05.13.19

Senators Introduce Creig Sharp Funeral Honors for Veterans Act

U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have introduced the Creig Sharp Funeral Honors for Veterans Act, to ensure that all veterans have access to full military funeral honors. Specifically, the legislation requires military installations to develop a plan to utilize both on-base and off-base resources for funeral ceremonies for veterans, even when government resources may not be available. "Kathryn Sharp came to me last N… Continue Reading

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04.30.19

Schatz, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Health Care to Veterans Living In Pacific Region

U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the Compacts of Free Association Veterans Review Act. This legislation would create a three-year pilot program to provide hospital care and medical services to veterans living in the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia-all countries that have entered into the Compact of Free Association with the United States. The program would be part of a broader study con… Continue Reading

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11.11.18

Murkowski Honors Our Veterans

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) shared the following message with Alaskans on Veterans Day: "Veterans Day originated as "Armistice Day" on November 11th, 1919, the first anniversary marking the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11th became a national holiday beginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day. "This day is an opportunity to honor Americans who have answe… Continue Reading

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07.23.18

Murkowski Votes to Confirm New VA Secretary

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today released the following statement after voting to confirm Robert L. Wilkie to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Wilkie was confirmed by a vote of 86-9. "Success at the VA means one thing --- and that is serving our veterans. And because Alaska has more veterans per capita than any other state in the U.S., it is especially important that we confirm the right individual to lead this important agency. After scandals and poor reports, it's more crucial … Continue Reading

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06.26.18

Senate Passes First Fiscal Year 2019 Funding Package

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently voted in favor of a funding package, which combines the Energy and Water; Military Construction-Veterans Affairs; and Legislative Branch Appropriations bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. The bill, also known as a "minibus," provides funding to further develop Alaska's strategic military presence, improve health services for veterans, support critical infrastructure projects, and promote energy innovation and investments in renewable energy. As a member o… Continue Reading

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06.08.18

Murkowski Supports Funding for Military Construction and VA

The Senate Appropriations Committee this week approved the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MILCON-VA) Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2019. The bill contains several priorities championed by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to help further develop Alaska's strategic military presence and improve health services for veterans. "Alaska has the highest veteran population per capita in the country. I remain committed to equipping our veterans with the support the… Continue Reading

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07.13.17

Murkowski on Military Construction and VA Funding for Alaska

The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill, which contains several priorities championed by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to support growth in Alaska's military presence and improve health services to our veterans. The bill supports critical infrastructure for U.S. military personnel, veterans, and their families. "This bill is critical to providing the resources that we need to gro… Continue Reading

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11.15.16

Senate Passes Bill Honoring Nation’s Veterans

As the Senate reconvened today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the Gold Star Families Voices Act to better preserve and honor the memories of our nation's veterans. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 97-0 and now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. "I cannot think of a better time than now, on the heels of Veterans Day, to pass this law to honor the sacrifices of our veterans and their families by turning memories into history," said Senator Murkowsk… Continue Reading

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10.25.16

Murkowski Announces Expansion of Program to Help Nation’s Wounded Warriors

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced that Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) has been selected as a new site to offer creative art therapy for service members, veterans, and their families. The program, the Military Healing Arts, is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to support arts and health in the military. It is designed to help our nation's wounded and injured service members and their families in their trans… Continue Reading

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09.28.16

Senate Passes Continuing Resolution, Funds Military Construction Programs for Alaska

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting for the continuing resolution (H.R. 5325) that passed the Senate, 72-26: "By passing the continuing resolution today, we have avoided an unnecessary government shutdown, which would have harmed individuals, families, and businesses across the nation. And we provided funding to combat the public threat from the Zika virus, as well as address the heroin and opioid epidemic. "This bill is gr… Continue Reading

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09.15.16

Murkowski Introduces Bill to Honor Recent Veterans of Second Division

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week introduced S. 3315, the "Second Division Memorial Modification Act". The legislation would authorize the modification of the existing Second Division Memorial in Washington, D.C., by allowing the Second Indianhead Division Association Scholarship and Memorials Foundation (Foundation) to add three small benches honoring those who have fallen in service of our country at the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), in Iraq, and in Afghanist… Continue Reading

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06.14.16

Murkowski Applauds Final Passage of Major Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today S.2943, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), was passed by the Senate in a vote of 85-13. This legislation outlines defense priorities to defend our homeland, and support our troops and their families around the world. "With the very real threats around the world, this is one of the most important bills the Senate will take up this year. Not only does it provide the resources to support those who serve, it also contains numerous Arctic and Alaska-specific prov… Continue Reading

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06.09.16

Murkowski Appointed to Military Construction, VA, and Transportation Conference Committee

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was selected to serve on the Conference Committee tasked to reconcile the differences between the House of Representatives and Senate versions of the funding bills for military construction, Veterans Affairs, and transportation. The legislation provides resources to support military construction, veterans' benefits and programs, and transportation projects critical to Alaska. The legislation also includes funding to combat the Zika virus. Click here to view th… Continue Reading

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06.08.16

Murkowski Urges Senate Colleagues to Stop Cuts to Military Basic Allowance for Housing

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor today about an amendment she introduced to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would halt a provision currently contained in the NDAA - called Section 604 - that makes cuts and sweeping changes to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) paid to active duty military families. Background on Senator Murkowski's amendment can be found by clicking here. Senator Murkowski began by explaining the impacts the changes to BAH wo… Continue Reading

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05.27.16

Senator Murkowski’s Memorial Day Message

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today offered the following statement in observance of Memorial Day: (Click image to watch video.) "This weekend is the unofficial start of summer-although in some parts of the state it already feels like we're there. But let us keep in mind what this weekend is really all about. "Memorial Day is a time to remember and reflect on the dedication of our fallen servicemembers, and truly what has been sacrificed for our country. Many left American soil to go f… Continue Reading

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05.27.16

Murkowski Introduces Bill to Honor Unsung Heroes of WWII

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced S.2989, the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, in honor and appreciation of the Merchant Mariners who served during World War II. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) is a co-sponsor. "Merchant Mariners were instrumental during World War II-providing valuable support transporting troops and vast quantities of war material needed to fight and win that war," said Senator Murkowski. "Their dedication and vital service to our nation … Continue Reading

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05.27.16

Murkowski Calls for Fixes to Flawed VA Choice Act Program

On the eve of Memorial Day weekend, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor to further describe the failings of the VA Choice Card Program in Alaska and outlined what steps need to be taken to ensure that Alaska veterans have access to quality healthcare, no matter where they live. (Click image to view Senator Murkowski's floor speech.) Murkowski opened her remarks by explaining that prior to the Choice Act being implemented, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) had dev… Continue Reading

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05.19.16

Military Construction, VA, and Transportation Funding Bill Passes the Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 2577, the THUD/MILCON-VA Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2017, by a vote of 89-8. The bill contains numerous Alaska-specific provisions secured by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), including $561 million to support crucial defense projects in the state. It also addresses critical healthcare issues in the Alaska VA, and includes support for transportation programs that provide vital services for many Alaskans. Military Construction: Mur… Continue Reading

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04.15.16

Senate Appropriators Urge VA to Abandon Flawed Choice Program in Alaska

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski voted for the 2017 Military Construction/Veterans Affairs (MILCON-VA) appropriations bill which successfully passed out of the full Appropriations Committee. The bill, which contains several Alaska-specific priorities secured by Senator Murkowski as a member of MILCON-VA Appropriations Subcommittee, allocates federal resources for military construction projects and the Veterans Affairs (VA) system across the nation. The bill now heads to the full Senate for considerat… Continue Reading

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03.11.16

Murkowski Doubles Down on VA Over Choice Card Failure in Alaska

This week, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) continued to press the leadership of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) over issues with the current VA healthcare system in Alaska. Following up on her discussion last week with Dr. David Shulkin, Undersecretary of Health for the VA, over the failings of the Choice Card Program in Alaska, Senator Murkowski questioned Robert McDonald, the Secretary of the VA, on the lessons learned from his August 2015 visit to the state, whether or not he unde… Continue Reading