U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on President Obama’s proposal to put a new $10 per barrel tax on oil. The tax will reportedly be part of the President’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year.

“After years of imposing new restrictions on access in federal areas in Alaska and throughout the country, the President is now apparently proposing yet another way to damage our nation’s oil production,” Murkowski said. “This is disappointing, but not surprising. Especially at a time of low prices, the President should be looking at ways to make our energy sector more competitive, not pushing new policies that will cost jobs and raise prices. Fortunately, with Republicans in charge of Congress, Alaskans need not worry about this becoming law.”

Murkowski is the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.