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 Passage of National Security Supplemental
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) issued the following statement on the Senate voting 70-29 to pass the national security supplemental package: “Today the Senate delivered an important message to our allies around the world - you can count on the United States. With the Senate’s support of this comprehensive national security bill crafted through months of bipartisan negotiation, our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan will be one step closer to receiving much needed and overdue support.… Continue Reading
02.12.24
Murkowski Introduces Working Waterfronts Bill to Boost Coastal Workforce, Fisheries, and Infrastructure
Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), introduced the Working Waterfronts Act, legislation which includes more than a dozen provisions aimed at boosting the workforce, energy and shoreside infrastructure, food security, and economies of coastal communities in Alaska and across the country. The bill will also support efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change on coastal communities and strengthen federal conservation research projects. In October 2022, Senator Murkowski began soliciti… Continue Reading
02.09.24
Murkowski, Cantwell Introduce Legislation to Reauthorize the National Landslide Preparedness Act
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today introduced a bill to reauthorize the National Landslide Preparedness Act, which they led into law in 2020, to help communities prepare for and respond to landslides. The bill follows a deadly landslide in Wrangell, Alaska, in November 2023, that killed six people; landslides in Washington state that have closed highways and blocked railways; and hundreds of landslides and mudslides in California following their recent record-set… Continue Reading
02.08.24
Senator Murkowski Announces Upcoming Departure of Chief of Staff
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today announced the upcoming departure of her Chief of Staff, Kaleb Froehlich, who will be leaving the office for an opportunity in the private sector. “Kaleb has led my office for well over three years, and while I’m sad to lose him, I’m grateful he will have this opportunity to spend more time in Alaska with his family. Kaleb is a strong and talented leader and has been a valuable asset for the Alaskans we all serve. I wish him, Annie, a… Continue Reading
02.08.24
Murkowski Votes to Debate Legislation to Address Border Crisis, Provide Aid for U.S. Allies
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) voted in favor of procedural motions to begin debate on two measures related to the migrant crisis at the southern border and aid for U.S. allies. The first motion, which failed last night by a vote of 49-50, would have invoked cloture on the motion to proceed to bipartisan legislation addressing both the migrant crisis at the southern border and provided aid to U.S. allies including Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The second motion, which passed today by a … Continue Reading
02.07.24
Murkowski, Gillibrand Call on HHS Secretary to Support Head Start Impacted by Workforce Shortages, Enrollment Challenges
Recently, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra calling on him to waive the full enrollment initiative penalty for Head Start programs who have not met their enrollment numbers due to challenges recruiting and retaining staff amid workforce shortages. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Head Start programs across the country have faced unprecedented staffing challenges. In response, the O… Continue Reading
02.02.24
Alaska and Hawaii Delegations Seek Medicare Reimbursement Flexibility for Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (both R-Alaska), and Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono (both D-Hawaii), introduced legislation this week to increase the amount that hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii can be reimbursed by Medicare to perform outpatient procedures for enrolled seniors. Historically, rural states have faced significant cost disparities for Medicare reimbursement that drive up costs for both hospitals and patients. This legislation would recognize the uniqu… Continue Reading
02.01.24
Murkowski, Colleagues to Biden: Strengthen Enforcement of Iran Sanctions
Since the start of Hamas’s brutal assault against Israel on October 7, 2023, there have been more than 140 attacks against U.S. troops. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined a group of bipartisan colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden calling on him to enforce current law and act against Iran’s illicit oil trade through sanctions. The Senators also encouraged support for proposed legislation pending in the U.S. Senate. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski joined a group of bipartisan … Continue Reading
01.31.24
Murkowski, Shaheen Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Hold E-Cigarette Companies Accountable for the Youth Vaping Crisis
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) are leading the bipartisan re-introduction of legislation to protect children from the dangers of e-cigarettes. The Resources to Prevent Youth Vaping Act would require that e-cigarette manufacturers pay user fees to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help conduct stronger oversight of the e-cigarette industry and increase awareness for the danger of e-cigarettes. The legislation is co-led by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mi… Continue Reading
01.30.24
Murkowski Announces New State Director, additional staff hires
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced the hire of Karina Waller as her new State Director, who will replace Steve Wackowski at the end of next month as he transitions to the private sector. The Senator also announced some other key additions and promotions in her office. “Although I’m sad to lose Steve, I’m very pleased that Karina will be joining the team as my new State Director,” Murkowski said. “Steve has been a rock for my office and I wish him and his family the best. He will… Continue Reading
01.29.24
Murkowski Announces U.S. Military Service Academy Nominees
Washington, DC - Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced the names of the 39 young Alaskans she is nominating to the U.S. military service academies for the class of 2028. “It’s a privilege to nominate these outstanding candidates from the Last Frontier to our country’s military service academies. These individuals have showcased exceptional leadership and commitment to service—and I extend each and every one of them my best wishes.” U.S. Military Service Academy nominees are select… Continue Reading
01.26.24
Murkowski Reacts to Move by Biden Admin to Pause LNG Exports
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowskj (R-Alaska) released the following statement in response to the Biden administration’s move to freeze export permits for liquified natural gas. “President Biden’s ‘pause’ on new LNG export approvals sends the worst possible message to our allies and the world at the worst possible time. American LNG creates jobs and revenues at home, reduces emissions and increases security in countries who purchase from us, and provides an alternative to Russi… Continue Reading
01.25.24
Congressional Delegation Applaud Milestone in Port of Nome Expansion Project
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska), and Representative Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), today applauded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ announcement of a Project Partnership Announcement (PPA) for the Port of Nome expansion project, which includes the construction of a new deep-water basin. The PPA, which legally binds the Government and the State of Alaska to execute the project, was marked by a signing ceremony held in Nome. $250 million through the bipar… Continue Reading
01.19.24
Alaska Congressional Delegation Introduces Legislation to Settle Cape Fox’s Land Entitlement
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-AK), and Representative Mary Peltola (D-AK), introduced legislation to settle Cape Fox’s remaining land entitlement under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). The measure has the support of a wide coalition of communities in Southeast, Alaska. The legislation waives an existing statutory requirement that would compel Cape Fox Corporation, an Alaska Native Corporation for the Village of Saxman, to use a portion … Continue Reading
01.17.24
Murkowski, Padilla Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Reauthorize National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) through Fiscal Year 2028. The bill would authorize a total of $175.4 million per year from FY 2024-2028 across the four federal agencies responsible for long-term earthquake risk reduction under NEHRP: the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Nati… Continue Reading
01.12.24
DHS Awards University of Alaska Anchorage $46M to Launch Center of Excellence for Homeland Security in the Arctic
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska), and Representative Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), welcomed the announcement that the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) was selected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to lead a consortium of U.S. academic institutions and other partners for a new Center of Excellence focused on Arctic research. The Arctic Domain Awareness Center (ADAC-ARCTIC) will be awarded $46 million over a 10-year period to provide research… Continue Reading
12.22.23
Murkowski Welcomes Closure of Loophole in Russia Seafood Ban
Anchorage, Alaska - Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today released the following statement after President Joe Biden signed a new Executive Order, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury released new guidance and determinations, clarifying and affirming the U.S. prohibition on Russian-origin seafood imports regardless of where processing occurs. “In the midst of a truly difficult time for Alaska’s fishermen, these are stabilizing steps that will help end Russia’s evasion of sanctions and … Continue Reading
12.22.23
Alaska Delegation Continues Push for Federal Re-Approval of the Ambler Access Project
Anchorage, Alaska— U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-Alaska) today sent a letter to Secretary Deb Haaland expressing their disappointment and frustration with the Department of the Interior’s (Department) politicization and continued delay of the Ambler Access Project (AAP), which is needed to facilitate road access to the world-class Ambler Mining District in northwest Alaska. The delegation’s letter coincides with the closure o… Continue Reading
12.20.23
Alaska Delegation Calls on Postal Regulatory Commission to Reject Unjust Postal Rate Increases for Alaskans
U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (both R-Alaska), and Representative Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) called on the Postal Regulatory Commission to reject consideration of the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) proposal to establish higher postal rates for mail delivered to the non-contiguous United States. In a letter sent today that was signed by the Alaska and Hawaiian Congressional delegations as well as delegates from each of the U.S. territories, the members of Congress warned that … Continue Reading
12.19.23
Senators Murkowski, Duckworth, Moran, and Rosen Lead Bill to Support Military Spouses and Families
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada) introduced READINESS Act - legislation that supports military and foreign service spouses and their families by creating more job flexibility when a servicemember is deployed or transferred. The bill, which was developed by current and former federally employed military spouses, aims to encourage the retainment of military spouses across the federal governmen… Continue Reading
