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 Urges Action After 60 Minutes Report on Rare Earths
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after 60 Minutes reported on the United States' dependence on China for rare earth elements - and the consequences that could hold for our nation. "I'm grateful that 60 Minutes investigated the depth of America's dependence on China for rare earths, and has now shared that story with its millions of viewers," Murkowski said. "From my perspective, this is not just a matter of what China has done to pull ahead, but what our … Continue Reading
03.19.15
Sen. Murkowski: Ending Oil Export Ban holds Economic, Geopolitical Benefits for U.S.
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today stressed the economic and national security benefits of ending the 1975 federal ban on exporting domestically produced crude oil at a hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Click to view video "It's time to reexamine the decades-old ban on crude oil exports and modernize our energy policies," Murkowski said. "Our nation's energy landscape has changed dramatically in the last decade alone. Lifting the export ban and allowing … Continue Reading
03.18.15
Missile Defense to Murkowski: Long Range Radar a “Must Have”
As the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee conducts its annual reviews of federal agency spending and priorities, Senator Lisa Murkowski today used the appearance of Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Director Admiral James Syring on Capitol Hill to get clarity about Alaska's pre-eminent role in the nation's defense. At a hearing of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, the importance of Alaska's missile fields at Fort Greely were a focal point, along with the Long Range Discrimination Rad… Continue Reading
03.18.15
Murkowski: Forest Service Failing Alaska Communities
Senator Lisa Murkowski today pressed U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell on the agency's failure to address the needs of Southeast Alaska communities affected by federal forested lands in its 2016 budget request. Click photo for video Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Interior Subcommittee, criticized the Forest Service's commitment to rural communities who depend on revenues from timber activities on federal forested lands. "The Forest Service should manage our forests for… Continue Reading
03.18.15
Murkowski Has “Dallas Déjà Vu” After Iditarod Repeat
Senator Lisa Murkowski today congratulated Dallas Seavey for his impressive repeat performance in winning his 2nd straight Iditarod Sled Dog Race - and 3rd win in 4 years. Beyond that, today's victory marks the fourth straight win for the Seavey family, and his father Mitch is still on track to be a top finisher, currently placed 2nd. "I want to congratulate Dallas Seavey on demonstrating a wisdom beyond his years out there on the trail, which surely is something he learned from his father, g… Continue Reading
03.17.15
Murkowski: Premera Blue Cross Cyberattack Raises Wider Issue of Cybersecurity
Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the news that the Premera Blue Cross IT system was hacked into, putting the security of millions of personal records at risk, saying: "Today's news that Premera Blue Cross' information technology system was the target of a cyberattack is a clear indication that the protections for our private information must not only be sophisticated, they must be constantly improving to meet the ever-evolving nature of cyberattacks. "As the Chairman of the Energy Com… Continue Reading
03.17.15
Sen. Murkowski: Concerns About Electric Reliability Must be taken Seriously as Grid Modernizes
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today said reliability and affordability must remain core considerations as innovation, the deployment of new technologies, and the impact of public policy choices begin to transform the U.S. power system. Advances in technologies, including smart grid and storage, must be carefully integrated as the grid is modernized in order to maintain reliability and avoid unintended consequences, Murkowski, the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committe… Continue Reading
03.16.15
Murkowski Fighting Federal Government For Fish, Tourism Jobs
Senator Lisa Murkowski and 13 of her U.S. Senate colleagues are urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor to resume accepting and processing H-2B visas for seasonal jobs across Alaska in the fishing, resource and visitor industries. The federal H-2B program allows businesses to hire workers from foreign countries for positions and jobs they have not succeeded at filling with local workers after a given amount of time, as well as workers crucial to Alaska's seafood… Continue Reading
03.13.15
Murkowski Waging Frankenfish Fight in Senate with New Bill
Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she is introducing bipartisan legislation cracking down on the potential introduction of Genetically Engineered Salmon, or "Frankenfish." Murkowski's bill is being co-sponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell, Martin Heinrich and Jeff Merkley, and would add two conditions: compulsory labeling of the product if it proceeds to market, and a stringent Environmental Impact Study be done beforehand assessing the potential risks and threats posed by the synthetically… Continue Reading
03.12.15
Landlocked: Murkowski Explains Alaskans’ Access Frustrations
Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released a video to help broadcast the Alaska #ThisIsOurAlaska movement's agenda to a wider national audience. With Alaskans reeling from the Obama administration's ongoing efforts to block off millions of onshore and offshore acres from energy development, Murkowski produced the two-minute film to speak plainly to Americans who may be unaware of the federal government's costly, ever-growing overreach in Alaska. (Click to view) In the video, Murkowski … Continue Reading
03.12.15
Sens. Murkowski, Heinrich Stand Together in Advancing the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., today urged their colleagues to support bipartisan legislation that would greatly improve opportunities for hunters, anglers, and outdoors enthusiasts on federal lands. The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2015 (S. 556) was the subject of a hearing Thursday before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Click picture to view video "For many of us, outdoor activities, including hunting and fishing, are traditions that h… Continue Reading
03.12.15
Murkowski Works to Protect Alaskans from Flight Fee Hikes
Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she has joined Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) to introduce legislation to exempt Hawaii, Alaska, and communities that rely on essential air service from a costly increase in air travel fees. The legislation would protect intrastate flights in Alaska and interisland flights in Hawaii from increased air travel fees, which have more than doubled from $2.50 to $5.60 per enplanement. "The aviation fee hike has a disproportionate impact on… Continue Reading
03.11.15
Murkowski to Army Chief of Staff: “What’s Putin Up to” in Arctic?
Senator Lisa Murkowski today questioned United States Army Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno about the recent surge in Russian military activity in the Arctic region. In light of the regional volatility and the Pentagon's heightened focus on the Asia-Pacific region, Murkowski questioned the reasoning behind the proposal to potentially draw down troop levels in Alaska - asking Odierno a straightforward question: "What is Mr. Putin up to here?" General Odierno informed Senator Murkowski tha… Continue Reading
03.11.15
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
