05.12.20

Murkowski Questions Experts on COVID-19 Response Efforts During Senate HELP Committee Hearing

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today took part in a Senate HELP Committee hearing entitled COVID-19: Safely Getting Back to Work and Back to School. The hearing focused on how U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies are working to help states and communities prepare to reopen in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, including efforts to increase testing, accelerate research, develop treatments and vaccines, and provide public health and safety guidance. The hearing included testimon… Continue Reading

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05.12.20

Murkowski, Risch Introduce Energy Infrastructure Protection Act

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and James Risch, R-Idaho, today introduced a new bill, the Energy Infrastructure Protection Act, to boost protections for critical electric infrastructure. The bill updates provisions in the Federal Power Act and restricts federal disclosures of certain sensitive energy information. "Protecting our nation's electric infrastructure is a matter of national security," Murkowski said. "Our bill equips the federal government with additional tools to safeguard the… Continue Reading

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05.11.20

Murkowski Joins Bipartisan Group Of Senators To Call For $2 Billion In New Federal Funding To Help Health Care Providers Expand Telehealth Services During Pandemic

Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined a bipartisan group of senators, led by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI)to urge the leadership of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to include $2 billion in the next coronavirus relief package to help health care providers expand telehealth services by improving their access to broadband. "The coronavirus pandemic has dramatically increased the need to expand telehealth," the senators wrote in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mc… Continue Reading

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05.11.20

Murkowski Urges Federal Agencies to Coordinate to Ensure PPE for Firefighters

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, recently sent a letter requesting that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of the Interior (DOI) combine efforts to allocate personal protective equipment (PPE) and rapid COVID-19 tests for federal wildland fire crews. Below are excerpts from Murkowski's letter: "Wildfires, like viruses, respect no boundaries. As we seek to contain COVID-19… Continue Reading

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05.08.20

Murkowski, Udall Legislation Honoring Native Women Passes Senate

The U.S. Senate passed a resolution led by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tom Udall (D-NM), celebrating the successes of Indigenous women across the nation. Their resolution recognizes contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States, highlighting their service in the military, efforts to break down gender barriers, and work to advance civil rights. The resolution also recognizes the importance of supporting equality, improving safety, and … Continue Reading

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05.08.20

Murkowski Calls for Rapid COVID-19 Testing in Alaska

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) took part in a Senate HELP Committee hearing entitled "Shark Tank: New Tests for COVID-19." The hearing focused on the current status of testing for the COVID-19 virus and how the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) are working to support the rapid development of new tests for COVID-19, through the NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) Initiative and other programs. Click here for … Continue Reading

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05.07.20

Millions in Fishery Relief Heading to Alaska

The Alaska Congressional Delegation announced $50 million in fishery assistance will be heading to Alaska. The funds are part of a $300 million fishery assistance fund that was included in the CARES Act, as a result of the efforts of Alaska's delegation, to make direct assistance available to subsistence, commercial, and charter fishery participants, processors, fishery-related businesses and fishery-dependent communities that have been negatively affected by the economic and other impacts of CO… Continue Reading

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05.07.20

Senators Introduce Legislation to Extend Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) today introduced legislation to extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program for an additional 5 years, ensuring these essential hospitals do not face further budget instability during such challenging times. Companion legislation to the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act of 2020 was introduced today by Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (D-IA) and Representative Don Young (R-AK) in the … Continue Reading

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05.07.20

Senators Aim to Give States, Cities Greater Flexibility with COVID-19 Relief Funds

U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) yesterday introduced the Coronavirus Relief Fund Flexibility Act, legislation that would allow the federal relief funds provided to local governments in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to be used to replace revenue shortfalls resulting from the pandemic. The legislation would apply retroactive… Continue Reading

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05.07.20

Feinstein, Murkowski Resolution Designating Women’s History Month Passes Senate

Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) yesterday passed a resolution designating March as "National Women's History Month." Consideration of the resolution was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. "Women have made extraordinary contributions to our country and I'm proud to pass a resolution that celebrates them," Senator Feinstein said. "As we celebrate 100 years of women's suffrage this year, it's remarkable how far we've come. When I first arrived i… Continue Reading

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05.06.20

Alaska Delegation: Treasury to Disburse $4.8 Billion to Tribes

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today released the following statements after the U.S. Department of Treasury announced it will disburse 60 percent of the $8 billion set-aside for tribal assistance appropriated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. According to the formula released by Treasury, $4.8 billion will be distributed among tribes based on population size, as determined by the Department of Housin… Continue Reading

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05.06.20

Senators Braun, Hoeven, Loeffler, and Murkowski Introduce Legislation to Protect Small Businesses from Tax Liability for PPP Loans

Last week, the IRS issued guidance (Notice 2020-32) that any expenses covered by forgivable portions of a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan will not be considered a business deduction, effectively levying an unforeseen tax on small businesses, completely contrary to the original intent of the CARES Act. On Monday, U.S. Senator Braun along with Senator John Hoeven, Senator Kelly Loeffler, and Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced the Safeguarding Small Business Act to remove all tax liability a… Continue Reading

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05.05.20

Murkowski Honors National Day of Awareness on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Building on her years-long effort to shine a light on the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW), U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) in introducing a resolution to designate May 5 as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The resolution acknowledges the lack of data on the number of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and calls upon Americans to commemorate the lives of those missing a… Continue Reading

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05.05.20

Alaska Delegation Reiterates Strong Support for Willow Project

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, this week wrote a letter urging the Department of the Interior to finalize the supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for ConocoPhillips' Willow Master Development Plan in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). Below are excerpts from the delegation's letter: "There is no doubt the COVID-19 crisis has introduced challenges to business operations, but we understand BLM has been extraordinarily responsive to … Continue Reading

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05.04.20

Alaska Delegation Welcomes $20 Million USDA Purchase of Alaska Pollock

Today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation welcomed a $20 million purchase of Alaska Pollock by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Section 32 program. "The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted supply chains and severely impacted industries throughout our economy, including Alaska's vibrant seafood sector," said the Alaska Congressional Delegation. "Food security across our country is essential in these unprecedented times. Alaska produces 60 percent of America's seafood, an… Continue Reading

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04.27.20

Murkowski Welcomes Affirmation of Commitment on BP-Hilcorp Sale

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following statement after BP reaffirmed its commitment to sell its Alaska assets to Hilcorp this year. "As Alaskans navigate unprecedented challenges during these uncertain times, it is welcome news to hear that one of the most important deals for the state's largest industry remains on track," Murkowski said. "BP has affirmed its commitment to complete the sale of its Alaska assets to Hilcorp, and Hilcorp has affirmed its commitment to the fu… Continue Reading

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04.27.20

Alaska Delegation Welcomes CARES Act Seasonal-Worker Rule Fix

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today welcomed a rule change released by the Treasury Department that enables seasonal businesses, to choose a different 12-week expense period when applying for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, a period that more accurately reflects their operating payroll. The Alaska Congressional Delegation has pressed the Trump administration for weeks, including in multiple conversations with President Trump and… Continue Reading

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04.25.20

Delegation Statement on Reductions in Alaska North Slope Production

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, released the following statement after Alyeska, the consortium that owns and operates the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, announced the temporary proration of North Slope crude oil production. "The impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and the oil price war have hit Alaska hard-prompting some difficult decisions. We have been in constant communication with Alyeska and our North Slope operators, and recognize this is… Continue Reading

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04.24.20

Murkowski Commends DOE’s Commitment to Advancing Nuclear Energy in the United States

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its report outlining a number of activities to renew our nation's nuclear energy capabilities. "I welcome this report, which outlines key steps to move forward on nuclear energy. In order for the United States to have a viable nuclear energy industry and actually compete with countries like China and Russia, who are charging ahead, we need to step up. Expanding the globa… Continue Reading

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04.24.20

ICYMI: Alaska Delegation Speaks to Coronavirus Relief Eligibility of Alaska Native Corporations

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) this week penned an opinion editorial (Op-Ed) in the Anchorage Daily News to speak to the recent mischaracterizations of Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) and explain why ANCs are eligible for funding made available to tribes within the CARES Act. Read the Alaska Delegation's OpEd Below: During the last global pandemic, the 1918 Spanish flu, more people died per capita in Alaska than almost anywhere else in… Continue Reading