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 Senators Urge FDA to Remove All Pod- and Cartridge Based E-Cigarettes From Market Until They Can Be Proven Safe
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), today called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Acting Commissioner Dr. Ned Sharpless to immediately remove all pod- and cartridge-based e-cigarettes from the market, unless or until they can prove that they benefit the public health. In a letter to Sharpless, the Senators cited 530 cases of vaping-related lung disease, as well as eight deaths. Reports indi… Continue Reading
09.19.19
Murkowski Continues Fight for Clear Labels on GE Salmon
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a member of the Appropriations Committee, today announced a provision within the Agriculture Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2020 to prevent the introduction of genetically engineered (GE) salmon to the U.S. market until a consumer study is completed, determining the effectiveness of USDA's recent labeling guidelines for bioengineered foods. This provision Senator Murkowski secured follows the USDA publishing inadequate labeling guidelines for genetically… Continue Reading
09.18.19
In Case You Missed It: Murkowski Participates in “We the People: Constitution Tour”
Yesterday on Constitution Day, NBC News Learn, the educational arm of NBC News, unveiled their "We the People: Constitution Tour"-an educational video series to explain the three branches of government and how they work together. In an effort to empower students to be engaged citizens, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined the video series as one of five featured members of Congress. The videos were produced in collaboration with the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. "I think it's important … Continue Reading
09.18.19
Murkowski Highlights Potential “Unintended Consequences” of IMO 2020 Fuel Standards
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday sent a letter requesting that the Department of Energy monitor the potential impacts of the International Maritime Organization's new sulfur standards for marine fuels. The so-called "IMO 2020" standards are set to take effect on January 1, 2020. Addressed to Dr. Linda Capuano, Administrator of the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the letter states: "As an Alaskan, I will always remain vigilant about unique consequences for the good people wh… Continue Reading
09.17.19
Murkowski: To Lead In Clean Energy, We Must Lead In Minerals
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine the sourcing and use of minerals needed for clean energy technologies. In her opening statement, Murkowski outlined the link between minerals and renewable energy technologies, the fundamental role that minerals play in modern society, and the need for strong domestic supply chains. "Minerals are the fundamental building blocks for any modern technology, but they don't just appear out of thin air," Murkowski said. "As our en… Continue Reading
09.17.19
Murkowski Condemns Attacks on Saudi Oil Facilities
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today delivered the following remarks about this weekend's drone attacks on energy facilities in Saudi Arabia. "I want to start today not with the topic of our hearing, but the topic dominating the headlines and that's the attacks over the weekend on Saudi oil infrastructure, which have threatened Middle East security and rattled global oil markets. "I condemn these attacks - I think all of us do - and those who perpetrated them. I have read the classified … Continue Reading
09.13.19
Committee Advances Defense Funding Bill
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a senior member on the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to advance the Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2020. Senator Murkowski and her Appropriations Committee colleagues worked to craft a bill that prioritizes supporting programs critical to national security. The bill also includes $1.7 billion in emergency funding for disaster relief, specifically in response to Hurricanes Michael and Florence, and for flooding and earthquakes that occurr… Continue Reading
09.13.19
Committee Advances Energy and Water Funding Bill
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to advance the Energy and Water Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2020. The bill provides funding for Department of Energy (DOE) programs and critical infrastructure projects administered by the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). Murkowski secured provisions to build on energy needs and opportunities in Alaska's Arctic, which will improve energy efficiency, reliability, and affordability. Her reque… Continue Reading
09.12.19
Delegation Welcomes Key Step for Coastal Plain Leasing Program
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the oil and gas leasing program for the non-wilderness Coastal Plain (1002 Area) of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). "This is a major step forward in our decades-long efforts to allow for responsible resource development in Alaska's 1002 Area, and I thank Secretary Bernhar… Continue Reading
09.12.19
Murkowski Accepts Honorary Position on IEA’s Global Efficiency Commission
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that she has accepted an honorary membership position on the International Energy Agency's (IEA) independent, high-level Commission for Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency (Commission). The announcement was made at a brief press conference held today with Dr. Fatih Birol, IEA's Executive Director. "I am proud to be part of a concerted global effort to encourage energy efficiency and truly appreciate Dr. Birol extending this invitation," Murkows… Continue Reading
09.11.19
Murkowski Commends Administration for E-Cigarette Flavor Ban
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today commended the Trump administration for its announcement on banning flavored e-cigarettes. The U.S. Department of Human Services announced plans for the FDA to finalize a compliance policy, which would place a ban on all non-tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes. This announcement follows a recent CDC health advisory on severe pulmonary disease associated with using e-cigarette products, which also identified the illnesses impacting adolescents and young adults, r… Continue Reading
08.30.19
Murkowski Welcomes Deputy Secretary of Energy in Alaska
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week welcomed U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Deputy Secretary Dan Brouillette to Alaska to see energy-related opportunities and challenges across the state. During the trip, Brouillette visited operations on the North Slope, toured remote villages working to reduce their cost of energy, and met with local stakeholders. "This was a great opportunity for Dan to visit more of Alaska, to see firsthand how we contribute to our nation's energy security, and t… Continue Reading
08.29.19
Murkowski Statement on Senator Isakson Retirement Announcement
Anchorage, AK - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today released the following statement after U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) announced his plans to retire from the United States Senate at the end of the year. "While I will be saddened to see my friend and colleague leave the Senate, I commend him for putting his health and the people he represents, first. His dedication to the people of Georgia and sense of responsibility has been unwavering, including in this very difficult decision," sa… Continue Reading
08.27.19
Murkowski Comments on Hilcorp Acquisition of BP’s Alaska Assets
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after Hilcorp announced it has reached agreement to acquire substantially all of BP's assets and interests in Alaska. "We thank BP for its long-standing partnership on resource production in our state and for the many significant and lasting philanthropic contributions it has made in our communities," Murkowski said. "I'm looking forward to learning more details and am encouraged that an enterprising company like Hilcor… Continue Reading
08.21.19
Murkowski Thanks Assistant Secretary Balash For His Service
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today thanked Alaskan Joe Balash, who will be stepping down from his position as Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the Department of the Interior at the end of the month. "I greatly appreciate Joe's hard work and dedication at the Department, where he has led the way on a number of issues that are critical to our state and nation. From standing up the leasing program for the 1002 Area to the lifting of decades-old Public Lands Orders, Jo… Continue Reading
08.15.19
Murkowski Releases Discussion Draft of Strategic Energy for America Act
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released a discussion draft of the Strategic Energy for America (SEA) Act of 2019, building from her recently launched Strategic Energy Initiative (SEI). "In this era of strategic energy competition, we must strengthen our tools of statecraft through a rational, long-term approach," Murkowski said. "What I have released today outlines the means to continue growing our nation's energy dominance. American companies and workers participate in highly compet… Continue Reading
08.07.19
Murkowski, Sullivan Lead Senate Effort to Establish Offshore Revenue Sharing for Alaska
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, along with Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., John Kennedy, R-La., Doug Jones, D-Ala., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., recently introduced new legislation to facilitate the equitable sharing of revenues from energy production in the nation's Outer Continental Shelf. The bill, entitled the Conservation of America's Shoreline Terrain and Aquatic Life (COASTAL) Act, includes a title written by Murkowski and Sullivan to establish a revenue sharing prog… Continue Reading
08.05.19
Murkowski Holds Transboundary Roundtable
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), joined by U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), today led a roundtable discussion on transboundary issues, bringing together federal, state, tribal, and local leaders as well as visiting Commissioners from the International Joint Commission (IJC), the bilateral panel under the Boundary Waters Treaty between the United States and Canada. The roundtable discussion focused on educating IJC Commissioners about Alaska's transboundary watersheds, Alaska's water quality … Continue Reading
08.05.19
Murkowski Introduces Bill to Help Develop Local Energy Infrastructure
Prior to the Senate's adjournment for the August state work period, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, introduced legislation to improve access to the Department of Energy's (DOE) Section 1703 loan guarantee program. Her new bill would allow certain state financing entities to be fully eligible for the program, providing a new pathway for states to secure financing for projects that will reduce energy costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. "Right now, the Department's loan guarantee program… Continue Reading
08.02.19
ICYMI: Murkowski Highlights Alaska Travel and Transportation
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently spoke on the Senate floor to emphasize the uniqueness of transportation and travel in Alaska, explaining to her colleagues why road trips in Alaska take on a different meaning. "I come from a state with over 663,000 square miles. But within those 663,000 square miles we don't have a lot of roads." said Senator Murkowski. "Over 82 percent of the communities in the state of Alaska are not connected by roads and not part of the road system. So traveling … Continue Reading
