WASHINGTON - Senator Frank H. Murkowski (R-AK), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee released the following statement this evening after Chairman Bingaman announced that he has “suspended any further mark-up of energy legislation for this session of Congress.” “This action by the Democrat majority has taken the nation’s energy security and made it a partisan issue locking out Republicans and the entire committee process. The Senate Democrat leadership has abandoned the bipartisan approach established in the House when Republicans and Democrats came together to pass their energy bill [H.R. 4]. “Such action by the Senate leadership is inappropriate at a time when our country is seeking unity on an energy policy, recognizing the vulnerability of our nation. Our increasing dependence on foreign energy helps facilitate terrorism. “Already our economy has been disrupted. We cannot afford to let our nation’s energy be disrupted as well. Clearly, the public supports a bill. Labor supports a bill. Our national security demands a bill.” ###