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 Fights Back Against FDA’s Approval of GE Salmon
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski announced the next steps she is taking to fight back against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) recent approval of genetically engineered (GE) fish for human consumption. Senator Murkowski has long been adamantly opposed to the approval of GE salmon, introducing legislation and inserting a provision in the appropriations process to require compulsory labeling of Frankenfish if ever approved for sale to consumers. Murkowski plans to push back against t… Continue Reading
11.19.15
Alaska Delegation Responds to FDA Approval of GE Salmon
After years of pushback from consumers, scientific experts and fishing interests, today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the first ever "approval for a genetically engineered animal intended for food, AquAdvantage Salmon." The Alaska Congressional Delegation, who has consistently fought to keep genetically engineered (GE) fish off the nation's dinner plates and away from our nation's oceans, today shared their disappointment in the FDA's ill-advised decision. "I am livid … Continue Reading
11.18.15
Murkowski Presses FDA Nominee on Seafood Issues
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski recently questioned Dr. Robert Califf in a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing regarding his nomination to be the next Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Murkowski began her line of questioning by pressing Dr. Califf to reconsider the FDA's refusal to use its regulatory authority to change the acceptable market name of pollock in order to avoid consumer confusion as to where the fish is harvested. Senator Murkow… Continue Reading
11.18.15
Sen. Murkowski Votes to Rein in Costly EPA Climate Regulations
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today voted to block the Obama administration from imposing costly new climate regulations on America's economy. Murkowski voted in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 23 and Senate Joint Resolution 24, which are both bipartisan resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to block the administration's so-called Clean Power Plan limits on carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing power plants. "The Obama administration has once again… Continue Reading
11.17.15
Murkowski Urges President to Immediately Institute Moratorium on Admitting Syrian Refugees to the United States
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski issued the following statement in response to concerns over whether or not to allow Syrian refugees into the United States: "I urge the President to agree to an immediate moratorium on granting asylum to Syrian refugees. A moratorium is necessary for the Congress and the American people to better understand the adequacy of our existing refugee vetting process and whether meaningful additional steps need to be taken when considering the applications of Syrian re… Continue Reading
11.17.15
Murkowski: Administration at Fault for Second Oil Company’s Decision to Abandon Arctic
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement in response to the announcement by Norway's Statoil that it is ending its Alaska operations and giving back the leases in Alaska's Arctic offshore frontier that the company had won in 2008: "I am very concerned that, for the second time in as many months, a major company has decided to walk away from Alaska because of the uncertainty surrounding our federal government's support for Arctic development," Murkowski said. "Low… Continue Reading
11.14.15
Murkowski Statement on the Situation in Paris
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski responded to the recent Paris attacks saying: "The attacks in Paris yesterday are an absolute travesty. Our hearts break for the families of the victims, the wounded still suffering today, and the entire nation of France. Today we grieve for the dead, pray for the wounded, and join the people of France in demanding justice in the wake of this atrocity. "These attacks are yet another tragic reminder of the continued dangers posed by radical Islamic terror group… Continue Reading
11.10.15
Murkowski: Alaska is the West Coast’s Energy Reserve
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today cautioned against making arbitrary sales of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to pay for unrelated legislative initiatives, and highlighted the potential benefits to the nation if the administration allowed Alaska to realize its true energy potential. Click photo to play video "Through thick and thin, those barrels in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve - rarely ever tapped - have offered a measure of security and stability that is … Continue Reading
11.10.15
Senator Murkowski Shares Veterans Day Message with Alaskans
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski shared the following message with Alaskans on Veterans Day: "On this day, as we should every day, we honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve for the common good. The decision to enter into military service is not one to be taken lightly, nor is it an easy burden to bear. It comes with not only tremendous responsibilities, but great sacrifices. Standing up to serve is something to be commended, something to be respected… Continue Reading
11.10.15
Murkowski Votes for Military Authorization and Appropriation Bills
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski cast her vote for two pieces of legislation to support our military, veterans, and our national security. S.1356, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which outlines priorities and authorizes how defense funds should be spent, passed by a vote of 91-3. This is substantially the same bill which President Obama vetoed in October with funding levels conformed to the recent Bipartisan Budget Act. The NDAA now heads to the President's desk to be signed in… Continue Reading
11.06.15
Murkowski: Keystone Rejection Misguided, Ignores Facts
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after President Obama rejected the cross-border permit for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline project after a more than 2,600-day delay: "After more than seven years of deliberate delay, President Obama today rejected a strongly-supported project that would create thousands of high-paying jobs, ensure a secure long-term source of energy from one of our closest allies, and serve as the cleanest and safest way t… Continue Reading
11.05.15
Murkowski Shows Support for Israel; Condemns Palestinian Terror Attacks
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) cosponsored a bipartisan resolution reaffirming that the United States stands with Israel in the wake of recent Palestinian attacks. The resolution also acknowledges Israel's commitment to protect the sanctity of Islamic religious sites on the Temple Mount in accordance with longstanding agreements. A wave of random and deadly attacks has raised tensions in Israel as Palestinians armed with knives, meat cleavers, guns, and cars have carried out close to 65 att… Continue Reading
11.05.15
Sen. Murkowski Reiterates Support for King Cove Access Road
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski today issued the following statement after the Agdaagux tribe of King Cove and its fellow plaintiffs appealed a District Court decision in their lawsuit against Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. Jewell rejected a short, gravel, life-saving road for the isolated community in December 2013, and local residents have since then been forced to endure 35 additional medevacs, including 12 requiring the U.S. Coast Guard at taxpayer expense. "We should pursue every available… Continue Reading
11.04.15
Murkowski Speaks Against, Votes to Overturn EPA’s Controversial WOTUS Rule
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor this morning, urging her colleagues to vote with her to block the controversial and overreaching Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, which significantly expands the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ability to regulate Alaska's land and water. The Senate later voted on S.J. Res 22, a resolution of disapproval that Senator Murkowski co-sponsored to nullify the WOTUS rule. The resolution passed in a vote of 53-44. Prior to … Continue Reading
11.02.15
Murkowski Statement on TransCanada’s Request to Pause Keystone XL Pipeline Review
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on TransCanada's request to the U.S. Department of State to put a pause on its review of the Keystone XL pipeline energy project. "Today's request by TransCanada doesn't change the fact that President Obama deliberately chooses to put arbitrary delays on this vital energy infrastructure project. Instead of saying yes to jobs and North American energy security, the administration continues to say no by its failure to mak… Continue Reading
11.02.15
Murkowski Defends Opportunities for Aspiring Native Teachers
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has introduced a Senate Resolution calling on the Council for the Accreditation of Education Programs (CAEP) to amend a recently adopted standard for accrediting teacher education programs that will have a disproportionately negative impact on Native Americans and Alaska Natives who aspire to become teachers. The Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP) is the sole accrediting body for teacher preparation programs across the nation. CAEP a… Continue Reading
10.31.15
Murkowski Announces Winner of U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Contest
Today Senator Murkowski announced Anna Kathleen DeVolld, a 5th grade student from Soldotna, as the winner of the 2015 Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Essay Contest. Anna will travel to Washington D.C., where she will have the honor of turning on the tree lights at the conclusion of a ceremony with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan on December 2nd. Transportation and lodging will be provided through the non-profit organization Choose Outdoors, with the generous support of private donors. Murkowski … Continue Reading
10.30.15
Murkowski Responds to Change in Federal Regulations to Determine Subsistence Practices
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski released the following statement after the Department of the Interior updated regulations defining which parts of Alaska are designated as "rural" and qualify for the subsistence preferences afforded by Title VIII of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. The new regulations redesignate Saxman as "rural" and establish a new process for reviewing whether communities designated as "rural" should be redesignated as "non-rural." "I am pleased that th… Continue Reading
10.30.15
Murkowski Releases Statement Ahead of Defense Secretary’s Visit to Alaska
Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan were scheduled to join Secretary of Defense Ash Carter as he visits Alaska today, but are unable to attend the events at Fort Wainwright due to mechanical difficulties with their assigned military aircraft. Senator Murkowski released the following statement on the Secretary's visit to Fort Wainwright: "Whether due to our strategic location, unique training opportunities, or quality of life, Alaska is the best place in the entire United States for our tr… Continue Reading
10.30.15
Murkowski Ensures Alaska Receives Entire 2015 PILT Funds
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the announcement that Alaska municipalities will receive an additional $2.2 million from the Department of the Interior as compensation for federal lands within their jurisdictions. Today's payment is in addition to the $26.2 million disbursed to Alaska communities in June 2015. "PILT payments are essential to local communities with federal lands within their jurisdictions. In Alaska, over 60 percent of land in Alaska managed by the federal … Continue Reading
