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.
Schatz, Murkowski: Tribal Land Transfer Bill Set to Become Law
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 Senate passage of - H.R. 423, the Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2023; S. 70, the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2023; S. 460, the Urban Indian Health Confer Act; and S. 1308, a bill to amend the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to extend th… Continue Reading
07.18.23
Murkowski Introduces “Improving ARCTIC Act” to Secure Wins for Alaska in Farm Bill
Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the Improving Agriculture, Research, Cultivation, Timber, and Indigenous Commodities (ARCTIC) Act, legislation that will strengthen a variety of Farm Bill provisions to better address needs in Alaska. "Over the past year, in preparation for the 2023 Farm Bill, my team and I have been working diligently with Alaskan stakeholders to learn more about their concerns, priorities, and goals. Following our hard work and Alaskans' generous input… Continue Reading
07.17.23
Alaska Delegation Hails $37.5 Million Grant for Graphite One
Washington, DC-U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Representative Mary Peltola today welcomed a $37.5 million grant from the Department of Defense (DOD) to Graphite One, Inc. for its project near Nome, Alaska. The award, made under the Defense Production Act (DPA) as a result of recent congressional appropriations, will enable Graphite One to advance development of its world-class natural graphite deposit and its plans for a complete U.S.-based supply chain for this critical minera… Continue Reading
07.14.23
Murkowski and Schatz Lead Bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Iceland
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) landed early this morning in Iceland for a congressional delegation mission. In upcoming meetings with Icelandic policy makers, the delegation plans to emphasize the importance of maintaining and strengthening U.S.-Iceland ties and the NATO Alliance. The delegation will also address global issues of mutual interest and concern, including energy security, Arctic priorities, and mo… Continue Reading
07.14.23
Murkowski Leads Legislation to Strengthen Alaska’s Workforce
Washington, DC –U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced that an initiative she authored, the Rural Apprenticeship Demonstration Program, was included as a provision within the National Apprenticeship Act, legislation she is co-leading with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). The Rural Apprenticeship Demonstration Program would authorize funding to be competitively awarded for direct subsidies to promote rural participation in apprenticeship programs, as well as provide greater a… Continue Reading
07.13.23
Senate Committee Approves Three FY24 Appropriations Bills
Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, scored wins for Alaska in the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) and Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Bills, which were approved by the committee, and now will advance to the full Senate for consideration. In the CJS bill, Murkowski secured wins for Alaska’s public safety, fisheries and oceans research, and victim s… Continue Reading
07.10.23
Murkowski Introduces Bill to Modernize and Expand Apprenticeship Programs to Meet 21st Century Workforce Needs
Washington, DC – Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) are leading legislation to modernize, streamline, and expand apprenticeship programs to connect more Americans with good-paying jobs, meet businesses’ need for more skilled workers, and grow the economy. The National Apprenticeship Act of 2023 would remove barriers and expand opportunities for employers and apprentices to participate in apprenticeship programs, especially in high-demand industries, rural ar… Continue Reading
07.07.23
Murkowski, Kelly, Manchin, Duckworth Statements on Administration Plans to Provide Additional Weapons to Ukraine
Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statements on the administration's decision to provide additional weapons and capabilities to Ukraine, including cluster munitions, to support their fight against Russia. Murkowski, Kelly, and Manchin traveled to Ukraine and Poland in April on a bipartisan Senate delegation where they met with President Zelenskyy and discussed how the weapons provided by the Unit… Continue Reading
06.26.23
Connecting Alaska: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Delivers Over $1 Billion More for Broadband Deployment Across the State
Anchorage, Alaska - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) today joined the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in announcing over $1 billion in new funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for Alaska to build out the state's broadband infrastructure to connect communities to high speed internet. The funding comes from the IIJA's Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, which is the backbone of d… Continue Reading
06.23.23
Murkowski, Sullivan Announce Over $27 Million in DOT Funding for Alaska Made Possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Washington, DC –U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, announced that over $27.7 million in grants have been awarded to Alaska through the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. Awardees include: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Bristol Bay Native Corporation, the City and Borough of Juneau, and the Organized Village of Kake. “When I helped craft th… Continue Reading
06.23.23
Murkowski Joins Congressional Delegation to Europe Ahead of July NATO Summit in Lithuania
Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), senior member on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Chris Coons (D-DE), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) yesterday embarked on a congressional delegation (CODEL) to Lithuania, Norway, and Belgium. The Senators’ visit comes just before Lithuania is set to host a NATO Summit in Vilnius from July 11-12. The Senators’ CODELwill take place from June 22 to June … Continue Reading
06.22.23
Wild USA Seafood: Murkowski Bill Would Label American-Caught Seafood, Support American Fishermen
Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, along with Senator Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) introduced the Wild USA Seafood Act of 2023, which would establish a "Wild USA Seafood" label for wild-harvested seafood caught in U.S. waters. The bill would allow the U.S. seafood industry to promote wild-harvested seafood, including fish, crustaceans, and aquatic plants harvested in U.S. waters. "Alaska's seafood is the best in the world-and I'm proud to lead on this effort that would ensure consumers know th… Continue Reading
06.21.23
Murkowski, Shaheen Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Impose Sanctions on Perpetrators of Global Violence against LGBTI Communities
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in reintroducing the Global Respect Act. This legislation would impose sanctions on foreign individuals responsible for human rights violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex (LGBTQI) individuals abroad. Companion legislation is led in the House of Representatives by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51). &#… Continue Reading
06.20.23
Murkowski, Sinema & Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Bill Protecting Health & Environment
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) introduced bipartisan legislation with Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) supporting the development of innovative technologies that ensure cleaner, healthier, and safer air and environment. The bipartisan Carbon Removal, Efficient Agencies, Technology Expertise (CREATE) Act boosts research and development of carbon removal technologies that advance global sustainability by removing harmful greenho… Continue Reading
06.19.23
Murkowski, Schatz Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Health Care to Veterans Living in Freely Associated States
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) reintroduced legislation to expand health care to veterans living in the freely associated states (FAS), three sovereign nations that have a special and unique relationship with the United States, and whose citizens serve in the U.S. military at some of the highest volunteer rates per capita. The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and John Boozman (R-Ark.). “I’ve made it a prio… Continue Reading
06.16.23
Murkowski, Sullivan Applaud $88M Grant to Invest in Broadband Infrastructure for Rural Alaska
Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) applauded the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announcement of a $88.896 million infrastructure grant for Quintillion to build a multi-year subsea broadband project from Nome to Homer, Alaska. Once constructed and online, the Nome to Homer project will provide redundant middle mile backhaul capability for Alaska, creating redundancy and reliability for Alaska's broadband network infrastructure that is … Continue Reading
06.16.23
Alaska Delegation Seeks to Close Loopholes Allowing Russian Access to U.S. Seafood Market
Washington, DC—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) this week introduced the U.S-Russian Federation Seafood Reciprocity Act of 2023, legislation that would impose a comprehensive ban on the import of all Russian-origin seafood products into the United States. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representatives Garret Graves (R-La.) and Mary Sattler Peltola (D-Alaska). In March of 2022, President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14068, which p… Continue Reading
06.15.23
Murkowski Welcomes PILT Payments, Over $35 Million to Alaska
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced today that the Department of the Interior is distributing $35.4 million to eligible local governments across Alaska through the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. To help offset the cost of maintaining a variety of community services, the PILT program provides annual payments to local governments in the state that contain federal lands that are not subject to state or local taxation. This revenue supports local governments by providing essential s… Continue Reading
06.15.23
Murkowski Lauds SCOTUS Decision Upholding The Indian Child Welfare Act
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), issued a statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). “In a victory for Native people, the Supreme Court has fully upheld the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act. I applaud the decision and am proud to have co-led the Congressional amicus brief to the Court. I also want to thank those … Continue Reading
06.14.23
DoD Implements Murkowski-Led ‘Free Flight Home’ Program for Alaska Servicemembers
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today applauded the Department of Defense (DoD) implementing the free flight home provision she spearheaded in her Don Young Arctic Warrior Act, which was included in last year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The provision reimburses servicemembers for the cost of one flight to their home of record during a three-year tour to alleviate hardships faced by serving in Alaska. "Servicemembers stationed in Alaska face unique hardships, and the adju… Continue Reading
