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 Responds to Pentagon Arctic Strategy Announcement
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the release of the United States Department of Defense Arctic Strategy showing it wants to be 'very active and very involved' in the region, saying: "I welcome the Department of Defense's increased attention to, and engagement in, the Arctic. All components of the U.S. Government need to be involved to make the Arctic a national priority and our Armed Forces play a vital role toward that end. There is a tremendous opportunity in front … Continue Reading
11.22.13
Murkowski Proposes Alaska-Focused Amendments in Defense Bill
With the National Defense Authorization Act still before the United States Senate, Senator Lisa Murkowski has submitted a number of amendments focused on supporting Alaska's military through tangible projects such as rescue helicopters, aircraft and space launch capabilities. She is also continuing her advocacy to protect victims of military sexual assault and support a 'culture change' within the military. Aiming also to improve quality of life issues for the military, Senator Murkowski also … Continue Reading
11.22.13
Murkowski Launches #AKThanks Campaign, Engages Alaskans
Senator's Focus on Blessings Will Culminate with Tuesday Premiere of Her "Appreciating Alaska" Mini-Documentary WASHINGTON, DC - With Thanksgiving less than a week away, Senator Lisa Murkowski today is inviting Alaskans to focus on what they are grateful for, by starting a social media campaign to initiate a statewide conversation to 'accentuate the positive.' The Senator will invite all Alaskans on Facebook and Twitter to share their thoughts and stories, contributing daily the things she is … Continue Reading
11.21.13
Murkowski Statement on U.S. Senate “Power Grab”
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today shared her disappointment with the United States Senate's vote to eliminate filibuster rights for certain nominations - and according to Reuters news service, "Ditch a Historic Senate Rule" - taking away the Senate Minority's capacity to influence or impact the nomination process, saying: "Today, Senate Democrats decided they want more party line votes to push their agenda forward without needing to engage a single Republican. It's a power grab, pl… Continue Reading
11.20.13
Murkowski: Alaskan Examples Bear Witness to Need for Military “Culture Change,” Pushes Need for Transparency
Senator's Floor Speech: "This is Not What Zero Tolerance Looks Like" WASHINGTON, DC - With the United States Senate debating S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Bill, Senator Lisa Murkowski today spoke on the Senate floor to continue her advocacy for S.967, the Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA) to deliver the "culture change" on sexual misconduct within the Armed Forces that the Secretary of Defense himself has acknowledged is necessary. Co-sponsored by Senator Murkowski in May, t… Continue Reading
11.19.13
Murkowski Urges Detailed Arctic Agenda At State Department
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today visited the State Department for a face-to-face meeting with Secretary John Kerry, where she continued her work with international global leaders to pave a path towards an effective Arctic strategy for the United States. During the meeting, Senator Murkowski raised the issue of defining the United States' action plan in anticipation of the United States assuming the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council in May 2015, with Murkowski expressing a desire f… Continue Reading
11.15.13
Murkowski: Customs and Border Patrol Decision Makes Fairbanks a Year-Round Destination
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the news that United States Customs and Border Protection is permanently creating three new customs positions slots at Fairbanks International Airport - not only permitting the Dawson City to Fairbanks summer flights initially denied, but opening up new possibilities for the Golden Heart City to attract more visitors year-round: "When Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initially decided to deny additional summer flights to transport 19… Continue Reading
11.15.13
Murkowski Bill Would Arm Soldiers With Information on Strain, Stress
WASHINGTON, DC - As the United States Senate prepares to debate the National Defense Authorization Act - authorizing military pay, benefits and some policy initiatives - next week, Senator Lisa Murkowski is prioritizing our men and women in uniform by introducing S.1703, the Military Mental Health Improvement Act. This bill would clearly and comprehensively communicate exactly how their mental health records can be accessed or used throughout their career to service members when they enter the … Continue Reading
11.14.13
Murkowski “Incredulous” at Indian Health Service’s Failure to Fully Fund Native Health Clinic Contracts
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today had a candid exchange with the Director of the Indian Health Service over the Obama administration's continuing refusal to fully fund the contract support costs for tribal health care providers nationwide, saying she is "incredulous that we are still living through this" fight. Contract support costs are the operational costs of tribes to manage tribal health programs -including personal management systems, liability insurance, and facility support c… Continue Reading
11.14.13
Murkowski Responds to Obama Health Care Reversal
Senator Lisa Murkowski shared the following response to President Barack Obama's news that he will allow exchanges to restore cancelled insurance plans for a year: "President Obama's so-called 'fix' today amounts to little more than a punt in several directions. He punted health care cancellations for another year, but didn't resolve any other issues with the law. He punted the discretion to deliver on this 'keep your health care' promise to health commissioners across the country. He punted o… Continue Reading
11.13.13
Murkowski Doubles Fishery Failure Relief Support on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In her continuing efforts to secure federal relief funds for Alaskan communities along the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers - as well as Cook Inlet - damaged by low salmon runs in 2012, Senator Lisa Murkowski today more than doubled the number of lawmakers on both sides of Capitol Hill advocating for resources for fisheries that have experienced their own "fish droughts" over the past two years. Murkowski already established strong bipartisan backing from 15 of her Senate colleague… Continue Reading
11.13.13
Flawed Eielson F-16 Proposal Suggests Sequestration Driving Military Strategy
Senator Questions Strategy When Making Cuts - "What is the Target Here?" Lower 48 Mayor Agrees With Need for Discretion When Seeking Savings WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today seized an opportunity during a Capitol Hill hearing to continue pressing for agencies to have discretion when making mandatory, across-the-board sequestration cuts - using the example of the recently-scuttled proposal to transfer F-16 aircraft from Eielson AFB to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. Calling it an… Continue Reading
11.12.13
Alaska Delegation Pushes for Equal Treatment for Indian Health Service and VA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Alaska's Congressional Delegation is advocating that Congress use the same approach it does with the Veterans Administration and fund the Indian Health Service one year in advance, to avoid the recurring and needless uncertainty faced by Alaska Native health care providers and those of providers for all indigenous people. Given the fact that the IHS has received its funding on time only once in the last fifteen years, the delegation wrote a letter pressing House and Senate Bu… Continue Reading
11.10.13
Senator Murkowski Shares Veterans Day Message with Alaskans
Washington, D.C.- Senator Lisa Murkowski offered the following statement in observance of Veterans Day: "This Veteran's Day, I'd like to thank all of the veterans who have served our country when called upon. The decision to enter into any military service is not one to be taken lightly, nor is it an easy burden to bear. Standing up to serve is something to be commended, something to be respected - and something to be honored by all of us who breathe easier and live freely because of those wh… Continue Reading
11.08.13
“I Hope the Lord Took all of Our Men Up There for Defending the Freedoms of Our People”
WASHINGTON, DC - As the United States commemorates Veterans Day weekend, Senator Lisa Murkowski is releasing her 18th Veteran Spotlight interview, focusing on the service of Kenai resident Herb Stettler who served in the U.S. Army and did a 13 month tour during the Korean War. Stettler is an active member of the Kenai Peninsula veteran community, supporting fellow veterans and honoring veteran sacrifice at local events and ceremonies - and has fostered a special bond with his neighbors for year… Continue Reading
11.08.13
Murkowski: Health Care Law’s Full-Time Definition is “Out of Step,” Risking Work Hour Cuts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - With the health care law's employer mandate causing cuts to work hours nationwide, Senator Lisa Murkowski and a bipartisan group of Senators is urging the Budget Conference Committee to take up the Forty Hours is Full Time Act (S. 1188) she co-sponsored earlier this year. This bill aims to redefine the use of "full-time" employee in the health care law since the law presently considers that a "full-time employee" works a mere 30 hours, which could lead to dramatic decreases in… Continue Reading
11.07.13
Murkowski Votes to Protect Alaskans From Discrimination
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today cast her vote in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill that protects Alaskans from discrimination. Murkowski also supported an amendment to the bill protecting religious freedom in implementation of the law. Moments ago, the legislation passed the Senate by a count of 64-32. On the floor of the Senate, Murkowski expressed the view that employees should be judged solely on the basis of ability or skill: (Murkowski mak… Continue Reading
11.06.13
Murkowski: “Words Aren’t Solving the Problem” of Military Sexual Assault
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined a bipartisan coalition of her colleagues to kick off a final two week push to create an independent, objective and non-biased military justice system - through the Military Justice Improvement Act - as the Senate is expected to debate the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) before Thanksgiving. The legislation that Murkowski co-sponsored in May would eliminate many obstacles that numerous victims of military sexual assault have des… Continue Reading
11.06.13
Murkowski Backs “If You Like Your Health Plan, You Can Keep It” Act
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced her co-sponsorship of S.1617, the If You Like Your Health Plan You Can Keep It Act of 2013, amid rising reports of thousands of Alaskans' inability to continue on with their current health care plan as President Obama had promised during the campaign to pass the legislation. "'Keep your health care plan if you like it' was one of the key claims that President Obama used to force this flawed law through Congress, and now over 5,000 Alaskans… Continue Reading
11.05.13
Murkowski: Health Care Cost Increases Aren’t Statistics, They Are Alaskans
WASHINGTON, D.C.-On the heels of her Committee Hearing exchange with the CMS Administrator earlier, Senator Lisa Murkowski today took the stories of everyday Alaskans with her to the floor of the United States Senate, in order to have more time to fully share their concerns and frustrations at the rollout of the health care exchanges in Alaska - both in terms of technical glitches and sticker shock at the dramatic rise in premiums. At the opening of her speech, Senator Murkowski recounted the q… Continue Reading