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.
Murkowski, Barrasso: States Need Flexibility in Using Coronavirus Relief Fund
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and John Barrasso (R-WY) recently led a letter with 16 senators to the Trump administration urging flexibility for how state and local governments can use funds included in the Coronavirus Relief Fund. The Coronavirus Relief Fund, created in Section 601 of the recently passed CARES Act, provides each state a minimum of $1.25 billion in funding to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This injection of revenue is critical for state and local governmen… Continue Reading
04.08.20
Murkowski Welcomes EIA’s Prioritization of Storage Data
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today thanked the Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Information Administration (EIA) for quickly prioritizing her request to publish timely data on U.S. oil storage capacity. In response to Murkowski's March 31 letter to Administrator Linda Capuano, EIA today began publishing a weekly estimate of U.S. oil storage capacity utilization as part of its Weekly Petroleum Status Report release. "The timely collection and analysis of data related to petrole… Continue Reading
04.06.20
Murkowski Supports Bipartisan, Bicameral Push for Swift, Effective Implementation of Tribal Provisions of the CARES Act
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently joined a letter led by U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), supported by a bipartisan, bicameral group of 18 senators and 12 U.S. representatives, in writing to President Donald J. Trump requesting that federal agencies implementing the Tribal provisions of the CARES Act do so in a manner that upholds the federal trust and treaty responsibilities to Indian Tribes, respects Tribal sovereignty and provides for meaningful government-to-governme… Continue Reading
04.03.20
Alaska Delegation Applauds Federal Transit Administration CARES Act Grant
Today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation applauded funding appropriated by the CARES Act and awarded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to help Alaska prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19 through various existing urban, rural, and tribal grant programs. The state of Alaska will receive a total of $144,852,468. "Alaskans have watched as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases have increased in our state, and it is clear that an all-hands-on-deck approach that includes federal … Continue Reading
04.02.20
Murkowski: Put Out Wildland Fires Fast and Early
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt encouraging them to adopt an aggressive posture for fighting wildfires during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Currently, the federal government along with state and local governments across the country are mobilized to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. And now those same government entities, already stretched thin, are preparing to fight wildland fire in a… Continue Reading
04.02.20
Alaska Congressional Delegation Statement on RavnAir
Today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation released the following statement after Alaska based regional airline RavnAir Group announced a 90 percent reduction in flying operations. "The recent announcement made by RavnAir Group is very concerning news for Alaskans-especially for our remote communities. We have worked hard to support federal programs like bypass mail and Essential Air Service, and we will continue to work to make sure that mail, as well as vital goods and services can continue t… Continue Reading
04.02.20
Murkowski to Mnuchin: Federal Loans to Energy Industry Will Save Jobs, Protect Security
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday requested U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin ensure that federal loans are made available to domestic oil and gas companies being affected by both reduced global demand and oversupply from the Saudi Arabia-Russia price war. A provision in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act authorizes the Treasury Department to support businesses not traditionally eligible for federal loans. "There is no question that one of the hardest… Continue Reading
04.01.20
Murkowski: Alaska Communities to Receive $8.8 Million through Secure Rural Schools Program
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that $8.8 million will be distributed to Alaska communities located near or in national forests. The money, which Murkowski secured in the fiscal year 2020 budget process, will fund schools and local budget priorities. "As we navigate the uncharted territory wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, these payments will provide a measure of certainty for communities as they budget for schools, emergency response, and other essential services," Murko… Continue Reading
04.01.20
ICYMI: Murkowski Calls for Resources to Address Domestic Violence during COVID-19
Due to COVID-19, many people are now working from home, while others have been required to take unpaid leave or have lost their job completely. One unintended but realistic consequence of these measures will be increased stress at home, which can put many at greater risk of falling victim to domestic violence. U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led a group of their bipartisan colleagues in a letter calling on the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the Of… Continue Reading
03.31.20
Murkowski Urges EIA Vigilance on Oil Storage Capacity as “Gauge” for Shut-In Production
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today sent a letter urging the Department of Energy to publish timely data on oil storage capacity in the United States as a warning indicator of potential shut-in oil production. The letter is addressed to Dr. Linda Capuano, Administrator of the U.S. Energy Information Administration. "Based on my conversations with energy experts, I believe that we must prioritize the collection and analysis of data related to petroleum storage," Murkowski wrote. "Producer… Continue Reading
03.27.20
Murkowski, Sullivan: Ambler Access Project Could Help Close the Gap on America’s Mineral Security
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Road project. "I welcome BLM's final EIS as a key step for an important project that will create good jobs for Alaskans, but continue to emphasize the importance of stakeholder engagement to ensure local voices are heard," Murkowski said. "Projects like t… Continue Reading
03.26.20
Alaska Delegation Applauds HHS Grants to Prevent and Combat COVID-19
Today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation applauded funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to health care providers across Alaska. This funding became available through legislation passed earlier this month, providing $8.3 billion in emergency funding to combat the spread of COVID-19. "The COVID-19 epidemic represents uncharted territory for our country. Our doctors, nurses, and other caregivers are on the front lines, and they should be provided the support … Continue Reading
03.25.20
Major Economic Relief Package Passes Senate
The U.S. Senate tonight passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a bill to provide major relief to families, small businesses and their employees, as well as to stabilize our economy and protect jobs. The bill also provides a surge of support for bolstering the healthcare response during this COVID-19 pandemic. As the third legislative package included in the broader Congressional emergency response effort, this bill will provide Americans with direct financial assi… Continue Reading
03.25.20
Murkowski, Colleagues to Secretary Pompeo: Push Back on Saudi Arabia and Russia to Protect American Jobs
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today led an effort joined by five Senators urging U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to take an aggressive stance against the efforts of Saudi Arabia and Russia to destabilize America's oil and gas industry - a key part of the domestic economy - amid a global pandemic. In a letter sent today, the Senators wrote that the "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation have embarked upon economic warfare against the United States" and warned that "by … Continue Reading
03.23.20
Murkowski Speaks On COVID-19 Pandemic
As the U.S. Senate works to come to an agreement on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the concerns of Alaskans across the state. Senator Murkowski stressed the urgency for Congress to put politics aside and deliver relief the American people need and deserve. "Failure is not an option. This is not a time for the bumps to derail us. This is not a time that we h… Continue Reading
03.21.20
Small Business Administration Approves Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Alaska
Today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation announced the availability of economic injury disaster loans for Alaska small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is currently offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the coronavirus, pursuant to the recently passed Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. "We are in an unprece… Continue Reading
03.20.20
Murkowski, Sullivan Urge Secretary of Commerce to Investigate Russia and Saudi Arabia Excessive Dumping in Oil Markets
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) joined Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) on a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross urging him to investigate excessive dumping of oil by Russia and Saudi Arabia that has destabilized global oil markets. They were joined in sending the letter by Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and John Hoeven (R-N.D.). The full text of the letter to Se… Continue Reading
03.18.20
Senate Passes Economic Stimulus Package for COVID-19 Outbreak
The U.S. Senate today overwhelmingly passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act aimed at bolstering the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic to help mitigate the health and economic impacts of the outbreak. The bill ensures COVID-19 testing is free for Americans, secures paid sick leave as well as family and medical leave, enhances unemployment insurance to help workers, and ensures that students, seniors, and low-income households can continue to access nutrition assi… Continue Reading
03.17.20
Murkowski Message to Alaskans During COVID-19 Outbreak
As the U.S. Senate this week considers policies to mitigate the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) shared the following message to address concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak and encourage Alaskans to continue to follow guidance from health officials and agencies. Click here for audio "As Alaskans begin this week, we are all focused immediately and directly on the coronavirus that has impacted the nation and truly the globe. This is something … Continue Reading
03.12.20
Murkowski Addresses Crisis of Missing, Trafficked & Murdered Indigenous Women
Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor in recognition of Ashley Johnson-Barr Day, a day of recognition passed by the Alaska State Senate yesterday, to bring awareness to violent crimes committed against children. Senator Murkowski honored Ashley's life, a 10 year old girl who was murdered in her hometown of Kotzebue, Alaska. She also commended her colleagues for prioritizing the need to urgently address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women… Continue Reading
