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.
Alaska Congressional Delegation Applauds $25 Million BUILD Grant for Port of Alaska
Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $25 million Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant to the Port of Alaska, located in Anchorage. "The Port of Alaska - which provides the vast majority of the food, construction materials, fuel, and other vital goods that Alaskans rely on - is in danger from crumbling infrastructure," said the Alaska delegation. … Continue Reading
11.06.19
Bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus adds new members, hosts first meeting with CEOs
U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) today announced that six additional members will join the newly-formed bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus: Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Angus King (I-Maine), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.). The caucus is bringing together an equal number of Republicans and Democrats to craft and advance bipartisan solutions to address climate change. "If we are to make … Continue Reading
11.05.19
Murkowski Expresses Support for Interior, FERC Nominees
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to consider nominees for the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The nominees are Ms. Katharine MacGregor to be Deputy Secretary of DOI and Mr. James Danly to be a member of FERC. Murkowski expressed her support for both nominees and spoke to the importance of the positions they have been nominated for. "Interior is the steward of about 20 percent of all land in the United States, and … Continue Reading
11.05.19
Murkowski, Warren, McSally, Tester, Harris, Sullivan, Gillibrand and Hassan Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Honor Women Veterans
United States Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) today introduced the Senate companion to a House resolution urging the U.S. Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp series honoring women veterans of the Armed Forces and calling for the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend to the Postmaster … Continue Reading
11.01.19
Murkowski: We Must Have a Sense of Urgency to Keep Native Women and Girls Safe
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor to highlight the growing crisis of missing, trafficked, and murdered indigenous women across the nation and the need to both understand the scope of the problem and address coordination between our state, federal, and tribal governments. Senator Murkowski emphasized how Native women are victims of violence in unprecedented proportions, the lack of updated data, and her legislative efforts to address the epidemic. Murkowski appreciated … Continue Reading
11.01.19
Senate Passes Murkowski’s Interior-Environment Funding Bill
U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) today applauded Senate passage of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2020. As chairman of the Interior Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) crafted a bill with funding to strengthen local economies, provide for basic necessities like water and wastewater infrastructure, and create safer and healthier communities. The Interior Subcommittee is responsible for funding agencies that are tasked with managing ou… Continue Reading
11.01.19
Funding Package Passes Senate
The Senate today passed, in vote of 84-9, a funding bill package that sets federal funding levels for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. The funding package combines the FY 2020 Appropriations bills for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration; Commerce, Justice, Science; Interior-Environment; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. As Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee and a member of the Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) had a sig… Continue Reading
10.31.19
Murkowski Convenes Hearing on Recreation-Related Legislation
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today convened a full committee hearing to consider three recreation-related bills introduced by Sens. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore. In her opening remarks, Murkowski noted that recreation is a continued focus for the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "This hearing is building off of one we held in March where we focused on improving access, facilitating infrastructure, and streamlining permitting to meet the in… Continue Reading
10.31.19
Murkowski, Casey Introduce Bill to Diversify Allied Health Workforce
Yesterday, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act, which would make the fields of allied health workers more representative of the populations they serve. The legislation would create a $5 million per year grant program to recruit a more diverse body of professionals in the allied health fields. Allied health professionals include occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists. "… Continue Reading
10.28.19
Murkowski, Sullivan Introduce Bill to Create Department of Defense Arctic Security Studies Center
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced legislation, alongside U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), creating a new Department of Defense (DoD) Regional Center in the Arctic, specifically Alaska, named in honor of the late U.S. Senator Ted Stevens. If enacted, the Ted Stevens Arctic Center for Security Studies would be the first DoD Regional Center in the Arctic. The DoD currently has five academic Regional Centers which cover regions which include Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, Near East-South… Continue Reading
10.24.19
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith, Lisa Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Health Care Services for Native American Elders
U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)-both members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee-introduced a bipartisan bill to expand health care services to Native American elders in Minnesota, Alaska and across the country. The Strengthening Services for Native Elders Act would help tribal organizations provide a wider range of home and community-based health services to American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) elders, including transportation, case management, and healt… Continue Reading
10.24.19
Murkowski, Sullivan, Schatz, Hirono Urge FCC to Stop Plan That Threatens Funding For Programs That Help Millions of Americans Access Phone And Internet Services
Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai'i) called on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to end his efforts that would threaten funding for programs that help millions of Americans in rural communities access telephone and internet services. "Especially in rural areas, USF programs have been key to redefining access to services and ensuring that the most vulnerable Americans have the to… Continue Reading
10.23.19
Alaska Delegation Pays Tribute to Senator Ted Stevens
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the late Senator Ted Stevens and his contributions to Alaska and the nation. The Alaska Congressional Delegation joined members of the Stevens family, friends, congressional colleagues, and former staff at a ceremonial unveiling of a portrait of Senator Stevens, which will be hung in the U.S. Capitol. At the time he left office, Senator Stevens was the longest-s… Continue Reading
10.23.19
Murkowski, Manchin Introduce “Hot” New Bill to Advance Geothermal R&D
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation to accelerate geothermal energy development in the United States. The Advanced Geothermal Innovation Leadership Act of 2019 (the "AGILE" Act) includes provisions for research and development of both existing and enhanced geothermal systems, resource assessment updates, grant program authorization, and improved permitting. "Geothermal is a highly reliable, zero-emission resource able to pr… Continue Reading
10.22.19
Murkowski: Efficiency is Key to Good Energy Policy
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine international efforts to increase energy efficiency and opportunities to advance energy efficiency in the United States. In her opening statement, Murkowski pointed to efficiency as the first place we should look as we work to make energy more affordable. "By reducing energy use, we reduce energy costs, which matters to every family and business," Murkowski said. "We can improve reliability through technologies that reduce … Continue Reading
10.21.19
Murkowski Welcomes Nomination of Dan Brouillette to be Secretary of Energy
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after President Trump announced he would nominate Dan Brouillette to be Secretary of the Department of the Energy (DOE). "Dan is a great choice to be Secretary of Energy and I strongly support his nomination. I have enjoyed working with him as Deputy Secretary, appreciate his visits to Alaska, and have every confidence that he will excel in this new role," Murkowski said. "Once we receive his nomination and paperwork, we… Continue Reading
10.18.19
Murkowski Thanks Secretary Perry For His Service
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after President Trump announced that Secretary of Energy Rick Perry will be departing from his administration. "I thank Secretary Perry for his service at the Department of Energy. He has been a leader on energy innovation, the expansion of America's energy trade, and efforts to increase our nation's cybersecurity. He has focused on the future - particularly quantum, artificial intelligence, and similar fields - and a… Continue Reading
10.18.19
Alaska Congressional Delegation Applauds Historic DOJ Public Safety Investments for Alaska
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today applauded the Department of Justice's announcement that Attorney General Barr will award $42 million in grant funding to improve public safety in rural Alaska. Specifically, the funding aims to address the lack of law enforcement in communities across Alaska through support for Alaska Native villages, tribes, and victim services. Attorney General Barr made the announcement during a teleconference address t… Continue Reading
10.17.19
Murkowski Introduces Legislation to Address Alaska’s Rural Public Safety Crisis
In her continued effort to address the public safety crisis in rural Alaska, U.S Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Alaska Tribal Public Safety Empowerment Act, legislation to empower tribes in Alaska to exercise the special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction on a pilot basis. Among domestic violence victims in Alaska, Native women are over-represented by 250 percent, yet one in three communities in rural Alaska have no local law enforcement. Specifically, the bill expands the ju… Continue Reading
10.17.19
Murkowski: Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a Vital National Asset
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine the status of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and its continued importance to our nation's energy security. In her opening statement, Murkowski highlighted the SPR as a vital national asset and the importance of maintaining a robust emergency reserve in case of supply disruptions and the economic shockwaves that can follow. "You don't give up your insurance policy when you're healthy, and we should not give up the SPR… Continue Reading
