08.01.19

Murkowski Votes in Favor of Bipartisan Budget Deal

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today issued the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 3877, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 67 to 28 and now heads to the President to be signed into law. "This bipartisan agreement is necessary to provide fiscal certainty at the federal level. It's the result of a compromise and reflects priorities from both sides of the aisle. It provides for the common defense and national security by ensuring the comb… Continue Reading

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07.31.19

Murkowski Reacts to EPA’s Latest Announcement on Pebble Mine

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it has withdrawn the proposed determination it issued in 2014 for the Pebble mine project in southwest Alaska. "I have never supported preemptive restrictions for any project in Alaska," Murkowski said. "It is inappropriate for an agency to prejudge a project years before its proponent has filed a permit application. Allowing agencies to expand their authority in … Continue Reading

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07.31.19

Murkowski Introduces Legislation to Provide Critical Funding For Pregnant Mothers

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced new legislation to reauthorize mandatory funding at $25 million for the Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) for five years, through 2024. The PAF program is a vital health and human services program that delivers funding for states and tribal entities so they can provide essential services directed to youth who are pregnant and parenting, to pregnant women who have experienced sexual violence, and other vulnerable individuals who ar… Continue Reading

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07.30.19

Murkowski Commends Administration Efforts to Increase Hospital Price Transparency

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) welcomed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' announcement of newly proposed rules aimed to provide patients with clear and accessible information about the cost of healthcare. The proposed rules establish transparency requirements to make pricing information publically available as well as change payment policies under the physician fee schedule and other Part B payment policies. "Greater transparency is one key piece of the puzzle when it comes to… Continue Reading

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07.30.19

Murkowski Commends Successful Arrow-3 Missile Test Launch

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today applauded the successful Arrow-3 missile tests at the Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska in Kodiak -a joint effort between the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D). Arrow-3 missiles successfully took out target missiles in high-altitude precision test engagements. As a member of both the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and full Senate Appropriati… Continue Reading

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07.29.19

Murkowski, Smith Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Tribes Combat Homelessness

U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced a bipartisan bill to make it possible for Tribes and tribally designated housing entities to access funding to combat homelessness on tribal lands. The bipartisan bill-the Tribal Access to Homeless Assistance Act-would make it possible for Tribes to submit funding requests for these funds, and it would also help Tribes take on the administration and coordination of homeless assistance grants. U.S. Representatives Denny H… Continue Reading

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07.27.19

Murphy, Murkowski Applaud Committee Passage Of Save Our Seas 2.0

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) applauded committee passage of Save Our Seas 2.0, bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) 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 rep… Continue Reading

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07.26.19

Murkowski, Casey Introduce Bill to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Bob Casey (D-PA) recently introduced the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2019 (S. 2259), which would enhance and expand support, protection, and prevention for Americans affected by family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence. Through FVPSA, survivors receive services such as emergency shelter, crisis counseling, safety planning, and assistance recovering from financial abuse and housing insecurity. More than 10 mil… Continue Reading

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07.26.19

Hirono, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Urging U.S. Approval of the Law of the Sea Treaty

Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced S.Res.284, a resolution calling on the U.S. Senate to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). UNCLOS, which has been ratified by 167 nations and the European Union, lays out the rights and responsibilities of countries related to the world's oceans, including guidelines for businesses and the management of marine natural resources. U.S. Representatives Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Don Y… Continue Reading

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07.25.19

Cardin, Murkowski Lead Briefing on Removing the Deadline for the Equal Rights Amendment

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today hosted a panel of bipartisan experts outlining why Congress should remove the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The ERA has been ratified by 37 states, leaving it one state from ratification. Cardin and Murkowski are the lead sponsors of S.J. Res. 6, a bipartisan resolution that would remove the deadline placed on the 1972 ERA and allow for its ratification once the 38th state votes to ratify. This … Continue Reading

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07.25.19

Carper, Murkowski Reintroduce Bill Incentivizing Homeowner Transitions to Cleaner, More Efficient Wood Heaters

U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, reintroduced a bill today that would improve indoor and outdoor air quality and encourage manufacturing job growth by advancing the deployment of cleaner burning wood stoves, which are used by an estimated 11.5 million families throughout the United States. The Wood Heaters Emissions Reduction Act (WHERA) would … Continue Reading

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07.25.19

Committee Focuses on Links Between Energy Innovation, Economic Growth, and Competitiveness

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine the importance of energy innovation to economic growth and our country's long-term competitiveness. Murkowski opened the hearing by outlining the broad importance of innovation to our success as a nation. "Whether we are looking to bolster our energy supply or reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, innovation will need to be front and center and recognized as our best solution," Murkowski said. "In Alaska, we have already se… Continue Reading

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07.24.19

Murkowski Votes to Permanently Renew 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund

An original cosponsor of the Senate version, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act. The bill authorizes permanent funding for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 and the World Trade Center Health Program, compensating and providing healthcare for the first responders and other individuals who have been injured from toxic and haz… Continue Reading

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07.24.19

Alaska Congressional Delegation Commends USDA Purchase of Alaska Pollock Products for Food Nutrition Assistance Programs

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, (all R-Alaska), today commended the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) approval of a Section 32 purchase of up to $41 million of surplus Alaska Pollock Products. USDA's purchase of Alaska Pollock will be distributed to various food nutrition assistance programs, including charitable organizations. "With a wide range of health benefits and its popularity among consumers, Alaska Pollock is one of the most valuab… Continue Reading

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07.23.19

Murkowski Comments on Budget Deal

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement regarding the budget deal reached by administration negotiators and congressional leadership: "While this budget agreement is far from perfect, it reflects real compromise. It prioritizes our nation's defense and our veterans and puts reasonable constraints on non-defense spending. It avoids controversial riders, reduces the prospect of a government shutdown, and allows us to move forward in the appropriations process. I comme… Continue Reading

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07.23.19

ENR Reviews U.S. Interests in the Freely Associated States

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine U.S. interests in the Freely Associated States (FAS), which include the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Relations between the U.S. and FAS began during World War II, when the United States ended Japanese occupation of the region. Murkowski opened the hearing by outlining the important relationship the United States has with these nations. "The FAS nations are … Continue Reading

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07.23.19

Murkowski Votes to Confirm Mark Esper as Defense Secretary

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement today after voting to confirm Mark Esper as Secretary of Defense: "Mark Esper is a leader with a proven ability to make tough choices, a keen understanding of global security risks, and the focus to defend our country from current threats while always preparing for future adversaries. Esper not only has the qualifications to lead in the Defense Department, but he has the track record and expertise to follow suit. Esper is a tru… Continue Reading

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07.18.19

Van Hollen, Murkowski, Foster Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Create National Fab Lab Network

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-Ill.) recently introduced the National Fab Lab Network Act, legislation to expand Fab Labs across the country. These facilities are equipped with digitally-controlled tools that enable individuals to create and innovate new products. These tools range from laser cutters, to 3D printers, to automated knives - and training is also provided. To encourage the growth and expansion of new and cu… Continue Reading

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07.18.19

Bipartisan, Bicameral STOP Act To Safeguard Tribal Items Introduced

Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) reintroduced the bipartisan Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act, a bill to prohibit the exporting of sacred Native American items and increase penalties for stealing and illegally trafficking tribal cultural patrimony. The House companion was introduced by Assistant House Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), Don Young (R-Alaska), and Tom Cole (R-Okla.). "I am p… Continue Reading

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07.16.19

Energy Committee Advances 22 Bills

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today held a business meeting to consider and report 22 energy-related measures to the full Senate. Chairman Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, thanked her colleagues for their bipartisan efforts to develop these measures and outlined the important work ahead on the Senate floor. "I'm excited to be moving legislation related to nuclear energy, mineral security, energy efficiency, and carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration out of committee," Murko… Continue Reading