Press Releases
Media Requests: Members of the media can contact the press office by emailing Joseph_Plesha@murkowski.senate.gov or by calling 206-302-8317 and asking for the press office.
Murkowski Relieved As Government Reopens Following Longest Shutdown in Nation's History
Washington, DC — Following the signing of H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extension Act into law, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement: "After 43 days, Congress has passed and the President has signed the Continuing Resolution, putting an end to the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history and one that was unnecessary. "I want to thank my colleagues who put politics aside and worked across the aisle to reopen our government. I especi… Continue Reading
11.13.25
Senator Murkowski Speaks on Aaron Peterson's Nomination for U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
Washington, DC — United States Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement following the President's announcement of his intent to nominate Aaron Christian Peterson to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska: “I have been informed by the White House that President Trump intends to nominate Aaron Christian Peterson to serve as a Judge on the United States District Court for the District of Alaska. Born and raised in Anchorage, Peterson has a strong r… Continue Reading
11.10.25
Murkowski Speaks on Vote to Reopen Government
Washington, DC — Following the Senate’s vote on H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extension Act, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement: "Tonight, I joined my Senate colleagues in voting to begin to reopen the federal government. We have agreed to a broad framework to fund government operations through January 30, pass three appropriations bills, provide back pay for federal workers, reinstate federal employees who were fired during the shutdown, and prevent … Continue Reading
11.06.25
Murkowski Votes Again to Bring War Powers Resolution to Senate Floor
Washington, DC — U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after her vote on Senate Joint Resolution 90: “Tonight, I voted to proceed to debate on a resolution that would terminate the escalation of operations—covert, military, economic, or otherwise—against Venezuela without explicit approval from Congress. “I have been briefed multiple times and reviewed classified documents that provide insight into the administration’s factual justification for these actions. Even w… Continue Reading
11.05.25
Murkowski Speaks on Workforce Development in Alaska with Industry Leaders
Washington, DC — During a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions hearing today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) highlighted the importance of “wraparound services” in apprenticeship programs to train Alaska’s workforce. She also asked during the hearing about the versatility of workforce training across the state, and the need for a workforce that can help Alaska build out its all-of-the-above energy strategy. Click thumbnail above or here to watch Senator Murkowski’s… Continue Reading
10.30.25
Murkowski Seeks to Reassert Congressional Power over Foreign Trade and Tariffs
Washington, DC — This week, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined a majority of her colleagues in voting to reassert congressional authority over foreign trade and to terminate the President’s emergency declarations to place tariffs on Canada, Brazil, and other countries. This vote series follows Senator Murkowski joining her colleagues in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, urging the Court to affirm lower court rulings that the President’s use of an emergency declaration i… Continue Reading
10.30.25
Senate Nullifies Biden-era Lock-Up of Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve
Washington, DC—The U.S. Senate, by a vote of 52 to 45, today passed Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the Biden administration’s restrictive 2022 Integrated Activity Plan (IAP) Record of Decision (ROD) for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). The Biden-era NPR-A IAP replaced a 2020 Trump administration plan, closed nearly half of the NPR-A to oil and gas leasing, contradicted… Continue Reading
10.29.25
Murkowski, Colleagues, Introduce Legislation to Restore Pay for Capitol Police During Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) co-sponsored legislation introduced by Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) that would ensure members of the United States Capitol Police, their civilian staff, and essential contractors continue to receive pay during a government shutdown. “U.S. Capitol Police have continued to serve Congress faithfully throughout this shutdown—and it is we who are letting them down,” said Senator Murkowski. “Our officers and t… Continue Reading
10.28.25
Murkowski, Whitehouse, Tillis, and Warner Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Telehealth Access
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Mark Warner (D-VA) reintroduced the Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act. This bipartisan legislation addresses regulatory hurdles to accessing telehealth services for opioid use disorder by making permanent the resources that were made available during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Over 80 percent of our communities are off the road system in Alas… Continue Reading
10.27.25
Murkowski Calls on Colleagues to Stay in DC, Work to End Shutdown
Washington, DC — Today, on day 27 of the federal shutdown, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) called for the Senate to remain in Washington, DC for as long as it takes to reach agreement to reopen the government. During her remarks on the Senate floor, Murkowski read messages she has received from Alaskans impacted by the shutdown and expressed her frustration with the lack of progress being made on both sides of the aisle to end the stalemate. Watch Senator Murkowski’s full remarks here. Rou… Continue Reading
10.27.25
Murkowski Cosponsors Bill to Avoid SNAP Interruption During Government Shutdown
Washington, DC — U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has cosponsored legislation to ensure that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit payments continue uninterrupted should the government shutdown persist past October. With the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) posting notice on its website stating that SNAP benefits will not be distributed on November 1 in the absence of a Continuing Resolution (CR) or appropriations bills, Senator Josh Hawley’s (R-MO) Keep SNAP Funded Ac… Continue Reading
10.23.25
Delegation Celebrates Series of Interior Announcements for Alaska Day
Washington, DC— U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, U.S. Congressman Nick Begich, and Governor Mike Dunleavy, all R-Alaska, today participated in an “Alaska Day” ceremony at the U.S. Department of the Interior with Secretary Doug Burgum. Secretary Burgum announced a series of administrative actions, including the signing of three land allotments for Alaska Native veterans, the restoration of the Coastal Plain oil and gas program, the reinstatement of key permits for the Ambler Access … Continue Reading
10.22.25
Alaska Delegation Applauds President Trump’s Approval of Federal Disaster Declaration for Western Alaska
WASHINGTON— U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Nick Begich (all R-Alaska) today thanked President Donald Trump for swiftly approving Governor Mike Dunleavy’s (R-Alaska) request for a federal disaster declaration in response to the widespread devastation caused by the remnants of Typhoon Halong across Western Alaska, particularly throughout the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. President Trump also announced an initial $25 million in disaster relief funding to expeditiousl… Continue Reading
10.22.25
Senate Commerce Advances Bill to Reauthorize the Young Fishermen’s Development Program
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee yesterday advanced bipartisan legislation—introduced by Senators Dan Sullivan and Lissa Murkowski (both R-Alaska), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) in July—to reauthorize the Young Fishermen’s Development Program. The program, first authorized in law in 2021 for five years, seeks to mitigate the challenges and hurdles facing the next generation of entrants into the fishing industry. The senat… Continue Reading
10.21.25
Murkowski Speaks at Alaska Federation of Natives Convention
Anchorage, AK — Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) addressed the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) at their annual convention in Anchorage, Alaska. The AFN Convention “serves as the principal forum and voice for the Alaska Native community in addressing critical issues of public policy and government.” This year’s theme was “Standing Strong, Standing United.” Click here to watch Senator Murkowski’s remarks, shared with permission from AFN Senator Murkowski - Remarks As Delivered … Continue Reading
10.17.25
Alaska Delegation Presses for Federal Disaster Declaration for Western Alaska Storm Devastation
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Nick Begich (all R-Alaska) today sent a letter urging President Donald Trump to approve Governor Mike Dunleavy’s (R-Alaska) request for a federal disaster declaration in response to the devastation of communities in Western Alaska, particularly throughout the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region, from the remnants of Typhoon Halong. Once the President approves a major disaster declaration, additional federal resources can b… Continue Reading
10.16.25
Murkowski Speaks on Storms, Resilience of Western Alaskans on Senate Floor
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding the recent storms that have displaced more than 1,000 Alaskans and devastated communities along the coast of Western Alaska. Watch Senator Murkowski’s full remarks here. The rough transcript of Senator Murkowski’s remarks can be found below. Rough Transcript Murkowski: Mr. President, I came in at the tail end of the comments from my colleague and my friend from Delaware, and he underscored some poi… Continue Reading
10.15.25
Murkowski and Colleagues Urge Administration to Follow Law on Back Pay for Furloughed Federal Workers
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA-08) and Steny Hoyer (D-MD-05) led their colleagues in sending a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought urging OMB to follow the law—which President Donald Trump signed in 2019—that requires furloughed federal employees to receive back pay after a government shutdown end… Continue Reading
10.11.25
Murkowski: NDAA Strengthens National Defense By Investing in Alaska
Washington, DC - Yesterday evening, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, which passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 77-20. This year’s NDAA authorizes $925.8 billion for U.S. defense and national security programs. The FY26 NDAA provides a 3.8 percent pay raise for military personnel, expands investment in military construction, supports state-of-the-art defense technologies, and strengthens America’s allia… Continue Reading
10.10.25
Senate Votes to Overturn Biden Central Yukon Plan, Restore Balanced Management
Washington, DC— The U.S. Senate, by a vote of 50 to 46, last night passed Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski’s (both R-Alaska) joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the Biden administration’s Central Yukon Resource Management Plan (CYRMP) Record of Decision (ROD), issued in November of 2024. The Biden-era CYRMP ignored the need for balanced management, purposely restricting access to resource development and economic opportunities in the regio… Continue Reading
