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.
Senator Murkowski Introduces Bill to Protect Kids from Flavored Tobacco
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), alongside Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), recently introduced the Stopping Appealing Flavors in E-Cigarettes for Kids Act or the SAFE Kids Act. This bipartisan legislation will place strict limitations on the use of flavors in tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and cigars. The bill aims to reverse the marketing tactics that make tobacco products more appealing for kids. "I have been alarmed at the rapid increase we have seen in the use of e-cigaret… Continue Reading
08.17.18
Chairman Murkowski and Ranking Member Cantwell Welcome New USDA “Shared Stewardship” Strategy
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the committee's ranking member, today issued the following statements after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) released a new outcome-based investment strategy to improve conditions in America's forests. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Forest Service Interim Chief Vicki Christiansen made the announcement during a press c… Continue Reading
08.16.18
Committee Reviews Nominees for ARPA-E, DOE General Counsel
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to consider two additional nominees for the Department of Energy (DOE). The nominees are William Cooper to be General Counsel and Lane Genatowski to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). In her opening statement, Murkowski noted that Cooper's years of experience in the House of Representatives and in private practice will help him provide legal advice to Secretary … Continue Reading
08.03.18
ICYMI: Senator Murkowski Hosts “Access Live” Event
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) this week hosted her "Access Live" event- an interactive phone call for Alaskan constituents to voice their concerns and hear directly from the Senator. From Anchorage to Fairbanks, to Napaskiak and Sitka, Alaskans across the state weighed in on seafood tariffs, the Supreme Court vacancy, climate change, and domestic violence, among other issues. "I try to weigh Alaskan views as thoroughly and as balanced as I can, and I'm best able to do that when I receiv… Continue Reading
08.02.18
Alaska Delegation Welcomes Agreement Launching Work on Alaska Roadless Rule
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statements after the State of Alaska and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to officially initiate the rulemaking process to develop an Alaska-specific Roadless Rule, ensuring greater access to our national forests. "As I have said many times before, the Roadless Rule has never made sense in Alaska. I welcome today's announcement, wh… Continue Reading
08.02.18
Sens. Murkowski, Coons, Harris introduce bill to recognize ‘Hidden Figures’ for contributions to U.S. leadership during the Space Race
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), along with 44 of their colleagues, introduced a bipartisan bill to award Congressional Gold Medals to Katherine Johnson and Dr. Christine Darden and to posthumously award Congressional Gold Medals to Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. The bill serves to commend these women for their contributions to NASA's success during the Space Race and highlight their broader impact on society; paving the way for wome… Continue Reading
08.02.18
Heitkamp, Murkowski, Klobuchar Urge Administration to Recognize & Address Challenges Facing Tribal & Rural Areas in 2020 Census
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) recently requested information on the Census Bureau's plan to ensure an accurate and cost-effective 2020 Census count in tribal communities. In 2017, Census tests across Indian Country were canceled, furthering concerns that Native populations are not being prioritized in preparations for the 2020 Census- even though the unique characteristics that tribal communities present require additional planning and effo… Continue Reading
08.02.18
Murkowski Announces Departure of Chief Counsel, Staff Promotions
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced the departure of her chief counsel, Patrick McCormick, who has left the Energy and Natural Resources Committee for an opportunity in the private sector. "Pat is truly one of a kind: an incredible lawyer with a servant's heart, a tireless work ethic, and impeccable character," Murkowski said. "Every one of us will miss him greatly, but we are grateful for his indispensable guidance and the many achievements he enabled as part of our committee. … Continue Reading
08.01.18
Murkowski’s Interior Bill Passes Senate, Major Milestone
In a historic move today the full Senate passed, by a vote of 92 to 6, a funding package that includes U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski's Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Murkowski, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and chairman of the Interior, Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, managed the legislation on the Senate floor. This is the first time the Interior bill was considered on the Senate floor, including final passage, in … Continue Reading
08.01.18
Funding Package Managed by Murkowski Passes Senate 92-6
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently voted in favor of a funding package, which combines the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Appropriations bills for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD); Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration; Financial Services and General Government; as well as Senator Murkowski's Interior, Environment and Related Agencies bill. As a member of the Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, Se… Continue Reading
08.01.18
Annual Defense Bill Heading to President’s Desk
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the final version of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation which supports our troops through the biggest pay raise in nearly ten years and provides our military with the resources needed to face emerging threats and protect Americans at home and abroad. The bill passed by a 87-10 vote, sending it to the President for his signature. "Our national security must always remain a top priority. And with tensions … Continue Reading
07.31.18
Murkowski: Reducing Healthcare Costs
As Alaska faces some of the highest healthcare costs in the nation, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today participated in a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing to address ways to reduce healthcare costs, specifically focused on decreasing administrative spending. The hearing featured Alaskan witness, Becky Hultberg, President and CEO of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Association, who testified on the obstacles hospitals and nursing facilities face in comply… Continue Reading
07.27.18
Murkowski Questions Administration on Impacts of Seafood Tariffs
During a Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee hearing recently, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) questioned Ambassador Robert E. Lighthizer, U.S. Trade Representative, on the administration's plans to ensure our trade policy allows seafood producers to thrive, citing China's recently announced 25 percent tariff on American seafood imports. "It has clearly rattled my state. Our seafood industry is the number one private industry in terms of the jobs and the economic… Continue Reading
07.26.18
Cortez Masto, Murkowski Introduce End Trafficking of Native Americans Act
U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, today introduced the End Trafficking of Native Americans Act of 2018. This bill addresses some of the gaps between tribal communities and the federal government in combatting human trafficking of Native Americans and Alaska Natives. It would establish an advisory committee on human trafficking comprised of law enforcement, tribal leaders, and service providers to make r… Continue Reading
07.25.18
Senate Passes Bill to Improve Legislation for Academic Achievement of Career and Technical Education Students
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation reauthorizing the Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, a law crucial to helping our nation's students obtain skills to be successful in today's workplace. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, assisted in drafting the Senate's Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act in consultation with Alaskan stakeholders and tribal advocates. "Alaska is doing righ… Continue Reading
07.24.18
Murkowski Convenes Hearing on Global Oil Prices
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine volatility in global oil prices, which have been driven by strong economic growth, rising demand, supply restrictions from OPEC, and geopolitical events around the world. "This year has been marked by greater volatility, which has shown up in the prices being paid at the pump by nearly every American family and business," Murkowski said. "Prices are notably higher than a year ago, so the questions we're here to ask include: … Continue Reading
07.23.18
Senate Tees Up Senator Murkowski’s Interior Appropriations Bill
Today the U.S. Senate moved to consider its second Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 government funding package, which includes Senator Lisa Murkowski's (R-AK) Interior, Environment and Related Agencies appropriations bill. This marks the first time that the Interior bill has been on the floor for full Senate consideration since FY 2010. Senator Murkowski, a senior member on the Appropriations Committee and chairman of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, was selected … Continue Reading
07.23.18
Murkowski Votes to Confirm New VA Secretary
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today released the following statement after voting to confirm Robert L. Wilkie to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Wilkie was confirmed by a vote of 86-9. "Success at the VA means one thing --- and that is serving our veterans. And because Alaska has more veterans per capita than any other state in the U.S., it is especially important that we confirm the right individual to lead this important agency. After scandals and poor reports, it's more crucial … Continue Reading
07.23.18
ICYMI: Murkowski on C-SPAN’s “Alaska Weekend”
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently interviewed with C-SPAN's Washington Journal to discuss what her chairmanship on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee brings to Alaska, how she's educating her colleagues on the opportunities and challenges in Alaska, and her process of vetting the Supreme Court nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh. The segment aired during C-SPAN's "Alaska Weekend" as part of the C-SPAN Nationwide Roadshow. (Click here and image above for full interview.) O… Continue Reading
07.20.18
In First Bipartisan Statement, Senators Urge President to Keep Families Together
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), James Lankford (R-OK), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Susan Collins (R-ME) in a bipartisan group of more than two dozen senators in sending a letter to President Trump, stating that the default position of the United States should be to keep families together. The letter is the first bipartisan statement firmly opposing the family separation policy and urging the administration to work with the faith community on its efforts to r… Continue Reading
