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.
Currently showing results related to Budget, Spending, and the National Debt
Murkowski Unveils Interior-Environment Bill
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released her Fiscal Year 2021 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act bill. The Committee is responsible for funding agencies that are tasked with ensuring clean water and clean air, managing public lands, meeting federal trust responsibilities for Native peoples, and funding cultural agencies and museums. As chairman of the Interior Subcommittee, Murkowski crafted a bill with funding to strengthen local economies and create safer … Continue Reading
09.14.20
Alaska Delegation Welcomes $21 Million BUILD Grant for Anchorage International Airport
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today thanked Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao for awarding a $21 million Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant to the Alaska Energy Authority to construct a 190,000 square foot climate-controlled cold storage facility at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (TSAIA). The Alaska congressional delegation wrote a letter to Secretary Chao in May advocating for TSAIA to re… Continue Reading
08.24.20
Alaska Congressional Delegation Announces Unemployment Assistance Relief Grant
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, (all R-AK), today announced that FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved the State of Alaska for a FEMA grant of $19,902,565 under the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program from the Disaster Relief Fund. The LWA funds are made available to states and territories, providing financial resources to help those who have lost work due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are receiving unemployment benefits. This grant funding will allow the … Continue Reading
08.13.20
Senator Murkowski Comments on Governor Dunleavy Approving Extension of Federal UI Benefits for Alaskans
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement on Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy's authorization of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development to begin the FEMA application process and utilize state UI Trust Funds for an extension of federal unemployment insurance benefits. Alaskans who receive UI benefits will now be given a $300 weekly increase. "COVID-19 is an unprecedented situation which has created anxiety and stress on far too many individuals and famili… Continue Reading
06.29.20
Murkowski Welcomes PILT Payments to Alaska
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced today that the Department of the Interior is distributing $31,683,971 to eligible local governments across Alaska through the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. The PILT program provides monetary compensation to local governments in the state that contain federal lands that are not subject to state or local taxation. This revenue supports local governments in providing essential services, such as construction of public schools and roads, firefight… Continue Reading
02.10.20
Murkowski Statement on President’s Budget Request
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after President Trump unveiled a budget blueprint for Fiscal Year 2021: "The President's request marks the start of the budget process and clearly outlines the administration's priorities. Those of us in Congress will take those requests under consideration as we work to determine what programs to fund and at what levels. As an Appropriator, I look forward to moving through the Fiscal Year 2021 process in a manner that addresses … Continue Reading
12.23.19
Congressional Delegation Applauds Grant to Assist Young Victims of Sex Trafficking Awarded to Covenant House Alaska
Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded $950,000 in grant funding to Covenant House Alaska to assist minor victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. "Human trafficking is undoubtedly one of the most horrific crimes and is unfortunately happening in all corners of the state. It's the second fastest growing crime on Alaska soil-happening in plain sight," said Senator Murkowski… Continue Reading
12.20.19
Murkowski’s Interior-Environment Funding Bill Heads to President’s Desk
U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) applauded Senate passage of an Appropriations Package for Fiscal Year 2020-expected to be signed into law tonight- which included the Interior-Environment Appropriations bill with funding to strengthen the economy, improve water and wastewater systems, and create safer and healthier communities. As chairman of the Interior Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) crafted a bill with funding to provide for basic necessities like water and wastewater infrastru… Continue Reading
12.19.19
Murkowski Champions Alaska Priorities in Year-End Budget Bills
Today the U.S. Senate passed year-end budget packages to fund the federal government for the upcoming fiscal year, sending them to the President to be signed into law. As a member of the Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Interior-Environment Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) had a significant role in crafting the final product, which includes a number of funding programs and initiatives important to Alaska. In addition, the bill packages include provisions that will he… Continue Reading
12.18.19
Alaska Delegation Locks In Two More Years of Secure Rural Schools
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after successfully including a two-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program in the final Appropriations measures for Fiscal Year 2020. All three delegation members are strong proponents of the program, which many Alaska communities are forced to rely on due to declining timber receipts from surrounding federal lands. "From the Kenai Peninsula to Yakutat to Wrangell, t… Continue Reading
12.10.19
Shaheen, Murkowski Unveil Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Tax Relief to Communities & Companies for Critical Water Infrastructure Investments
U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) unveiled new, bipartisan legislation that would reduce taxes on critical water infrastructure investments in New Hampshire, Alaska, and across the nation. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made adjustments to the Contribution In Aid of Construction (CIAC) tax. Previously, water and wastewater utilities were exempted from this tax; however, the TCJA reinstated the CIAC tax on these entities, which will either have to be covered by state… Continue Reading
11.01.19
Senate Passes Murkowski’s Interior-Environment Funding Bill
U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) today applauded Senate passage of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2020. As chairman of the Interior Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) crafted a bill with funding to strengthen local economies, provide for basic necessities like water and wastewater infrastructure, and create safer and healthier communities. The Interior Subcommittee is responsible for funding agencies that are tasked with managing ou… Continue Reading
11.01.19
Funding Package Passes Senate
The Senate today passed, in vote of 84-9, a funding bill package that sets federal funding levels for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. The funding package combines the FY 2020 Appropriations bills for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration; Commerce, Justice, Science; Interior-Environment; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. As Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee and a member of the Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) had a sig… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Big Wins for Alaska in Interior Funding Bill
The Senate Appropriations Committee today advanced the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2020. The Interior Subcommittee is responsible for funding agencies that are charged with managing our public lands, ensuring clean water and clean air, meeting federal trust responsibilities for Native peoples, and funding cultural agencies and museums. As chairman of the Interior Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) crafted a bill with funding to st… Continue Reading
09.24.19
Murkowski Interior Bill Advances to Full Committee
The Senate Interior-Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee today advanced its FY2020 appropriations bill with funding to strengthen the economy, improve water and wastewater infrastructure, and create safer and healthier communities across the state. As chairman of the Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) worked to address a range of challenges, needs, and opportunities in Alaska by securing provisions to develop infrastructure projects, improve access to Nativ… Continue Reading
08.01.19
Murkowski Votes in Favor of Bipartisan Budget Deal
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today issued the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 3877, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 67 to 28 and now heads to the President to be signed into law. "This bipartisan agreement is necessary to provide fiscal certainty at the federal level. It's the result of a compromise and reflects priorities from both sides of the aisle. It provides for the common defense and national security by ensuring the comb… Continue Reading
07.23.19
Murkowski Comments on Budget Deal
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement regarding the budget deal reached by administration negotiators and congressional leadership: "While this budget agreement is far from perfect, it reflects real compromise. It prioritizes our nation's defense and our veterans and puts reasonable constraints on non-defense spending. It avoids controversial riders, reduces the prospect of a government shutdown, and allows us to move forward in the appropriations process. I comme… Continue Reading
04.04.19
Senator Murkowski Questions Administrator Wheeler over EPA Budget
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) chaired an Interior Appropriations Subcommittee hearing yesterday, examining the Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During the hearing, Senator Murkowski reviewed programs within the EPA to ensure the agency is focusing on its core mission to protect the health of our communities as well as addressing unique situations and challenges Alaskan communities face with EPA regulations. "When I go home to Alaska, I see firs… Continue Reading
02.14.19
Funding Package to Improve Border Security, Strengthen Infrastructure and Invest in Communities Heads to President
Congress today passed a funding bill package that sets federal funding levels for Fiscal Year 2019, sending it to the president to be signed into law. The funding package combines the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Appropriations bills for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration; Commerce, Justice, Science; Financial Services and General Government; Homeland Security; Interior-Environment; State and Foreign Operations; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. As Chairman of… Continue Reading
02.14.19
Murkowski Interior Bill Secures Big Wins for Alaska
Both the Senate and House today passed a seven-bill appropriations package containing funding for the remainder of Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. The package included U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski's (R-AK) Interior-Environment bill, which passed both chambers and is a negotiated agreement that addresses a range of challenges, needs, and opportunities in Alaska. Senator Murkowski, chairman of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, secured provisions to strengthen Alaska's economy, improve wa… Continue Reading
