07.17.26

Murkowski, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Boost Health Care Workforce

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced the Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act, legislation to address health care workforce shortages in Virginia and across the country. The bill would help internationally educated health care professionals overcome common barriers to entering the health care workforce in the United States. “Many of our rural communiti… Continue Reading

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07.16.26

Landless Bill Advances from Senate Committee

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today announced that her bill allowing five Alaska Native communities to form urban corporations and receive land entitlements under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) passed out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR) by voice vote. The legislation, which would remedy a decades-long inequity for Haines, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, and Tenakee, now heads to the Senate floor for consideration. Senator Murkowski’s… Continue Reading

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07.16.26

Murkowski, Schatz Introduce Major Legislative Package to Support Native Children, Families, and Communities

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai?i), Vice Chairman of the Committee, introduced the Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act (S.4976), a comprehensive legislative package aimed at advancing the well-being and future opportunities of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children. A culmination of Senator Murkowski’s longstanding commitment to improving outcomes fo… Continue Reading

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07.10.26

Delegation Welcomes Corps Permit for King Cove Road

Anchorage, AK—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Congressman Nick Begich (all R-Alaska) today applauded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) approval of a permit to facilitate construction of a life-saving road between the isolated community of King Cove, Alaska and nearby Cold Bay. The one-lane gravel connector will provide reliable transportation access from King Cove to Cold Bay, which is home to an all-weather airport. “This is more good news for King Cove and all who ca… Continue Reading

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06.25.26

Murkowski, Hickenlooper Move to Reauthorize Cost-Effective Geological Mapping

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced legislation to reauthorize the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI), a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) program that improves understanding of geologic hazards, critical mineral, geothermal, and other subsurface resources across the country. Since its launch in 2019, Earth MRI has accelerated project timelines, reduced exploration risk, and lowered costs by making foundational geologic informati… Continue Reading

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06.24.26

Murkowski Supports Bipartisan Housing Package

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act this week, a bipartisan legislative package designed to increase housing supply, reduce costs, and strengthen federal housing programs nationwide. The legislation incorporates provisions from bipartisan housing proposals previously considered by Congress and represents one of the most significant federal housing packages in decades. The bill passed the Senate in March, was amended in the Hous… Continue Reading

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06.18.26

Murkowski on Iran MOU

Washington, DC - Following today’s Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement: “This week’s Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran is a welcome step away from war, but it is also just a first step, and a final agreement may prove difficult to reach over the next 60 days. While it is significant that the Strait of Hormuz will be open, I share the apprehensions of many of my colleagues… Continue Reading

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06.18.26

Murkowski, Merkley Secure Commitment to Preserve U.S. Ocean Monitoring System

Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) announced the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is pausing its planned removal of the Ocean Observatories Initiative’s (OOI) sensors. NSF’s decision came after Murkowski and Merkley passed a Senate bill to prohibit the NSF from dismantling the OOI system. “The National Science Foundation’s decision to leave the Ocean Observatories Initiative’s buoys in place is a massive win for coastal communities and fish… Continue Reading

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06.18.26

Murkowski and Sullivan Welcome Funding for Fisheries

Washington, DC—Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) welcomed the announcement of roughly $99 million in funding allocated for Alaska fishery disasters from the U.S. Department of Commerce. This is a step toward funding for three Alaska fisheries that experienced disasters from 2022-2024. NOAA Fisheries will now work with the State of Alaska and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission to develop a spend plan. “Our fishing industry is part of the beating heart of coastal… Continue Reading

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06.17.26

Murkowski Welcomes Advancement of ALS Research Treatments Legislation from Committee

Washington, D.C. - Today, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP), welcomed the advancement of her Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act (ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act) of 2026. The legislation, co-led by Chris Coons (D-DE) and approved unanimously by the committee, will help people living with ALS continue to access promising treatments while further advancing the scientific understa… Continue Reading

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06.16.26

Murkowski: “It is hard right now. Every Alaskan is feeling it.”

Washington, DC— Yesterday, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor highlighting the impacts the Iran conflict has had on energy markets and prices, particularly in rural Alaska. Watch the speech here. Transcript As Delivered Madam President, like so many across the Senate, really, across the country, I think we've all been watching the news this weekend to see whether or not we would have an announcement from the Trump administration on a possible agreement to reopen the … Continue Reading

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06.15.26

Murkowski, Merkley, Lead Bipartisan Push to Protect U.S. Ocean Monitoring Systems

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led a bipartisan group of Senators to demand the National Science Foundation (NSF) halt its plans to dismantle the vital Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), a complex system of 900 ocean monitoring instruments that provides crucial data for coastal communities, fishermen, and nationwide emergency preparedness. “Eliminating most of this complex ocean monitoring system threatens the safety of our coastal commu… Continue Reading

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06.15.26

Following Murkowski, Shaheen Request, Inspector General Finds Millions in Family Planning Commodities Wasted

Washington, D.C. - On Thursday, June 11, 2026, a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Management Advisory was issued in response to a December 2025 request from U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The advisory found that approximately $8 million in U.S.-funded family planning commodities were wasted after being moved from climate-controlled storage and warned that a… Continue Reading

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06.11.26

Water Power Bill Moved from Committee

Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) passed the Fair Licensing for Operations of Water Structures (FLOWS) Act led by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Angus King (I-ME). The FLOWS Act will streamline routine updates for existing hydropower facilities and establish a commonsense licensing pathway for next generation water power technologies. “For Alaska, hydropower is essential,” said Senator Murkowski. “So often, our hydro operators face… Continue Reading

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06.11.26

Fourth Icebreaker Announced for Alaska; Two to be Homeported in Kodiak, One in Seward

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, and Congressman Nick Begich (all R-Alaska), today welcomed an announcement from the U.S. Coast Guard that a fourth icebreaker, an Arctic Security Cutter, will be homeported in Alaska—on top of the two Arctic Security Cutters announced in April and the Coast Guard Cutter Storis, a retrofitted commercially available icebreaker that was commissioned in Juneau on August 10, 2025. Additionally, the Coast Guard announced today that the first tw… Continue Reading

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06.09.26

Murkowski and Shaheen Introduce Senate Resolution Reaffirming Congressional Engagement with Arctic Allies

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) today introduced a Senate resolution reaffirming the strategic importance of the Arctic region and supporting continued congressional engagement with our Arctic allies. The resolution acknowledges the Arctic’s growing significance to U.S. national security while highlighting the region’s economic and scientific opportunities. It also stresses the need for continued cooperation with allies to promote the wellbeing … Continue Reading

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06.08.26

Murkowski Speaks on H-1B Court Ruling

WASHINGTON—Following today’s announcement that a federal judge struck down a $100,000 fee that U.S. President Donald Trump imposed on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement: “Today’s decision from a U.S. District Judge to vacate the policy implementing the Presidential Proclamation mandating a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applicants—a 5,000% increase in some cases—came at a critical time for Alaska’s schools that are … Continue Reading

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06.05.26

House Passes Legislation Protecting Alaska Native Artists’ Cultural Heritage and Economic Opportunities

WASHINGTON—The Alaska delegation today celebrated the House passage of the Alaska’s Right to Ivory Sales and Tradition (ARTIST) Act, his legislation to protect the legal rights of Alaska Native artists who use walrus ivory in traditional handicrafts, art, ceremonial regalia, and clothing. The bill previously passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “I want to thank my colleagues, especially Alaska Congressman Nick Begich, for working to get my A… Continue Reading

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05.21.26

Murkowski, Cortez Masto Introduce Bill to Strengthen Tribal Child Welfare Programs and Support Native Families

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) today introduced the Promoting Strong Native Families and Children Act. This bipartisan bill aims to strengthen Tribal child welfare programs by increasing federal funding, reducing administrative barriers, and giving Tribes more flexibility to provide culturally appropriate family support. U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) are original cosponsors. “The Alaska Native communities in … Continue Reading

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05.21.26

“We Cannot Look Away”: Murkowski Details Devastating Toll of Ex-Typhoon Halong on Western Alaska Villages, Need to Address Critical Gaps in Disaster Recovery and Relocation

WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, delivered a floor statement on the impacts of ex-Typhoon Halong, which displaced more than 1,000 Alaskans and devastated communities along the coast of Western Alaska last October. Murkowski convened a two-part field hearing in Anchorage and Bethel during the May recess to hear firsthand from Alaskans impacted by the storm. During her floor remarks, the Senator discussed ongoing recovery e… Continue Reading