Murkowski named to Senate Appropriations Committee

WASHINGTON - Alaska's U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, has been named to the Senate Appropriations Committee, a key post that will help her direct federal spending to the state.

Murkowski, who has served in the Senate since 2002, follows fellow Alaska Republican Ted Stevens on the panel. Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in Senate history, was a longtime Appropriations chairman, winning acclaim - and derision - as a champion of spending projects for his home state.

Murkowski says she is gratified at her appointment, which was announced Wednesday by Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran, the panel's top Republican.

To accept the appropriations post, Murkowski had to give up her membership on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. She will continue as senior Republican on Energy and Natural Resources and will remain on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, as well as Indian Affairs.