12.18.19

Murkowski Supports Bill to Bolster National Defense, Monitor Arctic Activity, and Support our Military

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of S. 1790, the defense authorization bill which authorizes $738 billion in national defense funding for Fiscal Year 2020. The bill includes the largest pay raise for troops in over a decade, equips our military with necessary resources to defend America, modernizes military infrastructure and tools, and prioritizes taking care of our military and their families. The bill also includes legislative priorities crafted by Senator Murkowski, includin… Continue Reading

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11.25.19

Delegation Applauds Presidential Memo on Alaska Mapping

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after President Donald Trump directed federal agencies to map the shoreline and nearshore of Alaska and the United States exclusive economic zone (EEZ). "This is an important step for Alaska, especially for the Arctic as we are woefully behind in developing up-to-date maps for the region," Senator Murkowski said. "The Arctic is crucial to our nation's geopolitical, economic, and envi… Continue Reading

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11.19.19

Murkowski Stresses Need to Equip DoD With Tools to Support Arctic Defense Strategy

In honor of what would have been U.S. Senator Ted Stevens' ninety-sixth birthday, U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) raised attention to an issue that was significant to him-the importance of the Arctic and a strong national defense to Alaska and the nation. Senator Murkowski highlighted her legislation she introduced with U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) to create a new Department of Defense (DoD) Regional Center for Security Studies for the Arctic, which would be named in Senator Stevens' honor. T… Continue Reading

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11.18.19

Alaska Congressional Delegation Tours F-35 Plant in Texas

Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, alongside military and community leaders from Interior Alaska, toured Lockheed Martin's F-35 assembly plant and were shown the first F-35As that will eventually be stationed at Eielson Air Force Base beginning in the spring of 2020. During the visit, the delegation was briefed on the overall F-35 program and its capabilities, toured the production line to get a firsthand look at the U.S. Air Force's lates… Continue Reading

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10.28.19

Murkowski, Sullivan Introduce Bill to Create Department of Defense Arctic Security Studies Center

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced legislation, alongside U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), creating a new Department of Defense (DoD) Regional Center in the Arctic, specifically Alaska, named in honor of the late U.S. Senator Ted Stevens. If enacted, the Ted Stevens Arctic Center for Security Studies would be the first DoD Regional Center in the Arctic. The DoD currently has five academic Regional Centers which cover regions which include Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, Near East-South… Continue Reading

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09.27.19

Funding Bills Advance to Full Senate

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved both the Homeland Security and State & Foreign Operations Appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2020, sending them to the full Senate for consideration. As a member of the Committee, U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) worked to secure provisions to support the U.S. Coast Guard with the assets and infrastructure they need to keep our people and our waters safe, prioritize our nation's leadership in the Arctic, as well as invest in security and improving … Continue Reading

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09.25.19

Murkowski Votes to Uphold Separation of Powers

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after voting on S.J. Res. 54, the National Emergency Declaration Resolution of Disapproval: "My vote today is about ensuring we respect the separation and balance of powers that are fundamental to our democracy. The U.S. Constitution distinctly gives the legislative branch the power to appropriate. From the outset, I noted my opposition to this emergency declaration and what that meant, including my concern over diverting funds a… Continue Reading

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09.13.19

Committee Advances Defense Funding Bill

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a senior member on the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to advance the Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2020. Senator Murkowski and her Appropriations Committee colleagues worked to craft a bill that prioritizes supporting programs critical to national security. The bill also includes $1.7 billion in emergency funding for disaster relief, specifically in response to Hurricanes Michael and Florence, and for flooding and earthquakes that occurr… Continue Reading

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07.30.19

Murkowski Commends Successful Arrow-3 Missile Test Launch

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today applauded the successful Arrow-3 missile tests at the Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska in Kodiak -a joint effort between the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D). Arrow-3 missiles successfully took out target missiles in high-altitude precision test engagements. As a member of both the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and full Senate Appropriati… Continue Reading

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06.28.19

Murkowski Backs Bill to Bolster National Security

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation that authorizes the appropriation of $750 billion in national defense funding for FY2020. The bill includes two amendments from Senator Murkowski to address suicide prevention in the military and to evaluate Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic. In addition to the priorities supported by Senator Murkowski, the bill also provides a pay raise for troops, invests in modernizin… Continue Reading

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06.27.19

Border Emergency Supplemental Package Passes Senate

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently voted in favor of The Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act of 2019. The bipartisan package provides a total of $4.59 billion to address the humanitarian crisis at the United States' Southern Border, including funding for Health and Human Services, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Justice Department, and the U.S. Military. The legislation passed the Senate by a strong bipartisa… Continue Reading

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06.20.19

Murkowski Supports Southern Border Emergency Supplemental Package

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today voted for a funding measure to address the immediate humanitarian and security crisis at the U.S. southern border. Since May, 2019, the average daily number of unaccompanied children in U.S. Customs and border Security has grown from 870 to more than 2,300. The emergency supplemental bill, which provides a total of $4.59 billion to address the border crisis, advanced out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on a vote of 30-1, sending it to the full Sena… Continue Reading

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06.18.19

Murkowski Comments on Middle East Troop Deployment

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after the administration announced its deploying 1,000 more U.S. troops to the Middle East for defense purposes, in order to address threats in the region. "The administration has taken quick action in responding to the commander in the region's request for additional support," said Senator Murkowski. "We must maintain freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, but we also need to proceed carefully because a stable, peaceful … Continue Reading

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05.31.19

Murkowski Leads Congressional Delegation Arctic-Focused Trip

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) this week led a congressional delegation to locations across the Arctic and North Atlantic to develop a better understanding of the region, further the United States' relationship with the other Arctic nations, and visit American troops in the Far North. As part of the trip, the delegation focused extensively on energy technologies and climate research activities. Joining Senator Murkowski, chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, were committee Ra… Continue Reading

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05.23.19

Murkowski Applauds Inclusion of Measure to Protect Firefighters from PFAS Chemicals in Annual Defense Bill

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded the Senate Armed Services Committee for including measures to address per-and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure within the Committee-approved annual defense bill. This week the Senate Armed Services Committee passed the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), sending it to the full Senate for consideration, which included Senator Murkowski and Senator Jeanne Shaheen's (D-NH) bill, the Protecting Military Firefighters from P… Continue Reading

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05.17.19

Alaska Applauds Air Force Decision to Base Additional F-22 Jets at JBER

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today applauded the Air Force for its plan to permanently station six additional F-22s, previously based at Tyndall AFB, Florida, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The plan is expected to become final following completion of environmental review. "We have long advocated for our military in Alaska, including the importance of our strategic geographic location for protecting our nation and responding to global … Continue Reading

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04.18.19

Murkowski questions National Guard and Reserve Leaders on Arctic training

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently participated in a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to review the FY2020 Budget Request for the National Guard and Reserve. During the hearing Murkowski emphasized the military's significant and evolving opportunities in the Arctic. The Committee heard from the following witnesses: General Joseph L. Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard Bureau; Lieutenant General Charles D. Luckey, Chief of Army Reserve; Lieutenant General Richard W. Scobee, … Continue Reading

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02.01.19

Senator Murkowski Announces 2019 U.S. Service Academy Nominations

Today Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) proudly announced the 42 Alaskans she nominated to the U.S. Service Academies. U.S. Service Academy applicants are considered based on their academic record, community involvement, physical fitness, and leadership capabilities. "Every year, some of Alaska's best and brightest young adults apply for the chance to attend these prestigious academies. I am honored to nominate each of these individuals as I am confident they will represent Alaska well," said Senat… Continue Reading

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11.15.18

Murkowski Supports Coast Guard Reauthorization

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) last night voted in favor of S. 140, The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018, which passed in a 94-6 vote. The bipartisan legislation co-authored by Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), co-sponsored by Senator Murkowski, will further develop America's presence in the Arctic, support the maintenance and repair of U.S. Coast Guard infrastructure, and improve safety among recreational boaters. The reauthorization also provides Alaskan fishermen permanent exemption of ve… Continue Reading

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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