JUNEAU -- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski says oil drilling will happen in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, but people shouldn't hold their breath waiting for it.
The Alaska Republican presented that message Thursday in her annual address to the state Legislature. She says that even though a bill cleared the U.S. House last week, the support doesn't appear strong in the White House or her Senate colleagues.
Murkowski also says the $8 million set aside in President Barack Obama's proposed budget for an Arctic icebreaker is laughable.
She took a moment to voice continued concerns around prosecutorial misconduct in the federal corruption case against then-U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens.
Murkowski says she will "raise hell" until she understands why prosecutors who worked the late Alaska Republican's case haven't been punished.
By AUSTIN BAIRD
Associated Press