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.
Senate Passes Drug Price Transparency Legislation in 98-2 Vote
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded Senate passage of the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act, a bill she cosponsored to increase transparency regarding prescription drug prices. The bill ends the practice of concealing prices from patients at the pharmacy by prohibiting the use of "gag clauses," which have historically banned pharmacists from telling patients when it's cheaper to buy a prescription drug without using their insurance, and imposes significant penalties on pharmacists … Continue Reading
09.14.18
Senate-House Convene Conference Committee Meeting on Funding
For the first time in nearly a decade, the Interior-Environment Appropriations bill is in a conference committee. Thursday, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a conferee, participated in a Conference Committee public meeting on H.R. 6147, the minibus appropriations bill which combines the Interior-Environment; Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (T-HUD); Agriculture; and Financial Services appropriations bills. As chairman of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, Sena… Continue Reading
09.13.18
Murkowski Congratulates AEWC’s Work on Quota Renewal for Subsistence Whaling
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) welcomed the approval of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission's (AEWC) bowhead whale harvest quota at the 67th Meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Florianopolis, Brazil. In addition to approving a renewal of bowhead harvest quota for Alaska's Arctic whaling communities, IWC Commissioners voted to approve an amendment allowing for the automatic renewal of bowhead whale quota contingent on the continued health and stability of the bowhead wha… Continue Reading
09.13.18
Schatz-Murkowski Legislation To Pay Senate Interns Passes Congress, Set To Become Law
Today the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation authored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) that would set aside $5 million for U.S. Senate offices to pay their interns. The funding, included in a spending deal passed by the Senate yesterday, will give Senate offices the resources to pay interns, who provide administrative support to nearly every Senate office year round. Senate internships are largely unpaid, making it financially difficult for … Continue Reading
09.13.18
First Fiscal Year 2019 Funding Package to President’s Desk
The Senate last night passed a conference report on a package to fund Energy and Water; Military Construction-Veterans Affairs; and Legislative Branch for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, which begins October 1, 2018. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a member of the Appropriations Committee, secured provisions that will increase energy efficiency, support our veterans, and increase critical military construction across the state of Alaska. This afternoon, the House passed the conference report, which n… Continue Reading
09.13.18
Bipartisan Nuclear Energy Innovation Bill Heads to President’s Desk
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the House of Representatives' cleared S. 97, the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA), which creates partnerships between private sector innovators in nuclear energy with government researchers to create the next generation of clean, advanced nuclear power. NEICA was led by Sens. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and cosponsored by Sens. Murkowski, Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Cory Booker, D… Continue Reading
09.13.18
Murkowski: U.S. Stands Ready to Help Diversify Europe’s Energy Supply
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine the role of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) in meeting European energy demand. Expert witnesses shared their views on the economic and geopolitical implications of a stronger U.S.-EU energy relationship, as well as what actions may be needed to maximize the benefits of LNG exports to our nation and our allies. Murkowski opened the hearing by highlighting Europe's vulnerability given its dependence on Russian gas. "As we've… Continue Reading
09.12.18
Alaska Delegation Welcomes AGDC-ExxonMobil Agreement
Alaska's congressional delegation today welcomed the announcement of a new Gas Sales Precedent Agreement (GSPA) reached between the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) and ExxonMobil Alaska. "This is a positive step in our state's efforts to build a new pipeline that will allow us to commercialize the North Slope's prolific natural gas resources," said the delegation. "While we recognize that much work remains to be done, we're pleased to see the state using its authority and leverage… Continue Reading
09.11.18
Senator Murkowski Speaks in Remembrance of September 11, 2001
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski shared her thoughts on the September 11 terrorist attacks on America: (Click the image above to watch video) "Across our nation, we pause on this day to remember the tragedies of September 11, 2001 - the anniversary of the attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the heroic story of Flight 93. That day we saw a total of 2,996 people dead, including firefighters, paramedics, and police officers trying to help. 9/11 will forever be one of the most t… Continue Reading
09.07.18
Murkowski Congratulates Lori Wing-Heier on Bipartisan Health Policy Leadership Award
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded the announcement of Lori Wing-Heier, Director of the State of Alaska Division of Insurance, on being selected for the 2018 Bipartisan Health Policy Leadership Award. Senator Murkowski nominated Wing-Heier for the national award given by the Alliance for Health Policy, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to educating individuals on gaining a better understanding on health policy. Wing-Heier is being honored with this award alongside Maryland State Del… Continue Reading
09.07.18
Murkowski Questions International Trade Administration on Alaskan Seafood Industry Concerns
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) participated in a Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee hearing yesterday, to review the President's Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) funding request for the Bureau of Industry and Security, the International Trade Administration, and the United States International Trade Commission. Witnesses participating in the hearing included: Nazak Nikakhtar, Assistant Secretary for Industry and Analysis at the International Trade Administration (ITA); … Continue Reading
09.06.18
Murkowski, Booker, and Colleagues Introduce the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Cory Booker, D-N.J., James Risch, R-Idaho, Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Richard Durbin, D-Ill., Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Chris Coons, D-Del., today introduced bipartisan legislation to boost nuclear energy innovation and ensure advanced reactors can provide clean, safe, affordable, and reliable power to meet national and global energy needs. S. 3422, the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA), will help rees… Continue Reading
09.05.18
Senator Murkowski Pays Tribute to Senator John McCain
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) honored the life and legacy of her colleague, the late Senator John McCain (R-AZ), during a speech on the Senate floor, sharing stories of his impact to Alaskans, all Americans, and the United States Senate. (Click image for video of speech.) Speech excerpts: "John McCain was a beloved colleague. He was a patriot. He was truly an American hero. He had remarkable intellect. He had an iron will most certainly, unquestionable integrity, and courage that … Continue Reading
08.27.18
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
