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.
Alaska Delegation Reiterates Strong Support for Willow Project
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, this week wrote a letter urging the Department of the Interior to finalize the supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for ConocoPhillips' Willow Master Development Plan in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). Below are excerpts from the delegation's letter: "There is no doubt the COVID-19 crisis has introduced challenges to business operations, but we understand BLM has been extraordinarily responsive to … Continue Reading
05.04.20
Alaska Delegation Welcomes $20 Million USDA Purchase of Alaska Pollock
Today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation welcomed a $20 million purchase of Alaska Pollock by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Section 32 program. "The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted supply chains and severely impacted industries throughout our economy, including Alaska's vibrant seafood sector," said the Alaska Congressional Delegation. "Food security across our country is essential in these unprecedented times. Alaska produces 60 percent of America's seafood, an… Continue Reading
04.27.20
Murkowski Welcomes Affirmation of Commitment on BP-Hilcorp Sale
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following statement after BP reaffirmed its commitment to sell its Alaska assets to Hilcorp this year. "As Alaskans navigate unprecedented challenges during these uncertain times, it is welcome news to hear that one of the most important deals for the state's largest industry remains on track," Murkowski said. "BP has affirmed its commitment to complete the sale of its Alaska assets to Hilcorp, and Hilcorp has affirmed its commitment to the fu… Continue Reading
04.27.20
Alaska Delegation Welcomes CARES Act Seasonal-Worker Rule Fix
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today welcomed a rule change released by the Treasury Department that enables seasonal businesses, to choose a different 12-week expense period when applying for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, a period that more accurately reflects their operating payroll. The Alaska Congressional Delegation has pressed the Trump administration for weeks, including in multiple conversations with President Trump and… Continue Reading
04.25.20
Delegation Statement on Reductions in Alaska North Slope Production
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, released the following statement after Alyeska, the consortium that owns and operates the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, announced the temporary proration of North Slope crude oil production. "The impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and the oil price war have hit Alaska hard-prompting some difficult decisions. We have been in constant communication with Alyeska and our North Slope operators, and recognize this is… Continue Reading
04.24.20
Murkowski Commends DOE’s Commitment to Advancing Nuclear Energy in the United States
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its report outlining a number of activities to renew our nation's nuclear energy capabilities. "I welcome this report, which outlines key steps to move forward on nuclear energy. In order for the United States to have a viable nuclear energy industry and actually compete with countries like China and Russia, who are charging ahead, we need to step up. Expanding the globa… Continue Reading
04.24.20
ICYMI: Alaska Delegation Speaks to Coronavirus Relief Eligibility of Alaska Native Corporations
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) this week penned an opinion editorial (Op-Ed) in the Anchorage Daily News to speak to the recent mischaracterizations of Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) and explain why ANCs are eligible for funding made available to tribes within the CARES Act. Read the Alaska Delegation's OpEd Below: During the last global pandemic, the 1918 Spanish flu, more people died per capita in Alaska than almost anywhere else in… Continue Reading
04.22.20
Murkowski Joins Colleagues in Urging Loans to Protect American Energy Jobs
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, joined several of her Senate colleagues on a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell urging swift action to make loans accessible to domestic energy producers. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. led the effort. Below are excerpts from the letter: "We face a real and present danger of seeing hundreds, if not thousands of oil producers shuttering, an event that will profoundly and negatively impact the industry, its financ… Continue Reading
04.21.20
Senate Passes Additional Coronavirus Relief Legislation
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, (both R-AK), today applauded unanimous Senate passage of a coronavirus relief package totaling $484 billion, which provides additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), COVID-19 testing, and added support for hospitals. The purpose of the majority of this funding is to provide a boost to programs that were previously authorized and funded from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act which was signed into law i… Continue Reading
04.21.20
Alaska Delegation Celebrates Arrival of F-35s at Eielson AFB
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today welcomed the arrival of the first two F-35A Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to Eielson Air Force Base in Interior, Alaska. Fifty-four F-35As and roughly 1,300 personnel will be based at Eielson by the end of 2021. "The arrival of the first F-35s is truly an exciting day for our military, Interior Alaska, and for our state as a whole. This has been a long time effort by the Alaska Congressional Delegation… Continue Reading
04.20.20
Alaska Delegation Urges Fast-Tracked Approval for Virtual SRS RAC Meetings
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Young, all R-Alaska, today sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue requesting that he allow Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) to meet virtually on an expedited timeline during the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is an excerpt from their letter: "Most RAC funding is used to improve natural resource and recreation infrastructure, which will be extremely important as Alaskans rally to salvage and restore our summer touri… Continue Reading
04.17.20
Murkowski Joins Bipartisan Letter to HHS Secretary to Advocate for Relief for Senior Adult Communities and Health Care Workers
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) in a bipartisan letter, supported by 25 other Senators, to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to ensure that as HHS sets guidelines for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF), they not overlook certain health care providers. Specifically, their letter calls for HHS to not overlook the providers within nursing homes, skilled nursing centers, senior living communities, independent l… Continue Reading
04.16.20
Murkowski Questions FCC Proposal to Open 6 GHz Spectrum
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow emergency responders and utilities to continue to have priority usage of the 6 Gigahertz (GHz) spectrum band. Murkowski's comments came in a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. On April 1, the FCC published a draft rule to allow unlicensed devices to utilize the 6 GHz band, which is currently occupied by electric and natural gas utilities, along with other licensed users. "Allowing unlicensed devi… Continue Reading
04.16.20
Alaska Delegation Responds to Slanderous Attacks on Assistant Secretary, Alaska Native Corporations
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today responded to misguided efforts seeking to prevent Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) from being eligible for tribal assistance appropriated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The delegation also defended Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, Tara Sweeney, from baseless personal attacks over her status as an Alaska Native shareholder, which is part of… Continue Reading
04.15.20
Alaska Delegation Welcomes $124 Million in CARES Act Grants for Alaska’s Airports
Today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation welcomed over $124 million appropriated by the CARES Act and awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide immediate relief to 257 of Alaska's airports amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will support continuing operations and replace the vital revenue lost from the sharp decline in airport traffic caused by COVID-19. This financial support may be used for airport capital expenditures, airport payroll and utilities, and d… Continue Reading
04.15.20
Murkowski Welcomes Temporary Extension of Timber Contracts
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will allow timber operators to request up to two years' extension on certain timber harvest contracts with the Forest Service. In Alaska, the USDA will allow contractors to request up to three years' extension in light of the impacts of China's retaliatory tariffs on Alaska spruce exports. "The coronavirus pandemic threatens timber jobs and could potentially ba… Continue Reading
04.14.20
Murkowski, Brown, Stabenow, Bipartisan Senators Press USDA to Provide Relief For Local Farmers During COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) led a bipartisan group of senators in urging the Trump Administration to provide relief for local farmers who are struggling as the nation works to combat the spread of COVID-19. In a letter sent to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue, the senators urged USDA to ensure that a portion of the $9.5 billion they secured in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, goes… Continue Reading
04.14.20
Amid Coronavirus Pandemic, Murkowski, Klobuchar, Casey, Colleagues Urge Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Bob Casey (D-PA) together, penned two letters outlining supplemental funding proposals to address the rising rates of domestic violence and sexual assault amid the stay-at-home orders put in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Senator Murkowski joined Senators Klobuchar and Casey in a letter, supported by a bipartisan group of 38 colleagues, requesting that any future legislation to address COVID-19 includes supplemental fundi… Continue Reading
04.13.20
Murkowski: OPEC+ Agreement is a Good Step
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the OPEC+ group, comprised of 23 member nations, collectively agreed to reduce their global oil production by 9.7 million barrels per day. The cuts will be made to limit global oversupply in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. "I'm glad the Saudis and Russians are taking a step back from their economic warfare against U.S. producers, and I thank President Trump and Secretary Brouillette for their leadership in r… Continue Reading
04.08.20
Alaska Delegation Welcomes Nearly $16 Million in Health and Human Services CARES Act Grants
Today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation welcomed nearly $16 million appropriated by the CARES Act and awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help community health centers prevent and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific grant amounts and awardees may be found below. "Our state continues working around the clock to turn the tide in the fight against COVID-19. The CARES Act continues to provide critical resources to help Alaska prevent and respond to this pa… Continue Reading
