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, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
04.27.26
Murkowski, Shaheen Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Study the Harmful Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Maternal Health
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) are leading the introduction of bipartisan and bicameral legislation to protect the health and well-being of pregnant women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) by requiring the study of the harmful effects of IPV on maternal health and investing in innovative programs to prevent IPV and improve maternal and child health outcomes for survivors. “Improving maternal health outcomes must be a na… Continue Reading
04.24.26
Murkowski & Blumenthal Announce Inspector General Audit of DOJ’s Failure to Release the Full Epstein Files
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) announced that, at their request, the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) has initiated an audit of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation requiring the release of all records and documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein. While survivors have called bravely and repeatedly for full transparency, DOJ has failed… Continue Reading
04.24.26
Murkowski: "Congress cannot abdicate its core oversight and appropriations responsibilities"
Washington, DC — U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement following her vote on S.Con.Res.33, the concurrent resolution establishing the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2026: “The budget resolution before us last night would have funded two agencies for three years, extending into the next administration and removing the level of oversight that Congress owes the American people. I absolutely support funding for those who provide security for our … Continue Reading
04.22.26
Delegation Secures Federal Funding for Ports Across Alaska
Washington, DC—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Congressman Nick Begich (all R-Alaska) today touted more than $115.4 million in federal funding they helped secure for ports across Alaska. Seven projects that the delegation advocated for were selected through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), which Congress created in 2010 and provided substantial multi-year funding for in 2021. “I am proud to have worked with my partners in … Continue Reading
04.22.26
Murkowski, Burgum Discuss Alaska Successes, Priorities
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, today convened a hearing with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to discuss the Department’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2027. The Senator reiterated her appreciation for Secretary Burgum’s dedication to advancing Alaska priorities throughout his first year at Interior and her commitment to working with him and the Department to continue making … Continue Reading