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.
Bipartisan Group Of Senators Call For Permanent Expansion Of Telehealth Following COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) recently joined a bipartisan letter led by Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) calling for the expansion of access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic to be made permanent. Provisions from the Schatz-authored CONNECT for Health Act that have allowed Medicare beneficiaries in all areas of the country, and in their homes, to utilize telehealth services, as well as more types of health care providers to provide teleheal… Continue Reading
06.12.20
Murkowski Discusses Concern for and Seeks Solutions to Support Students During and After Pandemic
As Congress continues their work to help America overcome the challenges of COVID-19, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) took part in a virtual Senate HELP Committee hearing this week focused on going back to school safely. The hearing delved into not only the question of how schools will reopen, but also measures to ensure they are able to do so safely and with greater equity so that all students receive the academic as well as technological, health, and social-emotional support they need to su… Continue Reading
06.11.20
Senators Introduce Bill to Combat Impacts of Climate Change
Surrounding Capitol Hill Ocean Week, Senate Oceans Caucus co-chairs U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced legislation focused on protecting and utilizing blue carbon. The Blue Carbon for Our Planet Act highlights the habitats that continue to remove carbon out of our atmosphere, helping to combat the impacts of climate change. Blue carbon refers to carbon dioxide that is naturally captured and stored by the world's ocean and coastal ecosystems-one of … Continue Reading
06.11.20
Murkowski Commends Administration’s Arctic Focus
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statements in support of the administration's recent Arctic-specific actions. This week, the Trump administration issued a Presidential Memorandum entitled Safeguarding U.S. National Interests in the Arctic and Antarctic Regions: "My priority is not just to raise awareness of America's role as an Arctic nation, but also for us to move from awareness to action. I'm encouraged by this memorandum and statement of support from President Tru… Continue Reading
06.11.20
ICYMI: Murkowski on the Great American Outdoors Act
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, earlier this week spoke on the Senate floor about the Great American Outdoors Act, which would help address deferred maintenance backlogs on federal land-including at National Parks and National Forests in Alaska-while providing greater funding for local recreational opportunities. In her floor remarks, Murkowski also highlighted the role of oil and gas revenue in funding conservation efforts and made the case for offshore revenue sharing to be incorporated… Continue Reading
06.11.20
Murkowski, Manchin Welcome Crucial Step for U.S. Leadership in Nuclear Energy
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., today commended the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation's (DFC) decision to allow nuclear energy projects to apply for financing-as Murkowski and Manchin requested in an October 2019 letter to DFC. "Nuclear energy technology can help meet the world's clean energy needs," Murkowski said. "Our energy future is global, and steps like this DFC decision are crucial to meeting climate and energy leadership goals. Developing… Continue Reading
06.10.20
Senators Introduce Legislation to Help Families, Youth, and Children Faced with Homelessness Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. Senators Murkowski (R-AK), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) introduced S.3923, the Emergency Family Stabilization Act. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this legislation creates a new emergency funding stream overseen by the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide flexible funding for community-based organizations to meet the unique needs of children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. Spe… Continue Reading
06.09.20
Senate Confirms General Brown as Air Force Service Chief
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after the Senate unanimously confirmed General Charles Q. Brown, Jr. as the next U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff: "I am proud to support the confirmation of General Charles Brown, Jr. as the next Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. He not only made history today as becoming the first African American Air Force Chief of Staff, but I trust that he will lead the men and women in our nation's Air Force with great distinction. His und… Continue Reading
06.09.20
Murkowski: Testing, PPE Critical During 2020 Wildfire Season
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska today chaired a hearing to examine wildfire management in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Alaska had one of the largest, most expensive, and heavily-staffed fires last year-the Swan Lake Fire on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge-that burned off and on for almost four months," Murkowski said. "Over 3,000 people were assigned to that fire, including hundreds of firefighters from the Lower 48. The fallout from a small fraction of infections on a fire lik… Continue Reading
06.07.20
Murkowski Welcomes Fish and Wildlife Service Polar Bear Final ITRs
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently published the final marine mammal Incidental Take Regulations (ITR), commonly known as the Polar Bear ITRs, for the Beaufort Sea (Alaska and the Outer Continental Shelf) and adjacent northern coast of Alaska. The final regulations come after Senator Murkowski repeatedly pressed Department of the Interior officials on the importance of issuing updated regulations as the last ITRs expired this month. On May 18 during a nomination hearing in the Senate … Continue Reading
06.05.20
Murkowski Highlights Equal Rights on the Senate Floor
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Today, on the U.S. Senate floor, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) highlighted Alaskans who have paved the way for women's suffrage and civil rights as well as the importance of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) being signed into law. Prior to her speech on women's suffrage and the ERA, Senator Murkowski took a moment to address what our nation has witnessed since the killing of Ge… Continue Reading
06.05.20
Murkowski Addresses Need for Student Relief During Senate HELP Committee Hearing
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) took part in a Senate HELP Committee hearing titled COVID-19: Going Back to College Safely. The hearing focused on how institutions of higher education are preparing for students, faculty, and staff to return to campus this fall. Those efforts include implementing testing and contact tracing, restructuring classroom and dormitory spaces, providing appropriate personal protection equipment, and protecting those with increased medical risk. The hearing included… Continue Reading
06.05.20
Murkowski Speaks on Justice and Equality
During a speech on the Senator floor, U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) spoke to what our nation has witnessed since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota-sparking thousands of protests nationwide of calls for justice and equality. CLICK HERE for video of Murkowski's remarks. Speech Excerpts "When you think about those things that matter-equality, justice, the fundamental truth that all human beings are created equal and endowed by God with certain rights, and when those right… Continue Reading
06.04.20
Delegation Will Continue to Fight for Life-Saving Road for King Cove
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statements after a federal judge ruled against a U.S. Department of the Interior land exchange agreement needed to facilitate a short, gravel, life-saving road that will connect King Cove, Alaska, to the all-weather airport in nearby Cold Bay. "This decision is yet another bitter disappointment for the good people of King Cove," Murkowski said. "I continue to believe the Department of the Int… Continue Reading
06.04.20
Senators Vote for New Flexibility in Paycheck Protection Program to Better Meet Small Business Needs
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) last night joined their colleagues in passing H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, legislation that would provide greater flexibility for small businesses to use Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds and survive the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other key components of the new legislation, H.R. 7010 would increase the PPP loan forgiveness period from eight to 24 weeks, reduce the r… Continue Reading
06.02.20
Murkowski, Bishop Lead Congressional Push for Domestic Mineral Production
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah-1, today led a bicameral letter to U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue encouraging them to finalize rulemakings that will modernize and simplify regulations governing the domestic production of locatable minerals. Sens. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, John Hoeven, R-N.D., Bill Cassidy, R-La., James Lankford, R-Okla., Steve Daines, R-Mont., Dan… Continue Reading
06.02.20
Senators Release GAO Report Revealing Shortfalls In Bureau Of Prisons Drug Treatment Programs, Recommendations For Improved Management And Increased Access To Treatment
Following a request submitted by U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report revealing shortfalls in the Federal Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) drug treatment programs and recommendations for ways BOP can better manage and expand drug treatment programs offered to incarcerated individuals. As of … Continue Reading
05.29.20
Alaska Delegation Applauds Major Progress for Port of Nome
Today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation (all R-Alaska) applauded the Army Corps of Engineers' completion of the Chief's Report for the Port of Nome Modification Feasibility Study. With the signing of this report, the proposal is eligible for consideration by Congress for authorization and funding. The project is already recognized in the authorizing legislation, S. 3591, the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2020, which passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in M… Continue Reading
05.29.20
Alaska Delegation Applauds Major Progress for Port of Nome
Today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation (all R-Alaska) applauded the Army Corps of Engineers' completion of the Chief's Report for the Port of Nome Modification Feasibility Study. With the signing of this report, the proposal is eligible for consideration by Congress for authorization and funding. The project is already recognized in the authorizing legislation, S. 3591, the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2020, which passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in M… Continue Reading
05.29.20
Murkowski Welcomes Relief for Renewable Energy Projects
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, thanked Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin for the Department's swift response to recent requests for regulatory relief for the renewable energy industry. On Wednesday, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released updated regulatory guidance for renewable energy projects taking the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and Production Tax Credit (PTC). "The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges for the renewable energy industry, which has lost thousands of jo… Continue Reading
