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.
Alaska Receives Two Native Language Education Grants
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) yesterday welcomed the announcement that Anchorage School District and Yukon-Koyukuk School District have been awarded two out of the five first-ever Native American Language program grants, funded by a program created by Senators Murkowski and Franken (D-MN) as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The newly developed, "Native American and Alaska Native Language Immersion Schools and Program," is intended to help schools, tribes, and Native organizati… Continue Reading
09.29.17
Murkowski Comments on Senate Budget Resolution
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the Senate Budget Committee unveiled its budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2018. "I am pleased to see an instruction for the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2018. This provides an excellent opportunity for our committee to raise $1 billion in federal revenues while creating jobs and strengthening our nation's long-term energy security. I am confident that our committe… Continue Reading
09.28.17
Murkowski on Human Trafficking of American Indian and Alaska Natives
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined her colleagues on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to attend an Oversight Hearing on "The GAO Reports on Human Trafficking of American Indian and Alaska Natives in the United States". The hearing focused on the impacts of human trafficking of American Indians and Alaska Natives, what we can do as a nation to prevent human trafficking and combat this issue in all its forms, and how to better provide support for victims. During her opening statemen… Continue Reading
09.27.17
Murkowski Announces Departure of Staff Director, Names Successor to Lead Committee
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that her Staff Director on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Colin Hayes, will depart at the end of the month. She also announced that Brian Hughes, who currently serves as the committee's Deputy Staff Director, will succeed Colin as Staff Director. "With Colin at the helm, I never once had to worry about the direction or the quality of the committee's work," Murkowski said. "I have benefited from his counsel and expertise, as have A… Continue Reading
09.26.17
Murkowski’s Statement on Senate Healthcare Reform Efforts
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement about the Graham-Cassidy healthcare proposal. "I appreciate the efforts of my colleagues, Senator Graham and Senator Cassidy, but they have run up against a hard deadline and a lousy process. Time has not been on their side. The U.S. Senate cannot get the text of a bill on a Sunday night, then proceed to a vote just days later, with only one hearing - and especially not on an issue that is intensely personal to all of us. "… Continue Reading
09.25.17
Murkowski Disappointed, Frustrated by Roadless Rule Decision
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after a judge from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed a lawsuit from Alaskans seeking to overturn the 2001 national Inventoried Roadless Rule. "While I am still reviewing this decision, I am deeply disappointed to see it handed down," Murkowski said. "A judge can dismiss a case, but Alaskans cannot dismiss the negative impacts the roadless rule is having on our communities. The rule has decima… Continue Reading
09.22.17
UAF Awarded ARPA-E MARINER Grant
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today recognized the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) for receiving a $500,000 competitive grant from the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) program. The grant will fund a research project focused on the "development of scalable coastal and offshore macroalgal farming." "Alaska is a leader in energy innovation, and I'm proud that we continue to be recognized for our efforts to develop the next generation of cost-eff… Continue Reading
09.20.17
Murkowski: Proper Vegetation Management Reduces Wildfires, Protects Electric Grid Reliability on Federal Lands
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday chaired a hearing to discuss the importance of vegetation management and how the nation's utilities and our federal land managers work together to protect electric grid reliability and prevent wildfires. The committee also received testimony on two legislative proposals, both of which received support for their goals to improve the processes for approving and conducting vegetation management activities within and outside of electricity transmission a… Continue Reading
09.19.17
September Designated “Alaska Wild Salmon Month”
The Senate passed U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski's resolution recognizing September as "Alaska Wild Salmon Month," which was cosponsored by U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan. The resolution celebrates and raises awareness of the sustainable Alaska wild salmon industry and its contributions to the health and economy of the nation. "Alaskans are tremendously proud of our wild salmon. This bountiful resource has helped sustain our entire state for thousands of years. Alaska's fisheries remain the most abund… Continue Reading
09.18.17
Murkowski Supports Bill to Reinvest in Our State and National Defense
U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) today cast her vote in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) - legislation that authorizes the appropriation of $700 billion to the United States military. The bill boosts our nation's defense capabilities and ensures that our military have the resources and tools needed to protect our nation. The NDAA passed the Senate by a vote of 89-8. "The defense bill is one of the most significant bills we consider every year. Through this bill, we are enabli… Continue Reading
09.15.17
Murkowski Announces New Staff
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced that former staff member Leila Kimbrell is returning to serve as her new State Director. In addition, Murkowski welcomes new hire Hannah Ray to join her communications team, serving as Press Secretary. "I'm excited to welcome both Leila and Hannah to my team. Both of these women have a strong heart and passion for Alaska that I know will serve my office and our state well," Senator Lisa Murkowski said. "Leila's work ethic and experience, not on… Continue Reading
09.14.17
Murkowski, King Introduce Bill to Continue Geologic Mapping
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Angus King, I-Maine, this week introduced the National Geologic Mapping Act Reauthorization Act, which renews a national program for the geological mapping of the United States. Geologic maps are a multipurpose, basic data set used by public and private entities for resource exploration and extraction, natural hazards mitigation, ground and surface water management, environmental protection, and federal land management. "We don't have a detailed geologic… Continue Reading
09.13.17
Murkowski Statement on the Passing of Former Energy Committee Chairman Pete Domenici
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the passing of her former colleague, Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., who served as the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources from 2003 through 2008. "I am truly saddened by the loss of my friend, Sen. Pete Domenici. Pete was a lifelong public servant dedicated to the people of his home state of New Mexico. I appreciate his significant contributions to the Energy and Natural R… Continue Reading
09.13.17
Murkowski: Partnership on Microgrids Will Lead to Lower Energy Costs for Alaskans and Stronger Grid Resiliency for U.S.
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commended the Department of Energy (DOE) for awarding a $6.2 million grant to an Alaskan partnership that includes the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), the City of Cordova, the Cordova Electric Cooperative (CEC), the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC), three national laboratories, and several other universities and industry partners. "I'm pleased to see the Department of Energy recognize the … Continue Reading
09.12.17
Sens. Burr, Casey and Murkowski Introduce Bill to Make College More Affordable by Helping Families Save
Today, Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Bob Casey (D-PA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Boost Saving for College Act, which will provide crucial new options for 529 college savings accounts to help more American families save more for college. This legislation would provide a tax credit to low- and middle-income families who might not ordinarily save for college, incentivize employers to match employee contributions to their college savings, allow unused savings to be rolled over into a R… Continue Reading
09.08.17
Murkowski Secures Alaskan’s Priorities to Invest in and Strengthen Families and Communities
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2018. As a member of the committee, Senator Lisa Murkowski focused her efforts on funding programs that support Alaskan families, jobs, economic development, health, education, and safety. Referred to as "Labor-H", it has priorities such as funding to help families with high home heating costs, support for afterschool programs, as we… Continue Reading
09.07.17
Committee Reviews Key Interior and FERC Nominees
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to consider four of President Trump's nominees for key positions at the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The nominees were Joe Balash to be Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at DOI; Ryan Nelson to be Solicitor at DOI; and Kevin McIntyre and Rich Glick to be members of FERC. Upon his confirmation, McIntyre will be design… Continue Reading
09.06.17
First Full Committee Health Care Hearing on Stabilizing Premiums in the Individual Insurance Market
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) participated in a Health Committee hearing to address stabilizing premiums and helping individuals in the insurance market. Senator Murkowski was joined by Alaska State Insurance Division Director, Lori Wing-Heier, who testified before the committee about Alaska's efforts to address rising premiums, the results of those efforts, and the current need for market stability. The committee also heard from state insurance commissioners from Oklahoma, Pennsylvan… Continue Reading
09.06.17
Murkowski, Feinstein Introduce Bill to Strengthen National Earthquake Resilience Program
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., today introduced the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act, a bill to reauthorize a national program to improve the nation's earthquake preparedness. The legislation modernizes earthquake-safety programs that help states like Alaska and California prepare for and respond to earthquakes. The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Kamala Harris, D… Continue Reading
08.11.17
Murkowski Congratulates Drue Pearce on PHMSA Appointment
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, (R-AK), today released the following statement after Drue Pearce was appointed to be Deputy Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) within the U.S. Department of Transportation. PHMSA oversees the safe transportation of energy and hazardous materials within the United States. "I've known Drue for many years, from our time working together at Bank of the North in Fairbanks," Murkowski said. "She is a wonderful advocate for … Continue Reading