Press Releases
Media Requests: Members of the media can contact the press office by emailing karina_petersen@murkowski.senate.gov or by calling 202-224-6665 and asking for the press office.
Murkowski Statement on President’s Proposal to End Government Shutdown and Fund Border Security
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after President Trump unveiled a plan to end the current partial government shutdown, fund border security, and address immigration reform. "It has become clear that negotiations to this point have led us to an impasse. I welcome the President's decision to put an offer on the table today and will review it in full once details are released. I will encourage my colleagues to do the same," said Senator Lisa Murkowski. "The i… Continue Reading
01.18.19
Senator Murkowski Speaks at AFN’s Alaska Day Event in DC
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) kicked off the Alaska Federation of Natives' (AFN) Alaska Day event this week in our nation's capital to address opportunities and challenges we face at our northernmost border and educate policymakers on Alaska's strategic significance. This two-day briefing includes Alaska Native leaders, high-level military personnel, the Alaska Congressional Delegation and staff, Cabinet officials, and representatives in telecommunications, energy, and commerce. During the… Continue Reading
01.17.19
Murkowski Welcomes New Hires to Committee Staff
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that two new counsels, John Crowther and Jed Dearborn, have joined her team at the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. She also welcomed an intern, Grant Cummings, who is assisting the committee with various projects this winter. "John and Jed bring considerable expertise on a wide range of energy and environmental issues. John has great experience working on Alaska oil, gas, and related matters, and Jed has an extensive backgrou… Continue Reading
01.16.19
Murkowski, Young File Amicus Brief in Support of Indian Child Welfare Law
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Congressman Don Young (R-AK) joined five of their Congressional colleagues in filing an amicus curiae brief with the Fifth Circuit, United States Court of Appeals in support of the Indian Child Welfare Act or ICWA. The amicus brief follows an October 4, 2018 ruling by U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor, of Fort Worth, TX deeming the ICWA as unconstitutional. The amicus brief states that said decision fails to respect Congress' broad power and its oblig… Continue Reading
01.16.19
Murkowski Introduces Legislation Recognizing Unrecognized Heroes of the Greatest Generation
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today introduced the Merchant Marines of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, to honor the Merchant Mariners who protected our nation during World War II. Senators Sullivan (R-AK), Cantwell (D-WA), King (I-ME), and Whitehouse (D-RI) are cosponsors of the bill. "WWII was one of the greatest conflicts the world has ever seen. Many Americans proved their loyalty and bravery during this harrowing time, including our Merchant Mariners. Their brave service, no… Continue Reading
01.15.19
Murkowski, Schatz, Young Introduce Native American Millennium Challenge Demonstration Act
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Congressman Don Young (R-AK) today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation, the Native American Millennium Challenge Demonstration Act. This legislation creates a domestic pilot project, based on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), which promotes sustainable economic growth and creates efforts to reduce poverty in remote Native American and Native Hawaiian communities in a manner that encourages self-determination and self… Continue Reading
01.11.19
As Shutdown Continues, Portman, Senate Colleagues Introduce Bill to Permanently End Government Shutdowns
U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Steve Daines (R-MT), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Mike Enzi (R-WY), John Barrasso (R-WY), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today introduced legislation - the End Government Shutdowns Act - that will permanently prevent the federal government from shutting down, ensuring that essential government services aren't disrupted and protecting taxpayers who must bear the resulting cost. The measure will create an automatic co… Continue Reading
01.09.19
Murkowski Selected as Chairman of ENR
The Republican members of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee yesterday chose Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, to serve as the panel's chairman for the 116th Congress. "Our committee has a great history of accomplishment, and I will do everything I can to keep that tradition going in this new Congress," Murkowski said. "I'm grateful to my colleagues for this continued honor and have my sights set on another productive Congress." The Republican Caucus ratified committee chairs at a confere… Continue Reading
01.09.19
Murkowski: Lands Package Addresses Alaska Priorities
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday reintroduced a bipartisan package of more than 100 public lands, natural resources, and water bills. Murkowski, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and one of the four primary negotiators for the package, ensured it reflects a wide range of Alaska priorities. "While we weren't able to pass this bipartisan package at the end of the last Congress, its provisions remain important, and we will have an opportunity to take … Continue Reading
01.09.19
Murkowski, Cantwell Reintroduce Bipartisan Lands Package
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and outgoing committee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., yesterday reintroduced a bipartisan package of more than 100 public lands, natural resources, and water bills they negotiated last year with the chairman and ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee. "While we are disappointed that this package could not pass last year, we remain committed to its provisions and the sp… Continue Reading
01.08.19
Alaska Congressional Delegation Backs Governor’s Request for Federal Aid
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, sent a letter urging President Donald Trump to act promptly and approve Alaska Governor Michael Dunleavy's (R-AK) request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. This declaration would provide federal assistance for the State of Alaska to address the major earthquake that occurred on November 30, 2018, as well as impacts caused by subsequent aftershocks. In their letter, the Alaska Congressional Delegati… Continue Reading
01.04.19
Delegation Applauds Secretary of the Navy’s Decision to Name Future Destroyer After Senator Ted Stevens
The Alaska Congressional Delegation today proudly announced that Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer has named a future Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer in honor of the late U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, who served as Alaska's Senator from 1968-2009. (image courtesy of U.S. Navy) "It is an honor to help Secretary Spencer announce the naming of the USS Ted Stevens today," said Senator Sullivan. "As an Army Air Corps officer, a civil servant, and a historic U.S. Senator from our g… Continue Reading
01.03.19
Murkowski Statement on the Passing of FERC Commissioner Kevin McIntyre
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the passing of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Commissioner Kevin McIntyre. McIntyre served as chairman of FERC beginning in December 2017, before stepping down to become a commissioner in October 2018. "I am deeply saddened by the loss of Commissioner McIntyre. As a lawyer, a commissioner, and as FERC's chairman, he always had the utmost respect for the agency and its mission. He was as warm and engaging… Continue Reading
12.23.18
Murkowski Statement on Partial Government Shutdown
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement on the current partial government shutdown: "Shutting down the government, even partially, is no way to govern. It is disruptive, harmful, wasteful, and could leave hundreds of thousands of federal employees and contractors without paychecks over Christmas," Senator Murkowski said. "This year we worked hard to return to regular order in the appropriations process, voting bills out of committee and the Senate with strong bipartisan s… Continue Reading
12.22.18
Going into Partial Government Shutdown
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after the Senate voted to proceed to legislation to fund the remaining appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2019, including an announcement from Senate Majority Leader McConnell on a commitment to working with the White House on an agreement that can pass both houses of Congress and receive the president's signature: "I'm disappointed we could not reach an agreement tonight. Funding the government is a fundamental part of our respo… Continue Reading
12.21.18
Murkowski Responds to Withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Syria
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement in reaction to an announcement that the United States will remove all U.S. troops from Syria, including 7,000 troops from Afghanistan. Senator Murkowski's statement also follows the announcement of the resignation of James N. Mattis as Secretary of Defense: "Secretary Mattis is a strong, respected leader with a wealth of knowledge about the issues and challenges facing our national security. He has consistently been forwa… Continue Reading
12.20.18
Alaska Congressional Delegation Applauds Land Transfer for Being Signed into Law
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young (all R-AK) today commended President Trump for signing S. 825, the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium land Transfer Act, into law. This legislation transfers to Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) a parcel of federal land in Sitka, Alaska, allowing the organization to further improve health care services for the region. "I'm encouraged to know that this legislation will allow SEARHC to renovate one of the o… Continue Reading
12.20.18
Carper, Murkowski Introduce Bill to Help Americans Transition to More Efficient Wood Heaters, Reduce Air Pollution
Earlier this week, U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), top Republican on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR), introduced a bill (S. 3779) that would establish a grant program at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to incentivize the removal and replacement of old, inefficient residential wood heaters with efficient, clean-burning heaters. The Wood Heaters Emissions Reduction Act (WH… Continue Reading
12.20.18
Alaska Delegation Commends Milestone for Responsible Energy Development on the Coastal Plain
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, Rep. Don Young, and Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy (all R-Alaska) today issued the following statements after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the oil and gas leasing program on the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). "One year ago, Congress directed the Department of the Interior to open the Coastal Plain for responsible energy development, and today marks a major step f… Continue Reading
12.20.18
Quantum Science Legislation Heads to the President’s Desk
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6227, the National Quantum Initiative Act, a bipartisan bill to accelerate research in the field of quantum science. "The possibilities of quantum information science are tremendous, with the potential to transform the speed and scale at which we process data, allowing for breakthroughs in almost every facet of our lives," Murkowski said. "A National Quantum Initiative will … Continue Reading
