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 Critical of “Texas-Sized” Ring Seal Designation
Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed strong concerns over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) proposed rule to designate approximately 350,000 square miles as critical habitat for ringed seals. The massive area (pictured below) would extend from Cape Avinof in Northwest Alaska to the Canadian border, covering the entire North Slope coastline. NOAA's justification admits several non-scientific reasons motivated its decision, such as "enhanced public awareness" and that the pr… Continue Reading
11.21.14
Murkowski Applauds NARA Digitization of State Records
Senator Murkowski received confirmation from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) that their Seattle facility plans to digitize the irreplaceable federal records removed from Alaska when the NARA facility in Anchorage closed earlier this year. Based on the input of Alaskans who commented about the importance of various records, the NARA Seattle staff is in the process of prioritizing which records will be digitized first. "Maintaining access for Alaskans to the history of our… Continue Reading
11.21.14
“We Must Ensure our Native Vets are Not Homeless”
Senator Lisa Murkowski co-sponsored bipartisan legislation (S.2960) to provide support for homeless and at-risk Native veterans. The bill was introduced by Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and also co-sponsored by Murkowski's colleagues on the committee, Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD), Al Franken (D-MN), and Tom Udall (D-NM). This bill will allow funds directed to at-risk and homeless veterans to be made available to Native veterans as well. Currently, vouchers are… Continue Reading
11.20.14
Murkowski Discusses Arctic Agenda with Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament
Senator Lisa Murkowski today met with Einar Kristinn Guðfinnsson, the Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament, to discuss the United States' role in the Arctic, Iceland's ties with Alaska, U.S.-Iceland relations, and potential areas of cooperation. (Senator Murkowski's most recent thoughts on America's Arctic Agenda have been published throughout Alaska, and can be read here.) "When I was in Reykjavik for the Arctic Circle Assembly last month, I was very impressed by the high level of importa… Continue Reading
11.19.14
Murkowski to I.H.S.: Alaska’s Patience Has Worn Out
Senator Lisa Murkowski today sternly informed the Acting Director of the Indian Health Service and Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention at the U.S. Department of Justice that neither she nor Alaskans will accept underfunding of critical public safety clinics in rural Alaska any longer, that Alaska is past being "polite" and will now demand the same treatment and resources that Native Americans receive in the Lower 48. Murkowski also repeated her commitment … Continue Reading
11.19.14
Murkowski, Rubio Introduce Bill Extending Discharge Moratorium for Fishing Fleet
Senators Lisa Murkowski and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today introduced a bill to extend the moratorium protecting the commercial fishing fleet from unnecessary regulations threatened by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for one additional year. Given that the commercial vessels exemption from pending EPA regulations expires at Midnight on December 18, 2014, this bill (attached) aims to shield fishermen from these regulations until permanent legislation can be passed in the new Congress. "Thi… Continue Reading
11.18.14
Sen. Murkowski Vows to Revisit Keystone XL in New Congress
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed disappointment with the Senate's failure to pass legislation (S. 2280) that would have approved construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. "I'm disappointed that we couldn't get the votes tonight to approve this important infrastructure project, but this isn't over. The Keystone XL pipeline will be a top priority next year for the new majority," Murkowski said. "It's been over six years that this project has been under review - that's more than… Continue Reading
11.17.14
Murkowski: Justice Hidden Remains Justice Denied
Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the following observation upon the release of the "Material Indifference" study conducted by the University of Santa Clara Law School and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers showing that legal mischief - like that seen in the Ted Stevens trial - continues to be a reality in courtrooms nationwide, saying: "Though Attorney General Eric Holder threw Ted Stevens' guilty verdict out of court because Department of Justice attorneys played 'hide the fo… Continue Reading
11.17.14
Murkowski Lauds Passage of Child Care and Development Block Grant Act
Senator Murkowski today applauded the passage of the bipartisan S.1086 Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG) by the U.S. Senate, sharing the following statement: "I would like to commend the Senate for coming together in a bipartisan fashion to craft and pass such an important piece of legislation. This will assist states, tribes, and providers to improve the quality of child care for America's working families," said Murkowski, "Alaskan voices were heard, and many provisions of th… Continue Reading
11.17.14
Murkowski Introduces Bill to Improve Vets Mental Health Care
Senator Lisa Murkowski today co-sponsored The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Bill of 2014 - bipartisan legislation introduced this afternoon to offer several critical measures to improve mental health care and suicide prevention resources for American men and women in uniform. The bill would require a third-party evaluation of existing suicide prevention programs at the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to gauge their effectiveness and make recommendations for con… Continue Reading
11.14.14
Murkowski Questions Differing Findings of Alaska National Guard Investigations
Senator Lisa Murkowski today called upon the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoDIG) to reexamine the evidence and conclusions of its investigation into misconduct of the Alaska National Guard done at her request - which concluded the allegations of sexual assault and misconduct within the Guard were unsubstantiated - seeking accountability and transparency of the review processes. With the release of the National Guard Bureau Office of Complex Investigations (OCI) report in … Continue Reading
11.10.14
Murkowski Shares Veterans Day Message with Alaskans
Senator Lisa Murkowski today commemorated Veterans Day by sharing her thoughts with Alaskans: "As Alaskans, we have the honor of being surrounded by veterans, more so per capita than any other state in the nation. Veterans are our neighbors, co-workers, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers and friends. Our communities are enriched by their presence, and we can never thank them enough for their courage, sacrifice, and service. "Today is not only a day dedicated to those who have served our country… Continue Reading
10.30.14
Murkowski Urges Secretary of Army to Remove Barrier to Substance Abuse Care for Alaskans
As United States Army soldiers in Alaska cope with the lingering impacts of more than a dozen years of sustained combat operations abroad, Senator Lisa Murkowski is asking the Secretary of the Army to rethink a regulatory barrier that is keeping Alaskan-trained and -educated substance abuse counselors from providing care and therapy to returning soldiers. Presently, the criteria for being hired by the U.S. Army as an Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) counselor includes accreditation from a Co… Continue Reading
10.29.14
Murkowski Joining World Leaders to Represent U.S. at Arctic Circle 2014
Senator Lisa Murkowski will attend this weekend's Arctic Circle 2014 conference in Reykjavik, Iceland - an annual event designed to increase the Arctic dialogue and strengthen the international focus on the future of the region. Alongside international leaders such as Iceland President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Finland President Sauli Niinistö and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Murkowski and recently announced Arctic Representative Admiral Robert J. Papp will lead one of four… Continue Reading
10.23.14
Murkowski: “One Step Closer to the Last Honeybucket”
Senator Lisa Murkowski today welcomed the announcement from United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack that Alaska's rural community infrastructure needs will receive more than $12 million to boost the construction, maintenance, and upgrading of water and wastewater systems throughout rural Alaska. "A cornerstone of my commitment to Alaska has been to bring safe water and sewer systems to our rural communities, where they are still seeking 20th century standards in the 21st century, and… Continue Reading
10.17.14
Murkowski Announces First $7.5M for Fishery Failure Relief
ANCHORAGE, AK - After a lengthy effort of advocacy and creating a bipartisan "Coastal Coalition" of lawmakers from states seeking relief for federally-recognized fishery disasters, Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced the first round of payments are being sent out to Alaskans beginning today totaling $7.5 million. The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, working closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, developed a "… Continue Reading
10.14.14
Murkowski Inspects Icebreaker for First-Hand Answers on Arctic Availability
As the other Arctic nations - and many outside of the region - surge their investment and focus in the area, Senator Lisa Murkowski paid a visit to the United States Coast Guard Cutter POLAR SEA in Seattle to get an update on its status. With the POLAR SEA having been commissioned in 1977 and one of only two heavy-duty icebreakers in America's fleet, Murkowski sought answers on just how much more of a contribution the USCG expects the ship to be able to make. "In a matter of months, the United… Continue Reading
10.02.14
Murkowski Congratulates “Best of the Best” Alaskan Blue Ribbon Schools
- Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered her congratulations to three Alaska elementary schools for being named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education: Haines Elementary School, Crawford Elementary on Eielson Air Force Base, and Peterson Elementary in Kodiak. These schools were recognized as "Exemplary High Performing Schools" based on their overall academic excellence. "I'd like to offer an Alaska-sized congratulations to each of these schools for their outstanding acco… Continue Reading
09.30.14
Senator Murkowski Working to Create “National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day”
Senator Lisa Murkowski recently co-sponsored the bipartisan National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day Resolution with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), as part of her ongoing effort to call attention to and honor the Hmong Veterans who supported the U.S. cause during the Vietnam War - as well as the contributions they and their families provide to our communities today. "The Hmong Veterans selflessly risked their lives in service to America during the Vietnam War and deserve this honor and recognition," s… Continue Reading
09.26.14
Murkowski on Forest Service’s Proposed Regulation Requiring Permits for Photography and Filming
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on the Forest Service's proposed rule, expected to be finalized in November, which would require photographers to buy special permits - at a cost of up to $1,500 - to shoot photos or video in wilderness areas: "This proposed regulation is just one example of the kind of federal overreach that comes when we lock up our public lands in wilderness designations," Murkowski said. "Although The Wilderness Act does restrict comm… Continue Reading
