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.
Sen. Murkowski: Concerns About Electric Reliability Must be taken Seriously as Grid Modernizes
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today said reliability and affordability must remain core considerations as innovation, the deployment of new technologies, and the impact of public policy choices begin to transform the U.S. power system. Advances in technologies, including smart grid and storage, must be carefully integrated as the grid is modernized in order to maintain reliability and avoid unintended consequences, Murkowski, the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committe… Continue Reading
03.16.15
Murkowski Fighting Federal Government For Fish, Tourism Jobs
Senator Lisa Murkowski and 13 of her U.S. Senate colleagues are urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor to resume accepting and processing H-2B visas for seasonal jobs across Alaska in the fishing, resource and visitor industries. The federal H-2B program allows businesses to hire workers from foreign countries for positions and jobs they have not succeeded at filling with local workers after a given amount of time, as well as workers crucial to Alaska's seafood… Continue Reading
03.13.15
Murkowski Waging Frankenfish Fight in Senate with New Bill
Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she is introducing bipartisan legislation cracking down on the potential introduction of Genetically Engineered Salmon, or "Frankenfish." Murkowski's bill is being co-sponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell, Martin Heinrich and Jeff Merkley, and would add two conditions: compulsory labeling of the product if it proceeds to market, and a stringent Environmental Impact Study be done beforehand assessing the potential risks and threats posed by the synthetically… Continue Reading
03.12.15
Landlocked: Murkowski Explains Alaskans’ Access Frustrations
Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released a video to help broadcast the Alaska #ThisIsOurAlaska movement's agenda to a wider national audience. With Alaskans reeling from the Obama administration's ongoing efforts to block off millions of onshore and offshore acres from energy development, Murkowski produced the two-minute film to speak plainly to Americans who may be unaware of the federal government's costly, ever-growing overreach in Alaska. (Click to view) In the video, Murkowski … Continue Reading
03.12.15
Sens. Murkowski, Heinrich Stand Together in Advancing the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., today urged their colleagues to support bipartisan legislation that would greatly improve opportunities for hunters, anglers, and outdoors enthusiasts on federal lands. The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2015 (S. 556) was the subject of a hearing Thursday before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Click picture to view video "For many of us, outdoor activities, including hunting and fishing, are traditions that h… Continue Reading
03.12.15
Murkowski Works to Protect Alaskans from Flight Fee Hikes
Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she has joined Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) to introduce legislation to exempt Hawaii, Alaska, and communities that rely on essential air service from a costly increase in air travel fees. The legislation would protect intrastate flights in Alaska and interisland flights in Hawaii from increased air travel fees, which have more than doubled from $2.50 to $5.60 per enplanement. "The aviation fee hike has a disproportionate impact on… Continue Reading
03.11.15
Murkowski to Army Chief of Staff: “What’s Putin Up to” in Arctic?
Senator Lisa Murkowski today questioned United States Army Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno about the recent surge in Russian military activity in the Arctic region. In light of the regional volatility and the Pentagon's heightened focus on the Asia-Pacific region, Murkowski questioned the reasoning behind the proposal to potentially draw down troop levels in Alaska - asking Odierno a straightforward question: "What is Mr. Putin up to here?" General Odierno informed Senator Murkowski tha… Continue Reading
03.11.15
Sen. Murkowski: Need for King Cove Road Remains Indisputable
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell listing the medevacs carried out from King Cove, Alaska, in the 14 months since Jewell rejected an 11-mile, one-lane, gravel, non-commercial road that would have provided reliable medical transport to the all-weather airport in nearby Cold Bay. "I was surprised and dis… Continue Reading
03.10.15
Murkowski: ATF Backing Away from Unlawful Ammo Ban
Senator Lisa Murkowski today welcomed news from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that it is rescinding its recent unilateral "framework," which threatened to limit access to rifle ammunition that is used by Alaskans and sportsmen nationwide. The ATF's proposal expressly went against the 1986 Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act, and Senator Murkowski reminded the ATF of this yesterday in a letter from her and 51 of her Senate colleagues. "The fact that the ATF wou… Continue Reading
03.06.15
Delegation Doubles Down on Army Alaska Troop Levels
On the heels of two supportive and spirited United States Army listening sessions in Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska's Congressional Delegation is sending a message to the military: given current global volatility, not only should Alaska hold onto current troops, the state should be considered for more. The United States Army is currently undergoing a national survey of thirty U.S. Army bases for potential troop reductions, and recently remarked on the tremendous turnout from Alaskans in suppor… Continue Reading
03.05.15
Murkowski Continues Push for DOJ Transparency, Trust
Senator Murkowski today announced she is co-sponsoring the bipartisan Inspector General Access Act (S.618), to improve and promote accountability standards within the U.S. Department of Justice to restore Americans' trust in law enforcement. This legislation will allow the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General to investigate all allegations of misconduct. Currently, allegations of attorney misconduct are investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility, which reports to the Attorney Ge… Continue Reading
03.05.15
Bipartisan Agreement: Arctic Holds Strategic Value for United States
On a perfectly snowy day in Washington, DC, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., hosted a hearing on the economic and strategic opportunities in the Arctic as the United States prepares to assume the leadership of the international Arctic Council. Click photo to play video of Sen. Murkowski's opening statement "We are an Arctic nation because of Alaska, but truly the Arctic touches all 50 states and the … Continue Reading
03.05.15
Senators Murkowski, King Announce U.S. Senate Arctic Caucus
Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Angus King (I-ME) today announced they are forming the United States Senate Arctic Caucus in order to open up a broader conversation about the nation's future in the region as the United States prepares to accede to the Chair of the Arctic Council. "The United States is an Arctic Nation because of Alaska, but the Arctic community is a partner to each and every state; the sooner we fully engage and take on a leadership role, the better," said Senator Murkowski.… Continue Reading
03.04.15
Murkowski: Interior Budget Proposal ‘Wishful Thinking’
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Chairman of the Interior Appropriations subcommittee, today criticized the Interior Department's $12.1 billion budget proposal for programs within the subcommittee's jurisdiction- including the over $1 billion increase - for ignoring the statutory caps placed on Congress by the Budget Control Act. Senator Murkowski also pressed Interior Secretary Sally Jewell on a number of issues important to Alaska: Arctic infrastructure, offshore oil development, revenu… Continue Reading
03.02.15
Sens. Murkowski, Heinrich Announce Growing Bipartisan Support for Sportsmen’s Act
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) today announced 12 new Republican and Democratic cosponsors to the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2015. The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act, which was introduced last month, includes a broad array of bipartisan measures to enhance opportunities for hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, reauthorize key conservation programs, improve access to public lands, and help boost the outdoor recreation economy. "Growing support … Continue Reading
02.27.15
Murkowski Works to Boost Food Security for Youth During Summer
Senator Lisa Murkowski today introduced bipartisan legislation to cut red tape and unnecessary federal mandates that threaten to prevent thousands of Alaskan children in need of nutritious summer meals from receiving meals that are normally provided by schools during the school year. The Summer Meals Act, co-sponsored by Murkowski and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), would make it easier for community organizations to feed children through the Summer Food Service Program, which provides free,… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Murkowski Working with Dept. of Transportation to Get Diomede Deliveries
Senator Lisa Murkowski reached out today to Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, calling his attention to the critical situation faced by the island community of Little Diomede. Mechanical and weather conditions have made the regular supply helicopters and other aircraft unable to deliver goods like food or prescription drugs - requiring Murkowski's efforts to get even a special flight there on February 13th. Photo Courtesy: U.S. Coast Guard In a letter (attached) to Secr… Continue Reading
02.25.15
Murkowski Calls for “New Leadership” at Indian Health Service
Senator Lisa Murkowski today told former Acting Director of the Indian Health Service, Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, that she would not support a nomination for her to resume running the federal department that has consistently failed to deliver on the most basic federal trust obligations for America's First People. Though the Obama Administration claimed to be considering Roubideaux for I.H.S. Director, Murkowski suggested they look for "new leadership" instead that can work as partners with Alaska N… Continue Reading
02.24.15
Sen. Murkowski Statement on President Obama’s Veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today criticized President Obama's veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline Act (S.1), legislation that would approve the cross-border permit allowing for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. "Today, President Obama said no to job creation, no to new energy infrastructure, no to affordable energy, and no to greater North American energy security. With his veto of the Keystone XL pipeline, Preside… Continue Reading
02.23.15
Murkowski: Nome Port Project is Step Forward in Arctic
Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the Army Corps of Engineers' release of its feasibility report and environmental assessment for a Nome port that would boost marine traffic and infrastructure development in the region: "I commend the Corps of Engineers for its thoughtful and well-researched report identifying Nome as the site to develop an Arctic port that could mean a lot for jobs on the Seward Peninsula and the infrastructure to support our nation's Arctic future. "Though this is ju… Continue Reading
