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: $2 Million Announced by USDA to Support Agriculture in Alaska
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will award $2 million to the Alaska Division of Agriculture for the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP), which will be available to fund grants for eligible Alaskans next calendar year. "Alaska mports about 95 percent of the food we eat, and far too many Alaskans face food insecurity. That's why I created the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program in 2018 - to ensure mo… Continue Reading
08.31.22
Murkowski, Sullivan Urge Energy Department To Complete, Without Delay, Draft SEIS for AKLNG Project
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) sent a letter yesterday to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm expressing their support for the Alaska LNG Project (AKLNG), and urging the department to "complete, without delay, finalization of the draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS)" for the project. The letter calls for the DOE to reissue their approval of the project. "Given the United States is on the brink of an economic recession, c… Continue Reading
08.31.22
Murkowski Announces Savanna’s Act Guidelines for State of Alaska
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauds the announcement that the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska has completed Savanna's Act guidelines for Alaska. This bipartisan legislation, authored and stewarded into law by Senator Murkowski, requires federal law enforcement to create standard guidelines on responding to cases of missing and murdered Native Americans and strengthen data collection on them. This announcement follows a May 2022 letter by Senators Murkowski, Catherine C… Continue Reading
08.30.22
Murkowski Recognized as Honorary Chief of the USCG
During a recent visit to Air Station Sitka to see firsthand the proposed Fast Response Cutter (FRC) housing and homeporting location, the 27th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Admiral Linda Fagan, recognized U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski as an honorary Chief Petty Officer of the USCG, a title given only to individuals who demonstrate the highest commitment to the Coast Guard's core values. The surprise announcement took place during a ceremony to present three members of the Air… Continue Reading
08.26.22
Murkowski Welcomes New Staff Members to Wasilla and D.C. Offices
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announces the addition of new staff members to both her Washington, D.C., and Wasilla, Alaska, offices. The Senator welcomes Marie Cozzetti as her new Press Assistant in the D.C. office, and Easter Vito as her new Community Liaison Outreach Coordinator in Wasilla, providing services throughout the Mat-Su and Southcentral Alaska. "I am excited to welcome Easter Vito and Marie Cozzetti to strengthen our already outstanding team. Their love for Alaska will be a g… Continue Reading
08.26.22
U.S. State Department Announces Plan to Establish Ambassador for the Arctic Region
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, today applauded the announcement that the U.S. State Department has established an Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region-an initiative she has persistently advocated for. "Before today, the U.S. was the only Arctic nation without dedicated diplomatic representation for the Arctic Region at the Ambassador level or higher. For years I have advocated for our country to elevate our Arctic leadership and diplomatic efforts… Continue Reading
08.24.22
Senator Murkowski Opposes Biden Administration’s Student Loan Proposal
Anchorage, AK - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) provided the following statement after the Biden administration announced a student debt relief plan which includes a final extension of the zero percent interest student loan repayment pause, up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients, and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients whose income falls below $125,000 for individuals and $250,000 for married couples. In addition, the administration is proposin… Continue Reading
08.19.22
Murkowski, Sullivan Welcome over $45 Million DOT Grant to the Native Village of Eyak to Benefit Oil Spill Response Facility
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-AK) today announced $45.7 million in a U.S. Department of Transportation grant has been awarded to the Native Village of Eyak. This funding will allow for a 4.2 mile highway extension to connect to Cordova's existing road system at Orca Creek to the Shepard Point Oil Spill Response Facility. "The 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill resulted in the release of roughly eleven million gallons of crude oil into the open ocean, impacting … Continue Reading
08.19.22
Murkowski Welcomes Three Staff Members from the Late Congressman Don Young’s Office
Anchorage, AK - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced that three former members of the late Congressman for All Alaska Don Young's (R-AK) staff will continue their service to our state from her Washington, DC offices. The three individuals are Kevin Swanson, Michael Songer, and Lauren Noland. "I work hard every day to represent all Alaskans. Our state has many unique needs and challenges, so having a strong staff that really understands Alaska and the legislative process is pivotal… Continue Reading
08.18.22
Vice Chairman Murkowski to Hold Media Availability Following SCIA Field Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC - On Tuesday, August 23, 2022, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), will hold a media availability for reporters in Unalaska on the committee's field hearing, "Contaminated Land Conveyances: the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, the Detrimental Impacts of Contamination on Native Communities and the Next Steps for Environmental Justice," including the testimony provided by the following witnesses: MR. STE… Continue Reading
08.17.22
Grant Roundup: Senator Murkowski Announces Federal Grants Heading to Alaska
Grant Roundup: Senator Murkowski Announces Federal Grants Heading to Alaska Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the following grants to organizations, Tribal entities, and communities in Alaska: Alaska-Statewide: $9.7 million to Alaska Primary Care Association (APCA) from U.S. Department of Commerce for Healthcare Workforce Training. Alaska - Statewide: $50.6 million to the State of Alaska from Doyon Lim… Continue Reading
08.16.22
Murkowski, Sullivan Congratulate Santos on Pikka Project Investment Decision
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) today issued the following statements welcoming Santos' announcement that it has approved a $2.6 billion investment for Phase 1 of its Pikka project on Alaska's North Slope. "This is great news for Alaska that will strengthen our economy for a long time to come," Murkowski said. "The Pikka project will help refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System while creating good jobs for Alaskans and bolstering our nation's energy security. I app… Continue Reading
08.13.22
Murkowski Announces Over $57 Million in Additional Infrastructure Funding for Alaskan Communities
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) are awarding over $57.1 million in grants for infrastructure upgrades and development across Alaska. The grants are for road construction, dock and service center construction, and buses and bus facilities. The entities benefiting from these new awards, which are being made under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, include the… Continue Reading
08.13.22
Murkowski: Senate Missed Opportunity to Bolster U.S. Mineral Security during Debate on Partisan Reconciliation Bill
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after the Senate failed to accept an amendment she offered over the weekend to the partisan budget reconciliation bill. The amendment would have facilitated the responsible development of domestic graphite and cobalt deposits, like those in the Ambler Mining District in northwest Alaska, but was not agreed by a party-line vote of 50-50. "Any measure that allocates significant dollars for clean energy technologies must also… Continue Reading
08.12.22
Murkowski Fights to Secure Municipality of Anchorage Priorities through FY2023 Appropriations Bills
The Senate Appropriations Committee recently published the majority's proposal for the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) appropriations bills. As a senior member of the Committee and Ranking Member of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) included $491 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for more than 130 local projects throughout Alaska, which includes over $141.2 million to directly support the Municipality of Anchorage. "The return of Con… Continue Reading
08.12.22
Murkowski, Sullivan Enshrine Former U.S. Senator Ted Stevens’ Arctic Legacy through Grand Opening of Arctic Security Studies Center
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) took part in the grand opening of the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies. The center, named after the late Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, will support defense strategy objectives and policy priorities through a unique academic forum, while also developing robust international networks of security leaders. "The Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies-I'm so proud to be able to say that. Ted always watched out for us here in … Continue Reading
08.09.22
Murkowski Announces Housing Block Grant Award To Cook Inlet Housing Authority
Anchorage, AK - Today, Senator Lisa Murkowski announced the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding the Cook Inlet Housing Authority (CIHA) in Alaska a $5 million Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG). CIHA is one of five eligible Indian Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities who, with a combined total, recently received more than $20 million from these IHBG competitive awards. These grants were made possible by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The CIH… Continue Reading
08.07.22
Murkowski Votes Against Tax-and-Spend Reconciliation Bill
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today voted against the partisan budget reconciliation bill, which includes dramatic spending and tax increases over the next decade. Senate Democrats chose to skip the traditional committee process, released a 755-page substitute text mere hours before it was taken up by the full Senate, and eventually passed the measure on a party-line basis, with the Vice President having to break a tie vote on final passage in the evenly divided Senate. "I voted against th… Continue Reading
08.05.22
Senate Approves Sullivan-Murkowski-Reed Resolution Designating August 16th as “National Airborne Day”
WASHINGTON-The United States Senate last night unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan, Lisa Murkowski (both R-Alaska), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) designating August 16, 2022 as National Airborne Day. The resolution calls on all Americans to observe the day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. The resolution also adds language acknowledging the recent re-activation of the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska as part of the ongoing history of American … Continue Reading
08.05.22
Senate Approves Admission of Finland & Sweden into NATO
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate this week overwhelmingly approved a treaty document that approves the admission of Finland and Sweden into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by a vote of 95-01. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the measure, which brings two vital allies one step closer to fully joining the trans-Atlantic alliance. "NATO will be stronger, and the world will be safer, with Finland and Sweden among its members. These Arctic nations have long been rel… Continue Reading