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.
Delegation Introduces Bill Returning Healthcare Options to Alaskans
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, and Congressman Don Young introduced the Ensuring Health Care Opportunities Act of 2016 which will help Alaskans struggling with the high cost of health insurance, and strive to attract more insurance companies to Alaska. President Obama, and many of those who voted for the Affordable Care Act, promised that those who liked their healthcare coverage could keep it under Obamacare, and that the act would lower costs and increa… Continue Reading
09.14.16
Murkowski: 51 Medevacs and Counting from King Cove
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday spoke about an amendment she introduced to S. 2848, the Water Resources Development Act, that would facilitate a life-saving road for the isolated community of King Cove, Alaska. The amendment in identical to legislation she introduced in July and is cosponsored by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska). "What the people of King Cove are asking for is reliable… Continue Reading
09.14.16
Murkowski: Park Service Decision is a Victory for Small Business in Alaska
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the National Park Service's announcement that it will cancel the current contract solicitation, issue temporary contracts for mountaineering guides in Denali National Park and reissue a prospectus for these services in the coming months. The decision reflects the concerns of Alaska-owned mountaineering businesses with operations in the Park whose contracts may have been threatened due to ongoing issues with the solicitation p… Continue Reading
09.11.16
Murkowski Statement on Remembrance of 9/11 Attacks
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski shared her thoughts on the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on America: "The grief, shock, and horror that I felt on September 11, 2001, will forever be etched in my memory. "Today, 15 years later, we remember those who lost their lives in these terrible attacks. We pay tribute to the courage, bravery, and heroism shown by our first responders and fellow citizens who helped us make it through. And we honor all who have and continue to mak… Continue Reading
09.09.16
Alaska Delegation Urges State Department to Focus on Transboundary Issues
The Alaska Congressional Delegation joined together to again urge Secretary of State John Kerry to address the downstream risks that mining in British Columbia may pose to Alaska and Alaskans. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young wrote a letter (attached) to Secretary Kerry, seeking his Department's engagement in their efforts to ensure that British Columbia institutes appropriate safeguards to prevent potential negative impacts to transboundary waterways and fisherie… Continue Reading
09.08.16
Murkowski: This Is Our Chance to Modernize Our Energy Policy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today convened the first meeting of Senate and House conferees to S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016. This meeting marks the first time since 2005 that the Senate and the House have held conference on an energy bill. "Our task now is to develop a final bill that can be signed into law. That's my goal here. My goal is to update our energy policies in this country and get a conference report, a bill that can be signed into l… Continue Reading
09.07.16
Murkowski Welcomes Release of Strategic Petroleum Reserve Report
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the release of the Long-Term Strategic Review of the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which was prepared by the Department of Energy for Congress. "Our nation's strategic energy reserve is set to enter an era of unprecedented drawdowns, fundamentally transforming its nature and function," Murkowski said. "We have never before sold off so much oil, at such a pace, for such a long period of time. Both Congress and the Ad… Continue Reading
09.01.16
Alaska Delegation Congratulates Hockey Legend Scotty Gomez
ANCHORAGE, AK - Today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation congratulated Scotty Gomez on his retirement from the National Hockey League (NHL). "Scotty Gomez has had the most decorated hockey career of any Alaskan in history. Alaskans have been proud to watch one of our own achieve so much - from 16 seasons in the NHL including Rookie of the Year and two Stanley Cups to appearing in two NHL All-Star Games and even representing the U.S. in the Winter Olympics. He has captured the attention of eve… Continue Reading
08.30.16
Murkowski Addresses EpiPen Price Controversy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - After hearing from concerned constituents and reports that Alaskans are being charged upwards of $833 for Mylan EpiPens, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) called for an investigation into how and why the pharmaceutical company justifies EpiPen price increases. Murkowski asked Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-VT) for the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold a formal hearing on the issue in a letter (attached) that reads: "In Alaska, everything … Continue Reading
08.13.16
Murkowski to Hopper Again: Keep Alaska Sales in Next OCS Plan
Anchorage, AK - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday strongly urged Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Abigail Ross Hopper to preserve all three lease sales proposed for Alaska when it finalizes its offshore program for the years 2017 through 2022. Murkowski's request came during a face-to-face meeting yesterday afternoon in downtown Anchorage, as Hopper neared the end of a week touring Alaska. "I stressed to Director Hopper that Alaska must be allowed to develop its … Continue Reading
08.10.16
Murkowski Urges Fair Protest Period for Mammoth BLM Land Plan
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today strongly urged the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to provide Alaskans with sufficient time to review and challenge its "Proposed Regional Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement" (RMP/EIS or proposed Plan) for the Eastern Interior Planning Area of Alaska. "At more than 819,000 words, the proposed Plan is roughly 40 percent longer than the epic novel War and Peace-not to mention, far more technical and complex. Even if th… Continue Reading
08.04.16
Murkowski: FWS Rule Is Unwarranted Takeover of State’s Rights
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today slammed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for finalizing a new rule that preempts the State of Alaska's jurisdiction over wildlife management in national refuges within Alaska. The rule grants the FWS broad authority over predator control, bans science-based practices developed by the State of Alaska in consultation with the public, and will ultimately threaten wildlife populations that are vital for both subsistence and non-sub… Continue Reading
08.02.16
Alaska Delegation Praises F-35 Progress
ANCHORAGE, AK - Today the Alaska Congressional Delegation released the following statements after the U.S. Air Force announced that the first F-35A squadron capable of handling a range of combat missions, known as Initial Operating Capability (IOC), is now ready. IOC demonstrates the confidence the Air Force has in the F-35 program and their success in ensuring the first squadron is ready for combat. "This is a great step forward in our efforts to bring two squadrons of F-35s to Alaska. The IOC… Continue Reading
07.29.16
Murkowski Blasts BLM Proposal for Eastern Interior Planning Area
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today strongly criticized the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) "Proposed Regional Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement" (RMP/EIS) for the Eastern Interior Planning Area of Alaska. "While it will take time to pore through the 1,800 pages of this excessively complex and unwieldy proposal, BLM is clearly attempting to restrict economic opportunity in our eastern Interior region, and seeking to effectively withdraw over one mil… Continue Reading
07.29.16
Murkowski: Extension Ensures Alaskans Can Have a Voice in Public Lands Planning Process
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the National Park Service (NPS) agreed to extend the public comment period on its proposed Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve (WRST) Backcountry and Wilderness Stewardship Plan and General Management Plan by an additional 30 days. The Service's announcement comes after Sen. Murkowski sent a letter to the Service calling on the agency to extend the comment period. "This extension will he… Continue Reading
07.27.16
Sen. Murkowski Comments on BLM’s Decision to Take Next Step on NPR-A Development
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced it will issue a Notice of Intent (NOI) to conduct an environmental review for a proposed oil and gas development project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). "I am extremely pleased BLM is taking this vital first step toward additional development in the NPR-A. The initiation of the permitting process for the GMT-2 project builds on the suc… Continue Reading
07.22.16
Murkowski to Speak at Anchorage Chamber of Commerce’s “Make it Monday” Forum
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Monday, July 25th, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski will speak at the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce's "Make it Monday" Forum. Senator Murkowski will provide a legislative update focusing on the delegation's work in Washington, D.C.. Murkowski will focus on the military investments coming to Alaska that will not only create thousands of new full-time jobs but prove vital to the security of our nation. She will also provide an update on the status of her broad energy bill which wi… Continue Reading
07.19.16
Murkowski Aims to Boost Prosperity in Alaska
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has introduced new legislation that will significantly increase economic growth and create thousands of new jobs in Alaska while establishing vital revenue sources for the state and local governments. The measure, entitled the Alaska Economic Development and Access to Resources Act, reflects Murkowski's continued efforts to overcome federal resistance to responsible natural resource production in her home state. "Alaska has a wide array of… Continue Reading
07.15.16
Murkowski Issues Statement on Attack in France
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski issued the following statement on the terror attack that occurred in Nice, France last night: "Our hearts are with the people of France and all those who were affected by this heinous terrorist attack. We are grieving, praying, and sending strength to everyone who lost friends and family and the injured that are still fighting for their lives. "Officials say 84 individuals have been killed, 202 people wounded, with more than 50 in critical c… Continue Reading
07.15.16
Senate Passes Murkowski Bill to Ensure Tribal Employment Program Remains Intact
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after the Senate unanimously passed legislation she introduced to strengthen and reform Public Law 102-477 (also known as the 477 program), a comprehensive Native employment and training program: "The 477 program has proven to be an innovative and effective tool in providing education and training opportunities aimed to improve the quality of life in every region of Alaska. I am proud the Senate has recognize… Continue Reading
