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.
Schatz, Murkowski Lead Bipartisan National Native American Heritage Month Resolution
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Committee, led passage of a Senate resolution recognizing November 2023 as National Native American Heritage Month. “In November we celebrate Native American Heritage Month to recognize American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian peoples and their diverse cultures, achievements, and contributions to the United States,” said Chairman … Continue Reading
11.17.23
Alaska Senate Delegation Welcomes $22 Million for Alaska Waste and Recycle Infrastructure
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) welcomed the announcement of $22.4 million in in Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grants from the bipartisan infrastructure law for Alaska. This funding will support Alaska’s solid waste infrastructure for recycling, trash processing, and solid waste collection. “The bipartisan infrastructure law continues to bring home significant investments that support Alaska’s infrastructure, and these awards to … Continue Reading
11.16.23
Murkowski Reintroduces Resolution Calling on U.S. Senate to Ratify Law of the Sea
Washington, DC - Yesterday, on the 29th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) entering into force, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced a resolution calling on the U.S. Senate to ratify UNCLOS. UNCLOS, which has been ratified by 168 nations and the European Union, details the rights and responsibilities of countries regarding the world’s oceans, including guidelines for businesses and the management of marine natural resources, and provides a legal … Continue Reading
11.16.23
Alaska Senate Delegation Leads Effort to Restore Energy Production on Alaska’s North Slope
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) have introduced Alaska’s Right to Produce Act of 2023, legislation that would reverse the Biden Department of the Interior’s (DOI) decision to prohibit oil and gas development on 13 million acres within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) and reinstate the lawfully awarded leases that the Biden DOI cancelled within the non-wilderness Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Representatives Pete… Continue Reading
11.15.23
Vice Chairman Murkowski Leads U.S. Senate Committee Field Hearing In Bethel To Hear About Impacts Of Salmon Declines
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indians Affairs (SCIA), recently chaired a field hearing and public listening session in Bethel, Alaska on “The Impact of the Historic Salmon Declines on the Health and Well-Being of Alaska Native Communities Along Arctic, Yukon, and Kuskokwim Rivers.” The event was held at the Yukon Kuskokwim He Corporation’s “Gathering Place.” “It is significant and historic to bring the Senate Indian Affairs Committee to Bethel to … Continue Reading
11.15.23
Two Years of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Over $6 Billion and Counting Invested in Alaska’s Infrastructure
Two years ago today, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), was signed into law, and over $6 billion and counting has been announced for Alaska’s infrastructure. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) took a leading role in writing, negotiating, and shepherding the bipartisan infrastructure bill into law. These efforts have led to announcements to the state totaling $6.39 billion in investments to the state’s road, bridges, broadband, water and wastewater, energy, airport, ferry, and por… Continue Reading
11.13.23
Sens. Murkowski and Coons Introduce Landmark Bipartisan Climate Resilience Legislation
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), and U.S. Representatives Scott Peters (D-Calif.) and María Salazar (R-Fla.) introduced the National Coordination on Adaptation and Resilience for Security Act (NCARS) to streamline the federal response to climate hazards that threaten human health and well-being, critical infrastructure, and natural environments. Increasingly severe weather events are a stark reminder that Alaska, which has more coastline than th… Continue Reading
11.11.23
Honoring Alaska’s Veterans: Murkowski Shares Veterans Day Message
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day: “I'm Senator Lisa Murkowski, and I want to share my appreciation, and my thanks for all who have served our great nation. To Alaska’s veterans, and to all of our veterans: Thank you for your service. We honor you on this Veterans Day.” For a downloadable video of Sen. Murkowski, click here. Senator Murkowski honored Alaska WWII Veteran Harry Olivas for his service with several campaign medals d… Continue Reading
11.09.23
Federal Judge Rejects Lower 48 Legal Challenge to Alaska’s Willow Project
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska), and Representative Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), hailed a federal judge’s ruling today dismissing a legal challenge filed by Lower 48 environmental groups against ConocoPhillips’ Willow Project within the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska (NPR-A). In September, Sen. Sullivan led an amicus brief with his Alaska congressional delegation colleagues to the court in support of Willow. The federal judge referenced arguments presen… Continue Reading
11.09.23
Murkowski Raises Concern Over Alarming Flow of Fentanyl into Alaska, Native Communities During Senate Hearings
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) raised the alarm over the rise of fentanyl flowing into communities across Alaska and Indian Country during Senate hearings on Capitol Hill yesterday. During a Senate Appropriations hearing with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Senator Murkowski noted that the emergency at the southern border is exacerbating the opioid crisis impacting the entire country—and called for meaningful support for border security. Murk… Continue Reading
11.09.23
Schatz, Murkowski Lead Oversight Hearing On Fentanyl in native communities
- Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Committee, led an oversight hearing titled, “Fentanyl in Native Communities: Native Perspectives on Addressing the Growing Crisis.” “Fentanyl - a potent synthetic opioid - is contributing to a rapid rise in opioid-related deaths across the country, and Native communities are getting hit extra hard,” said Chairman Schatz. “We have to… Continue Reading
11.08.23
Senators Murkowski and Hassan Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Grow Addiction Care Workforce Through Student Loan Debt Relief Program
Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and double the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program, which provides student loan repayment for health care workers who focus on addiction treatment and recovery in underserved areas. This program, which Senators Murkowski and Hassan helped create, is a key part of helping recruit a strong health care workforce of physicians, nurses, social workers, and mental h… Continue Reading
11.07.23
Murkowski Honors Alaska WWII Veteran for His Service
Click here or the image above to watch a video of Senator Murkowski presenting campaign medals to World War II veteran Harry Olivas. During the 10th anniversary mission of the Last Frontier Honor Flight, a group of 21 Alaska-based veterans and their chaperones traveled to Washington, DC to visit the national memorials which are dedicated in honor of the wartime service and sacrifice of our veterans. Among the group was World War II veteran Harry Olivas of Wasilla, Alaska. The now 97-year-old … Continue Reading
11.02.23
Alaska Delegation Seeks Comment Deadline Extension for Coastal Plain SEIS
Washington, DC - Alaska’s Congressional Delegation yesterday sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) requesting a 180-day extension to the current comment deadline for the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Program (the Program). While pointing out failures across the board related to this 1,430-page SEIS, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) and U.S. Representati… Continue Reading
11.01.23
Senate Passes Three Fiscal Year 24 Appropriations Bills
Washington, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), a senior Appropriator, today voted for a package of three annual funding bills that include a number of wins for Alaskans that she secured in the committee process. Themeasures passed by the Senate through a bipartisan vote of 82-15 are the FY 2024 bills for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Deve… Continue Reading
11.01.23
***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Vice Chairman Murkowski Announces Upcoming Field Hearing in Alaska
***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Vice Chairman Murkowski Announces Upcoming Field Hearing in Alaska Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs announced a field hearing for next week in Bethel, Alaska. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), will chair a Field Oversight Hearing titled, “The Impact of the Historic Salmon Declines on the Health and Well-Being of Alaska Native Communities along Arctic, Yukon, and Kuskokwim Rivers,”… Continue Reading
10.31.23
$72 Million Announced for Alaska Maritime Infrastructure Projects
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) announced today that seven coastal communities in Alaska will receive more than $72 million in investments this year for critical maritime infrastructure. These grants, made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), will benefit port, harbor, and dock improvement and development in communities across Alaska. The IIJA provided $2.25 billion in funds available over five years to the Port Infrastructure De… Continue Reading
10.30.23
Alaska and Hawai’i Congressional Delegations Introduce Bill to Expand Opportunities for Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian in Agriculture
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-Alaska) joined Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i) in introducing the Parity for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Students in Agriculture Act. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), and Representatives Ed Case (HI-02) are also original co-sponsors of the bill. The bill would reauthorize the Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Insti… Continue Reading
10.26.23
Schatz, Murkowski Lead Roundtable On Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act Implementation In Native Communities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Committee, led a roundtable discussion, titled “Implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act in Native Communities,” to hear directly from Tribal and Native organization leaders on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act programs serving Native communities. “Native communities … Continue Reading
10.25.23
Arctic Caucus Co-Chairs Commend Implementation Plan for the High North Region
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Angus King (I-Maine), co-chairs of the Congressional Arctic Caucus, released the following statements after the Biden Administration released its detailed Implementation Plan for the U.S. National Strategy for the Arctic Region (NSAR). The NSAR Implementation Plan builds upon past efforts to increase security, environmental protection, sustainable economic development and international governance in the High North. “I’ve led the effort to increase U.S… Continue Reading
