05.09.18

Murkowski: Supporting Coast Guard

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) pushed for additional icebreakers to protect our northern most border from domestic and international threats. During the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the Homeland Security budget, Senator Murkowski also questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen about the agency's plans to build shoreside infrastructure necessary to supporting new Coast Guard vessels coming to Alaska. "I would argue that as an arctic nation, in the pas… Continue Reading

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05.09.18

Murkowski: More Work to be Done to Strengthen Puerto Rico’s Electric Grid

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday chaired an oversight hearing to examine the status of electricity restoration for the people of Puerto Rico, the work that remains to be completed, and the future of the island's grid. The committee also heard from leaders on the ground about proposals to reform and strengthen the island's grid operations as another hurricane season approaches. As of May 1, 98 percent of power has been restored to Puerto Rico's electric grid since Hurricane Maria mad… Continue Reading

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05.09.18

Murkowski Statement on President Trump’s Announcement to Withdraw from Iran Deal

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after President Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and impose additional sanctions on Iran: "I agree with President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - a fatally flawed deal that did nothing to stop Iran's continued development of ballistic missile technology, little to check its destructive behaviors across the region, and would have eventually removed re… Continue Reading

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05.07.18

Alaska Delegation Applauds AGDC and BP Gas Sales Agreement

Today, the Alaska Delegation applauded the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) and BP Alaska on their announcement of the key terms of a gas sales agreement. "Today's announcement is an important step in our efforts to commercialize Alaska's vast natural gas resources," said the Delegation. "Over the years, trillions of cubic feet of natural gas have been left in place on the North Slope because we lack the infrastructure needed to transport it. The increased production of Alaska's va… Continue Reading

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05.04.18

Secretary of Energy Rick Perry Visits Alaska

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week hosted U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry in Alaska, his first visit to the state since being confirmed to lead the federal Department of Energy. Murkowski and Perry in Kodiak Murkowski and Perry traveled to Kodiak and the small fishing village of Old Harbor on Tuesday, with an itinerary of meetings and site visits focused on a variety of local renewable energy initiatives. "The best way to learn about Alaska, to truly understand it and grasp i… Continue Reading

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05.02.18

Alaska Delegation Welcomes Critical HIDTA Designation to Combat Drug Trafficking and Reduce Supply of Illegal Drugs

The Alaska Congressional Delegation today welcomed a critical announcement by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to help facilitate greater cooperation, criminal case coordination and information sharing among local, tribal, state and federal agencies currently engaged in counter-drug trafficking operations in Alaska. The decision to designate areas surrounding Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) represents the first new regional HIDT… Continue Reading

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05.01.18

Murkowski Statement on New U.S. Genetically Engineered Salmon Facility

Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved the application for an AquaBounty Salmon Facility in Indiana last week. AquaBounty Technologies has been developing genetically engineered (GE) salmon since 1996 and received an FDA approval in 2015 to sell it for human consumption. Due to Senator Murkowski's efforts, an import alert for GE salmon remains in place preventing U.S. production. "While AquaBounty continues… Continue Reading

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05.01.18

Alaska Delegation Pleased to Announce Denali Commission Interim Co-Chair

The Alaska Congressional Delegation today announced that John Torgerson of Soldotna has been appointed as the Denali Commission Interim Federal Co-Chair. This appointment comes following a letter the delegation sent last week to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, requesting an interim federal co-chair as the administration moves through the process of vetting candidates to fill the vacancy left by Joel Neimeyer on April 20, 2018. "The Denali Commission plays a crucial role in the lives of Alaskans… Continue Reading

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04.27.18

Van Hollen, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Create National Fab Lab Network

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) have introduced the National Fab Lab Network Act of 2018, legislation that would expand Fab Labs across the country. These facilities are equipped with digitally-controlled tools that enable individuals to create and innovate new products. Tools available range from laser cutters, to 3D printers, to automated knives, and training is also provided. To foster the growth and expansion of new and current Fab Labs, the Senators' leg… Continue Reading

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04.27.18

Rubio Introduces Bill To Promote U.S. Shark Conservation As A Global Model Of Sustainability

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act (S. 2764), bicameral legislation that recognizes the sustainable and economically-valuable fishing practices of U.S. shark fishermen and promotes U.S. standards for shark conservation and humane harvest. U.S. Representative Daniel Webster (R-FL) has introduced similar legislation (H.R. 5248) in the House. "Sharks play an important role in maintaining the health of the ocean ecosys… Continue Reading

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04.27.18

Progress for Firefighter Cancer Registry Bill

The Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, of which U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is a member, this week advanced the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, legislation cosponsored by Murkowski which creates a national cancer registry for firefighters diagnosed with the deadly disease in order to collect data and improve research activities on incidents of cancer among firefighters. "The stark reality we have seen firsthand in Alaska is that firefighters are diagnosed with canc… Continue Reading

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04.27.18

Klobuchar, Murkowski, Feinstein, Tillis, Coons, Graham Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Maintain Critical Support for Local Law Enforcement

The COPS Reauthorization Act would reauthorize the program through fiscal year 2023 U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the COPS Reauthorization Act to maintain critical support for local law enforcement. The bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program through fiscal year 2023. The COPS program awards grants to state,… Continue Reading

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04.26.18

Murkowski Votes to Confirm Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State

Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting to confirm Mike Pompeo as the new Secretary of State: "These are dangerous times right now around the world so it is critical that we have these incredibly important positions filled and have the right people in place. Having a highly qualified individual to leverage our national security and protect our nation is imperative," said Senator Murkowski. "As a US Army Veteran, Pompeo has dedicated his career to k… Continue Reading

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04.25.18

Murkowski Welcomes New Coast Guard Assets to Alaska

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) welcomed the announcement that the Coast Guard will homeport six Fast Response Cutters (FRC) in Alaskan communities, which will enhance the Coast Guard's coastal capability to perform search and rescue operations, protect our fisheries, and improve resiliency to disasters throughout Alaskan waters. In a letter from the Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Zukunft wrote Senator Murkowski today (attached) that two FRCs will be homeported in Kodiak, one in Seward, one … Continue Reading

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04.25.18

Murkowski: Forest Service Must Address

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired an oversight hearing to examine the president's budget request for the U.S. Forest Service for Fiscal Year 2019. Interim Chief Vicki Christiansen testified on behalf of the Forest Service. Murkowski opened the hearing by noting the Forest Service will receive greater flexibility in funding as a result of the recent omnibus, which included a multi-year budgeting fix for wildfire suppression costs. Murkowski, while urging meaningful forest managem… Continue Reading

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04.24.18

Health Committee Passes Bill Addressing Opioid Crisis

Today the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, of which U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is a member, advanced the Opioid Response Act of 2018, legislation aimed to bring an end to the opioid crisis by accelerating research on non-addictive pain medicines, improving access to treatment, and strengthening enforcement. "Opioid abuse is currently our nation's most devastating public health epidemic, and it has been wreaking havoc in our communities and our homes for far too l… Continue Reading

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04.19.18

Energy Committee Examines Rural Energy Solutions

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine energy-related challenges and opportunities in remote and rural areas of the United States. "In Alaska, Montana, Hawaii, North Dakota, and any number of states, too many people are living on the edge of what Senator Tim Scott and I call 'energy insecurity.' There is real trouble in too many households when already-expensive energy bills keep piling up," Murkowski said. "Now, where there is challenge, there is also opportuni… Continue Reading

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04.19.18

Delegation Welcomes Coastal Plain EIS Scoping Announcement

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced a 60-day public scoping period as it prepares to draft an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Department of the Interior's oil and gas leasing program on the Coastal Plain. "We welcome this scoping announcement and the Department's continued work to implement our legislation opening the Coastal Plain to responsible energ… Continue Reading

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04.19.18

Murkowski Urges for Swift Action on Addressing Coastal Erosion

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) called for an urgent focus on assistance for Alaskan communities facing coastal erosion. During an Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee hearing examining the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' budget request for Fiscal Year 2019, Senator Murkowski cited threats to the northern community of Utqiagvik, facing serious winter storms, receding sea ice, and greater coastal erosion. "You've got a utility corridor that is in danger of washing away due t… Continue Reading

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04.17.18

Murkowski Convenes Oversight Hearing on Deferred Maintenance in National Parks

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee focused on deferred maintenance and the operational needs of the National Park Service (NPS). The deferred maintenance backlog, which currently stands at $11.6 billion, is one of the most significant challenges for NPS to provide a quality visitor experience. "Just about every state, and for that matter just about every park unit, is affected by the deferred maintenance backlog," Murkowski… Continue Reading