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.

12.09.16

Alaska Delegation Slams President Obama’s Latest Executive Order

Today the Alaska Congressional Delegation spoke out against an Executive Order by President Obama creating a "Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area" for over 112,000 square miles off Alaska's western coast, in addition to withdrawing 40,300 square miles of federal waters from oil and natural gas leasing. "This is the first time we have ever seen the term 'climate resilience area' in Alaska or anywhere else," Senator Lisa Murkowski said. "We have no idea what that designation is supposed t… Continue Reading


12.08.16

Alaska Delegation Warns President Obama Against Parting Shots at Alaska

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, and U.S. Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today sent a letter to President Obama reiterating their strong objections to the use of Section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to withdraw acreage in the Arctic planning areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from future leasing. The letter highlights the delegation's fierce opposition to any potential Arctic withdrawals and cites the legal, economic, and scientific ramification… Continue Reading


12.08.16

Major Defense Bill Heading to President

Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) cast her vote in support of the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation designed to keep our nation safe from enemies and provide support for our troops and their families. The bill passed in a vote of 92-7 and now heads to the President's desk. "With the countless threats facing our nation from all corners of the globe, this is one of the most crucial pieces of legislation for Congress to pass. Our national security m… Continue Reading


12.07.16

Senate Passes Bill Boosting Medical Research and Innovation

Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting in favor of the 21st Century Cures Act: "This legislation tackles crucial health concerns for Alaskans - providing tools for mental health treatment, fighting the opioid epidemic, and addressing the disproportionally high risk of suicide among Alaska Natives. Not only that, but it will increase opportunities for lifesaving medical research. Today's bill provides hope for families grappling with devastating di… Continue Reading


12.02.16

EPA’s Unnecessary, Burdensome CERCLA Rule Will Harm Mining, Manufacturing in America

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a draft rulemaking that would impose new CERCLA 108(b) financial assurance regulations on hardrock mines, a move that defies strong congressional opposition, ignores the concerns of states and small businesses, and threatens the nation's mineral security. "I have opposed the EPA's efforts to impose new financial assurance requirements on hardrock mines from the start… Continue Reading


12.01.16

Long-Term Sanctions for Iran Heading to President’s Desk

Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the Iran Sanctions Extensions Act, a ten-year extension of existing sanctions against Iran. The bill lays out powerful restrictions related to energy, defense, and Iran's nuclear and missile activities. It works to deny Iran the resources to support terrorism and develop weapons of mass destruction. The legislation passed in a vote of 99-0, and now heads to the President to be signed into law. "Iran's actions continue to warrant extrem… Continue Reading


11.29.16

Senate Passes Bill Expanding Healthcare in Rural Alaska

Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Act to support telemedicine programs that connect health providers with patients in rural communities. The bill passed in a vote of 97-0. "The health and well-being of Alaskans is one of my top priorities, and I remain committed to ensuring Alaskans have access to quality healthcare. Utilizing technology and innovative delivery models to meet healthcare needs is imperative in rural state… Continue Reading


11.23.16

Just in Time for Thanksgiving, FWS Releases Absolute Turkey of a Mitigation Policy

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today criticized the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for finalizing a new, revised mitigation policy that will make development more difficult and more expensive throughout the nation, including in Alaska. "I oppose this mitigation policy, as well as the presidential memorandum, which is its foundation. I am seriously concerned about the economic consequences that will result from the excessive requirements being forced through in the waning days of … Continue Reading


11.18.16

Murkowski Questions Last Minute Administrative Maneuvering by Park Service

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week sent a letter to National Park Service (NPS) Director Jonathan Jarvis requesting an immediate 60-day extension of the public comment period for Director's Order #100, regarding "Resource Stewardship for the 21st Century". The Park Service is attempting to finalize this sweeping last-second policy proposal by the end of December, in part by limiting the public comment period to just 30 days. In her letter, Chairman Murkowski mirrored concerns she has… Continue Reading


11.18.16

Murkowski Applauds USED’s Decision to Grant Alaska Testing Waiver

Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Education's decision to approve the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development's (DEED) request for a waiver from federal testing requirements this year due to technical problems that arose during last spring's testing. "I am pleased the Department of Education heeded Alaska's concerns and granted this much-needed waiver. There is simply no reason our state should be penaliz… Continue Reading


11.18.16

Alaska Delegation Slams Decision to Strip Arctic Leases from New OCS Plan

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, and U.S. Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today condemned the Obama administration's decision to remove two Alaska lease sales - one each in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas - from its "Proposed Final Program" for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) leasing for 2017-2022. Eliminating the program's Arctic sales will yield the weakest offshore development plan in American history and lock up vast resources that are needed to grow our economy, protect national… Continue Reading


11.18.16

Murkowski Receives Panetta Institute’s Jefferson-Lincoln Awa

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) received the coveted Panetta Institute 2016 Jefferson-Lincoln Award, to honor her "outstanding stewardship of our democracy through dedicated, responsible, and bipartisan leadership." The award was conferred by the Panetta Institute for Public Policy, located at California State University Monterey Bay. "I am so humbled to be given this honor for my bipartisan leadership and long career in public service. I have always had the belief that there is no limit to … Continue Reading


11.17.16

Murkowski Honors Alaska’s Law Enforcement on Senate Floor

Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor to pay tribute to Alaska's police officers and honor the heroism shown by members of our law enforcement every day. Senator Murkowski honored Anchorage Police Officer Arn Salao, who was shot four times on November 12th when responding to a report that a man hadn't paid a cab fare. Officer Salao has undergone surgery and is expected to survive. The shooter's handgun - that of James Ritchie - has been linked to five previously uns… Continue Reading


11.15.16

Senate Passes Bill Honoring Nation’s Veterans

As the Senate reconvened today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the Gold Star Families Voices Act to better preserve and honor the memories of our nation's veterans. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 97-0 and now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. "I cannot think of a better time than now, on the heels of Veterans Day, to pass this law to honor the sacrifices of our veterans and their families by turning memories into history," said Senator Murkowsk… Continue Reading


10.25.16

Murkowski Welcomes Funding to Reduce Alaskans’ High Energy Costs

Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) welcomed the announcement that over $15 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are headed to the state to help Alaskans with their home heating bills. The State of Alaska will receive $9,151,603 from the LIHEAP Block Grant that will be distributed to Alaskans through the DHHS Division of Public Assistance. An additional $6,515,817 will be distributed to Native tribes and … Continue Reading


10.25.16

Murkowski Announces Expansion of Program to Help Nation’s Wounded Warriors

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced that Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) has been selected as a new site to offer creative art therapy for service members, veterans, and their families. The program, the Military Healing Arts, is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to support arts and health in the military. It is designed to help our nation's wounded and injured service members and their families in their trans… Continue Reading


10.19.16

Alaska Senators Honor 50 Years of the Alaska Federation of Natives

The U.S. Senate recently passed a resolution (attached), introduced by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN). AFN was formed in October 1966 when more than 400 Alaska Natives, representing 17 Native organizations, conducted a historic 3-day meeting to address Alaska Native land rights. "I'm proud to honor and recognize the significance of AFN and what this organization has achieved. I look forward to the AFN … Continue Reading


10.14.16

State Department Responds to Delegation’s Transboundary Concerns

In response to a letter that Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-AK) wrote to Secretary of State John Kerry last month, the State Department told the Alaska Congressional Delegation in a letter (attached) that it will remain in close contact with concerned Alaskans and are committed to identifying the best ways to resolve shared concerns about risks posed to water quality and livelihoods in Alaska by mining activities in British Columbia. "I am encoura… Continue Reading


10.07.16

Murkowski Welcomes Gov. Walker’s OCS Announcement

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after Gov. Bill Walker (I-Alaska) sent a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, signaling the State's nomination of offshore Arctic areas for the administration's upcoming Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Leasing Program for 2017-2022. "I appreciate the governor's formal nomination of the Beaufort, Chukchi, and Cook Inlet planning areas," Murkowski said. "While officials in the Obama administration ha… Continue Reading


10.07.16

U.S. Navy Responds to Murkowski’s Northern Edge Concerns

In response to a letter that U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) wrote to Secretary of the Navy last month, urging the Navy to connect and interact with concerned Alaskan communities about the timing, location, and potential impacts of the Navy's involvement in the Northern Edge 2017 (NE17) joint military exercise, Navy officials told Senator Murkowski in a letter (attached) they will work with local stakeholders to ensure the public is fully aware of the NE17 and the measures that will be put in… Continue Reading

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