WASHINGTON, DC – Senator
Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) released the following weekly Republican address. The
address is available in both audio and video format:
Audio of the address is
available here
Video of the address
will be available here
You can download the
address here
Full transcript of
Senator Murkowski’s Address:
“This is Lisa Murkowski,
Senator for Alaska
and lead Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
“Our hearts and prayers
are with the people of Japan
in the wake of Friday’s terrible earthquake and tsunami. In Alaska the memories of the devastating 1964
quake are still with us. We know we’re just beginning to comprehend the
magnitude of this quake and its devastation. We share and support the
President’s commitment to bring America’s
resources to bear to help Japan
recover – and we commend the actions that he has taken so far.
“This tragedy – as well as
the upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa – serve as stark reminders of
how intertwined our world economy is; how world events beyond our control can
affect all of us. It makes it all the more important that we control those
things we can.
“I want to speak with you
today about one of the threats that we’re experiencing personally, rising
energy prices. And, I want to share some of the steps that Republicans are
ready to take right now – steps that will protect America from international
conflicts, create thousands of new jobs, reduce our budget deficit, and help
bring energy prices back down to Earth.
“Nationwide, gasoline
prices have risen by 40 cents over the past month, and have more than doubled
since January of 2009. A gallon of gas is heading north of four dollars. That’s
not just pain at the pump; it’s crippling for anyone with bills to pay,
groceries to buy, or a long commute.
“When gasoline prices go
up, families and businesses are stretched thin. Budgets are harder to balance
and jobs are destroyed. If energy prices keep climbing, our nation could slip
back into recession – just as we’re finally emerging from the last one.
“The worst part of this
emerging crisis is that our own government deserves much of the blame.
International events have pushed prices higher, but our own short-sightedness
and restrictions have also played a critical role.
“Some in Washington believe higher oil and gas
prices, driven even higher by proposed new taxes, are needed to make Americans
behave the way they think they should. Higher energy prices are their explicit
goal. They don’t realize or don’t care about the damage to the economy, the
pain to a mom as she fills her minivan, or a farmer as he tries to bring in a
harvest.
“America now
imports 11 million barrels of oil every day. Last year alone, we spent more
than $330 billion on foreign oil, much of it in countries that are not our
friends.
“We don’t import oil
because our domestic reserves are exhausted. Not even close. Since 1919, people
have claimed that America
is ‘running out of oil.’ It might surprise you that we’re still the world’s
third-largest oil producer, and seem to find more whenever we actually look.
“Republicans know that
it’s past time to produce more of America’s oil. My home state of Alaska alone has estimated resources in excess of 65
years’ worth of Persian Gulf imports.
“Republicans would end the
de facto moratorium on new development in the Gulf of
Mexico and parts of the Rocky Mountain West. Instead of canceling
leases and refusing to issue permits, we need to put people back to work.
“It’s also time to shelve
the bad ideas. Democrats have repeatedly sought to increase taxes and fees
while slowing the permitting process. That won’t solve any problems, but it
will mean less production, more imports, and higher prices. To boost
production, we need to cut red tape and streamline regulations.
“Both supply and demand
affect oil prices, and that’s why Republicans support both new production and
alternatives to reduce consumption. But we’re also thinking about what comes
next, and we’re committed to making progress on cleaner energy – that’s just
not our only goal. We also want energy to be affordable, abundant,
diverse, and domestic.
“For far too long, our
nation has lacked a coherent energy policy. For too many decades, opponents
have argued against vital long-term policies because they won’t produce instant
gratification. We’ve ignored the tremendous benefits of American oil production
– jobs, money, and security – and now we’re facing the consequences.
“Republicans believe that
Americans deserve better, and we believe the federal government can do
better. We’re ready to make meaningful progress on energy, and we’re
hopeful that our Democratic colleagues will join us.”
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