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.
Sen. Murkowski: Need for King Cove Road Remains Indisputable
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell listing the medevacs carried out from King Cove, Alaska, in the 14 months since Jewell rejected an 11-mile, one-lane, gravel, non-commercial road that would have provided reliable medical transport to the all-weather airport in nearby Cold Bay. "I was surprised and dis… Continue Reading
03.10.15
Murkowski: ATF Backing Away from Unlawful Ammo Ban
Senator Lisa Murkowski today welcomed news from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that it is rescinding its recent unilateral "framework," which threatened to limit access to rifle ammunition that is used by Alaskans and sportsmen nationwide. The ATF's proposal expressly went against the 1986 Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act, and Senator Murkowski reminded the ATF of this yesterday in a letter from her and 51 of her Senate colleagues. "The fact that the ATF wou… Continue Reading
03.06.15
Delegation Doubles Down on Army Alaska Troop Levels
On the heels of two supportive and spirited United States Army listening sessions in Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska's Congressional Delegation is sending a message to the military: given current global volatility, not only should Alaska hold onto current troops, the state should be considered for more. The United States Army is currently undergoing a national survey of thirty U.S. Army bases for potential troop reductions, and recently remarked on the tremendous turnout from Alaskans in suppor… Continue Reading
03.05.15
Murkowski Continues Push for DOJ Transparency, Trust
Senator Murkowski today announced she is co-sponsoring the bipartisan Inspector General Access Act (S.618), to improve and promote accountability standards within the U.S. Department of Justice to restore Americans' trust in law enforcement. This legislation will allow the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General to investigate all allegations of misconduct. Currently, allegations of attorney misconduct are investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility, which reports to the Attorney Ge… Continue Reading
03.05.15
Bipartisan Agreement: Arctic Holds Strategic Value for United States
On a perfectly snowy day in Washington, DC, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., hosted a hearing on the economic and strategic opportunities in the Arctic as the United States prepares to assume the leadership of the international Arctic Council. Click photo to play video of Sen. Murkowski's opening statement "We are an Arctic nation because of Alaska, but truly the Arctic touches all 50 states and the … Continue Reading
03.05.15
Senators Murkowski, King Announce U.S. Senate Arctic Caucus
Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Angus King (I-ME) today announced they are forming the United States Senate Arctic Caucus in order to open up a broader conversation about the nation's future in the region as the United States prepares to accede to the Chair of the Arctic Council. "The United States is an Arctic Nation because of Alaska, but the Arctic community is a partner to each and every state; the sooner we fully engage and take on a leadership role, the better," said Senator Murkowski.… Continue Reading
03.04.15
Murkowski: Interior Budget Proposal ‘Wishful Thinking’
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Chairman of the Interior Appropriations subcommittee, today criticized the Interior Department's $12.1 billion budget proposal for programs within the subcommittee's jurisdiction- including the over $1 billion increase - for ignoring the statutory caps placed on Congress by the Budget Control Act. Senator Murkowski also pressed Interior Secretary Sally Jewell on a number of issues important to Alaska: Arctic infrastructure, offshore oil development, revenu… Continue Reading
03.02.15
Sens. Murkowski, Heinrich Announce Growing Bipartisan Support for Sportsmen’s Act
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) today announced 12 new Republican and Democratic cosponsors to the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2015. The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act, which was introduced last month, includes a broad array of bipartisan measures to enhance opportunities for hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, reauthorize key conservation programs, improve access to public lands, and help boost the outdoor recreation economy. "Growing support … Continue Reading
02.27.15
Murkowski Works to Boost Food Security for Youth During Summer
Senator Lisa Murkowski today introduced bipartisan legislation to cut red tape and unnecessary federal mandates that threaten to prevent thousands of Alaskan children in need of nutritious summer meals from receiving meals that are normally provided by schools during the school year. The Summer Meals Act, co-sponsored by Murkowski and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), would make it easier for community organizations to feed children through the Summer Food Service Program, which provides free,… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Murkowski Working with Dept. of Transportation to Get Diomede Deliveries
Senator Lisa Murkowski reached out today to Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, calling his attention to the critical situation faced by the island community of Little Diomede. Mechanical and weather conditions have made the regular supply helicopters and other aircraft unable to deliver goods like food or prescription drugs - requiring Murkowski's efforts to get even a special flight there on February 13th. Photo Courtesy: U.S. Coast Guard In a letter (attached) to Secr… Continue Reading
02.25.15
Murkowski Calls for “New Leadership” at Indian Health Service
Senator Lisa Murkowski today told former Acting Director of the Indian Health Service, Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, that she would not support a nomination for her to resume running the federal department that has consistently failed to deliver on the most basic federal trust obligations for America's First People. Though the Obama Administration claimed to be considering Roubideaux for I.H.S. Director, Murkowski suggested they look for "new leadership" instead that can work as partners with Alaska N… Continue Reading
02.24.15
Sen. Murkowski Statement on President Obama’s Veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today criticized President Obama's veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline Act (S.1), legislation that would approve the cross-border permit allowing for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. "Today, President Obama said no to job creation, no to new energy infrastructure, no to affordable energy, and no to greater North American energy security. With his veto of the Keystone XL pipeline, Preside… Continue Reading
02.23.15
Murkowski: Nome Port Project is Step Forward in Arctic
Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the Army Corps of Engineers' release of its feasibility report and environmental assessment for a Nome port that would boost marine traffic and infrastructure development in the region: "I commend the Corps of Engineers for its thoughtful and well-researched report identifying Nome as the site to develop an Arctic port that could mean a lot for jobs on the Seward Peninsula and the infrastructure to support our nation's Arctic future. "Though this is ju… Continue Reading
02.23.15
Murkowski Shares Thoughts on Black History Month
Senator Murkowski today shared her thoughts about the contributions of African Americans to the United States in honor of Black History Month: (Click image to watch video.) "Every February, millions of Americans come together to celebrate Black History Month. This month is an opportunity for us to honor the important role African Americans have played and continue to play in our great nation, and a chance to remember their struggles, accomplishments and contributions. "From Martin Luth… Continue Reading
02.20.15
Sen. Murkowski Comments on Interior’s Draft Arctic Regulations
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today issued the following statement on the Department of the Interior's new draft regulations for oil and natural gas activities in Alaska's Chukchi and Beaufort seas: "We're still reviewing the draft regulations released today to see what impact they could have on the economic development of our vast Arctic resources. Responsible development of our Arctic resources is important the economic future of both Alaska and the nation as a whole. Given the oppositi… Continue Reading
02.13.15
Murkowski Co-Sponsors Bill Empowering Alaska’s Craft Brewers
Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she is co-sponsoring S.375, the Small Brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce Act (The Small BREW Act), to promote local job growth, clear the way for these small businesses to expand, and level the playing field for Alaska's small breweries by restructuring the tax rates paid by small brewers. As Co-Chair of the Senate Brewers' Caucus, Senator Murkowski originally co-sponsored the bill when it was introduced back in 2013 and continues to advocate for … Continue Reading
02.13.15
Murkowski Backs Bill to “Shut the Door” on New Internet Taxes
Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she is co-sponsoring the bipartisan Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act, a bill to ban taxes on Internet access and other forms of unnecessary e-commerce taxation that could cause pricey tax hikes on Alaskans who already pay the highest Internet access rates in the nation. Since 1998, Congress has banned taxes on Internet access through a limited moratorium, which is scheduled to expire on October 1, 2015. The Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act would permanent… Continue Reading
02.12.15
Murkowski Votes for Secretary of Defense Nominee Ashton Carter
Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted in support of Dr. Ashton Carter's nomination to be America's next Secretary of Defense, discussing her decision afterwards, saying: "When I met with Dr. Ashton Carter yesterday, two things became clear: he is an intelligent, capable candidate to oversee the Pentagon; but more importantly he understands the strategic and tactical value of Alaska to our national security. His intellectual breadth and judgment are incredibly important as we deal with a complex, v… Continue Reading
02.11.15
Murkowski Stresses Arctic Urgency, Balance with Secretary Kerry
Senator Lisa Murkowski today sat down with Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss the nation's role in the Arctic as the U.S. will assume the Chair of the Arctic Council in April. Considered the top voice on Arctic matters on Capitol Hill, Murkowski joined Secretary Kerry and the U.S. Special Representative to the Arctic, Admiral Robert J. Papp, at the State Department Headquarters. Speaking about the conversation afterwards, Murkowski saw the meeting as a positive signal that Secretary Kerry… Continue Reading
02.10.15
Murkowski and Sullivan Fight Unilateral Land and Water Blocks by Executive Branch
Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan introduced the Improved National Monument Designation Process Act today, legislation that would prohibit any White House from unilaterally designating national monuments on federal lands and waters under a century-old measure called the Antiquities Act without Congressional approval and the approval of affected state's legislatures. "It is clear that this White House is more concerned with securing its environmental legacy than protecting the economic we… Continue Reading
