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: Alaska Communities to Receive $8.8 Million through Secure Rural Schools Program
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that $8.8 million will be distributed to Alaska communities located near or in national forests. The money, which Murkowski secured in the fiscal year 2020 budget process, will fund schools and local budget priorities. "As we navigate the uncharted territory wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, these payments will provide a measure of certainty for communities as they budget for schools, emergency response, and other essential services," Murko… Continue Reading
04.01.20
ICYMI: Murkowski Calls for Resources to Address Domestic Violence during COVID-19
Due to COVID-19, many people are now working from home, while others have been required to take unpaid leave or have lost their job completely. One unintended but realistic consequence of these measures will be increased stress at home, which can put many at greater risk of falling victim to domestic violence. U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led a group of their bipartisan colleagues in a letter calling on the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the Of… Continue Reading
03.31.20
Murkowski Urges EIA Vigilance on Oil Storage Capacity as “Gauge” for Shut-In Production
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today sent a letter urging the Department of Energy to publish timely data on oil storage capacity in the United States as a warning indicator of potential shut-in oil production. The letter is addressed to Dr. Linda Capuano, Administrator of the U.S. Energy Information Administration. "Based on my conversations with energy experts, I believe that we must prioritize the collection and analysis of data related to petroleum storage," Murkowski wrote. "Producer… Continue Reading
03.27.20
Murkowski, Sullivan: Ambler Access Project Could Help Close the Gap on America’s Mineral Security
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Road project. "I welcome BLM's final EIS as a key step for an important project that will create good jobs for Alaskans, but continue to emphasize the importance of stakeholder engagement to ensure local voices are heard," Murkowski said. "Projects like t… Continue Reading
03.26.20
Alaska Delegation Applauds HHS Grants to Prevent and Combat COVID-19
Today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation applauded funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to health care providers across Alaska. This funding became available through legislation passed earlier this month, providing $8.3 billion in emergency funding to combat the spread of COVID-19. "The COVID-19 epidemic represents uncharted territory for our country. Our doctors, nurses, and other caregivers are on the front lines, and they should be provided the support … Continue Reading
03.25.20
Major Economic Relief Package Passes Senate
The U.S. Senate tonight passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a bill to provide major relief to families, small businesses and their employees, as well as to stabilize our economy and protect jobs. The bill also provides a surge of support for bolstering the healthcare response during this COVID-19 pandemic. As the third legislative package included in the broader Congressional emergency response effort, this bill will provide Americans with direct financial assi… Continue Reading
03.25.20
Murkowski, Colleagues to Secretary Pompeo: Push Back on Saudi Arabia and Russia to Protect American Jobs
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today led an effort joined by five Senators urging U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to take an aggressive stance against the efforts of Saudi Arabia and Russia to destabilize America's oil and gas industry - a key part of the domestic economy - amid a global pandemic. In a letter sent today, the Senators wrote that the "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation have embarked upon economic warfare against the United States" and warned that "by … Continue Reading
03.23.20
Murkowski Speaks On COVID-19 Pandemic
As the U.S. Senate works to come to an agreement on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the concerns of Alaskans across the state. Senator Murkowski stressed the urgency for Congress to put politics aside and deliver relief the American people need and deserve. "Failure is not an option. This is not a time for the bumps to derail us. This is not a time that we h… Continue Reading
03.21.20
Small Business Administration Approves Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Alaska
Today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation announced the availability of economic injury disaster loans for Alaska small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is currently offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the coronavirus, pursuant to the recently passed Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. "We are in an unprece… Continue Reading
03.20.20
Murkowski, Sullivan Urge Secretary of Commerce to Investigate Russia and Saudi Arabia Excessive Dumping in Oil Markets
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) joined Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) on a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross urging him to investigate excessive dumping of oil by Russia and Saudi Arabia that has destabilized global oil markets. They were joined in sending the letter by Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and John Hoeven (R-N.D.). The full text of the letter to Se… Continue Reading
03.18.20
Senate Passes Economic Stimulus Package for COVID-19 Outbreak
The U.S. Senate today overwhelmingly passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act aimed at bolstering the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic to help mitigate the health and economic impacts of the outbreak. The bill ensures COVID-19 testing is free for Americans, secures paid sick leave as well as family and medical leave, enhances unemployment insurance to help workers, and ensures that students, seniors, and low-income households can continue to access nutrition assi… Continue Reading
03.17.20
Murkowski Message to Alaskans During COVID-19 Outbreak
As the U.S. Senate this week considers policies to mitigate the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) shared the following message to address concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak and encourage Alaskans to continue to follow guidance from health officials and agencies. Click here for audio "As Alaskans begin this week, we are all focused immediately and directly on the coronavirus that has impacted the nation and truly the globe. This is something … Continue Reading
03.12.20
Murkowski Addresses Crisis of Missing, Trafficked & Murdered Indigenous Women
Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor in recognition of Ashley Johnson-Barr Day, a day of recognition passed by the Alaska State Senate yesterday, to bring awareness to violent crimes committed against children. Senator Murkowski honored Ashley's life, a 10 year old girl who was murdered in her hometown of Kotzebue, Alaska. She also commended her colleagues for prioritizing the need to urgently address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women… Continue Reading
03.12.20
Senate Confirms James Danly to be FERC Commissioner
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm James Danly to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on a bipartisan basis. Danly will serve the remainder of a term that ends on June 30, 2023. "I congratulate Mr. Danly on his confirmation and am pleased that FERC is gaining a well-qualified member. FERC is essential to ensuring the reliability and affordability of our nation's electric system, and I am glad we h… Continue Reading
03.11.20
Murkowski’s Legislation Addressing Crisis of Missing, Murdered, and Trafficked Indigenous People Passes Senate
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today applauded the unanimous Senate passage of two of her bills to address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women. The bills, Savanna's Act and Not Invisible Act, are both led by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and aim to combat the epidemic by improving the federal government's response through increased coordination, development of best practices, and creation of an advisory committee on violent… Continue Reading
03.11.20
Murkowski’s Legislation Addressing Crisis of Missing, Murdered, and Trafficked Indigenous People Passes Senate
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today applauded the unanimous Senate passage of two of her bills to address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women. The bills, Savanna's Act and Not Invisible Act, are both led by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and aim to combat the epidemic by improving the federal government's response through increased coordination, development of best practices, and creation of an advisory committee on violent… Continue Reading
03.11.20
Murkowski Votes to Overturn Borrower Defense Rule
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after voting in favor of S.J. Res. 56, a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval overturning a 2019 Department of Education Borrower Defense rule: "Congress provided the Department of Education with authority to adopt regulations governing the cancellation of loans for students who were defrauded by their college. This provision is called 'borrower defense to repayment.' The new regulation, while an improvement… Continue Reading
03.09.20
Murkowski’s Statement on AEIA Cloture Vote
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, tonight released the following statement about the bipartisan American Energy Innovation Act: "I am incredulous the Senate did not vote to invoke cloture on our substitute amendment after a year of regular process in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. It is beyond frustrating to have our bill, which contains priorities from more than 70 Senators, held up by an unrelated dispute that was never part of our discussions in the lead-up to this floor pr… Continue Reading
03.09.20
ICYMI: Senator Murkowski Works to Prioritize Alaska throughout Appropriations Process
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) prioritized Alaska during a variety of Senate Committee and Subcommittee hearings to examine details of the President's Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget proposal, which was released in early February of this year. Murkowski stressed the importance of Arctic and cold weather training for our military, a long-term solution for fixing the Denali Park Road, and highlighted the need for Arctic energy initiatives. Each year, Congress is tasked with developing 12 appropri… Continue Reading
03.06.20
Delegation Celebrates Milestone for Alaska LNG
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statements after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) published the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Alaska LNG Project. "This is a key step forward for Alaska LNG and a significant milestone for the project," said Senator Murkowski. "This final EIS is the culmination of years of research, analysis, and public process. I thank all of the staff at FERC who worked d… Continue Reading
