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 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
10.16.19
Murkowski, Smith Introduce Indian Energy Legislation
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Tina Smith, D-Minn., today introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and improve the Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (OIE). The bill, entitled the Tribal Energy Reauthorization Act (TERA), reauthorizes OIE and the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program (TELGP) through 2030, updates eligibility requirements for energy project grants, and encourages more locally and regionally based partnerships when providing technic… Continue Reading
10.16.19
Senators Sullivan, Murkowski Praise Nomination of Joshua Kindred
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded President Donald J. Trump's announcement on his intent to nominate Joshua Kindred to serve as United States District Court Judge for the District of Alaska. "I congratulate Joshua on being nominated to serve on the federal bench for the District of Alaska," said Senator Sullivan. "With his extensive criminal and trial experience, combined with a deep understanding of Alaska and Alaska-centric federal l… Continue Reading
10.15.19
Delegation Welcomes Draft of Tongass-Specific Roadless Rule
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (Forest Service) announced the release of its draft Roadless Rule for the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska. "I'm very pleased the administration has listened to Alaskans and is proposing a full exemption from the Roadless Rule as its preferred alternative," Murkowski said. "I thank President Trump, Secretary Per… Continue Reading
10.08.19
Tester, Murkowski, Shaheen, Sullivan Spearhead Bill to Bring More Addiction Counselors to Communities
U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) recently introduced legislation to provide better access to treatment for substance use disorders by recognizing licensed addiction counselors (LACs) under Medicare. The Senators' Addiction Treatment Access Act would allow health care facilities to bill Medicare for LAC services. LACs are not currently recognized as providers by Medicare, which prevents them from receiving reimbursement a… Continue Reading
10.03.19
Senators Call for Financial Certainty for Rural Counties
U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho and 27 of their Senate colleagues today requested that any end-of-year legislation include at least a two-year reauthorization of the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) programs. In a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the senators wrote, " Congress has an obligation to ensure counties with lar… Continue Reading
10.01.19
Murkowski Statement on the President’s Intent to Nominate James Danly for FERC
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the President announced his intent to nominate James Danly to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). "I welcome the President's decision to nominate a Republican commissioner and to fill a critical seat that has now been vacant for nine full months," Murkowski said. "We will need to receive both a formal nomination and all associated paperwork before proceeding to a hearing, which has not bee… Continue Reading
09.30.19
Committee Approves FY2020 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill
The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations bill. As a member of the committee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured a range of initiatives to improve research and technology in the Arctic, strengthen public safety in rural Alaska, and ensure Alaska's fisheries continue to thrive. This legislation, which funds the U.S. Department of Commerce and Justice, the National Science Foundation, the Nat… Continue Reading
