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 Cosponsors Bill to Support Local Radio Stations
Washington, DC - Last week, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) cosponsored the Local Radio Freedom Act. This bipartisan legislation, introduced by John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), directs Congress to not impose new taxes and fees on locally owned radio stations. “Locally owned radio stations are the backbone of Alaska, sharing essential information to keep those in the furthest corners of our state connected,” said Senator Murkowski. “This legislation makes it easier for these s… Continue Reading
03.13.25
Murkowski and Colleagues Spearhead Bipartisan Push to Address Youth Mental Health Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), along with Representatives August Pfluger (R-Texas-11), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.-8), John Joyce (R-Pa.-13), and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.-14), introduced bipartisan legislation to combat the growing youth mental health crisis in America. The Early Action and Responsiveness Lifts Youth (EARLY) Minds Act would provide early intervention and prevention services to children strugg… Continue Reading
03.07.25
Murkowski Supports Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Ensure All VA Medical Centers Have Dedicated Nursing Spaces
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) in introducing legislation to ensure all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers have designated nursing spaces. The bipartisan, bicameral Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act would ensure all medical centers managed by the VA contain a hygienic, private space specifically dedicated for nursing veterans, VA employees, and their partners. As of 2022, the… Continue Reading
03.06.25
Murkowski Questions FDA Nominee
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today questioned the President's nominee to be Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Martin Makary, during his appearance before the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Murkowski raised the FDA’s handling of the Vaccine Advisory Committee, the handling of clinical trials for rare diseases, and funding for state and local governments to conduct food safety inspections. Full Transcript: Senator Murkows… Continue Reading
02.27.25
Senator Murkowski Applauds Implementation of Social Security Fairness Act
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) applauded an announcement from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that the agency will immediately begin to pay retroactive Social Security benefits to those impacted by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). Retroactive payments will be calculated back to January 1, 2024. Most of those impacted will receive their retroactive payments by the end of March and higher benefit payments going forwar… Continue Reading
02.27.25
Murkowski Cosponsors Bill to Grant Ukrainians Already in the U.S. Temporary Guest Status
Washington, DC - Following the third anniversary of Russia’s catastrophic invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced that she has joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) as a cosponsor of his Protecting Our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act, which would provide temporary guest status to Ukrainians and their immediate family members who are already in the United States through the “Uniting for Ukraine” parole process. The bill allows Ukrainians to stay … Continue Reading
02.26.25
Murkowski: In Alaska, We Do Have an Energy Emergency
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today voted against S.J.Res.10, a resolution to terminate the national energy emergency declared by President Trump on January 20, 2025. Murkowski spoke on the Senate floor in advance of the chamber’s vote to defeat the resolution, detailing the energy emergency in Alaska—which includes supply in Southcentral, affordability in rural and remote communities, and low throughput in the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System—while also pointing out the Un… Continue Reading
02.20.25
Senator Murkowski Releases Statement on Patel Nomination
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement on her decision to vote against confirming Kash Patel as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): “I will oppose Kash Patel’s confirmation to serve as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI’s mission is “to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States.” Mr. Patel and I agree the bureau has crept past that mission, become an increasingly poli… Continue Reading
02.19.25
Murkowski to hear from Alaskans in “Teletownhall” tonight
Washington, DC - Tonight, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) will host a “Teletownhall” to hear from Alaskans who want to engage on federal funding, programs, grants, and jobs that are being impacted by executive orders and recommendations by the Department of Government Efficiency. All Alaskans are encouraged to participate. TIME: 5:00pm - 6:00pm AKST, Wednesday, February 19, 2025. TELEPHONE NUMBER: 855-756-7520, Ext. 120665# Alaskans can call in to listen, or they can speak with a member of … Continue Reading
02.19.25
Murkowski Engages with Secretary of Labor Nominee During Confirmation Hearing
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) engaged with Secretary of Labor nominee, former Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer, during a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing. Senator Murkowski articulated Alaska’s workforce demands, and received a commitment from Chavez-DeRemer to work to address these needs at the federal level. “Alaska’s key industries require distinct personnel needs in order to keep up with constantly evolving environmen… Continue Reading
02.16.25
Senators Murkowski and Sullivan Recognize Elizabeth Peratrovich Day
Anchorage, AK - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-AK) are honored to recognize February 16th as “Elizabeth Peratrovich Day” through a Senate resolution. The national recognition celebrates the historic Alaska civil rights leader who played an integral role in the Alaska Territorial Legislature’s passage the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945—decades before the signing of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. This is the third consecutive year that Elizabeth Peratrovich Day will … Continue Reading
02.13.25
Murkowski: “It’s Denali.”
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today introduced legislation that would officially designate North America’s highest mountain as Denali, the name bestowed by Alaska’s Koyukon Athabascans. The bill would require that any reference in U.S. laws, maps, regulations, or other records refer to the mountain as Denali. “In Alaska, it’s Denali,” Senator Murkowski said. “Once you see it in person, and take in the majesty of its size and breathe in its cold air, you can understand … Continue Reading
02.13.25
Senator Murkowski Announces Extended Deadline for FY26 Appropriations Requests
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced an extended deadline for appropriations requests from Alaskans for programmatic and Congressional Directed Spending for the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). The appropriations request portal on her website opened on January 3, 2025, and will now remain open until Friday, February 28, 2025, at 11:59 AKST. CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON SENATOR MURKOWSKI’S FY26 APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST PROCESS Murkowski is making the Appropriations Reques… Continue Reading
02.06.25
Murkowski joins Colleagues in Calling for Quick Implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined 27 colleagues in calling for the immediate implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act to provide full Social Security benefits for thousands of Alaskan public servants impacted by Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). The Social Security Fairness Act, which fully repeals the two Social Security provisions WEP and GPO, was signed into law on January 5, 2024. Senator Murkowski co-sponsored th… Continue Reading
01.30.25
Murkowski Announces U.S. Military Service Academy Nominees
Washington, DC - Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced the names of the young Alaskans she is nominating to the U.S. Military Service Academies for the class of 2029. “These young Alaskans have shown exemplary leadership and dedication to their communities, and it is an honor to nominate them to our nation’s military service academies,” said Senator Murkowski. “I extend my congratulations and best wishes to each of them.” U.S. Military Service Academy nominees are selected based … Continue Reading
01.29.25
Murkowski, Klobuchar Reintroduce Bill to Support Individuals Living with FASD
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) reintroduced the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Respect Act of 2025, legislation which reauthorizes programs and funding to aid individuals and families impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. “We made significant progress on this bill in the 118th Congress, and we were close to getting this legislation across the finish line. That momentum has only motivated Senator Klobuchar and I to work e… Continue Reading
01.28.25
Murkowski Releases Statement on Suspension of Federal Funding
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement on federal funding: “Alaskans have understandably been reaching out to my office all day, asking for clarity about what OMB's memo ordering a pause in grants, loans, and other federal financial assistance means for them. At this point, we don’t have any more direction than what has been reported. My staff is actively tracking impacted projects and services in Alaska, and working to identify those that most urg… Continue Reading
01.27.25
Murkowski and Chemnitz: Greenland “Ally, not an Asset”
Washington, DC - Today, United States Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska and Co-Chair of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region) and Aaja Chemnitz (Member of Danish Parliament representing Greenland for Inuit Ataqatigiit and Chair of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region), released the following joint statement: “In recent weeks, as President Trump has suggested the U.S. should purchase Greenland from the Kingdom of Denmark, attention has rapidly… Continue Reading
01.23.25
Senator Murkowski Releases Statement on Hegseth Nomination
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement on her decision to vote against confirming Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense: “Since Mr. Hegseth’s nomination last November, I have met with him and carefully reviewed his writings, various reports, and other pertinent materials. I closely followed his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee and gathered substantial feedback from organizations, veterans, and Alaskans. After thorough evaluat… Continue Reading
01.22.25
Senator Murkowski Soliciting Interest for Most Recently Vacated Seat on District Court of Alaska
Washington, DC - Today, Senator Murkowski (R-AK) announced that her office is accepting letters of interest and resumes to fill the Federal District Court of Alaska seat vacated in July 2024. Materials should be sent to ak_judge@murkowski.senate.gov. The deadline to submit letters of interest and resumes to the Senator’s office is Wednesday, February 5th, 2025.… Continue Reading
