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.
Senators Honor Heroes of the Last Frontier
The U.S. Senate passed a resolution (attached), introduced by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Alaska State Troopers and honoring the "first responders of the last frontier" and their families for their service and sacrifice. In 1941, the 15th Territorial Legislature established the Alaska Highway Patrol, an organization created for the sole purpose of enforcing the traffic code in the territory. That organization grew and evolved into what… Continue Reading
05.12.16
AK Delegation Calls for International Cooperation on Canadian Mines
Amid concerns about how the development of several hardrock mines in British Columbia could negatively affect waterways and fisheries in Southeast Alaska, Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young wrote a letter (attached) to Secretary of State John Kerry, urging for action. The Alaska Congressional Delegation called upon the Secretary to raise these issues and concerns at the international level and secure commitment from Canadian leaders to ensure that the appropriate en… Continue Reading
05.12.16
Murkowski Secures Funding for Water Projects and Energy Innovation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the U.S. Senate passed the first funding bill of the year, the FY17 Energy and Water Appropriations bill in a vote of 90-8. This is the first time since 2009 the U.S. Senate has passed this appropriations measure on the floor as a standalone bill under regular order. The measure will fund U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) programs and critical infrastructure projects administered by the Army Corps of Engineers. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Lisa Murk… Continue Reading
05.12.16
Murkowski: DOE’s Inspector General Must Be Fully Independent and Exercise Good Judgement
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today examined the qualifications of Susan Beard to be inspector general of the Department of Energy. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, asked Beard about her qualifications and called attention to the significance of the position of inspector general at a hearing held earlier today. Click picture to view video "I think we can all agree that the Department of Energy needs a permanent Inspector General… Continue Reading
05.06.16
Murkowski, Cantwell Call on Sec. Moniz to Work with Israel on Advancing Energy Innovation
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the committee's ranking member, on Thursday sent a letter to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz seeking information on the department's lack of movement on the U.S.-Israel Energy Center. "We wrote to you on May 12, 2015, asking that you work to establish a cutting-edge, United States-Israel Energy Center focused on academic and industry research to advance energy innovatio… Continue Reading
05.04.16
Murkowski Introduces Legislation to Create Firefighter Cancer Registry
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has joined with Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) to introduce S. 2799, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act. The bill creates a voluntary national database of firefighters diagnosed with the life-threatening disease. Research suggests that throughout their career, firefighters are exposed to harmful toxins which create an increased risk for several major cancers. The legislation would establish a central registry to collect data and improve research activities on … Continue Reading
04.27.16
Land Transfer Legislation to Improve Healthcare Access Passes Senate Committee
Today the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs passed S. 2421, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convey property to both the Tanana Tribal Council and Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation. This land will be used in connection with health and social services programs in both Tanana and Dillingham. The land transfers will allow the Tanana Tribal Council develop a Community Wellness … Continue Reading
04.26.16
Murkowski Announces Participants in Phase Two of Remote Alaska Communities Energy Efficiency Competition
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced the 13 rural communities selected for targeted technical assistance funding as part of the next phase of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Remote Alaska Communities Energy Efficiency (RACEE) competition. "Alaska's remote communities pay more for energy than just about anywhere else in the country," Murkowski said. "Promoting energy innovation in every way we can is important, and that includes improved energy efficiency. The … Continue Reading
04.26.16
Murkowski Highlights Need, Opportunity to Boost American Oil and Gas Development in Low Price Environment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today called the current low price environment surrounding oil and gas development an opportunity to pursue federal reforms that will boost energy production and provide economic benefits across the nation. Murkowski pointed to state-level efforts in Alaska as an example of how timely policies can encourage investment and noted a range of actions that should be taken at the federal level. Click picture to view video "Oil and gas prices are… Continue Reading
04.25.16
Murkowski’s Appropriations Work Strengthens Alaska’s Communities, Fisheries
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2017 appropriations bill, which contains several priorities U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski secured for Alaska. As a member of this subcommittee, Murkowski included provisions to strengthen Alaska's fisheries and support justice services and law enforcement efforts throughout the state. "The funds contained in this bill support a wide array of key programs in Alaska-including components to h… Continue Reading
04.25.16
Murkowski Secures Funds to Address Alaska’s Unique Transportation Needs
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (T-HUD) appropriations bill, which includes several Alaska-specific provisions secured by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). "Alaska's transportation needs are unique and diverse, and I thank my fellow Senate appropriators for providing the funds to address these needs," said Senator Murkowski. "Many of the programs supported in this appropriations bill provide critical services to some of Alaska mo… Continue Reading
04.22.16
Alaska Delegation Praises Missile Defense Agency Announcement for Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska
Today the Alaska Congressional Delegation welcomed the announcement by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) that it is examining the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak as a potential site for missile defense flight testing for regional missile defense systems, such as the Theatre High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system. MDA today released a Notice of Intent for a Sole Source Contract for the Alaska Aerospace Corporation in Federal Business Opportunities, the federal government's online acquisition… Continue Reading
04.21.16
Murkowski and Young Host Panel on Potential Dangers of GE Salmon
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Congressman Don Young (R-AK) hosted a genetically engineered salmon briefing to discuss the potential risks of the world's first FDA-approved genetically engineered animal for human consumption. This effort took steps to educate and build awareness about the inappropriate approval process taken by the FDA, the potential ecological impacts, health risks, and the dangers of not properly labeling genetically engineered (GE) salmon. The briefing also was … Continue Reading
04.21.16
Murkowski Stands Up for Alaska’s Sportsmen and Women
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today highlighted her efforts to expand and enhance sportsmen's access by making public lands throughout Alaska and the nation "open unless closed" for fishing, hunting, recreational shooting, and other outdoor activities. Murkowski successfully included her Sportsmen's Act and several other sportsmen's provisions in the broad, bipartisan energy bill that passed the Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 85 to 12. "For too long, access to our pub… Continue Reading
04.20.16
Murkowski: Alaska Will Greatly Benefit from Passage of Bipartisan Energy Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today led the Senate's approval of broad, bipartisan energy legislation that contains a wide range of provisions vital to Alaska's future. The bill, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016, was authored by Murkowski and passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 85-12. It is the first major energy bill to pass the Senate in almost a decade. "My top priority as chairman is to deliver for Alaska - and I worked hard to add dozens of our sta… Continue Reading
04.20.16
Murkowski, Cantwell Lead Senate Approval of Broad, Bipartisan Energy Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the committee's ranking member, today led the Senate's approval of their broad, bipartisan energy legislation by a vote of 85 to 12. The passage of S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016, marks the first time the Senate has approved a major energy bill in almost a decade. "The Senate's overwhelming approval of our broad, bipartisan bil… Continue Reading
04.20.16
Senate Unanimously Approves Murkowski’s Major Lands and Water Package for Energy Bill
Washington, D.C. - On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved two amendments offered by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) to her broad, bipartisan energy bill. The first, to provide needed flexibility to the Alaska gasline project, passed the Senate by voice vote. The second, to add a resources title composed of 30 lands and water bills to the underlying bill, later passed by a roll call vote of 97 to 0. "With the passage of these amendments, a bill that was already very good from Alaska'… Continue Reading
04.19.16
FAA Reauthorization Bill Passes Senate
Today U.S. Senator Murkowski voted for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, legislation that enhances security at airports, improves safety measures for airlines, makes travel easier for passengers, and maintains access for rural communities. The bill also contains an amendment Senator Murkowski co-sponsored which reauthorizes the six Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) test sites for five years until 2022, which includes the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The bill passed … Continue Reading
04.15.16
Senate Appropriators Urge VA to Abandon Flawed Choice Program in Alaska
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski voted for the 2017 Military Construction/Veterans Affairs (MILCON-VA) appropriations bill which successfully passed out of the full Appropriations Committee. The bill, which contains several Alaska-specific priorities secured by Senator Murkowski as a member of MILCON-VA Appropriations Subcommittee, allocates federal resources for military construction projects and the Veterans Affairs (VA) system across the nation. The bill now heads to the full Senate for considerat… Continue Reading
04.14.16
Murkowski Reacts to Interior’s Final Well Control Rule
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following statement in response to the Department of the Interior's final Well Control Rule: "The administration's regulatory onslaught against Alaskan energy production continues unabated. In a period when we should be thinking about ways of making American oil and gas more competitive, the federal government's prescriptive approach to rulemaking often fails to capture the capabilities of American workers that are more nimble and m… Continue Reading