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.
Currently showing results related to Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska
Murkowski Protects Alaskans from Overreaching Hunting and Fishing Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As Chairman of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) unveiled legislation with provisions to halt the implementation of multiple proposed federal rules, one of which would close areas for hunting and fishing, impeding on the State of Alaska's right to manage wildlife within the borders of the State. "This proposed rule is incredibly unsettling to the people of Alaska, as it contains provisions that woul… Continue Reading
06.14.16
Murkowski’s Work Bans Burdensome Federal Regulations, Fights Wasteful Spending, and Protects Lives in Remote Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Through her chairmanship of the Senate Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced multiple provisions within the subcommittee's appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2017 to ensure federal agencies, specifically the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), respect and understand Alaska's unique needs and priorities. "This bill strikes a critical balance - directing feder… Continue Reading
06.14.16
Murkowski: Interior Bill will Bring Vast Benefits to Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released her Fiscal Year 2017 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which addresses a wide range of challenges, needs, and opportunities in Alaska. Among other advances, the bill makes significant strides in protecting our state from wildfires, improving access to Native healthcare, and reining in harmful federal regulations. "With our state in the midst of a fiscal crisis, my Interior bill will provide much… Continue Reading
06.10.16
Murkowski Commends U.S. Attorney General’s Public Safety Initiatives for Native Communities and Rural Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) thanked U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch for meeting with Alaska Native leaders in Anchorage to discuss public safety issues of concern to the Native community. The visit fulfills a commitment Attorney General Lynch made to Murkowski on May 7, 2015 during a Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee hearing during which Murkowski asked Attorney General Lynch to personally engage with Alaska Federation of Natives Presi… Continue Reading
06.09.16
Murkowski Secures Investments to Strengthen Alaska’s Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2017. Referred to as Labor-H, it contains a number of provisions secured by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) that will strengthen Alaska's communities. As a member of the committee, Murkowski focused her efforts on funding programs that support Alaskan families, jobs, economic development, health, and safet… Continue Reading
05.26.16
Murkowski Introduces Three New Bills to Boost Alaska
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today introduced three targeted pieces of legislation that would improve the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANSCA), assist the Alaska Mental Health Trust, and reconstitute the Alaska Land Use Council. These bills reflect Murkowski's continued efforts to protect and advance her home state's priorities. "The legislation I introduced today will help Alaska Native communities, improve the management of our federal lands, and facilitate a … Continue Reading
05.12.16
Murkowski Secures Funding for Water Projects and Energy Innovation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the U.S. Senate passed the first funding bill of the year, the FY17 Energy and Water Appropriations bill in a vote of 90-8. This is the first time since 2009 the U.S. Senate has passed this appropriations measure on the floor as a standalone bill under regular order. The measure will fund U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) programs and critical infrastructure projects administered by the Army Corps of Engineers. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Lisa Murk… Continue Reading
04.27.16
Land Transfer Legislation to Improve Healthcare Access Passes Senate Committee
Today the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs passed S. 2421, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convey property to both the Tanana Tribal Council and Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation. This land will be used in connection with health and social services programs in both Tanana and Dillingham. The land transfers will allow the Tanana Tribal Council develop a Community Wellness … Continue Reading
04.26.16
Murkowski Announces Participants in Phase Two of Remote Alaska Communities Energy Efficiency Competition
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced the 13 rural communities selected for targeted technical assistance funding as part of the next phase of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Remote Alaska Communities Energy Efficiency (RACEE) competition. "Alaska's remote communities pay more for energy than just about anywhere else in the country," Murkowski said. "Promoting energy innovation in every way we can is important, and that includes improved energy efficiency. The … Continue Reading
04.25.16
Murkowski Secures Funds to Address Alaska’s Unique Transportation Needs
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (T-HUD) appropriations bill, which includes several Alaska-specific provisions secured by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). "Alaska's transportation needs are unique and diverse, and I thank my fellow Senate appropriators for providing the funds to address these needs," said Senator Murkowski. "Many of the programs supported in this appropriations bill provide critical services to some of Alaska mo… Continue Reading
04.20.16
Murkowski: Alaska Will Greatly Benefit from Passage of Bipartisan Energy Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today led the Senate's approval of broad, bipartisan energy legislation that contains a wide range of provisions vital to Alaska's future. The bill, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016, was authored by Murkowski and passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 85-12. It is the first major energy bill to pass the Senate in almost a decade. "My top priority as chairman is to deliver for Alaska - and I worked hard to add dozens of our sta… Continue Reading
04.14.16
Murkowski: Federal Government Forcing Isolated Alaska Native Community to Live in Fear
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today conducted oversight of the Department of the Interior's callous decision to deny the Alaska Native community of King Cove reliable access to medical transportation. Murkowski pointed to the administration's rejection of an 11-mile, non-commercial use, gravel road that would give residents of King Cove access to emergency medical care through the all-weather airport in nearby Cold Bay, Alaska. Click picture to view video "The Interior… Continue Reading
04.05.16
Murkowski Stands Up for Sportsmen and Subsistence in Alaska
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, sent a letter to Dan Ashe, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), pushing back against a rule proposed by the agency that targets Alaska refuges. In the letter, Murkowski casts doubt on the Service's claims that the proposed rule won't affect subsistence activities, explains how the proposed rule would preempt state wildlife management regulations, and shows how it is contrary to the special protections granted to the stat… Continue Reading
