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 Lauds Passage of Key Jobs Training Bill for “Tomorrow’s Workforce”
Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted for the bipartisan H.R. 803 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a pro-growth jobs training bill that reauthorizes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 while making key reforms to promote greater efficiency in administering employment training programs nationwide. WIOA will fund and streamline critical workforce development program like Job Corps, vocational rehabilitation and adult education and adds new considerations for potential employees who are dis… Continue Reading
06.24.14
Murkowski to Appropriators: “We Need to be Leading as an Arctic Nation, Not Sitting Back”
Senator Lisa Murkowski today continued to advocate for Arctic investment with her colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. While discussing the Fiscal Year 2015 Homeland Security funding bill, Murkowski insisted that the committee focus more on Arctic issues like maritime commerce, natural resource development, Coast Guard search and rescue, and the critical need to invest in icebreakers. Subcommittee Chairwoman Senator Mary Landrieu promised Senator Murkowski … Continue Reading
06.23.14
Murkowski’s Second Group of Summer Interns Set to Arrive in D.C.
Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced the names of her second session summer interns who will work in her Washington, D.C. office in July. These recent high school graduates will get an up close and personal insight into the operations of a U.S. Senate office by "shadowing" Murkowski throughout the day, helping with day-to-day clerical and administrative tasks, and assisting staff with research projects. "I am excited for these young Alaskans to arrive in Washington, D.C. and experience the op… Continue Reading
06.22.14
Murkowski Lauds Successful Missile Test
Senator Lisa Murkowski today congratulated the Missile Defense Agency for its successful missile test conducted over the Pacific Ocean, which will may lead to expanded missile investments at Alaska's Fort Greely: "Today's successful test spotlights Alaska's continued strategic relevance in the Pacific theater. The test shows that we have turned the corner on technical issues with the GMD intercept vehicle and are moving forward to a new chapter in our nation's vital ballistic missile defense c… Continue Reading
06.20.14
Sen. Murkowski Applauds Omnibus Territories Act Passage in Senate
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today thanked her colleagues in the Senate for unanimously agreeing to pass legislation to improve and extend programs in U.S.-affiliated islands, the Omnibus Territories Act of 2013 (S. 1237). "Today's political climate is frustrating, and it certainly isn't an environment where any of us are able to get much across the finish line," Murkowski said. "That makes the Senate's passage of the Omnibus Territories Act on Wednesday night all the more satisfying. Di… Continue Reading
06.19.14
Sen. Murkowski: Natural Gas Exports Clearly in the Public Interest
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today encouraged the Obama administration to expedite its process for approving liquefied natural gas (LNG) export licenses to take advantage of the abundance of U.S. energy for the economic and security benefits of the nation. (Click for video of Sen. Murkowski's opening statement) "This hearing is being held in the midst of geopolitical turbulence - Ukraine is in turmoil, Iraq is on the brink, and energy is never far from any of these discussions," Mu… Continue Reading
06.19.14
Murkowski: Preserve Native Languages, Don’t Fail Another Generation
Senator Lisa Murkowski today challenged the Obama Administration's Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education to aggressively advocate within the Administration, among school districts and teachers the link between Native language revitalization, increased academic achievement and well-being among our Native youth. "Those responsible for improving the education outcomes of our Native students must understand and take action knowing the moral gravity of inaction is another generat… Continue Reading
06.19.14
Murkowski J-1 Visa Amendment in Funding Bill Supports Fisheries Industry and Seafood Processors
Senator Lisa Murkowski today successfully added a key amendment to the 2015 State and Foreign Operations spending bill to restore the J-1 Visa program through Fiscal Year 2015 and help Alaska's seafood processors statewide hire needed staff - after the State Department had suspended visas due to concerns rising from Lower 48 activities. The J-1 program is an important policy that allows processing companies to recruit staff from outside the United States when their rural location and seasonal wo… Continue Reading
06.18.14
Murkowski Calls for VA Investigation, Transparency in Alaska
Senator Lisa Murkowski today called for a thorough, swift and independent investigation of alleged scheduling irregularities within the Alaska VA system and a full response to the longstanding concerns surrounding the Wasilla Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). In a letter (attached) to the Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General, Murkowski is pressing them to "expedite an inquiry into two matters related to the Alaska VA Healthcare System." After a New York Times report citing … Continue Reading
06.18.14
Murkowski Committee Work Brings Alaska Infrastructure Investment, Water Projects
Senator Lisa Murkowski assured that a number of provisions in the 2015 Energy and Water Development funding bill will improve or sustain current infrastructure projects in Alaska. By virtue of her position on the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, she was able to work with colleagues to fund studies, research, port projects for small underdeveloped villages and energy innovations that will boost Alaska's economy. The bill passed through the subcommittee and heads… Continue Reading
06.18.14
Murkowski Highlights Value of Alaska’s Fisheries and Coastal Communities at International Summit
Senator Lisa Murkowski joined her Senate Oceans Caucus co-chair Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) at the Department of State's "Our Ocean" Conference to lead a discussion on America's leadership in managing fisheries on a sustainable basis. In her joint remarks, Murkowski said "We have a good thing going" with fisheries management in Alaska - citing it as a model for fisheries worldwide - while also discussing the importance of recently-passed treaties to combat pirate fishing and the continued vigilan… Continue Reading
06.17.14
Murkowski Touts Alaskan Diversity as American “Fabric of Society” Example
Senator Lisa Murkowski today gave an Alaskan welcome to immigrants from around the world becoming American citizens at a naturalization ceremony at the Smithsonian Institute's Museum of American History. (Murkowski applauds the new Americans - some waving American flags - after having spoken the Oath of Allegiance.) Joined by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Murkowski told the newest Americans from Iraq, Australia, Sierra Leone and El Salvador that their diversity w… Continue Reading
06.16.14
Murkowski Welcomes New FDA Recommendation: Eat More Fish
After delivering the keynote address at the Sustainable Seafood Seminar, Senator Lisa Murkowski today welcomed the Food and Drug Administration's revised guidance regarding the consumption of fish during pregnancy - recommending that pregnant women eat 2 to 3 servings per week, after a decade of steering them away. "We know that fish is brain food for us, and I thank the FDA for opening the door to improved cognition and neurodevelopment for the next generation of young Americans," said Murkows… Continue Reading
06.13.14
Murkowski Questions Legality of Guantanamo Release
Senator Lisa Murkowski and a number of her U.S. Senate colleagues are asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to look into the negotiations of the Department of Defense that resulted in the release of five high-ranking Taliban officials. Under the rule of law, in the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act, the Secretary of Defense is required to consult with, or at a minimum notify, Congress at least 30 days in advance of any transfer or release of Guantanamo inmates. The 2014 NDAA … Continue Reading
06.13.14
Murkowski Vows to Keep Fighting for Alaska’s Sustainable Fisheries
Senator Lisa Murkowski today spoke before federal and commercial seafood representatives at the Sustainable Seafood Seminar - pledging to continue her support for strong federal funding for fisheries management. Additionally, she reiterated her commitment to protect the seafood industry from threats posed by genetically-engineered salmon and third-party sustainable seafood certification schemes. (Murkowski speaks to Sustainable Seafood Seminar - Click here for video) As Co-Chair of the … Continue Reading
06.12.14
Murkowski Recognized As Leader Against Surging Obesity Crisis
With a recent study indicating the United States of America is the most obese country in the world and that the nation's obesity rate has reached an all-time high, Senator Lisa Murkowski continues to support efforts to raise and maintain nutrition standards for school children - and adults - nationwide. This morning, Senator Murkowski received the Campaign to End Obesity's "Breakfast of Champions" award, recognizing her consistent dedication to championing legislation to help fight our nation's … Continue Reading
06.11.14
Alaska Anti-Missile Radar “Absolutely Vital,” MDA Head Tells Murkowski
Senator Lisa Murkowski today questioned the head of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) about a significant new advancement in the national defense: the long range discrimination radar system, which MDA has publicly implied will be built in Alaska. Given Senator Murkowski's advocacy for this project - and Alaska's ideal location (letter attached) - she sought clarity on where the process stands, given the stated ten year timetable for construction. Vice Admiral James Syring, Director of the MDA, … Continue Reading
06.11.14
Murkowski on Student Loans, Cites Need for “True Improvements that Work for Every Student”
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today shared the concerns of Alaskans about the problem of student debt, while expressing misgivings with the approach proposed by Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren - stressing the need for a bipartisan debate and her willingness to make higher education more attainable and affordable for Alaska's students. Earlier today, Senator Murkowski voted to begin debate on the bill in order to present ideas and alternatives to the Warren concept th… Continue Reading
06.11.14
Alaska Senators Congratulate Alaska Aces on ECHL Championship
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich introduced a Senate Resolution (attached) today congratulating the Alaska Aces on their win of the Kelly Cup, clinching their third East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) championship in nine years, and demonstrating once again that Alaskans are dominant on the ice. "On behalf of Alaska Aces fans, Congratulations to this year's team for winning a Championship Hat Trick, becoming only the third ECHL team to stack up three Kelly Cup titles," said Senator Lisa… Continue Reading
06.09.14
Murkowski Responds to VA Audit’s Alaska Findings
Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the Alaska results of the Department of Veterans Affairs audit: "The Anchorage findings from the VA's nationwide audit are encouraging, but it's important to note these figures only represent a single, momentary snapshot that reflects a number of proactive moves made by the Anchorage outpatient clinic to reduce a backlog that reportedly reached 900 late last year. "I am proud that the Anchorage VA leads the system in partnerships with community provide… Continue Reading
