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.
GOP Senators Say House Health Care Draft Lacks Key Protections for Medicaid Expansion Population
Today, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) outlining concerns that the February 10th draft health care plan from the House does not adequately protect individuals and families in Medicaid expansion programs or provide necessary flexibility for states. In the letter, the senators write: "While we support efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and … Continue Reading
03.03.17
Senators Ask DOJ to Uphold Existing Policy on State Marijuana Laws
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators, including Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), sent a letter that calls on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to request the Department of Justice (DOJ) uphold its existing enforcement policy regarding states that have voter-approved marijuana laws. The letter was prompted by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer's remarks during his briefing on February 23rd, suggesting that the public would soon see "greater enforcement" against … Continue Reading
03.03.17
Murkowski Welcomes New Interior Orders
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed her support for two secretarial orders announced by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke during his first full day on the job. Secretarial Order 3347 overturns the last-minute Director's Order 219, which would have banned lead-based products in ammunition and fishing tackle used on Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters. Director's Order 219 was of particular concern in the State of Alaska, as many who engage in traditional subsistence activitie… Continue Reading
03.02.17
Murkowski Congratulates New Energy Secretary
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after former Texas Gov. Rick Perry was confirmed to be the Secretary of Energy by a vote of 62-37. "I congratulate Gov. Perry on his successful confirmation to be our nation's next Secretary of Energy," Murkowski said. "This is a critical time for the Department, and it needs steady leadership as we pursue the broad benefits of energy innovation and greater security for our nation's energy infrastructure. The Department'… Continue Reading
03.01.17
Murkowski Congratulates New Interior Secretary
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) was confirmed to be the nation's next Secretary of the Interior by a bipartisan vote of 68-31. "I am hopeful that Rep. Zinke's confirmation will mark the start of a new era for the Department of the Interior that is defined by greater cooperation with Congress, the states, and the local residents affected by its decisions," Murkowski said. "This is particularly important for Alaska, which… Continue Reading
02.28.17
Murkowski Comments on President Trump’s Address to Congress
Tonight U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following statement in response to President Trump's address to a Joint Session of Congress: (Click here to watch video of Senator Murkowski's reaction.) "Tonight was an important night, for the President, Congress, and the American people. With a new administration there is always a degree of uncertainty, so this was an opportunity for the President to outline his goals for our nation's future. His speech tonight laid out his broa… Continue Reading
02.28.17
Murkowski Commends President Trump’s WOTUS Executive Order
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement in response to President Trump's Executive Order regarding the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: "The Waters of the United States or 'WOTUS' rule is one of the most burdensome, overreaching rules imposed by the Obama administration-a regulation with such broad reach that it could be used to impact and delay almost any development project anywhere in Alaska. I am pleased the Trump administration has decided to review thi… Continue Reading
02.27.17
Murkowski: SRS Funding is Critical to Alaska, Nation
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, recently sent a letter to President Trump urging him to include mandatory funding for the Secure Rural School (SRS) program in his upcoming budget request for Fiscal Year 2018. Murkowski also signed a similar letter in support of SRS to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney. "In my home state of Alaska, the Forest Service controls approximately 22 million acres of land, including 17 million acres in the Southeast region," Murkowski said… Continue Reading
02.25.17
Murkowski Commemorates Centennial of Denali National Park
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the creation of Denali National Park and Preserve. Celebrations will take place at Denali on Sunday, Feb. 26, the day that marks the official centennial of the park's creation in 1917. "One hundred years ago, President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill establishing what was then known as Mount McKinley National Park, and today we proudly call it Denali National Park and Preserve," Mu… Continue Reading
02.17.17
Murkowski Votes to Confirm EPA Administrator
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting to confirm Scott Pruitt to be EPA Administrator: "As Senator for a state hard-hit by EPA regulations, and chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the agency, I have a keen interest in who serves as its Administrator. Scott Pruitt has extensive knowledge of the laws that guide the EPA, and he is committed to refocusing the agency on actually cleaning up the environment instead of constantly churning o… Continue Reading
02.15.17
Menendez, Murkowski, Klobuchar, Rubio, Schumer Reintroduce Bipartisan Firefighter Cancer Registry Act
U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today reintroduced bipartisan legislation, along with original cosponsors Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), to create a national cancer registry for firefighters diagnosed with the deadly disease. Firefighters are exposed to a range of harmful toxins, and research has indicated that there is a strong connection between firefighting and an increased risk for several major cancers such as testicular, stomach, multiple m… Continue Reading
02.14.17
Murkowski Votes to Confirm Veterans Affairs Secretary
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting to confirm Dr. David Shulkin as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs: "I congratulate Dr. Shulkin on his elevation to Secretary of Veterans Affairs. As a member of the Senate VA Appropriations Subcommittee, I have come to know Dr. Shulkin over the past several years. To his credit Dr. Shulkin has visited Alaska to learn more about the reforms in healthcare delivery that we achieved under former Secretary Shinseki, suc… Continue Reading
02.14.17
Murkowski Votes to Confirm Small Business Administrator
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting to confirm Linda McMahon as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration: "I congratulate Linda McMahon on her new position as Small Business Administrator, and I have confidence that she will work with us to support Alaska's businesses. During our meeting, Mrs. McMahon was interested in the unique dynamics of Alaskan businesses, especially in our rural areas, and assured me that she will be a strong advo… Continue Reading
02.13.17
Murkowski, Cantwell, Hirono Introduce Volcano Monitoring Bill
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, have introduced legislation to improve the nation's volcano monitoring and early warning capabilities to help keep communities and travelers safe. The bill, S. 346, strengthens existing volcano monitoring systems, which include the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), the Cascades Volcano Observatory, and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, and would unify them into a single connected system called the National… Continue Reading
02.10.17
Murkowski Votes to Confirm Health and Human Services Secretary
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting to confirm Dr. Tom Price as the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary: "I have confidence in Dr. Tom Price's leadership given his strong work-ethic and skills needed to handle the largest budget of any of the federal agencies. His extensive background - both medical and legislative - shows he has both a deep understanding of healthcare and a commitment for doing what is best for patients. I look forward to work… Continue Reading
02.09.17
Murkowski Meets with Supreme Court Nominee
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today released the following statement after meeting with Judge Neil Gorsuch, nominee to the United States Supreme Court: "I had a constructive meeting today with Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Trump's Supreme Court nominee, where I had the opportunity to learn more about his background and beliefs as well as educate him on areas of concern to Alaskans. I have been impressed with Judge Neil Gorsuch from the very beginning, and I am now even more confident in h… Continue Reading
02.08.17
Murkowski Votes to Confirm Senator Jeff Sessions as Attorney General
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting to confirm Senator Jeff Sessions as U.S. Attorney General: "Although Senator Sessions and I have had policy differences over the years - over VAWA, immigration, voting rights - I know him to be an honorable man, someone of great integrity, one of the hardest workers in the Senate, and a person open to finding common ground. There is room to grow our relationship and his understanding of Alaska as he moves on to his… Continue Reading
02.08.17
Two Murkowski Bills Pass Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Today the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs passed two pieces of legislation sponsored by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). S.91, the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2017, which strengthens and reforms Public Law 102-477 (referred to as "477"), a comprehensive Native employment and training program. S.269 transfers property to both the Tanana Tribal Council and Bristol Bay Area Health to be used in connection with health and social services programs. "I … Continue Reading
02.07.17
Alaska Delegation Introduces Resolution Honoring Denali National Park and Preserve Centennial
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, and U.S. Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today introduced resolutions in their respective chambers to honor Denali National Park and Preserve's upcoming centennial. The resolution designates Feb. 26, 2017, the park's 100th anniversary, as "Denali National Park and Preserve Day." It reflects on the cultural history of the area, including traditional and Alaska Native uses before Denali was designated as a park, and traces many of the most notable de… Continue Reading
02.07.17
Klobuchar, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Vital Support to Local Law Enforcement
Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced bipartisan legislation to provide vital support to local law enforcement. The COPS Improvement Act would provide for the hiring of more police officers and expand the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to account for developments in community policing techniques that have proven effective in preventing and fighting crime. The COPS program awards grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agenc… Continue Reading
