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 Reacts to President Obama’s Gun Control Measures
Today U.S. Senator Murkowski responded to President Obama's announcement on his proposed gun control actions, saying: "Our Second Amendment rights are non-negotiable. Many Alaskans depend on the Second Amendment to safeguard their way of life, whether it's for personal protection, subsistence, or sports and recreation. I have worked hard to ensure that these rights are not infringed upon and I will continue to do so. "The President is no friend of practical bipartisan solutions to the gun vi… Continue Reading
01.05.16
Murkowski Welcomes Decision Not to List Alexander Archipelago Wolf as Threatened
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to deny listing the Alexander Archipelago wolf as either threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). "Alaska has the largest population of gray wolves in America. There is agreement that the gray wolf population in Southeast Alaska is healthy and stable in most places and growing in others," Murkowski said. "At a time when timber harvesting on Prince of… Continue Reading
12.24.15
Murkowski Wishes Alaskans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski shared her thoughts with Alaskans this holiday season: "The end of the year is often regarded as a time of celebration, a time of hope, and a time of reflection. And as we gather with our family and friends this year, I encourage you to cherish those you love, and give thanks for that which we hold most dear. Let's also make time to think about the achievements and progress in the past year, and resolve to build upon them. As Alaskans we are blessed with incre… Continue Reading
12.23.15
Two Years Later, Still No Help for King Cove
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement to mark the two-year anniversary of the Obama administration's heartless rejection of a short, life-saving road for the isolated village of King Cove, Alaska. "I will never understand how the administration made its initial decision, or why it has continued to fail the people of King Cove ever since. Instead of protecting human lives, the administration has only managed to waste scarce resources on a shallow study of … Continue Reading
12.22.15
Murkowski: Investment in Arctic Through Omnibus Bill
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced many provisions within the year-end budget bill to fund the federal government that will lay the groundwork for increased research and investment in the Arctic. Included are provisions to spur construction of a Polar icebreaker, support research both onshore and offshore, and increase safety in Alaska's waters. "The Arctic is a national asset and should be treated as a national priority. As new possibilities and opportunities emerge in the Arctic, it … Continue Reading
12.18.15
Murkowski Hails Path Forward for Point Spencer Development
Today U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) praised the Senate's action to approve the Point Spencer Land Conveyance Act. Murkowski introduced the bicameral legislation with Congressman Don Young (R-AK) in May, to streamline future infrastructure development and potential uses of Point Spencer, Alaska by calling for the conveyance of approximately 2,500 acres of federal lands to local, state, and federal stakeholders. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a co-sponsor of the legislation and a member of the Sen… Continue Reading
12.18.15
Murkowski Champions Alaska Priorities in Year-End Budget Bill
Today the U.S. Senate approved the year-end budget package, known as the omnibus bill, to fund the federal government for the upcoming fiscal year. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured a number of initiatives important to Alaska outside of the jurisdiction of the subcommittee on Interior Appropriations, which she chairs. A summary of Alaska-specific provisions in the omnibus bill appears on the following pages. Click here to view the Alaska pri… Continue Reading
12.18.15
Murkowski Announces Interior Provisions in Year-End Omnibus Bill to Benefit Alaska
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced a series of provisions within the year-end omnibus budget package that will approve, support, and fund a broad range of initiatives important to Alaska. Murkowski secured many of the provisions through her role as Chairman of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, which provides Alaska with a strong voice in federal budget negotiations. Today the Senate voted on the bill which passed in a vote of 65-33. (Sena… Continue Reading
12.17.15
Senator Murkowski Releases Statement on Fairbanks Four
Today Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) shared her thoughts on the outcome of the 'Fairbanks Four' case: "I am pleased that the State of Alaska agreed to set aside the convictions of the Fairbanks Four based on the new evidence that has been developed and that Judge Lyle has accepted the settlement agreement today. I first took up the cause of the Fairbanks Four in 2013, asking the State of Alaska to take a hard look at whether their convictions were just. I concurrently asked the US Department of … Continue Reading
12.17.15
Murkowski Works to Support Alaska’s Fisheries and Protect Consumers through Omnibus Bill
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) welcomed the addition of multiple provisions she sponsored in the year-end budget bill to fund the federal government that will both protect American consumers and support Alaska's vital fishing industry. These provisions include a labelling mandate for genetically engineered (GE) salmon, a change in nomenclature of Alaska pollock to minimize consumer confusion, support for visa programs that provide much-needed workers during the busy fish processing sea… Continue Reading
12.17.15
Senator Murkowski Ensures Fully-Funded Wildfire Budget
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today highlighted her efforts to ensure that the omnibus appropriations bill included language to fully fund wildfire suppression efforts for the rest of Fiscal Year 2016. As part of her remarks, delivered this afternoon on the Senate floor, Murkowski reiterated that a long-term wildfire and forestry management bill is one of her top priorities as chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "It should go without saying that our nation'… Continue Reading
12.16.15
Murkowski: End of the Year Package Could Have Big Impacts on Alaska
Congress has reached an agreement on a year-end spending and tax package that sets federal funding levels for the next year and extends a series of tax breaks. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, had a major role in crafting the final package. The spending bill sustains Alaska's contribution to national defense, funds the delivery of the benefits that our veterans have earned, protects our fisheries, and fulfills the federal government's comm… Continue Reading
12.16.15
Murkowski: Oil Export Ban Repeal is Win for Alaska, Nation
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed inclusion in the year-end spending bill of language she has long championed to repeal the decades-long ban on crude oil exports. "Allowing oil exports is an important step forward in ensuring that our energy policies reflect our nation's renewed abundance of resources. Not only will oil exports help safeguard our long-term economic prosperity, but it will also spur job creation across the country and deliver much-needed revenue to state and lo… Continue Reading
12.10.15
Murkowski: Terrorism Should Prompt Renewed Focus on Energy Security
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today highlighted terrorism and instability throughout the Middle East, Africa, and other oil-producing regions as reasons for policymakers to focus on greater domestic energy production and greater energy security. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, made her comments Thursday morning during a hearing she convened to examine the intersection between terrorism and global oil markets. She also criticized a group of Se… Continue Reading
12.09.15
Murkowski: America’s Public Lands Should be Open Unless Closed
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke on the Senate floor to highlight important legislation she has sponsored to provide millions of sportsmen and sportswomen with greater access to and new opportunities on public lands. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, urged her Senate colleagues to support her Sportsmen's Act (S. 556), which she shepherded through the committee in November. That measure, along with a measure (S. 659) being considered by the… Continue Reading
12.09.15
Murkowski: Energy Vital to National Security
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today highlighted three reports produced during the past year by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources majority staff on the growing volatility in Iraq, the rise of ISIS and its black market oil sales, and the relationship between global petroleum outages and instability. "Understanding what's happening when it comes to the links between terrorism and the sale of oil into the world market will inform our own policies as we seek to ensure that America and o… Continue Reading
12.08.15
Murkowski: National Park Centennial Opportunity to Ensure Sustainability for Next 100 Years
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today urged National Park Service (NPS) officials to look for innovative ways to fund the nation's park systems on the 100th anniversary of the agency and to take steps to meet the evolving needs of the next generation of visitors. Click picture to view video of Murkowski's opening statement. "The centennial offers us a chance to ensure the national park system's sustainability for the next 100 years. And it will take a serious effort to achieve that g… Continue Reading
12.07.15
Sen. Murkowski Highlights Alaska’s Leadership in Energy Innovation
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week highlighted the energy innovation occurring in some of Alaska's most isolated communities as local leaders seek to reduce the cost of electricity through a variety of cutting-edge technologies. Click here to view video of Thursday's event Speaking Thursday at an event hosted by The Hill newspaper on microgrids and innovation, Murkowski said that integrating a mix of local renewable resources - hydro and wind, chiefly - is a way for many Alaska co… Continue Reading
12.03.15
Murkowski Votes for Long-Term Highway Bill
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski voted on the final version of the transportation funding agreement, the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which passed by a vote of 83-16. The legislation provides funding for our nation's surface transportation needs over the next five years, from highways to ferries and railroads. Senator Murkowski was a member of the surface transportation conference committee to negotiate the differences between both the House of Representatives and the U.… Continue Reading
12.03.15
Federal Government Has Failed to Keep Promises Made in ANILCA
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today called for the federal government to live up to the promises made in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), legislation that was signed into law 35 years ago that has helped protect many of Alaska's most treasured lands. Click photo to view video of Murkowski's opening statement. "The 35th anniversary of ANILCA is an opportunity to examine how the law has - and has not - worked for Alaskans and all Americans. This is also a per… Continue Reading
