Articles & Op-eds
Anchorage Daily News: Murkowski interns secure photos with all 100 senators
by Riley Rogerson
WASHINGTON - As the U.S. Senate hustled to pass the defense authorization bill Thursday before Congress’ August recess, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s interns completed another challenge: securing photos with all 100 senators. The cohort of eight high-school-age interns and two college-age coordinators - all from Alaska - was on a monthlong hunt to take a picture with every U.S. senator starting in early July.A separate group of Murkowski interns who worked in June kicked off the challenge, ultim… Continue Reading
07.27.23
Anchorage Daily News: Anchorage Assembly votes to secure expanded port terminals, financed partially with higher tariff
by Zachariah Hughes
Members of the Anchorage Assembly, with the backing of Mayor Dave Bronson’s administration, passed two important measures this week related to the modernization project at the Port of Alaska. The first ordinance affects the design of the port’s two cargo terminals, which are on track to be built out for maximum utilization in the coming decades. The second vote increased tariffs charged for products coming into the port, with the extra money intended to go specifically toward the modernization … Continue Reading
07.24.23
Alaska News Source: Sen. Lisa Murkowski introduces legislation to strengthen seafood industry By
by Steve Kirch
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The “Farm Bill” is enacted every five years to address a variety of agricultural and food programs. This time around Sen. Lisa Murkowski is introducing legislation that will strengthen a variety of the farm bill provisions to better address needs in Alaska. Murkowski’s “Improving ARCTIC Act” seeks to improve access to healthy foods for Alaskans, food processing needs for Alaska producers, increase access to affordable housing, improve American forestry and floricultur… Continue Reading
07.23.23
Seafood Source: Murkowski looks to boost Alaska seafood with Improving ARCTIC Act
by Nathan Strout
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) says her latest bill would strengthen Alaska’s seafood industry, creating a new label for wild-caught seafood, establishing a new grant program for domestic seafood processors, and adding new label requirements for genetically engineered or lab-grown seafood. The Improving ARCTIC Act is a collection of amendments to the Farm Bill meant to help Alaskan residents and industries. Congress updates and revises the Farm Bill every five years, and the last Farm Bill… Continue Reading
07.21.23
Anchorage Daily News: Anchorage Assembly set to make major decisions on future costs and designs at Port of Alaska
by Zachariah Hughes
Jul. 23—The Anchorage Assembly is set to vote this week on tariff revisions and construction designs for the Port of Alaska. The port, a critical piece of infrastructure in the northwest corner of Anchorage, handles a huge share of goods and critical materials that Alaskans all over the state depend on, from groceries and construction material to cement and aviation fuel. The dock terminals are aged and badly eroded, and municipal officials have struggled for years to redevelop them amid warnin… Continue Reading
07.20.23
Frontiersman: Alaska Sens. Murkowski, Sullivan push Alaska priorities into new federal farm bill
by Tim Bradner
Alaska’s two U.S. senators are pushing major new additions go the pending federal farm bill that would add new support for the state’s seafood industry as well as traditional farming and livestock growing. The seafood initiative is a joint undertaking by Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan with the aim of extending to seafood producers federal support that has long been enjoyed by farmers and large agricultural companies. Examples would be loans at favorable rates and product labeling… Continue Reading
07.19.23
Fairbanks Daily News Miner: Murkowski introduces legislation to bolster Alaska agriculture, food security
by Jack Barnwell
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced legislation on Tuesday that, if approved, would be folded into the national Farm Bill with the intent to improve agriculture in the state. The ARCTIC Act, or Improving Agriculture, Research, Cultivation, Timber, and Indigenous Commodities Act, proposes to strengthen several aspects of farming and food security in Alaska, according to Murkowski’s office. “By helping more Alaskans access healthy foods; supporting Alaska’s farmers and our seafood, floricu… Continue Reading
07.18.23
Fairbanks Daily News Miner: Murkowski introduces legislation to bolster Alaska agriculture, food security
by Jack Barnwell
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced legislation on Tuesday that, if approved, would be folded into the national Farm Bill with the intent to improve agriculture in the state. The ARCTIC Act, or Improving Agriculture, Research, Cultivation, Timber, and Indigenous Commodities Act, proposes to strengthen several aspects of farming and food security in Alaska, according to Murkowski’s office. “By helping more Alaskans access healthy foods; supporting Alaska’s farmers and our seafood, floricu… Continue Reading
07.17.23
Anchorage Daily News: Department of Defense awards $37M to Graphite One mining project near Nome
by Riley Rogerson
WASHINGTON — The Department of Defense has awarded $37.5 million to a graphite mining prospect in Western Alaska. The Graphite Creek project is located about 40 miles north of Nome and is thought to be the largest natural graphite deposit in the U.S. Federal and industry officials say if it is developed, it would stabilize the graphite supply chain and boost economic development in Alaska. The U.S. Geological Survey considers graphite a “critical mineral” that is essential to… Continue Reading
07.15.23
Anchorage Daily News: As the climate warms, the face of Denali National Park changes
by Iris Samuels
DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE — On a gravel road that cuts through one of America’s most famous national parks, a tan school bus rumbled westward. Five members of Congress had come to Alaska to see the subtle effects of a warming climate. They encountered something more dramatic. “I think I envisioned rocks on the road. I didn’t envision the entire road had fallen away,” said Rep. Katie Porter of California, one of the five Democrats to recently tour the park. … Continue Reading
07.15.23
Cordova Times: Senators back plan for additional weapons for Ukraine
by Cordova Times
Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Mark Kelly, D-AZ, Joe Manchin, D-WV, and Tammy Duckworth, D-IL, have come out in support of the Biden administration’s decision to provide additional weapons to Ukraine, including cluster munitions, to support their fight against Russian invaders. “After visiting Kyiv, I believe more strongly than ever that the U.S. must do more to help Ukraine and its citizens defend their country from Russia’s catastrophic aggression,” Murkowski said, in… Continue Reading
07.13.23
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Murkowski authors bill to improve apprenticeship programs
by Carter DeJong
Sen. Lisa Murkowski has introduced a bill aimed at improving apprenticeship programs in the United States. “Workforce shortages continue to have a significant impact on Alaskan communities and businesses — and the inability of apprenticeship funding to be used for unique needs such as transportation and housing for students — only exacerbates that issue,” Murkowski said in a news release. The National Apprenticeship Act of 2023, authored by Murkowski and Sen. Tammy Bald… Continue Reading
07.10.23
Anchorage Daily News: Healthy oceans are vital to Alaska
by Lisa Murkowski
On an early morning walk around Juneau, I saw a bustling waterfront — a harbor full of small fishing boats, a large cruise ship in the distance, locals walking their dogs, and businesses ready to welcome the many tourists visiting Southeast. It was a great walk to reflect on how important the ocean is to us all. Recently, folks from across America — including Alaska — traveled to Washington, D.C. to take part in Capitol Hill Oceans Week, or CHOW, an annual gathering of governm… Continue Reading
07.07.23
Cordova Times: An interview with Sen. Lisa Murkowski
by Kinsey Brown
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, sat down with The Cordova Times during a recent visit to town to discuss how current federal policies and initiatives will address issues locally in Cordova. Murkowski was in town to attend Copper River Nouveau on June 10, the Prince William Sound Science Center’s (PWSSC) annual fundraiser event for which she has been an honorary co-host for the last 15 years. The weekend also highlighted the synergy between PWSSC and Cordova Electric Cooperative (CEC). Murk… Continue Reading
07.05.23
JBER: Military pays for Alaska service members' flights home
by Senior Airman J. Michael Peña
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Service members assigned to Alaska duty stations can take a military-paid flight home, according to a recent Department of Defense policy change. Per the June 1 update to the Joint Travel Regulations, eligible Alaska service members can be reimbursed for the cost of one round-trip airfare from their duty station to their home of record between Dec. 23, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2031. “Being an Airman up here, it’s especially difficult to b… Continue Reading
07.02.23
Anchorage Daily News: Murkowski’s interns tried to get photos with all 100 US senators in a month. They got to 75.
by Riley Rogerson
WASHINGTON — The first Tuesday of June at around 5:30 p.m., reporters gathered outside the underground subway of the U.S. Capitol Building as senators made their way to an evening vote. Journalists typically stake out the Senate basement, waiting for their chance to flag down a senator with questions about the news of the day. It’s a convenient spot to catch them as they journey from their offices to the Senate floor. But this time, it wasn’t just reporters on the hunt. This … Continue Reading
06.30.23
Cordova Times: Bill calls for labeling domestic catch as American-caught
by Cordova Times
Legislation now before the U.S. Senate calls for a “Wild USA Seafood” label for wild seafood harvested in U.S. waters, including fish, crustaceans and aquatic plants. The bill was introduced on June 22 by Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska. “Consumers want to know where their food comes from – and by creating a specific label allowing wild seafood, like Alaskan salmon caught in Bristol Bay, wild kelp harvested in Southeast, or pollock caught in the Ber… Continue Reading
06.30.23
Alaska Public Media: Murkowski boosts her resolve to help Ukraine after visit to NATO allies
by Liz Ruskin
Sen. Lisa Murkowski was in Lithuania and Norway last week, just as a mercenary boss launched a march on Moscow. Lithuania and Norway are NATO allies and both are wary of Russia’s aggression in the region. Murkowski said her visit has strengthened her resolve to continue U.S. aid for Ukraine’s defense. “We can’t get soft on our support for Ukraine,” Murkowski told reporters. “These people have demonstrated a resilience and a commitment to freedom that is unpar… Continue Reading
06.29.23
Alaska Beacon: U.S. senators propose new fish labeling, enhanced ocean research and more economic tools
by Yereth Rosen
A new bill introduced by Alaska’s U.S. senators would set up a new consumer-focused label for wild seafood. It’s among several bills eyed by Congress that could affect fishing in Alaska. Under the bill introduced last week, there would be a program to voluntarily label qualified products as “Wild USA Seafood,” a tool that Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan, both Republicans, said would serve consumers who already have a strong preference for those products. ̶… Continue Reading
06.29.23
KTUU: Nearly $2B in broadband funding earmarked to connect Alaskans to faster internet Officials aim to connect every Alaskan community under new program
by Mike Mason and David Bernknopf
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The state of Alaska and some of its communities have been awarded nearly $2 billion in federal funding to ensure that every resident has access to the internet. But where does all that money come from — and who’s keeping track of it all? “It is clearly unprecedented in size and scope,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski said. “Some parts of America are just more difficult to access so the initial investment is a big one.” Murkowski says the fede… Continue Reading
