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.
Funding Bills Advance to Full Senate
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved both the Homeland Security and State & Foreign Operations Appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2020, sending them to the full Senate for consideration. As a member of the Committee, U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) worked to secure provisions to support the U.S. Coast Guard with the assets and infrastructure they need to keep our people and our waters safe, prioritize our nation's leadership in the Arctic, as well as invest in security and improving … Continue Reading
09.27.19
Murkowski Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Cybersecurity in Alaska and Across Rural America
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday introduced legislation to enhance the security of our nation's electric grid. The bill, entitled the Protecting Resources On The Electric grid with Cybersecurity Technology (PROTECT) Act, establishes a grant program at the Department of Energy to advance the cybersecurity defenses of rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities in Alaska and throughout the nation. It also directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to incentivize cybersec… Continue Reading
09.27.19
Murkowski Votes to Confirm Eugene Scalia as Labor Secretary
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting to confirm Eugene Scalia as Secretary of Labor: "After thoroughly vetting Eugene Scalia for the post of Secretary, I found him to be highly qualified. I had the opportunity to meet with him in person and speak on the phone about issues important to Alaskans. This gave me a chance to not only learn more about Mr. Scalia and his experience, but educate him on Alaska's unique issues and opportunities," said Senator Mu… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Big Wins for Alaska in Interior Funding Bill
The Senate Appropriations Committee today advanced the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2020. The Interior Subcommittee is responsible for funding agencies that are charged with managing our public lands, ensuring clean water and clean air, meeting federal trust responsibilities for Native peoples, and funding cultural agencies and museums. As chairman of the Interior Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) crafted a bill with funding to st… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Murkowski, Udall, Sullivan Introduce Bill to Protect Indian Health Service Funding During Lapses in Appropriations
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tom Udall (D-NM), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced the IHS Advance Appropriations Act of 2019, bipartisan legislation which amends the Indian Health Service Improvement Act to authorize advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service by providing two-fiscal-year budget authority, shoring up the gaps in the funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS), the agency responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. Th… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Murkowski, Jones, Cassidy Introduce Legislation to Give Patients Timely and Safe Access to Treatment
Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Doug Jones (D-AL), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), today introduced the Safe Step Act of 2019. This legislation would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to require group health plans to provide an exception process for any medication step therapy protocol, tools used by health plans to control spending on patient's medications, to help ensure patients are able to safely and efficiently access treatment. Additional cosponsors of the legislation incl… Continue Reading
09.25.19
Murkowski Votes to Uphold Separation of Powers
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after voting on S.J. Res. 54, the National Emergency Declaration Resolution of Disapproval: "My vote today is about ensuring we respect the separation and balance of powers that are fundamental to our democracy. The U.S. Constitution distinctly gives the legislative branch the power to appropriate. From the outset, I noted my opposition to this emergency declaration and what that meant, including my concern over diverting funds a… Continue Reading
09.25.19
ENR Advances Consensus Energy Storage Legislation
Chairman Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Ranking Member Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., today advanced a comprehensive energy storage package to the full Senate during a business meeting held by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The package was reported as an amendment to S. 1602, the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act introduced by Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine. The committee chose to amend her bill as a reflection of her leadership on energy storage and clean energy technologie… Continue Reading
09.24.19
Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent E-Cigarette Tampering
Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley, joined by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), today introduced new legislation to set safety standards in the design of e-cigarette and vaping devices. The Senators' legislation-the E-Cigarette Device Standards Act of 2019-follows a spate of hundreds of illnesses and eight deaths linked to vaping across the United States. In some of the most serious cases, victims reportedly may have fallen ill … Continue Reading
09.24.19
Murkowski Interior Bill Advances to Full Committee
The Senate Interior-Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee today advanced its FY2020 appropriations bill with funding to strengthen the economy, improve water and wastewater infrastructure, and create safer and healthier communities across the state. As chairman of the Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) worked to address a range of challenges, needs, and opportunities in Alaska by securing provisions to develop infrastructure projects, improve access to Nativ… Continue Reading
09.23.19
Funding Bills Head to Full Senate for Consideration
The Senate Appropriations Committee recently approved the Fiscal Year 2020 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food & Drug Administration, & Related Agencies Appropriations Act and the Financial Services & General Government Act, sending both to the full U.S. Senate for consideration. The first bill funds programs and services important to Alaskans including nutrition, food safety, rural development, agricultural research, conservation, and more. The second includes the Departments of t… Continue Reading
09.23.19
T-HUD Appropriations Bill Approved Unanimously by Committee
The Senate Appropriations Committee recently unanimously approved the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (T-HUD) Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations bill, which includes provisions secured by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to benefit Alaska. The legislation includes critical funds to support Essential Air Service, improve cold climate building technology, and increase access to quality, affordable housing. "Whether it is our harsh climate, rough terrain, or simp… Continue Reading
09.20.19
Murkowski Joins Colleagues in Examining Ways to Simplify the FAFSA
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) took part in a Senate HELP Committee hearing focused on fixing the burdensome and complicated Federal Student Aid Application (FAFSA), which students utilize to apply for federal student financial aid to help pay for college. The hearing explored legislative solutions to simplify and shorten the FAFSA, including making it easier for low-income families to qualify for federal Pell Grants. "We must do a better job of not only communicating to high school student… Continue Reading
09.20.19
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
