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 Congratulates Mitch Seavey on Record Iditarod Victory
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) congratulated Mitch Seavey on his record-breaking Iditarod victory of 8 days, 3 hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds: "A huge congratulations to Mitch and his extraordinary team of athletes on their third Iditarod win in record breaking fashion! He faced extraordinarily low temperatures and brutally harsh conditions, but his experience, training, and grit paid off. I am truly in awe of him and everyone else on the Iditarod trail!"… Continue Reading
03.13.17
Murkowski Requests President Support Coast Guard Budget
With a reported $1.3 billion cut to the United States Coast Guard's FY18 budget on the line, U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) raised her concerns to President Trump in a letter (attached) about the potential impacts the budget cuts would have on our national security, our economy, and ability to crack down on illegal activity. "If enacted, these cuts would constrain operational response posture, stop recapitalization programs and severely diminish national security. These proposed cuts conflict wi… Continue Reading
03.13.17
Murkowski Welcomes $2.5 Million Grant to Alaska
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement that Alaska has been selected to receive $2.5 million to help improve air quality in Fairbanks, including through voluntary wood stove change-outs. The funds are from the EPA's Targeted Airshed grant program. "This grant will help reduce the pollution that is the cause of the air quality alerts and burn bans that residents in Fairbanks have grappled with for years," Murkowski said. "In a c… Continue Reading
03.13.17
Murkowski Votes to Confirm Seema Verma as Administrator for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting to confirm Seema Verma as Administrator for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: "Congratulations to Seema Verma on her confirmation to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Ms. Verma's knowledge about state Medicaid expansion is more crucial now than ever. She also understands that every state is different, and a one-size-fits-all rarely works. She is a strong advocate f… Continue Reading
03.13.17
Murkowski Lays Out Alaska Native Priorities to Interior Secretary Zinke
The newly confirmed Interior Secretary, Ryan Zinke, testified for the first time in front of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee this week at a hearing on "Identifying Indian Affairs priorities for the Trump Administration." U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a member of the Committee, took the opportunity to highlight areas where the new administration can work with Alaska for the benefit of Alaska Natives and American Indians, including the development of Tribal Courts in Alaska, honoring tru… Continue Reading
03.08.17
Murkowski, Sullivan Comment on Meeting With President Trump
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-AK) issued the following statement after an hour-long meeting with President Trump and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke at the White House this afternoon. The group discussed a wide array of issues important to Alaska. "We had a productive meeting with President Trump and Secretary Zinke today, discussing everything from a road for King Cove and fisheries to national security, responsible resource development, and reigniting economic gro… Continue Reading
03.07.17
Murkowski Secures Repeal of BLM Planning 2.0 Rule
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today led the Senate's passage of H.J. Res. 44, the House version of her Congressional Review Act (CRA) disapproval resolution to overturn the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) "Planning 2.0" rule. The resolution passed the Senate by a vote of 51 to 48 and now goes to President Trump for his signature. "I'm pleased the Senate agreed to return power and decision-making authority to those who actually live near BLM lands in Alaska and other western states," Mur… Continue Reading
03.07.17
Stakeholders Say ‘Yes’ to Overturning BLM’s Flawed Planning 2.0 Rule
Today, the Senate will continue debate on a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to overturn the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Planning 2.0 Rule, which was finalized in a parting shot by the Obama administration on December 12, 2016. BLM's rule is a significant departure from how the federal agency is required, under federal law, to partner with state and local governments in land management planning for grazing, energy and mineral development, and recreational use of… Continue Reading
03.06.17
GOP Senators Say House Health Care Draft Lacks Key Protections for Medicaid Expansion Population
Today, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) outlining concerns that the February 10th draft health care plan from the House does not adequately protect individuals and families in Medicaid expansion programs or provide necessary flexibility for states. In the letter, the senators write: "While we support efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and … Continue Reading
03.03.17
Senators Ask DOJ to Uphold Existing Policy on State Marijuana Laws
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators, including Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), sent a letter that calls on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to request the Department of Justice (DOJ) uphold its existing enforcement policy regarding states that have voter-approved marijuana laws. The letter was prompted by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer's remarks during his briefing on February 23rd, suggesting that the public would soon see "greater enforcement" against … Continue Reading
03.03.17
Murkowski Welcomes New Interior Orders
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed her support for two secretarial orders announced by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke during his first full day on the job. Secretarial Order 3347 overturns the last-minute Director's Order 219, which would have banned lead-based products in ammunition and fishing tackle used on Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters. Director's Order 219 was of particular concern in the State of Alaska, as many who engage in traditional subsistence activitie… Continue Reading
03.02.17
Murkowski Congratulates New Energy Secretary
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after former Texas Gov. Rick Perry was confirmed to be the Secretary of Energy by a vote of 62-37. "I congratulate Gov. Perry on his successful confirmation to be our nation's next Secretary of Energy," Murkowski said. "This is a critical time for the Department, and it needs steady leadership as we pursue the broad benefits of energy innovation and greater security for our nation's energy infrastructure. The Department'… Continue Reading
03.01.17
Murkowski Congratulates New Interior Secretary
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) was confirmed to be the nation's next Secretary of the Interior by a bipartisan vote of 68-31. "I am hopeful that Rep. Zinke's confirmation will mark the start of a new era for the Department of the Interior that is defined by greater cooperation with Congress, the states, and the local residents affected by its decisions," Murkowski said. "This is particularly important for Alaska, which… Continue Reading
02.28.17
Murkowski Comments on President Trump’s Address to Congress
Tonight U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following statement in response to President Trump's address to a Joint Session of Congress: (Click here to watch video of Senator Murkowski's reaction.) "Tonight was an important night, for the President, Congress, and the American people. With a new administration there is always a degree of uncertainty, so this was an opportunity for the President to outline his goals for our nation's future. His speech tonight laid out his broa… Continue Reading
02.28.17
Murkowski Commends President Trump’s WOTUS Executive Order
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement in response to President Trump's Executive Order regarding the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: "The Waters of the United States or 'WOTUS' rule is one of the most burdensome, overreaching rules imposed by the Obama administration-a regulation with such broad reach that it could be used to impact and delay almost any development project anywhere in Alaska. I am pleased the Trump administration has decided to review thi… Continue Reading
02.27.17
Murkowski: SRS Funding is Critical to Alaska, Nation
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, recently sent a letter to President Trump urging him to include mandatory funding for the Secure Rural School (SRS) program in his upcoming budget request for Fiscal Year 2018. Murkowski also signed a similar letter in support of SRS to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney. "In my home state of Alaska, the Forest Service controls approximately 22 million acres of land, including 17 million acres in the Southeast region," Murkowski said… Continue Reading
02.25.17
Murkowski Commemorates Centennial of Denali National Park
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the creation of Denali National Park and Preserve. Celebrations will take place at Denali on Sunday, Feb. 26, the day that marks the official centennial of the park's creation in 1917. "One hundred years ago, President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill establishing what was then known as Mount McKinley National Park, and today we proudly call it Denali National Park and Preserve," Mu… Continue Reading
02.17.17
Murkowski Votes to Confirm EPA Administrator
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting to confirm Scott Pruitt to be EPA Administrator: "As Senator for a state hard-hit by EPA regulations, and chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the agency, I have a keen interest in who serves as its Administrator. Scott Pruitt has extensive knowledge of the laws that guide the EPA, and he is committed to refocusing the agency on actually cleaning up the environment instead of constantly churning o… Continue Reading
02.15.17
Menendez, Murkowski, Klobuchar, Rubio, Schumer Reintroduce Bipartisan Firefighter Cancer Registry Act
U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today reintroduced bipartisan legislation, along with original cosponsors Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), to create a national cancer registry for firefighters diagnosed with the deadly disease. Firefighters are exposed to a range of harmful toxins, and research has indicated that there is a strong connection between firefighting and an increased risk for several major cancers such as testicular, stomach, multiple m… Continue Reading
02.14.17
Murkowski Votes to Confirm Veterans Affairs Secretary
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting to confirm Dr. David Shulkin as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs: "I congratulate Dr. Shulkin on his elevation to Secretary of Veterans Affairs. As a member of the Senate VA Appropriations Subcommittee, I have come to know Dr. Shulkin over the past several years. To his credit Dr. Shulkin has visited Alaska to learn more about the reforms in healthcare delivery that we achieved under former Secretary Shinseki, suc… Continue Reading
