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.
Senate Confirms General Brown as Air Force Service Chief
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after the Senate unanimously confirmed General Charles Q. Brown, Jr. as the next U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff: "I am proud to support the confirmation of General Charles Brown, Jr. as the next Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. He not only made history today as becoming the first African American Air Force Chief of Staff, but I trust that he will lead the men and women in our nation's Air Force with great distinction. His und… Continue Reading
06.09.20
Murkowski: Testing, PPE Critical During 2020 Wildfire Season
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska today chaired a hearing to examine wildfire management in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Alaska had one of the largest, most expensive, and heavily-staffed fires last year-the Swan Lake Fire on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge-that burned off and on for almost four months," Murkowski said. "Over 3,000 people were assigned to that fire, including hundreds of firefighters from the Lower 48. The fallout from a small fraction of infections on a fire lik… Continue Reading
06.07.20
Murkowski Welcomes Fish and Wildlife Service Polar Bear Final ITRs
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently published the final marine mammal Incidental Take Regulations (ITR), commonly known as the Polar Bear ITRs, for the Beaufort Sea (Alaska and the Outer Continental Shelf) and adjacent northern coast of Alaska. The final regulations come after Senator Murkowski repeatedly pressed Department of the Interior officials on the importance of issuing updated regulations as the last ITRs expired this month. On May 18 during a nomination hearing in the Senate … Continue Reading
06.05.20
Murkowski Highlights Equal Rights on the Senate Floor
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Today, on the U.S. Senate floor, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) highlighted Alaskans who have paved the way for women's suffrage and civil rights as well as the importance of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) being signed into law. Prior to her speech on women's suffrage and the ERA, Senator Murkowski took a moment to address what our nation has witnessed since the killing of Ge… Continue Reading
06.05.20
Murkowski Addresses Need for Student Relief During Senate HELP Committee Hearing
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) took part in a Senate HELP Committee hearing titled COVID-19: Going Back to College Safely. The hearing focused on how institutions of higher education are preparing for students, faculty, and staff to return to campus this fall. Those efforts include implementing testing and contact tracing, restructuring classroom and dormitory spaces, providing appropriate personal protection equipment, and protecting those with increased medical risk. The hearing included… Continue Reading
06.05.20
Murkowski Speaks on Justice and Equality
During a speech on the Senator floor, U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) spoke to what our nation has witnessed since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota-sparking thousands of protests nationwide of calls for justice and equality. CLICK HERE for video of Murkowski's remarks. Speech Excerpts "When you think about those things that matter-equality, justice, the fundamental truth that all human beings are created equal and endowed by God with certain rights, and when those right… Continue Reading
06.04.20
Delegation Will Continue to Fight for Life-Saving Road for King Cove
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statements after a federal judge ruled against a U.S. Department of the Interior land exchange agreement needed to facilitate a short, gravel, life-saving road that will connect King Cove, Alaska, to the all-weather airport in nearby Cold Bay. "This decision is yet another bitter disappointment for the good people of King Cove," Murkowski said. "I continue to believe the Department of the Int… Continue Reading
06.04.20
Senators Vote for New Flexibility in Paycheck Protection Program to Better Meet Small Business Needs
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) last night joined their colleagues in passing H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, legislation that would provide greater flexibility for small businesses to use Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds and survive the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other key components of the new legislation, H.R. 7010 would increase the PPP loan forgiveness period from eight to 24 weeks, reduce the r… Continue Reading
06.02.20
Murkowski, Bishop Lead Congressional Push for Domestic Mineral Production
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah-1, today led a bicameral letter to U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue encouraging them to finalize rulemakings that will modernize and simplify regulations governing the domestic production of locatable minerals. Sens. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, John Hoeven, R-N.D., Bill Cassidy, R-La., James Lankford, R-Okla., Steve Daines, R-Mont., Dan… Continue Reading
06.02.20
Senators Release GAO Report Revealing Shortfalls In Bureau Of Prisons Drug Treatment Programs, Recommendations For Improved Management And Increased Access To Treatment
Following a request submitted by U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report revealing shortfalls in the Federal Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) drug treatment programs and recommendations for ways BOP can better manage and expand drug treatment programs offered to incarcerated individuals. As of … Continue Reading
05.29.20
Alaska Delegation Applauds Major Progress for Port of Nome
Today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation (all R-Alaska) applauded the Army Corps of Engineers' completion of the Chief's Report for the Port of Nome Modification Feasibility Study. With the signing of this report, the proposal is eligible for consideration by Congress for authorization and funding. The project is already recognized in the authorizing legislation, S. 3591, the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2020, which passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in M… Continue Reading
05.29.20
Alaska Delegation Applauds Major Progress for Port of Nome
Today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation (all R-Alaska) applauded the Army Corps of Engineers' completion of the Chief's Report for the Port of Nome Modification Feasibility Study. With the signing of this report, the proposal is eligible for consideration by Congress for authorization and funding. The project is already recognized in the authorizing legislation, S. 3591, the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2020, which passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in M… Continue Reading
05.29.20
Murkowski Welcomes Relief for Renewable Energy Projects
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, thanked Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin for the Department's swift response to recent requests for regulatory relief for the renewable energy industry. On Wednesday, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released updated regulatory guidance for renewable energy projects taking the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and Production Tax Credit (PTC). "The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges for the renewable energy industry, which has lost thousands of jo… Continue Reading
05.27.20
As COVID-19 Death Toll Reaches 100,000 In U.S. Senators Call For National Moment Of Silence To Honor The Lives Lost
As more Americans tragically lose their fight to the COVID-19 pandemic and the death toll reaches 100,000, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) renewed their calls to pay tribute to the victims of COVID-19 with a moment of silence at 12 noon on Monday, June 1, 2020. Last week, the senators introduced legislation calling for a moment of silence. "The nation must mark this dark moment with unity and clarity," said … Continue Reading
05.26.20
Senator Murkowski Shares Memorial Day Message
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following message in observance of Memorial Day. (Click here to watch video.) "For Alaskans, Memorial Day is typically our big kick-off for summer, with sunlight nearly all day and a long weekend to enjoy the great outdoors with our friends and family. It is also a day of tradition and ceremony as we honor the fallen who have served our nation. "This year is different for us as many of our Memorial Day ceremonies are cancelled or as we follow … Continue Reading
05.22.20
Senator Murkowski Honors Alaska’s Class of 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life for all Alaskans, particularly our graduating seniors. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski has worked hard to send the message to graduates that while the end of their senior year and their graduation ceremony were not what they expected, she is very proud of their accomplishments, wants them to be recognized, and believes in their ability to build a bright future for Alaska. To further highlight Alaska's graduates and honor their hard work and this significant … Continue Reading
05.22.20
Schatz, Murkowski, Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Expand Telehealth, Help More People Receive Health Care
U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Angus King (I-Maine), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) introduced the Health Care Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act. The new bipartisan bill directs $2 billion to help health care providers increase their broadband capacity and expand telehealth services during the current public health crisis. "During this pandemic, telehealth services ar… Continue Reading
05.21.20
Murkowski, Collins, and Tillis Urge Regulatory Relief for Renewable Energy Industry
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today led a group of senators in sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin urging additional regulatory relief for companies utilizing the energy investment tax credit (ITC) and production tax credit (PTC). Senators Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., also signed the letter. "At a time when the renewable energy industry is facing significant challenges, these steps will help protect American jobs and provide investor certainty as w… Continue Reading
05.21.20
Senators Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill To Secure Funding For Rural Health Providers During The Covid-19 Pandemic
Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) introduced the bipartisan Save Our Rural Health Providers Act which creates a new formula to ensure the Provider Relief Fund has a dedicated set-aside amount directed towards rural areas of America. Representatives Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM-02) and Jim Hagedorn (R-MN-01) will introduce the House of Representatives companion bill tomorrow. Formula Guidelines: A 20 percent Rural Benchmark in the Provide… Continue Reading
05.21.20
Delegation: FERC Approval is Major Milestone for Alaska LNG Project
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statements after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) granted the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation authorization to construct and operate the Alaska LNG project. "This is a capstone moment for Alaska LNG at the federal level, and it is the result of a robust and comprehensive review process," Murkowski said. "A final FERC certificate and order are immensely valuable assets … Continue Reading
