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.
ICYMI: The King Cove Road is a Matter of Human Rights
Washington, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) wrote a longform essay on King Cove, Alaska, for the latest issue of the American Bar Association’s Human Rights magazine. The full piece - which is copied below and available online here - makes the case for a life-saving road to connect King Cove with the all-weather airport in nearby Cold Bay. This simple, one-lane, gravel, non-commercial use road is needed to ensure reliable transportation access to and from the predominantly Aleut community dur… Continue Reading
11.21.24
Murkowski, Padilla Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Establish the Atmospheric River Forecasting Program
Washington, DC -U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) introduced bipartisan legislation that will bolster emergency preparedness by improving atmospheric river forecasting to more precisely predict the timing and location of these storms. The Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a forecast improvement program within the National Weather Service (NWS). Atmospheric rivers, often de… Continue Reading
11.21.24
Murkowski, Bennet Introduce Bill to Support Wide Range of Carbon Dioxide Removal Approaches
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) introduced the Carbon Dioxide Removal Investment Act to establish a new production tax credit designed to jumpstart the United States’ carbon dioxide removal (CDR) industry. The tax credit would support innovative CDR approaches that are ready to be deployed today, while also creating pathways for those still in development. “Alaska possesses unique characteristics that make it a perfect candidate to be a nati… Continue Reading
11.20.24
Murkowski Secures Committee Wins for Alaska
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) a senior member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR), today worked with her colleagues to ensure a number of Alaska-specific bills were favorably reported for consideration by the full chamber. ENR reported three bills that Murkowski is sponsoring and three that she is cosponsoring: S. 3617, the Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act (sponsor). S. 620, the Alaska Offshore Parity Act (sponsor). S. 4974, to re… Continue Reading
11.15.24
Senator Murkowski Supports Passage of the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today welcomed the passage of S. 2581, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act, which the Senate agreed to by unanimous consent late yesterday evening. This legislation, which Murkowski co-sponsored, reauthorizes the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act through Fiscal Year 2026, allowing the U.S. Forest Service to continue to provide critical funding for schools, roads and other municipal services to eligible rural com… Continue Reading
11.13.24
Murkowski: Interior Sides with King Cove
King Cove, AK—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today praised the U.S. Department of the Interior (Interior) for releasing a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) that recommends a land exchange for a life-saving road that will connect the predominantly Aleut community of King Cove to the all-weather airport in nearby Cold Bay. In its draft SEIS, Interior recommends a preferred action alternative that would facilitate a land exchange between the U.S. Fish and Wildlif… Continue Reading
11.08.24
Delegation Celebrates FCC’s “Alaska Plan 2.0” to Strengthen State Broadband Connectivity
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska), and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-Alaska), celebrated the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announcement of the Alaska Connect Fund (ACF), an extension of the successful Alaska Plan program aimed at expanding and improving broadband connectivity throughout Alaska. The Alaska Plan, which went into effect in 2016, reserved $1.5 billion in funding over ten years for maintenance, extensions, and upgrades … Continue Reading
11.07.24
Alaska Senators Slam Interior’s Unlawful Attempt to Throttle Responsible Development on Alaska’s Coastal Plain
Anchorage, AK—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) today released the following statements after the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the congressionally-mandated oil and gas program on the Coastal Plain of the non-wilderness Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska. The final SEIS seeks to restrict leasing and development on the Coastal Plain by dramatically departing from the clear and unambig… Continue Reading
10.18.24
Alaska Congressional Delegation Welcomes Federal Disaster Declaration for Juneau Floods
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-AK) and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-AK) welcomed the federal disaster declaration following Juneau’s floods in early August. President Biden’s declaration comes after dogged advocacy from the Alaska delegation along with community leaders to ensure Juneau residents would have federal support to recover from the flooding of Suicide Basin. This declaration paves the way for both individual and public assistance to be… Continue Reading
10.07.24
Senator Murkowski Joins Senate Resolution Standing with Israel on One-Year Anniversary of Horrific Terrorist Attacks
Washington, D.C. — On the one-year anniversary of the brutal Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) joined forty-eight of her Senate colleagues condemning the attacks, while supporting a path towards the survival and security of Israel, as well as the safe release of United States hostages from the Gaza Strip. “Our prayers continue to be with the families and victims of the barbaric terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas one year ago,” said Senator Murkowski. “As on… Continue Reading
10.04.24
Murkowski & Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Release LIHEAP Home Heating Aid
WASHINGTON, D.C. - With colder weather around the corner and Congress continuing its work on appropriations bills, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Jack Reed (D-RI) and are leading a bipartisan call for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as swiftly and at the highest level possible. “As Congress works to finalize the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bill for the Departmen… Continue Reading
10.02.24
Dr. Michael Sfraga Officially Sworn In as First United States Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs
Washington, D.C. — In a ceremony yesterday at the Harry S. Truman Federal Building, Dr. Michael Sfraga was sworn in by the U.S. Department of State and officially became the United States’ first Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs. Senator Murkowski, a driving force for the creation of the position and a key advocate of Ambassador Sfraga’s nomination, offered her congratulations following the ceremony. “Congratulations to Dr. Michael Sfraga, the first United States Ambassador-at-Large for Ar… Continue Reading
09.30.24
ICYMI: Senator Murkowski Reiterates Support for Alaska’s Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Washington, DC - Last week, amidst floor activity to pass a continued resolution to fund the federal government, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) submitted a Statement into the Congressional Record underscoring the importance of funds that were secured in 2021 to support Alaska’s children and youth experiencing homelessness. The Senator shared impactful examples of how the funds were used to connect young people to services and resources to ensure success in their education and beyond. She als… Continue Reading
09.27.24
Murkowski in Attendance as U.S. Navy Formally Apologizes to Village of Kake for Military Bombardment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, attended and spoke at a ceremony in Kake, Alaska, where the U.S. Navy formally apologized for bombarding the Alaska Native village of Kake, Alaska in 1869. Senator Murkowski has advocated for this formal apology for many years. She has heard directly from the leadership of the respective villages and clans about the pain and suffering that was inflicted on the Tlingit people by t… Continue Reading
09.25.24
Murkowski, Hirono Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Hold Judiciary Accountable for Workplace Misconduct
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee introduced the bicameral, bipartisan Judiciary Accountability Act of 2024 (JAA). The legislation would ensure the more than 30,000 employees of the federal judiciary have strong statutory rights and protections against discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and other forms of workplace misconduct and will guide further conversations with stakeholders and ex… Continue Reading
09.24.24
Senator Murkowski Welcomes Historic Confirmation for United States Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, welcomed the historic confirmation of the United States’ first Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs, Dr. Michael Sfraga. Senator Murkowski was the chief advocate for the creation of the position, which the State Department initiated in 2022. The Senate confirmed Dr. Sfraga’s nomination today. “Finally, we have officially joined the rest of the Arctic nations at the table after the Senate confirmed t… Continue Reading
09.23.24
Senator Murkowski Introduces Arctic Research and Policy Amendments Act of 2024
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Arctic Research and Policy Amendments Act of 2024, updating the landmark Arctic Research and Policy Act (ARPA) of 1984. Senator Murkowski celebrated the 40th anniversary of the original ARPA with a significant event at the White House last week. “The Arctic Research and Policy Amendments Act of 2024 builds upon the strong foundation of the original APRA of 1984. As the geographic and political landscape of the Arctic evolves, th… Continue Reading
09.23.24
Alaska Congressional Delegation Welcomes $277 Million in Fishery Disaster Funding for Alaska
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-AK) and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-AK) welcomed the announcement of $277 million in funding for Alaska fishery disasters from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Funding for a number of salmon and crab fisheries from 2020-2023 will be transmitted to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission for distribution to fishermen, their crews, seafood processors, and communities impacted by these fishery disasters. “Ther… Continue Reading
09.20.24
Senator Murkowski presents Chief Reverend Dr. Trimble Gilbert with nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts
Washington, DC - This week, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was honored to present Chief Reverend Dr. Trimble Gilbert the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) National Heritage Fellowship in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Chief Gilbert is a traditional chief from Arctic Village in Alaska, and is a master Gwich’in Athabascan fiddler and renowned culture bearer. The fellowship is the nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts. Ten recipients from around the country were presented with… Continue Reading
09.17.24
Alaska Delegation Reiterates Strong Opposition to NPR-A ‘Special Areas’ Process
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-AK) and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-AK) reiterated their opposition to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) latest efforts to further restrict resource development across the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). In a letter sent Monday, the delegation voiced strong opposition to BLM’s request for information (RFI), the precursor to an arbitrary, deliberately opaque process to expand and create new Special Ar… Continue Reading
