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.
Hirono, Murkowski, Women Senators Recognize American Heart Month
Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) led the Senate's annual resolution recognizing February as American Heart Month. "Heart disease is the leading cause of death of women in the United States," Senator Murkowski said. "And while we've made good progress through research and advocacy, there is still so much we have to learn about our cardiovascular health. It is imperative that we continue to be proactive in providing our healthcare professionals, our families, and … Continue Reading
02.06.18
Committee Reviews Legislation for U.S.-Affiliated Islands
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today held a hearing to receive testimony on legislation to address two time-sensitive issues related to U.S.-affiliated islands. The bills were S. 2182, the Bikini Resettlement and Relocation Act, and S. 2325, the Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act. Following World War II, Congress created a trust fund for the people of Bikini for the rehabilitation and resettlement of Bikini Atoll in the wake of U.S. nuclear testing. Today, Murkowski expressed her … Continue Reading
02.02.18
Murkowski Proudly Announces 2018 Military Academy Nominations
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) proudly announced the names of 35 young Alaskans she is nominating to the U.S. military service academies for the class of 2022. "It is an honor to nominate such accomplished young adults for admission into our nation's military academies. This year I received countless applications from talented young men and women from across the state. I know each of the nominees will be incredible representatives of our state," said Senator Murkowski. "I wish them al… Continue Reading
01.31.18
Murkowski Convenes Oversight Hearing on Natural Hazards
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday chaired a full committee hearing to discuss natural hazards, including volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis and avalanches, and the effectiveness of early warning monitoring systems to minimize risks and protect local communities. The committee received testimony from experts from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Forest Service, the Mayor of Kodiak, Alaska, Washington State Geological Survey, the Alaska Earthquake Center, and Colorado … Continue Reading
01.30.18
Murkowski Comments on President Trump’s First State of the Union Address
Tonight U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement in response to President Trump's first State of the Union address. (Click here or image to watch video) "The President's vision that he outlined tonight of an America that is safe, strong, and proud is one that all of us should be able to support. I welcome his outreach to members of both parties and the policies he laid out that can draw support, even in a divided nation. "There was a lot of good in the President… Continue Reading
01.30.18
McCaskill, Murkowski, Sullivan Seek to Expand Opioid Addiction Treatment Options for Rural Communities
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) are working to expand rural communities' access to treatment for opioid addiction. While current law requires a doctor or nurse to see a patient in person before prescribing medication-assisted treatments for opioid addiction, the Senators are encouraging the Trump Administration to exempt healthcare providers from this restriction in limited cases in order to expand access to opioid addiction treatment via tele… Continue Reading
01.30.18
Committee Advances Four Energy and Interior Nominees
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today held a business meeting to advance four of President Trump's nominees for the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of the Interior (DOI): Melissa Burnison to be Assistant Secretary of Energy for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs; Susan Combs to be Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Policy, Management, and Budget; Ryan Nelson to be Solicitor for the Department of the Interior; and Anne White to be Assistant S… Continue Reading
01.26.18
Delegation Urges Interior to Keep Chukchi, Beaufort, and Cook Inlet in New Offshore Program
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke to provide comment on the Alaska-specific offshore areas in the Draft Proposed Program (DPP) for Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing for 2019-2024 that should be included in its Final Proposed Program. "We commend you for taking an inclusive approach that allows for meaningful public input as you determine where responsible development should occur on o… Continue Reading
01.26.18
Murkowski Reacts to EPA’s Pebble Announcement
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it would suspend its withdrawal of proposed restrictions on the Pebble project in southwest Alaska. EPA announced its decision after an extensive public process that included an extended comment period and meetings with local stakeholders. "Administrator Pruitt is taking a balanced approach by allowing Pebble to enter the permitting process, while noting EPA's duty … Continue Reading
01.25.18
Auto Show Hearing Highlights U.S. Innovation, Emerging Technologies
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a full committee field hearing at the Washington Auto Show to discuss the innovation, research, and development of advanced vehicle technologies and their impacts on our energy security and infrastructure. "This truly is an exciting time for the automotive sector, with a host of new technologies emerging in recent years," Murkowski said. "Lightweight materials like carbon fiber, titanium, aluminum, and composites are increasing vehicle efficienc… Continue Reading
01.24.18
Murkowski Recognizes Legislative Wins in Continuing Resolution
President Trump signed a short-term spending bill this week that will fund the government through February 8, 2018. In addition to ending a three day-long government shutdown, the continuing resolution makes legislative strides by reauthorizing the Children's Health Insurance Program or CHIP for six years and suspending three Affordable Care Act taxes and fees. The taxes on medical devices and health insurance issuers are now delayed until 2020 and the Cadillac Tax is delayed until 2022. The Cad… Continue Reading
01.23.18
Hearing Spotlights Importance of Energy Infrastructure, Diverse Fuel Mix
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to discuss the performance of our nation's electric power system during cold weather events, particularly the recent bomb cyclone that affected Northeast states. The committee heard from representatives of the Department of Energy (DOE), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), PJM Interconnection, ISO New England, and Goodgrid. "Federal law and policy must enable ener… Continue Reading
01.22.18
Delegation Hails Landmark Agreement for Life-Saving Road
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statements after the Department of the Interior and the King Cove Corp. signed an agreement authorizing a small land exchange needed to construct a short, gravel, life-saving road that will connect King Cove, Alaska to the all-weather airport in nearby Cold Bay. "Common sense and compassion have finally prevailed," Murkowski said. "For decades, the people of King Cove have asked for what virt… Continue Reading
01.22.18
Murkowski Supports Compromise to End Government Shutdown
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after working with her colleagues on both side of the aisle to successfully pass a funding bill in the Senate to end the government shutdown. "I have been actively working over the weekend, with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to help facilitate an agreement. I am pleased that we were able to put our differences aside to get the government back on track and do what's right for our country. Together, we ended a government … Continue Reading
01.20.18
Working to Open Government
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement on the current government shutdown: "Shutting down the government is no way to govern. It is disruptive, harmful, wasteful, and impacts the thousands of Alaskans who are federal employees, contractors and all who rely on the services provided by our federal agencies," said Senator Murkowski. "I will continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in the House to get the government back open as fast as possible." On … Continue Reading
01.18.18
Murkowski in Favor of Funding Bill
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement regarding her support on passing the Continuing Resolution (CR) currently before Congress, to provide short-term government funding. Current funding expires Friday, January 19. "It is absolutely irresponsible to shut down the government. A Continuing Resolution is never ideal and is not the way to run a government, but this short-term fix is the best option we have in front of us, right now. The ripple effect of a government s… Continue Reading
01.18.18
Bipartisan Group of Senators Urges FinCEN to Stay the Course on Cannabis Banking
A bipartisan group of Senators, led by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), today urged the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to keep in place guidance that has enabled some financial institutions to provide banking services for legitimate cannabis businesses in states that have legalized medical or recreational cannabis. In addition to Merkley and Murkowski, today's letter to FinCEN Director Kenneth Blanco was signed by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Rand Paul (R-KY… Continue Reading
01.18.18
Energy Committee Considers Two Nominees
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to consider two of President Trump's nominees for the Department of Energy (DOE). The nominees were Melissa Burnison to be Assistant Secretary of Energy for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs and Anne White to be Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environmental Management. During her opening statement, Murkowski thanked both nominees for their willingness to serve our country. "M… Continue Reading
01.17.18
Momentum Growing For Immigration Reform Proposal
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today welcomed the support of Republican Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) for a path forward on DACA and immigration reform. They will join Republicans Graham, Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) and Cory Gardner (R-Colorado) in backing this measure and working to protect Dreamers. "It's imperative that Congress act quickly so that young people who were brought to the U… Continue Reading
01.17.18
IEA: Technology, Policy Position U.S. As Global Energy Leader
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired an oversight hearing focused on the domestic and global energy outlook, featuring testimony from the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, Dr. Fatih Birol. During the hearing, Murkowski and Birol discussed the significant improvements taking place in energy technologies and energy policy, ranging from the increased production of oil and natural gas to cost reductions in renewable energy and the continuing potential of nuclear ene… Continue Reading