05.03.19

Senate Passes Legislation Designating National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded Senate passage of a resolution designating May 5 as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women. U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced the resolution, with Senator Murkowski as a cosponsor. Though legislative efforts, Senator Murkowski has continued her push to address the issue of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women, including calling upon federal agencies to work together to help put an end to the epidemi… Continue Reading

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05.03.19

Murkowski, Manchin, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen America’s Mineral Security

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Martha McSally, R-Ariz., and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation that takes a comprehensive approach to begin reducing the United States' dependence on foreign minerals. Murkowski made the announcement about S. 1317, the American Mineral Security Act, yesterday morning while delivering remarks at the Benchmark Minerals Summit. "Our nation's mineral security is a significant, urgent, and often ignored chal… Continue Reading

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05.03.19

Committee Reviews Two Interior Nominees

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday chaired an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to consider two nominees for the Department of the Interior (DOI). The nominees are Daniel Jorjani to be Solicitor and Mark Greenblatt to be Inspector General. "The Interior Department has numerous, wide-ranging responsibilities, including the administration of more than a quarter of the land in the United States and almost two-thirds of the land in Alaska," Murkowski said. "In order to carry… Continue Reading

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05.02.19

Murkowski Urges Administration to Stay Engaged in Arctic

During a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to consider the Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for the Navy and Marine Corps, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) emphasized the need for the military to pursue its significant and evolving opportunities in the Arctic, specifically asking what plans the branches have for accomplishing strategic objectives in the Arctic region. The Committee heard from the following witnesses: U.S. Navy Secretary Richard Spencer; Chief of Naval Operations, Adm… Continue Reading

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04.30.19

Bipartisan Senate Coalition Reintroduces Comprehensive Nuclear Waste Legislation

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., today reintroduced bipartisan legislation to safeguard and permanently dispose of the nation's stockpiles of spent nuclear fuel from sites across the country. S. 1234, the Nuclear Waste Administration Act (NWAA) of 2019, will provide a path forward for nuclear energy in America by addressing the longstanding failure to implement an effective plan for the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle. "As we mak… Continue Reading

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04.30.19

Murkowski: U.S. Must Lead the World in Nuclear Energy

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine pathways to reestablish U.S. global leadership in nuclear energy and to receive testimony on S. 903, the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA). Murkowski opened the hearing by outlining the historic role the U.S. played in the development of nuclear energy, along with the more recent decline in our global leadership. "Since 2013, seven U.S. reactors have shut down before the end of their useful life, and more closures are p… Continue Reading

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04.30.19

Schatz, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Health Care to Veterans Living In Pacific Region

U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the Compacts of Free Association Veterans Review Act. This legislation would create a three-year pilot program to provide hospital care and medical services to veterans living in the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia-all countries that have entered into the Compact of Free Association with the United States. The program would be part of a broader study con… Continue Reading

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04.25.19

Murkowski Joins CODEL to South Korea and Vietnam

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently traveled to South Korea and Vietnam with Senate colleagues to visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), to discuss energy related issues, be briefed on legacy of war programs, and discuss U.S.-DPRK nuclear negotiations, trade, and other bilateral issues. "North Korea remains one of the country's primary security threats. This opportunity to visit South Korea, see the DMZ, and get briefed on the recent events happening in the region was an invaluable way to … Continue Reading

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04.24.19

Murkowski Calls for Pebble Comment Period Limited Extension

After completing review of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Pebble mine project in Bristol Bay, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today sent a letter to Colonel Phillip Borders, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District Commander, requesting an extension for the public comment period from 90 days to 120 days. Currently, the public comment period runs through May 30. In her letter, Senator Murkowski acknowledged her appreciation for the U.S. Army Corps of Engi… Continue Reading

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04.23.19

Alaska Congressional Delegation Welcomes Progress on Icebreaker

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today welcomed the announcement from the Department of Defense Contracting Office that VT Halter Marine Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, has been awarded the contract to build the nation's first new heavy Polar Security Cutter (PSC) in more than forty years. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz called the delegation to share the news and thank them for their united efforts in support of this historic acquis… Continue Reading

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04.22.19

Murkowski Announces Summer Interns

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced the selection of this year's interns, young Alaskans who will work in her Washington, D.C. office during the upcoming summer. Senator Murkowski's summer internship program consists of twenty recent high school graduates who will participate in two separate, month-long sessions as well as two current college students who will serve as Intern Coordinators for the duration of the summer. "Year after year I look forward to the opportunity to invit… Continue Reading

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04.18.19

Murkowski questions National Guard and Reserve Leaders on Arctic training

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently participated in a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to review the FY2020 Budget Request for the National Guard and Reserve. During the hearing Murkowski emphasized the military's significant and evolving opportunities in the Arctic. The Committee heard from the following witnesses: General Joseph L. Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard Bureau; Lieutenant General Charles D. Luckey, Chief of Army Reserve; Lieutenant General Richard W. Scobee, … Continue Reading

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04.17.19

Alaska Congressional Delegation Announces Denali Commission Co-Chair

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today announced that Jason Hoke of Glennallen has been appointed by the Secretary of Commerce as the Denali Commission Federal Co-Chair. Hoke will replace John Torgerson who has been serving in the role of Interim Federal Co-Chair. "The Denali Commission came to life under Senator Ted Stevens in 1998 and has since been a catalyst for much needed development across the state. Transportation facilities, clinics, … Continue Reading

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04.17.19

Bennet, Murkowski, Casey Introduce Bill to Invest in Health Care and Resources for Seniors

U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Bob Casey (D-PA) today introduced the Inclusive Aging Act to create and expand services to address sexual health care for older Americans and the diverse needs of older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) Americans. "Our outdated laws are limiting care and resources for an entire generation of LGBTQ+ Americans," said Bennet. "LGBTQ+ seniors already face significant barriers to accessing quality health care, espe… Continue Reading

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04.16.19

Murkowski Announces $10.9 Million in Secure Rural Schools Payments to Alaska

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that communities across Alaska will soon receive a total of $10,990,708 to fund schools and local budget priorities. The payments are being provided through the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, which Murkowski successfully reauthorized and funded through Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 in the FY2018 omnibus appropriations bill. "Local communities in Alaska and across the country rely on the Secure Rural Schools program to pay for essential services … Continue Reading

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04.15.19

Murkowski Welcomes New Committee Staff

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced three recent additions to her Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee staff: Tristan Abbey, who is returning to the committee as a senior professional staff member; Nick Matiella, who has joined the committee as a professional staff member; and Stephanie Miller, who has joined the committee as a detailee from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). "I'm thrilled to welcome Tristan, who helped spearhead our efforts to lift the oil export ban… Continue Reading

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04.12.19

Senators Decry Lack Of Action On Disaster Aid For Suffering States

U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) today joined Senate colleagues, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), in expressing disappointment in Congress' failure to deliver critical disaster aid to their states to assist in recovery efforts from natural disasters in 2018 and 2019. It has been six months since Georgia and Florida took a direct hit from Hurricane Michael. The senators have worked to negotiate in good faith since 2018 on a bipartisan disaster r… Continue Reading

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04.12.19

Murkowski Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Bolster America’s Arctic Role

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation aimed to increase the nation's presence in the Arctic by supporting responsible research and development in the U.S. Arctic while giving those who live in the region a greater voice on policy and research. The Shipping and Environmental Arctic Leadership Act (SEAL Act), cosponsored by Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), addresses increasing shipping and maritime traffic by establishing a congressional… Continue Reading

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04.12.19

In Case You Missed It: Murkowski Spotlights Violence Against Native Women

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) continues her push to address the issue of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women, including calling upon federal agencies to work together to help put an end to the epidemic. This week Senator Murkowski was featured in a CNN news piece on the crisis, including efforts to raise awareness and steps of action. Shining a Spotlight: During a CNN interview, Senator Murkowski spoke to the problem of a lack of information and data, as well as the urgen… Continue Reading

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04.11.19

Murkowski: U.S. Can Deliver Energy Breakthroughs

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing that continued the committee's discussion about opportunities for innovative energy solutions that can reduce domestic and global greenhouse gas emissions. Murkowski opened by noting that emissions in the U.S. electric sector have declined substantially in the last decade, in large part due to flat demand growth, low cost natural gas, and the declining costs of renewable technologies. "The opportunity we have in front of us is to fost… Continue Reading