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.
FAA Reauthorization Bill Heads to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Murkowski voted for the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016, legislation that strengthens security at airports, improves safety measures for airlines, and makes travel easier for passengers. The bill also includes a provision Senator Murkowski has supported, the reauthorization of six Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) test sites for five years until 2022, which includes the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 89-… Continue Reading
07.12.16
Murkowski: Strong Senate Vote Sends Energy Bill to Conference
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today led the Senate's approval of a motion to proceed to a formal conference with the House of Representatives on S. 2012, her broad, bipartisan energy legislation. "This vote is a critical milestone that will allow Congress to begin the first conference on major energy legislation in more than a decade," Murkowski said. "While we have differences to resolve, I am confident we are up to the task. Our bicameral negotiations will begin immed… Continue Reading
07.07.16
Murkowski Comments on Administration's Latest Arctic Regulation
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the Department of the Interior released its final regulation for energy development in the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). "I am reviewing this rule to determine whether the department took into account the substantive comments it received from Alaskans, including comments that were intended to resolve real defects in the draft proposal," Murkowski said. "What we know already is that one company invested nearly… Continue Reading
07.07.16
Murkowski Urges Senate to Mandate Labeling of GE Salmon
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor prior to the final vote on S.764, the Biotechnology Labeling Solutions Act. The legislation would allow the Agriculture Department to determine which foods qualify as genetically modified and let companies choose the method of disclosing genetically modified organism (GMO) ingredients to consumers. On the Senate floor, Murkowski voiced her opposition to the bill because it does not mandate clear, unequivocal labels on geneticall… Continue Reading
07.04.16
Murkowski Wishes Alaskans a Happy Fourth of July
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) shared the following message with Alaskans on Independence Day: "Happy Independence Day, Alaska! July 4th is a day when Americans join in celebration. Whether you are watching the big parade in Wasilla, joining in the egg toss in Wrangell, or racing Mount Marathon in Seward, Alaskans know how to celebrate. But as we come together today, let us remember the freedoms and liberties we enjoy as Americans are not free. The men and women of our armed forces pu… Continue Reading
06.29.16
Murkowski Presses Education Secretary on Important Education Issues for Alaska
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski questioned Secretary of Education Dr. John B. King, Jr. on two issues of importance for Alaska's schools, students, educators, and communities-whether he would approve Alaska's request for a waiver from federal testing requirements, and whether he would rescind or exempt Alaska from a proposed new priority for federal competitive education grants. Murkowski began her exchange with Dr. King by following up on her questions from an April hearing and her June 23rd… Continue Reading
06.29.16
Cassidy, Murkowski, Scott, Sullivan, Tillis and Vitter Introduce Offshore Revenue Sharing Bill
US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) introduced the American Energy and Conservation Act of 2016. This legislation will provide for more equitable revenue sharing for states involved in existing, new or future energy production from both onshore and offshore leasing areas. It also makes important investments in various conservation and … Continue Reading
06.24.16
Second Session of Summer Interns Arrive in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski welcomed her second session of summer interns to Washington, D.C. to assist in her office for three weeks. These recent high school graduates of the Class of 2016 will receive a behind-the-scenes look into the operations of a U.S. Senate office by shadowing Murkowski throughout the day, helping with administrative and clerical tasks, and assisting staff with research projects. "Each summer I look forward to having interns in my office, offering t… Continue Reading
06.23.16
Murkowski Supports Protecting Americans from Terrorists, Defending Second Amendment Rights and Civil Liberties
After the U.S. Senate voted on a series of legislative proposals this week in the wake of the Orlando tragedy, Murkowski issued the following statement: "I believe we can all agree that we want to keep Americans safe and keep guns out of the hands of terrorists, criminals, and the mentally unstable. However I also strongly believe that Americans should not be forced to prove their innocence before losing a basic right. If the government is going to deny a U.S. citizen the right to purchase a fi… Continue Reading
06.23.16
Murkowski: We Must Provide Firefighting Resources, End Fire Borrowing, and Improve Forest Management
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today received testimony on a bipartisan discussion draft entitled the "Wildfire Budgeting, Response and Forest Management Act", which would address the serious challenges of wildfire funding and forest management. Murkowski released the draft bill on May 25, 2016 with Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.; Jim Risch, R-Idaho; and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho. Click to view video "People across the country are realizi… Continue Reading
06.23.16
Murkowski: Help on the Way for Many Alaska Communities Facing High Energy Costs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for announcing that nine grant applications to assist rural Alaska communities have made it to the final level of review under its High Energy Cost Grants Program, which is designed to assist families and individuals in areas with extremely high household energy costs. USDA is in the process of awarding $16 million through the program to upgrade local energy generation, transmission, and … Continue Reading
06.22.16
Interior Heeds Murkowski’s Demand to Act on Contaminated Lands
Washington, D.C. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will today release a report, which was required to be completed by a provision of law authored by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), that will help fulfill the agency's duty to identify sites throughout Alaska that were contaminated before they were conveyed to Alaska Native Corporations under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). BLM's report is a critical step in identifying a comprehensive list of contaminated sites and en… Continue Reading
06.22.16
Murkowski Welcomes PILT Payments to Alaskan Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced the Department of the Interior is distributing nearly $29 million to Alaskan communities to help offset losses in property taxes due to nontaxable federal lands within their boundaries. As Chairman of the Senate Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Murkowski ensured the PILT program was robustly funded for Fiscal Year 2016 and is fully funded for Fiscal Year 2017. The Payments in Lieu … Continue Reading
06.21.16
Murkowski: Administration’s Proposed Land Use Planning Rule Troublesome For Alaska
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, delivered the following opening statement at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Public Lands, Forests and Mining Subcommittee hearing held today to conduct oversight on the Bureau of Land Management's proposed land use planning rule known as "Planning 2.0." Click picture to view video of Murkowski's opening statement "As you know, Mr. Chairman, the focus of this hearing is to provide oversight on the BLM's proposed land use planning rul… Continue Reading
06.16.16
Murkowski’s Interior Bill Recognizes Unique Needs for Southeast Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced a series of provisions within her Fiscal Year 2017 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to provide resources and support programs with significant impacts in communities throughout Southeast Alaska. As Chairman of this subcommittee, Murkowski was able to give Alaskans a strong voice as she crafted the bill. The bill was approved by the full Appropriations Committee and now heads to the Senate floor for fin… Continue Reading
06.16.16
Murkowski’s Chairmanship Yields Results for Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced a series of provisions within her Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to provide resources and support programs with significant impacts in communities throughout Alaska. As Chairman of this subcommittee, Murkowski was able to give Alaskans a strong voice as she crafted the bill. The bill was approved by the full Appropriations Committee and now heads to the Senate floor for final consideration. "With ou… Continue Reading
06.16.16
Murkowski Leverages Chairmanship to Invest in Rural Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced a series of provisions within the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to provide resources and support programs with significant impacts in communities across rural Alaska. As Chairman of this subcommittee, Murkowski was able to give Alaskans a strong voice as she crafted the bill. Their input led to full funding for the Native healthcare system, support for subsistence, resources for rural health clinics… Continue Reading
06.15.16
Murkowski’s Interior Chairmanship Yields Health and Wellness Initiatives for Alaska
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski announced provisions in her Fiscal Year 2017 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that will help combat domestic violence, substance abuse, and suicide through programs in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Indian Health Service (IHS). The Subcommittee approved the bill, which will be considered by the full Appropriations Committee on Thursday. "The heart-wrenching truth is that many Alaskans struggle with these issues and we simply cann… Continue Reading
06.15.16
Murkowski’s Work Boosts Wildfire Prevention, Suppression Efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Through her work as Chairman of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) worked to fully fund wildfire suppression needs to ensure the safety of Alaskans and our resources. The Fiscal Year 2017 Interior appropriations bill contains several provisions that directly meet Alaska's needs - providing the resources necessary to combat wildfires, funding to address preventative wildfire measures, and promoting res… Continue Reading
06.15.16
Murkowski Protects Alaskans from Overreaching Hunting and Fishing Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As Chairman of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) unveiled legislation with provisions to halt the implementation of multiple proposed federal rules, one of which would close areas for hunting and fishing, impeding on the State of Alaska's right to manage wildlife within the borders of the State. "This proposed rule is incredibly unsettling to the people of Alaska, as it contains provisions that woul… Continue Reading
