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 on Combatting Opioid Crisis
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) participated in a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing to address the federal response to the nation's opioid crisis, which included assessing current agency efforts and how federal, state, and local health departments are coordinating and working together. "The opioid epidemic is devastating communities in Alaska and across our nation. The families, friends and communities that are working together to address opioid addiction… Continue Reading
10.04.17
Alaska Delegation Welcomes U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Decision on Pacific Walrus
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and U.S. Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that the Pacific walrus will not be designated as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). New data shows that the Pacific walrus has adapted to certain threats, including loss of sea ice, and is not experiencing reductions in population. As a result, USFWS concluded that the population is sustai… Continue Reading
10.04.17
Murkowski Committed to Long-term Recovery Efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke on the Senate floor about the devastating impact that Hurricanes Irma and Maria have had on the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, the current relief efforts underway on those islands, and how we might help in their long-term rebuild, particularly as it relates to their electric grid and power sector. Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which has jurisdiction for our U.S. territories. She opened her rem… Continue Reading
10.03.17
Murkowski: Advanced Energy Storage Technologies Strengthen Grid Reliability and Resilience
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to discuss current and emerging energy storage technologies. The committee heard from representatives of the Energy Storage Association, Voith Hydro, the Pacific Northwest National Lab, and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Murkowski opened the hearing by once again offering her thoughts and prayers to all of those impacted by the recent hurricanes in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, as well as the Americans in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Vir… Continue Reading
10.03.17
Murkowski: Latest Sturgeon Decision an Affront to All Alaskans
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following statement slamming the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit for again ruling against John Sturgeon, an Alaskan who sued the National Park Service after being forced off of the Nation River in 2007 for using a hovercraft to hunt moose, as he had been doing for decades. Just last year, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled unanimously (8-0) in favor of Mr. Sturgeon, who has fought his way through federal courts for 1… Continue Reading
10.03.17
Murkowski Comments on New Grid Resiliency Proposal
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after Secretary of Energy Rick Perry submitted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) intended to protect the reliability and resiliency of the nation's bulk power system. "For years, I have been concerned about how federal laws and rules affect the reliability and resiliency of our nation's electric grids. I respect Secretary Perry for taking an action that he beli… Continue Reading
09.29.17
Alaska Receives Two Native Language Education Grants
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) yesterday welcomed the announcement that Anchorage School District and Yukon-Koyukuk School District have been awarded two out of the five first-ever Native American Language program grants, funded by a program created by Senators Murkowski and Franken (D-MN) as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The newly developed, "Native American and Alaska Native Language Immersion Schools and Program," is intended to help schools, tribes, and Native organizati… Continue Reading
09.29.17
Murkowski Comments on Senate Budget Resolution
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the Senate Budget Committee unveiled its budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2018. "I am pleased to see an instruction for the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2018. This provides an excellent opportunity for our committee to raise $1 billion in federal revenues while creating jobs and strengthening our nation's long-term energy security. I am confident that our committe… Continue Reading
09.28.17
Murkowski on Human Trafficking of American Indian and Alaska Natives
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined her colleagues on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to attend an Oversight Hearing on "The GAO Reports on Human Trafficking of American Indian and Alaska Natives in the United States". The hearing focused on the impacts of human trafficking of American Indians and Alaska Natives, what we can do as a nation to prevent human trafficking and combat this issue in all its forms, and how to better provide support for victims. During her opening statemen… Continue Reading
09.27.17
Murkowski Announces Departure of Staff Director, Names Successor to Lead Committee
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that her Staff Director on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Colin Hayes, will depart at the end of the month. She also announced that Brian Hughes, who currently serves as the committee's Deputy Staff Director, will succeed Colin as Staff Director. "With Colin at the helm, I never once had to worry about the direction or the quality of the committee's work," Murkowski said. "I have benefited from his counsel and expertise, as have A… Continue Reading
09.26.17
Murkowski’s Statement on Senate Healthcare Reform Efforts
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement about the Graham-Cassidy healthcare proposal. "I appreciate the efforts of my colleagues, Senator Graham and Senator Cassidy, but they have run up against a hard deadline and a lousy process. Time has not been on their side. The U.S. Senate cannot get the text of a bill on a Sunday night, then proceed to a vote just days later, with only one hearing - and especially not on an issue that is intensely personal to all of us. "… Continue Reading
09.25.17
Murkowski Disappointed, Frustrated by Roadless Rule Decision
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after a judge from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed a lawsuit from Alaskans seeking to overturn the 2001 national Inventoried Roadless Rule. "While I am still reviewing this decision, I am deeply disappointed to see it handed down," Murkowski said. "A judge can dismiss a case, but Alaskans cannot dismiss the negative impacts the roadless rule is having on our communities. The rule has decima… Continue Reading
09.22.17
UAF Awarded ARPA-E MARINER Grant
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today recognized the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) for receiving a $500,000 competitive grant from the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) program. The grant will fund a research project focused on the "development of scalable coastal and offshore macroalgal farming." "Alaska is a leader in energy innovation, and I'm proud that we continue to be recognized for our efforts to develop the next generation of cost-eff… Continue Reading
09.20.17
Murkowski: Proper Vegetation Management Reduces Wildfires, Protects Electric Grid Reliability on Federal Lands
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday chaired a hearing to discuss the importance of vegetation management and how the nation's utilities and our federal land managers work together to protect electric grid reliability and prevent wildfires. The committee also received testimony on two legislative proposals, both of which received support for their goals to improve the processes for approving and conducting vegetation management activities within and outside of electricity transmission a… Continue Reading
09.19.17
September Designated “Alaska Wild Salmon Month”
The Senate passed U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski's resolution recognizing September as "Alaska Wild Salmon Month," which was cosponsored by U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan. The resolution celebrates and raises awareness of the sustainable Alaska wild salmon industry and its contributions to the health and economy of the nation. "Alaskans are tremendously proud of our wild salmon. This bountiful resource has helped sustain our entire state for thousands of years. Alaska's fisheries remain the most abund… Continue Reading
09.18.17
Murkowski Supports Bill to Reinvest in Our State and National Defense
U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) today cast her vote in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) - legislation that authorizes the appropriation of $700 billion to the United States military. The bill boosts our nation's defense capabilities and ensures that our military have the resources and tools needed to protect our nation. The NDAA passed the Senate by a vote of 89-8. "The defense bill is one of the most significant bills we consider every year. Through this bill, we are enabli… Continue Reading
09.15.17
Murkowski Announces New Staff
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced that former staff member Leila Kimbrell is returning to serve as her new State Director. In addition, Murkowski welcomes new hire Hannah Ray to join her communications team, serving as Press Secretary. "I'm excited to welcome both Leila and Hannah to my team. Both of these women have a strong heart and passion for Alaska that I know will serve my office and our state well," Senator Lisa Murkowski said. "Leila's work ethic and experience, not on… Continue Reading
09.14.17
Murkowski, King Introduce Bill to Continue Geologic Mapping
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Angus King, I-Maine, this week introduced the National Geologic Mapping Act Reauthorization Act, which renews a national program for the geological mapping of the United States. Geologic maps are a multipurpose, basic data set used by public and private entities for resource exploration and extraction, natural hazards mitigation, ground and surface water management, environmental protection, and federal land management. "We don't have a detailed geologic… Continue Reading
09.13.17
Murkowski Statement on the Passing of Former Energy Committee Chairman Pete Domenici
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the passing of her former colleague, Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., who served as the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources from 2003 through 2008. "I am truly saddened by the loss of my friend, Sen. Pete Domenici. Pete was a lifelong public servant dedicated to the people of his home state of New Mexico. I appreciate his significant contributions to the Energy and Natural R… Continue Reading
09.13.17
Murkowski: Partnership on Microgrids Will Lead to Lower Energy Costs for Alaskans and Stronger Grid Resiliency for U.S.
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commended the Department of Energy (DOE) for awarding a $6.2 million grant to an Alaskan partnership that includes the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), the City of Cordova, the Cordova Electric Cooperative (CEC), the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC), three national laboratories, and several other universities and industry partners. "I'm pleased to see the Department of Energy recognize the … Continue Reading
