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 Legislation to Strengthen Alaska’s Workforce
Washington, DC –U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced that an initiative she authored, the Rural Apprenticeship Demonstration Program, was included as a provision within the National Apprenticeship Act, legislation she is co-leading with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). The Rural Apprenticeship Demonstration Program would authorize funding to be competitively awarded for direct subsidies to promote rural participation in apprenticeship programs, as well as provide greater a… Continue Reading
07.13.23
Senate Committee Approves Three FY24 Appropriations Bills
Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, scored wins for Alaska in the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) and Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Bills, which were approved by the committee, and now will advance to the full Senate for consideration. In the CJS bill, Murkowski secured wins for Alaska’s public safety, fisheries and oceans research, and victim s… Continue Reading
07.10.23
Murkowski Introduces Bill to Modernize and Expand Apprenticeship Programs to Meet 21st Century Workforce Needs
Washington, DC – Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) are leading legislation to modernize, streamline, and expand apprenticeship programs to connect more Americans with good-paying jobs, meet businesses’ need for more skilled workers, and grow the economy. The National Apprenticeship Act of 2023 would remove barriers and expand opportunities for employers and apprentices to participate in apprenticeship programs, especially in high-demand industries, rural ar… Continue Reading
07.07.23
Murkowski, Kelly, Manchin, Duckworth Statements on Administration Plans to Provide Additional Weapons to Ukraine
Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statements on the administration's decision to provide additional weapons and capabilities to Ukraine, including cluster munitions, to support their fight against Russia. Murkowski, Kelly, and Manchin traveled to Ukraine and Poland in April on a bipartisan Senate delegation where they met with President Zelenskyy and discussed how the weapons provided by the Unit… Continue Reading
06.26.23
Connecting Alaska: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Delivers Over $1 Billion More for Broadband Deployment Across the State
Anchorage, Alaska - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) today joined the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in announcing over $1 billion in new funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for Alaska to build out the state's broadband infrastructure to connect communities to high speed internet. The funding comes from the IIJA's Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, which is the backbone of d… Continue Reading
06.23.23
Murkowski, Sullivan Announce Over $27 Million in DOT Funding for Alaska Made Possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Washington, DC –U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, announced that over $27.7 million in grants have been awarded to Alaska through the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. Awardees include: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Bristol Bay Native Corporation, the City and Borough of Juneau, and the Organized Village of Kake. “When I helped craft th… Continue Reading
06.23.23
Murkowski Joins Congressional Delegation to Europe Ahead of July NATO Summit in Lithuania
Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), senior member on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Chris Coons (D-DE), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) yesterday embarked on a congressional delegation (CODEL) to Lithuania, Norway, and Belgium. The Senators’ visit comes just before Lithuania is set to host a NATO Summit in Vilnius from July 11-12. The Senators’ CODELwill take place from June 22 to June … Continue Reading
06.22.23
Wild USA Seafood: Murkowski Bill Would Label American-Caught Seafood, Support American Fishermen
Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, along with Senator Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) introduced the Wild USA Seafood Act of 2023, which would establish a "Wild USA Seafood" label for wild-harvested seafood caught in U.S. waters. The bill would allow the U.S. seafood industry to promote wild-harvested seafood, including fish, crustaceans, and aquatic plants harvested in U.S. waters. "Alaska's seafood is the best in the world-and I'm proud to lead on this effort that would ensure consumers know th… Continue Reading
06.21.23
Murkowski, Shaheen Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Impose Sanctions on Perpetrators of Global Violence against LGBTI Communities
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in reintroducing the Global Respect Act. This legislation would impose sanctions on foreign individuals responsible for human rights violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex (LGBTQI) individuals abroad. Companion legislation is led in the House of Representatives by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51). &#… Continue Reading
06.20.23
Murkowski, Sinema & Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Bill Protecting Health & Environment
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) introduced bipartisan legislation with Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) supporting the development of innovative technologies that ensure cleaner, healthier, and safer air and environment. The bipartisan Carbon Removal, Efficient Agencies, Technology Expertise (CREATE) Act boosts research and development of carbon removal technologies that advance global sustainability by removing harmful greenho… Continue Reading
06.19.23
Murkowski, Schatz Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Health Care to Veterans Living in Freely Associated States
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) reintroduced legislation to expand health care to veterans living in the freely associated states (FAS), three sovereign nations that have a special and unique relationship with the United States, and whose citizens serve in the U.S. military at some of the highest volunteer rates per capita. The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and John Boozman (R-Ark.). “I’ve made it a prio… Continue Reading
06.16.23
Murkowski, Sullivan Applaud $88M Grant to Invest in Broadband Infrastructure for Rural Alaska
Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) applauded the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announcement of a $88.896 million infrastructure grant for Quintillion to build a multi-year subsea broadband project from Nome to Homer, Alaska. Once constructed and online, the Nome to Homer project will provide redundant middle mile backhaul capability for Alaska, creating redundancy and reliability for Alaska's broadband network infrastructure that is … Continue Reading
06.16.23
Alaska Delegation Seeks to Close Loopholes Allowing Russian Access to U.S. Seafood Market
Washington, DC—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) this week introduced the U.S-Russian Federation Seafood Reciprocity Act of 2023, legislation that would impose a comprehensive ban on the import of all Russian-origin seafood products into the United States. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representatives Garret Graves (R-La.) and Mary Sattler Peltola (D-Alaska). In March of 2022, President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14068, which p… Continue Reading
06.15.23
Murkowski Welcomes PILT Payments, Over $35 Million to Alaska
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced today that the Department of the Interior is distributing $35.4 million to eligible local governments across Alaska through the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. To help offset the cost of maintaining a variety of community services, the PILT program provides annual payments to local governments in the state that contain federal lands that are not subject to state or local taxation. This revenue supports local governments by providing essential s… Continue Reading
06.15.23
Murkowski Lauds SCOTUS Decision Upholding The Indian Child Welfare Act
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), issued a statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). “In a victory for Native people, the Supreme Court has fully upheld the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act. I applaud the decision and am proud to have co-led the Congressional amicus brief to the Court. I also want to thank those … Continue Reading
06.14.23
DoD Implements Murkowski-Led ‘Free Flight Home’ Program for Alaska Servicemembers
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today applauded the Department of Defense (DoD) implementing the free flight home provision she spearheaded in her Don Young Arctic Warrior Act, which was included in last year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The provision reimburses servicemembers for the cost of one flight to their home of record during a three-year tour to alleviate hardships faced by serving in Alaska. "Servicemembers stationed in Alaska face unique hardships, and the adju… Continue Reading
06.13.23
Murkowski, Sullivan: Alaska to Receive $100 Million More in Infrastructure Funding for High-Speed Internet
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $100.5 million to facilitate and improve access to high-speed internet for Alaskans in rural communities. These awards are possible thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)—and specifically through USDA’s ReConnect Program, which aims to ensure high-speed internet for all communities across the Un… Continue Reading
06.13.23
Murkowski, Senators Reintroduce Legislation To Combat 'Smash-And-Grab'
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) joined 22 of her colleagues to reintroduce the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act of 2023 to address the unacceptably high number of “smash-and-grab” thefts targeted at federally licensed gun dealers by enhancing penalties for criminals who steal firearms from federally licensed firearms and ammunition dealers. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reported that from 20… Continue Reading
06.12.23
Murkowski, Welch to Introduce Bill to Reauthorize Rural Energy Savings Program, Help Rural Communities Access Energy Upgrades
Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced legislation to reauthorize the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP), a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiative providing no-interest loans to rural utilities to help communities access cost-effective energy upgrades for homes and businesses. With support from RESP, rural utilities can finance projects to electrify household heating and cooling, increase energy efficiency, and transition to renewable energy. The bil… Continue Reading
06.12.23
Murkowski Statement on DOJ Indictment of Former President Trump
Washington, DC –U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) issued the following statement on the 37-count federal indictment unsealed today against former President Donald Trump: “As I’ve stated before, no one is above the law but every American is innocent until proven guilty. Still, the charges in this case are quite serious and cannot be casually dismissed. Mishandling classified documents is a federal crime because it can expose national secrets, as well as the sources and met… Continue Reading
