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 Secures Military Construction Funding for Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MILCON-VA) approved the Fiscal Year 2017 appropriations bill, which contains several priorities U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski secured for Alaska. As a member of this subcommittee, Murkowski secured the full $561 million requested by the Pentagon to support crucial defense projects in Alaska. More than half of that funding is allocated to support the F-35 beddown at Eiel… Continue Reading
04.12.16
Senate Passes Major Education Reform Bill
Today Senator Lisa Murkowski voted in support of the final version of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the long-overdue overhaul of the No Child Left Behind Act, which became law in 2002. Today's legislation passed by a vote of 85-12. The House of Representatives passed the bill on December 2nd by a vote of 359-64. It now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. ESSA Myths vs Facts Common Core Standards are CodifiedHigher Ed Alignment and Common CoreNo Improvement Over NCLB… Continue Reading
04.12.16
Murkowski: Advanced Manufacturing Holds “Unprecedented Opportunities” for U.S.
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today conducted oversight of the status of innovative technologies in advanced manufacturing by highlighting the economic importance of the sector - an estimated 24 million domestic jobs - while cautioning that there is much room for improvement in workforce development. Click picture to view video "The truth is that not only do advanced manufacturing industries merit more national attention, but we need to do a better job of preparing a w… Continue Reading
04.07.16
Murkowski Highlights Important Work of USGS, Outlines Areas for Improvement
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today conducted oversight of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) during a hearing that focused on the agency's important mission, its current priorities, and core mandates that lack attention and resources. Murkowski frequently referenced her home state of Alaska during the hearing, where the USGS plays a critical role in helping residents cope with the daily threat of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and other natural hazards. Click picture … Continue Reading
04.07.16
Murkowski Works to Fund Military Projects in Interior Alaska
Following Monday's announcement that Eielson Air Force Base will host two squadrons of F-35s arriving in 2020, the Senate Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee took the first step towards considering the administration's request for $561 million in Fiscal Year 2017 to support crucial defense projects in Alaska. A little over half of that request is allocated to support the F-35 beddown. As a member of that subcommittee, Senator Murkowski questioned military officials on two budget r… Continue Reading
04.06.16
Murkowski Questions Forest Service Chief on Wildfire Suppression, Misplaced Budget Priorities
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) questioned Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell on the priorities contained within the agency's $4.9 billion request for Fiscal Year 2017-specifically addressing the issues of wildfire suppression, fire-borrowing, and forest management reforms. Senator Murkowski began the hearing by reaffirming her commitment to finding a long-term solution for active forest management that would reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and end the practice of fire-borrowin… Continue Reading
04.05.16
Murkowski Stands Up for Sportsmen and Subsistence in Alaska
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, sent a letter to Dan Ashe, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), pushing back against a rule proposed by the agency that targets Alaska refuges. In the letter, Murkowski casts doubt on the Service's claims that the proposed rule won't affect subsistence activities, explains how the proposed rule would preempt state wildlife management regulations, and shows how it is contrary to the special protections granted to the stat… Continue Reading
04.04.16
AK Delegation: Military Boost Coming to Alaska, F-35 Squadrons Officially to be Based at Eielson AFB
Today the Alaska Congressional Delegation praised the news that Eielson Air Force Base was selected as the new home for the U.S. Air Force's first F-35As in the Pacific Theatre. Construction is scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2017, with the arrival of the F-35s expected in 2020. The Record of Decision was signed this morning by the Air Force, finalizing plans to base the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter at Eielson, bringing 54 new aircraft and 2,765 additional residents to Interior Alaska. The two s… Continue Reading
03.29.16
Murkowski Highlights Benefits of Alaska Resource Production
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, held a field hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in Fairbanks to examine opportunities to create jobs and strengthen national security by increasing Alaska's resource production. The field hearing was held on Monday at the Pipeline Training Center and featured testimony from stakeholders in Alaska's oil, gas, mineral, and economic development sectors. Click picture to view archived video of the hearing "Alaska has what virtually no o… Continue Reading
03.29.16
Murkowski Slams Interior for Wasting Time, Money on King Cove Study
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today criticized the Department of the Interior for wasting more than $100,000 on a study of "non-road alternatives" that will not adequately provide emergency medical transportation for the residents of King Cove, Alaska. Murkowski posted the study after Interior, despite a recent public commitment from Secretary Sally Jewell, only provided it to a small handful of King Cove officials. "Interior has again made clear that help for King C… Continue Reading
03.22.16
Alaska Delegation: Supreme Court Delivers Setback to Federal Overreach
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion on Sturgeon v. Frost, remanding the case back to the lower courts. In an 8-0 opinion, the court overturned the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' decision that the National Park Service could ban the use of hovercraft in eastern Alaska's Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. The court found the 9th Circuit's decision "surprising" and "topsy-turvy." While not a decisive victory for John Sturgeon, the Alaska moose hunter who brought the case forw… Continue Reading
03.21.16
AK Congressional Delegation Applauds Army Decision to Keep 4-25 Brigade Combat Team Intact
Alaska's Congressional Delegation today responded to the news that the U.S. Army has officially announced that it is delaying its decision to remove 2,600 soldiers from the 4-25 Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. In July 2015, the U.S. Army announced the reduction at JBER as part of a larger force-structure reduction from 490,000 to 450,000 troops. Since that announcement, a unified Alaska Congressional Delegation has fought to retain the 4-25 a… Continue Reading
03.18.16
Murkowski to Hold Field Hearing in Fairbanks
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a field hearing on Monday, March 28 to examine opportunities to create jobs and strengthen national security from increased Alaska resource development. The hearing will be held in Fairbanks at the Pipeline Training Center and feature testimony from a dozen stakeholders from across Alaska. "Alaska is blessed with vast natural resources that we can use to fulfill the promises of s… Continue Reading
03.16.16
Murkowski Opposes Bill Allowing Voluntary Labeling of GE Salmon
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted against allowing S. 764, the Biotechnology Labeling Solutions Act, to proceed on the Senate floor, continuing her fight to mandate labeling of genetically engineered (GE) salmon. S.764 would block states from issuing mandatory labeling laws, such as what the State of Alaska passed in regards to GE salmon, for foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMO). This is in direct contradiction to Senator Murkowski's efforts to require mandatory la… Continue Reading
03.16.16
Murkowski Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Nominee
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement today after President Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland to the United States Supreme Court: "Today the President exercised his constitutional authority to nominate an individual to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court left by the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia. However, given the timing of this vacancy, in the middle of a Presidential election and in an increasingly toxic political environment, I had urged the President t… Continue Reading
03.15.16
Murkowski: Obama’s Reversal on Atlantic OCS is Ominous Warning to Alaska
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement in response to the Department of the Interior's 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Program. "The administration's decision to maintain a limited number of lease sales in the Alaskan offshore and recognition of the importance of consultation with Alaskans is welcome news. However, the administration's decision to cancel a sale in the Atlantic offshore - the second time it has made such a reversal… Continue Reading
03.14.16
Murkowski Votes Against Education Secretary Nominee
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, voted against confirming Dr. John B. King to be the Secretary of Education. The Senate confirmed King in a vote of 49-40. "I respect that Dr. King has overcome many challenges in his life, which has led him to share my belief in the vital importance of education for all children. His leadership as Commissioner of Education for New York, however, was so marked by controversy … Continue Reading
03.11.16
Murkowski Doubles Down on VA Over Choice Card Failure in Alaska
This week, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) continued to press the leadership of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) over issues with the current VA healthcare system in Alaska. Following up on her discussion last week with Dr. David Shulkin, Undersecretary of Health for the VA, over the failings of the Choice Card Program in Alaska, Senator Murkowski questioned Robert McDonald, the Secretary of the VA, on the lessons learned from his August 2015 visit to the state, whether or not he unde… Continue Reading
03.10.16
Murkowski Reacts to Joint U.S. - Canada Arctic Announcements
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement in the wake of the joint announcements made by President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: "I join my fellow Americans in welcoming Canada's new prime minister to our nation's capital. At the same time, as an Alaskan, the announcements made today fall far short of the holistic vision needed for the Arctic and its people. "My long-standing criticism of the Obama Administration is that it sees th… Continue Reading
03.10.16
Murkowski Votes to Fight Devastating Opioid Abuse Epidemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), a bill she co-sponsored, that supports community-based drug treatment programs and provides critical resources for those battling opioid addiction. U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) is a co-sponsor of the legislation. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 94-1. Senator Murkowski spoke on the Senate floor about the need for drug abuse treatment and prevention progra… Continue Reading
