In Case You Missed It: Murkowski Spotlights Violence Against Native Women
Calling For Renewed Effort and Increased Support
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) continues her push to address the issue of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women, including calling upon federal agencies to work together to help put an end to the epidemic. This week Senator Murkowski was featured in a CNN news piece on the crisis, including efforts to raise awareness and steps of action.
Shining a Spotlight:
- During a CNN interview, Senator Murkowski spoke to the problem of a lack of information and data, as well as the urgent need to address the alarming statistics.
CLICK HERE to watch the video.
- Senator Murkowski’s efforts have also been featured in Bustle, and Alaska outlets such as the Juneau Empire and KTVA-CBS News.
Department of Justice:
- During a Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee hearing examining the Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for the Justice Department, Senator Murkowski called on U.S. Attorney General William Barr to work with her on addressing the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women.
CLICK HERE to watch the video.
- Attorney General Barr acknowledged the unacceptably high rates of violence that Alaska Native women face and committed to working with Senator Murkowski to protect the vulnerable, including scheduling a trip to Alaska to visit rural communities.
Department of the Interior, Indian Affairs:
- While Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior Tara Mac Lean Sweeney testified before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Senator Murkowski used the opportunity to speak to the interest in working with the Department on legislative efforts, such as Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act.
CLICK HERE to watch the video.
Background: In April, Senator Murkowski and Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the Not Invisible Act, legislation aimed at addressing the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Native people by engaging law enforcement, tribal leaders, federal partners, and service providers and improving coordination across federal agencies. Separately, Senators Murkowski and Cortez Masto reintroduced the Savanna’s Act, a bill to combat the epidemic of murdered and missing Native women and girls by improving the federal government's response to addressing the crisis.
