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 Reacts to President Obama’s Final State of the Union Address
Tonight U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, responded to President Obama's final State of the Union address, saying: "The President claims to have unleashed our energy sector. To the contrary he's placed a stranglehold on American resource production while unleashing the Iranian energy sector. Our President should be focused on increasing the domestic energy production that has created the jobs, greenhouse gas reductions, and low gasoline prices he trumpeted. In Alaska, we have seen the fed… Continue Reading
01.12.16
Murkowski Continues Fight Against Frankenfish, Moves to Block FDA Commissioner Nominee
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) continued her fight against genetically engineered (GE) salmon by announcing in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee that she would block confirmation proceedings of the nominee to be FDA Commissioner, Dr. Robert Califf, on the Senate floor if her concerns are not resolved. Murkowski made clear that she intends to block Dr. Califf's confirmation until she receives assurance from the FDA that it will require mandatory labeling o… Continue Reading
01.09.16
Murkowski Condemns FWS Overreach on Alaska Refuge Management
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today condemned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for proposing a new rule that would preempt the state of Alaska's long-standing jurisdiction over predator control in national wildlife refuges. The USFWS rule and a draft environmental assessment appeared in today's edition of the Federal Register. "The agency claims this is an effort to bring clarity to a controversial issue, but in reality, it is a takeover of Alaska's fish and wildlife management… Continue Reading
01.08.16
Murkowski Reacts to Obama’s Veto of Affordable Care Act Repeal Bill
Today U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) responded to President Obama's veto of H.R. 3762, the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act, which would have repealed much of the Affordable Care Act, saying: "President Obama's veto is disappointing of course, but not surprising. The President is once again ignoring the will of the people. The Affordable Care Act does not work for Alaska, and we continue to see that with the never-ending rise in healthcare costs. The question still stan… Continue Reading
01.06.16
Murkowski Responds to Reports of North Korea Bomb Testing
Today U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) responded to recent reports of North Korea conducting a hydrogen bomb test, saying: "North Korea just celebrated what it called a successful hydrogen bomb test. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said initial data from various monitoring sources was 'not consistent with North Korean claims of a successful hydrogen bomb test.' Regardless of whether North Korea's statement is true, this is a significant event. "Alaska is keenly aware of our proximity to North … Continue Reading
01.05.16
Murkowski Reacts to President Obama’s Gun Control Measures
Today U.S. Senator Murkowski responded to President Obama's announcement on his proposed gun control actions, saying: "Our Second Amendment rights are non-negotiable. Many Alaskans depend on the Second Amendment to safeguard their way of life, whether it's for personal protection, subsistence, or sports and recreation. I have worked hard to ensure that these rights are not infringed upon and I will continue to do so. "The President is no friend of practical bipartisan solutions to the gun vi… Continue Reading
01.05.16
Murkowski Welcomes Decision Not to List Alexander Archipelago Wolf as Threatened
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to deny listing the Alexander Archipelago wolf as either threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). "Alaska has the largest population of gray wolves in America. There is agreement that the gray wolf population in Southeast Alaska is healthy and stable in most places and growing in others," Murkowski said. "At a time when timber harvesting on Prince of… Continue Reading
12.24.15
Murkowski Wishes Alaskans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski shared her thoughts with Alaskans this holiday season: "The end of the year is often regarded as a time of celebration, a time of hope, and a time of reflection. And as we gather with our family and friends this year, I encourage you to cherish those you love, and give thanks for that which we hold most dear. Let's also make time to think about the achievements and progress in the past year, and resolve to build upon them. As Alaskans we are blessed with incre… Continue Reading
12.23.15
Two Years Later, Still No Help for King Cove
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement to mark the two-year anniversary of the Obama administration's heartless rejection of a short, life-saving road for the isolated village of King Cove, Alaska. "I will never understand how the administration made its initial decision, or why it has continued to fail the people of King Cove ever since. Instead of protecting human lives, the administration has only managed to waste scarce resources on a shallow study of … Continue Reading
12.22.15
Murkowski: Investment in Arctic Through Omnibus Bill
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced many provisions within the year-end budget bill to fund the federal government that will lay the groundwork for increased research and investment in the Arctic. Included are provisions to spur construction of a Polar icebreaker, support research both onshore and offshore, and increase safety in Alaska's waters. "The Arctic is a national asset and should be treated as a national priority. As new possibilities and opportunities emerge in the Arctic, it … Continue Reading
12.18.15
Murkowski Hails Path Forward for Point Spencer Development
Today U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) praised the Senate's action to approve the Point Spencer Land Conveyance Act. Murkowski introduced the bicameral legislation with Congressman Don Young (R-AK) in May, to streamline future infrastructure development and potential uses of Point Spencer, Alaska by calling for the conveyance of approximately 2,500 acres of federal lands to local, state, and federal stakeholders. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a co-sponsor of the legislation and a member of the Sen… Continue Reading
12.18.15
Murkowski Champions Alaska Priorities in Year-End Budget Bill
Today the U.S. Senate approved the year-end budget package, known as the omnibus bill, to fund the federal government for the upcoming fiscal year. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured a number of initiatives important to Alaska outside of the jurisdiction of the subcommittee on Interior Appropriations, which she chairs. A summary of Alaska-specific provisions in the omnibus bill appears on the following pages. Click here to view the Alaska pri… Continue Reading
12.18.15
Murkowski Announces Interior Provisions in Year-End Omnibus Bill to Benefit Alaska
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced a series of provisions within the year-end omnibus budget package that will approve, support, and fund a broad range of initiatives important to Alaska. Murkowski secured many of the provisions through her role as Chairman of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, which provides Alaska with a strong voice in federal budget negotiations. Today the Senate voted on the bill which passed in a vote of 65-33. (Sena… Continue Reading
12.17.15
Senator Murkowski Releases Statement on Fairbanks Four
Today Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) shared her thoughts on the outcome of the 'Fairbanks Four' case: "I am pleased that the State of Alaska agreed to set aside the convictions of the Fairbanks Four based on the new evidence that has been developed and that Judge Lyle has accepted the settlement agreement today. I first took up the cause of the Fairbanks Four in 2013, asking the State of Alaska to take a hard look at whether their convictions were just. I concurrently asked the US Department of … Continue Reading
12.17.15
Murkowski Works to Support Alaska’s Fisheries and Protect Consumers through Omnibus Bill
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) welcomed the addition of multiple provisions she sponsored in the year-end budget bill to fund the federal government that will both protect American consumers and support Alaska's vital fishing industry. These provisions include a labelling mandate for genetically engineered (GE) salmon, a change in nomenclature of Alaska pollock to minimize consumer confusion, support for visa programs that provide much-needed workers during the busy fish processing sea… Continue Reading
12.17.15
Senator Murkowski Ensures Fully-Funded Wildfire Budget
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today highlighted her efforts to ensure that the omnibus appropriations bill included language to fully fund wildfire suppression efforts for the rest of Fiscal Year 2016. As part of her remarks, delivered this afternoon on the Senate floor, Murkowski reiterated that a long-term wildfire and forestry management bill is one of her top priorities as chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "It should go without saying that our nation'… Continue Reading
12.16.15
Murkowski: End of the Year Package Could Have Big Impacts on Alaska
Congress has reached an agreement on a year-end spending and tax package that sets federal funding levels for the next year and extends a series of tax breaks. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, had a major role in crafting the final package. The spending bill sustains Alaska's contribution to national defense, funds the delivery of the benefits that our veterans have earned, protects our fisheries, and fulfills the federal government's comm… Continue Reading
12.16.15
Murkowski: Oil Export Ban Repeal is Win for Alaska, Nation
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed inclusion in the year-end spending bill of language she has long championed to repeal the decades-long ban on crude oil exports. "Allowing oil exports is an important step forward in ensuring that our energy policies reflect our nation's renewed abundance of resources. Not only will oil exports help safeguard our long-term economic prosperity, but it will also spur job creation across the country and deliver much-needed revenue to state and lo… Continue Reading
12.10.15
Murkowski: Terrorism Should Prompt Renewed Focus on Energy Security
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today highlighted terrorism and instability throughout the Middle East, Africa, and other oil-producing regions as reasons for policymakers to focus on greater domestic energy production and greater energy security. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, made her comments Thursday morning during a hearing she convened to examine the intersection between terrorism and global oil markets. She also criticized a group of Se… Continue Reading
12.09.15
Murkowski: America’s Public Lands Should be Open Unless Closed
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke on the Senate floor to highlight important legislation she has sponsored to provide millions of sportsmen and sportswomen with greater access to and new opportunities on public lands. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, urged her Senate colleagues to support her Sportsmen's Act (S. 556), which she shepherded through the committee in November. That measure, along with a measure (S. 659) being considered by the… Continue Reading