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.
Murkowski Works to Support Alaska’s Fisheries and Critical Nutrition Programs
The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2017 appropriations bill, sending it to the full Senate for consideration. The bill contains a number of priorities U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured for Alaska, including provisions that will both protect American consumers and support Alaska's vital fishing industry. These provisions include a labeling mandate for genetically engin… Continue Reading
05.19.16
Military Construction, VA, and Transportation Funding Bill Passes the Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 2577, the THUD/MILCON-VA Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2017, by a vote of 89-8. The bill contains numerous Alaska-specific provisions secured by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), including $561 million to support crucial defense projects in the state. It also addresses critical healthcare issues in the Alaska VA, and includes support for transportation programs that provide vital services for many Alaskans. Military Construction: Mur… Continue Reading
05.19.16
Murkowski Calls for Senate Action on Affordable Care Act
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor to outline the numerous ways the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has failed Alaskans and the rest of the nation, and called for action in the Senate to repeal and fix this unworkable law. The speech comes on the heels of Moda Health announcing its withdrawal from the Alaskan market in 2017, which forces nearly 14,000 Alaskans to change insurers next year and leaves Alaskans with only one option for health insurance on the individual market. … Continue Reading
05.18.16
Murkowski Introduces Foreign Spill Protection Act
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Foreign Spill Protection Act of 2016, ensuring taxpayers are not stuck with the bill if oil from a foreign spill spreads into American waters. As the law currently stands, responsible parties would only face up to $1 billion in damages for oil spills that originate in other countries' waters and eventually impact American waters. The Foreign Spill Protection Act amends the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990 by correcting a gap to make it possi… Continue Reading
05.18.16
Murkowski, Sullivan, Young Press Interior on Alaska OCS Development
Washington, D.C. - Alaska's congressional delegation - Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young - on Tuesday sent a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell urging the Department to keep all three lease sales proposed for Alaska's OCS in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) final Five-Year Program for the years 2017 to 2022. "The areas under consideration for leasing in Alaska's OCS contain vast resources that our nation will need to maintain its economy and security.… Continue Reading
05.17.16
Murkowski: Our Nation Must Lead on Nuclear Energy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today conducted oversight of the innovation taking place in the nation's advanced nuclear industry. Murkowski highlighted a range of emerging technologies, the need to remove barriers to their domestic deployment, and the importance of the United States remaining the global leader on nuclear energy. Click picture to view video "We are entering a new era for nuclear power. The opportunity for innovation in nuclear technologies has not been … Continue Reading
05.13.16
Senators Honor Heroes of the Last Frontier
The U.S. Senate passed a resolution (attached), introduced by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Alaska State Troopers and honoring the "first responders of the last frontier" and their families for their service and sacrifice. In 1941, the 15th Territorial Legislature established the Alaska Highway Patrol, an organization created for the sole purpose of enforcing the traffic code in the territory. That organization grew and evolved into what… Continue Reading
05.12.16
AK Delegation Calls for International Cooperation on Canadian Mines
Amid concerns about how the development of several hardrock mines in British Columbia could negatively affect waterways and fisheries in Southeast Alaska, Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young wrote a letter (attached) to Secretary of State John Kerry, urging for action. The Alaska Congressional Delegation called upon the Secretary to raise these issues and concerns at the international level and secure commitment from Canadian leaders to ensure that the appropriate en… Continue Reading
05.12.16
Murkowski Secures Funding for Water Projects and Energy Innovation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the U.S. Senate passed the first funding bill of the year, the FY17 Energy and Water Appropriations bill in a vote of 90-8. This is the first time since 2009 the U.S. Senate has passed this appropriations measure on the floor as a standalone bill under regular order. The measure will fund U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) programs and critical infrastructure projects administered by the Army Corps of Engineers. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Lisa Murk… Continue Reading
05.12.16
Murkowski: DOE’s Inspector General Must Be Fully Independent and Exercise Good Judgement
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today examined the qualifications of Susan Beard to be inspector general of the Department of Energy. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, asked Beard about her qualifications and called attention to the significance of the position of inspector general at a hearing held earlier today. Click picture to view video "I think we can all agree that the Department of Energy needs a permanent Inspector General… Continue Reading
05.06.16
Murkowski, Cantwell Call on Sec. Moniz to Work with Israel on Advancing Energy Innovation
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the committee's ranking member, on Thursday sent a letter to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz seeking information on the department's lack of movement on the U.S.-Israel Energy Center. "We wrote to you on May 12, 2015, asking that you work to establish a cutting-edge, United States-Israel Energy Center focused on academic and industry research to advance energy innovatio… Continue Reading
05.04.16
Murkowski Introduces Legislation to Create Firefighter Cancer Registry
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has joined with Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) to introduce S. 2799, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act. The bill creates a voluntary national database of firefighters diagnosed with the life-threatening disease. Research suggests that throughout their career, firefighters are exposed to harmful toxins which create an increased risk for several major cancers. The legislation would establish a central registry to collect data and improve research activities on … Continue Reading
04.27.16
Land Transfer Legislation to Improve Healthcare Access Passes Senate Committee
Today the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs passed S. 2421, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convey property to both the Tanana Tribal Council and Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation. This land will be used in connection with health and social services programs in both Tanana and Dillingham. The land transfers will allow the Tanana Tribal Council develop a Community Wellness … Continue Reading
04.26.16
Murkowski Announces Participants in Phase Two of Remote Alaska Communities Energy Efficiency Competition
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced the 13 rural communities selected for targeted technical assistance funding as part of the next phase of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Remote Alaska Communities Energy Efficiency (RACEE) competition. "Alaska's remote communities pay more for energy than just about anywhere else in the country," Murkowski said. "Promoting energy innovation in every way we can is important, and that includes improved energy efficiency. The … Continue Reading
04.26.16
Murkowski Highlights Need, Opportunity to Boost American Oil and Gas Development in Low Price Environment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today called the current low price environment surrounding oil and gas development an opportunity to pursue federal reforms that will boost energy production and provide economic benefits across the nation. Murkowski pointed to state-level efforts in Alaska as an example of how timely policies can encourage investment and noted a range of actions that should be taken at the federal level. Click picture to view video "Oil and gas prices are… Continue Reading
04.25.16
Murkowski’s Appropriations Work Strengthens Alaska’s Communities, Fisheries
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2017 appropriations bill, which contains several priorities U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski secured for Alaska. As a member of this subcommittee, Murkowski included provisions to strengthen Alaska's fisheries and support justice services and law enforcement efforts throughout the state. "The funds contained in this bill support a wide array of key programs in Alaska-including components to h… Continue Reading
04.25.16
Murkowski Secures Funds to Address Alaska’s Unique Transportation Needs
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (T-HUD) appropriations bill, which includes several Alaska-specific provisions secured by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). "Alaska's transportation needs are unique and diverse, and I thank my fellow Senate appropriators for providing the funds to address these needs," said Senator Murkowski. "Many of the programs supported in this appropriations bill provide critical services to some of Alaska mo… Continue Reading
04.22.16
Alaska Delegation Praises Missile Defense Agency Announcement for Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska
Today the Alaska Congressional Delegation welcomed the announcement by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) that it is examining the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak as a potential site for missile defense flight testing for regional missile defense systems, such as the Theatre High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system. MDA today released a Notice of Intent for a Sole Source Contract for the Alaska Aerospace Corporation in Federal Business Opportunities, the federal government's online acquisition… Continue Reading
04.21.16
Murkowski and Young Host Panel on Potential Dangers of GE Salmon
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Congressman Don Young (R-AK) hosted a genetically engineered salmon briefing to discuss the potential risks of the world's first FDA-approved genetically engineered animal for human consumption. This effort took steps to educate and build awareness about the inappropriate approval process taken by the FDA, the potential ecological impacts, health risks, and the dangers of not properly labeling genetically engineered (GE) salmon. The briefing also was … Continue Reading
04.21.16
Murkowski Stands Up for Alaska’s Sportsmen and Women
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today highlighted her efforts to expand and enhance sportsmen's access by making public lands throughout Alaska and the nation "open unless closed" for fishing, hunting, recreational shooting, and other outdoor activities. Murkowski successfully included her Sportsmen's Act and several other sportsmen's provisions in the broad, bipartisan energy bill that passed the Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 85 to 12. "For too long, access to our pub… Continue Reading
