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.
Murkowski Announces New Staff in Washington, DC Office
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced several new staff, fellows, and interns who will serve in her Washington, DC office. “I’m proud to announce the newest additions to my team, all of whom will be based in Washington, DC. Each individual brings diverse skills and a passion for serving our great state of Alaska,” Murkowski said. “I’m glad to have them on board and confident their contributions will make a difference for Alaskans.” Kit Cunningham joins the office … Continue Reading
02.28.24
Vice Chairman Murkowski Welcomes Report And Recommendations From The Alyce Spotted Bear And Walter Soboleff Commission On Native Children
Last week, the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children (Commission) transmitted its official and final report and recommendations to the President and Congress as directed by bipartisan legislation Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) ushered into law (Public Law 114-244, as amended by Public Law 117-41) in 2016. Congress created and directed the Commission to conduct an intensive study of federal, tribal, state and local programs and grants available to American Indian, Al… Continue Reading
02.27.24
Murkowski, Sullivan Welcome $125 Million for Rural Energy in Alaska
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) today welcomed the Department of Energy’s (DOE) announcement of up to $125.1 million for five energy development projects in Alaska. DOE awarded the funds under its Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program, which Murkowski helped author as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-58). “One of my priorities when crafting the bipartisan infrastructure law was cleaner and more affordable en… Continue Reading
02.26.24
Murkowski Celebrate Blocking the Kroger-Albertsons Merger
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and U.S. Representative Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) celebrate the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) decision to sue to block the Kroger-Albertsons merger. “This announcement will come as a relief to countless Alaskans. From the potential for even higher grocery prices to longer-term store closures, there were just too many unknowns and uncertainties for this merger to move forward,” said Senator Murkowski. “The delegation worked hard to ensure that Alaskans’ co… Continue Reading
02.23.24
Murkowski, Sullivan Applaud $45 Million Investment in Alaska’s Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
Anchorage, AK - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) today applauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of $45,509,000 for drinking water, clean water, and wastewater infrastructure upgrades in Alaska. EPA received the funding to make these awards, which go to state-run programs, from 2021’s bipartisan infrastructure law. “Thanks to this award, more Alaskans will have access to clean drinking water and upgraded wastewater facilities. This is truly … Continue Reading
02.15.24
ICYMI: Murkowski Addresses the Alaska State Legislature
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today delivered her annual address to the Alaska State Legislature during a joint legislative session at the Capitol Building in Juneau. Murkowski highlighted recent accomplishments that are helping to create jobs, boost the economy, and strengthen infrastructure in Alaska. While celebrating those wins, she also underscored significant challenges—like workforce shortages and the need to boost quality of life—that the state is facing. To address those chal… Continue Reading
02.14.24
Delegation Applauds USDA Purchase of Alaska Seafood Products
Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) and Representative Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) applauded the USDA announcing its plans to purchase about $100 million of Alaska pink and sockeye salmon through Section 32 and the Commodity Credit Corporation. “USDA’s Section 32 purchase announcement is great news for Alaska—almost $100 million of Alaskan seafood for people experiencing food insecurity. This purchase won’t just bolster Alaska’s seafood industry and support our coas… Continue Reading
02.13.24
Sullivan, Murkowski Renew Effort to Deliver Alaska Native Vietnam-Era Veterans Their Rightful Land Allotments
U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (both R-Alaska) have introduced legislation to extend the Alaska Native Vietnam Veteran Land Allotment Program for another five years before its expiration in December 2025. The program was established by a Sullivan-authored provision that became law in 2019, which enabled several thousand Alaska Native veterans to apply for their congressionally-promised Native land allotments—an opportunity many originally missed due to their military service durin… Continue Reading
02.13.24
Murkowski Statement on Passage of National Security Supplemental
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) issued the following statement on the Senate voting 70-29 to pass the national security supplemental package: “Today the Senate delivered an important message to our allies around the world - you can count on the United States. With the Senate’s support of this comprehensive national security bill crafted through months of bipartisan negotiation, our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan will be one step closer to receiving much needed and overdue support.… Continue Reading
02.12.24
Murkowski Introduces Working Waterfronts Bill to Boost Coastal Workforce, Fisheries, and Infrastructure
Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), introduced the Working Waterfronts Act, legislation which includes more than a dozen provisions aimed at boosting the workforce, energy and shoreside infrastructure, food security, and economies of coastal communities in Alaska and across the country. The bill will also support efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change on coastal communities and strengthen federal conservation research projects. In October 2022, Senator Murkowski began soliciti… Continue Reading
02.09.24
Murkowski, Cantwell Introduce Legislation to Reauthorize the National Landslide Preparedness Act
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today introduced a bill to reauthorize the National Landslide Preparedness Act, which they led into law in 2020, to help communities prepare for and respond to landslides. The bill follows a deadly landslide in Wrangell, Alaska, in November 2023, that killed six people; landslides in Washington state that have closed highways and blocked railways; and hundreds of landslides and mudslides in California following their recent record-set… Continue Reading
02.08.24
Senator Murkowski Announces Upcoming Departure of Chief of Staff
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today announced the upcoming departure of her Chief of Staff, Kaleb Froehlich, who will be leaving the office for an opportunity in the private sector. “Kaleb has led my office for well over three years, and while I’m sad to lose him, I’m grateful he will have this opportunity to spend more time in Alaska with his family. Kaleb is a strong and talented leader and has been a valuable asset for the Alaskans we all serve. I wish him, Annie, a… Continue Reading
02.08.24
Murkowski Votes to Debate Legislation to Address Border Crisis, Provide Aid for U.S. Allies
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) voted in favor of procedural motions to begin debate on two measures related to the migrant crisis at the southern border and aid for U.S. allies. The first motion, which failed last night by a vote of 49-50, would have invoked cloture on the motion to proceed to bipartisan legislation addressing both the migrant crisis at the southern border and provided aid to U.S. allies including Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The second motion, which passed today by a … Continue Reading
02.07.24
Murkowski, Gillibrand Call on HHS Secretary to Support Head Start Impacted by Workforce Shortages, Enrollment Challenges
Recently, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra calling on him to waive the full enrollment initiative penalty for Head Start programs who have not met their enrollment numbers due to challenges recruiting and retaining staff amid workforce shortages. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Head Start programs across the country have faced unprecedented staffing challenges. In response, the O… Continue Reading
02.02.24
Alaska and Hawaii Delegations Seek Medicare Reimbursement Flexibility for Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (both R-Alaska), and Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono (both D-Hawaii), introduced legislation this week to increase the amount that hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii can be reimbursed by Medicare to perform outpatient procedures for enrolled seniors. Historically, rural states have faced significant cost disparities for Medicare reimbursement that drive up costs for both hospitals and patients. This legislation would recognize the uniqu… Continue Reading
02.01.24
Murkowski, Colleagues to Biden: Strengthen Enforcement of Iran Sanctions
Since the start of Hamas’s brutal assault against Israel on October 7, 2023, there have been more than 140 attacks against U.S. troops. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined a group of bipartisan colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden calling on him to enforce current law and act against Iran’s illicit oil trade through sanctions. The Senators also encouraged support for proposed legislation pending in the U.S. Senate. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski joined a group of bipartisan … Continue Reading
01.31.24
Murkowski, Shaheen Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Hold E-Cigarette Companies Accountable for the Youth Vaping Crisis
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) are leading the bipartisan re-introduction of legislation to protect children from the dangers of e-cigarettes. The Resources to Prevent Youth Vaping Act would require that e-cigarette manufacturers pay user fees to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help conduct stronger oversight of the e-cigarette industry and increase awareness for the danger of e-cigarettes. The legislation is co-led by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mi… Continue Reading
01.30.24
Murkowski Announces New State Director, additional staff hires
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced the hire of Karina Waller as her new State Director, who will replace Steve Wackowski at the end of next month as he transitions to the private sector. The Senator also announced some other key additions and promotions in her office. “Although I’m sad to lose Steve, I’m very pleased that Karina will be joining the team as my new State Director,” Murkowski said. “Steve has been a rock for my office and I wish him and his family the best. He will… Continue Reading
01.29.24
Murkowski Announces U.S. Military Service Academy Nominees
Washington, DC - Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced the names of the 39 young Alaskans she is nominating to the U.S. military service academies for the class of 2028. “It’s a privilege to nominate these outstanding candidates from the Last Frontier to our country’s military service academies. These individuals have showcased exceptional leadership and commitment to service—and I extend each and every one of them my best wishes.” U.S. Military Service Academy nominees are select… Continue Reading
01.26.24
Murkowski Reacts to Move by Biden Admin to Pause LNG Exports
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowskj (R-Alaska) released the following statement in response to the Biden administration’s move to freeze export permits for liquified natural gas. “President Biden’s ‘pause’ on new LNG export approvals sends the worst possible message to our allies and the world at the worst possible time. American LNG creates jobs and revenues at home, reduces emissions and increases security in countries who purchase from us, and provides an alternative to Russi… Continue Reading
