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, Sullivan React to Proposed Offshore Oil and Gas Program
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) today issued the following statement after the Department of the Interior (Interior) released its Draft Proposed Program (DPP) for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, which would guide offshore oil and gas lease sales in federal waters from 2026 to 2031. “Offshore energy is an important part of our nation’s energy supply and security, and we must have a well-reasoned plan in place t… Continue Reading
11.18.25
Murkowski: “It’s past time that everyone involved in Epstein’s illegal operation be brought to justice”
Washington, DC — U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 4405, The Epstein Files Transparency Act,: “This afternoon, the House voted almost unanimously to pass H.R. 4405, the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The bill requires the Department of Justice to publish all unclassified records, documents, communications, and materials in the Department’s possession that relate to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffe… Continue Reading
11.18.25
Murkowski and Colleagues Introduce Bill to Restore VA Employees’ Collective Bargaining Rights
Washington, DC — U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and U.S. Representative Delia Ramirez (D-IL) introduced bipartisan legislation to restore and protect Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees’ collective bargaining rights in response to the Trump Administration’s cancellation of union contracts for 80% of VA employees. “Our country made a promise to care for those who have served — and that promise is upheld by ensuring that our Veter… Continue Reading
11.17.25
Alaska Delegation Welcomes Repeal of Unlawful 2024 NPR-A Rule
Anchorage, AK—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and U.S. Congressman Nick Begich (all R-Alaska) today issued the following statements after the Department of the Interior (Interior) repealed a rule the Biden administration imposed in 2024 as it sought to halt future development in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducted “a thorough legal and policy review” of the 2024 NPR-A Rule earlier this year. In a new final rule that was prin… Continue Reading
11.14.25
Murkowski & Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Swiftly Release LIHEAP Home Heating Aid
Washington, D.C. - The federal government shutdown is over but as heating costs continue to rise, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), and Susan Collins (R-ME) are leading 28 additional Senators in a bipartisan push for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as swiftly and at the highest level possible. Currently, $4 billion in federal LIHEAP dollars are available to be distribut… Continue Reading
11.13.25
Murkowski Relieved As Government Reopens Following Longest Shutdown in Nation's History
Washington, DC — Following the signing of H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extension Act into law, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement: "After 43 days, Congress has passed and the President has signed the Continuing Resolution, putting an end to the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history and one that was unnecessary. "I want to thank my colleagues who put politics aside and worked across the aisle to reopen our government. I especi… Continue Reading
11.13.25
Senator Murkowski Speaks on Aaron Peterson's Nomination for U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
Washington, DC — United States Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement following the President's announcement of his intent to nominate Aaron Christian Peterson to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska: “I have been informed by the White House that President Trump intends to nominate Aaron Christian Peterson to serve as a Judge on the United States District Court for the District of Alaska. Born and raised in Anchorage, Peterson has a strong r… Continue Reading
11.13.25
Murkowski Releases Statement on Nomination of Aaron Peterson to Federal Bench
Washington, DC — U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after the announcement that Aaron Peterson will be nominated to one of the vacancies on the United States District Court for the District of Alaska: “I have been informed by the White House that President Trump has nominated Aaron Christian Peterson to serve as a Judge on the United States District Court for the District of Alaska. Born and raised in Anchorage, Peterson has a strong record of practicing law her… Continue Reading
11.10.25
Murkowski Speaks on Vote to Reopen Government
Washington, DC — Following the Senate’s vote on H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extension Act, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement: "Tonight, I joined my Senate colleagues in voting to begin to reopen the federal government. We have agreed to a broad framework to fund government operations through January 30, pass three appropriations bills, provide back pay for federal workers, reinstate federal employees who were fired during the shutdown, and prevent … Continue Reading
11.06.25
Murkowski Votes Again to Bring War Powers Resolution to Senate Floor
Washington, DC — U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after her vote on Senate Joint Resolution 90: “Tonight, I voted to proceed to debate on a resolution that would terminate the escalation of operations—covert, military, economic, or otherwise—against Venezuela without explicit approval from Congress. “I have been briefed multiple times and reviewed classified documents that provide insight into the administration’s factual justification for these actions. Even w… Continue Reading
11.05.25
Murkowski Speaks on Workforce Development in Alaska with Industry Leaders
Washington, DC — During a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions hearing today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) highlighted the importance of “wraparound services” in apprenticeship programs to train Alaska’s workforce. She also asked during the hearing about the versatility of workforce training across the state, and the need for a workforce that can help Alaska build out its all-of-the-above energy strategy. Click thumbnail above or here to watch Senator Murkowski’s… Continue Reading
10.30.25
Murkowski Seeks to Reassert Congressional Power over Foreign Trade and Tariffs
Washington, DC — This week, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined a majority of her colleagues in voting to reassert congressional authority over foreign trade and to terminate the President’s emergency declarations to place tariffs on Canada, Brazil, and other countries. This vote series follows Senator Murkowski joining her colleagues in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, urging the Court to affirm lower court rulings that the President’s use of an emergency declaration i… Continue Reading
10.30.25
Senate Nullifies Biden-era Lock-Up of Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve
Washington, DC—The U.S. Senate, by a vote of 52 to 45, today passed Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the Biden administration’s restrictive 2022 Integrated Activity Plan (IAP) Record of Decision (ROD) for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). The Biden-era NPR-A IAP replaced a 2020 Trump administration plan, closed nearly half of the NPR-A to oil and gas leasing, contradicted… Continue Reading
10.29.25
Murkowski, Colleagues, Introduce Legislation to Restore Pay for Capitol Police During Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) co-sponsored legislation introduced by Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) that would ensure members of the United States Capitol Police, their civilian staff, and essential contractors continue to receive pay during a government shutdown. “U.S. Capitol Police have continued to serve Congress faithfully throughout this shutdown—and it is we who are letting them down,” said Senator Murkowski. “Our officers and t… Continue Reading
10.28.25
Murkowski, Whitehouse, Tillis, and Warner Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Telehealth Access
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Mark Warner (D-VA) reintroduced the Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act. This bipartisan legislation addresses regulatory hurdles to accessing telehealth services for opioid use disorder by making permanent the resources that were made available during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Over 80 percent of our communities are off the road system in Alas… Continue Reading
10.27.25
Murkowski Calls on Colleagues to Stay in DC, Work to End Shutdown
Washington, DC — Today, on day 27 of the federal shutdown, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) called for the Senate to remain in Washington, DC for as long as it takes to reach agreement to reopen the government. During her remarks on the Senate floor, Murkowski read messages she has received from Alaskans impacted by the shutdown and expressed her frustration with the lack of progress being made on both sides of the aisle to end the stalemate. Watch Senator Murkowski’s full remarks here. Rou… Continue Reading
10.27.25
Murkowski Cosponsors Bill to Avoid SNAP Interruption During Government Shutdown
Washington, DC — U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has cosponsored legislation to ensure that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit payments continue uninterrupted should the government shutdown persist past October. With the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) posting notice on its website stating that SNAP benefits will not be distributed on November 1 in the absence of a Continuing Resolution (CR) or appropriations bills, Senator Josh Hawley’s (R-MO) Keep SNAP Funded Ac… Continue Reading
10.23.25
Delegation Celebrates Series of Interior Announcements for Alaska Day
Washington, DC— U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, U.S. Congressman Nick Begich, and Governor Mike Dunleavy, all R-Alaska, today participated in an “Alaska Day” ceremony at the U.S. Department of the Interior with Secretary Doug Burgum. Secretary Burgum announced a series of administrative actions, including the signing of three land allotments for Alaska Native veterans, the restoration of the Coastal Plain oil and gas program, the reinstatement of key permits for the Ambler Access … Continue Reading
10.22.25
Alaska Delegation Applauds President Trump’s Approval of Federal Disaster Declaration for Western Alaska
WASHINGTON— U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Nick Begich (all R-Alaska) today thanked President Donald Trump for swiftly approving Governor Mike Dunleavy’s (R-Alaska) request for a federal disaster declaration in response to the widespread devastation caused by the remnants of Typhoon Halong across Western Alaska, particularly throughout the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. President Trump also announced an initial $25 million in disaster relief funding to expeditiousl… Continue Reading
10.22.25
Senate Commerce Advances Bill to Reauthorize the Young Fishermen’s Development Program
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee yesterday advanced bipartisan legislation—introduced by Senators Dan Sullivan and Lissa Murkowski (both R-Alaska), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) in July—to reauthorize the Young Fishermen’s Development Program. The program, first authorized in law in 2021 for five years, seeks to mitigate the challenges and hurdles facing the next generation of entrants into the fishing industry. The senat… Continue Reading
