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

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05.20.26

Alaska Delegation Applauds Signing of Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act

Washington, DC—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and U.S. Congressman Nick Begich (all R-Alaska) today applauded the enactment of H.R. 2815, the Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act, marking completion of a decades-long effort to fulfill a commitment made under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). This new law—signed by President Trump yesterday—waives a statutory requirement that would have compelled the Cape Fox Corporation, the Alaska Native Corporation for the … Continue Reading

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05.19.26

Murkowski Presses Acting AG on MMIW Crisis, State and Local Grants

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today questioned Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Fiscal Year 2027 budget request, focusing on substantial cuts to grant programs for local and state governments and the consolidation of offices that play a critical role in achieving justice for Alaskans. Murkowski also pressed the Acting Attorney General on the removal of the Not Invisible Act Commission’s final report from the DOJ and Department of… Continue Reading

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05.18.26

Alaska Delegation Celebrates First Oil from Pikka Development

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, and Congressman Nick Begich (all R-Alaska), today celebrated an announcement from Santos and Repsol that first oil has been produced at the Pikka development on Alaska’s North Slope. “This is one of the most significant achievements on the North Slope in decades and further cements the region’s renaissance. Pikka will help refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, create great jobs for Alaskans, and bring billions to the state over its li… Continue Reading

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05.14.26

Murkowski Discusses FY27 Budget with EPA Administrator Zeldin

Washington, DC—Yesterday, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, welcomed Lee Zeldin, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to discuss the agency’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2027. Senator Murkowski impressed upon Administrator Zeldin the importance of Tribal resilience as rural communities face increasingly devastating natural disasters. She also raised the bulk fuel crisis affecting… Continue Reading

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05.14.26

Murkowski: NOAA Decision on Chinook ESA Listing Provides Much-Needed Clarity

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today released the following statement after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) completed its review process and declined to list Chinook salmon as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). NOAA found that Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon do not meet the necessary criteria to be classified as threatened or endangered under the ESA. “NOAA made the right decision here, relying on sound science to determi… Continue Reading

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05.13.26

Murkowski Votes to Remove U.S. Armed Forces from Iran

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement following her vote on Senate Joint Resolution 163: “Today, the Senate voted on a resolution directing the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Iran, the eighth such resolution on this matter. I voted against the previous seven resolutions because I believed an abrupt withdrawal would endanger American forces and civilians in the region, but also because the president was operating within his … Continue Reading

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05.08.26

Murkowski Welcomes Funding for Emergency and Resilience Needs In Alaska Native Villages

Anchorage - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) announced $20 million in emergency funding to help 16 Alaska Native villages that were facing severe shortages of basic, necessary supplies. The funding includes $4 million for immediate relief, delivering essential resources such as heating fuel, water, and firewood to 16 villages, and $16 million for critical infrastructure and climate resilience efforts in the Native Villag… Continue Reading

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04.30.26

Homeland Security Bill includes major wins for Alaska

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured a wide range of Alaska priorities and policy wins in the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Murkowski worked to advance a balanced Homeland Security funding bill that prioritizes disaster response, maritime safety, border security, and robust congressional oversight, while ensuring accountability across the Department of Homeland Security (… Continue Reading

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04.30.26

Murkowski, Schultz Discuss FY27 Forest Service Budget

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, recently convened a hearing with the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Tom Schultz, to discuss the agency’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2027. Senator Murkowski also asked Chief Schultz about how Alaskans would be impacted by the Forest Service’s recently announced reorganization and called for more transparency in this effort for Alaskan Forest Servi… Continue Reading

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04.30.26

Murkowski Addresses Iran Conflict on Senate Floor

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today spoke on the Senate floor today as we draw near to the sixty days limit that the President has the authority to conduct military operations that have not been authorized by Congress. Watch Senator Murkowski’s full remarks here. Full transcript of Senator Murkowski’s remarks, as delivered: Mr. President, I'm here to speak this afternoon about the conflict involving Iran, and more specifically, the role of Congress within it. At the outse… Continue Reading

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04.29.26

Murkowski, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Support AI/AN Health Organizations

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced legislation that would allow U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps officers to be assigned to Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). The PHS ACCESS Act addresses an oversight in current law to authorize these assignments and establishes an incentive program for officers serving in remote and rural areas. The bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Catherine Cortez Mas… Continue Reading

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04.29.26

Murkowski, Cortez Masto Propose Roadmap for Development of Next Generation Geothermal Infrastructure

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) unveiled the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, a roadmap for America’s research, development, and demonstration of next-generation geothermal systems. Next-generation geothermal technology uses the heat (100-400º+ C) from rocks several kilometers below the surface of the earth to produce electricity. “Alaska holds some of the most promising geothermal resources in the wor… Continue Reading

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04.28.26

Murkowski, Sullivan, Begich Introduce Legislation to Convey Culturally Significant Site to Doyon, Limited

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate and Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) is introducing companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to convey the Geese House Site from the National Park Service to Doyon, Limited. The bill would transfer ownership to Doyon, Limited, to ensure that the culturally significant site is managed by and for the Alaska Native Athabascan people. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) is co-sponsoring the legi… Continue Reading