03.27.19

Delegation Reaffirms Strong Support for Coastal Plain Leasing Program

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management, Joe Balash, to express their continued strong support for the oil and gas leasing program for the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is currently moving forward with the development of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the program. "We are pleased the Departm… Continue Reading

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03.26.19

Alaska Congressional Delegation Welcomes Supreme Court’s Unanimous Decision on Sturgeon Case

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today welcomed a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Sturgeon v Frost, that the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) explicitly barred the National Park Service from prohibiting John Sturgeon from operating his hovercraft to hunt moose along the Nation River in the Yukon-Charley National Preserve in Alaska. In an opinion authored by Justice Elena Kagan, the court upheld the promises made t… Continue Reading

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03.26.19

Murkowski: Voting Against Costly, Impractical Green New Deal

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor in advance of a vote on the Green New Deal resolution. Murkowski explained the impracticality of the resolution and instead outlined the more practical, pragmatic steps Congress can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Murkowski highlighted areas where Congress has already made progress in supporting policies to reduce emissions, such as increased funding for t… Continue Reading

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03.26.19

Sullivan, Murkowski Resolution Recalls Exxon Valdez Tragedy

U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) yesterday introduced a resolution in the U.S. Senate marking the 30th anniversary of the disastrous Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The collision of the Exxon Valdez tanker with Bligh Reef in the early morning of March 24, 1989 resulted in the release of roughly eleven million gallons of crude oil into the open ocean, impacting more than 1,300 miles of coastline. "The Exxon Valdez disaster marked a turning point in the… Continue Reading

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03.21.19

Murkowski, Shaheen Build on Bipartisan Efforts to Address Health Concerns for Firefighters’ Exposure to PFAS, Announce Bill that Would Require Blood Testing as Part of Routine Physicals for Military Firefighters

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced today that they'll introduce bipartisan legislation next week that would require the Department of Defense to include blood testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as part of routine physicals for military firefighters. The Protecting Military Firefighters from PFAS Act builds on the Senators' efforts to prioritize actions that respond to the potential health effects of occupational exposure to PFAS, particula… Continue Reading

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03.15.19

Alaska Delegation Moves to Protect Native Craftsmen

U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Congressman Don Young (R-AK) this week introduced the Empowering Rural Economies Through Alaska Native Sustainable Arts and Handicrafts Act, in the House and the Senate. The legislation would preempt states from banning walrus ivory, whale bone, and other marine mammal products that have been legally carved by Alaska Natives under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Additionally, the bill preempts states from issuing bans on fossiliz… Continue Reading

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03.15.19

Feinstein, Murkowski Introduce Women’s History Month Resolution

Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced a resolution designating March as "National Women's History Month." "Women's History Month gives us an opportunity to reflect on the contributions women have made to our country and inspire the next generation of women leaders," Senator Feinstein said. "When I first came to the Senate, there were only two other women serving in the chamber. Today, a quarter of the senators are women and a record number of … Continue Reading

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03.14.19

Senator Murkowski Votes to Uphold Separation of Powers

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after voting on House Joint Resolution 46, to terminate the President's national emergency declaration at the United States' southern border: "I take very seriously my oath to uphold the Constitution, and my respect for the balance within the separation of powers. Article 1 provides that the power to appropriate lies with the legislative branch. When the executive branch goes around the express intention of Congress on matters wi… Continue Reading

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03.14.19

Murkowski Introduces Bill to Address Ocean Acidification

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act, legislation to address ocean acidification by identifying and assessing communities which are most dependent on coastal and ocean resources that may be impacted by ocean acidification. The bill would conduct coastal community vulnerability assessments related to ocean acidification, assessing the nature of social and economic vulnerabilities of coastal communities and identify the harmful impacts of oc… Continue Reading

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03.13.19

Murkowski Supports Yemen War Resolution

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after voting for S.J. Res. 7, the Yemen War Powers Resolution, which passed the Senate by a vote of 54-46. "Over the past three months, the world has watched the humanitarian crisis in Yemen continue to deteriorate, and we have seen no meaningful action, nor has Congress been provided any meaningful information after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi," said Senator Murkowski. "Saudi Arabia has long been an ally, but that … Continue Reading

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03.12.19

Senators Introduce Bill to Improve Access to Justice in the West, Create New Twelfth Circuit

U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Steve Daines (R-MT), Martha McSally (R-AZ), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have introduced the Judicial Efficiency Improvement Act of 2019, a bill that would codify the Judicial Conference's most recent recommendations as well as other important measures to enhance the effectiveness of the federal judiciary. The legislation would authorize 56 permanent district court judgeships, convert eight temporary district court judgeships into permanent posts, and authorize fi… Continue Reading

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03.12.19

President Trump Signs Sweeping Lands Package into Law

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commended President Donald J. Trump for signing S. 47, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, formerly known as the Natural Resources Management Act, into law. The bipartisan legislation contains more than 120 public lands, resources, sportsmen, conservation, and water management bills. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 92 to 8 on February 12, and the House passed it on February 26 by a vote of 363 to 62. "I thank P… Continue Reading

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03.12.19

Murkowski Statement on President’s Budget Request

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after President Trump unveiled a budget blueprint for Fiscal Year 2020: "The President's request is the first step in the budget process. I look forward to reviewing the President's priorities - including his commitment to our national defense and proposed spending cuts - and will take them under consideration as we work through the Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations process." Murkowski is a member of the Senate Appropriations C… Continue Reading

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03.08.19

Murkowski Welcomes Intent to Nominate David Bernhardt to be Interior Secretary

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after President Trump announced his intent to nominate David Bernhardt to be Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI). "I strongly support David Bernhardt to serve as Secretary of the Interior. He is an excellent choice and has demonstrated he is more than capable of leading on a permanent basis. It is critical that our Interior Secretary understand Alaska and I have no doubt he will continue to be a strong partne… Continue Reading

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03.08.19

Murkowski, Harris Address Workplace Harassment

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) recently reintroduced comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to address the ongoing issue of workplace harassment and reduce barriers that prevent victims from speaking out and seeking justice. The Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace Harassment through Education and Reporting (EMPOWER) Act arms individuals with the resources they need to address workplace harassment. The bill works to reverse the culture of silence by prohibitin… Continue Reading

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03.08.19

Murkowski Blasts FDA’s Decision to Allow GE Salmon to Enter U.S. Without Clear Labeling

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deactivated a 2016 import alert that prevented Genetically Engineered (GE) salmon from entering the U.S. market: "I'm extremely disappointed in the FDA's short-sighted decision. It is wrong-headed and a bad idea, simple as that. I am not going to back down and will continue my fight to ensure that any salmon product that is genetically engineered be clearly labeled," said Senator Murko… Continue Reading

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03.08.19

In Case You Missed It: Murkowski Discusses Historic Lands Package

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) this week participated in two national interviews related to S. 47, her bipartisan lands package. On Wednesday, she joined Judy Woodruff on PBS NewsHour and on Thursday, she joined Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) on ABC News to highlight how the bill will benefit communities across the country. S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act, combines more than 120 bills related to public lands, natural resources, water management, sportsmen's, and conservation p… Continue Reading

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03.08.19

Murkowski Joins Reintroduction of Bipartisan Resolution Opposing Privatization of the United States Postal Service

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski joined 24 of her Senate colleagues to reintroduce a bipartisan resolution opposing privatization of the United States Postal Service (USPS). The resolution notes that the USPS is a self-sustaining establishment and that potential privatization would result in higher prices and reduced services for USPS customers, especially in rural communities. "The Founders of our nation recognized that the Postal Service was a crucial link to diffuse knowledge and support commerce… Continue Reading

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03.08.19

Murkowski Convenes Roundtable to Spotlight Unique Public Lands Issues in Western Communities

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday convened a roundtable to discuss the unique issues of access and development associated with public lands in the western United States. The roundtable focused on ways to restore balance to the management of our federal lands. Participants discussed the importance of greater access for economic and outdoor recreation opportunities, water resources management, the installation of renewable projects, mineral and energy development, conservation, and h… Continue Reading

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03.08.19

Murkowski, Udall Introduce Legislation Honoring Native Women

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced a resolution to celebrate and honor the successes of indigenous women across the nation. Their resolution recognizes the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States, highlighting the importance of promoting equity, providing safety, and upholding the interests of strong, diverse women. "As we celebrate women across the globe on International Women's Day,… Continue Reading