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 Supports Funding for Military Construction and VA
The Senate Appropriations Committee this week approved the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MILCON-VA) Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2019. The bill contains several priorities championed by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to help further develop Alaska's strategic military presence and improve health services for veterans. "Alaska has the highest veteran population per capita in the country. I remain committed to equipping our veterans with the support the… Continue Reading
06.08.18
Senate Passes Package of Six ENR Lands Bills
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week secured the passage of six land-related bills through the U.S. Senate, all of which had been favorably reported by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Included in the package was S. 2857, the National Nordic Museum Act, which was sponsored by Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash, and co-sponsored by Murkowski. "I thank my colleagues for working together to ensure that we could pass these bills this week," Murkowski said. "While this … Continue Reading
06.08.18
Murkowski Secures Funding Critical to Meeting Transportation and Housing Needs in Alaska
The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2019, which includes Alaska-specific provisions secured by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to meet Alaska's unique needs and challenges. Funding is provided to continue the Essential Air Service, a program to maintain commercial air service in approximately 60 small communities throughout Alaska as well as housing assistance for our most at-risk populatio… Continue Reading
06.06.18
Tara Sweeney Advances Toward Senate Confirmation
During a Senate Indian Affairs Committee business meeting today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in support of Tara Mac Lean Sweeney of Alaska to be Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior. The committee approved the nomination by voice vote. Her nomination now heads to the full Senate for consideration. If confirmed, Sweeney will be the first female Alaskan Native to serve in the position. "I was pleased to be able to support Tara Sweeney's Senate… Continue Reading
06.05.18
Harris, Murkowski Introduce Legislation to Curb Workplace Harassment and Increase Transparency and Accountability
U.S. Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today introduced the Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace harassment through Education and Reporting (EMPOWER) Act to address the ongoing issue of workplace harassment and the pervasive culture of fear that has resulted from those in power silencing their victims. While recent accusations and reports of sexual harassment have highlighted its pervasiveness across states and across industries, this issue impacts individuals in … Continue Reading
06.01.18
Murkowski: Optimistic Time for Alaska’s Energy Industry
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday delivered remarks at the Alaska Oil and Gas Association's (AOGA) 2018 Conference. While speaking to the need to be ready for challenges and opposition that may arise as new development proceeds, Murkowski expressed optimism about the future and highlighted the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead to refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS). "It was almost exactly a year ago that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke stood here and promised that in … Continue Reading
05.31.18
Murkowski Welcomes National Labs to Alaska
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week helped kick off the first-ever Alaska National Lab Day by delivering opening remarks highlighting how Alaska's geography, climate, and people have made the state a world leader on energy innovation. The forum, which is being hosted by the University of Alaska, has brought together more than 200 Alaskans, senior leaders from the Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Labs to discuss opportunities to partner on the next generation of clean, affordable… Continue Reading
05.25.18
Murkowski Works to Support Critical Nutrition Programs, Alaska’s Fisheries, and Rural Development
The Senate Appropriations Committee this week approved the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2019 appropriations bill, sending it to the full U.S. Senate. The funding bill contains a number of priorities U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured for Alaska that will support Alaska's vital fishing industry and farmers, address hunger, and improve water and wastewater systems in rural Alaska. These provisions include an import ban for g… Continue Reading
05.25.18
Appropriators Approve First FY 2019 Funding Bill
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed the Fiscal Year 2019 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which provides funding for Department of Energy (DOE) programs and critical infrastructure projects administered by the Army Corps of Engineers. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a member of the Appropriations Committee, secured provisions to build on energy opportunities in Alaska's Arctic, address the state's unique needs, and improve energy efficiency, renewable energy, and emergency p… Continue Reading
05.24.18
Murkowski Supports Congressional Harassment Reform
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today supported passage of S.2952, the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act, legislation she cosponsored that would overhaul the current reporting process for victims of harassment and discrimination, as well as require Congressional members found liable to pay settlements out of their own pocket. "While there are real policy differences amongst my colleagues in the Senate, there's one thing we should all agree on - every workplace should be sa… Continue Reading
05.24.18
Regulatory Relief Bill Signed into Law
U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) applauded the President signing into law today S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. The legislation protects consumers and gives communities an economic boost, including rolling back burdensome Dodd-Frank provisions that had unintended consequences for consumers, home-buyers, and small business owners. The Senate passed the bill in March and earlier this week in the House, both with strong, bipartisan votes. The bill inclu… Continue Reading
05.24.18
Senator Murkowski Chairs Hearing On Indian Health Service Budget
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) chaired an Interior Appropriations Subcommittee hearing recently, examining the Fiscal Year 2019 budget request for the Indian Health Service (IHS). During the hearing, Senator Murkowski addressed budget priorities from opioid funding and the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to maintenance backlogs and the need for staffing quarters for healthcare professionals. The hearing featured Indian Health Service Acting Director Rear Admiral Michael Weahkee, Rear A… Continue Reading
05.23.18
VA Healthcare Reform Bill Passes Senate
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the VA MISSION Act, legislation aimed to improve VA healthcare delivery, remove barriers to care, address VA personnel shortages, and expand eligibility for VA's Caregiving Program to veterans of all generations. The bill includes reforms to improve the VA's current healthcare delivery system and help provide veterans with more choices on where to receive care. The bill passed in a 92-5 vote. "When it comes to our veterans, it's so impo… Continue Reading
05.23.18
Senators Murkowski, Markey, and Hassan Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Measure Progress in Ending Opioid Crisis
Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) today introduced legislation to create a national roadmap for ending the opioid epidemic, which claimed more than 42,000 lives in 2016 alone. Their legislation, the National Milestones to Measure Progress in Ending the Opioid Epidemic Act, would require the federal government to set tangible benchmarks for how it is addressing the opioid crisis in and by measuring progress on key objectives each year. Thes… Continue Reading
05.22.18
Murkowski: Addressing Healthcare Workforce Shortages
As Alaska grapples with a consistent lack of trained professionals in various healthcare sectors, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today participated in a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing to address healthcare workforce shortages and ways to improve care. The hearing featured witnesses Dr. Kristen H. Goodell, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the Boston University School of Medicine, Dr. Julie Sanford, Director of the Sch… Continue Reading
05.22.18
Sen. Murkowski and the University of Alaska Prepare for Alaska National Lab Day
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that she will participate in the first-ever Alaska National Lab Day being hosted by the University of Alaska from Tuesday, May 29 through Thursday, May 31. During the forum, internationally renowned scientists from the Department of Energy (DOE) and its national laboratories will gather with Alaska's elected, academic, and industry leaders to discuss their work and learn about opportunities for partnerships throughout the state. Murkowski, who help… Continue Reading
05.22.18
Murkowski, Brown Introduce Bill Allowing States Grace Period to Comply With New Federal Law
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today introduced a bipartisan bill to delay the implementation of a provision contained in the 21st Century Cures Act law, requiring States to have Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) systems in place for personal care services by January 1, 2019. The EVV system requires healthcare providers to use an electronic method to confirm that services were actually delivered and billed accurately. Senator Murkowski's legislation would delay th… Continue Reading
05.22.18
Alaska Delegation Supports Administration’s Proposal to Reverse Federal Takeover of State Hunting Regulations
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the Alaska Region of the National Park Service (NPS) proposed to amend its regulations for sport hunting and trapping on national preserves in Alaska. Under the proposed rule, the 2015 regulations will be removed to establish better consistency with the State of Alaska's regulations. "Congress explicitly provided Alaska with the authority to manage its fish and wildlife in t… Continue Reading
05.18.18
Murkowski Welcomes Final List of Critical Minerals
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke published the Department's final list of 35 critical minerals. Multiple federal agencies will now use this list to develop a strategy to reduce foreign dependence and strengthen U.S. mineral security. "I thank Secretary Zinke for his efforts to develop this list of minerals, highlighting our most critical vulnerabilities," Murkowski said. "These minerals are needed for energy, h… Continue Reading
05.17.18
Murkowski Welcomes the Approval of Alaska’s ESSA State Plan
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today welcomed the announcement of the approval of Alaska's consolidated state plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). "ESSA provides greater flexibility and control to states and local communities to decide how best to support, celebrate, and improve their schools and provide greater opportunities for all students. I congratulate the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development and the thousands of Alaskans who participated in crafting Alaska's S… Continue Reading
