nThis year\u2019s Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage was a week of renewal for me. Our one-on-one conversations, getting to connect with you and hear from you, helps me better communicate your story with others as I go back to Washington, D.C.\r\nWhether watching the dancers at Quyana or walking around the arts and crafts hall, I really enjoyed catching up with so many of you (I even did a little bit of shopping).\r\nI love the rich cultural diversity at AFN. It is a great family reunion, and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2015!\r\n\r\n\r\n(I was thankful to have the opportunity to address the AFN convention, and encouraged attendees to set on a course toward making positive changes when it comes to safety, subsistence, and suicide.)\r\n\r\n\r\n(Talking with Joe Williams of Saxman\u2014a great tribal leader!)\r\n\r\n\r\n(Every year I pay a visit to Ursula and Janice Paniyak, originally from Chevak. They carry on a family tradition of making special dolls. The one I bought this year is a woman with her honeybucket. Though I love their handiwork, I am determined to do away with honeybuckets.) \u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\n(Having fun on the first night of Quyana!)\r\n\r\n\r\n(Quyana will always be one of my favorite parts of AFN. I love watching so many dance groups from across the state perform. It\u2019s hard to sit out the invitational dances.)\r\n\r\n\r\n(With VPSO John Pleasant of Bethel. Our brave and committed village public safety officers play such a vital role in rural communities.)\r\n Catching Up with Many of You at AFN \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Arctic Circle 2014 \r\nI was honored to represent the U.S. Senate at the Arctic Circle Conference in Reykjavik, Iceland, earlier this month. America\u2019s Arctic Representative Admiral Papp also attended and we both spoke on Arctic issues, as did other international leaders such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Iceland President \u00d3lafur Ragnar Gr\u00edmsson, and Finland President Sauli Niinist\u00f6.\r\nIt was a great opportunity to gather with national and international Arctic leaders to engage on so many issues that are important to us. To have Alaskan representation at the Arctic Circle was key as we are the state that makes the U.S. an Arctic nation.\r\n\r\n(Click image to watch my speech at the Arctic Circle Conference.)\r\n\r\n\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (Admiral Papp and I shared a few moments talking about Arctic engagement and opportunity.)\r\n Veterans Day \r\nAs Alaskans, we have the honor of being surrounded by veterans, more so per capita than any other state in the nation. On Veterans Day, and every day, we should thank those who have served us and who give truth to the words \u201cFreedom is not free\u201d.\r\nWords will never be enough to thank our veterans for their selfless actions in making the decision to serve our country, their courage during active duty, and their commitment to our communities when they return home. One of the best ways we can show our gratitude for our veterans is by asking what we, as individuals and as a community, can do for them. We should remember to live every day appreciating the freedoms and liberties that our military has secured for us and continues to protect.\r\nThank you to those who have served.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Visiting with Father Elliott, one of our honored WWII veterans, who recently went to Washington, D.C. as part of the Honor Flight.)\r\n\r\n\r\n(I commemorated Veterans Day by attending the Veterans Day ceremony at JBER. Verdie Bowen, State Veterans Affairs Director, challenged us to commit to not letting our veterans become invisible. Important words and a challenge to all Alaskans!)\r\n\r\n\r\n(After attending a Canadian Remembrance Day ceremony at the National Cemetery on Fort Richardson, I paid my respects to my aunt who served our nation as a Captain in the U.S. Navy.)\r\n\r\n\r\n(Veterans and those who are currently serving, along with their family, friends, and the Mat-Su community listened to guest speaker Marjorie Ream, Lt. Col. Retired, U.S. Air Force, at the Veteran\u2019s Wall of Honor in the Mat-Su Valley.)\r\n\r\n\r\n(My staff participated in Veterans Day activities across the state: on the Kenai Peninsula, in Southeast, and the Interior. This picture is taken by one of my staff members at a Veterans Day parade in Ketchikan.)\r\n\r\n\r\n(With Rick and Jennifer Casillo, organizers of the Battle Dawgs Racing & Healing Hearts Benefit in Anchorage. The event was an effort to raise money to put wounded warriors at both the start and the finish of the 2015 Iditarod. And it\u2019s more than that. Suicide among our veterans is an epidemic that needs to be addressed, and that\u2019s exactly what organizers behind the event aim to do. Currently, 22 veterans and members of the military take their lives every day. Proceeds from the event will not only bring veterans to Alaska to have incredible Alaskan adventures, but to also show them their lives still have purpose.)\r\n Surf Alaska \r\nWhile driving down the Turnagain Arm, I recorded video of two surfers riding the bore tide. What an amazing place we live in!\r\n\r\n(Click image to watch video.)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=211e5148-0f2b-4f65-a8ed-04ec1882d285", "Sen. Murkowski Vows to Revisit Keystone XL in New Congress", "2014-11-18", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.18.14\n\t\t\t Sen. Murkowski Vows to Revisit Keystone XL in New Congress \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed disappointment with the Senate\u2019s failure to pass legislation (S. 2280) that would have approved construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.\r\n\u201cI\u2019m disappointed that we couldn\u2019t get the votes tonight to approve this important infrastructure project, but this isn\u2019t over. The Keystone XL pipeline will be a top priority next year for the new majority,\u201d Murkowski said. \u201cIt\u2019s been over six years that this project has been under review \u2013 that\u2019s more than enough time for President Obama to make a decision.\u201d\r\nAll 45 Senate Republicans and 14 Democrats voted to approve the pipeline Tuesday evening, but it fell one short of the 60 votes needed to pass.\r\n\u201cThere is little dispute about whether this pipeline is in the national interest. It will boost our economy, our security, and our competitiveness. The president\u2019s foot-dragging has only deprived Americans of badly needed jobs, a stable source of energy from a close ally, and our usual reputation for a fair system in which project developers can have confidence that federal regulators are acting in good faith,\u201d Murkowski said.\r\nMurkowski is the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.\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-vows-to-revisit-keystone-xl-in-new-congress", "Sen. Murkowski Vows to Revisit Keystone XL in New Congress", "2014-11-18", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.18.14\n\t\t\t Sen. Murkowski Vows to Revisit Keystone XL in New Congress \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed disappointment with the Senate's failure to pass legislation (S. 2280) that would have approved construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.\r\nI'm disappointed that we couldn't get the votes tonight to approve this important infrastructure project, but this isn't over. The Keystone XL pipeline will be a top priority next year for the new majority, Murkowski said. It's been over six years that this project has been under review  that's more than enough time for President Obama to make a decision.\r\nAll 45 Senate Republicans and 14 Democrats voted to approve the pipeline Tuesday evening, but it fell one short of the 60 votes needed to pass.\r\nThere is little dispute about whether this pipeline is in the national interest. It will boost our economy, our security, and our competitiveness. The president's foot-dragging has only deprived Americans of badly needed jobs, a stable source of energy from a close ally, and our usual reputation for a fair system in which project developers can have confidence that federal regulators are acting in good faith, Murkowski said.\r\nMurkowski is the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.\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=397980", "Duck Stamp Legislation Passes House with Exemption for Alaskan Subsistence Hunters", "2014-11-17", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Legislation to address the price of federal duck stamps \u2013 a permit required to hunt migratory waterfowl \u2013 passed the House of Representatives today with an amendment included by Alaskan Congressman Don Young to exempt Alaskan subsistence hunters from being required to purchase the annual permit. H.R. 5069, the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014, which passed the House by voice vote, would increase the price of a federal duck stamp from $15 to $25.\n\n\n    \n        \n            \n        \n    \n\n\u00a0\u00a0Congressman Young discussing the passage of H.R. 5069, the Federal Duck Stamp Act (click here to listen)\n\u201cFor many years, subsistence users in Alaska were not required to purchase a stamp, but this changed due to a recent solicitor\u2019s opinion,\u201d said Congressman Young. \u201cSubsistence hunters are not sport hunters. Instead, they are hunting waterfowl to feed their families. While I support raising the price of the duck stamp for sportsmen, myself included, we should not be adding a burden to individuals who rely on subsistence hunting as a means to feed their families. Alaska Natives, and frankly all Alaskans, have done their part to preserve waterfowl habitat and other lands. Tens of millions of acres in Alaska are already tied up in some sort of conservation designation. As a result, none of the funds generated by the duck stamp are spent in Alaska.\u201d\nCongressman Young\u2019s amendment, which applies to Alaskan subsistence hunters residing in rural areas, would effectively reverse a 2001 policy decision by the Department of Interior Regional Solicitor that requires all subsistence duck hunters to purchase federal duck stamps. \nIn addition to providing relief for hunters who rely on the resource as a critical food supply, Congressman Young believes his amendment will remove a significant burden for those residing in small Alaskan villages, who often encounter difficulties in obtaining a federal duck stamp due to the limited access to post offices and the Internet.\nThe provision Congressman Young\u00a0spearheaded\u00a0has received support from numerous rural and Alaska Native organizations, including the Association of Village Council Presidents and the North Slope Borough.\n\u00a0\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=5e17e50b-cd3e-4485-895d-749efb0a39fc", "Murkowski: Justice Hidden Remains Justice Denied", "2014-11-17", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.17.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Justice Hidden Remains Justice Denied \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 Responds to Study Showing Continued Failure to Disclose Evidence to Defense\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the following observation upon the release of the \u201cMaterial Indifference\u201d study conducted by the University of Santa Clara Law School and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers showing that legal mischief \u2013 like that seen in the Ted Stevens trial \u2013 continues to be a reality in courtrooms nationwide, saying:\r\n\u201cThough Attorney General Eric Holder threw Ted Stevens\u2019 guilty verdict out of court because Department of Justice attorneys played \u2018hide the football\u2019 with evidence that could have helped his case, he only dealt with the symptom and allowed the problem to linger among the legal ranks.\u00a0 I hope that his successor will truly commit to uprooting this issue that is undercutting Americans\u2019 faith in the judicial branch, and plan to re-introduce my bipartisan Fairness in Disclosure of Evidence Act in the next Congressional session.\u00a0 We can no longer allow the government to have a finger on the scales of justice, tipping it in its favor.\u201d\r\nNACDL\u2019s description of the report released today reads:\r\nIn courtrooms across the nation, accused persons are convicted without ever having seen information that was favorable to their defense. The frequency with which this occurs and the role it plays in wrongful convictions prompted NACDL and the VERITAS Initiative to undertake an unprecedented study of Brady claims litigated in federal courts over a five-year period \u2026 The results revealed a troubling answer\u2014the judiciary is impeding fair disclosure in criminal cases and, in doing so, encouraging prosecutors to disclose as little favorable information as possible.\r\nTomorrow, November 18th, 2014, would have been Senator Ted Stevens 91st birthday.\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=decc31ce-54da-4069-b41b-6ec115c84326", "Murkowski Introduces Bill to Improve Vets Mental Health Care", "2014-11-17", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.17.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Introduces Bill to Improve Vets Mental Health Care \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 Bipartisan Group to Fight the \u201cHome Front War\u201d Against Depression, Suicide\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today co-sponsored The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Bill of 2014 \u2013 bipartisan legislation introduced this afternoon to offer several critical measures to improve mental health care and suicide prevention resources for American men and women in uniform. The bill would require a third-party evaluation of existing suicide prevention programs at the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to gauge their effectiveness and make recommendations for consolidation, elimination, or improvement.\r\nIt would also provide for a new website that offers veterans information regarding available mental healthcare services; create a pilot loan repayment program for VA psychiatrists; and improve the exchange of training, best practices, and other resources among the VA, Veteran Service Organizations (VSO), and non-profit mental health organizations to enhance collaboration of suicide prevention efforts.\u00a0 Senator Murkowski joined other original co-sponsors Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Richard Burr (R-NC), Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) in introducing the legislation this afternoon.\r\n\u201cAn estimated 22 veterans commit suicide every day, a shocking and unacceptable reality,\u201d said Senator Murkowski with her co-sponsors Senators John McCain, Blumenthal, Blunt, Burr and Manchin. \u201cWe are proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to improve and modernize the suicide prevention programs and resources available to our fighting men and women. When enacted, this bill will provide additional resources for veterans who suffer from mental health disorders that place them at higher risk of suicide, so that we can bolster our efforts in the home front war against depression and suicide.\u201d\r\nSenator Lisa Murkowski has made serving Alaska\u2019s and America\u2019s soldiers returning home a core focus of her legislative agenda \u2013 particularly their acute medical and mental health needs.\u00a0 Many of the priorities she has drafted into legislation are reflected in today\u2019s legislation, including S.2357 The Department of Defense Suicide Tracking Act and S. 2182, the Suicide Prevention for America\u2019s Veterans Act.\r\nThe bill was named for\u00a0Clay Hunt, a Marine veteran who committed suicide in March 2011 at the age of 28. Clay enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 2005 and deployed to Anbar Province, near Fallujah, in January 2007. He was shot in the wrist by a sniper\u2019s bullet that barely missed his head, earning him a Purple Heart. Clay recuperated at Twenty Nine Palms, CA and then graduated from Marine Corps Scout Sniper School in March 2008. He redeployed to southern Afghanistan a few weeks later. His unit returned in late October of 2008 and he was honorably discharged from the Marines in April 2009. After returning home,\u00a0Clay suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and struggled with inadequate care at his local VA hospital before taking his own life.\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=fffae8f4-8a97-4dfc-a61a-e6d0e2d49449", "Murkowski Lauds Passage of Child Care and Development Block Grant Act", "2014-11-17", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.17.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Lauds Passage of Child Care and Development Block Grant 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\u2019s Work to Alaskanize Legislation Included in Final Bill\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Murkowski today applauded the passage of the bipartisan S.1086 Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG) by the U.S. Senate, sharing the following statement:\r\n\u201cI would like to commend the Senate for coming together in a bipartisan fashion to craft and pass such an important piece of legislation. This will assist states, tribes, and providers to improve the quality of child care for America\u2019s working families,\u201d said Murkowski, \u201cAlaskan voices were heard, and many provisions of this bill will help Alaskan parents access higher-quality early education for their children. High quality child care not only benefits families, it benefits our economy by helping more parents train for and keep good jobs.\u201d\r\nThe CCDBG provides formula-based block grant funds to states and tribes to subsidize child care for low-income parents who are either working or are attending college or job training. The legislation focuses on improving health and safety standards, placement stability, increasing school readiness, and improving consumer information while maintaining state and tribal flexibility.\r\nThrough her position on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Murkowski was able to insert language into the bill requested by the State of Alaska to address issues associated with inspections, complaint reporting, and stability of care.\r\nIn addition, she was able to secure two amendments to address high priorities brought forward by tribal childcare providers:\r\n \r\nFranken/Murkowski Amendment\u2013 This amendment \u2013 which passed 96-3 \u2013 provides tribes with an opportunity to receive additional support for the child care that is so desperately needed to help Native children get a good start and to help local economies and job seekers.\u00a0\r\nTester/Murkowski Amendment \u2013 Passed unanimously, this amendment provides common-sense flexibility to Indian tribes or Native organizations to temporarily suspend services to renovate or expand their facility, as long as the project will result in better services for more children.\r\n \r\nSenator Murkowski was unable to cast her vote in support of the bill because of weather delays on her flight back from Alaska.\u00a0 The bill passed the Senate 88-1 and now heads to the President\u2019s desk for signature.\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-introduces-bill-to-improve-vets-mental-health-care", "Murkowski Introduces Bill to Improve Vets Mental Health Care", "2014-11-17", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.17.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Introduces Bill to Improve Vets Mental Health Care \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 Bipartisan Group to Fight the Home Front War Against Depression, Suicide\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today co-sponsored The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Bill of 2014  bipartisan legislation introduced this afternoon to offer several critical measures to improve mental health care and suicide prevention resources for American men and women in uniform. The bill would require a third-party evaluation of existing suicide prevention programs at the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to gauge their effectiveness and make recommendations for consolidation, elimination, or improvement.\r\nIt would also provide for a new website that offers veterans information regarding available mental healthcare services; create a pilot loan repayment program for VA psychiatrists; and improve the exchange of training, best practices, and other resources among the VA, Veteran Service Organizations (VSO), and non-profit mental health organizations to enhance collaboration of suicide prevention efforts. Senator Murkowski joined other original co-sponsors Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Richard Burr (R-NC), Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) in introducing the legislation this afternoon.\r\nAn estimated 22 veterans commit suicide every day, a shocking and unacceptable reality, said Senator Murkowski with her co-sponsors Senators John McCain, Blumenthal, Blunt, Burr and Manchin. We are proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to improve and modernize the suicide prevention programs and resources available to our fighting men and women. When enacted, this bill will provide additional resources for veterans who suffer from mental health disorders that place them at higher risk of suicide, so that we can bolster our efforts in the home front war against depression and suicide.\r\nSenator Lisa Murkowski has made serving Alaska's and America's soldiers returning home a core focus of her legislative agenda  particularly their acute medical and mental health needs. Many of the priorities she has drafted into legislation are reflected in today's legislation, including S.2357 The Department of Defense Suicide Tracking Act and S. 2182, the Suicide Prevention for America's Veterans Act.\r\nThe bill was named forClay Hunt, a Marine veteran who committed suicide in March 2011 at the age of 28. Clay enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 2005 and deployed to Anbar Province, near Fallujah, in January 2007. He was shot in the wrist by a sniper's bullet that barely missed his head, earning him a Purple Heart. Clay recuperated at Twenty Nine Palms, CA and then graduated from Marine Corps Scout Sniper School in March 2008. He redeployed to southern Afghanistan a few weeks later. His unit returned in late October of 2008 and he was honorably discharged from the Marines in April 2009. After returning home,Clay suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and struggled with inadequate care at his local VA hospital before taking his own life.\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-justice-hidden-remains-justice-denied", "Murkowski: Justice Hidden Remains Justice Denied", "2014-11-17", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.17.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski: Justice Hidden Remains Justice Denied \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 Responds to Study Showing Continued Failure to Disclose Evidence to Defense\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the following observation upon the release of the Material Indifference study conducted by the University of Santa Clara Law School and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers showing that legal mischief  like that seen in the Ted Stevens trial  continues to be a reality in courtrooms nationwide, saying:\r\nThough Attorney General Eric Holder threw Ted Stevens' guilty verdict out of court because Department of Justice attorneys played hide the football' with evidence that could have helped his case, he only dealt with the symptom and allowed the problem to linger among the legal ranks. I hope that his successor will truly commit to uprooting this issue that is undercutting Americans' faith in the judicial branch, and plan to re-introduce my bipartisan Fairness in Disclosure of Evidence Act in the next Congressional session. We can no longer allow the government to have a finger on the scales of justice, tipping it in its favor.\r\nNACDL's description of the report released today reads:\r\nIn courtrooms across the nation, accused persons are convicted without ever having seen information that was favorable to their defense. The frequency with which this occurs and the role it plays in wrongful convictions prompted NACDL and the VERITAS Initiative to undertake an unprecedented study of Brady claims litigated in federal courts over a five-year period  The results revealed a troubling answerthe judiciary is impeding fair disclosure in criminal cases and, in doing so, encouraging prosecutors to disclose as little favorable information as possible.\r\nTomorrow, November 18th, 2014, would have been Senator Ted Stevens 91st birthday.\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-lauds-passage-of-child-care-and-development-block-grant-act", "Murkowski Lauds Passage of Child Care and Development Block Grant Act", "2014-11-17", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.17.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Lauds Passage of Child Care and Development Block Grant 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's Work to Alaskanize Legislation Included in Final Bill\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Murkowski today applauded the passage of the bipartisan S.1086 Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG) by the U.S. Senate, sharing the following statement:\r\nI would like to commend the Senate for coming together in a bipartisan fashion to craft and pass such an important piece of legislation. This will assist states, tribes, and providers to improve the quality of child care for America's working families, said Murkowski, Alaskan voices were heard, and many provisions of this bill will help Alaskan parents access higher-quality early education for their children. High quality child care not only benefits families, it benefits our economy by helping more parents train for and keep good jobs.\r\nThe CCDBG provides formula-based block grant funds to states and tribes to subsidize child care for low-income parents who are either working or are attending college or job training. The legislation focuses on improving health and safety standards, placement stability, increasing school readiness, and improving consumer information while maintaining state and tribal flexibility.\r\nThrough her position on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Murkowski was able to insert language into the bill requested by the State of Alaska to address issues associated with inspections, complaint reporting, and stability of care.\r\nIn addition, she was able to secure two amendments to address high priorities brought forward by tribal childcare providers:\r\n \r\nFranken/Murkowski Amendment This amendment  which passed 96-3  provides tribes with an opportunity to receive additional support for the child care that is so desperately needed to help Native children get a good start and to help local economies and job seekers.\r\nTester/Murkowski Amendment  Passed unanimously, this amendment provides common-sense flexibility to Indian tribes or Native organizations to temporarily suspend services to renovate or expand their facility, as long as the project will result in better services for more children.\r\n \r\nSenator Murkowski was unable to cast her vote in support of the bill because of weather delays on her flight back from Alaska. The bill passed the Senate 88-1 and now heads to the President's desk for signature.\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=370282", "Anchorage Daily News: Murkowski, Young seek looser restrictions on bird parts in Alaska Native art", "2014-11-16", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After a respected Tlingit artist was fined for the way he was selling artwork adorned with bird feathers, Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young have introduced bills to make such sales legal for Alaska Natives.\r\nLast September, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials told the artist, Archie Cavanaugh, that he had violated the Migratory Bird Treaty Act by advertising online some artwork that had feathers from two birds, a raven and a flicker, which Cavanaugh said had been found dead. He eventually paid a $2,200 fine.\r\nMurkowski and Young want to change the law, saying it should be clearer to Alaska Native artists what is allowed and what is not.\r\nA spokeswoman for the Fish and Wildlife Service said there is concern that giving a financial incentive to harvesting bird feathers through the sale of art could lead to illegal bird hunting.\r\nNative artists can use feathers in traditional handicrafts as long as they are not hunting the birds to get them. Some sales are allowed of their work. Murkowski said in a recent phone interview that, at best, the law is unclear about what Native artists can do. She said the Fish and Wildlife Service's enforcement has been heavy-handed. Cavanaugh's case discouraged other Alaska Native artists from creating culturally relevant art their people have made for centuries, the senator said.\r\nThe legislation Murkowski and Young are proposing makes it explicit in the law that Alaska Native artists will not be prosecuted if they create and sell artwork with bird feathers, much like how the Marine Mammal Protection Act allows the sale of certain artistically altered animal parts, like scrimshawed walrus ivory.\r\n\"I think it's understood we want to give our Alaska Native artists some clarity that they're not going to be subject to some enforcement action as they create and sell their art and traditional regalia,\" Murkowski said.\r\n\"Tell me where the harm is in selling this artifact, this mask, this headdress, this regalia.\" Murkowski said. \"They're using it for art, to create something that symbolizes a culture, something that can tell a story, and how you're able then to share it.\"\r\nMaking some money also gives artists like Cavanaugh the means to support themselves while continuing those traditional practices, Murkowski said.\r\n\"It's wonderful if it's there for your own personal use, but is there harm to the raven population if Archie Cavanaugh is allowed to profit from the sale of a headdress or a mask?\" she asked.\r\nFish and Wildlife spokeswoman Andrea Medeiros said the law's intent was to take away any commercial incentive to kill protected birds.\r\n\"If you look at the history of the act, migratory birds were being harvested for commercial use, in some cases nearly to extinction. Women were buying these hats with beautiful plumes,\" Medeiros said. \"You can't have all out sales of these bird parts in artwork and open up a big commercial market and then ensure the conservation.\"\r\nPlus, it can be difficult after the art is created to know whether a particular piece contains feathers from a bird the artist or someone the artist knew found dead, or whether the bird was killed illegally, Medeiros said.\r\n\"This presents a law enforcement challenge and potential for abuse,\" she said.\r\nEven so, Murkowski said the risks do not outweigh the potential cultural benefits. She does not expect much opposition from senators or representatives.\r\n\"It's really honoring the birds themselves and their spirits in the work,\" Murkowski said. \"It's designed to celebrate that part of this Native culture.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=686436df-1f4c-46bb-922e-a882276d0be6", "Murkowski Questions Differing Findings of Alaska National Guard Investigations", "2014-11-14", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.14.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Questions Differing Findings of Alaska National Guard Investigations \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 Calls on DoD to Reconcile \u201cDiametrically Opposite Conclusions\u201d of Dual Reports\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today called upon the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoDIG) to reexamine the evidence and conclusions of its investigation into misconduct of the Alaska National Guard done at her request \u2013 which concluded the allegations of sexual assault and misconduct within the Guard were unsubstantiated \u2013 seeking accountability and transparency of the review processes. \r\nWith the release of the National Guard Bureau Office of Complex Investigations (OCI) report in September finding serious offenses and misdoings, Murkowski wrote a letter to the DODIG (attached) asking how two reviews of the same allegations reached different conclusions, writing:\r\n\u201cIt is my judgment that the striking difference between the conclusions of the largely redacted Army/DoDIG report and the unredacted OCI report requires further scrutiny and justification. It seems highly irregular that two inquiries conducted during roughly the same timeframe by professional military investigators would reach diametrically opposite conclusions. I would therefore ask that your office reexamine the evidence and conclusions reached in the Army/DoDIG investigation, as well as the rigor of that investigation, in an effort to reconcile the differences.\u201d\r\nTimeline of the dual investigations:\r\n \r\nJune 12, 2013\u2014Allegations of sexual misconduct, misuse of funds, and toxic command climate brought to Senator Murkowski\u2019s attention by Alaska National Guard chaplains.\r\nJune 19, 2013\u2014Murkowski requests investigation by the independent Department of Defense Inspector General.\r\nMay 21, 2014\u2014Murkowski informed by the DoDIG that the investigation was complete.\r\nJuly 2, 2014\u2014Report made available to Senator Murkowski, which found the \u201c[Alaska National Guard] command climate sensing sessions did not identify concerns regarding sexual assault or sexual harassment\u201d.\r\nSeptember 4, 2014\u2014National Guard Bureau Office of Complex Investigations report (requested by Governor Parnell) released, reaching opposite conclusions than the DoDIG report.\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-questions-differing-findings-of-alaska-national-guard-investigations", "Murkowski Questions Differing Findings of Alaska National Guard Investigations", "2014-11-14", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.14.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Questions Differing Findings of Alaska National Guard Investigations \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 Calls on DoD to Reconcile Diametrically Opposite Conclusions of Dual Reports\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today called upon the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoDIG) to reexamine the evidence and conclusions of its investigation into misconduct of the Alaska National Guard done at her request  which concluded the allegations of sexual assault and misconduct within the Guard were unsubstantiated  seeking accountability and transparency of the review processes. \r\nWith the release of the National Guard Bureau Office of Complex Investigations (OCI) report in September finding serious offenses and misdoings, Murkowski wrote a letter to the DODIG (attached) asking how two reviews of the same allegations reached different conclusions, writing:\r\nIt is my judgment that the striking difference between the conclusions of the largely redacted Army/DoDIG report and the unredacted OCI report requires further scrutiny and justification. It seems highly irregular that two inquiries conducted during roughly the same timeframe by professional military investigators would reach diametrically opposite conclusions. I would therefore ask that your office reexamine the evidence and conclusions reached in the Army/DoDIG investigation, as well as the rigor of that investigation, in an effort to reconcile the differences.\r\nTimeline of the dual investigations:\r\n \r\nJune 12, 2013Allegations of sexual misconduct, misuse of funds, and toxic command climate brought to Senator Murkowski's attention by Alaska National Guard chaplains.\r\nJune 19, 2013Murkowski requests investigation by the independent Department of Defense Inspector General.\r\nMay 21, 2014Murkowski informed by the DoDIG that the investigation was complete.\r\nJuly 2, 2014Report made available to Senator Murkowski, which found the [Alaska National Guard] command climate sensing sessions did not identify concerns regarding sexual assault or sexual harassment.\r\nSeptember 4, 2014National Guard Bureau Office of Complex Investigations report (requested by Governor Parnell) released, reaching opposite conclusions than the DoDIG report.\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=397978", "Congressman Young Passes Legislation to Allow Sale of Federal Lands to Olgoonik Corporation", "2014-11-13", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Under the leadership of Alaskan Congressman Don Young, today the House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation to allow the Olgoonik Corporation \u2013 a Village Corporation created by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act \u2013 to purchase 1,500 acres of federal land on Alaska\u2019s North Slope.\nIntroduced by Congressman Young in late July, H.R. 5167 would allow the Secretary of the Interior to sell, at fair market value, a former Air Force Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line station within the National Petroleum Reserve \u2013 Alaska, near Wainwright, Alaska to the Olgoonik Corporation.\n\u201cWith support from local and federal stakeholders, today the House took a significant step to support future economic development on Alaska\u2019s North Slope and reduce the federal governments growing footprint of surplus properties,\u201d said Congressman Don Young. \u201cThis 1,518 acre site of unused federal property is surrounded by Olgoonik-owned land and allowing them to acquire this property makes for a seamless transition. I would like to thank all those that came together to collaborate on this effort, including the Olgoonik Corporation, City of Wainwright, the Department of Interior, and Senator Murkowski, who introduced companion legislation in the Senate.\u201d\n\n\n    \n        \n            \n        \n    \n\nCongressman Young passes legislation to allow the sale of 1,518 acres of federal land to the Olgoonik Corporation (click here to watch).\nWhile the sale of the 1,518 acre site wasn\u2019t opposed by the Department of Interior, language within the National Petroleum Reserve Act of 1976 prevented the agency from disposing of the property without Congressional approval.\nUnder H.R. 5167, the Olgoonik Corporation is required to reimburse any costs associated with the sale of the property; all proceeds would be deposited into the U.S. Treasury.\n\u00a0\u00a0\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/innews?ContentRecord_id=3b131626-2c3d-4e1b-94a7-4c25a0cf66f5", "Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman Editorial: Health Care a Daily Thank-You to Vets", "2014-11-12", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.12.14\n\t\t\t Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman Editorial: Health Care a Daily Thank-You to Vets \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEvery year at about this time we write a pretty similar editorial thanking the service men and women among us for their time spent protecting this country.\r\nThis year, we have quite a bit more to say.\r\nThat\u2019s because this year we wrote a series of stories about problems at our local Veterans Administration clinic.\r\nThe clinic, on Seward Meridian Parkway, has had more trouble than even an Alaskan facility should in recruiting and keeping doctors. There has not been a doctor there since August. There is a nurse practitioner there but quite a few of our local vets have been referred out to the Benteh Nuutah Valley Native Primary Care Center.\r\nWhen we first reported on the lack of doctors at the facility we fielded a barrage of phone calls from veterans frustrated with the way their health care has been handled.\r\nSen. Lisa Murkowski sought an investigation into the situation, citing frustrations but also a suicide that happened outside the clinic when R.K. Butts, a regular contributor to the Frontiersman, took his own life. Suicides are a shocking part of veterans health care. A 2013 report from the Department of Veterans Affairs found rates of suicide among vets that equal out to 22 veterans taking their own lives each day. As a perennial national leader in rates of suicide, we must be national leaders in helping our service members choose life.\r\nWe mention suicide here because we think this is a solid indicator that we must do more to care for, to help heal the men and women we sent into harm\u2019s way in our name. That so many soldiers take their own lives on a daily basis is our failure as a nation. We have not supported our troops.\r\nThe investigation Murkowski called for is currently ongoing. Call her and voice your support. Call Sen. Mark Begich and Congressman Don Young and tell them we must do more to care for our returning veterans.\r\nWe bring this up because today is Veterans Day and the day is one we set aside as a nation to thank those who served on our behalf. It seems clear that our gratitude alone is insufficient to repay this debt.\r\nWe believe that the way we say thank you on a daily basis is to honor promises we made to the people who signed up to serve on our behalf.\r\nWe make plenty of promises including offering to pay for tuition and to train veterans with skill useful in the marketplace. But the main promise we make is through the VA, that if you serve your country honorably we will make sure that you don\u2019t have to worry about finding or paying for healthcare for yourself.\r\nWhen we hear about waiting lists and clinics without doctors, we don\u2019t like it. Promises made in our name must be kept in our name. We tend to take it personal and so should you.\r\nSo we are glad that vets seem to be getting good care from Benteh Nuutah. We are also glad that the Alaska VA Health care System Director Susan Yeager plans to be here on Thursday to talk to vets about their problems with the system.\r\nOur hope is that this meeting goes better than the last one we went to, where Lisa Murkowski heard heartbreaking story after heartbreaking story of veterans banging their heads against the walls of bureaucracy.\r\nWe need to do better. Let\u2019s hope the VA understands that and is up to meeting this challenge for all our service members.\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=397976", "Congressman Young Shares Veterans Day Message", "2014-11-11", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Alaskan Congressman Don Young today shared the following message in observance of Veterans Day:\r\nToday, as Americans across the country gather to honor our men and women in uniform, I am reminded of a powerful inscription written into the granite of the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.\r\n\u201cOur debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.\u201d\r\nThese words, spoken by President Harry Truman just days before the surrender of Nazi Germany, truly embody the sentiment of Veterans Day \u2013 a day to honor those who have sworn to defend this nation and reflect upon the service and sacrifice of all our veterans, past and present.\r\nWhile our nation\u2019s debt to our veterans can never fully be repaid, Veterans Day is a solemn moment to recognize our continued appreciation to those who have served in defense of freedom, liberty and justice.\r\nSince arriving to Congress, my loyalty to America\u2019s military veterans, including the more than 77,000 who call Alaska home, has never wavered. As a nation, we must never forget the gift of freedom these remarkable men and women in uniform have given. As a nation, we must also never forget the promises and commitments we have made to our veterans.\r\nOn the 11th day of the 11th month, in ceremonies and celebrations across the country, I encourage all Americans to join me in thanking our veterans.\r\n\u00a0\r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=2bf9e5cf-1a24-4ae4-bc8b-ec4d6b976749", "Murkowski Shares Veterans Day Message with Alaskans", "2014-11-10", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.10.14\n\t\t\t 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 Senator: Thank You to Those Who Serve Past, Present, and Future\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today commemorated Veterans Day by sharing her thoughts with Alaskans:\r\n\u201cAs Alaskans, we have the honor of being surrounded by veterans, more so per capita than any other state in the nation. Veterans are our neighbors, co-workers, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers and friends. Our communities are enriched by their presence, and we can never thank them enough for their courage, sacrifice, and service.\r\n\u201cToday is not only a day dedicated to those who have served our country in past conflicts decades and generations ago, but to also honor those who are putting their lives on the line today to protect our country against new 21st century threats.\u00a0 These men and women answer the call to action and make the decision to dedicate their lives to safeguard our liberties, our principles and our honor as a nation.\u00a0 We also owe them much in exchange, and it begins with a recognition and an appreciation for their service each and every day, and a sincere \u2018Thank You\u2019 for their time, sacrifice and efforts.\r\n\u201cWhen Congress originally designated November 11th as \u201cVeterans Day\u201d in 1926, they did so less to commemorate wartime bravery than they did to prioritize peace and diplomacy among all nations. The designation stated \u2018this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations.\u2019\r\n\u201cIt means a lot that our nation, with the world\u2019s largest military force, continues to be cautious to exercise its military might, even given the current hostilities in the Middle East.\r\n\u201cWords will never be enough to thank our veterans for their selfless actions in making the decision to serve our country, their courage during active duty, and their commitment to our communities when they return home. One of the best ways we can show our gratitude for our veterans is by asking what we, as individuals and as a community, can do for them. We should remember to live every day appreciating the freedoms and liberties that our military has secured for us and continues to protect.\r\n\u201cOn this Veterans Day, and every other day, we say thank you to those who serve past, present, and future. God bless.\r\n\u201d\r\n(Click image to watch video.)\r\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-shares-veterans-day-message-with-alaskans", "Murkowski Shares Veterans Day Message with Alaskans", "2014-11-10", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.10.14\n\t\t\t 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 Senator: Thank You to Those Who Serve Past, Present, and Future\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today commemorated Veterans Day by sharing her thoughts with Alaskans:\r\nAs Alaskans, we have the honor of being surrounded by veterans, more so per capita than any other state in the nation. Veterans are our neighbors, co-workers, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers and friends. Our communities are enriched by their presence, and we can never thank them enough for their courage, sacrifice, and service.\r\nToday is not only a day dedicated to those who have served our country in past conflicts decades and generations ago, but to also honor those who are putting their lives on the line today to protect our country against new 21st century threats. These men and women answer the call to action and make the decision to dedicate their lives to safeguard our liberties, our principles and our honor as a nation. We also owe them much in exchange, and it begins with a recognition and an appreciation for their service each and every day, and a sincere Thank You' for their time, sacrifice and efforts.\r\nWhen Congress originally designated November 11th as Veterans Day in 1926, they did so less to commemorate wartime bravery than they did to prioritize peace and diplomacy among all nations. The designation stated this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations.'\r\nIt means a lot that our nation, with the world's largest military force, continues to be cautious to exercise its military might, even given the current hostilities in the Middle East.\r\nWords will never be enough to thank our veterans for their selfless actions in making the decision to serve our country, their courage during active duty, and their commitment to our communities when they return home. One of the best ways we can show our gratitude for our veterans is by asking what we, as individuals and as a community, can do for them. We should remember to live every day appreciating the freedoms and liberties that our military has secured for us and continues to protect.\r\nOn this Veterans Day, and every other day, we say thank you to those who serve past, present, and future. God bless.\r\n\r\n(Click image to watch video.)\r\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/innews?ContentRecord_id=e86cf404-6bf2-4e7a-bd8f-d7661f1ae36a", "Alaska Dispatch News: In the Tale of Two Arctics, Alaska is Losing Out", "2014-11-05", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.05.14\n\t\t\t Alaska Dispatch News: In the Tale of Two Arctics, Alaska is Losing Out \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tOver 1,400 delegates from 34 countries listened to his remarks. Announcing the dates for the next three Arctic Circle meetings, he expressed, \u201cArctic Circle will transform Reykjavik into a dynamic Arctic village every October for years to come.\u201d\r\nReykjavik epitomizes the \u201cmagnificent\u201d and cosmopolitan Arctic, but that only represents one part of the North. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, able to attend in person this year thanks to the lack of a government shutdown, painted a different picture of the Arctic. The region is not, in fact, a tiny village, but rather a place where \u201cthere are two different Arctics with two different sets of needs.\u201d\r\nInfrastructure\r\nThe Nordic countries -- Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland -- have lots of infrastructure, from ports to local and regional bus networks to high-speed Internet. In contrast, Murkowski described how Alaska, Greenland and Russia lack infrastructure. Later, in a separate session, Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell remarked that his state could easily soak up $150 million in infrastructure investment alone for pipelines and shipping facilities.\r\nBuilding things like ports, roads, pipelines and fiber optic cables requires significant investment and time commitments, often longer than political terms. Yet once this infrastructure is in place, certain economies of scale result. Well-placed infrastructural investments can, for instance, help lower the cost of trade. The presentation by Patrick Arnold, director of Operations and Business Development for the Maine Port Authority, illustrated this nicely. He used the term \"cost-based geography\" to describe how \u201cyou are as close or far from somewhere as it costs to be.\u201d That means that Portland, Maine, which has been Icelandic shipping line Eimskip\u2019s North American port of call since last year, is the same distance away in monetary terms from Reykjavik and London as it is from Delaware and Washington, D.C. In other words, Portland could ship a lobster plucked out of the waters off Maine to the nation\u2019s capital for the same price as it could to the capital of Iceland. This opens up new opportunities for a state that once saw itself as isolated and \u201csomething of a dead end in the region.\u201d\u00a0\r\nShipping\r\nMaine is fortunate enough to sit at the western end of the North Atlantic, the Arctic sub-region that is growing fastest, thanks in part to early infrastructure investments. At the eastern end of this area, in northern Norway, Jan-Gunnar Winther, director of the Norwegian Polar Institute, explained that the economy is growing faster than the area of Norway south of the Arctic Circle. Eimskip\u2019s shipping route network shows the extent of interlinkages in the North Atlantic maritime space, where a rising tide of infrastructure investment is helping to lift many boats. In geo-economic terms, Greenland hasn\u2019t yet fully capitalized on its position within the North Atlantic, but Arnold expressed how his state, at the very least, is hoping to build upon its new direct shipping line to Iceland by expanding to Greenland, and also to Norway.\r\nIn his speech, Charles Hendry, a Conservative Member of Parliament serving in the UK House of Commons, talked up the potential of an interconnector between Iceland and the United Kingdom that would deliver electricity generated by the Arctic nation\u2019s hydropower to his country. (No surprise there, as he is a paid adviser of the Atlantic Supragrid Corporation, which is looking to bring Icelandic energy to the UK, as The Guardian uncovered.) Though an interconnector is still arguably a fanciful idea, it is another example of even more infrastructure that could be built in the North Atlantic.\r\nThe picture in the Pacific Arctic is not as rosy. There, the Trans Alaska Pipeline is struggling to have enough oil to flow through it to keep it operating smoothly. Murkowski lamented the fact that Alaska pays the highest cost in the nation for energy despite its wealth of natural resources (a problem, however, that is due not just to the lack of infrastructure, but also to the lack of competition, as the Alaska Dispatch News reported in 2012). The dichotomy between the Arctic-haves and the Arctic have-nots is illustrated by\u00a0 this image of the Arctic at night that I posted just the other week, included below again as a reminder of how different the levels of development are between the Nordic/North Atlantic Arctic and the rest of the Arctic.\r\nA tale of another two Arctics\r\nUCLA Professor Laurence Smith (full disclosure: he is also my adviser) touched upon another two Arctics: the marine and the terrestrial. Whereas all the media focus is on the maritime domain, there\u2019s less discussion of the terrestrial Arctic, and, as he noted, \u201cThe Arctic has a lot of land.\u201d With permafrost melting, \u201cthe landscape will be debilitated by climate change.\u201d Director of the British Antarctic Survey Jane Francis explained one change occurring on land: the \u201cshrubification\u201d of many areas of tundra, where new vegetation is replacing melting ice. As another member of the British delegation noted, Russia has 12,000 kilometers of ice and snow roads. Climate change is rendering many of these land-based transportation routes vulnerable, and without infrastructural investments, this terrestrial part of the have-not Arctic will fall behind the maritime Nordic Arctic even more.\r\nThe image of trucks falling into collapsed ice roads in places like Russia\u2019s Sakha Republic therefore represents a very different future for the Arctic than the one Polarisk CEO Mika Mered painted. In his presentation about the Arctic in 2035, one slide featured a photograph of snow falling on a smooth, well-maintained road with the caption, \u201cArctic roads [take] you to world-class data centers.\u201d That could be the case in Finland, Sweden, or Iceland one day -- but not in Chukotka. Two roads are diverging in the Arctic, and one is less traveled: the terrestrial, Pacific Arctic road.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t    By Mia Bennett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=10b4ec81-f6c3-415e-b484-2f892d3a6b67", "Murkowski Urges Secretary of Army to Remove Barrier to Substance Abuse Care for Alaskans", "2014-10-30", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.30.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Urges Secretary of Army to Remove Barrier to Substance Abuse Care for 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 Senator Asks for Lower 48 Regulations to Be Rethought for Alaska Troop Care\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \u00a0As United States Army soldiers in Alaska cope with the lingering impacts of more than a dozen years of sustained combat operations abroad, Senator Lisa Murkowski is asking the Secretary of the Army to rethink a regulatory barrier that is keeping Alaskan-trained and -educated substance abuse counselors from providing care and therapy to returning soldiers.\r\nPresently, the criteria for being hired by the U.S. Army as an Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) counselor includes accreditation from a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Program (CACREP), which are prevalent in the contiguous 48 states \u2013 but Alaska does not have a CACREP-accredited institution.\u00a0 Similarly, the Army requires that candidates pass a National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE), while Alaskan counselors must pass the National Counselor Exam.\u00a0 Because of these protocols, there are currently no permanent ASAP counselors at Fort Wainwright. With many worthy and educated candidates in Alaska for such critically needed positions, Senator Murkowski was compelled to send a letter (attached) to Army Secretary John M. McHugh reading:\r\n\u201cAt a time when we are drawing down combat operations in Afghanistan and creating tremendous stress and uncertainty over force structure issues, it is absolutely imperative we have the full complement of ASAP counselors in place to care for our servicemembers and their families.\u201d\r\nLater in her letter, Murkowski suggests a potential fix, encouraging the Army to \u201cconsider a state-specific waiver for the CACREP-accreditation and NCMHCE. Ultimately, hiring authorities have the ability to choose the best-qualified candidate. The requirements just need to be crafted for Alaska in such a way to give them a sufficient pool of applicants.\u201d\r\nMurkowski hopes to open a dialogue with the U.S. Army to find a practical and responsible solution for Alaska\u2019s soldiers that also opens the door to new jobs for qualified candidates held back by this restrictive guideline.\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-secretary-of-army-to-remove-barrier-to-substance-abuse-care-for-alaskans", "Murkowski Urges Secretary of Army to Remove Barrier to Substance Abuse Care for Alaskans", "2014-10-30", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.30.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Urges Secretary of Army to Remove Barrier to Substance Abuse Care for 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 Senator Asks for Lower 48 Regulations to Be Rethought for Alaska Troop Care\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t As United States Army soldiers in Alaska cope with the lingering impacts of more than a dozen years of sustained combat operations abroad, Senator Lisa Murkowski is asking the Secretary of the Army to rethink a regulatory barrier that is keeping Alaskan-trained and -educated substance abuse counselors from providing care and therapy to returning soldiers.\r\nPresently, the criteria for being hired by the U.S. Army as an Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) counselor includes accreditation from a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Program (CACREP), which are prevalent in the contiguous 48 states  but Alaska does not have a CACREP-accredited institution. Similarly, the Army requires that candidates pass a National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE), while Alaskan counselors must pass the National Counselor Exam. Because of these protocols, there are currently no permanent ASAP counselors at Fort Wainwright. With many worthy and educated candidates in Alaska for such critically needed positions, Senator Murkowski was compelled to send a letter (attached) to Army Secretary John M. McHugh reading:\r\nAt a time when we are drawing down combat operations in Afghanistan and creating tremendous stress and uncertainty over force structure issues, it is absolutely imperative we have the full complement of ASAP counselors in place to care for our servicemembers and their families.\r\nLater in her letter, Murkowski suggests a potential fix, encouraging the Army to consider a state-specific waiver for the CACREP-accreditation and NCMHCE. Ultimately, hiring authorities have the ability to choose the best-qualified candidate. The requirements just need to be crafted for Alaska in such a way to give them a sufficient pool of applicants.\r\nMurkowski hopes to open a dialogue with the U.S. Army to find a practical and responsible solution for Alaska's soldiers that also opens the door to new jobs for qualified candidates held back by this restrictive guideline.\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=397970", "Uncertainty Remains for GMT-1 Project Following DOI Assessment", "2014-10-29", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Uncertainty Remains for GMT-1 Project Following DOI Assessment \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      Young: \u201cAssessment Leaves Us With Too Many Unanswered Questions Regarding the Future of this Project\u201d \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        Anchorage, AK,\r\n        October 29, 2014\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\nAnchorage, AK \u2013 Alaskan Congressman Don Young today shared his thoughts on the Department of Interior\u2019s Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) of the ConocoPhillips Greater Moose\u2019s Tooth Unit One (GMT-1) project within the National Petroleum Reserve \u2013 Alaska (NRP-A).\r\n\u201cAfter years of trying to move the ball forward on responsible resource development within the NPR-A, I am pleased to see a plan that includes an access road,\u201d said Congressman Don Young. \u201cHowever, I share some of the same concerns expressed today by industry representatives that this assessment leaves us with too many unanswered questions regarding the future of this project and dismisses a preferred road alternative.\u201d\r\n\u201cUnfortunately, DOI\u2019s assessment leaves GMT-1 up against pending reviews by the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers, which have previously held up a number of Alaskan projects, including production within CD-5,\" Young said. \" It remains to be seen what mitigation and other requirements will pile onto this process, but for now I am happy to see it move forward.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n###\r\n  \r\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://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397975", "ICYMI: Congressman Young Welcomes Home Last Frontier Honor Flight", "2014-10-29", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Anchorage, AK\u00a0\u2013 On Saturday, October 25,\u00a0Alaskan Congressman Don Young\u00a0joined a group of thankful Alaskans at the Ted Stevens International Airport to welcome home more than 20 World War II and Korean Conflict veterans from Washington, D.C. as part of the Last Frontier Honor Flight.\n\n    \n        \n            \n        \n    \n\nClick here\u00a0to watch the Last Frontier Honor Flight Welcome Home Celebration at the Ted Stevens International Anchorage Airport on October 25, 2014.\nCongressman Young personally greeted each veteran and volunteer as they deplaned and joined a procession through the terminal to where more than a hundred guests \u2013 including friends and family, active duty and retired military, and the Dimond High School JROTC \u2013 waited to celebrate their arrival.\nCongressman Young gave the following comments at the Last Frontier Honor Flight \u201cWelcome Home\u201d celebration:\n\u201cWelcome home. I\u2019m sorry I wasn\u2019t there to meet you [ in Washington, D.C.], but it\u2019s great to greet you here as you return home. Remember when you returned home from combat they welcomed you too; we welcome you with our hearts. Thank you for your service. God bless you for what you\u2019ve done. I hope everyone who has freedom today remembers the Great War and how you defended this country, man, women and child, and especially yourselves. Thank you!\u201d\nVeterans and volunteers of the Last Frontier Honor Flight departed the Ted Stevens International Airport on October 21, 2014 and enjoyed time touring war memorials in Washington, D.C. before making the more than 4,000 mile journey home on October 25, 2014.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=f2338e39-7d38-406b-a567-8800674a2c6e", "Murkowski Joining World Leaders to Represent U.S. at Arctic Circle 2014", "2014-10-29", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.29.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Joining World Leaders to Represent U.S. at Arctic Circle 2014 \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, U.S. Arctic Representative Papp to Attend International Conference\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski will attend this weekend\u2019s Arctic Circle 2014 conference in Reykjavik, Iceland \u2013 an annual event designed to increase the Arctic dialogue and strengthen the international focus on the future of the region.\r\nAlongside international leaders such as Iceland President \u00d3lafur Ragnar Gr\u00edmsson, Finland President Sauli Niinist\u00f6 and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Murkowski and recently announced Arctic Representative Admiral Robert J. Papp will lead one of four plenary session discussions with attendees.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n(Click to watch Senator Murkowski preview this week\u2019s event)\r\n\u201cAmerica is an Arctic Nation and as one we must engage and show thoughtful leadership in the Arctic community, especially as we prepare to Chair the Arctic Council next year,\u201d said Senator Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cThe activity in the region is increasing, interest in the Arctic is on the rise and investment is surging \u2013 which is why I look forward to standing up and representing U.S. interests and viewpoints as the international community continues this important conversation.\u201d\r\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-joining-world-leaders-to-represent-us-at-arctic-circle-2014", "Murkowski Joining World Leaders to Represent U.S. at Arctic Circle 2014", "2014-10-29", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.29.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Joining World Leaders to Represent U.S. at Arctic Circle 2014 \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, U.S. Arctic Representative Papp to Attend International Conference\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski will attend this weekend's Arctic Circle 2014 conference in Reykjavik, Iceland  an annual event designed to increase the Arctic dialogue and strengthen the international focus on the future of the region.\r\nAlongside international leaders such as Iceland President lafur Ragnar Grmsson, Finland President Sauli Niinist and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Murkowski and recently announced Arctic Representative Admiral Robert J. Papp will lead one of four plenary session discussions with attendees.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Click to watch Senator Murkowski preview this week's event)\r\nAmerica is an Arctic Nation and as one we must engage and show thoughtful leadership in the Arctic community, especially as we prepare to Chair the Arctic Council next year, said Senator Murkowski. The activity in the region is increasing, interest in the Arctic is on the rise and investment is surging  which is why I look forward to standing up and representing U.S. interests and viewpoints as the international community continues this important conversation.\r\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/newsletters?ContentRecord_id=765b113c-c8ab-49a5-ba2a-3cfcadb75eb0", "Senator Murkowski E-Newsletter for October 28, 2014", "2014-10-28", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.28.14\n\t\t\t Senator Murkowski E-Newsletter for October 28, 2014 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tGreetings, Alaska!\r\nThe snow is on the mountains and getting closer every day. It\u2019s officially fall! With the Senate in an extended recess period, I am making the most of this time to travel and connect with Alaskans from the railbelt to the bush before Congress heads back into session in November.\r\n Monitoring Ebola \r\nThroughout my travels in Alaska, I have heard many concerns about the developing Ebola cases in the Lower 48 and the Administration\u2019s response. I hear concerns about the appointment of a \u201cczar\u201d with no medical background, deployment of troops to Africa, and inadequate screening of travelers into the U.S.\u00a0 Many are demanding a ban on travel into the U.S. from Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. I believe that common-sense preventative measures must be put into place and applied across the board in order to protect the rest of our nation against this disease.\r\nI have not been assured America has the protocols in place to ensure the safety of health care workers and that the American public will be safe from exposure to Ebola in this country. Until we have better certainty, I think the Administration should consider a restriction on travel from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.\r\nI remind Alaskans that though these cases in America do not represent an outbreak, we must remain calm and demand leadership and action to responsibly contain and control this public health threat.\r\n Out and About in Alaska \r\nSo many of you were able to share your time and thoughts with me as I visited throughout the state these past few weeks.\u00a0 I wanted to share this newsletter with some of our photos.\r\n\r\nAt the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute All-Hands meeting held in Anchorage.\u00a0 \r\n\r\nAlaska\u2019s World War II heroes and Korean War vets were headed to Washington, D.C. as part of the Last Frontier Honor Flight program, to see the memorials that were constructed to honor their service.\u00a0It was a privilege to see them off at Ted Stevens International Airport!\r\n\r\nTricia Teasley and Angie Harris at Clare House of Catholic Social Services gave me a tour of their new location in Anchorage. Clare House operates an emergency shelter and offers progressive housing for women and their children, providing a safe place to stay in a positive environment.\r\n\r\nThe coal loading terminal in Seward has been providing good jobs in the community and the region for decades, while helping to supply a much needed energy resource to other countries.\r\n\r\nMeeting with the students at Seward Middle School. So much of my job in Washington D.C. is sharing what I learn from Alaskans to help educate others.\r\n\r\nThe Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) in Seward is an invaluable program for all Alaska. Students come from around the state to be trained as welders, plumbers, chefs, and skilled construction workers. Some of the many programs AVTEC offers include allied health, information technology, and energy and building technology.\r\n\r\nAt the Seward Shipyard Marine Center, operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, this researcher shared with me her project on parasites in red King crabs.\r\n\r\nWalking into the village of Kwigillingok. Since the village is built on top of tundra, boardwalks throughout are a necessity.\r\n\r\nI visited the home of Agnes Lewis while in Kwigillingok. Agnes and 25 other residents have brick ceramic heaters to heat their homes\u2014powered by wind. Kwigillingok is one of the four villages belonging to the Chaninik Wind Group that is using wind power and battery storage to reduce their reliance on diesel fuel.\r\n\r\nWhen a young person knows their language, they know their culture. In the K-2 class at Kwigillingok School, half of the day is taught in Yup\u2019ik. I got a spelling lesson from a couple of amazing teachers!\r\n\r\nI have made it a personal challenge of mine to try to visit every school in Alaska. Here I am with students at Kwigillingok School, Home of the Eagles!\r\n\r\nAndrew Beaver, Tribal Administration in Kwigillingok, explained the river erosion problem in the village.\r\n\r\nTim Meyers, owner of Meyers Farm in Bethel deliver a box of his impressive vegetables to customers at the radio station. Tim continues to lead the way on food security issues in Alaska.\r\n\r\nHolding a question and answer session with students at Bethel Regional High School.\r\n\r\nThe Yukon-Kuskowkim Regional Aquatic Health and Safety Center is 30 years in the making, providing a safe place for children to learn to swim. Too many in the region have died from drowning, but now there is a place to not only learn to swim and save lives, but also a healthy place for families to have fun. The 6-lane pool, complete with a water slide, kiddie pool, and hot tub is specially constructed so it does not melt the permafrost that it sits on.\r\n\r\nAlong with the pool area, the facility will include a weight room and fitness rooms, providing many healthy options for the community.\r\n\r\nAt the Native Indian Education Association Conference I was able to share my thoughts about how traditional ways of knowing and learning must be understood and used by teachers in Alaska.\r\n\r\nEvery day we should be asking ourselves how we can better mentors to the next generation of female leaders and professionals, such as Sofia here. We have a greater ability to build confidence in young women than we sometimes imagine!\r\n\r\nGetting a behind-the-scenes tour of the USCG Cutter POLAR SEA, which has been moored in Seattle after suffering an engine casualty in 2010. The ship has not been operational since, and is currently commissioned in inactive status.\u00a0The Coast Guard Cutter HEALY, shown alongside the Cutter POLAR SEA, is a medium endurance icebreaker that has been the workhorse of the U.S. Coast Guard and the nation\u2019s scientific efforts in the Artic since its commissioning in 1999.\r\n\r\nThe Polar Sea has been working hard since 1977, and the outdated equipment onboard in the control room and engine room shows that new additions to the fleet are critical. As Arctic activity continues to grow, we need to step up to the plate as an Arctic nation. The Coast Guard Cutter POLAR STAR, the POLAR SEA\u2019s sister ship, is currently the only operational heavy icebreaker within the U.S. National Fleet and is in drydock preparing to take part in Operation Deep Freeze 2015, the yearly break out of the U.S. McMurdo Station in Antarctica.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397969", "Congressman Young Expresses Sincere Apology for Pain Caused by Statements on Suicide", "2014-10-24", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Don Young", "Y000033", "donyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Anchorage, AK \u2013 In a speech to the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, Alaskan Congressman Don Young today shared his sincere and honest apology for the pain caused by his recent statements on the issue of suicide. In a remorseful speech to AFN Convention delegates, Congressman Young focused on his own personal experiences of dealing with a trouble family member, in addition to the steps Congress can take to support mental health programs, combat domestic violence, and prevent suicide. Congress Young shared the following comments:\r\n\u201cI have served the public and state of Alaska for 45 years \u2013 all of the Alaskan people. There is however, a private side of me that few see.\u00a0 You may not know it but much of that private side is what drives my public side. It motivates me to tackle some pretty tough issues and I don\u2019t often share that motivation because it is private. But today, I\u2019m going to address a little bit of that private side.\r\n\u201cRecently, I addressed one of those issues with high school students in Wasilla \u2013 the issue of suicide.\u00a0 Because I have been touched by this issue, it\u2019s very personal to me. It may have caused me to mangle some of my statements and comments that caused this uproar. But I will tell you, I have asked myself many times, did I do enough? Did I take the nephew away from an abusive father? Did I love him enough? Did I do enough? Apparently, I did not. I made up my mind that I was trying to prevent the future of suicides from occurring.\r\n\u201cI know that suicide rates in rural Alaska are the highest in the country and of grave concern to all of you in this room.\u00a0We have to come to grips with that if we want to prevent suicide. We cannot bring back our loved ones; we cannot, as myself, dwell on what has happened, although it is very painful not to. We in fact need to address the issue, why has it happened? Why does it happen?\r\n\u201cBecause of my comments, I am profoundly and genuinely sorry for the pain it has caused the Alaskan people. I am genuinely sorry for the pain I have caused the individual, as I have experienced it, and hope that you won\u2019t have to experience that.\r\n\u201cMy record paints a very different picture. I give suicide and mental health issues high priority. I cosponsored and voted to fund the Mental Health First Aid act, which was enacted into law. \u00a0It gives $10 million in grants to state and local entities to train teachers, schools, police officers, and others how to identify the warning signs of someone suffering from a variety of mental illnesses such as depression or substance abuse or contemplating suicide.\u00a0 With that knowledge, trainees would be trained on how to safely and effectively direct the individual to help.\r\n\u201cWe may be able to give some of that funding to the John Baker Youth Leaders Program in Kotzebue. Kotzebue has not had a youth suicide in 5 years because of the strong support group they have built. That is what we must do around this state.\r\n\u201cI fought for and voted in favor of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, which is part of a nationwide state and tribal youth suicide intervention program network. I will continue to support the Victims of Crime Act and Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Programs, both of which fund programs to combat domestic abuse and provide adequate safe support for the victims.\r\n\u201cTo combat domestic violence and suicide, it takes two steps. (1) Make effective mental health treatment services available, and (2) get the individual suffering from those diseases to seek treatment.\u00a0 As your Congressman, I will fight for bills that create and maintain these mental health treatment services. It is up to all of us, friends and families, to somehow convince those suffering to seek the help they need.\r\n\u201cAgain, I am profoundly sorry to those I offended.\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=273540ca-c204-48d9-aa18-c18d0f965d58", "Murkowski: One Step Closer to the Last Honeybucket", "2014-10-23", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.23.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski: \u201cOne Step Closer to the Last Honeybucket\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 Lauds Federal Resources to Support Alaska\u2019s Infrastructure Needs\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today welcomed the announcement from United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack that Alaska\u2019s rural community infrastructure needs will receive more than $12 million to boost the construction, maintenance, and upgrading of water and wastewater systems throughout rural Alaska.\r\n\u201cA cornerstone of my commitment to Alaska has been to bring safe water and sewer systems to our rural communities, where they are still seeking 20th century standards in the 21st century, and this is a further step in my fight to bring them basic but critical services for their health and quality of life,\u201d said Murkowski.\u00a0 \u201cOne of my proudest moments as a U.S. Senator was flying back to Buckland to deliver on my promise to Dora Hadley that I\u2019d be there for the village\u2019s \u2018First Flush\u2019 ceremony.\u00a0 With today\u2019s news for Shageluk, Akiachak, Quinhagak, and Nunapitchuk, we are one step closer to the last honeybucket, and nearing the last of our first flushes.\u201d\r\n\r\n(Senator Murkowski celebrates Buckland\u2019s \u2018First Flush\u2019 with Eunice Hadley, 9/26/2011)\r\nSenator Murkowski believes that as Congress reprioritizes federal spending across-the-board, attention and resources must be devoted to the most basic needs of clean water and plumbing infrastructure to support public health.\u00a0 She has consistently protected the funding for U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Alaska Native Village Grants \u2013 also known as \u2018Village Safe Water\u2019 (VSW) through her work on the Appropriations Committee and by defending the program\u2019s importance with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.\r\nVSW funds are used to build washeterias, septic tanks, piped systems and holding tanks to provide potable water to a community. As Congress has sought opportunities to cut federal spending on unnecessary or inefficient programs, Murkowski has made sure the nation\u2019s commitment to Village Safe Water remains constant at over $20 million.\r\nUSDA Rural Development Rural Alaska Village Grant Program \r\n \r\nTechnical Assistance Training grant of $400,000 to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium to do energy audits for a minimum of 8 small community water and sewer systems.\r\nWater and Waste Disposal Grant of $400,000 to Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to fund the Remote Maintenance Worker technical assistance program that provides on-site training for water and wastewater operators in system operation and maintenance, preventive maintenance plans and schedules, etc.\r\nWater and Wastewater Disposal Grant of $73,313 to ANTHC for preliminary cost and analysis of pre-development (engineering, environmental, design, and rights of way) for water and wastewater well testing and preliminary engineering report for Shageluk.\r\nWater and Waste Disposal Grant to ANTHC of $4,998,399 to construct water and wastewater systems (sewer mains, lift station, buried water mains, archeological monitoring, and support services) to serve additional homes in in Akiachak.\r\nWater and Waste Disposal Grant of $2,001,750 to Alaska DEC (with an SOA match of $667,250) to construct water and wastewater systems in Quinhagak to replace 2800 feet of existing water transfer lines and to close the existing honeybucket sewage lagoon.\u00a0 This is the final phase of the community-wide piped system for the community.\u00a0\r\nWater and Waste Disposal Grant of $4,236,000 to Alaska DEC to build a new water treatment plant and washeteria in Nunapitchuk due to excessive levels of copper since 2009 and extending the above ground sewer force main and school water line to the new location; also for a new 20,000 gallon fuel tank to serve the new facility. \r\n \r\nUSDA Rural Development Solid Waste Management Grant\r\n \r\n$250,000 to Zender Environmental Health and Research Group of Anchorage to update and deliver four solid waste management and planning training courses and technical assistance in various communities.\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-one-step-closer-to-the-last-honeybucket", "Murkowski: One Step Closer to the Last Honeybucket", "2014-10-23", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.23.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski: One Step Closer to the Last Honeybucket \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 Lauds Federal Resources to Support Alaska's Infrastructure Needs\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Senator Lisa Murkowski today welcomed the announcement from United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack that Alaska's rural community infrastructure needs will receive more than $12 million to boost the construction, maintenance, and upgrading of water and wastewater systems throughout rural Alaska.\r\nA cornerstone of my commitment to Alaska has been to bring safe water and sewer systems to our rural communities, where they are still seeking 20th century standards in the 21st century, and this is a further step in my fight to bring them basic but critical services for their health and quality of life, said Murkowski. One of my proudest moments as a U.S. Senator was flying back to Buckland to deliver on my promise to Dora Hadley that I'd be there for the village's First Flush' ceremony. With today's news for Shageluk, Akiachak, Quinhagak, and Nunapitchuk, we are one step closer to the last honeybucket, and nearing the last of our first flushes.\r\n\r\n(Senator Murkowski celebrates Buckland's First Flush' with Eunice Hadley, 9/26/2011)\r\nSenator Murkowski believes that as Congress reprioritizes federal spending across-the-board, attention and resources must be devoted to the most basic needs of clean water and plumbing infrastructure to support public health. She has consistently protected the funding for U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Alaska Native Village Grants  also known as Village Safe Water' (VSW) through her work on the Appropriations Committee and by defending the program's importance with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.\r\nVSW funds are used to build washeterias, septic tanks, piped systems and holding tanks to provide potable water to a community. As Congress has sought opportunities to cut federal spending on unnecessary or inefficient programs, Murkowski has made sure the nation's commitment to Village Safe Water remains constant at over $20 million.\r\nUSDA Rural Development Rural Alaska Village Grant Program \r\n \r\nTechnical Assistance Training grant of $400,000 to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium to do energy audits for a minimum of 8 small community water and sewer systems.\r\nWater and Waste Disposal Grant of $400,000 to Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to fund the Remote Maintenance Worker technical assistance program that provides on-site training for water and wastewater operators in system operation and maintenance, preventive maintenance plans and schedules, etc.\r\nWater and Wastewater Disposal Grant of $73,313 to ANTHC for preliminary cost and analysis of pre-development (engineering, environmental, design, and rights of way) for water and wastewater well testing and preliminary engineering report for Shageluk.\r\nWater and Waste Disposal Grant to ANTHC of $4,998,399 to construct water and wastewater systems (sewer mains, lift station, buried water mains, archeological monitoring, and support services) to serve additional homes in in Akiachak.\r\nWater and Waste Disposal Grant of $2,001,750 to Alaska DEC (with an SOA match of $667,250) to construct water and wastewater systems in Quinhagak to replace 2800 feet of existing water transfer lines and to close the existing honeybucket sewage lagoon. This is the final phase of the community-wide piped system for the community.\r\nWater and Waste Disposal Grant of $4,236,000 to Alaska DEC to build a new water treatment plant and washeteria in Nunapitchuk due to excessive levels of copper since 2009 and extending the above ground sewer force main and school water line to the new location; also for a new 20,000 gallon fuel tank to serve the new facility. \r\n \r\nUSDA Rural Development Solid Waste Management Grant\r\n \r\n$250,000 to Zender Environmental Health and Research Group of Anchorage to update and deliver four solid waste management and planning training courses and technical assistance in various communities.\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/opeds?ContentRecord_id=432de396-da3b-4509-8d32-1941e86b27eb", "Op-Ed: Evidence Supports No Vote on Marijuana", "2014-10-21", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.21.14\n\t\t\t Op-Ed: Evidence Supports \u2018No\u2019 Vote on Marijuana \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tOn Nov. 4, Alaskans will consider Ballot Measure 2, an initiative to legalize the sale and use of marijuana for recreational purposes. And those who support that commercial trade are investing heavily in hoping you will vote \u201cyes.\u201d Make no mistake about it, marijuana \u2014 like tobacco and alcohol \u2014 is big business. Like alcohol and tobacco, the costs of marijuana to public health, public safety, our youth and lost productivity are similarly high.\u00a0\r\nIt\u2019s not surprising that Outside investors would regard Alaska as fertile territory for unconditional legalization. In 1975, our Supreme Court found a right for Alaskans to consume small amounts of marijuana in their homes in the privacy provisions of the Alaska Constitution. And in 1998, Alaskans voted to legalize marijuana for medical purposes with 58 percent support.\r\nBut Measure 2 is not about \u201cmedical marijuana.\u201d Nor is Measure 2 necessary to protect adult Alaskans who consume marijuana in their homes from police intrusion. Measure 2 is less about freedom than it is about profit at the expense of public health. That\u2019s why I plan to vote \u201cno\u201d on Ballot Measure 2.\r\nI come to this decision after careful consideration of the medical evidence. My guide through the scientific literature was Dr. Nora Volkow, the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Earlier this year, Dr. Volkow published a peer-reviewed paper about the health effects of marijuana in the New England Journal of Medicine, one of the nation\u2019s most eminent medical publications. Volkow directs a component of our National Institutes of Health which is, of course, neutral on state level policy initiatives. Fortunately for all of us, NIH does not prohibit its scientists from entering the discussion by objectively sharing the science with policymakers and the public.\r\nHere\u2019s what Volkow has to say about the state of the evidence. \u201cThe popular notion seems to be that marijuana is a harmless pleasure, access to which should not be regulated or considered illegal.\u201d However, popular notions are not always correct.\r\nOne of the detrimental effects is addiction. \u201cThe evidence clearly indicates that long term marijuana usage can lead to addiction. About 16 percent of those who begin marijuana usage as teenagers will become addicted. And there seems to be a strong association between repeated use and addiction. About a quarter to a half of those who use marijuana everyday are addicted.\r\n\u201cMarijuana use by adolescents is particularly troublesome.\u201d Those who begin using marijuana as teenagers, when the brain is still developing, are two to four times more likely to demonstrate dependence symptoms within two years of first use than those who first use marijuana as adults. And because marijuana use \u201cimpairs critical cognitive functions \u2026 for days after use many students could be functioning at a cognitive level that is below their natural capability for considerable period of times,\u201d these effects could be even longer lasting. Adults who smoked marijuana during adolescence have fewer fibers in specific brain regions that are important to things like alertness, self-consciousness, learning and memory.\u00a0\r\nNIDA-funded research provides some support for longstanding fears that use of marijuana may be a gateway to use of other drugs with even greater known adverse health effects. Truthfully, the same may be said of alcohol and tobacco. Whether the mechanism is chemical, cultural or some combination of the two is less well known, but no evidence is cited to suggest that marijuana use keeps young people away from other drugs.\u00a0\r\nThe prevalence of impaired driving in Alaska is well known and deeply troublesome. On this, Volkow observes that \u201cboth immediate and long-term exposure to marijuana impair driving ability; marijuana is the illicit drug most frequently reported in connection with impaired driving and accidents, including fatal accidents.\u201d Moreover, the mixing of marijuana and alcohol can further exacerbate the dangers to public safety.\r\nPerhaps the most startling revelation of Volkow\u2019s research is that all marijuana is not alike. The potency of marijuana is determined by its Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC content.\r\nAnalysis of seized marijuana for sale on the street demonstrates that THC concentrations have been rising from about 3 percent in 1980 to about 12 percent today. Volkow suggests this may be the reason for increasing emergency room visits associated with marijuana and a higher level of fatal crashes. Also, the initiative specifically defines marijuana to include concentrates, which can contain 80 percent to 90 percent THC. Marijuana edibles would also be legalized and commercialized under the initiative. In Colorado, child-attractive edibles like lollipops, flavored drinks and gummy bears, with multiple doses of THC, are being sold.\u00a0\r\nMarijuana is a drug, and with all drugs there are risks and benefits. Research suggests that use of marijuana or some of its component chemicals can be beneficial for the alleviation of a variety of medical conditions. But patients with these conditions benefit from discussions with their health care providers about the risks and benefits. The state should examine the most appropriate access for this class of users. That said, the evidence that marijuana is harmful for non-medical use is growing. That should give Alaskans pause as we enter the voting booth. I believe strongly in working for the health, safety, educational achievement, productivity and community welfare of Alaskans. That is why I am voting \u201cno\u201d on Ballot Measure 2.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t    By Sen. Lisa Murkowski\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=59dd5702-10cd-48a7-98e9-efdc4f22b81d", "Murkowski Announces First $7.5M for Fishery Failure Relief", "2014-10-17", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.17.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Announces First $7.5M for Fishery Failure Relief \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: Alaska\u2019s Disaster Didn\u2019t Make Cable TV, but Deserves Equal Treatment\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t ANCHORAGE, AK \u2013 After a lengthy effort of advocacy and creating a bipartisan \u201cCoastal Coalition\u201d of lawmakers from states seeking relief for federally-recognized fishery disasters, Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced the first round of payments are being sent out to Alaskans beginning today totaling $7.5 million. \u00a0\u00a0The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, working closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, developed a \u201cspend plan\u201d for direct payments to commercial fisherman in the Yukon-Kuskokwim and Cook Inlet regions based on proven financial impacts.\r\nA plan for the second round of funding, totaling $12.9 million, is being reviewed by NOAA for final approval.\u00a0 These funds will support research to better understand and counter the causes of low King runs, as well as enable outreach and communication efforts to improve in-river management in both regions.\u00a0 A portion also will be used for economic impacts to recreational fishing interests on the Kenai.\r\n\u201cHundreds of Alaskans are finally going to be given some welcome resources to give them a hand after some very tough years.\u00a0 Even if it didn\u2019t make the cable TV networks, our communities were hurt just as New Jersey was by Hurricane Sandy by these \u2018fish droughts\u2019,\u201d said Murkowski.\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-announces-first-75m-for-fishery-failure-relief", "Murkowski Announces First $7.5M for Fishery Failure Relief", "2014-10-17", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.17.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Announces First $7.5M for Fishery Failure Relief \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: Alaska's Disaster Didn't Make Cable TV, but Deserves Equal Treatment\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t ANCHORAGE, AK  After a lengthy effort of advocacy and creating a bipartisan Coastal Coalition of lawmakers from states seeking relief for federally-recognized fishery disasters, Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced the first round of payments are being sent out to Alaskans beginning today totaling $7.5 million. The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, working closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, developed a spend plan for direct payments to commercial fisherman in the Yukon-Kuskokwim and Cook Inlet regions based on proven financial impacts.\r\nA plan for the second round of funding, totaling $12.9 million, is being reviewed by NOAA for final approval. These funds will support research to better understand and counter the causes of low King runs, as well as enable outreach and communication efforts to improve in-river management in both regions. A portion also will be used for economic impacts to recreational fishing interests on the Kenai.\r\nHundreds of Alaskans are finally going to be given some welcome resources to give them a hand after some very tough years. Even if it didn't make the cable TV networks, our communities were hurt just as New Jersey was by Hurricane Sandy by these fish droughts', said Murkowski.\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/innews?ContentRecord_id=435be025-7153-4333-bf63-83aaa5ae1a37", "The Hill: Murkowski Questions Value of Icebreaker Repairs", "2014-10-16", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.16.14\n\t\t\t The Hill: Murkowski Questions Value of Icebreaker Repairs \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said she isn\u2019t convinced refurbishing one of only two polar icebreakers is a smart federal investment.\u00a0\r\nMurkowski visited the Polar Sea, which is stationed in Seattle. The ship was commissioned in 1977 and has recently needed major repairs.\u00a0\r\n\u201cAfter seeing the Polar Sea firsthand, I am even more concerned with the status of the U.S. icebreaking fleet. This vessel was a workhorse for decades but is far from being returned to active duty,\u201d Murkowski said Tuesday. \u201cI really question the value of investing scarce federal resources to refurbish her when what the U.S. needs is modern technology and capabilities.\u201d\r\nAs part of an agreement with Canada, the United States must maintain a polar fleet to help vessels traveling through ice in the Pacific Ocean. Canadian icebreakers are used along the North Atlantic.\u00a0\r\nMurkowski said it is important for the United States to invest in newer icebreakers, which cost billions, instead of simply repairing the older ships in order to remain competitive in the Arctic. Russia maintains more than a dozen icebreakers.\u00a0\r\n\u201cIn a matter of months, the United States will take the chair of the Arctic Council, and we need to be able to demonstrate leadership in the Arctic region in word and deed; having icebreakers at the ready, and investments in more on the way, are a way we can show we\u2019re not going to allow America to fall further behind Russia or China or India,\u201d Murkowski said.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t    By Ramsey Cox\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/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=37374c7d-6678-4995-a7c1-9450a3629fa6", "Murkowski Inspects Icebreaker for First-Hand Answers on Arctic Availability", "2014-10-14", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.14.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Inspects Icebreaker for First-Hand Answers on Arctic Availability \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: POLAR SEA Has Been a Workhorse, but Its Time Is Running Out\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t As the other Arctic nations \u2013 and many outside of the region \u2013 surge their investment and focus in the area, Senator Lisa Murkowski paid a visit to the United States Coast Guard Cutter POLAR SEA in Seattle to get an update on its status. With the POLAR SEA having been commissioned in 1977 and one of only two heavy-duty icebreakers in America\u2019s fleet, Murkowski sought answers on just how much more of a contribution the USCG expects the ship to be able to make.\u00a0\r\n\u201cIn a matter of months, the United States will take the chair of the Arctic Council, and we need to be able to demonstrate leadership in the Arctic region in word and deed; having icebreakers at the ready, and investments in more on the way, are a way we can show we\u2019re not going to allow America to fall further behind Russia or China or India,\u201d said Murkowski. \u201cAfter seeing the POLAR SEA firsthand, I am even more concerned with the status of the U.S. icebreaking fleet. This vessel was a workhorse for decades, but is far from being returned to active duty. I really question the value of investing scarce federal resources to refurbish her when what the U.S. needs is modern technology and capabilities.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nWhen the POLAR SEA was threatened to be dismantled in 2012, Murkowski and a group of lawmakers put a halt to that action to not further handicap America\u2019s marine capabilities. Earlier this year, Murkowski received a commitment from the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Committee Chairman that a hearing focused on Arctic investment would be held this year.\r\n\u00a0 \r\n\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-inspects-icebreaker-for-first-hand-answers-on-arctic-availability", "Murkowski Inspects Icebreaker for First-Hand Answers on Arctic Availability", "2014-10-14", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.14.14\n\t\t\t Murkowski Inspects Icebreaker for First-Hand Answers on Arctic Availability \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: POLAR SEA Has Been a Workhorse, but Its Time Is Running Out\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t As the other Arctic nations  and many outside of the region  surge their investment and focus in the area, Senator Lisa Murkowski paid a visit to the United States Coast Guard Cutter POLAR SEA in Seattle to get an update on its status. With the POLAR SEA having been commissioned in 1977 and one of only two heavy-duty icebreakers in America's fleet, Murkowski sought answers on just how much more of a contribution the USCG expects the ship to be able to make.\r\nIn a matter of months, the United States will take the chair of the Arctic Council, and we need to be able to demonstrate leadership in the Arctic region in word and deed; having icebreakers at the ready, and investments in more on the way, are a way we can show we're not going to allow America to fall further behind Russia or China or India, said Murkowski. After seeing the POLAR SEA firsthand, I am even more concerned with the status of the U.S. icebreaking fleet. This vessel was a workhorse for decades, but is far from being returned to active duty. I really question the value of investing scarce federal resources to refurbish her when what the U.S. needs is modern technology and capabilities.\r\n\r\n\r\nWhen the POLAR SEA was threatened to be dismantled in 2012, Murkowski and a group of lawmakers put a halt to that action to not further handicap America's marine capabilities. Earlier this year, Murkowski received a commitment from the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Committee Chairman that a hearing focused on Arctic investment would be held this year.\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"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 757, "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": "2014"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AK&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 757, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AK&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AK&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 757, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AK&year=2014&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AK&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "AK", "label": "AK", "count": 757, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AK&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "2014", "label": "2014", "count": 757, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AK", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2014-10-14,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Emurkowski~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpress~2Frelease~2Fmurkowski-inspects-icebreaker-for-first-hand-answers-on-arctic-availability", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AK&year=2014&_next=2014-10-14%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Emurkowski~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpress~2Frelease~2Fmurkowski-inspects-icebreaker-for-first-hand-answers-on-arctic-availability&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 157.84889599308372, "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"}