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.
Young Alaskan Faces Working in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski welcomed her second group of summer interns to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Fresh out of high school, these interns are assisting the Senator's office by helping with administrative and clerical tasks, and assisting staff with day-to-day projects, guiding U.S. Capitol tours, in addition to shadowing her throughout the day. "When I interned right after high school for Senator Ted Stevens, it was my first time east of the Seattle-Tacoma airport, and so I know f… Continue Reading
07.21.17
Annual Defense Bill Heading to President’s Desk
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the final version of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation which supports our troops through the biggest pay raise in nearly ten years and provides our military with the resources needed to face emerging threats and protect Americans at home and abroad. The bill passed by a 87-10 vote, sending it to the President for his signature. "Our national security must always remain a top priority. And with tensions … Continue Reading
07.21.17
Murkowski Works to Support Food Security, Alaska’s Fisheries, and Rural Development
The Senate Appropriations Committee this week unanimously approved the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2018 appropriations bill, sending it to the full Senate for consideration. The bill contains a number of priorities U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured for Alaska, including provisions that will both protect American consumers and support Alaska's vital fishing industry. These provisions include a labeling mandate for genetic… Continue Reading
07.21.17
Committee Reviews Key Interior and Energy Nominees
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to consider six of President Trump's nominees for key positions at the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of the Interior (DOI). The nominees were Brenda Burman to be Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation at DOI; Susan Combs to be Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and Budget at DOI; Paul Dabbar to be Under Secretary for Science at DOE; Douglas Domenech to be Ass… Continue Reading
07.21.17
Murkowski Secures Funding for Energy Innovation
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee recently passed the Fiscal Year 2018 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, sending it to the full Senate for consideration. The measure will provide funding for the Department of Energy (DOE) programs and critical infrastructure projects administered by the Army Corps of Engineers. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured several provisions to address Alaska's unique infrastructure needs and to promote an in… Continue Reading
07.21.17
Senators Commend US Attorney Nominee Bryan Schroder
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-AK) issued the following statements after the White House announced President Trump's intent to nominate Bryan Schroder to serve as United States Attorney for Alaska: "Bryan Schroder has devoted his career to public service, first as a Coast Guard line officer, then as a Coast Guard JAG. Upon retirement from the Coast Guard, with the rank of Captain, he chose to join the Alaska US Attorney's Office, rather than enter the private sector," sai… Continue Reading
07.21.17
Appropriators Approve First FY 2019 Funding Bill
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed the Fiscal Year 2019 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which provides funding for Department of Energy (DOE) programs and critical infrastructure projects administered by the Army Corps of Engineers. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a member of the Appropriations Committee, secured provisions to build on energy opportunities in Alaska's Arctic, address the state's unique needs, and improve energy efficiency, renewable energy, and emergency p… Continue Reading
07.20.17
Murkowski, Sullivan Commend House Passage of King Cove Legislation
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 218, legislation to authorize a land exchange needed to construct a short road between the isolated communities of King Cove and Cold Bay, Alaska. H.R. 218 was introduced and championed by Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, and passed the House with bipartisan support from 248 members. "I commend Congressman Young for his leadership and for bringing a life… Continue Reading
07.20.17
Murkowski Welcomes Nomination of Joe Balash for Key Role at Interior
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Joe Balash to be the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the Department of the Interior. Balash is currently the chief of staff for Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and previously served as commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. "Joe is an excellent choice for Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, and I'm incr… Continue Reading
07.19.17
Alaska Delegation and Gov. Walker Urge DOI, DOT, USDA to Resolve Cooper Landing Bypass Dispute
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, and U.S. Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, and Gov. Bill Walker, I-Alaska, yesterday sent a letter to Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, and Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao urging them to work together to resolve long-standing delays over the Cooper Landing Bypass in southcentral Alaska. "We write to seek your coordinated assistance to resolve one of the longest-runni… Continue Reading
07.18.17
Committee Reviews U.S. Energy and Resource Security
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing held by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to examine the status of U.S. and North American energy and resource security. The hearing examined everything from the significant benefits that have resulted from the elimination of the domestic ban on crude oil exports in December 2015 to the need to maintain U.S. nuclear leadership and improve our waning mineral security. Murkowski opened the hearing by recognizing how far the… Continue Reading
07.18.17
Murkowski’s Statement on Senate Healthcare Process
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after Senate Republican leadership announced their plan to proceed to repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) without a replacement. "As I've been saying, the Senate should take a step back and engage in a bipartisan process to address the failures of the ACA and stabilize the individual markets. That will require members on both sides of the aisle to roll up their sleeves and take this to the open committee… Continue Reading
07.14.17
Murkowski Introduces GE Salmon Labeling Bill
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently introduced new legislation (attached) to mandate the labeling of genetically engineered salmon, continuing her years-long fight against "Frankenfish." The Genetically Engineered Salmon Labeling Act, co-sponsored by Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) requires any salmon that is genetically engineered to be labeled as "genetically engineered" or "GE." The bill also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Serv… Continue Reading
07.13.17
Murkowski on Military Construction and VA Funding for Alaska
The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill, which contains several priorities championed by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to support growth in Alaska's military presence and improve health services to our veterans. The bill supports critical infrastructure for U.S. military personnel, veterans, and their families. "This bill is critical to providing the resources that we need to gro… Continue Reading
07.12.17
Murkowski Demands Answers on Indian Health Service's Proposed Budget Cuts
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) chaired an Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the Indian Health Service's (IHS) budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2018. Senator Murkowski raised concerns with Rear Admiral Michael Weahkee, the new Acting Director for the Indian Health Service, over the administration's budget request containing a decrease of $300 million from last year's enacted levels. "There is anger, there is frustration and rightly so because a… Continue Reading
07.10.17
Murkowski: New Secretarial Order Will Help Reduce Permitting Delays
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following statement after Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke issued a Secretarial Order directing the Department to hold regular onshore oil and gas leasing sales and to reduce delays in the processing of Applications for Permits to Drill (APDs). "After years of bureaucratic delay that held back and halted critical projects, this order is yet more good news for our efforts to refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline," Murkowski said. "Although Secretary … Continue Reading
07.01.17
Murkowski Applauds U.S. Mint Design to Feature Historic Alaska Native
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, (R-AK) today praised the decision by the U.S. Mint to feature Elizabeth Peratrovich, an Alaska Native who inspired enactment of the Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945 on a new $1 coin. "Elizabeth Peratrovich stood up for those who needed a voice, when she witnessed significant discrimination against Alaska Natives. Her message was clear and powerful - that we must strive for equal rights for all citizens. This is great news for the Peratrovich family, Alaska Native… Continue Reading
06.30.17
Murkowski Welcomes First Step on New Offshore Leasing Plan
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after President Donald Trump announced that the Department of the Interior has taken the first step toward a new Five-Year Program for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) energy development. "I'm pleased the administration has wasted no time in starting the process for a new and better plan that could increase offshore development in Alaska and elsewhere," Murkowski said. "With technological innovation, offshore development is n… Continue Reading
06.29.17
Murkowski: Alaska Will Greatly Benefit from Bipartisan Energy and Natural Resources Bill
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week introduced S. 1460, the Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017 (ENRA), as the successor to her broad, bipartisan bill from the last Congress. This new measure will help Alaskans produce more energy, pay less for energy, facilitate needed infrastructure, boost the innovation of new technologies, and protect sportsmen's access to federal lands-all without raising taxes or adding to the deficit. "This new bill encompasses a wide range of Alaska prior… Continue Reading
06.29.17
Senators Murkowski and Cantwell Introduce Broad, Bipartisan Energy and Natural Resources Bill
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the committee's ranking member, this week introduced S. 1460, the Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017 (ENRA). The bill is the successor to their broad, bipartisan legislation from the previous Congress and was placed directly on the Senate Calendar for expedited floor consideration. Focused on a wide range of energy and natural resources opportunities and challenges, EN… Continue Reading
