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
Agreement Reached to Reopen the Government, Pay Federal Workers, and Address Border Security
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) welcomed the agreement made between Congress and the administration to immediately reopen the government, through a short-term Continuing Resolution, which will allow the Congress to work to negotiate a final Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill, and the remaining appropriations bills not yet enacted for Fiscal Year 2019. The Continuing Resolution will continue Fiscal Year 2018 funding levels through February 15. The Senate passed the agree… Continue Reading
01.24.19
Murkowski Statement on Voting to Reopen the Government and Address Border Security
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today voted on two measures to reopen the government. The first measure included an omnibus funding bill which combines all seven remaining appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2019, a $12.7 billion disaster aid package, and three years of relief for enrollees in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and immigrants receiving Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The second measure, a short-term continuing resolution, would continue Fiscal Year 2… Continue Reading
12.23.18
Murkowski Statement on Partial Government Shutdown
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement on the current partial government shutdown: "Shutting down the government, even partially, is no way to govern. It is disruptive, harmful, wasteful, and could leave hundreds of thousands of federal employees and contractors without paychecks over Christmas," Senator Murkowski said. "This year we worked hard to return to regular order in the appropriations process, voting bills out of committee and the Senate with strong bipartisan s… Continue Reading
09.18.18
Murkowski Votes in Favor of Funding Package to Benefit Alaska
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today voted in favor of the Conference Report for H.R. 6157, a funding package which includes the Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2019 and the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The funding package includes the largest pay raise for troops in nearly a decade, funding for a new national firefighter cancer registry, and support for high quality educational and job training opportunities for Alaskans … Continue Reading
09.13.18
First Fiscal Year 2019 Funding Package to President’s Desk
The Senate last night passed a conference report on a package to fund Energy and Water; Military Construction-Veterans Affairs; and Legislative Branch for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, which begins October 1, 2018. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a member of the Appropriations Committee, secured provisions that will increase energy efficiency, support our veterans, and increase critical military construction across the state of Alaska. This afternoon, the House passed the conference report, which n… Continue Reading
08.24.18
Murkowski Advances Alaskans’ Priorities in Funding Package
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of a funding package that includes the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-H) Appropriations Act and the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY 2019. As a senior member on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murkowski had a significant role in crafting this package. The funding package passed in an 85-7 vote. The Senate bill must now be conferenced with the House version. The 2… Continue Reading
07.23.18
Senate Tees Up Senator Murkowski’s Interior Appropriations Bill
Today the U.S. Senate moved to consider its second Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 government funding package, which includes Senator Lisa Murkowski's (R-AK) Interior, Environment and Related Agencies appropriations bill. This marks the first time that the Interior bill has been on the floor for full Senate consideration since FY 2010. Senator Murkowski, a senior member on the Appropriations Committee and chairman of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, was selected … Continue Reading
06.15.18
Murkowski Supports a Safer and More Prosperous Alaska
The Senate Appropriations Committee recently approved the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations bill, which contains several priorities U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski secured for Alaska. As a member of this subcommittee, Murkowski included provisions to strengthen Alaska's world-class fisheries, protect Alaskan ocean wildlife, improve Arctic infrastructure and research, and support other significant programs such as the National Sea Grant Program. In … Continue Reading
03.23.18
Murkowski: Big Impacts for Alaska in Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Early today, the Senate passed a bill that sets federal funding levels for the remainder of the fiscal year, providing the biggest defense spending increase in fifteen years and the largest pay increase for our troops in close to a decade. In addition, it makes significant investments in addressing school safety, fighting the opioid epidemic, and combatting substance abuse. As Chairman of the Interior Appropriations subcommittee and member of the Appropriations Committee, U.S.… Continue Reading
02.07.18
Murkowski Welcomes Bipartisan Government Funding Agreement
Tonight U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement on the bipartisan budget agreement, establishing funding levels through the end of Fiscal Year 2019: "Our inability to fund the government frustrates every American, but is actually damaging to our military and the institutions Alaskans rely upon every day. This agreement is a signal that we can overcome partisan differences and find common ground in the interest of those we represent. Like any compromise, I do not supp… Continue Reading
01.22.18
Murkowski Supports Compromise to End Government Shutdown
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after working with her colleagues on both side of the aisle to successfully pass a funding bill in the Senate to end the government shutdown. "I have been actively working over the weekend, with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to help facilitate an agreement. I am pleased that we were able to put our differences aside to get the government back on track and do what's right for our country. Together, we ended a government … Continue Reading
01.20.18
Working to Open Government
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement on the current government shutdown: "Shutting down the government is no way to govern. It is disruptive, harmful, wasteful, and impacts the thousands of Alaskans who are federal employees, contractors and all who rely on the services provided by our federal agencies," said Senator Murkowski. "I will continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in the House to get the government back open as fast as possible." On … Continue Reading
06.29.17
Murkowski Questions EPA Administrator Pruitt on Budget Priorities
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) chaired an Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2018. During the hearing, Murkowski questioned EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on numerous priorities for Alaska- ranging from reducing spending at the EPA, mining in the Bristol Bay region, air quality issues in Fairbanks, diesel generator regulations, and efforts to keep our air and water cle… Continue Reading
09.28.16
Senate Passes Continuing Resolution, Funds Military Construction Programs for Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting for the continuing resolution (H.R. 5325) that passed the Senate, 72-26: "By passing the continuing resolution today, we have avoided an unnecessary government shutdown, which would have harmed individuals, families, and businesses across the nation. And we provided funding to combat the public threat from the Zika virus, as well as address the heroin and opioid epidemic. "This bill is gr… Continue Reading
06.09.16
Murkowski Appointed to Military Construction, VA, and Transportation Conference Committee
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was selected to serve on the Conference Committee tasked to reconcile the differences between the House of Representatives and Senate versions of the funding bills for military construction, Veterans Affairs, and transportation. The legislation provides resources to support military construction, veterans' benefits and programs, and transportation projects critical to Alaska. The legislation also includes funding to combat the Zika virus. Click here to view th… Continue Reading
06.09.16
Murkowski Releases New CRS Report Putting Obama’s $319 Billion Tax in Perspective
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released a new report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) summarizing historical increases in the federal gasoline excise tax rate, currently set at 18.4 cents per gallon. Analysts estimate that the President's proposed $10.25-per-barrel oil tax or "fee" would raise gasoline prices by between 20 and 25 cents per gallon. "The resulting price increase is greater than the current federal tax on gasoline," Murkowski said. "The adm… Continue Reading
