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.
ICYMI: Senator Murkowski Speaks on Alaska’s 7.0 Earthquake
One week ago today, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck a few miles north of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, causing severe damage to infrastructure, roads, schools, businesses, and homes. Within days, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was on the ground in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley to assess the damage and to meet with emergency responders to help determine the federal response. This week, Senator Murkowski spoke on the Senate floor after returning from her Alaska trip to recount some of … Continue Reading
12.07.18
Alaska Congressional Delegation Announces $23 Million Grant for Emmonak Dock
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today announced a $23.1 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant for Emmonak, Alaska to construct a permanent dock and barge/landing craft ramp and to renovate approximately 3.5 miles of high-use service roads. The grant is through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program, previously known as TIGER grants, which provides support for capital projects that generate economic development… Continue Reading
12.06.18
Murkowski Bills to Improve Maternity Care and Enhance Communities Advance to Senate Floor
Recently, the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, of which U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is a member, passed bills to strengthen quality of care, improve access to health services, and invest in our communities' educational and cultural lives. The Improving Access to Maternity Care Act and the Museum and Library Services Act of 2018, both introduced by Senator Murkowski alongside colleagues on the HELP Committee, were reported favorably out of the committee for considerati… Continue Reading
11.30.18
Alaska Delegation Working to Support Alaskans in Earthquake Recovery Efforts
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after receiving a briefing from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Long on the 7.0 earthquake which struck near Anchorage, Alaska Friday morning, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, such as roads and bridges. "It's been mere hours since this devastating earthquake took place in Alaska, but the delegation is very engaged with the situation. We are i… Continue Reading
11.29.18
Murkowski Legislation Honoring Native Women Advances to Senate Floor
Today during a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs business meeting, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded passage of her legislation, S.RES 444, which recognizes the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States. Click here for full text of the resolution. (Click the image to watch video of Senator Murkowski's remarks) "I'm very proud to have sponsored legislation alongside my Senate colleagues to recognize the… Continue Reading
11.28.18
Committee Discusses Reducing Healthcare Costs
Healthcare costs in Alaska remain among the highest in the nation. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today participated in a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing focused on reducing healthcare costs and improving affordability through innovation. The hearing featured witnesses Lee S. Gross, M.D., President of Docs 4 Patient Care Foundation; Cheryl DeMars, President and CEO of The Alliance; Dow Constantine, Executive of King County; and Jonathan B. Perlin, M.D., Ph.D.… Continue Reading
11.28.18
Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the Indian Child Welfare Act
Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.), vice chairman and chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, respectively, along with U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and U.S. Representatives Karen Bass (D-Calif.) and Tom Cole (R-Okla.), led 46 members of Congress in introducing a bipartisan resolution commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), and recognizing its importance to promoting the stability and security of Tribal communi… Continue Reading
11.27.18
Congress Sends Feinstein-Murkowski-Wyden Earthquake Resilience Act to President’s Desk
The House of Representatives today passed the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act, a bipartisan bill to improve the nation's earthquake preparedness. The legislation, introduced by Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, modernizes earthquake-safety programs that help states prepare for and respond to earthquakes. The Senate unanimously passed the bill in September. It was cosponsored by Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Cory Gardner, R-Colo.,… Continue Reading
11.21.18
Senate passes Sens. Coons, Murkowski, Harris bill to recognize ‘Hidden Figures’ for contributions to U.S. leadership during the Space Race
Last week, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.). The legislation, sponsored by a total of 70 senators, would award Congressional Gold Medals to Katherine Johnson and Dr. Christine Darden, posthumously award Congressional Gold Medals to Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, and award a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize the contributions of all women who worked at NASA or its predecessor, … Continue Reading
11.15.18
Committee Reviews FERC, Park Service, and Nuclear Energy Nominees
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to consider nominees for the Department of Energy (DOE), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and the National Park Service. The nominees were Dr. Rita Baranwal to be Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at DOE; Mr. Bernie McNamee to be a member of FERC; and Mr. David Vela to be Director of the National Park Service. Murkowski opened the hearing by noting the ongoing tragedy with wildfires in California, which have led … Continue Reading
11.15.18
Durbin, Murkowski Statement On New FDA E-Cigarette Regulations
U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today released the following statement after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new regulations on e-cigarette flavorings and flavored cigars: E-cigarette use among children and teenagers is an epidemic, just ask our federal health agencies or any school teacher in America. The FDA is finally moving in the right direction by cracking down on the sale of kid-friendly flavors in e-cigarettes and cigars, and improving o… Continue Reading
11.15.18
Murkowski Supports Coast Guard Reauthorization
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) last night voted in favor of S. 140, The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018, which passed in a 94-6 vote. The bipartisan legislation co-authored by Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), co-sponsored by Senator Murkowski, will further develop America's presence in the Arctic, support the maintenance and repair of U.S. Coast Guard infrastructure, and improve safety among recreational boaters. The reauthorization also provides Alaskan fishermen permanent exemption of ve… Continue Reading
11.14.18
Murkowski Highlights Findings of New Report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls
UPDATE: The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs passed the S. 1942, Savanna's Act, sending it to the full Senate for consideration. This legislation combats the epidemic of murdered and missing Native women and girls by improving the federal government's response to addressing the crisis. Click here for Senator Murkowski speaking on Savanna's Act during today's Senate Committee on Indian Affairs business meeting to consider S. 1942, Savanna's Act. Click here for full video of Senator Murkowsk… Continue Reading
11.11.18
Murkowski Honors Our Veterans
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) shared the following message with Alaskans on Veterans Day: "Veterans Day originated as "Armistice Day" on November 11th, 1919, the first anniversary marking the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11th became a national holiday beginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day. "This day is an opportunity to honor Americans who have answe… Continue Reading
11.03.18
Murkowski, Sullivan Applaud USDA for Approving $30M Purchase of Alaska Pollock for Nutrition Assistance Programs
Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) applauded the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) approval of a Section 32 purchase of up to $30 million of Alaska Pollock for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs. This decision comes following a letter written by Senators Murkowski and Sullivan in September, urging U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, to exercise his authority to initiate a purchase of Alaska Pollock products. "Alaska Pollock is a… Continue Reading
10.24.18
Murkowski Statement on Changes in FERC Leadership
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Kevin McIntyre announced that he would step down as chairman due to ongoing health issues. President Trump has designated Neil Chatterjee to serve as chairman. "I thank Chairman McIntyre for his leadership at the agency, and pray for his swift recovery and return to good health as he continues as a commissioner," Murkowski said. "I'm confident that Chairman Chatte… Continue Reading
10.24.18
Comprehensive Bill to Fight Opioid Crisis Signed into Law
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded President Trump for signing into law today the final bipartisan, bicameral opioid legislative package the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which passed the Senate on October 3 in a 98-1 vote. As a member of the Senate HELP Committee, Senator Murkowski secured provisions in the final package which bolster research initiatives, address the shortage of professionals to provide treatment and recovery services, and create a tangible system for mea… Continue Reading
10.19.18
Murkowski Spotlights Alaska at Arctic Circle Assembly in Iceland
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today delivered remarks during the opening session of the 2018 Arctic Circle Assembly, which is being held in Reykjavik, Iceland. The Assembly annually brings together more than 2,000 of the most influential leaders, policymakers, and experts from more than 60 countries to focus on the Arctic region. This year's Assembly showcase is the state of Alaska - America's Arctic. Murkowski speaking at the Arctic Circle Assembly "It is an honor to have Alaska spo… Continue Reading
10.15.18
Murkowski Welcomes Treasury Secretary in Alaska
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) this weekend welcomed U.S. Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin to Alaska. During the Secretary's visit, Senator Murkowski brought together local community and business leaders from industries such as tourism, real estate, banking, and finance to discuss Alaska's economy and opportunities. "It is truly an honor to have Secretary Mnuchin in Alaska, and I thank him for taking the time to make the trip," said Senator Lisa Murkowski. "This visit was a tremendous oppo… Continue Reading
10.11.18
Murkowski Speaks to Alaskan Perspective of Short-Term Health Insurance Plans
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) yesterday spoke on the Senate floor on Senate Joint Resolution 63, a resolution of disapproval that would overturn a Trump administration rule that expanded the length of time that consumers can keep short-term health insurance plans. Senator Murkowski used the opportunity to explain an Alaskan perspective on short-term plans and its influence on her no vote on the joint resolution. "In Alaska we are the highest cost in terms of cost of care, highest in terms … Continue Reading