Press Releases
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Currently showing results related to Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska
Two Murkowski Bills Pass Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Today the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs passed two pieces of legislation sponsored by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). S.91, the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2017, which strengthens and reforms Public Law 102-477 (referred to as "477"), a comprehensive Native employment and training program. S.269 transfers property to both the Tanana Tribal Council and Bristol Bay Area Health to be used in connection with health and social services programs. "I … Continue Reading
01.11.17
Murkowski, Sullivan Keep Up the Fight for King Cove Road
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, today introduced legislation to authorize a short, one-lane, gravel, non-commercial road for the isolated community of King Cove, Alaska. The road is needed to link King Cove to the all-weather airport in nearby Cold Bay and will provide local residents with reliable access to emergency medical transportation. "A life-saving road remains the best and only real option to help the people of King Cove," Murkowski said. "People have died wi… Continue Reading
10.25.16
Murkowski Welcomes Funding to Reduce Alaskans’ High Energy Costs
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) welcomed the announcement that over $15 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are headed to the state to help Alaskans with their home heating bills. The State of Alaska will receive $9,151,603 from the LIHEAP Block Grant that will be distributed to Alaskans through the DHHS Division of Public Assistance. An additional $6,515,817 will be distributed to Native tribes and … Continue Reading
10.19.16
Alaska Senators Honor 50 Years of the Alaska Federation of Natives
The U.S. Senate recently passed a resolution (attached), introduced by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN). AFN was formed in October 1966 when more than 400 Alaska Natives, representing 17 Native organizations, conducted a historic 3-day meeting to address Alaska Native land rights. "I'm proud to honor and recognize the significance of AFN and what this organization has achieved. I look forward to the AFN … Continue Reading
10.06.16
Murkowski Announces That Previously Cancelled BIA Providers Conference is Back on Schedule
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski announced that the 2016 Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Tribal Providers Conference, which was abruptly cancelled last month, is back on track to occur in November. The BIA Tribal Providers Conference, an annual meeting of Alaska's 229 federally recognized tribes and their federal partners, was canceled by the BIA due to logistical problems with a contractor. Tribes were notified through the conference website that "The Providers Conference has been cancelled unt… Continue Reading
09.30.16
Murkowski, Heitkamp Bill Creating Native Children’s Commission Heads to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) today announced that their bipartisan bill to improve the lives of Native American children passed Congress unanimously and now heads for the president's desk for his signature. The Senators' bill, the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act, implements solutions that would address the overwhelming obstacles Native children face - including experiencing levels of post-traumatic stre… Continue Reading
09.26.16
Bill to Empower Native Communities, Boost Tourism Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - A bill co-sponsored by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) to enhance and integrate native tourism, empower native communities, and expand unique cultural tourism opportunities in the United States, the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act, has been signed into law by President Obama. Congressman Don Young (R-AK) co-sponsored companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The NATIVE Act would require federal agencies w… Continue Reading
09.15.16
Water Infrastructure Development Bill Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), legislation that addresses infrastructure priorities on America's coasts and rivers. The bill authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to improve navigation and flood management, construct projects to mitigate storm damage, and to assist state and local governments with safety programs. The legislation also supports a wide range of water quality projects and programs through pr… Continue Reading
09.14.16
Murkowski: 51 Medevacs and Counting from King Cove
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday spoke about an amendment she introduced to S. 2848, the Water Resources Development Act, that would facilitate a life-saving road for the isolated community of King Cove, Alaska. The amendment in identical to legislation she introduced in July and is cosponsored by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska). "What the people of King Cove are asking for is reliable… Continue Reading
09.09.16
Alaska Delegation Urges State Department to Focus on Transboundary Issues
The Alaska Congressional Delegation joined together to again urge Secretary of State John Kerry to address the downstream risks that mining in British Columbia may pose to Alaska and Alaskans. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young wrote a letter (attached) to Secretary Kerry, seeking his Department's engagement in their efforts to ensure that British Columbia institutes appropriate safeguards to prevent potential negative impacts to transboundary waterways and fisherie… Continue Reading
08.10.16
Murkowski Urges Fair Protest Period for Mammoth BLM Land Plan
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today strongly urged the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to provide Alaskans with sufficient time to review and challenge its "Proposed Regional Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement" (RMP/EIS or proposed Plan) for the Eastern Interior Planning Area of Alaska. "At more than 819,000 words, the proposed Plan is roughly 40 percent longer than the epic novel War and Peace-not to mention, far more technical and complex. Even if th… Continue Reading
07.15.16
Senate Passes Murkowski Bill to Ensure Tribal Employment Program Remains Intact
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after the Senate unanimously passed legislation she introduced to strengthen and reform Public Law 102-477 (also known as the 477 program), a comprehensive Native employment and training program: "The 477 program has proven to be an innovative and effective tool in providing education and training opportunities aimed to improve the quality of life in every region of Alaska. I am proud the Senate has recognize… Continue Reading
07.14.16
Alaska Delegation Introduces Stand-Alone King Cove Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, and U.S. Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, this week introduced identical bills in both chambers of Congress to facilitate a life-saving road for the isolated community of King Cove, Alaska. Without the road, local residents continue to be at the mercy of high winds, dense fog, and strong storms that prevent safe and timely transportation during medical emergencies. "It has now been more than 30 months since Sec. Jewell callousl… Continue Reading
07.13.16
FAA Reauthorization Bill Heads to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Murkowski voted for the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016, legislation that strengthens security at airports, improves safety measures for airlines, and makes travel easier for passengers. The bill also includes a provision Senator Murkowski has supported, the reauthorization of six Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) test sites for five years until 2022, which includes the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 89-… Continue Reading
06.23.16
Murkowski: Help on the Way for Many Alaska Communities Facing High Energy Costs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for announcing that nine grant applications to assist rural Alaska communities have made it to the final level of review under its High Energy Cost Grants Program, which is designed to assist families and individuals in areas with extremely high household energy costs. USDA is in the process of awarding $16 million through the program to upgrade local energy generation, transmission, and … Continue Reading
06.22.16
Murkowski Welcomes PILT Payments to Alaskan Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced the Department of the Interior is distributing nearly $29 million to Alaskan communities to help offset losses in property taxes due to nontaxable federal lands within their boundaries. As Chairman of the Senate Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Murkowski ensured the PILT program was robustly funded for Fiscal Year 2016 and is fully funded for Fiscal Year 2017. The Payments in Lieu … Continue Reading
06.21.16
Murkowski: Administration’s Proposed Land Use Planning Rule Troublesome For Alaska
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, delivered the following opening statement at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Public Lands, Forests and Mining Subcommittee hearing held today to conduct oversight on the Bureau of Land Management's proposed land use planning rule known as "Planning 2.0." Click picture to view video of Murkowski's opening statement "As you know, Mr. Chairman, the focus of this hearing is to provide oversight on the BLM's proposed land use planning rul… Continue Reading
06.16.16
Murkowski Leverages Chairmanship to Invest in Rural Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced a series of provisions within the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to provide resources and support programs with significant impacts in communities across rural Alaska. As Chairman of this subcommittee, Murkowski was able to give Alaskans a strong voice as she crafted the bill. Their input led to full funding for the Native healthcare system, support for subsistence, resources for rural health clinics… Continue Reading
06.15.16
Murkowski’s Interior Chairmanship Yields Health and Wellness Initiatives for Alaska
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski announced provisions in her Fiscal Year 2017 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that will help combat domestic violence, substance abuse, and suicide through programs in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Indian Health Service (IHS). The Subcommittee approved the bill, which will be considered by the full Appropriations Committee on Thursday. "The heart-wrenching truth is that many Alaskans struggle with these issues and we simply cann… Continue Reading
06.15.16
Murkowski’s Work Boosts Wildfire Prevention, Suppression Efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Through her work as Chairman of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) worked to fully fund wildfire suppression needs to ensure the safety of Alaskans and our resources. The Fiscal Year 2017 Interior appropriations bill contains several provisions that directly meet Alaska's needs - providing the resources necessary to combat wildfires, funding to address preventative wildfire measures, and promoting res… Continue Reading
