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

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08.12.20

Braun, Murkowski, Perdue, and Scott Honor Essential Workers with Disabilities in Senate Resolution

U.S. Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), David Perdue (R-GA), and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced a Senate resolution recognizing the contributions of essential workers with disabilities to keep America running during the COVID-19 pandemic, and thanking them for continuing to provide vital services to Americans during these difficult times. This resolution comes as the United States commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and celebrates the vital con… Continue Reading

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08.09.20

Murkowski Comments on Covid Relief

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today made the following statement after President Trump took executive action this weekend to extend federal unemployment benefits, defer payroll taxes, extend moratoriums on evictions, and defer student loan payments. "I'm disappointed that Congress could not reach an agreement this week to provide much needed relief to the American people, prompting the President to take these actions. These steps will help provide temporary relief to struggling Americans i… Continue Reading

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08.06.20

Murkowski Speaks on Alaska’s COVID-19 Heroes on the U.S. Senate Floor

During a speech on the U.S. Senator floor, U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) commended Alaska's unsung heroes of the COVID-19 response effort, including Alaska's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anne Zink. CLICK HERE for video of Senator Murkowski's floor speech. SPEECH EXCERPTS: "There are many men and women across the country that are doing extraordinary work responding on the health side, as well as responding to the economic impact-the economic fallout-due to the COVID-19 pandemic." "As di… Continue Reading

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08.04.20

Senators Hassan, Braun, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Ensure Safety and Efficacy of Potential COVID-19 Vaccine

U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mike Braun (R-IN), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced bipartisan legislation to maintain critical safeguards to help assure the public that a potential COVID-19 vaccine that receives emergency use authorization is safe and effective. The Safe Authorization for Vaccines during Emergencies (SAVE) Act also aims to improve public confidence in a potential COVID-19 vaccine by increasing the transparency of the vaccine approval process. "As we work to get a poten… Continue Reading

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07.31.20

ICYMI: Murkowski Joins Heinrich, Daines Legislation To Extend Deadline For Tribes To Spend CARES Act Funding

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Steve Daines (R-MT) in introducing legislation that extends the coverage of Coronavirus Relief Fund payments allocated under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to tribal governments from December 30, 2020, to December 30, 2022. The CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, allocated $8 billion for tribal governments under the Coronavirus Relief Fund. However, Indian Country did not… Continue Reading

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07.30.20

Peters, Murkowski Lead Bipartisan Effort to Support Veteran Workforce Development During COVID-19 Pandemic

U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced a bipartisan effort to support veteran workforce development during the COVID-19 pandemic. The senators introduced bipartisan legislation to extend GI Bill benefits for veterans whose registered apprenticeships were cut short or ended due to COVID-19. Currently, veterans must meet a minimum number of apprenticeship hours to receive their full Monthly Housing Allowance. However, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, many regis… Continue Reading

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07.29.20

King, Murkowski Introduce Legislation to Enhance Testing, Tracing Protocols

U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) have introduced legislation to establish a grant program through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help enhance coronavirus testing, contact tracing, and supported isolation efforts. The COVID-19 Testing, Reaching, And Contacting Everyone (TRACE) Act's grants could be used to support programs that use mobile health units or work through community-based organizations, provide coronavirus testing, conduct contac… Continue Reading

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07.24.20

Shaheen, Murkowski Introduce New Legislation to Waive Provision in Law Preventing Smaller States from Accessing Necessary Financial Support for Community Services

U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced legislation that would address the "maximum allotment" provision that is significantly limiting the amount of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act relief funds that can be awarded to smaller states through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program. The Senators' bill waives the provision for the purposes of the CARES Act and any future supplemental CSBG funding provided by Congress for the remai… Continue Reading

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07.23.20

Murkowski: Public Land Users Have Been Hit Hard By COVID-19 Pandemic

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on users of public lands, forests, and national parks. The committee received testimony from witnesses representing the outdoor recreation industry, ranchers, water providers, state wildlife agencies, and a nonprofit foundation that partners with the National Park Service. In her opening statement, Murkowski called attention to the 22 percent drop in visitation to national parks, which … Continue Reading

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07.22.20

Murkowski Supports PPP Forgiveness Legislation for Small Businesses

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently co-sponsored the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act, a bill sponsored by Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND). Cramer originally introduced the bill with Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). "We appreciate our colleagues signing on to this important legislation," said Senator Cramer. "The bill is a commonsense move which would give small businesses peace of mind by eliminating unnecessary burea… Continue Reading

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07.02.20

Murkowski Joins Committee Hearing on Addressing COVID-19 Impact to Native Communities

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) took part in a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs oversight hearing focused on evaluating the response and mitigation to the COVID-19 pandemic in Native communities across the nation. This hearing is particularly relevant to Alaska, as many Native communities currently reflect on previous health emergencies that have disproportionately impacted rural Alaska, such as Tuberculosis and the 1918 flu epidemic. The hearing featured testimony from IHS Director, RADM M… Continue Reading

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07.01.20

Paycheck Protection Program Deadline Extension

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation to extend the Paycheck Protection Program to August 8, 2020. The small business loan program expired yesterday, on June 30. It now needs to pass the House in order for it to be sent to the President's desk to be signed into law. Just last week the Department of Treasury and Small Business Administration announced a rule allowing commercial fishing businesses to account for crew member payroll when applying for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan… Continue Reading

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06.30.20

White House COVID-19 Task Force On Progress Toward Safely Getting Back to Work, School

As communities across the nation continue to work on plans to safely re-open amid the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today took part in a Senate HELP Committee hearing focused on how to safely return to work and back to school. The hearing featured Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health, Admiral Brett Giroir of HHS, FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn, and CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield. How the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has used appropri… Continue Reading

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06.25.20

Delegation Announces Paycheck Protection Program Fix for Commercial Fishing Businesses

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today applauded a rule released by the Department of Treasury and Small Business Administration that will allow commercial fishing businesses to account for crew member payroll when applying for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Over the past several weeks, the Alaska Congressional Delegation has pressed the Trump administration for the change - which included sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Mnu… Continue Reading

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06.23.20

Murkowski Statement on Order Affecting H-2B Workers, J-1 Visas

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement after President Trump issued a "Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak," which includes an exemption for workers seeking to enter the U.S. to provide temporary labor or services essential to the nation's food supply chain, such as the seafood industry: "The COVID pandemic has strained workers and businesses all across the nation. I appreciate the admini… Continue Reading

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06.15.20

Bipartisan Group Of Senators Call For Permanent Expansion Of Telehealth Following COVID-19 Pandemic

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) recently joined a bipartisan letter led by Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) calling for the expansion of access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic to be made permanent. Provisions from the Schatz-authored CONNECT for Health Act that have allowed Medicare beneficiaries in all areas of the country, and in their homes, to utilize telehealth services, as well as more types of health care providers to provide teleheal… Continue Reading

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06.10.20

Senators Introduce Legislation to Help Families, Youth, and Children Faced with Homelessness Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

U.S. Senators Murkowski (R-AK), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) introduced S.3923, the Emergency Family Stabilization Act. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this legislation creates a new emergency funding stream overseen by the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide flexible funding for community-based organizations to meet the unique needs of children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. Spe… Continue Reading

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06.05.20

Murkowski Addresses Need for Student Relief During Senate HELP Committee Hearing

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) took part in a Senate HELP Committee hearing titled COVID-19: Going Back to College Safely. The hearing focused on how institutions of higher education are preparing for students, faculty, and staff to return to campus this fall. Those efforts include implementing testing and contact tracing, restructuring classroom and dormitory spaces, providing appropriate personal protection equipment, and protecting those with increased medical risk. The hearing included… Continue Reading

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06.04.20

Senators Vote for New Flexibility in Paycheck Protection Program to Better Meet Small Business Needs

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) last night joined their colleagues in passing H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, legislation that would provide greater flexibility for small businesses to use Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds and survive the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other key components of the new legislation, H.R. 7010 would increase the PPP loan forgiveness period from eight to 24 weeks, reduce the r… Continue Reading