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 Leads Congressional Delegation Arctic-Focused Trip
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) this week led a congressional delegation to locations across the Arctic and North Atlantic to develop a better understanding of the region, further the United States' relationship with the other Arctic nations, and visit American troops in the Far North. As part of the trip, the delegation focused extensively on energy technologies and climate research activities. Joining Senator Murkowski, chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, were committee Ra… Continue Reading
05.30.19
Alaska Congressional Delegation Welcomes Attorney General William Barr
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today welcomed Attorney General William Barr to Alaska. Attorney General Barr's itinerary includes a series of meetings at the federal, tribal, state and local level with a focus on law enforcement and public safety issues, particularly in rural Alaska. "Public safety and lack of law enforcement are both serious challenges across the state, particularly in Alaska Native communities that are disproportionately i… Continue Reading
05.24.19
Murkowski, Sullivan Applaud Senate Passage of Disaster Relief Supplemental
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, today applauded the Senate passage of a bipartisan supplemental disaster relief package. The $19.1 billion package passed the Senate with strong support, by an 85-8 vote. "Following the 7.1 magnitude earthquake and other disasters across the state, we've seen the incredible resilience of Alaskans. Like so many communities across the nation, in the face of hardship they came together to help their friends, family, neighbors, and even … Continue Reading
05.23.19
Murkowski Applauds Inclusion of Measure to Protect Firefighters from PFAS Chemicals in Annual Defense Bill
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded the Senate Armed Services Committee for including measures to address per-and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure within the Committee-approved annual defense bill. This week the Senate Armed Services Committee passed the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), sending it to the full Senate for consideration, which included Senator Murkowski and Senator Jeanne Shaheen's (D-NH) bill, the Protecting Military Firefighters from P… Continue Reading
05.23.19
Murkowski Stresses Importance of America’s Arctic Role
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who recently attended the Arctic Council Ministerial in Rovaniemi, Finland and the Arctic Circle Assembly forum in Shanghai, China spoke on the Senate floor to urge her colleagues to place a greater focus on the Arctic and ensure that the United States steps into its leadership role. While Senator Murkowski acknowledged recent progress, such as Congress appropriating full funding for the design and construction of a new heavy Polar Security Cutter (AKA icebrea… Continue Reading
05.22.19
Murkowski Questions Interior Secretary on Priorities to Benefit Rural Alaska
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) chaired an Interior Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to examine the Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for the Department of the Interior (DOI). During the hearing, Senator Murkowski questioned Interior Secretary David Bernhardt about areas that the administration and Congress can make progress in addressing the lack of reporting lack of reporting and substantive data surrounding the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Murkowski asked Secretary… Continue Reading
05.22.19
Schatz, Kaine, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Invest In Telehealth, Expand Health Care To Rural Areas
Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), introduced the Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes Act of 2019 (ECHO 2019 Act), legislation to increase access to health care services in rural areas by expanding the use of technology-based collaborative learning and capacity building models. These education models, often referred to as Project ECHO, connect specialists with other health care professionals through the use of technology. This legi… Continue Reading
05.22.19
Hirono, Murkowski, Case, Young Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Reunite Filipino World War II Veterans with Their Families
Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, a bill that would expedite the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawaii) and Don Young (R-Alaska) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. "During World War II, Filipino soldiers stepped up and answered the call to service, fighting and sacrificing alongside American servicemembers,… Continue Reading
05.21.19
Murkowski: Renewables, Efficiency Offer Real Opportunity
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine opportunities to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts in the United States. Murkowski opened the hearing by acknowledging the significant progress made in both sectors in recent years. "Many renewables are now cost competitive without subsidies in certain parts of the country, and that's leading to greater investment. In 2018, U.S. corporations broke previous r… Continue Reading
05.20.19
Murkowski on Steel and Aluminum Tariff Announcement
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement after the Trump administration lifted steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico: "I'm pleased to see the administration take the necessary step of lifting steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico. I had previously expressed concerns about the impact these tariffs would have on our nation's economy, trade relationships, and particularly on our nation's energy sector. In Alaska, steel and aluminum tariffs have the potent… Continue Reading
05.17.19
Murkowski Leads Senate Effort to Celebrate 100th Anniversary of 19th Amendment
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), joined by all the women of the Senate, introduced a resolution to celebrate a historic milestone, the 100th anniversary of the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment, providing for women's suffrage, to the Constitution of the United States. The resolution seeks to honor, reaffirm, and preserve the ratification of the 19th Amendment in further promoting the core values of our democracy as promised by the U.S. Constitution. "Ratifying the 19th amendment… Continue Reading
05.17.19
Alaska Applauds Air Force Decision to Base Additional F-22 Jets at JBER
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today applauded the Air Force for its plan to permanently station six additional F-22s, previously based at Tyndall AFB, Florida, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The plan is expected to become final following completion of environmental review. "We have long advocated for our military in Alaska, including the importance of our strategic geographic location for protecting our nation and responding to global … Continue Reading
05.17.19
Schatz, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Help The Defense Department Take On Child Pornography
U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) re-introduced the End National Defense (END) Network Abuse Act, bipartisan legislation that would help the Pentagon stop the unacceptable use of the Defense Department's network to possess, procure, and even produce child pornography. "The widespread abuse of the Department of Defense's network to traffic child pornography must be stopped," said Senator Schatz. "Our bill aims to do that by giving our military leaders the tools… Continue Reading
05.16.19
Murkowski: CCUS as a Key to Help Address Climate Change
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine the Department of Energy's carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) programs. As part of the hearing, the committee also received testimony on S. 1201, the Enhancing Fossil Fuel Energy Carbon Technology Act or EFFECT Act, which is sponsored by Ranking Member Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. Murkowski, a cosponsor of the EFFECT Act, opened the hearing by outlining the role that CCUS t… Continue Reading
05.16.19
Bipartisan Senate Working Group Introduces Surprise Medical Billing Legislation
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Todd Young (R-IN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Tom Carper (D-DE), members of the Senate Bipartisan Working Group, today introduced the bipartisan STOP Surprise Medical Bills Act, legislation to protect patients from surprise medical bills. U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) are also cosponsoring the bill. This legislation is a product of a nearly year-long effort revising proposals and r… Continue Reading
05.14.19
Murkowski: We Must Improve America’s Mineral Security
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine opportunities to strengthen our nation's mineral security. As part of the hearing, the committee also received testimony on S. 1052, the Rare Earth Element Advanced Coal Technologies Act, and S. 1317, the American Mineral Security Act. Murkowski opened the hearing by underscoring the importance of minerals, describing them as the "foundation of our modern society." She contrasted… Continue Reading
05.13.19
Senators Introduce Creig Sharp Funeral Honors for Veterans Act
U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have introduced the Creig Sharp Funeral Honors for Veterans Act, to ensure that all veterans have access to full military funeral honors. Specifically, the legislation requires military installations to develop a plan to utilize both on-base and off-base resources for funeral ceremonies for veterans, even when government resources may not be available. "Kathryn Sharp came to me last N… Continue Reading
05.09.19
Baldwin, Braun, Schakowsky, Rooney Introduce Reform Requiring Transparency in Prescription Drug Price Increases
U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Mike Braun (R-IN) and U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Francis Rooney (R-FL) today introduced the FAIR Drug Pricing Act. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation takes the first step in addressing skyrocketing prescription drug prices by requiring transparency for pharmaceutical corporations that plan to increase drug prices. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tina Smith (D-MN) have also signed on as cosponsors of the FAIR Drug Pricing Act. "For… Continue Reading
05.09.19
Cassidy, King, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Protect Disaster Relief Volunteers
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), Angus King (I-ME), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Joe Manchin (D-WV), today reintroduced the Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act to provide medical professionals with a limited, but consistent, level of legal protection while volunteering during federally-declared disasters. The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 sought to protect those volunteering through non-profit a… Continue Reading
05.07.19
Murkowski Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Group of Legislators Asking for Federal Study on Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women Crisis
Following the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls" on Sunday, Senator Murkowski joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a study on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) crisis. The group of 17 legislators, led by U.S. Senator John Tester (D-MT), includes U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-ND), Tom Udall (D-NM), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), Steve Daines (R-MT), J… Continue Reading
