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.
Committee Advances Nominees for Interior, Energy, and FERC
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today held a business meeting to advance four nominees to the Senate floor: David Bernhardt to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior, Dan Brouillette to be Deputy Secretary of Energy, and Neil Chatterjee and Robert Powelson to be Members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). "Secretary Zinke and Secretary Perry need their deputies in place to help them set strategic direction and run their departments on a day-to-day basis. At mor… Continue Reading
05.31.17
Delegation Commends Secretary Zinke’s Alaska Order
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, and U.S. Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today expressed their strong support for a new Secretarial Order signed by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke at the Alaska Oil and Gas Association's annual conference. The order will help evaluate the vast resources within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) and the non-wilderness 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, while also restoring access and ultimately increasing production needed t… Continue Reading
05.30.17
Sen. Murkowski Leads Arctic Energy/Security CODEL
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, arrived in Fairbanks, Alaska, this weekend along with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Sens. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., John Cornyn, R-Texas, Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D. The delegation traveled to Norway, Greenland, and the North Slope of Alaska, with an itinerary full of meetings and site visits focused on Arctic energy and security. "The best way to learn about the Arctic, to truly understand it and grasp its importance, is to… Continue Reading
05.29.17
Senator Murkowski’s Memorial Day Message
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following message in observance of Memorial Day. "For so many of us, Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning of summer. In Alaska, it means sunlight nearly all day, time to enjoy the great outdoors with our friends and family. But let's all keep in mind what this day is really about. Memorial Day is a time to remember those who so valiantly defended our freedoms and the land that we love and to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for… Continue Reading
05.25.17
Murkowski Announces Support for Three Energy Nominees
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing for President Trump's nominees for key positions at two federal agencies: Dan Brouillette to be Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE), and Neil Chatterjee and Robert Powelson to be members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). "I am pleased to have these nominees before our committee this morning," Murkowski said. "This hearing is an important step in our efforts to restore a quorum at FERC, and to ensure tha… Continue Reading
05.23.17
Murkowski Statement on President Trump’s FY18 Budget Request
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today responded to President Trump's full budget request for Fiscal Year 2018: "This budget request clarifies the blueprint President Trump released in March. Now that he has detailed his priorities, the appropriations committees in Congress will begin the process of setting actual funding levels for Fiscal Year 2018. "A President's budget is more of a vision than anything else. I agree with the President's emphasis in this budget on economic growth, a strong… Continue Reading
05.19.17
Murkowski: Bernhardt is Well-Qualified, Deserves Swift Confirmation
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired the nomination hearing for President Trump's choice for Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI), David Bernhardt. In her opening statement, Murkowski expressed her support of Mr. Bernhardt's nomination to be Deputy Secretary and recognized his substantive knowledge of the challenges Alaska and western states face with regard to the federal management of lands and waters. "I believe Mr. Bernhardt is an excellent choice for Deput… Continue Reading
05.18.17
Murkowski Statement on Special Counsel Appointment
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after the Department of Justice named former FBI Director Robert Mueller as Special Counsel for the Russia investigation. "I am pleased to see that the Deputy Attorney General has appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller, an individual of uncompromising integrity, as Special Counsel to lead the Russia investigation. This is a positive step towards restoring the public's trust. This action does not lessen my support for the … Continue Reading
05.17.17
Murkowski Pays Tribute to Fallen Officers During National Police Week
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor to pay tribute to the officers who died in the line of duty during 2016, including Sergeant Allen David Brandt of the Fairbanks Police Department. "Law enforcement remains very dangerous work, and for all the satisfaction that comes from serving people in their darkest moments, there are no guarantees the officer will return home. I hope that during this National Police Week and throughout the year, we will reflect on Allen Brandt's f… Continue Reading
05.16.17
Murkowski Announces Promotions and Additions to Energy Committee Staff
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced several recent promotions and additions to her Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee staff. The promotions are Severin Wiggenhorn to Senior Counsel, Brianne Miller to Senior Professional Staff and Energy Policy Advisor, Annie Hoefler to Professional Staff Member, Melissa Enriquez to Executive Assistant, and Jason Huffnagle to Digital Content Manager. The new hires are Lane Dickson and Dr. Ben Reinke as Professional Staff Members, Barb… Continue Reading
05.11.17
Murkowski Welcomes Announcement of Two FERC Nominations
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after President Trump sent two nominations for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to the Senate: Neil Chatterjee, a senior energy advisor to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Robert Powelson, a member of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. "I welcome the president's announcement of two well-qualified nominees… Continue Reading
05.10.17
Murkowski Expresses Disappointment After Methane Resolution Fails to Advance
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after H.J. Res 36, the Congressional Review Act (CRA) disapproval resolution to overturn the Obama administration's "Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation" methane regulation narrowly failed to advance to full debate in the Senate. "I am disappointed that we were unable to reach agreement to overturn this regulation," Murkowski said. "BLM's rule is not necessary, not part of its core … Continue Reading
05.10.17
Murkowski, Sullivan to Attend Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Fairbanks
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan released the following statement in advance of traveling to Fairbanks to attend the 10th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting, attended by foreign ministers of the eight Arctic nations, to celebrate the success of the U.S. Chairmanship of the Arctic Council and transfer the chairmanship to Finland. "The week will be an opportunity to speak with leaders from within Alaska and from around the globe about the importance of the Arctic. I look forward to d… Continue Reading
05.10.17
Murkowski Votes to Confirm Scott Gottlieb as the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting to confirm Scott Gottlieb as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration: "Congratulations to Dr. Scott Gottlieb on his successful confirmation to be our nation's next Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Gottlieb's nomination has received broad support from over 46 organizations and three former FDA Commissioners. His extensive background with CMS, the FDA, and the private sector gives him th… Continue Reading
05.10.17
Murkowski Comments on Firing of FBI Director James Comey
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after President Trump announced he fired FBI Director James Comey: "Whether or not you are a supporter of Mr. James Comey's actions as FBI Director, the timing of his firing - in the middle of an investigation into Russia's interference in our election - is serious cause for concern. The President cited that one of his reasons for firing Comey as FBI Director was that he had lost the public's trust and was unable to carry out t… Continue Reading
05.08.17
Murkowski Votes to Confirm Heather Wilson for Air Force Secretary
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting to confirm Heather Wilson to be Secretary of the Air Force: "I am pleased that the Senate has confirmed Heather Wilson to serve as Secretary of the Air Force. Among the first female graduates of the Air Force Academy, she enjoyed a stellar career as an Air Force officer. I came to know Secretary Wilson as a member of the US House of Representatives, representing New Mexico when we worked on energy policy issues tog… Continue Reading
05.05.17
Murkowski: Threat Posed By EMP Attack a Matter of National Defense
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today convened a hearing of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to examine the threat posed by electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and policy options to protect energy infrastructure. During her opening statement, Murkowski spoke to the importance of the issue, indicating it to be even more salient today for several reasons, including the continued proliferation of nuclear technology and society's increasing reliance on electronics. "The United States has … Continue Reading
05.04.17
Murkowski: Omnibus Bill Yields Benefits for Alaska
Today the Senate passed the omnibus bill to fund the government through the end of Fiscal Year 2017. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced a series of provisions within the bill that provides resources and supports programs with significant impacts in communities throughout Southcentral Alaska. As a member of the Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Murkowski was able to give Alaskans a strong voice in crafting the bill. "With our state in th… Continue Reading
05.04.17
Murkowski: Bill Will Bring Significant Benefits to Alaska
The Senate today is voting on the omnibus appropriations legislation to fund the federal government through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2017. As a member of the Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was able to include provisions to address a wide range of challenges, needs, and opportunities in Alaska. "This bill provides much-needed stability, protections, and opportunities for communities all… Continue Reading
05.03.17
Murkowski Convenes SRS/PILT Hearing, Cosponsors SRS Bill
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday held an oversight hearing to examine federal payments to local governments provided through the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Community Self-Determination Act and the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. She also cosponsored bipartisan legislation introduced today by Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., to reauthorize the SRS program. The Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing explored the need for the federal government to… Continue Reading
