06.18.26

Murkowski on Iran MOU

Washington, DC - Following today’s Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement: “This week’s Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran is a welcome step away from war, but it is also just a first step, and a final agreement may prove difficult to reach over the next 60 days. While it is significant that the Strait of Hormuz will be open, I share the apprehensions of many of my colleagues… Continue Reading

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06.18.26

Murkowski, Merkley Secure Commitment to Preserve U.S. Ocean Monitoring System

Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) announced the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is pausing its planned removal of the Ocean Observatories Initiative’s (OOI) sensors. NSF’s decision came after Murkowski and Merkley passed a Senate bill to prohibit the NSF from dismantling the OOI system. “The National Science Foundation’s decision to leave the Ocean Observatories Initiative’s buoys in place is a massive win for coastal communities and fish… Continue Reading

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06.18.26

Murkowski and Sullivan Welcome Funding for Fisheries

Washington, DC—Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) welcomed the announcement of roughly $99 million in funding allocated for Alaska fishery disasters from the U.S. Department of Commerce. This is a step toward funding for three Alaska fisheries that experienced disasters from 2022-2024. NOAA Fisheries will now work with the State of Alaska and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission to develop a spend plan. “Our fishing industry is part of the beating heart of coastal… Continue Reading

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06.17.26

Murkowski Welcomes Advancement of ALS Research Treatments Legislation from Committee

Washington, D.C. - Today, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP), welcomed the advancement of her Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act (ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act) of 2026. The legislation, co-led by Chris Coons (D-DE) and approved unanimously by the committee, will help people living with ALS continue to access promising treatments while further advancing the scientific understa… Continue Reading

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06.16.26

Murkowski: “It is hard right now. Every Alaskan is feeling it.”

Washington, DC— Yesterday, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor highlighting the impacts the Iran conflict has had on energy markets and prices, particularly in rural Alaska. Watch the speech here. Transcript As Delivered Madam President, like so many across the Senate, really, across the country, I think we've all been watching the news this weekend to see whether or not we would have an announcement from the Trump administration on a possible agreement to reopen the … Continue Reading

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06.15.26

Murkowski, Merkley, Lead Bipartisan Push to Protect U.S. Ocean Monitoring Systems

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led a bipartisan group of Senators to demand the National Science Foundation (NSF) halt its plans to dismantle the vital Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), a complex system of 900 ocean monitoring instruments that provides crucial data for coastal communities, fishermen, and nationwide emergency preparedness. “Eliminating most of this complex ocean monitoring system threatens the safety of our coastal commu… Continue Reading

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06.15.26

Following Murkowski, Shaheen Request, Inspector General Finds Millions in Family Planning Commodities Wasted

Washington, D.C. - On Thursday, June 11, 2026, a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Management Advisory was issued in response to a December 2025 request from U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The advisory found that approximately $8 million in U.S.-funded family planning commodities were wasted after being moved from climate-controlled storage and warned that a… Continue Reading

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06.11.26

Water Power Bill Moved from Committee

Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) passed the Fair Licensing for Operations of Water Structures (FLOWS) Act led by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Angus King (I-ME). The FLOWS Act will streamline routine updates for existing hydropower facilities and establish a commonsense licensing pathway for next generation water power technologies. “For Alaska, hydropower is essential,” said Senator Murkowski. “So often, our hydro operators face… Continue Reading

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06.11.26

Fourth Icebreaker Announced for Alaska; Two to be Homeported in Kodiak, One in Seward

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, and Congressman Nick Begich (all R-Alaska), today welcomed an announcement from the U.S. Coast Guard that a fourth icebreaker, an Arctic Security Cutter, will be homeported in Alaska—on top of the two Arctic Security Cutters announced in April and the Coast Guard Cutter Storis, a retrofitted commercially available icebreaker that was commissioned in Juneau on August 10, 2025. Additionally, the Coast Guard announced today that the first tw… Continue Reading

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06.09.26

Murkowski and Shaheen Introduce Senate Resolution Reaffirming Congressional Engagement with Arctic Allies

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) today introduced a Senate resolution reaffirming the strategic importance of the Arctic region and supporting continued congressional engagement with our Arctic allies. The resolution acknowledges the Arctic’s growing significance to U.S. national security while highlighting the region’s economic and scientific opportunities. It also stresses the need for continued cooperation with allies to promote the wellbeing … Continue Reading

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06.08.26

Murkowski Speaks on H-1B Court Ruling

WASHINGTON—Following today’s announcement that a federal judge struck down a $100,000 fee that U.S. President Donald Trump imposed on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement: “Today’s decision from a U.S. District Judge to vacate the policy implementing the Presidential Proclamation mandating a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applicants—a 5,000% increase in some cases—came at a critical time for Alaska’s schools that are … Continue Reading

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06.05.26

House Passes Legislation Protecting Alaska Native Artists’ Cultural Heritage and Economic Opportunities

WASHINGTON—The Alaska delegation today celebrated the House passage of the Alaska’s Right to Ivory Sales and Tradition (ARTIST) Act, his legislation to protect the legal rights of Alaska Native artists who use walrus ivory in traditional handicrafts, art, ceremonial regalia, and clothing. The bill previously passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “I want to thank my colleagues, especially Alaska Congressman Nick Begich, for working to get my A… Continue Reading

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05.21.26

Murkowski, Cortez Masto Introduce Bill to Strengthen Tribal Child Welfare Programs and Support Native Families

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) today introduced the Promoting Strong Native Families and Children Act. This bipartisan bill aims to strengthen Tribal child welfare programs by increasing federal funding, reducing administrative barriers, and giving Tribes more flexibility to provide culturally appropriate family support. U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) are original cosponsors. “The Alaska Native communities in … Continue Reading

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05.21.26

“We Cannot Look Away”: Murkowski Details Devastating Toll of Ex-Typhoon Halong on Western Alaska Villages, Need to Address Critical Gaps in Disaster Recovery and Relocation

WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, delivered a floor statement on the impacts of ex-Typhoon Halong, which displaced more than 1,000 Alaskans and devastated communities along the coast of Western Alaska last October. Murkowski convened a two-part field hearing in Anchorage and Bethel during the May recess to hear firsthand from Alaskans impacted by the storm. During her floor remarks, the Senator discussed ongoing recovery e… Continue Reading

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05.20.26

Alaska Delegation Applauds Signing of Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act

Washington, DC—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and U.S. Congressman Nick Begich (all R-Alaska) today applauded the enactment of H.R. 2815, the Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act, marking completion of a decades-long effort to fulfill a commitment made under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). This new law—signed by President Trump yesterday—waives a statutory requirement that would have compelled the Cape Fox Corporation, the Alaska Native Corporation for the … Continue Reading

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05.19.26

Murkowski Presses Acting AG on MMIW Crisis, State and Local Grants

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today questioned Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Fiscal Year 2027 budget request, focusing on substantial cuts to grant programs for local and state governments and the consolidation of offices that play a critical role in achieving justice for Alaskans. Murkowski also pressed the Acting Attorney General on the removal of the Not Invisible Act Commission’s final report from the DOJ and Department of… Continue Reading

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05.18.26

Alaska Delegation Celebrates First Oil from Pikka Development

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, and Congressman Nick Begich (all R-Alaska), today celebrated an announcement from Santos and Repsol that first oil has been produced at the Pikka development on Alaska’s North Slope. “This is one of the most significant achievements on the North Slope in decades and further cements the region’s renaissance. Pikka will help refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, create great jobs for Alaskans, and bring billions to the state over its li… Continue Reading

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05.14.26

Murkowski Discusses FY27 Budget with EPA Administrator Zeldin

Washington, DC—Yesterday, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, welcomed Lee Zeldin, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to discuss the agency’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2027. Senator Murkowski impressed upon Administrator Zeldin the importance of Tribal resilience as rural communities face increasingly devastating natural disasters. She also raised the bulk fuel crisis affecting… Continue Reading

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05.14.26

Murkowski: NOAA Decision on Chinook ESA Listing Provides Much-Needed Clarity

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today released the following statement after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) completed its review process and declined to list Chinook salmon as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). NOAA found that Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon do not meet the necessary criteria to be classified as threatened or endangered under the ESA. “NOAA made the right decision here, relying on sound science to determi… Continue Reading

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05.13.26

Murkowski Votes to Remove U.S. Armed Forces from Iran

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement following her vote on Senate Joint Resolution 163: “Today, the Senate voted on a resolution directing the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Iran, the eighth such resolution on this matter. I voted against the previous seven resolutions because I believed an abrupt withdrawal would endanger American forces and civilians in the region, but also because the president was operating within his … Continue Reading