Senator Joe Manchin praises Senator Lisa Murkowski on energy and Arctic policy leadership

As over 600 policymakers, advocates, dignitaries, and diplomats launch the 2022 Arctic Encounter Symposium in Anchorage, Alaska, at center-stage stand West Virginia U.S. Senator Joe Manchin and Alaska’s senior federal delegation member, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski.

Particularly over the last decade, Arctic policy has gained the attention of the global community as sea ice melts and Democracy-hostile nations like China and Russia inch their way into the region with intent to assert jurisdiction claims. Along with Antarctica, deep space, and our oceans, Arctic ecosystems and geography are one of the few remaining frontiers of discovery. National defense concerns along with resource development opportunities, deep-water ports, and supply-chain routes are foundational topics on the Symposium agenda.

Alaska is the only Arctic state in the U.S. so its nexus to international policy is inextricable.

When asked about the importance of Arctic policy to the U.S. on the Tom Anderson Show, Senator Manchin noted the connection he has with Senator Murkowski. “I’m now Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resource Committee which Lisa has been the chair of quite a few times,” said Manchin. “She was the chair two years ago and I was the ranking member as a Democrat, and she was the Republican chair because they were the Majority. When the Democrats were the Majority, I became the chair. And together we have done so much and worked in a bi-partisan, unbelievable way, that got things accomplished.”

When asked about the importance of this year’s Arctic symposium, Murkowski noted the robust attendance as an indicator of the event’s impact. “All you need to do is look at what is happening at the Dena’ina Center this morning with the level of interest, not only around the country – this is not just a state event – this is an international event that is convening here (in Alaska), and the level of interest about the Arctic and all that is going on – this is something that I have been singing from the roof tops for years now,” she said.

Heather Reams, President of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES), is a participant of the Symposium. Reams and her organization have been making the case for Republican leadership on clean and renewable energy, particularly in areas of critical mineral development, streamlining permitting, and efforts to pursue market-based innovation rather than top-down harmful policies that eliminate certain industries.

In his interview on the Tom Anderson Show, when asked about his respect for Senator Murkowski, Senator Manchin sung high praises. “I’ve been there for 11 years now in the Senate. I was the Governor, a two-term Governor before. I was Secretary of State in my state before. I was a State Senator and in the House of Representatives, so I’ve been in all different aspects of the government. I’ve never had a colleague – as Lisa Murkowski has been with me – that’s willing to meet me in the middle every time. To find the middle, not to defend the position. Not to say, ‘Well this is my position, I’m sorry – you’re going to have to agree with me or we just can’t come to an agreement!’”

Manchin added, “I have never in my experience of over 40 years being in the political arena found anybody that would always say ‘Let’s see if we can make this work, Joe. Let’s see what we can find out. How do we make it better? Who all can we bring on board? And then basically let the facts take us where it goes.’ She’s the best of the best and I’m just saying, Alaska – and I mean this – Alaska is very, very fortunate to have a Lisa Murkowski with her knowledge, background, and her common-sense approach of working together for the betterment of our country.”

Following yesterday’s 17-1 vote in the Alaska State Senate to remove Eagle River-Chugiak State Senator Lora Reinbold from her Senate Judiciary Committee chairmanship, Reinbold was a guest on the Tom Anderson Show this morning on KVNT 1020 AM and 92.5 FM to discuss her removal and why she believed it happened.

Senator Reinbold labeled the vote as “very unfortunate” and explained there was no “legitimate reason” to remove her from the Judiciary Committee leadership position, defining it a grasp by her colleagues over “the most frivolous, ridiculous things.”

Beyond her Senate colleagues, Reinbold was in Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy’s crosshairs on February 18th of this year when he sent her a letter conveying his disappointment. reference adn