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.
Senator Murkowski Joins Senate Resolution Standing with Israel on One-Year Anniversary of Horrific Terrorist Attacks
Washington, D.C. — On the one-year anniversary of the brutal Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) joined forty-eight of her Senate colleagues condemning the attacks, while supporting a path towards the survival and security of Israel, as well as the safe release of United States hostages from the Gaza Strip. “Our prayers continue to be with the families and victims of the barbaric terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas one year ago,” said Senator Murkowski. “As on… Continue Reading
10.04.24
Murkowski & Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Release LIHEAP Home Heating Aid
WASHINGTON, D.C. - With colder weather around the corner and Congress continuing its work on appropriations bills, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Jack Reed (D-RI) and are leading a bipartisan call for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as swiftly and at the highest level possible. “As Congress works to finalize the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bill for the Departmen… Continue Reading
10.02.24
Dr. Michael Sfraga Officially Sworn In as First United States Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs
Washington, D.C. — In a ceremony yesterday at the Harry S. Truman Federal Building, Dr. Michael Sfraga was sworn in by the U.S. Department of State and officially became the United States’ first Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs. Senator Murkowski, a driving force for the creation of the position and a key advocate of Ambassador Sfraga’s nomination, offered her congratulations following the ceremony. “Congratulations to Dr. Michael Sfraga, the first United States Ambassador-at-Large for Ar… Continue Reading
09.30.24
ICYMI: Senator Murkowski Reiterates Support for Alaska’s Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Washington, DC - Last week, amidst floor activity to pass a continued resolution to fund the federal government, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) submitted a Statement into the Congressional Record underscoring the importance of funds that were secured in 2021 to support Alaska’s children and youth experiencing homelessness. The Senator shared impactful examples of how the funds were used to connect young people to services and resources to ensure success in their education and beyond. She als… Continue Reading
09.27.24
Murkowski in Attendance as U.S. Navy Formally Apologizes to Village of Kake for Military Bombardment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, attended and spoke at a ceremony in Kake, Alaska, where the U.S. Navy formally apologized for bombarding the Alaska Native village of Kake, Alaska in 1869. Senator Murkowski has advocated for this formal apology for many years. She has heard directly from the leadership of the respective villages and clans about the pain and suffering that was inflicted on the Tlingit people by t… Continue Reading
09.25.24
Murkowski, Hirono Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Hold Judiciary Accountable for Workplace Misconduct
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee introduced the bicameral, bipartisan Judiciary Accountability Act of 2024 (JAA). The legislation would ensure the more than 30,000 employees of the federal judiciary have strong statutory rights and protections against discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and other forms of workplace misconduct and will guide further conversations with stakeholders and ex… Continue Reading
09.24.24
Senator Murkowski Welcomes Historic Confirmation for United States Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, welcomed the historic confirmation of the United States’ first Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs, Dr. Michael Sfraga. Senator Murkowski was the chief advocate for the creation of the position, which the State Department initiated in 2022. The Senate confirmed Dr. Sfraga’s nomination today. “Finally, we have officially joined the rest of the Arctic nations at the table after the Senate confirmed t… Continue Reading
09.23.24
Senator Murkowski Introduces Arctic Research and Policy Amendments Act of 2024
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Arctic Research and Policy Amendments Act of 2024, updating the landmark Arctic Research and Policy Act (ARPA) of 1984. Senator Murkowski celebrated the 40th anniversary of the original ARPA with a significant event at the White House last week. “The Arctic Research and Policy Amendments Act of 2024 builds upon the strong foundation of the original APRA of 1984. As the geographic and political landscape of the Arctic evolves, th… Continue Reading
09.23.24
Alaska Congressional Delegation Welcomes $277 Million in Fishery Disaster Funding for Alaska
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-AK) and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-AK) welcomed the announcement of $277 million in funding for Alaska fishery disasters from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Funding for a number of salmon and crab fisheries from 2020-2023 will be transmitted to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission for distribution to fishermen, their crews, seafood processors, and communities impacted by these fishery disasters. “Ther… Continue Reading
09.20.24
Senator Murkowski presents Chief Reverend Dr. Trimble Gilbert with nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts
Washington, DC - This week, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was honored to present Chief Reverend Dr. Trimble Gilbert the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) National Heritage Fellowship in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Chief Gilbert is a traditional chief from Arctic Village in Alaska, and is a master Gwich’in Athabascan fiddler and renowned culture bearer. The fellowship is the nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts. Ten recipients from around the country were presented with… Continue Reading
09.17.24
Alaska Delegation Reiterates Strong Opposition to NPR-A ‘Special Areas’ Process
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-AK) and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-AK) reiterated their opposition to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) latest efforts to further restrict resource development across the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). In a letter sent Monday, the delegation voiced strong opposition to BLM’s request for information (RFI), the precursor to an arbitrary, deliberately opaque process to expand and create new Special Ar… Continue Reading
09.16.24
Senator Murkowski Announces 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Essay Contest for Alaska Fourth Graders
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), announced an essay contest for fourth graders in Alaska to celebrate the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, known as the “The People’s Tree,” coming from Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. “The time-honored tradition of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is something I look forward to every holiday season, particularly when it comes from Alaska,” said Senator Murkowski. “I look forward to selecting one young Alaskan to flip the switch and t… Continue Reading
09.13.24
Alaska Congressional Delegation Lauds Continued Investment in Alaska Ferries
Alaska Congressional Delegation Lauds Continued Investment in Alaska Ferries Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-AK) and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-AK) today announced the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) substantial award of $177 million in federal grants for the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). This award was made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and aims to bolster operations and capital projects to improve… Continue Reading
08.23.24
Alaska Congressional Delegation Secures Exemption Sparing Alaska Air National Guard from Planned Leveling Cuts
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska), and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-Alaska), today welcomed news that the Alaska Air National Guard (ANG) has been granted an indefinite exemption from the Air National Guard’s “Fulltime Leveling” (FTL) initiative that would have impacted or eliminated nearly 80 Active Guard Reserve positions in Alaska. Major General Duke A. Pirak, acting director of the Air National Guard, delivered the news in a letter to S… Continue Reading
08.23.24
Alaska Congressional Delegation Secures Exemption Sparing Alaska Air National Guard from Planned Leveling Cuts
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska), and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-Alaska), today welcomed news that the Alaska Air National Guard (ANG) has been granted an indefinite exemption from the Air National Guard’s “Fulltime Leveling” (FTL) initiative that would have impacted or eliminated nearly 80 Active Guard Reserve positions in Alaska. Major General Duke A. Pirak, acting director of the Air National Guard, delivered the news in a letter to S… Continue Reading
08.19.24
Alaska Delegation Celebrates Ninth Circuit Ruling Defending Southeast Troll Salmon Fishery
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska), and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-Alaska), today celebrated a ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in favor of Southeast Alaska troll fishermen whose ability to fish has been challenged in a lawsuit brought forward by the Washington-based Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC), which attempted to shut down the fishery due to unfounded allegations regarding fishery impacts. This ruling is a welcome legal victor… Continue Reading
08.16.24
Alaska Delegation Renews Call for Protective Actions on Transboundary Mining
Juneau, AK - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-AK) and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-AK) this week sent a letter to President Joe Biden expressing their continued concern over transboundary mining in British Columbia (B.C.) just upstream of several Southeast Alaska rivers. The delegation has repeatedly urged the Biden administration to help protect Alaska’s communities and marine resources from potential impacts and renewed their call for action after the recent h… Continue Reading
08.16.24
Murkowski Convenes Stakeholders in Yakutat to Address Systemic Weather System Failures in Rural Alaska
Yakutat, AK - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) convened a summit featuring representatives from government agencies and companies responsible for maintaining the Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) in Yakutat to collaborate on better practices to reduce travel delays and bolster safety in Alaska aviation. Participants included Director of the National Weather Service (NWS) Ken Graham, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Director of Congressional Affairs John So… Continue Reading
08.14.24
Murkowski, Sullivan Welcome Official Coast Guard Announcement: Icebreaker Will Be Homeported in Juneau
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) today applauded the official announcement by the Coast Guard (USCG) that a commercial icebreaker will be homeported in Juneau. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda L. Fagan, who is currently traveling with the senators in Alaska, had previously committed to the senators that the icebreaker would be homeported in Juneau. However, until now, the decision had not been made final. In March, Sullivan and Murkowski succes… Continue Reading
08.02.24
Murkowski Helps Advance Bipartisan Permitting Reform
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today voted in favor of S. 4753, the Energy Permitting Reform Act, during a markup held by the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The panel reported the legislation, which reflects a bipartisan agreement between Chairman Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY), by a vote of 15-4. “Anyone who has been within a thousand miles of the federal permitting process knows it is broken and one of the biggest impediments to respon… Continue Reading
