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 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
03.12.20
Senate Confirms James Danly to be FERC Commissioner
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm James Danly to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on a bipartisan basis. Danly will serve the remainder of a term that ends on June 30, 2023. "I congratulate Mr. Danly on his confirmation and am pleased that FERC is gaining a well-qualified member. FERC is essential to ensuring the reliability and affordability of our nation's electric system, and I am glad we h… Continue Reading
03.11.20
Murkowski’s Legislation Addressing Crisis of Missing, Murdered, and Trafficked Indigenous People Passes Senate
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today applauded the unanimous Senate passage of two of her bills to address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women. The bills, Savanna's Act and Not Invisible Act, are both led by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and aim to combat the epidemic by improving the federal government's response through increased coordination, development of best practices, and creation of an advisory committee on violent… Continue Reading
03.11.20
Murkowski’s Legislation Addressing Crisis of Missing, Murdered, and Trafficked Indigenous People Passes Senate
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today applauded the unanimous Senate passage of two of her bills to address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women. The bills, Savanna's Act and Not Invisible Act, are both led by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and aim to combat the epidemic by improving the federal government's response through increased coordination, development of best practices, and creation of an advisory committee on violent… Continue Reading
03.11.20
Murkowski Votes to Overturn Borrower Defense Rule
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after voting in favor of S.J. Res. 56, a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval overturning a 2019 Department of Education Borrower Defense rule: "Congress provided the Department of Education with authority to adopt regulations governing the cancellation of loans for students who were defrauded by their college. This provision is called 'borrower defense to repayment.' The new regulation, while an improvement… Continue Reading
03.09.20
Murkowski’s Statement on AEIA Cloture Vote
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, tonight released the following statement about the bipartisan American Energy Innovation Act: "I am incredulous the Senate did not vote to invoke cloture on our substitute amendment after a year of regular process in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. It is beyond frustrating to have our bill, which contains priorities from more than 70 Senators, held up by an unrelated dispute that was never part of our discussions in the lead-up to this floor pr… Continue Reading
03.09.20
ICYMI: Senator Murkowski Works to Prioritize Alaska throughout Appropriations Process
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) prioritized Alaska during a variety of Senate Committee and Subcommittee hearings to examine details of the President's Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget proposal, which was released in early February of this year. Murkowski stressed the importance of Arctic and cold weather training for our military, a long-term solution for fixing the Denali Park Road, and highlighted the need for Arctic energy initiatives. Each year, Congress is tasked with developing 12 appropri… Continue Reading
03.06.20
Delegation Celebrates Milestone for Alaska LNG
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statements after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) published the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Alaska LNG Project. "This is a key step forward for Alaska LNG and a significant milestone for the project," said Senator Murkowski. "This final EIS is the culmination of years of research, analysis, and public process. I thank all of the staff at FERC who worked d… Continue Reading
03.06.20
Senator Murkowski Launches COVID-19 Information Page
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently published a page on her website to share up-to-date information and resources regarding the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019, known as COVID-19. The website includes reliable information about the disease, preventative measures you can take to help stop the spread of germs, and Alaska-specific efforts taking place in response to the outbreak. To access Senator Murkowski's COVID-19 info page, click here. Background: A new strain of coronavirus, desi… Continue Reading
03.06.20
Murkowski and Manchin Add 18 Amendments to Bipartisan Energy Innovation Bill
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today filed a modified substitute amendment to S. 2657, the vehicle for the broad, bipartisan American Energy Innovation Act she has introduced with Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. The modified substitute contains the text of 18 amendments-nine from Senators on each side of the aisle-that have been filed during this week's floor debate. Click photo for video of Murkowski's floor statement Below are excerpts from Murkowski's floor remarks, which also focused… Continue Reading
03.05.20
Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Passes Senate
A new strain of coronavirus, designated as COVID-19, emerged in China in December and has spread around the globe. The virus, which causes respiratory illness, has now been detected in nearly 70 countries, including the United States. In an effort to better prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19, the Senate today passed an emergency supplemental funding package totaling $8.3 billion. U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) voted in favor of the Coronavirus Preparedness… Continue Reading
03.05.20
International Energy Agency: United States is Well-Positioned to Lead the World on Energy
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing where International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Dr. Fatih Birol testified on the latest developments and longer-term prospects for global energy markets, with a special focus on the United States. "Dr. Birol is internationally renowned and respected as a true expert on energy markets, trends, and policies, and we were glad to have him back before our committee," Murkowski said. "His perspective is particularly timely today a… Continue Reading
03.05.20
House Companion of Murkowski Bill Honoring WWII Merchant Mariners to Become Law
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded the Senate passage of the House companion legislation to her bipartisan, bicameral bill - the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, sending it to the President to be signed into law. The legislation would award a Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest civilian honors, to the Merchant Mariners who helped protect America during World War II. Introduced by Senator Murkowski in January 2019, with Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK… Continue Reading
03.04.20
Murkowski Questions Interior Secretary on Alaska Specific Priorities
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) chaired an Interior Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to examine the Fiscal Year 2021 budget request for the Department of the Interior (DOI). During the hearing, Senator Murkowski raised Alaska specific priorities with Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, such as the Alaska land conveyance program, justice and public safety initiatives, and expanding energy and mineral security, including unlocking onshore Arctic resources in ANWR and NPRA-A. Murkowski questi… Continue Reading
03.03.20
Murkowski Questions Agency on Alaska-Specific Concerns over COVID-19 Outbreak
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) participated in a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee focused on how the U.S. is responding to the emerging threat of COVID-19, the Novel Coronavirus. The Senate HELP Committee hearing highlighted how the U.S. federal government is responding to the outbreak and actions the administration is taking to ensure that the U.S. is prepared for, and responding to, COVID-19 at the federal, state, and local levels. The hearing delved int… Continue Reading
03.03.20
Murkowski: DOE Request Hits on Minerals, Misses on Innovation
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired an oversight hearing to examine the proposed fiscal year 2021 budget for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Secretary Dan Brouillette testified in support of the President's budget request, which focuses on a number of key cross-cutting challenges - including grid modernization, energy storage, and plastics innovation - while proposing steep cuts to important innovation-focused programs. Murkowski highlighted DOE's new Critical Minerals Init… Continue Reading
03.03.20
Murkowski: American Energy Innovation Act Will Benefit Alaskans
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, last week released the American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA), her broad, bipartisan bill to modernize America's energy laws. Murkowski intends to file the full text of AEIA as a substitute amendment to S. 2657, which is being debated on the Senate floor this week. The bipartisan energy innovation package has significant benefits for Alaskans. "Alaska is a natural proving ground for new technologies and an incubator for innovation," Murkowski said. "My new bil… Continue Reading
03.02.20
Senate To Take Up Murkowski’s Bipartisan Energy Innovation Bill
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), spoke today after the Senate voted to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2657, the vehicle for the American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA). Click photo for video of Murkowski's floor statement Below are excerpts from Murkowski's floor remarks: "It has now been more than 12 years since Congress enacted comprehensive legislation to update our nation's energy laws. During that … Continue Reading