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.

07.24.15

Murkowski Introduces Bill to Sustain, Expand Seniors’ Access to Healthcare

Senator Lisa Murkowski has introduced the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act with four U.S. Senate colleagues, in order to eliminate the bureaucratic red tape currently restricting seniors' access to medical professionals. Co-sponsored by Senators Barrasso (R-WY), Cassidy (R-LA), Inhofe (R-OK) and Paul (R-KY), the bill would allow patients to continue the existing relationship they have with their physician once they reach Medicare age, even if the doctor does not participate in Medicare or is no… Continue Reading


07.23.15

Sen. Murkowski Introduces Combined Bill Increasing Alaska’s Share of Offshore Oil and Natural Gas Revenues, Lifting Crude Oil Export Ban

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, took an aggressive step today to ensure that Alaska receives its fair share of revenue from oil and natural gas production on Alaska's outer continental shelf (OCS) by introducing the Offshore Production and Energizing National Security Act (OPENS Act). The legislation is a combination of four bills already reviewed by the committee, including Murkowski's S.1278, the Alaska Offshore Lease Sale Act, and S.1312, the Energy Supply and Distribution Act. "Alaska's… Continue Reading


07.22.15

Murkowski: Bipartisan Energy Bill is Great News for Alaska

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today unveiled the broad, bipartisan Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 with Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. Focused on a wide range of energy-related opportunities and challenges that have arisen over the past eight years, the bill's provisions will help Alaskans produce energy, save energy, pay less for energy, and protect the reliability of their electricity supply - without raising taxes or adding to the federal deficit. "This bipartisan bill is the res… Continue Reading


07.16.15

Murkowski: Today We Get One Step Closer to Getting Beyond No Child Left Behind

Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted for the Every Child Achieves Act, which passed the United States Senate by a vote of 81-17. The bill reverses many of the harmful impacts of the No Child Left Behind Act's one-size-fits all mandates like "Adequate Yearly Progress." The legislation - which Murkowski helped to write as a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee - restores major decisions and oversight of our schools back to the state and local level and allows… Continue Reading


07.16.15

Murkowski’s “Frankenfish” Labeling Provision Passes Committee

Senator Lisa Murkowski today successfully convinced her Senate Appropriations Committee colleagues to approve her amendment that would require the labeling of genetically-engineered (GE) salmon if approved for sale to consumers in the United States. This amendment was added to the FY16 Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration spending bill which passed out of the full Senate Appropriations Committee, and heads to the Senate floor for a final vote. Senator Murkowski has l… Continue Reading


07.15.15

Murkowski: Every Child Achieves Act Undoes NCLB, Addresses Alaskan Frustrations

With the U.S. Senate debating the Every Child Achieves Act (ECAA) - the long-awaited fix of the flawed No Child Left Behind law - Senator Lisa Murkowski took to the floor of the Senate to stress its advantages for Alaskans. Senator Murkowski had a hand in the design of the bill, serving on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee that worked together on the legislation and passed it 22-0 out of committee to the full Senate. (For Murkowski's view on the committee process, read … Continue Reading


07.14.15

Murkowski to Arctic Symposium: World Not Waiting on U.S. in Arctic

Senator Lisa Murkowski today spoke at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Arctic Symposium, urging action and warning that "an increase in Arctic activity will happen with or without the United States' involvement." During her speech, the Senator said that the international community is aggressively attempting to leverage interests and architecture in the Arctic and that more consideration should be given to public-private partnerships to boost the resources available fo… Continue Reading


07.14.15

Murkowski Skeptical of Iranian Nuclear Agreement

Senator Lisa Murkowski today shared her thoughts on the result of international negotiations with Iran that will limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief: "Today's Iran nuclear agreement by the administration demands a close look and full scrutiny. "The burden of proof is ultimately with the Obama administration to persuade Alaskans and the nation that this is not a dangerous diplomatic blunder. Originally, the President claimed that his goal was to 'dismantle' Iran's nu… Continue Reading


07.09.15

Murkowski Promotes from Within to Boost Alaska-DC Coordination

Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced that Michael Pawlowski will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff for Coordination of Alaska and Washington, D.C. Affairs beginning August 3, 2015. A lifelong Alaskan, Pawlowski will add to the efforts of the Murkowski team to effectively respond to immediate and long-term concerns of Alaska residents. He will join Kate Williams, who serves as Deputy Chief of Staff coordinating Murkowski's legislative priorities. "Michael Pawlowski has a firm grasp of the impa… Continue Reading


07.09.15

Murkowski Extends J-1 Visa Program, Supports Alaska’s Seafood Industry

Senator Lisa Murkowski today successfully secured language in the 2016 State and Foreign Operations spending bill that extends the J-1 Visa program through the next fiscal year to help Alaska's seafood processors statewide hire needed staff. Murkowski also made sure that Arctic matters were given more attention and resources, while encouraging the United States to keep the interests and views of indigenous peoples in mind while forming policy. The J-1 Visa program is an important policy for ma… Continue Reading


07.08.15

AK Congressional Delegation Speaks Out Against Troop Cuts at Fort Richardson

Alaska's Congressional Delegation today is responding to the news of continued significant reductions in the size and capability of the U.S. Army. In addition to cuts in Georgia and Hawaii, the Army told the delegation it will be downsizing its operations in Alaska at Fort Richardson by cutting 2,600 soldiers there and 75 soldiers at Fort Wainwright. "Along with thousands of Alaskans, I find this decision devastating, far beyond what it means to our state economy, but what it means to America'… Continue Reading


07.07.15

Murkowski: Alaska VA Report Confirms Worst Suspicions

Senator Lisa Murkowski shared the following reaction to the Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General report of the Alaska VA and Wasilla Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) done at her request and made public today: "Today's report of the Alaska VA doesn't merely admit what many in our state already knew, it also confirms some of our worst suspicions: that the VA allowed veterans with serious health conditions to fall through the cracks, causing them to be denied potentially life-s… Continue Reading


07.04.15

Murkowski Reflects on Importance of Independence Day

Today Senator Lisa Murkowski shared her reflections on the meaning of Independence Day with Alaskans saying: "On July 4th, 1776, 56 men put their signature on the Declaration of Independence to put a stop to the King of England's unjust policies and move toward a new age of freedom and liberty. As we celebrate the actions of those individuals, it's important to remember they did not act alone. Our young nation was filled with men and women who supported them to make a permanent mark in histor… Continue Reading


07.01.15

Murkowski Announces Second Session Summer Interns

Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced the names of her second session summer interns who will work in her Washington, D.C. office in July. These recent high school members of the "Class of 2015" will get personal insight into the operations of a U.S. Senate office by shadowing Murkowski throughout the day, helping with day-to-day clerical and administrative tasks, and assisting staff with research projects. "The first session of interns were energetic, engaged and informed, so this next group … Continue Reading


06.29.15

Sen. Murkowski Welcomes Supreme Court Decision on EPA Rule

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the United States Supreme Court decision on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) failure to consider the costs of compliance when making rules for electric utilities. "The sweeping powers asserted by the EPA at issue in today's opinion could cost billions of dollars and impose unreasonably high costs on American families and businesses without making them any safer," Murkowski said. "It is heartening to hear that the court has reined in … Continue Reading


06.26.15

Murkowski Presses Administration About Double Standard on Alaska Native Treatment in Health Care Law

Senator Lisa Murkowski is reaching out to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to resolve the problem of how "Indian" is defined within the Affordable Care Act. Many Alaska Natives are presently blocked from securing the protections and exemptions afforded to them under the law. The narrow current definition is inconsistent with the existing one for Alaska Natives under several federal health programs, because many young Alaska Natives are not shareholders in ANCSA corporations that stop… Continue Reading


06.26.15

Murkowski Responds to Supreme Court Marriage Equality Ruling

Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the decision from the United States Supreme Court that the U.S. Constitution bars states from denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples, saying: "I support marriage equality, and believe today's ruling is the right one as it reinforces limited government and promotes family values. The decision keeps governments out of the most private and personal aspects of peoples' lives, supports adults' decisions to make lifetime commitments to one another, and… Continue Reading


06.25.15

Murkowski Blasts “WOTUS” Rule on Senate Floor

In a speech on the U.S. Senate floor, Senator Lisa Murkowski today outlined the wide range of threats to Alaska posed by the Environmental Protection Agency's new "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) rule, which significantly expands the EPA's ability to regulate more of Alaska's land and water. The rule includes provisions that give EPA control over areas within 4,000 feet of a jurisdictional "water"- using a dubious methodology that fails to take into account the on-the-ground reality for s… Continue Reading


06.25.15

Murkowski Bill to Improve Rural Health Passes Senate

Senator Lisa Murkowski today was proud to see S.230, her legislation providing a land transfer of 23 acres in Bethel, pass the United States Senate unanimously. This bill would not only allow the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) to build a new primary care facility for the region, but also allow them to renovate the current facility and maximize the range of care provided. "I thank my Senate colleagues for recognizing the importance of boosting healthcare in rural Alaska and I commend … Continue Reading


06.25.15

Murkowski: Supreme Court Ruling Doesn’t Change “Broken Promises” of Health Care Law

Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the 6-3 decision from the United States Supreme Court in King vs Burwell, which upholds federal subsidies in the Affordable Care Act, saying: "From day one, the political document called the Affordable Care Act has been a steady stream of mistakes, glitches and broken promises. The fact that the law survived this legal challenge doesn't change the basic reality that Alaskans continue to face the highest health cost care in the country. Since passage o… 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