03.28.22

Vice Chairman Murkowski: It Is Time HHS Take Action to Ensure Tribal Health Data Access

Recently, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, delivered remarks at the Committee's legislative hearing to receive testimony on six bills, including, S.1397, the Tribal Health Data Improvement Act of 2021, sponsored by Vice Chairman Murkowski with Senator Tina Smith (D-MN). "During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 12 Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TECs) in the country, which includes the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, faced signi… Continue Reading

---

03.28.22

Murkowski Announces New Round of FCC Emergency Connectivity Funding Commitments to Alaska

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) shared three announcements from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA) in support of broadband and connectivity in Alaska. First, the FCC awarded four school districts in Alaska funding from the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), a program that helps schools and libraries provide the telecommunication tools and services students and communities need. Second, the FCC will open a third application filing window for emerge… Continue Reading

---

03.25.22

Murkowski, Cantwell Spearhead Legislation to Strengthen Blue Economy and Support Coastal Communities

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced the Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2022 (Ocean ROI Act of 2022), which would direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish "Ocean Innovation Clusters" (ocean clusters) to strengthen the coastal communities and blue economy of the nation. Senator Murkowski is a strong supporter of Ocean Clusters, including the Alaska Ocean Cluster which serves as a hub for private, public, and academic stakeholders to colla… Continue Reading

---

03.24.22

Murkowski, Sullivan Speak In Memory of Congressman Don Young

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, spoke on the Senate floor last night to honor the life and legacy of the Congressman for All Alaska, Don Young, who passed away last Friday, on March 18, 2022. Click here for video of Senator Murkowski's speech. Click here for video of Senator Sullivan's speech. "It has been a tough few days for our office. Our hearts are still heavy, but the sheer outpouring of love and support for our boss, Congressman Don Young, has meant … Continue Reading

---

03.23.22

Murkowski Examines Solutions to Support Affordable, High-Quality Childcare

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) took part this week in a U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing to examine barriers to access to childcare and to discuss solutions. During the hearing, Senator Murkowski pointed out, "It's pretty clear out there that our childcare providers in this country, certainly in my state, can barely make ends meet. Providers are competing with other employers for workers. Far too many parents cannot afford high-quality childcare ev… Continue Reading

---

03.22.22

Senate Passes Murkowski, Schatz Resolution Recognizing Native Women Achievements and Contributions

Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed S.Res.555 led by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chairman of the SCIA, honoring the achievements of Native women throughout American history. "Each year during March, the Senate celebrates National Women's History Month and acknowledges the important contributions made by women. Women's History Month also provides a continuing opportunity for us to recognize … Continue Reading

---

03.18.22

Murkowski Statement on Congressman Young’s Passing

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski issued the following statement following the passing of Congressman Don Young: "Alaskans are devastated by this shocking and sad news and I am saddened beyond belief about the loss of my friend. We have lost a giant who we loved dearly and who held Alaska in his heart-always. Don was coming home to the place that he loved, and to the people that loved him best. We love you, Don."… Continue Reading

---

03.18.22

Grant Roundup: Senator Murkowski Announces Federal Grants to Alaska

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the senior Senator for Alaska, announced the following grants to organizations, Tribal entities, and communities in Alaska: Anchorage: $4.3 million from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Rural Alaska Community Action Program Head Start Projects. Fairbanks: $130,356 to the University of Alaska Fairbanks from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a project entitled, "University of Alaska Fairbanks/Sikuliaq Shipboard Scientific Sup… Continue Reading

---

03.18.22

Murkowski, Sullivan Commend Coast Guard for Updating Mental Health Policies

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) commended the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for updating its mental and behavioral health policies to achieve parity with the policies of the Department of Defense (DoD), a legislative effort Senator Murkowski spearheaded this Congress. In February, Senator Murkowski introduced with Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Patty Murray (D-WA) the Guarding Mental Health Act, legislation to support Coast Guard members wh… Continue Reading

---

03.18.22

Murkowski, Sullivan Commend Coast Guard for Updating Mental Health Policies

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) commended the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for updating its mental and behavioral health policies to achieve parity with the policies of the Department of Defense (DoD), a legislative effort Senator Murkowski spearheaded this Congress. In February, Senator Murkowski introduced with Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Patty Murray (D-WA) the Guarding Mental Health Act, legislation to support Coast Guard members wh… Continue Reading

---

03.17.22

HELP Committee Considers PREVENT Pandemics Act

During a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee executive session to consider the S.3799 Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and Pandemics Act (PREVENT Pandemics Act), U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) filed amendments to the bill which addresses the nation's response to pandemics and includes reforms to improve accountability and transparency at the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Murkowski's provisions prioritize improving our h… Continue Reading

---

03.17.22

U.S. Coast Guard Releases Spending Plan for Infrastructure Bill Funding

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, released the following statements after the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) released a spending plan for funding received through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Over half of the total funding allocated to the USCG through the IIJA will be used for Alaskan projects. "I've been a long-time advocate for all of America's military members, including Alaska's Coasties. The work our Coast Guard men and w… Continue Reading

---

03.16.22

Delegation Welcomes Court Ruling Reinstating King Cove Land Exchange Agreement

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today welcomed a ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstating the land exchange needed to facilitate a life-saving road for the residents of King Cove, Alaska. The Ninth Circuit's decision reversed and remanded a flawed District Court ruling that set aside the land exchange agreement in June 2020. "This decision out of the Ninth Circuit reflects the right read of ANILCA and the Secretary of th… Continue Reading

---

03.16.22

Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Signed into Law

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) attended a ceremony at the White House to recognize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization Act of 2022 being signed into law. Earlier in the day, Senator Murkowski, alongside her co-leads on the bill, U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) celebrated its passage by speaking on the Senate floor. [Click here for bill highlights. Click here for video of Murkowski's speech. Click here for high res photos.] "… Continue Reading

---

03.16.22

President Signs FY22 Funding Bill into Law

President Biden signed the Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act into law yesterday. The bill includes Congressionally Directed Spending allocations U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured for over 65 local projects in Alaska, through a new process which restores Alaskans' ability to have a voice in federal budget decisions by helping to identify and address needs in the state. In addition to funding priorities for Alaskan communities and emergency aid for Ukraine, the bill includ… Continue Reading

---

03.15.22

Murkowski Delivers Big Wins for Alaska in Interior Appropriations Bill

Today President Biden signed into law an omnibus appropriations package containing funding for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2022. The package includes the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee's bill, which Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) negotiated as the panel's Ranking Member. Murkowski secured provisions to strengthen Alaska's economy, improve water and wastewater infrastructure, and create safer and healthier communities across the state. "Through this omnibus bill, I've again use… Continue Reading

---

03.14.22

What Alaskans Are Saying: Alaska Local Projects to Benefit from Congressionally Directed Spending Allocations

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, directed Congressionally Directed Spending allocations to over 65 local projects in Alaska in the Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which is expected to be signed into law this week. The new Congressionally Directed Spending process restores Alaskans' ability to have a voice in federal budget decisions by helping to identify and address needs in the state. Click here for the full list of Congres… Continue Reading

---

03.11.22

Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Passes Congress, Heads to President’s Desk

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization Act of 2022, led by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), alongside U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Dick Durbin (D-IL), is heading to the President to be signed into law. This bipartisan legislation, which was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, reauthorizes VAWA through 2027, preserves advancements in previous reauthorizations, and strengthens and modernizes the almost 30-year-old law. The VA… Continue Reading

---

03.11.22

Murkowski Commends Announcement of Russian Seafood Ban

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today issued the following statement commending President Joe Biden for signing an executive order to prohibit the importation of Russian seafood and other key imports into the United States. Since Russia imposed seafood bans on the United States in 2014, Senator Murkowski has worked to educate every President and their administration on the importance of re-opening the Russian market to U.S. seafood and failing that, creating a reciprocal ban on Russian seafo… Continue Reading

---

03.11.22

Senators Murkowski, Manchin, Risch and Cassidy Urge Administration to Meet Domestic Mineral Demand, Address Supply Chain Crisis

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Jim Risch (R-ID), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) wrote a letter to President Joe Biden stressing the urgency for the United States to strengthen America's mineral security. They call upon him to invoke the Defense Production Act to rebuild the capacity of key sectors and value-chains by domestically producing and processing critical minerals, such as battery metals like lithium and gr… Continue Reading