opment with care for our environment so that we can
However, she also challenges policies she doesn’t agree
enjoy the best of all worlds – good paying jobs in the
with, a gutsy stance for a freshman senator. She recently
most beautiful place in the country.”
co-sponsored a bill with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, to roll back surveillance provisions
Those words are more than just political speechify-
of the Patriot Act. Supporters of the bill characterize it
ing for Murkowski. They’ve become her mantra and
as “modest checks and balances” and a “much-needed
her mission – doing what’s best for Alaska. It’s not an
mid-course correction” of hastily passed legislation
easy task in the polarized and politicized climate of
that infringes on constitutional liberties and privacy.
Washington, D.C. “Washington is driven by politics
The move led Bill Barr of the American Conservative
and labels,” she says.
Union Foundation’s
“With polarization
21st Century Privacy
between the parties, the merits of legislation become secondary. What seems to matter is who gets credit or who gets
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to answer to yourself. If you do something for the sake of politics and shove policy aside, you have to question what you’re doing. You’ve got to stay true to your values and your principles and do what you believe is right.”
nailed on a vote.
– Senator Lisa Murkowski
and Freedom Center to state, “Senator Murkowski is leading the charge to create sound public policy that will assist law enforcement and
There’s huge pressure
simultaneously pre-
to engage in this divi-
serve the privacy and
siveness because you’re
civil liberties of law-abiding Americans.”
not supposed to give the other side an edge.”
Undoubtedly, not everyone will agree. For some, she’s
It’s a divisive game that Murkowski refuses to play.
too conservative. For others, she’s not conservative
“Our focus should be on the end product, which is good
enough. For Murkowski, it’s a matter of acting on what
policy,” she insists.
she believes in. “At the end of the day, you’ve got to
She supports many of the policies and legislation of
answer to yourself,” she says. “If you do something for
her party, including construction of the Alaska natural
the sake of politics and shove policy aside, you have to
gas pipeline and development of the Alaska National
question what you’re doing. You’ve got to stay true to
Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) oil fields and new oil explo-
your values and your principles and do what you believe
ration onshore and offshore. She voted for the Medicare
is right.”
prescription drug benefit for seniors and for keeping the “under God” phrase in the Pledge of Allegiance. She voted against partial birth abortions.
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