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 Hosts First-Ever Indian Affairs Field Hearing in Savoonga
The first of its kind, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) chaired a field hearing of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in Savoonga, Alaska. During the field hearing on overcrowded housing and the impacts on American Indian and Alaska Natives, a panel of witnesses gave testimonials to the issue as well as solutions to overcrowded housing and housing affordability across Alaska. The hearing featured the following witnesses: President of the Native Village of Savoonga, Delbert Pungowiyi; Savoo… Continue Reading
08.26.18
Senator Murkowski Statement on Senator John McCain
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement on the passing of Senator John McCain (R-AZ): "American hero, remarkable intellect, iron will, and unquestionable integrity-those are just some of the words that come to mind when I think of Senator John McCain. He was one who always did what he thought was right and motivated others to do likewise. I have been blessed to serve in the US Senate with him for the past 16 years and will dearly miss my friend and colleague. "Today w… Continue Reading
08.24.18
Senators Introduce Legislation To Protect Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions
Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Dean Heller (R-NV), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Barrasso (R-WY), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced the Ensuring Coverage for Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions Act, legislation that would guarantee Americans have equal health care coverage, regardless of their health status or pre-existing conditions. Oral arguments in Texas v. United States will b… Continue Reading
08.24.18
Committee Advances Two DOE Nominees
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources yesterday held a business meeting to advance two nominees for the Department of Energy: Mr. William Cooper to be General Counsel; and Mr. Lane Genatowski to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy. Chairman Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, supported both nominations, which the committee favorably reported by voice vote. The nominations now head to the Senate floor. With the passage of yesterday's nominations, a total of ei… Continue Reading
08.24.18
Murkowski Advances Alaskans’ Priorities in Funding Package
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of a funding package that includes the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-H) Appropriations Act and the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY 2019. As a senior member on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murkowski had a significant role in crafting this package. The funding package passed in an 85-7 vote. The Senate bill must now be conferenced with the House version. The 2… Continue Reading
08.23.18
Murkowski Meets with Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after meeting with Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, the nominee to the Supreme Court: "This afternoon Judge Kavanaugh and I met for the first time. We discussed a wide range of issues, many suggested by Alaskans who have been in touch with me about the nomination. From privacy to precedent, executive power, vouchers, Indian law, and healthcare, including women's reproductive rights and protections for pre-existing conditions -we had a s… Continue Reading
08.22.18
Native Language Revitalization Focus in Senate Committee
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and her colleagues on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee held an oversight hearing focused on the revitalization of Native languages and efforts to promote and preserve them. During the hearing, officials from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA), tribal leadership, and other tribal stakeholders testified on what can be done to ensure languages are passed on to the next generation. "Language is truly the foundation of how Native people live and… Continue Reading
08.21.18
Cassidy, Murkowski, and Colleagues Seek Answers from FERC on Pending LNG Export Applications
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today signed on to a letter sent to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Kevin McIntrye urging FERC to approve pending liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project applications in a timely manner, and seeking information regarding FERC's approval process and the agency's available resources. The letter was led by Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and cosigned by Sens. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., John Kennedy, R-La., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Cory Gardner, R-Colo., … Continue Reading
08.21.18
Murkowski Convenes Hearing on Blockchain Technologies
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired the Energy and Natural Resources Committee's first-ever hearing on blockchain, to explore its energy-related applications and potential impacts on our nation's energy systems. The committee heard from a panel of expert witnesses, including the author of a blockchain textbook from Princeton, and the president and CEO of the Corporation for National Research Initiatives, who is often referred to as one of the true "fathers of the Internet." Blockc… Continue Reading
08.17.18
Senator Murkowski Introduces Bill to Protect Kids from Flavored Tobacco
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), alongside Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), recently introduced the Stopping Appealing Flavors in E-Cigarettes for Kids Act or the SAFE Kids Act. This bipartisan legislation will place strict limitations on the use of flavors in tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and cigars. The bill aims to reverse the marketing tactics that make tobacco products more appealing for kids. "I have been alarmed at the rapid increase we have seen in the use of e-cigaret… Continue Reading
08.17.18
Chairman Murkowski and Ranking Member Cantwell Welcome New USDA “Shared Stewardship” Strategy
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the committee's ranking member, today issued the following statements after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) released a new outcome-based investment strategy to improve conditions in America's forests. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Forest Service Interim Chief Vicki Christiansen made the announcement during a press c… Continue Reading
08.16.18
Committee Reviews Nominees for ARPA-E, DOE General Counsel
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to consider two additional nominees for the Department of Energy (DOE). The nominees are William Cooper to be General Counsel and Lane Genatowski to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). In her opening statement, Murkowski noted that Cooper's years of experience in the House of Representatives and in private practice will help him provide legal advice to Secretary … Continue Reading
08.03.18
ICYMI: Senator Murkowski Hosts “Access Live” Event
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) this week hosted her "Access Live" event- an interactive phone call for Alaskan constituents to voice their concerns and hear directly from the Senator. From Anchorage to Fairbanks, to Napaskiak and Sitka, Alaskans across the state weighed in on seafood tariffs, the Supreme Court vacancy, climate change, and domestic violence, among other issues. "I try to weigh Alaskan views as thoroughly and as balanced as I can, and I'm best able to do that when I receiv… Continue Reading
08.02.18
Alaska Delegation Welcomes Agreement Launching Work on Alaska Roadless Rule
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statements after the State of Alaska and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to officially initiate the rulemaking process to develop an Alaska-specific Roadless Rule, ensuring greater access to our national forests. "As I have said many times before, the Roadless Rule has never made sense in Alaska. I welcome today's announcement, wh… Continue Reading
08.02.18
Sens. Murkowski, Coons, Harris introduce bill to recognize ‘Hidden Figures’ for contributions to U.S. leadership during the Space Race
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), along with 44 of their colleagues, introduced a bipartisan bill to award Congressional Gold Medals to Katherine Johnson and Dr. Christine Darden and to posthumously award Congressional Gold Medals to Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. The bill serves to commend these women for their contributions to NASA's success during the Space Race and highlight their broader impact on society; paving the way for wome… Continue Reading
08.02.18
Heitkamp, Murkowski, Klobuchar Urge Administration to Recognize & Address Challenges Facing Tribal & Rural Areas in 2020 Census
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) recently requested information on the Census Bureau's plan to ensure an accurate and cost-effective 2020 Census count in tribal communities. In 2017, Census tests across Indian Country were canceled, furthering concerns that Native populations are not being prioritized in preparations for the 2020 Census- even though the unique characteristics that tribal communities present require additional planning and effo… Continue Reading
08.02.18
Murkowski Announces Departure of Chief Counsel, Staff Promotions
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced the departure of her chief counsel, Patrick McCormick, who has left the Energy and Natural Resources Committee for an opportunity in the private sector. "Pat is truly one of a kind: an incredible lawyer with a servant's heart, a tireless work ethic, and impeccable character," Murkowski said. "Every one of us will miss him greatly, but we are grateful for his indispensable guidance and the many achievements he enabled as part of our committee. … Continue Reading
08.01.18
Murkowski’s Interior Bill Passes Senate, Major Milestone
In a historic move today the full Senate passed, by a vote of 92 to 6, a funding package that includes U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski's Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Murkowski, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and chairman of the Interior, Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, managed the legislation on the Senate floor. This is the first time the Interior bill was considered on the Senate floor, including final passage, in … Continue Reading
08.01.18
Funding Package Managed by Murkowski Passes Senate 92-6
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently voted in favor of a funding package, which combines the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Appropriations bills for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD); Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration; Financial Services and General Government; as well as Senator Murkowski's Interior, Environment and Related Agencies bill. As a member of the Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, Se… Continue Reading
08.01.18
Annual Defense Bill Heading to President’s Desk
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the final version of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation which supports our troops through the biggest pay raise in nearly ten years and provides our military with the resources needed to face emerging threats and protect Americans at home and abroad. The bill passed by a 87-10 vote, sending it to the President for his signature. "Our national security must always remain a top priority. And with tensions … Continue Reading
