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 Statement on Partial Government Shutdown
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement on the current partial government shutdown: "Shutting down the government, even partially, is no way to govern. It is disruptive, harmful, wasteful, and could leave hundreds of thousands of federal employees and contractors without paychecks over Christmas," Senator Murkowski said. "This year we worked hard to return to regular order in the appropriations process, voting bills out of committee and the Senate with strong bipartisan s… Continue Reading
12.22.18
Going into Partial Government Shutdown
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after the Senate voted to proceed to legislation to fund the remaining appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2019, including an announcement from Senate Majority Leader McConnell on a commitment to working with the White House on an agreement that can pass both houses of Congress and receive the president's signature: "I'm disappointed we could not reach an agreement tonight. Funding the government is a fundamental part of our respo… Continue Reading
12.21.18
Murkowski Responds to Withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Syria
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement in reaction to an announcement that the United States will remove all U.S. troops from Syria, including 7,000 troops from Afghanistan. Senator Murkowski's statement also follows the announcement of the resignation of James N. Mattis as Secretary of Defense: "Secretary Mattis is a strong, respected leader with a wealth of knowledge about the issues and challenges facing our national security. He has consistently been forwa… Continue Reading
12.20.18
Alaska Congressional Delegation Applauds Land Transfer for Being Signed into Law
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young (all R-AK) today commended President Trump for signing S. 825, the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium land Transfer Act, into law. This legislation transfers to Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) a parcel of federal land in Sitka, Alaska, allowing the organization to further improve health care services for the region. "I'm encouraged to know that this legislation will allow SEARHC to renovate one of the o… Continue Reading
12.20.18
Carper, Murkowski Introduce Bill to Help Americans Transition to More Efficient Wood Heaters, Reduce Air Pollution
Earlier this week, U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), top Republican on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR), introduced a bill (S. 3779) that would establish a grant program at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to incentivize the removal and replacement of old, inefficient residential wood heaters with efficient, clean-burning heaters. The Wood Heaters Emissions Reduction Act (WH… Continue Reading
12.20.18
Alaska Delegation Commends Milestone for Responsible Energy Development on the Coastal Plain
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, Rep. Don Young, and Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy (all R-Alaska) today issued the following statements after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the oil and gas leasing program on the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). "One year ago, Congress directed the Department of the Interior to open the Coastal Plain for responsible energy development, and today marks a major step f… Continue Reading
12.20.18
Quantum Science Legislation Heads to the President’s Desk
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6227, the National Quantum Initiative Act, a bipartisan bill to accelerate research in the field of quantum science. "The possibilities of quantum information science are tremendous, with the potential to transform the speed and scale at which we process data, allowing for breakthroughs in almost every facet of our lives," Murkowski said. "A National Quantum Initiative will … Continue Reading
12.19.18
Murkowski Votes Against FIRST STEP
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after voting no on the final version of the FIRST STEP Act, criminal justice reform to American's prison and sentencing system. "I supported amendments that defended victims' rights and would have tightened-up exclusions that unfortunately were not included in the final version of the bill," said Senator Murkowski. "Reforming our nation's criminal justice system is no small task and one that needs to be fully thought out and vett… Continue Reading
12.18.18
Senate Passes Murkowski, Udall Legislation Honoring Native Women
The Senate recently passed S.Res.444, legislation recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States. U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced this legislation to celebrate the accomplishments and call attention to the interests of indigenous women across the nation. "It's important that we specifically recognize Alaska Native, American Indian, and Native Hawaiian women for their uniq… Continue Reading
12.18.18
Senate Passes Schatz-Murkowski Legislation to Expand AMBER Alert System to All U.S. Territories, Help Find Missing Children
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation authored by Sens. Brian Schatz, D-Hawai'i, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, that will expand the AMBER Alert system to include all U.S. territories. The national AMBER Alert network distributes alerts on highway billboards, TVs, radio, and cellular phones to mobilize the public when a child is missing or abducted. It has helped rescue more than 900 children. "The AMBER Alert system has saved hundreds of children over the past 15 years, which is why it… Continue Reading
12.15.18
Murkowski Committed to Protections for Pre-existing Conditions and Access to Care
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas Judge Reed O'Connor ruled in favor of Texas and its partner states, deeming the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional: "In Alaska and across the nation healthcare remains a priority and concern. I have heard that loud and clear," said Senator Murkowski. "This ruling has no immediate impact, and I am confident higher courts will review the decision. Regardless, we must p… Continue Reading
12.15.18
Murkowski Comments on Zinke’s Departure
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement about Secretary Ryan Zinke, who will step down from the Department of the Interior at the end of the year. "I was disappointed to learn that Secretary Zinke is stepping down. He has been a strong partner for western states and for Alaska, in particular. After years of frustration with the Department, he came in and took a very different approach - he listened to us, built a great team, and worked with us to advance our p… Continue Reading
12.14.18
Murkowski Supports Congressional Harassment Policy Reform
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after the Senate and House unanimously passed the Congressional Accountability Act Reform Act, legislation to overhaul how Congress handles sexual harassment claims, sending to the President's desk to be signed into law. "If we as members of Congress are going to change the culture of harassment nationwide, we must lead by example. I have continued to push for action on comprehensive reform, because I have been appalled at the cu… Continue Reading
12.14.18
Murkowski Backs Diplomatic Solution in Yemen, Rejects Yemen War Resolution
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after voting against S.J. Res. 54, the Yemen War Powers Resolution, which passed the Senate by a vote of 56-41. Separately, the Senate passed by unanimous consent S.J. Res 69, a joint resolution supporting a diplomatic solution in Yemen and condemning the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "The human rights abuses that are taking place in Yemen must stop, and the Kingdom must also be put on notice that assassinating journalis… Continue Reading
12.13.18
Shaheen, Murkowski Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging CDC and ATSDR to Prioritize Studies on Health Effects of Firefighters’ Exposure to PFAS
Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) led a bipartisan group of 21 Senators in a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), requesting that the agencies take additional steps to ensure that the health effects of occupational exposure to per-and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS), particularly in firefighters, are sufficiently studied. Senator Shaheen established the first-ever nati… Continue Reading
12.13.18
Murkowski Joins Committee in Addressing Missing and Murdered American Indian and Alaska Native Epidemic
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and her colleagues on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee held an oversight hearing focused on missing and murdered indigenous people. During the hearing, the committee received testimony from two panels of witnesses, including Alaskan Patricia Alexander, representing Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. The hearing highlighted the extent of the epidemic of missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives and also shed light… Continue Reading
12.12.18
Murkowski Rejects Overturning IRS Donor Disclosure Rule
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today voted no on SJ Res 64, a joint resolution to override an Internal Revenue Service decision to no longer require that certain non-profit organizations confidentially disclose their donors to the government in annual reports filed with the agency. These annual reports are known as "IRS Form 990." "The Treasury Department concluded that there is no tax law reason to require that certain non-profit organizations disclose their donors to the Internal Revenue … Continue Reading
12.12.18
Feinstein-Murkowski Earthquake Resilience Bill Signed into Law
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, commended President Trump for yesterday signing the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act (NEHRP) into law. Murkowski and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced the bipartisan legislation and secured unanimous passage in the Senate on Sept. 27, 2018, with House passage by voice vote following on Nov. 27, 2018. The bill modernizes safety programs that help states like Alaska prepare for and respond to earthquakes. The legislati… Continue Reading
12.12.18
Murkowski Statement on Farm Bill Vote
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after voting against H.R.2, the final version of the Farm Bill: "I appreciate the hard work that Chairman Roberts, Senator Stabenow, and many others put into the Farm Bill, particularly on food security issues. This was a tough call, but ultimately I was unable to support the final conference report. Despite the billions in subsidies that continue to be directed to agribusiness, the bill does not include meaningful forest managem… Continue Reading
12.12.18
Murkowski Unveils Arctic Legislation to Reinvigorate America’s Arctic Role
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) unveiled legislation aimed to raise the nation's presence in the Arctic through two bills, the Arctic Policy Act (APA) and the Shipping and Environmental Arctic Leadership Act (SEAL Act). The APA takes steps to increase local and indigenous voices in federal science and policy in the Arctic while the SEAL Act establishes a congressionally charted seaway development corporation in the Arctic. As shipping and maritime traffic in the Arctic is expected to grow, th… Continue Reading
