01.15.20

Murkowski Votes to Confirm Gaynor as New FEMA Administrator

The Senate confirmed Mr. Peter Gaynor to serve as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator by a vote of 81-8. In support of his confirmation, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement: "Alaska is no stranger to natural hazards and disasters. The 7.1 magnitude earthquake and the wildfires that we faced in 2019 alone are an example of why having strong leadership in place at FEMA is so important for our state. Mr. Gaynor has significant experience in emergency m… Continue Reading

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01.13.20

Murkowski Announces Senior Staff Promotions

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced two staff promotions on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR): Brianne Miller to be Deputy Staff Director of Energy and Lucy Murfitt to be Deputy Staff Director of Natural Resources. "I greatly appreciate the work that Brianne and Lucy have accomplished on the committee on behalf of Alaskans and individuals and communities across the nation," Murkowski said. "These promotions are well-deserved and I'm confident they will help… Continue Reading

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01.13.20

Murphy, Murkowski Applaud Senate Passage Of Save Our Seas 2.0

U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) on Monday applauded U.S. Senate passage of the bipartisan Save Our Seas 2.0, legislation to combat marine debris. Murphy and Murkowski are both cosponsors of the bill. The legislation includes a Murphy-Murkowski drafted provision to fund a Genius Prize for Save Our Seas Innovation to be given out for the development of projects to replace single use plastic and innovations that remove and prevent plastic waste. "This is a huge victory… Continue Reading

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01.09.20

Alaska and Hawaii Delegation Introduce Bill to Improve Economic Prosperity of Tribes

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) today introduced the Inspiring Nationally Vibrant Economies Sustaining Tribes (INVEST) Act. This legislation aims to make significant improvements to the existing New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program to more effectively reach Native American communities, such as those in Alaska and Hawaii. For the full text of the bill, click here. "Despite the impressive record of the New Market Tax Credit … Continue Reading

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01.09.20

Senator Murkowski Addresses Death of Qasem Soleimani

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement after joining a resolution honoring the members of the military and intelligence community who carried out the successful mission that killed Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF) and a designated terrorist. "I am pleased to support Senator Cruz's resolution commending the President and the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and intelligence community for the successful… Continue Reading

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01.09.20

Murkowski Welcomes NEPA Modernization Effort

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed President Trump's decision to propose a modernization of federal environmental review and permitting processes under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1970. "While I am still reviewing the details of this proposal, antiquated federal regulations often stand in the way of critical infrastructure and other important projects that can create jobs, improve our standard of living and energy security, and yet still fully protect the env… Continue Reading

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01.09.20

Merkley, Murkowski, Duckworth, Booker Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Breastfeeding Protections At Work

Today, Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), joined by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Cory Booker (D-NJ), announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation to provide salaried employees in traditional office environments-a group of approximately 13.5 million executive, administrative, and professional women-with reasonable break time and a private place to pump breastmilk. Their bill, the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act, wo… Continue Reading

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12.31.19

ICYMI: Murkowski Bill Honoring Unrecognized Heroes of the Greatest Generation Passes Senate

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded Senate passage of her bill, the Merchant Marines of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, to honor the Merchant Mariners who protected our nation during World War II. The bill would award a Congressional Gold Medal to the WWII mariners in recognition of their dedicated and vital service. The House successfully passed the companion bill in September, sponsored by Representative John Garamendi (D-CA). The Senate version of the bill now heads to the… Continue Reading

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12.23.19

Congressional Delegation Applauds Grant to Assist Young Victims of Sex Trafficking Awarded to Covenant House Alaska

Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded $950,000 in grant funding to Covenant House Alaska to assist minor victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. "Human trafficking is undoubtedly one of the most horrific crimes and is unfortunately happening in all corners of the state. It's the second fastest growing crime on Alaska soil-happening in plain sight," said Senator Murkowski… Continue Reading

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12.23.19

Sullivan, Murkowski & King Introduce Arctic Naval Focus Act of 2019

U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Angus King (I-Maine) have introduced S. 3080, the Arctic Naval Focus Act of 2019, legislation directing the federal government to recognize the importance of the Arctic region to our country's national and economic security interests, and to put forward a strategy for the U.S. fleet's ability to operate in the Arctic and respond to challenges. "As new sea lanes emerge and maritime traffic rapidly increases in the Arctic, the c… Continue Reading

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12.20.19

Murkowski’s Interior-Environment Funding Bill Heads to President’s Desk

U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) applauded Senate passage of an Appropriations Package for Fiscal Year 2020-expected to be signed into law tonight- which included the Interior-Environment Appropriations bill with funding to strengthen the economy, improve water and wastewater systems, and create safer and healthier communities. As chairman of the Interior Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) crafted a bill with funding to provide for basic necessities like water and wastewater infrastru… Continue Reading

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12.20.19

Murkowski Welcomes New Additions to ENR Staff

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced recent additions to her staff on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee: Grace Jang as communications director, Chris Griffin as a staff assistant, and Alexander Jackstadt as a staff assistant. In addition, Tonya Parish has been promoted to press secretary. "I'm very pleased Grace, Chris, and Alex have joined us here in Washington, D.C., to strengthen our already outstanding team," Murkowski said. "Alaska is key to our country's ene… Continue Reading

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12.20.19

Funding Package Addresses Epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

A funding bill with new investments secured by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to address the crisis of missing, trafficked, and murdered Indigenous women is on its way to the President to be signed into law. The Senate yesterday passed two funding bill packages that set federal funding levels for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, which include appropriations bills on Interior-Environment as well as Commerce, Justice, Science. Senator Murkowski is Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee and… Continue Reading

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12.19.19

Murkowski Champions Alaska Priorities in Year-End Budget Bills

Today the U.S. Senate passed year-end budget packages to fund the federal government for the upcoming fiscal year, sending them to the President to be signed into law. As a member of the Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Interior-Environment Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) had a significant role in crafting the final product, which includes a number of funding programs and initiatives important to Alaska. In addition, the bill packages include provisions that will he… Continue Reading

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12.19.19

Senate Passes Schatz, Murkowski Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize Vital Role of 2020 Census

Yesterday, the Senate voted unanimously to pass a bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) to ensure that the 2020 Census is fair and accurate. The resolution encourages individuals, families, and households across the United States to take part in the Census so that all communities can be counted. "The Census is essential to our democracy, ensuring that every person is counted and receives the representation and services they dese… Continue Reading

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12.19.19

Murkowski Seeks Solutions to Mitigate Wildfire Impacts on Electric Grid

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine the impacts of wildfires on the reliability of the nation's electric grid. In recent years, wildfires have increasingly caused widespread power outages, most acutely in Western states like California. During her opening remarks, Murkowski recounted last year's Camp Fire, one of the deadliest and most destructive fires in California's history. "The Camp Fire was a sobering wakeup… Continue Reading

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12.18.19

Coons, Murkowski introduce bill to help surviving spouses of veterans who died from ALS

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the Justice for ALS Veterans Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure surviving spouses and families of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) receive the full benefits they are owed. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (D-Calif.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.). "Our current policy denies benefits to spouses and families of veterans … Continue Reading

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12.18.19

GAO: Forest Service Has Not Complied with LWCF Act

In a new report requested and released today by Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Forest Service has not complied with a provision in the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act that limits the amount of land the agency can acquire using LWCF money. GAO found that between fiscal years 2013 and 2017, the federal government acquired more than 850,000 acres of land in the United States. By law, no more than 15 percent of the acreage the… Continue Reading

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12.18.19

Senators Work to Address Student Loans

As the cost of a college degree continues to increase, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced the State-Based Education Loan Awareness Act. The legislation would eliminate disincentives and penalties that prevent universities from informing students about low-cost student loans offered by non-profit, state agency lenders whose mission is to make college affordable and accessible. Click here for more information on the State-Based Education Loan Aw… Continue Reading

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12.18.19

Alaska Delegation Locks In Two More Years of Secure Rural Schools

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after successfully including a two-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program in the final Appropriations measures for Fiscal Year 2020. All three delegation members are strong proponents of the program, which many Alaska communities are forced to rely on due to declining timber receipts from surrounding federal lands. "From the Kenai Peninsula to Yakutat to Wrangell, t… Continue Reading