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, Sullivan Speak In Memory of Congressman Don Young
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, spoke on the Senate floor last night to honor the life and legacy of the Congressman for All Alaska, Don Young, who passed away last Friday, on March 18, 2022. Click here for video of Senator Murkowski's speech. Click here for video of Senator Sullivan's speech. "It has been a tough few days for our office. Our hearts are still heavy, but the sheer outpouring of love and support for our boss, Congressman Don Young, has meant … Continue Reading
03.23.22
Murkowski Examines Solutions to Support Affordable, High-Quality Childcare
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) took part this week in a U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing to examine barriers to access to childcare and to discuss solutions. During the hearing, Senator Murkowski pointed out, "It's pretty clear out there that our childcare providers in this country, certainly in my state, can barely make ends meet. Providers are competing with other employers for workers. Far too many parents cannot afford high-quality childcare ev… Continue Reading
03.22.22
Senate Passes Murkowski, Schatz Resolution Recognizing Native Women Achievements and Contributions
Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed S.Res.555 led by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chairman of the SCIA, honoring the achievements of Native women throughout American history. "Each year during March, the Senate celebrates National Women's History Month and acknowledges the important contributions made by women. Women's History Month also provides a continuing opportunity for us to recognize … Continue Reading
03.18.22
Murkowski Statement on Congressman Young’s Passing
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski issued the following statement following the passing of Congressman Don Young: "Alaskans are devastated by this shocking and sad news and I am saddened beyond belief about the loss of my friend. We have lost a giant who we loved dearly and who held Alaska in his heart-always. Don was coming home to the place that he loved, and to the people that loved him best. We love you, Don."… Continue Reading
03.18.22
Grant Roundup: Senator Murkowski Announces Federal Grants to Alaska
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the senior Senator for Alaska, announced the following grants to organizations, Tribal entities, and communities in Alaska: Anchorage: $4.3 million from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Rural Alaska Community Action Program Head Start Projects. Fairbanks: $130,356 to the University of Alaska Fairbanks from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a project entitled, "University of Alaska Fairbanks/Sikuliaq Shipboard Scientific Sup… Continue Reading
03.18.22
Murkowski, Sullivan Commend Coast Guard for Updating Mental Health Policies
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) commended the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for updating its mental and behavioral health policies to achieve parity with the policies of the Department of Defense (DoD), a legislative effort Senator Murkowski spearheaded this Congress. In February, Senator Murkowski introduced with Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Patty Murray (D-WA) the Guarding Mental Health Act, legislation to support Coast Guard members wh… Continue Reading
03.18.22
Murkowski, Sullivan Commend Coast Guard for Updating Mental Health Policies
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) commended the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for updating its mental and behavioral health policies to achieve parity with the policies of the Department of Defense (DoD), a legislative effort Senator Murkowski spearheaded this Congress. In February, Senator Murkowski introduced with Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Patty Murray (D-WA) the Guarding Mental Health Act, legislation to support Coast Guard members wh… Continue Reading
03.17.22
HELP Committee Considers PREVENT Pandemics Act
During a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee executive session to consider the S.3799 Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and Pandemics Act (PREVENT Pandemics Act), U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) filed amendments to the bill which addresses the nation's response to pandemics and includes reforms to improve accountability and transparency at the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Murkowski's provisions prioritize improving our h… Continue Reading
03.17.22
U.S. Coast Guard Releases Spending Plan for Infrastructure Bill Funding
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, released the following statements after the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) released a spending plan for funding received through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Over half of the total funding allocated to the USCG through the IIJA will be used for Alaskan projects. "I've been a long-time advocate for all of America's military members, including Alaska's Coasties. The work our Coast Guard men and w… Continue Reading
03.16.22
Delegation Welcomes Court Ruling Reinstating King Cove Land Exchange Agreement
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today welcomed a ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstating the land exchange needed to facilitate a life-saving road for the residents of King Cove, Alaska. The Ninth Circuit's decision reversed and remanded a flawed District Court ruling that set aside the land exchange agreement in June 2020. "This decision out of the Ninth Circuit reflects the right read of ANILCA and the Secretary of th… Continue Reading
03.16.22
Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Signed into Law
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) attended a ceremony at the White House to recognize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization Act of 2022 being signed into law. Earlier in the day, Senator Murkowski, alongside her co-leads on the bill, U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) celebrated its passage by speaking on the Senate floor. [Click here for bill highlights. Click here for video of Murkowski's speech. Click here for high res photos.] "… Continue Reading
03.16.22
President Signs FY22 Funding Bill into Law
President Biden signed the Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act into law yesterday. The bill includes Congressionally Directed Spending allocations U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured for over 65 local projects in Alaska, through a new process which restores Alaskans' ability to have a voice in federal budget decisions by helping to identify and address needs in the state. In addition to funding priorities for Alaskan communities and emergency aid for Ukraine, the bill includ… Continue Reading
03.15.22
Murkowski Delivers Big Wins for Alaska in Interior Appropriations Bill
Today President Biden signed into law an omnibus appropriations package containing funding for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2022. The package includes the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee's bill, which Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) negotiated as the panel's Ranking Member. Murkowski secured provisions to strengthen Alaska's economy, improve water and wastewater infrastructure, and create safer and healthier communities across the state. "Through this omnibus bill, I've again use… Continue Reading
03.14.22
What Alaskans Are Saying: Alaska Local Projects to Benefit from Congressionally Directed Spending Allocations
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, directed Congressionally Directed Spending allocations to over 65 local projects in Alaska in the Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which is expected to be signed into law this week. The new Congressionally Directed Spending process restores Alaskans' ability to have a voice in federal budget decisions by helping to identify and address needs in the state. Click here for the full list of Congres… Continue Reading
03.11.22
Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Passes Congress, Heads to President’s Desk
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization Act of 2022, led by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), alongside U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Dick Durbin (D-IL), is heading to the President to be signed into law. This bipartisan legislation, which was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, reauthorizes VAWA through 2027, preserves advancements in previous reauthorizations, and strengthens and modernizes the almost 30-year-old law. The VA… Continue Reading
03.11.22
Murkowski Commends Announcement of Russian Seafood Ban
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today issued the following statement commending President Joe Biden for signing an executive order to prohibit the importation of Russian seafood and other key imports into the United States. Since Russia imposed seafood bans on the United States in 2014, Senator Murkowski has worked to educate every President and their administration on the importance of re-opening the Russian market to U.S. seafood and failing that, creating a reciprocal ban on Russian seafo… Continue Reading
03.11.22
Senators Murkowski, Manchin, Risch and Cassidy Urge Administration to Meet Domestic Mineral Demand, Address Supply Chain Crisis
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Jim Risch (R-ID), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) wrote a letter to President Joe Biden stressing the urgency for the United States to strengthen America's mineral security. They call upon him to invoke the Defense Production Act to rebuild the capacity of key sectors and value-chains by domestically producing and processing critical minerals, such as battery metals like lithium and gr… Continue Reading
03.11.22
Murkowski Secures Investments for Alaska in Fiscal Year 2022 Bill
Last night, the Senate passed the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which sets federal funding levels for the remainder of the fiscal year. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, secured significant funding priorities, including $230 million in Congressionally Directed Spending allocations specifically for Alaska. Click here for Alaska's Congressionally Directed Spending Allocations. The Consolidated Appropriations Act includes all 12 of the ann… Continue Reading
03.11.22
Schatz, Murkowski Applaud Senate Passage of Historic Tribal Provisions in Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Committee, released the following statements on inclusion of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA) in a bipartisan appropriations deal. The bill now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. "VAWA's Tribal provisions will restore justice for Native communities and provide tools to keep Native families s… Continue Reading
03.11.22
Murkowski Directs $230 Million to Alaska Projects
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, announced today that she directed more than $230 million within the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus to Alaska through the new Congressionally Directed Spending process. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, which includes all 12 annual appropriations bills and completes the Fiscal Year 2022 funding cycle, passed the Senate last night and now heads to the President to be signed into law. "After years of ceding control o… Continue Reading