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 Calls for Pebble Comment Period Limited Extension
After completing review of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Pebble mine project in Bristol Bay, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today sent a letter to Colonel Phillip Borders, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District Commander, requesting an extension for the public comment period from 90 days to 120 days. Currently, the public comment period runs through May 30. In her letter, Senator Murkowski acknowledged her appreciation for the U.S. Army Corps of Engi… Continue Reading
04.23.19
Alaska Congressional Delegation Welcomes Progress on Icebreaker
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today welcomed the announcement from the Department of Defense Contracting Office that VT Halter Marine Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, has been awarded the contract to build the nation's first new heavy Polar Security Cutter (PSC) in more than forty years. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz called the delegation to share the news and thank them for their united efforts in support of this historic acquis… Continue Reading
04.22.19
Murkowski Announces Summer Interns
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced the selection of this year's interns, young Alaskans who will work in her Washington, D.C. office during the upcoming summer. Senator Murkowski's summer internship program consists of twenty recent high school graduates who will participate in two separate, month-long sessions as well as two current college students who will serve as Intern Coordinators for the duration of the summer. "Year after year I look forward to the opportunity to invit… Continue Reading
04.18.19
Murkowski questions National Guard and Reserve Leaders on Arctic training
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently participated in a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to review the FY2020 Budget Request for the National Guard and Reserve. During the hearing Murkowski emphasized the military's significant and evolving opportunities in the Arctic. The Committee heard from the following witnesses: General Joseph L. Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard Bureau; Lieutenant General Charles D. Luckey, Chief of Army Reserve; Lieutenant General Richard W. Scobee, … Continue Reading
04.17.19
Alaska Congressional Delegation Announces Denali Commission Co-Chair
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today announced that Jason Hoke of Glennallen has been appointed by the Secretary of Commerce as the Denali Commission Federal Co-Chair. Hoke will replace John Torgerson who has been serving in the role of Interim Federal Co-Chair. "The Denali Commission came to life under Senator Ted Stevens in 1998 and has since been a catalyst for much needed development across the state. Transportation facilities, clinics, … Continue Reading
04.17.19
Bennet, Murkowski, Casey Introduce Bill to Invest in Health Care and Resources for Seniors
U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Bob Casey (D-PA) today introduced the Inclusive Aging Act to create and expand services to address sexual health care for older Americans and the diverse needs of older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) Americans. "Our outdated laws are limiting care and resources for an entire generation of LGBTQ+ Americans," said Bennet. "LGBTQ+ seniors already face significant barriers to accessing quality health care, espe… Continue Reading
04.16.19
Murkowski Announces $10.9 Million in Secure Rural Schools Payments to Alaska
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that communities across Alaska will soon receive a total of $10,990,708 to fund schools and local budget priorities. The payments are being provided through the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, which Murkowski successfully reauthorized and funded through Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 in the FY2018 omnibus appropriations bill. "Local communities in Alaska and across the country rely on the Secure Rural Schools program to pay for essential services … Continue Reading
04.15.19
Murkowski Welcomes New Committee Staff
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced three recent additions to her Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee staff: Tristan Abbey, who is returning to the committee as a senior professional staff member; Nick Matiella, who has joined the committee as a professional staff member; and Stephanie Miller, who has joined the committee as a detailee from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). "I'm thrilled to welcome Tristan, who helped spearhead our efforts to lift the oil export ban… Continue Reading
04.12.19
Senators Decry Lack Of Action On Disaster Aid For Suffering States
U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) today joined Senate colleagues, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), in expressing disappointment in Congress' failure to deliver critical disaster aid to their states to assist in recovery efforts from natural disasters in 2018 and 2019. It has been six months since Georgia and Florida took a direct hit from Hurricane Michael. The senators have worked to negotiate in good faith since 2018 on a bipartisan disaster r… Continue Reading
04.12.19
Murkowski Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Bolster America’s Arctic Role
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation aimed to increase the nation's presence in the Arctic by supporting responsible research and development in the U.S. Arctic while giving those who live in the region a greater voice on policy and research. The Shipping and Environmental Arctic Leadership Act (SEAL Act), cosponsored by Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), addresses increasing shipping and maritime traffic by establishing a congressional… Continue Reading
04.12.19
In Case You Missed It: Murkowski Spotlights Violence Against Native Women
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) continues her push to address the issue of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women, including calling upon federal agencies to work together to help put an end to the epidemic. This week Senator Murkowski was featured in a CNN news piece on the crisis, including efforts to raise awareness and steps of action. Shining a Spotlight: During a CNN interview, Senator Murkowski spoke to the problem of a lack of information and data, as well as the urgen… Continue Reading
04.11.19
Murkowski: U.S. Can Deliver Energy Breakthroughs
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing that continued the committee's discussion about opportunities for innovative energy solutions that can reduce domestic and global greenhouse gas emissions. Murkowski opened by noting that emissions in the U.S. electric sector have declined substantially in the last decade, in large part due to flat demand growth, low cost natural gas, and the declining costs of renewable technologies. "The opportunity we have in front of us is to fost… Continue Reading
04.11.19
Murkowski Raises STATES Act to U.S. Attorney General
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today took part in a Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to review the FY2020 budget request for the Department of Justice (DOJ). During the hearing, Senator Murkowski recounted U.S. Attorney General William Barr's prior commitment to address conflicting state and federal marijuana laws and asked him for an update on the DOJ's review process of the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act. Thi… Continue Reading
04.11.19
Manchin, Murkowski, Capito, Cramer, Daines Bill Authorizes Full Suite of Carbon Capture, Utilization, Storage, and Removal Technology Programs
Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, Ranking Member on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced the Enhancing Fossil Fuel Energy Carbon Technology (EFFECT) Act. The legislation would direct the Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy to establish four new research and development (R&D) programs focused on coal and natural gas technology, carbon storage, carbon utilization, and carbon removal. "The energy experts who have come before the Senate Committee on Ene… Continue Reading
04.11.19
Senate Confirms David Bernhardt with Bipartisan Support
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after voting to confirm David Bernhardt to be Secretary of the Interior. The Senate confirmed Bernhardt through a bipartisan vote of 56-41. "I congratulate Mr. Bernhardt on his confirmation to be Secretary of the Interior. He has what it takes to lead this Department - coming from the west, he understands our public lands, has more experience at the Department than all but one of his predecessors, and has extensive knowl… Continue Reading
04.11.19
Senate introduces legislation to protect Association Health Plans, thousands from losing health insurance coverage
A group of senators introduced legislation today to prevent thousands of people from losing their health care coverage after a federal judge struck down the Department of Labor's Association Health Plans rule. This rule made it easier for small businesses to band together to provide their employees with comprehensive and affordable health insurance that has the same consumer protections that apply to large employer health plans. The legislation, led by U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., would ensu… Continue Reading
04.10.19
Murkowski Welcomes Executive Orders on Energy Infrastructure
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after President Trump signed two executive orders prioritizing energy infrastructure and streamlining the permitting process for domestic and cross-border projects. "I appreciate the president's strong commitment to the improvement and modernization of our nation's energy infrastructure. We need fewer delays, greater predictability in our permitting process, and better coordination among government stakeholders to ensure n… Continue Reading
04.10.19
Murkowski Asks Attorney General Barr for Commitment on Addressing Violence Against Native Women
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today called on Attorney General William Barr to work with her on addressing the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and on tribal jurisdictional concerns. Attorney General Barr testified in a Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee hearing examining the Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for the Justice Department. During the hearing, Murkowski raised the issue of protection for Alaska Native Villages in remote areas, and the need to exp… Continue Reading
04.09.19
Murkowski: Shared Stewardship, Active Forest Management Essential for Rural Prosperity
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired an oversight hearing to examine the president's nearly $5.7 billion budget request for the U.S. Forest Service for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen testified on behalf of the Forest Service. Murkowski welcomed Christiansen back to the committee for the first time since being appointed chief last fall, and called on her to use the agency's funding responsibly to carry out its multiple-use mission. "Although this bud… Continue Reading
04.09.19
Murkowski, Baldwin, Young, Ruppersberger Introduce Bill to Help Coastal Communities Prepare for Storms, Floods
Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) along with Congressmen Don Young (R-AK) and C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation that will help local and state governments protect the country's 95,000 miles of shoreline. The Digital Coast Act allows professionals at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to begin a comprehensive mapping process of the nation's shorelines. Coastal communities will be able to use the data t… Continue Reading