Press Releases
Media Requests: Members of the media can contact the press office by emailing Joseph_Plesha@murkowski.senate.gov or by calling 206-302-8317 and asking for the press office.
Murkowski: Defense Authorization Bill Invests in Alaska Defense Capabilities, Bolsters Arctic Security, Supports Servicemembers
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) voted in favor of the conference report for H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), supporting its passage in the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 87-13. The conference report passed the House Thursday morning by a vote of 310-118, and will now go to the President’s desk to be signed into law. This year’s NDAA authorizes $886 billion for national defense and border security, provides servicemembers with a 5.2 per… Continue Reading
12.13.23
Senator Murkowski secures key legislative wins in fight against opioids and fentanyl
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) secured several key provisions in legislation crafted to combat the opioid crisis in America. During yesterday’s Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing, Senator Murkowski supported the inclusion of several critical pieces of legislation in the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities, otherwise known as the SUPPORT Act. The SUPPORT Act passed through committee on a 19-1 … Continue Reading
12.13.23
Murkowski Joins Colleagues in Bipartisan Push Condemning United Nations’ Inaction on Hamas’s Sexual Violence Against Women
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) joined 30 of Senate colleagues in a letter condemning the inaction of the United Nations (UN) regarding Hamas’s widespread sexual violence, including mass rape and mutilation, against women in Israel on October 7, 2023. The Senators urged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to open an independent investigation into Hamas’s acts of sexual violence and to hold the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) -- the organization dedi… Continue Reading
12.11.23
Schatz, Murkowski Lead Oversight Hearing On Federal Resources To Address Fentanyl In Native Communities
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Committee, led an oversight hearing titled, “Fentanyl in Native Communities: Federal Perspectives on Addressing the Growing Crisis,” a continuation of the Committee’s oversight work on fentanyl. “Our hearing last month was important - not just for our work in this Committee and Congress, but also for the Executive Branch - to better understa… Continue Reading
12.07.23
Murkowski, Sullivan Introduce Congressional Review Act to Overturn EPA Avgas Regulations and Support Alaska Aviation
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution disapproving of the Environmental Protection Act’s (EPA) recent finding requiring the EPA to regulate the use of leaded avgas for aircraft pursuant to the Clean Air Act—an effort that ignores Alaska’s unique geographic reliance on aviation, and will cause real harm to indigenous and rural communities across the state by potentially increasing fuel costs and impacting flight availa… Continue Reading
11.30.23
$131 Million More in Infrastructure Funds to Support Rural Ferry Service
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, today announced the Federal Transit Administration is awarding $131 million more in bipartisan infrastructure investments to support the Alaska Marine Highway System’s operations and recapitalize portions of the fleet. In January, Senator Murkowski announced $285 million in infrastructure funding to improve the reliability and service Alaska’s ferry system—an announcement she marked as a “big fat deal” for Alaska and… Continue Reading
11.30.23
$131 Million More in Infrastructure Funds to Support Rural Ferry Service
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, today announced the Federal Transit Administration is awarding $131 million more in bipartisan infrastructure investments to support the Alaska Marine Highway System’s operations and recapitalize portions of the fleet. In January, Senator Murkowski announced $285 million in infrastructure funding to improve the reliability and service Alaska’s ferry system—an announcement she marked as a “big fat deal” for Alaska and… Continue Reading
11.27.23
Schatz, Murkowski Lead Bipartisan National Native American Heritage Month Resolution
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Committee, led passage of a Senate resolution recognizing November 2023 as National Native American Heritage Month. “In November we celebrate Native American Heritage Month to recognize American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian peoples and their diverse cultures, achievements, and contributions to the United States,” said Chairman … Continue Reading
11.17.23
Alaska Senate Delegation Welcomes $22 Million for Alaska Waste and Recycle Infrastructure
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) welcomed the announcement of $22.4 million in in Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grants from the bipartisan infrastructure law for Alaska. This funding will support Alaska’s solid waste infrastructure for recycling, trash processing, and solid waste collection. “The bipartisan infrastructure law continues to bring home significant investments that support Alaska’s infrastructure, and these awards to … Continue Reading
11.16.23
Murkowski Reintroduces Resolution Calling on U.S. Senate to Ratify Law of the Sea
Washington, DC - Yesterday, on the 29th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) entering into force, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced a resolution calling on the U.S. Senate to ratify UNCLOS. UNCLOS, which has been ratified by 168 nations and the European Union, details the rights and responsibilities of countries regarding the world’s oceans, including guidelines for businesses and the management of marine natural resources, and provides a legal … Continue Reading
11.16.23
Alaska Senate Delegation Leads Effort to Restore Energy Production on Alaska’s North Slope
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) have introduced Alaska’s Right to Produce Act of 2023, legislation that would reverse the Biden Department of the Interior’s (DOI) decision to prohibit oil and gas development on 13 million acres within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) and reinstate the lawfully awarded leases that the Biden DOI cancelled within the non-wilderness Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Representatives Pete… Continue Reading
11.15.23
Vice Chairman Murkowski Leads U.S. Senate Committee Field Hearing In Bethel To Hear About Impacts Of Salmon Declines
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indians Affairs (SCIA), recently chaired a field hearing and public listening session in Bethel, Alaska on “The Impact of the Historic Salmon Declines on the Health and Well-Being of Alaska Native Communities Along Arctic, Yukon, and Kuskokwim Rivers.” The event was held at the Yukon Kuskokwim He Corporation’s “Gathering Place.” “It is significant and historic to bring the Senate Indian Affairs Committee to Bethel to … Continue Reading
11.15.23
Two Years of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Over $6 Billion and Counting Invested in Alaska’s Infrastructure
Two years ago today, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), was signed into law, and over $6 billion and counting has been announced for Alaska’s infrastructure. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) took a leading role in writing, negotiating, and shepherding the bipartisan infrastructure bill into law. These efforts have led to announcements to the state totaling $6.39 billion in investments to the state’s road, bridges, broadband, water and wastewater, energy, airport, ferry, and por… Continue Reading
11.13.23
Sens. Murkowski and Coons Introduce Landmark Bipartisan Climate Resilience Legislation
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), and U.S. Representatives Scott Peters (D-Calif.) and María Salazar (R-Fla.) introduced the National Coordination on Adaptation and Resilience for Security Act (NCARS) to streamline the federal response to climate hazards that threaten human health and well-being, critical infrastructure, and natural environments. Increasingly severe weather events are a stark reminder that Alaska, which has more coastline than th… Continue Reading
11.11.23
Honoring Alaska’s Veterans: Murkowski Shares Veterans Day Message
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day: “I'm Senator Lisa Murkowski, and I want to share my appreciation, and my thanks for all who have served our great nation. To Alaska’s veterans, and to all of our veterans: Thank you for your service. We honor you on this Veterans Day.” For a downloadable video of Sen. Murkowski, click here. Senator Murkowski honored Alaska WWII Veteran Harry Olivas for his service with several campaign medals d… Continue Reading
11.09.23
Federal Judge Rejects Lower 48 Legal Challenge to Alaska’s Willow Project
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska), and Representative Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), hailed a federal judge’s ruling today dismissing a legal challenge filed by Lower 48 environmental groups against ConocoPhillips’ Willow Project within the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska (NPR-A). In September, Sen. Sullivan led an amicus brief with his Alaska congressional delegation colleagues to the court in support of Willow. The federal judge referenced arguments presen… Continue Reading
11.09.23
Murkowski Raises Concern Over Alarming Flow of Fentanyl into Alaska, Native Communities During Senate Hearings
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) raised the alarm over the rise of fentanyl flowing into communities across Alaska and Indian Country during Senate hearings on Capitol Hill yesterday. During a Senate Appropriations hearing with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Senator Murkowski noted that the emergency at the southern border is exacerbating the opioid crisis impacting the entire country—and called for meaningful support for border security. Murk… Continue Reading
11.09.23
Schatz, Murkowski Lead Oversight Hearing On Fentanyl in native communities
- Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Committee, led an oversight hearing titled, “Fentanyl in Native Communities: Native Perspectives on Addressing the Growing Crisis.” “Fentanyl - a potent synthetic opioid - is contributing to a rapid rise in opioid-related deaths across the country, and Native communities are getting hit extra hard,” said Chairman Schatz. “We have to… Continue Reading
11.08.23
Senators Murkowski and Hassan Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Grow Addiction Care Workforce Through Student Loan Debt Relief Program
Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and double the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program, which provides student loan repayment for health care workers who focus on addiction treatment and recovery in underserved areas. This program, which Senators Murkowski and Hassan helped create, is a key part of helping recruit a strong health care workforce of physicians, nurses, social workers, and mental h… Continue Reading
11.07.23
Murkowski Honors Alaska WWII Veteran for His Service
Click here or the image above to watch a video of Senator Murkowski presenting campaign medals to World War II veteran Harry Olivas. During the 10th anniversary mission of the Last Frontier Honor Flight, a group of 21 Alaska-based veterans and their chaperones traveled to Washington, DC to visit the national memorials which are dedicated in honor of the wartime service and sacrifice of our veterans. Among the group was World War II veteran Harry Olivas of Wasilla, Alaska. The now 97-year-old … Continue Reading
