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.

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 Votes to Impose Tougher Sanctions on North Korea

Today Senator Lisa Murkowski voted in favor of the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016, a bill to impose more stringent sanctions on North Korea. The bill passed overwhelmingly in the Senate with a vote of 96-0. Murkowski spoke on the Senate floor prior to the final vote, saying: "Alaskans take great interest in this legislation, and it's not simply an intellectual interest. Our geography requires it. "North Korea is committed to advancing its nuclear capabilities, and it… 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

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88 Page 89 Page 90 Page 91 Page 92 Page 93 Page 94 Page 95 Page 96 Page 97 Page 98 Page 99 Page 100 Page 101 Page 102 Page 103 Page 104 Page 105 Page 106 Page 107 Page 108 Page 109 Page 110 Page 111 Page 112 Page 113 Page 114 Page 115 Page 116 Page 117 Page 118 Page 119 Page 120 Page 121 Page 122 Page 123 Page 124 Page 125 Page 126 Page 127 Page 128 Page 129 Page 130 Page 131 Page 132 Page 133 Page 134 Page 135 Page 136 Page 137 Page 138 Page 139 Page 140 Page 141 Page 142 Page 143 Page 144 Page 145 Page 146 Page 147 Page 148 Page 149 Page 150 Page 151 Page 152 Page 153 Page 154 Page 155 Page 156 Page 157 Page 158 Page 159 Page 160 Page 161 Page 162 Page 163 Page 164 Page 165 Page 166 Page 167 Page 168 Page 169 Page 170 Page 171 Page 172 Page 173 Page 174 Page 175 Page 176 Page 177 Page 178 Page 179 Page 180 Page 181 Page 182 Page 183 Page 184 Page 185 Page 186 Page 187 Page 188 Page 189 Page 190 Page 191 Page 192 Page 193 Page 194 Page 195 Page 196 Page 197 Page 198 Page 199 Page 200 Page 201 Page 202 Page 203 Page 204 Page 205 Page 206 Page 207 Page 208 Page 209 Page 210 Page 211 Page 212 Page 213 Page 214 Page 215 Page 216 Page 217 Page 218 Page 219 Page 220 Page 221 Page 222 Page 223 Page 224 Page 225 Page 226
Showing page   of 226