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.
ICYMI: Murkowski Attends Opening of Cold Case Office In Anchorage
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined other federal, state, tribal, and local leaders, for the official opening off the Operation Lady Justice Task Force Cold Case Office in Anchorage. The new office, which will be dedicated to solving cold cases involving missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives, was secured through collaborative efforts between federal, state, local, and tribal leaders, including years of work by Senator Murkowski to address the nationwide crisis of missing… Continue Reading
08.26.20
Alaska Congressional Delegation Continues to Fight for Bypass Mail Program in Alaska
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Representative Don Young, all R-Alaska, issued the following statement after taking part in a call with U.S. Postmaster General DeJoy, regarding his previous statements on the Bypass Mail program, while testifying at a Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on August 21. "After a productive and educational meeting with Postmaster General DeJoy earlier this week, we are pleased to see that he has come to recognize the… Continue Reading
08.24.20
Alaska Congressional Delegation Announces Unemployment Assistance Relief Grant
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, (all R-AK), today announced that FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved the State of Alaska for a FEMA grant of $19,902,565 under the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program from the Disaster Relief Fund. The LWA funds are made available to states and territories, providing financial resources to help those who have lost work due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are receiving unemployment benefits. This grant funding will allow the … Continue Reading
08.24.20
Senators Murkowski and Sullivan Comment on Army Corps Decision on Pebble Mine
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, today released the following statements after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) announced that the Pebble mine project in southwest Alaska cannot be permitted as currently proposed. The Corps released its decision after finding the project would likely result in significant environmental degradation and have significant adverse effects on the Bristol Bay ecosystem. Senator Murkowski released the following statement: "I strong… Continue Reading
08.21.20
Alaska Delegation Responds to Postmaster General re: Bypass Mail Program
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, issued the following statement in response to the Postmaster General's testimony today regarding Alaska's bypass mail program: "We must be clear: the USPS is a vital lifeline to countless Alaskans, from our population centers to the farthest reaches of our vast state. Throughout the years, the Alaska delegation has defended mail delivery to rural Alaska. We've done it before and we'll do it again. Simply put, the bypass … Continue Reading
08.20.20
Alaska LNG Project Secures Final Authorization to Export Natural Gas
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statements after the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a final, unconditional order authorizing the Alaska LNG project to export liquefied natural gas (LNG). Murkowski participated in a video teleconference with DOE Deputy Secretary Mark Menezes, DOE Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steve Winberg, and Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) President Frank Richards to make the ann… Continue Reading
08.17.20
Major Milestone for Alaska’s 1002 Area: BLM Issues Record of Decision for Oil and Gas Program
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its Record of Decision (ROD) for an oil and gas program in the non-wilderness Coastal Plain (1002 Area) of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). "This is a capstone moment in our decades-long push to allow for the responsible development of a small part of Alaska's 1002 Area. I appreciate the significant work of Secretary Bernh… Continue Reading
08.14.20
Alaska Congressional Delegation Introduces Legislation to Support Economic Development for Alaska Native Communities
The Alaska Congressional Delegation introduced landmark legislation to make tax-exempt financing more accessible for the economic development projects of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Such financing, known as Tribal Economic Development, or TED Bonds, is currently available only on a limited basis that benefits only a limited number of tribal entities. The legislation evens the playing field by changing the rules for TED Bonds in several critical ways to make this tax-exempt financing muc… Continue Reading
08.14.20
Alaska Delegation Welcomes Final Environmental Impact Statement for Willow Project
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, issued the following statements on the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) final Environmental Impact Statement for the Willow Master Development Plan in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). "As Alaskans work to rebuild our economy, it's essential for significant projects to make steady progress through the permitting process," said Murkowski, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "Willow… Continue Reading
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
08.13.20
Senator Murkowski Makes Statement on UAE-Israel Peace Agreement
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement regarding the President's announcement that the United States has brokered an agreement to normalize relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel: "The President arranging an agreement to normalize relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel is welcomed news. Establishing peace between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies will increase their opportunities for economic development-including trade and to… Continue Reading
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
08.11.20
Schatz, Murkowski Lead Bipartisan Group Of 48 Senators In Calling For Extension Of Census Deadlines To Give Census Bureau Enough Time For Full And Accurate Count Amid Delays Due To Pandemic
U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today led a group of 48 bipartisan senators in calling for the extension of the statutory deadlines for the delivery of apportionment data and redistricting files following the 2020 Census. The senators urged House and Senate leaders to include the extension in the upcoming COVID-19 relief package. "Extending the deadlines for the delivery of these files in the next COVID-19 relief package will ensure that the Census Bureau ha… Continue Reading
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
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
08.06.20
Murkowski Cosponsors Legislation to Provide Needed Certainty for Project Developers
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week cosponsored legislation introduced by Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, to reaffirm the Army Corps of Engineers' (Army Corps) Nationwide Permitting (NWP) program, including Nationwide Permit 12 (NWP-12). NWPs provide for expedited review of projects with minimal environmental impact but are threatened by a recent court ruling that could have significant economic consequences if left unaddressed. "The Army Corps has long used nationwide permits to au… Continue Reading
08.05.20
Senators Stabenow, Murkowski Team Up to Reintroduce Bipartisan Food Supply Protection Act
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) reintroduced the Food Supply Protection Act to help protect the food supply after the COVID-19 crisis has put an unprecedented strain on farmers, workers, food banks, and families. "The COVID-19 crisis has continued to disrupt our nation's food supply chain, creating a ripple effect that's harming our families, farmers, and workers," said Senator Stabenow. "Our bipartisan bill will help strengthen our food supply by redirecti… Continue Reading
08.05.20
Murkowski Convenes Hearing Focused on Latest Cyber Threats
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine federal and industry efforts to improve the cybersecurity of the energy sector, including efforts to improve collaboration on various cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection initiatives. In her opening remarks, Murkowski explained that cybersecurity must remain a priority even as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. "We all know the stakes here. A successful hack could shut down power - impacting … Continue Reading
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
08.04.20
Murkowski Votes to Confirm Deputy Secretary of Energy
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after voting to confirm Mark Menezes to be Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE). The Senate confirmed Menezes through a bipartisan vote of 79-16. "Mr. Menezes has demonstrated that he has the knowledge and experience needed to succeed as Deputy Secretary of Energy and I congratulate him on his bipartisan confirmation," Murkowski said. "I am confident he will be a great second-in-command to Secretary Brouill… Continue Reading
