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 on Last American Troops Leaving Kabul, Ending 20-Year War in Afghanistan
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after President Biden addressed the nation to further explain his administration's decision to completely withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan: "The final U.S. military evacuation flight departed the Kabul airport Monday, ending America's longest war at nearly 20 years. Ending the war in Afghanistan is a milestone that has left many of us with mixed emotions: relief that American troops are able to safely return to the United St… Continue Reading
08.31.21
Murkowski Announces Completion of Phase Two of Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Exchange
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced the closing of the final portion of phase two of the Alaska Mental Health Trust land exchange. The equal value exchange, between the USDA Forest Service and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (AMHTA), was conducted in two phases with the second phase further divided into two portions. Yesterday, the final portion of the land exchange closed, following an agreement signed by the Trust Land Office and the Forest Service outlining all remaining del… Continue Reading
08.30.21
Murkowski Introduces Bill to Reauthorize the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently introduced S. 2648, the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act. The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area (KMTA NHA) is the first and only NHA in Alaska and just one of 55 in the country. The KMTA NHA was created in the Omnibus Lands Act of 2009, a bill Senator Murkowski championed, with the intent to preserve the area's history, and to promote local recreation and tourism in Southcentral Alaska. Without… Continue Reading
08.30.21
Vice Chairman Murkowski Announces New Committee Staff
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), welcomes additional staff to the Committee and provided the following statement. "I am pleased that Amber Ebarb and Lucy Murfitt have transitioned over to the Committee. They provide a depth of knowledge and skill that will complement the Committee's work to advance the lives of American Indian and Alaska Native people. Both women are familiar with the many issues affecting Indigenous peoples and… Continue Reading
08.28.21
Murkowski Statement on U.S. Counterterrorism Operation against ISIS-K
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after the U.S-launched airstrike against ISIS-K, the Islamic State affiliate that claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing outside Kabul airport, which killed 13 U.S. service members. "This week, the world has watched in horror as the situation in Afghanistan continues to escalate. Thirteen American military members were tragically killed in the support of evacuation efforts. America is taking direct and necessary action … Continue Reading
08.27.21
Murkowski Statement on Attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement after two bombings took place near Kabul's international airport, which killed 13 U.S. service members and wounded as many as 18 more: "I have long supported withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan, but the manner in which the drawdown has taken place has been chaotic and irresponsible and led to the horrific scenes we have witnessed over the last 12 days. It is devastating to see that American troops were targeted, injured, and k… Continue Reading
08.23.21
Murkowski, Young Applaud Native Children’s Commission Extension Bill Heading to President’s Desk
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 325, a bill to amend the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act to extend the deadline for a report by the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children, and for other purposes. The bill, introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and co-sponsored by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Jon Tester (D-MT), now heads to the President to be signed into law. A House compani… Continue Reading
08.23.21
Murkowski, Hickenlooper Introduce Legislation to Improve Access to Medical Forensics for Victims of Violence
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced S. 2655, the Ensuring Forensic Care for All Victims Act. This legislation that builds upon the work of the Alaska Comprehensive Training Forensic Academy, which is a pilot program run through the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). The bill authorizes demonstration grants to provide an evidence-based and trauma-informed care approach for a broad group of providers, including emergency service providers, registered nurs… Continue Reading
08.20.21
Alaska Delegation Condemns Court Ruling on Alaska’s North Slope Willow Project
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, released the following statements in response to an Order of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska scraping an essential permit for the Willow Project, a multi-billion dollar expansion of ConocoPhillips's oil and gas operations in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). The Willow Project was approved only after years of analysis and public input, including a robust environmental impact st… Continue Reading
08.17.21
Senator Murkowski Hosts Secretary of Energy in Alaska
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently hosted U.S. Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, in Alaska for a visit focused on the state's immense energy potential including a number of cutting-edge, Alaska driven initiatives. Senator Murkowski helped educate Secretary Granholm on an array of renewable energy projects within the state, including hydropower, wind energy, geothermal energy, and energy efficiency. "Alaska is leading the way when it comes to responsible energy development. The be… Continue Reading
08.16.21
Murkowski on Situation in Afghanistan
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement on Afghanistan: "I have been closely watching the rapidly deteriorating situation unfolding in Afghanistan. It is clear that conditions have quickly turned from a controlled withdrawal to a full-on emergency. I am gravely concerned for the Americans that remain on the ground, embassy staff, Afghans that have helped the U.S. Government, and the millions of innocent Afghans-particularly Afghan women and girls who are experiencing uni… Continue Reading
08.13.21
Murkowski Welcomes New Staff Members to D.C. and Anchorage Offices
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced new staff members to both her Washington D.C. and Anchorage offices. "I work hard every day to represent all Alaskans. Our state has so many unique and often challenging needs that must be met, so having a strong staff behind me that really understands Alaska is pivotal," said Senator Murkowski. "I'm proud to add a number of new individuals to my team-each of whom comes with a specific set of skills and experience that I'm confident will be of grea… Continue Reading
08.12.21
Murkowski Directs Significant Funding for Alaska
The Senate Appropriations Committee recently approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 appropriations bills for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs; Energy and Water Development; and Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. As a senior member on the Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) worked to invest in programs and projects critical to Alaskans, including utilizing the opportunity to fund local projects through Congressionally Directe… Continue Reading
08.11.21
Murkowski Votes Against $3.5 Trillion Tax and Spending Measure
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after voting against the S.Con.Res.14, FY2022 Budget Resolution: "The Democrats' $3.5 trillion budget bill is a wish list that is wasteful, irresponsible, and paid for by increasing taxes on middle class families. Reckless spending will not put our economy back on track, and will further increase inflation when the Biden administration has yet to get funding from his $2 trillion wholly partisan American Rescue Plan out the door. … Continue Reading
08.10.21
Senators’ Statement on Passage of Landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
U.S. Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Rob Portman (R-OH), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Mark Warner (D-VA) issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to approve the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by a bipartisan vote of 69-30. The bill represents the largest investment in infrastructure in our nation's history. "This vote is a historic victory for the… Continue Reading
08.10.21
Murkowski Statement on $3.5 Trillion Tax and Spending Measure
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after voting against the motion to proceed to S.Con.Res.14, FY2022 Budget Resolution, a $3.5 trillion spending measure: "Today Americans are able to witness the best and the worst here in the United States Senate. "The best-the Senate just passed on a strong bipartisan basis, an historic infrastructure package focused on core, legacy infrastructure that will create new jobs and benefits that will pay forward for Americans for … Continue Reading
08.10.21
Alaska to Receive Big Benefits from Infrastructure Package
Today the U.S. Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, bipartisan legislation which provides investments for core infrastructure-roads, bridges, rail, transit, ports, airports, energy, water systems, and broadband. The bill provides $550 billion in new spending over five years, without raising taxes, and will grow America's economy, create jobs, and push against inflation. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), with a bipartisan group of ten Senators, worked for months to negotiat… Continue Reading
08.10.21
Vice Chairman Murkowski Secures Significant Investments in Native Communities
Today, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, provided the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes substantial funding for Federal programs and Native communities to address water and sanitation, transportation, broadband, climate and energy resilience, Indian water settlements, new energy technology, drought mitigation, mine and well cleanup, wildfire mitigation, and ecosystem re… Continue Reading
08.09.21
Murkowski Speaks on Historic Infrastructure Bill
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor to the importance of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, legislation currently before the full Senate which invests in our nation's core infrastructure-roads, bridges, rail, ports, airports, energy, water systems, broadband, and transit, including ferries. Murkowski spoke about the efforts she and her colleagues put into the bill, including provisions of great importance to Alaska, and the historic impacts that this legac… Continue Reading
08.08.21
Murkowski Welcomes Fish and Wildlife Service Polar Bear Final ITRs
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently published the final marine mammal Incidental Take Regulations (ITR), commonly known as the Polar Bear ITRs, for the Beaufort Sea (Alaska and the Outer Continental Shelf) and adjacent northern coast of Alaska. The final regulations come after Senator Murkowski repeatedly pressed Department of the Interior officials on the importance of issuing updated regulations as the last ITRs expired this month. On May 18 during a nomination hearing in the Senate E… Continue Reading
