Press Releases
Media Requests: Members of the media can contact the press office by emailing karina_borger@murkowski.senate.gov or by calling 202-224-6665 and asking for the press office.
Delegation: Tongass Exemption Will Help Build Sustainable Economy in Southeast Alaska
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) published a Record of Decision (ROD) and final rule exempting the Tongass National Forest from the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (Roadless Rule). "The Tongass is home to many Alaskans who want what most Americans take for granted-the opportunity to live, work, and raise their families in the communities in which they grew up," … Continue Reading
10.28.20
Murkowski, Smith Introduce Bill to Extend Important Flexibility and Funding to After School Programs
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program provides competitive grants to school districts, community based organizations, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations that provide supplemental academic and enrichment activities for students during non-school hours or periods when schools are not in session. The value of 21st CCLC-funded afterschool programs is well-established, ensuring children have an opportunity to access engaging learning activities while giving working pare… Continue Reading
10.28.20
Alaska Delegation Proposes US-Canada Border Crossing Solutions
In an effort to address US-Canada border crossing issues created by the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, Congressman Don Young, and Governor Mike Dunleavy (all R-AK) sent a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, raising issues severely impacting Alaskans. In their letter, the Alaska Delegation highlighted specific, persisting challenges impacting the health and safety of Alaskans and proposed reasonable solutions. "As we continue to work together to addr… Continue Reading
10.27.20
Alaska Delegation Welcomes Federal Approval for Willow Master Development Plan
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its Record of Decision for the Willow Master Development Plan in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). "As we navigate these uncertain times, the federal approval of a major new North Slope development project provides real opportunities for Alaska and a path forward to help rebuild and strengthen our economy for years to co… Continue Reading
10.26.20
Murkowski Votes to Confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today voted to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve as the next Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The nomination was confirmed by a vote of 52-48. On Saturday, prior to the vote, Senator Murkowski spoke on the Senate floor to explain her opposition to the process, but turning to the decision of whether Judge Amy Coney Barrett is qualified to serve on the highest court in the land, announced she would vote in favor of the nominee. "My constitutio… Continue Reading
10.24.20
Murkowski Announces How She Will Vote on Nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve as the next Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court: "I voted no on the motion to proceed yesterday because I have stated on multiple occasions since 2016 I do not believe the Senate should take up a Supreme Court nomination this close to a presidential election. I have been clear in that position throughout this process. With that vote, my view did not prevail, so the que… Continue Reading
10.23.20
Senators Murkowski and Sullivan Receive Security Briefing on Alaska Election Security
After reports some Alaskans were targeted by Iran in an effort to intimidate American voters, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, today released the following statement following a security briefing on election security in Alaska: "This morning, we received detailed briefings by FBI and intelligence community officials on election security in Alaska. Given that our state and some of our citizens have already been targeted by Iran through "spoofed" emails designed to in… Continue Reading
10.23.20
ICYMI: TIME Op-Ed by Senators Hassan, Murkowski on Their Bipartisan Efforts to Ensure a Future COVID-19 Vaccine is Safe and Effective
In case you missed it, U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) wrote a piece for TIME on the importance of a transparent vaccine review process that maintains key oversight measures to ensure that a future COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective and to boost public confidence. The Senators recently introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure that the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention follow well-established measures so that COVID-… Continue Reading
10.22.20
Feinstein, Murkowski Introduce Resolution Supporting Domestic Violence Awareness Month
U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today introduced a bipartisan resolution in support of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is observed in October. The resolution would raise further awareness about the ongoing problem of domestic violence in the United States and the struggles survivors face, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Domestic Violence Awareness Month encourages survivors to share their stories so that others will know they are not… Continue Reading
10.16.20
Murkowski Joins Bipartisan Call for Quick Distribution of LIHEAP Assistance
As state agencies prepare to assist low-income homeowners and renters with heating their homes in the upcoming winter months, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jack Reed (D-RI) in a bipartisan letter urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) quickly at the highest level possible under the current continuing resolution. Forty Senators signed on to the letter to… Continue Reading
10.15.20
Senator Lisa Murkowski, Congresswoman Elaine Luria Urge NDAA Conferees to Include NELA in Final Conference Report
This week, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va.-2, led 29 of their colleagues in a bipartisan letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee, urging them to include the text of the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (S. 903/H.R. 3306) in the final Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Provisions of this bipartisan bill have been included in the Senate's NDAA and the House of Representatives' Clean Economy an… Continue Reading
10.14.20
Supreme Court Ruling Allows Administration to End Census Count Early
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after a U.S. Supreme Court order Tuesday granted the Justice Department's request to halt the 2020 Census count early, blocking a lower court order that required the government to continue with the count as originally planned through October 31, 2020: "The Census data collection deadline has continued to play out like a yo-yo. I'm disappointed to see the Supreme Court order that the 2020 Census count can be cut short while appeal… Continue Reading
10.13.20
Alaska to Receive $46 million in USDA Grants to Expand High-Speed Internet Access
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, (all R-Alaska) joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue today for a virtual announcement of more than $46 million in USDA Broadband ReConnect Program grants being awarded to two Alaska service providers to establish and improve broadband infrastructure in some of the state's most remote communities. The grants are matched by nearly $17 million contributed by the grant recipients, bringing the tot… Continue Reading
10.10.20
Murkowski’s Bipartisan Legislation Addressing Crisis of Missing, Murdered, and Trafficked Indigenous Women Signed into Law
Today President Trump signed into law Savanna's Act and Not Invisible Act, two bills led by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) to address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women. Specifically, the bills work to improve the federal government's response through increased coordination, development of best practices, and creation of a joint commission on violent crime, ensuring Alaska Natives and survivors have a voice in developing method… Continue Reading
10.09.20
Seward & Alaska Railroad Awarded $20 Million Grant for Port Improvements
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, (all R-Alaska) welcomed the announcement today of a roughly $19.78 million port infrastructure grant issued by the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) for the City of Seward and the Alaska Railroad Corporation to improve the freight dock and corridor in Seward, Alaska. The Alaska congressional delegation wrote a letter to Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao supporting the grant application in May. "This gran… Continue Reading
10.08.20
Murkowski Joins Shaheen Led Bipartisan Letter Urging Inclusion of PFAS Provisions in Final FY21 NDAA
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined a bipartisan letter, led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), along with 19 Senators, to Senate and House Armed Services Committee leadership urging the inclusion of provisions in the final fiscal year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to prevent and address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The NDAA is annual defense legislation that authorizes the United States' national defense programs and priorities for the fis… Continue Reading
10.07.20
Amidst a Pandemic & Ahead of Flu Season, Murkowski and Colleagues Send Bipartisan Letter Calling for Americans to Receive Critical Immunizations
Amidst a pandemic and ahead of flu season, U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Tina Smith (D-MN), called on the Administration - in partnership with state and local governments - to ensure all Americans continue receiving necessary immunizations to prevent additional illness and outbreaks. In a letter to the leaders of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the bipartisan lawmakers… Continue Reading
10.02.20
Alaska Delegation Welcomes Cross-Border Permit for Alaska-Canada Railway
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, issued the following statements after President Trump signed a presidential border-crossing permit for the Alaska-Alberta (A2A) Railway Development Corporation to lay track across the border between Alaska and Canada. The proposed $17-billion freight rail project would run through northwest Canada and connect into the existing Alaska Railroad system, transporting energy, minerals, and other commodities to global markets t… Continue Reading
10.02.20
Murkowski Welcomes Stronger Push on Mineral Security
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on President Trump's new executive order to improve our nation's mineral security. The new order, issued on Wednesday evening, focuses on "addressing the threat to the domestic supply chain from reliance on critical minerals from foreign adversaries and supporting the domestic mining and processing industries." "The Trump administration has been a strong partner and continues to show real leadership in the effort to improv… Continue Reading
10.02.20
Murkowski Leads Bipartisan Call to Ensure NOAA Surveys Proceed in 2021
In May 2020, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries started canceling research surveys to protect the health of its crews and personnel at sea on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. In support of coastal communities across the country who rely on these surveys as a basis for their livelihoods, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) led a letter, co-signed by 18 of her Senate colleagues, calling on NOAA to identify and resolve any challenges created by COVID-19 that preven… Continue Reading
