Press Releases
Media Requests: Members of the media can contact the press office by emailing karina_borger@murkowski.senate.gov or by calling 202-224-6665 and asking for the press office.
Alaska Delegation Reacts to Stunning Arctic Withdrawal
Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today slammed President Barack Obama for unilaterally placing the entire Chukchi Sea and the vast majority of the Beaufort Sea off-limits to energy development. The sweeping withdrawal disrespects the Alaskan people, is not based on sound science, and contradicts the administration's own conclusions about Arctic development. It will have lasting consequences for Alaska's economy, state finances, and the secur… Continue Reading
12.20.16
Alaska Delegation Seeks Halt to Additional Offshore Withdrawals
Amid growing reports of additional withdrawals that the Obama administration plans to impose in Alaska in its final days in office, Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today wrote President Barack Obama urging him to take no further action in Alaska and requesting a meeting to discuss the economic damage his previous decisions are causing in Alaska. "On behalf of the people we serve, we write to seek an appointment with you to discuss federal l… Continue Reading
12.19.16
Murkowski: Stream Buffer Rule Bypasses State Regulators and Congress
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed opposition to the Obama administration's final rule on stream buffer zones for coal mining. "The Obama administration has abused the rule-making process for eight years to subvert the law to meet their policy objectives," Murkowski said. "The stream buffer rule issued today is yet another example of this administration's unilateral efforts to bypass Congress and the states to impose rules that will have severe impacts on the economic well-bein… Continue Reading
12.16.16
New EPA Rule Dismantles Waste Disposal in Remote Areas of Alaska
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed Federal Plan for Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration (CISWI) units, which directly impacts entities in Alaska that use small remote incinerators (SRIs) to dispose of waste in remote areas where traditional disposal methods are unavailable. "I am extremely disappointed that the EPA has chosen to push forward with a proposal that appears to do… Continue Reading
12.15.16
Sen. Murkowski Comments on the Nomination of Rep. Ryan Zinke for Interior Department Secretary
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., as Secretary of the Department of the Interior. "I welcome the President-elect's nomination of Rep. Ryan Zinke to be Secretary of the Interior. I look forward to meeting with him to discuss a range of critical issues, including the challenges we face on federal management of lands and waters in Alaska, the urgent need to increase energy production in… Continue Reading
12.14.16
Sen. Murkowski Comments on the Nomination of Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry for DOE Secretary
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of former Texas Gov. Rick Perry as Secretary of the Department of Energy. "I welcome the President-elect's nomination of former Gov. Rick Perry to be Secretary of Energy. I strongly believe the leadership at this Department should have a broad understanding of the need to increase access to energy, make it more affordable, and improve environmental performance - all key factors … Continue Reading
12.12.16
Murkowski Announces Staff Changes in Washington, D.C. and Anchorage
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced several changes within her Washington, D.C. and Anchorage offices, including the retirement of long-time Office Manager Debbie Kapanoske. "Debbie Kapanoske has dedicated her life to public service, and I have been extremely fortunate to have her as a member of my team for so many years. When I joined the Senate, Debbie was one of my very first staff members. She has been a valuable member of my team from her first day to her last," said Senator Murkow… Continue Reading
12.10.16
Water Infrastructure Development Bill to Become Law
Early this morning, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, legislation that addresses infrastructure priorities on America's coasts and rivers. This is an updated version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which passed the Senate in September. WIIN authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to improve navigation and flood management, construct projects to mitigate storm damage, and to assist state and local go… Continue Reading
12.09.16
Final Tongass Plan Has Dire Implications for Southeast Economy
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, and U.S. Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the U.S. Forest Service released its Final Record of Decision (ROD) to amend the Tongass Land Management Plan (plan). "By finalizing a new plan on its way out of office, the Obama administration has blatantly disregarded some of the Tongass Advisory Committee's most important recommendations and imperiled the economic future of Southeast Alaska," Murkowski said. "… Continue Reading
12.09.16
Alaska Delegation Slams President Obama’s Latest Executive Order
Today the Alaska Congressional Delegation spoke out against an Executive Order by President Obama creating a "Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area" for over 112,000 square miles off Alaska's western coast, in addition to withdrawing 40,300 square miles of federal waters from oil and natural gas leasing. "This is the first time we have ever seen the term 'climate resilience area' in Alaska or anywhere else," Senator Lisa Murkowski said. "We have no idea what that designation is supposed t… Continue Reading
12.08.16
Alaska Delegation Warns President Obama Against Parting Shots at Alaska
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, and U.S. Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today sent a letter to President Obama reiterating their strong objections to the use of Section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to withdraw acreage in the Arctic planning areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from future leasing. The letter highlights the delegation's fierce opposition to any potential Arctic withdrawals and cites the legal, economic, and scientific ramification… Continue Reading
12.08.16
Major Defense Bill Heading to President
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) cast her vote in support of the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation designed to keep our nation safe from enemies and provide support for our troops and their families. The bill passed in a vote of 92-7 and now heads to the President's desk. "With the countless threats facing our nation from all corners of the globe, this is one of the most crucial pieces of legislation for Congress to pass. Our national security m… Continue Reading
12.07.16
Senate Passes Bill Boosting Medical Research and Innovation
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting in favor of the 21st Century Cures Act: "This legislation tackles crucial health concerns for Alaskans - providing tools for mental health treatment, fighting the opioid epidemic, and addressing the disproportionally high risk of suicide among Alaska Natives. Not only that, but it will increase opportunities for lifesaving medical research. Today's bill provides hope for families grappling with devastating di… Continue Reading
12.02.16
EPA’s Unnecessary, Burdensome CERCLA Rule Will Harm Mining, Manufacturing in America
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a draft rulemaking that would impose new CERCLA 108(b) financial assurance regulations on hardrock mines, a move that defies strong congressional opposition, ignores the concerns of states and small businesses, and threatens the nation's mineral security. "I have opposed the EPA's efforts to impose new financial assurance requirements on hardrock mines from the start… Continue Reading
12.01.16
Long-Term Sanctions for Iran Heading to President’s Desk
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the Iran Sanctions Extensions Act, a ten-year extension of existing sanctions against Iran. The bill lays out powerful restrictions related to energy, defense, and Iran's nuclear and missile activities. It works to deny Iran the resources to support terrorism and develop weapons of mass destruction. The legislation passed in a vote of 99-0, and now heads to the President to be signed into law. "Iran's actions continue to warrant extrem… Continue Reading
11.29.16
Senate Passes Bill Expanding Healthcare in Rural Alaska
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Act to support telemedicine programs that connect health providers with patients in rural communities. The bill passed in a vote of 97-0. "The health and well-being of Alaskans is one of my top priorities, and I remain committed to ensuring Alaskans have access to quality healthcare. Utilizing technology and innovative delivery models to meet healthcare needs is imperative in rural state… Continue Reading
11.23.16
Just in Time for Thanksgiving, FWS Releases Absolute Turkey of a Mitigation Policy
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today criticized the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for finalizing a new, revised mitigation policy that will make development more difficult and more expensive throughout the nation, including in Alaska. "I oppose this mitigation policy, as well as the presidential memorandum, which is its foundation. I am seriously concerned about the economic consequences that will result from the excessive requirements being forced through in the waning days of … Continue Reading
11.18.16
Murkowski Questions Last Minute Administrative Maneuvering by Park Service
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week sent a letter to National Park Service (NPS) Director Jonathan Jarvis requesting an immediate 60-day extension of the public comment period for Director's Order #100, regarding "Resource Stewardship for the 21st Century". The Park Service is attempting to finalize this sweeping last-second policy proposal by the end of December, in part by limiting the public comment period to just 30 days. In her letter, Chairman Murkowski mirrored concerns she has… Continue Reading
11.18.16
Murkowski Applauds USED’s Decision to Grant Alaska Testing Waiver
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Education's decision to approve the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development's (DEED) request for a waiver from federal testing requirements this year due to technical problems that arose during last spring's testing. "I am pleased the Department of Education heeded Alaska's concerns and granted this much-needed waiver. There is simply no reason our state should be penaliz… Continue Reading
11.18.16
Alaska Delegation Slams Decision to Strip Arctic Leases from New OCS Plan
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, and U.S. Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today condemned the Obama administration's decision to remove two Alaska lease sales - one each in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas - from its "Proposed Final Program" for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) leasing for 2017-2022. Eliminating the program's Arctic sales will yield the weakest offshore development plan in American history and lock up vast resources that are needed to grow our economy, protect national… Continue Reading
