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 Co-Sponsors Legislation To Combat Eating Disorders
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) co-sponsored S. 1865, the Anna Westin Act, legislation focused on treating and preventing eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. This bipartisan bill creates training programs for healthcare professionals, school personnel, and the general public to promote the treatment and prevention of eating disorders. "Only 1 in 10 people with an eating disorder get any help and that needs to change. Early detection, and getting these individuals th… Continue Reading
03.03.16
Murkowski Introduces Updated Legislation to Require Labeling of GE Salmon
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) continued her fight against "Frankenfish" by introducing legislation to mandate labeling of genetically engineered (GE) salmon. The Genetically Engineered Salmon Labeling Act, co-sponsored by Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), changes the acceptable market name for any salmon that is genetically engineered to include the words "genetically engineered" or "GE." The bill also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure… Continue Reading
03.03.16
Murkowski to VA: Fix Veterans’ Healthcare in Alaska
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) blasted the current leadership of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for dismantling a healthcare system in Alaska that worked to deliver care to veterans no matter where in the state they may live. During a Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Senator Murkowski addressed Dr. David J. Shulkin, Undersecretary of Health for the VA, laying out the many issues Alaska's veterans now face that they didn't struggle with before the Choice Ac… Continue Reading
03.02.16
Murkowski Stresses Need for Deep Water Port in the Arctic
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) pressed Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Jo-Ellen Darcy, on the need for a deep water port in the Arctic region. During an Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee hearing focusing on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers budget request, Murkowski challenged officials for not funding the proposed port project in Nome, Alaska. Murkowski asked, "When the President was up in Alaska in September, he announced the need for a deep wa… Continue Reading
03.02.16
Murkowski Presses Secretary Jewell on Proposed Hunting and Fishing Regulations
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) questioned Interior Secretary Sally Jewell on proposed regulations by the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to govern hunting, trapping, and land access in Alaska's national wildlife refuges. Murkowski called the proposed rule unsettling to the people of Alaska as it contains provisions to close areas that are currently open to hunting and fishing. Senator Murkowski raised the issue with Secretary Jewell, asking: "Of course these … Continue Reading
03.02.16
Murkowski: Innovative Technologies Transforming Rural Communities
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, welcomed an up to $1.54 million grant that the Department of Energy awarded to promote the development of a marine hydrokinetic project in Igiugig, Alaska. The development of the technology associated with the project could ultimately help lower energy costs in rural communities across the state. "This is great news for Igiugig. The Igiugig project is so important since the marine power device being developed there could be utilized in dozens of river village… Continue Reading
03.01.16
AK Delegation Concerned Over Omission of Alaskans at Earthquake Resilience Summit
Today the Alaska Congressional Delegation spoke out about the Administration's omission of Alaskan stakeholders at a recent national discussion on earthquake resiliency, sending a letter (attached) to the Department of Interior Secretary Sally Jewell that reads: "We write to you in regards to the interest of the Administration in improving the safety and resiliency of some of the Nation's communities in earthquake-prone regions. We welcome the Administration's proactive stance, but are concerne… Continue Reading
02.29.16
Murkowski Responds to Designation of Polar Bear Habitat
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision in Alaska Oil and Gas Association v. Jewell. Today's decision reverses a 2013 decision by the U.S. District Court for Alaska which set aside the Fish and Wildlife Service's designation of 187,000-square miles of Alaska's North Slope as critical habitat for polar bears as unlawful: "I am enraged by today's Ninth Circuit decision allowing the Fish and Wildlife Service to desi… Continue Reading
02.26.16
AK Delegation: F-35 Decision Will Trigger Economic Boom for Interior Alaska
The Alaska Congressional Delegation applauded the Air Force's publication of the final Environmental Impact Study (EIS) regarding the beddown of two squadrons of F-35s to be based at Eielson Air Force Base. Publication of the EIS is a necessary step toward a final Air Force decision on where to base the first F-35As in the Pacific Theatre. The study assesses whether the Air Force can locate the F-35 squadrons at Eielson, and a final "Record of Decision" will be announced in approximately 30 days… Continue Reading
02.25.16
Murkowski Presses for Increased Coast Guard Assets in the Arctic
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) questioned Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson in an Appropriations Committee hearing on his department's commitment to increase Coast Guard assets in the Arctic, given the rise in activity throughout the region. Due to the Coast Guard's need for expanded presence in the Arctic, Murkowski also tasked Secretary Johnson to look critically at the benefits of homeporting a National Security Cutter in Alaska. (Senator Murkowski questions Secreta… Continue Reading
02.25.16
Murkowski Applauds Efforts to Ensure Rural Alaskans Have Voice in Proposed Federal Wildlife Management Rule
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following statement after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced that it would extend the comment period on a proposed rule on hunting, trapping, and land access in Alaska's national wildlife refuges by an additional 30 days. The Service's announcement comes after the entire Alaska congressional delegation sent a letter to the Service calling on the agency to extend the comment period. "This extension is welcome news and will h… Continue Reading
02.24.16
Army Chief to Murkowski on JBER Cuts: “It Would be Contrary to Strategic National Security Interest”
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) received assurances from the Army that the 4-25 Army Brigade at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson remains strategically vital to our nation's security and should not be cut at this time. General Milley, Chief of Staff of the Army, traveled to Alaska earlier in February for the specific purpose of observing the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) of the 25th Infantry Division. Today in a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Senator Murkowski… Continue Reading
02.23.16
Murkowski: Interior’s Budget Troubling for Alaska, Nation
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today pressed Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell on her department's $13.4 billion budget request, noting that it would further restrict resource production in federal areas and ignore budget realities by increasing mandatory spending. Click picture to view video "I am very troubled by the approach that Interior is trying to take for Alaska and the rest of our nation," Murkowski said. "The Administration claims that this budget '…invests in Alas… Continue Reading
02.23.16
Murkowski Releases Second CRS Analysis of Admin.’s Oil Tax
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released a new analysis by the Congressional Research Service of the administration's revised proposed tax on oil, demonstrating that the slight increase in the rate actually costs an additional $8 billion over the next decade - for a total of $319 billion. The White House, which describes the tax as a "fee," originally announced the proposal would charge oil companies $10.00 per barrel of oil. An earlier CRS analysis of that proposal concluded the plan… Continue Reading
02.17.16
Murkowski Applauds Energy Efficiency Leadership of Rural Communities in Alaska
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today applauded 64 rural communities for being recognized as "Community Efficiency Champions" by the Department of Energy's Remote Alaska Communities Energy Efficiency Competition (RACEE Competition). "This is great news and further confirms that Alaska is leading the way for the rest of the world when it comes to energy innovation," Murkowski said. "We have some of the highest energy prices in the country which is why it's so important to promote energy inno… Continue Reading
02.16.16
Murkowski Highlights Energy Innovation in Rural Alaska
Bethel, AK - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, held a field hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in Bethel to examine the advancements that rural Alaska is making in energy innovation. Murkowski was joined by Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and five of her Senate colleagues to hear how Alaska is a leader for the nation in energy innovation. Energy Secretary Moniz and Sens. Murkowski, Barrasso, R-Wyo., and Cantwell, D-Wash., listen to witness testimony at Monday's he… Continue Reading
02.12.16
Murkowski Introduces Bill to Provide Relief to Aviators
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced S.2530, the Small Aircraft Tax Modification Act of 2016, a bill providing relief from regulatory burdens for small charter flight operators. The bill fixes current IRS policy regarding passenger excise taxes on charter flight operations, providing tax relief for Alaska's aviation industry. "This bill provides a much-needed fix for small air carriers in Alaska by removing an onerous tax burden that's been put upon them," said Senator Murkowski. "Simplifying… Continue Reading
02.11.16
Alaska Senators Work to Put American Seafood in School Lunches
U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski introduced S. 2529, legislation that would strengthen the Buy American provisions within the National School Lunch program to require that fish and fish products served through the program have to be caught in U.S. waters, or in the case of tuna, caught by a U.S. flagged vessel. "This is a commonsense bill that not only helps our fishermen, but also ensures that our children nationwide are getting the freshest and most nutritious fish products avail… Continue Reading
02.11.16
Murkowski Votes to Permanently Ban Internet Taxes
Today Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted for H.R. 644, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, a bill that makes improvements to U.S. Customs and Border Protection activities and policies to help enforce our trade laws, remove barriers to trade, and help small businesses thrive. The bill also contains language from legislation she co-sponsored that would permanently ban the implementation of new taxes on internet access. The bill passed in a vote of 75-20. "Alaskans already face high… Continue Reading
02.11.16
Murkowski Lifts Hold on FDA Commissioner Nominee
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced that she is lifting her hold on the confirmation of Dr. Robert Califf, the nominee to be Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Murkowski announced she intended to block his nomination in November of 2015 after the FDA's approval of genetically engineered (GE) salmon for human consumption. "I placed my hold on Dr. Califf's nomination until my concerns regarding labeling guidelines for GE salmon had been resolved. Since then, I … Continue Reading
