01.11.21

Alaska Delegation Commends U.S. Navy for New Arctic Strategy

U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) commended the U.S. Navy for releasing "A Blue Arctic" last week, the service's strategy document for the Arctic region. The Department of the Navy's document builds upon the Department of Defense's (DOD) Arctic strategy, released in June of 2019, and compliments the Air Force's Arctic strategy, released in July of 2020. "We live in an era of renewed great power competition, when a growing number of countri… Continue Reading

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12.24.20

Murkowski Statement on NDAA Veto

President Donald J. Trump vetoed H.R. 6395, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. Following the announcement, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement: "It's incredible that the President chose to veto the annual National Defense Authorization Act, particularly because his reason for doing so is an issue not related to national defense. Congress has passed a defense authorization bill for 60 years, which emphasizes the priority. In Alaska and ac… Continue Reading

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12.13.20

Murkowski Applauds New Polar Security Cutters Authorized in Coast Guard Bill

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded the authorization of additional Polar Security Cutters (icebreakers) in the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act, which passed Congress as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. The bipartisan provision was authored by U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK). Since coming to the senate, Senator Murkowski has focused on Arctic issues, working to raise awareness of the significa… Continue Reading

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12.11.20

New DOD Arctic Security Studies Center Approved by Congress

The U.S. Senate today passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA), including a provision authorizing a new regional Department of Defense (DOD) Center named the "Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies." U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chairman of Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, successfully included key elements of a bill he introduced earlier this Congress with Senator Lisa Murkowsk… Continue Reading

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12.11.20

Murkowski Applauds Senate Passage of NDAA

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today voted in favor of the final Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill passed the Senate by an 84-13 vote and now heads to the President's desk. This major national security bill authorizes the annual budget for the Department of Defense (DoD), providing funding for training and readiness, to improve the livelihoods of military members and their families, modernize military technology, and includes multiple provisions to address… Continue Reading

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10.29.20

Murkowski Welcomes Coast Guard Heavy Icebreaker Deploying to the Arctic

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announcement that the USCG's POLAR STAR, our nation's sole operational icebreaker is deploying to the Arctic. The U.S. Coast Guard announced that beginning in early December 2020, POLAR STAR, a heavy icebreaker, will conduct an 82-day deployment in the Arctic, primarily in the Bering and Chukchi Seas, to execute Coast Guard statutory missions, reduce regional maritime risks, and advance national security objectives. This wi… Continue Reading

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10.08.20

Murkowski Joins Shaheen Led Bipartisan Letter Urging Inclusion of PFAS Provisions in Final FY21 NDAA

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined a bipartisan letter, led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), along with 19 Senators, to Senate and House Armed Services Committee leadership urging the inclusion of provisions in the final fiscal year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to prevent and address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The NDAA is annual defense legislation that authorizes the United States' national defense programs and priorities for the fis… Continue Reading

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09.18.20

Murkowski and Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Military Families

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) as an original cosponsor of the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act, legislation that would give military spouses with valid professional licenses in one state, reciprocity in the state where their spouse is currently serving on military orders. "Military families consistently rate Utah as a top destination to serve, and a big reason why is the work our state has done to make sure professional military spouses licensed in o… Continue Reading

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08.13.20

Senator Murkowski Makes Statement on UAE-Israel Peace Agreement

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement regarding the President's announcement that the United States has brokered an agreement to normalize relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel: "The President arranging an agreement to normalize relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel is welcomed news. Establishing peace between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies will increase their opportunities for economic development-including trade and to… Continue Reading

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07.23.20

Murkowski Applauds Major National Security Bill Passing Senate

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation that authorizes $731.6 billion in national defense funding for Fiscal Year 2021. The bill authorizes funding for modernizing military technology, improving the livelihoods of troops and their families, and military construction-including in Alaska. The legislation includes Senator Murkowski's Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA), which aims to reestablish U.S. leadership in nucle… Continue Reading

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07.23.20

Senate Passes Nuclear Energy Leadership Act In Defense Authorization Bill

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today thanked her colleagues for supporting the inclusion of S. 903, her Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA), in S. 4049, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. The Senate today passed the NDAA bill, with NELA incorporated by amendment, by a vote of 86 to 14. "For too long, the United States has lagged woefully behind on innovative nuclear energy technologies, which comes at great cost to our economy, our global leadership, an… Continue Reading

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07.21.20

Murkowski Commends Air Force’s Arctic Strategy

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statements after the Department of the Air Force unveiled an Arctic Strategy: "One of my top priorities is ensuring the Arctic region is a national priority. The Air Force's first ever Arctic Strategy not only recognizes the importance of the Arctic, but emphasizes Alaska's essential role in projecting national power and protecting our homeland. As General Billy Mitchell, the "Father of the Air Force," testified before Congress in 1935, … Continue Reading

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07.20.20

Tomorrow: Senate Set To Vote On Schatz-Murkowski-Harris-Paul Amendment On Stopping Police Militarization

Tomorrow, the U.S. Senate is set to vote on an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) introduced by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) that will limit the transfer of certain surplus military-grade equipment to local law enforcement agencies across the country. The Schatz-Murkowski-Harris-Paul amendment places limitations on the Department of Defense's 1033 program which authorizes the federal tra… Continue Reading

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06.11.20

Murkowski Commends Administration’s Arctic Focus

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statements in support of the administration's recent Arctic-specific actions. This week, the Trump administration issued a Presidential Memorandum entitled Safeguarding U.S. National Interests in the Arctic and Antarctic Regions: "My priority is not just to raise awareness of America's role as an Arctic nation, but also for us to move from awareness to action. I'm encouraged by this memorandum and statement of support from President Tru… Continue Reading

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06.09.20

Senate Confirms General Brown as Air Force Service Chief

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after the Senate unanimously confirmed General Charles Q. Brown, Jr. as the next U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff: "I am proud to support the confirmation of General Charles Brown, Jr. as the next Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. He not only made history today as becoming the first African American Air Force Chief of Staff, but I trust that he will lead the men and women in our nation's Air Force with great distinction. His und… Continue Reading

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05.15.20

Senate Passes Legislation to Protect Civil Liberties and National Security

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the USA Freedom Reauthorization Act, which passed the Senate in a 80-16 vote: "Even though the FISA Reauthorization did not go as far as I would like in terms of protecting Americans' civil liberties, it is an improvement over current law. The Inspector General report released in December detailed serious flaws and abuses taking place in the FISA application process that should concern every citizen of th… Continue Reading

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04.21.20

Alaska Delegation Celebrates Arrival of F-35s at Eielson AFB

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today welcomed the arrival of the first two F-35A Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to Eielson Air Force Base in Interior, Alaska. Fifty-four F-35As and roughly 1,300 personnel will be based at Eielson by the end of 2021. "The arrival of the first F-35s is truly an exciting day for our military, Interior Alaska, and for our state as a whole. This has been a long time effort by the Alaska Congressional Delegation… Continue Reading

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03.11.20

Murkowski Votes to Overturn Borrower Defense Rule

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after voting in favor of S.J. Res. 56, a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval overturning a 2019 Department of Education Borrower Defense rule: "Congress provided the Department of Education with authority to adopt regulations governing the cancellation of loans for students who were defrauded by their college. This provision is called 'borrower defense to repayment.' The new regulation, while an improvement… Continue Reading

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02.13.20

Murkowski Votes for War Powers Resolution

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after joining her colleagues to pass a bipartisan bill, the Iran War Powers Resolution: "My vote today was to terminate the use of hostilities against Iran." said Senator Murkowski. "The passage of this resolution in no way restricts the president's ability to defend our troops nor does it place them in greater danger. It clearly establishes the lines and responsibilities of the executive and legislative branches of government. A… Continue Reading

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12.18.19

Murkowski Supports Bill to Bolster National Defense, Monitor Arctic Activity, and Support our Military

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of S. 1790, the defense authorization bill which authorizes $738 billion in national defense funding for Fiscal Year 2020. The bill includes the largest pay raise for troops in over a decade, equips our military with necessary resources to defend America, modernizes military infrastructure and tools, and prioritizes taking care of our military and their families. The bill also includes legislative priorities crafted by Senator Murkowski, includin… Continue Reading