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861 rows where state = "AK" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending

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https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-commends-leaders-of-republic-of-korea-and-japan-on-comfort-women-settlement Sullivan Commends Leaders of Republic of Korea and Japan on Comfort Women Settlement 2015-12-28 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 12.28.15 Sullivan Commends Leaders of Republic of Korea and Japan on Comfort Women' Settlement WASHINGTON, D.C--Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement on the settlement of the dispute between the Republic of Korea and Japan over World War II-era Comfort Women. I commend the leaders of both the Republic of Korea and Japan for directly addressing the painful and difficult issue of Comfort Women' during World War II and the involvement and responsibility of Japan's military. This agreement should further help healing and reconciliation between two of our most important allies in the Asia Pacific and hasten trilateral cooperation on a variety of security, economic and humanitarian issues among our three countries. Senator Sullivan sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee. As part of his duties on that committee, he has traveled to the Asia Pacific twice in the last year and has met with numerous senior government officials in the region. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=3f088632-4cfd-4ab4-83be-1c2f79ca168b Murkowski Wishes Alaskans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 2015-12-24 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.24.15 Murkowski Wishes Alaskans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski shared her thoughts with Alaskans this holiday season: The end of the year is often regarded as a time of celebration, a time of hope, and a time of reflection. And as we gather with our family and friends this year, I encourage you to cherish those you love, and give thanks for that which we hold most dear. Lets also make time to think about the achievements and progress in the past year, and resolve to build upon them. As Alaskans we are blessed with incredible resources; an abundant land and a spirit of ingenuity not least among them. Let us count them among our blessings as we spend time with our loved ones this holiday season. (Click image to watch video.) This time of year is also the season of giving, and while we tend to get caught in the rush of Christmas shopping and holiday parties, let us not forget those in need and make volunteering a year-round tradition. Alaskans know that the smallest gesture or gift can make a world of difference, and we can all find a way to make a difference in our community. And finally, let us not forget the men and women who serve to protect our country all over the world, many of whom are unable to spend the holidays with their families. To all of our service members and their families, their loved ones: we thank you for your service and all that you do for our nation. I wish you and your family the very best. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Print Email Tweet 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-wishes-alaskans-a-merry-christmas-and-happy-holidays Murkowski Wishes Alaskans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 2015-12-24 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.24.15 Murkowski Wishes Alaskans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski shared her thoughts with Alaskans this holiday season: The end of the year is often regarded as a time of celebration, a time of hope, and a time of reflection. And as we gather with our family and friends this year, I encourage you to cherish those you love, and give thanks for that which we hold most dear. Let's also make time to think about the achievements and progress in the past year, and resolve to build upon them. As Alaskans we are blessed with incredible resources; an abundant land and a spirit of ingenuity not least among them. Let us count them among our blessings as we spend time with our loved ones this holiday season. (Click image to watch video.) This time of year is also the season of giving, and while we tend to get caught in the rush of Christmas shopping and holiday parties, let us not forget those in need and make volunteering a year-round tradition. Alaskans know that the smallest gesture or gift can make a world of difference, and we can all find a way to make a difference in our community. And finally, let us not forget the men and women who serve to protect our country all over the world, many of whom are unable to spend the holidays with their families. To all of our service members and their families, their loved ones: we thank you for your service and all that you do for our nation. I wish you and your family the very best. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Print Email Tweet 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=48a4d17f-a610-48cd-af6e-36966ba25449 Two Years Later, Still No Help for King Cove 2015-12-23 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.23.15 Two Years Later, Still No Help for King Cove Obama Administration Has Failed to Act Despite 38 More Medevacs U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement to mark the two-year anniversary of the Obama administrations heartless rejection of a short, life-saving road for the isolated village of King Cove, Alaska. I will never understand how the administration made its initial decision, or why it has continued to fail the people of King Cove ever since. Instead of protecting human lives, the administration has only managed to waste scarce resources on a shallow study of inferior alternatives. King Cove has endured at least 38 more medevacs over the past two years, including 14 that required the men and women of the Coast Guard to risk their own lives in terrible conditions. The worst part is, if King Cove were a foreign village claiming it was threatened by climate change, the administration would be scrambling to send millions of taxpayer dollars its way. It has been two years to date since I got the call from Secretary Jewell rejecting this life-saving road and the good people of this isolated community deserve better. And I will keep fighting, every day, to protect their health and safety. This is a matter of life and death that has led to far too much needless suffering. I will never give up, and I will work harder than ever in 2016 to finally secure a life-saving road for King Cove. In 2009, Murkowski won congressional and presidential approval of a nearly 300:1 land exchange needed to facilitate a narrow, gravel, non-commercial, 10-mile-long road through a small sliver of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. The road would provide emergency medical transportation out of King Cove during frequently extreme weather conditions by linking the village to the all-weather runway in nearby Cold Bay. The Department of the Interior formally denied the life-saving road on… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/two-years-later-still-no-help-for-king-cove Two Years Later, Still No Help for King Cove 2015-12-23 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.23.15 Two Years Later, Still No Help for King Cove Obama Administration Has Failed to Act Despite 38 More Medevacs U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement to mark the two-year anniversary of the Obama administration's heartless rejection of a short, life-saving road for the isolated village of King Cove, Alaska. I will never understand how the administration made its initial decision, or why it has continued to fail the people of King Cove ever since. Instead of protecting human lives, the administration has only managed to waste scarce resources on a shallow study of inferior alternatives. King Cove has endured at least 38 more medevacs over the past two years, including 14 that required the men and women of the Coast Guard to risk their own lives in terrible conditions. The worst part is, if King Cove were a foreign village claiming it was threatened by climate change, the administration would be scrambling to send millions of taxpayer dollars its way. It has been two years to date since I got the call from Secretary Jewell rejecting this life-saving road and the good people of this isolated community deserve better. And I will keep fighting, every day, to protect their health and safety. This is a matter of life and death that has led to far too much needless suffering. I will never give up, and I will work harder than ever in 2016 to finally secure a life-saving road for King Cove. In 2009, Murkowski won congressional and presidential approval of a nearly 300:1 land exchange needed to facilitate a narrow, gravel, non-commercial, 10-mile-long road through a small sliver of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. The road would provide emergency medical transportation out of King Cove during frequently extreme weather conditions by linking the village to the all-weather runway in nearby Cold Bay. The Department of the Interior formally denied the life-saving road o… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/sullivan-focuses-on-economy-regulation-reform Sullivan focuses on economy, regulation reform 2015-12-23 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 12.23.15 Sullivan focuses on economy, regulation reform Economics, regulation and the military ruled the conversation during Sen. Dan Sullivan's speech to the joint Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce luncheon on Wednesday. Sullivan, who has just completed his first year in Washington, D.C., presented a crowd of about 80 with a rundown of his views on the current national political situation. Because it is the holiday season, he said he wanted to focus on the positive while still touching on future challenges. Believe it or not, you can sometimes get a sense that people are focused on the negative, but I thought it would be good to focus on what a lot of people do over the holidays, on our blessings, Sullivan said. I think a lot of us would agree as Alaskans, as Americans, we are truly blessed. Sullivan said he is not satisfied with the current economic growth in the country, which hovers around 2 percent annually. The gross domestic product, which measures the overall value of everything produced in the country, has grown far more in prior decades than it is now, and Sullivan said overregulation is limiting economic growth. He said he plans to target overregulation in the coming year. He referenced a bill he sponsored and introduced in August called the RED Tape Act, which would require any federal agency to include sunset clauses in any new regulations. It would also direct agencies to review their rules and consider repealing them if they have become obsolete, he said. It's not just the latest regulation it's also how long things take in Washington, Sullivan said. I think a lot of this is self-inflicted. Nobody should want this, because it doesn't help our economy. Setting too many hurdles for businesses to jump through limits economic growth, Sullivan said. He cited a statistic from a 2010 Small Business Administration report that federal regulations cost $1.75 trillion as of 2008. Reining in regulatory agencies would help boost economic growth, which Sullivan said will help average Am… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=0388d4b0-71e9-4ec5-a48f-1babc1376dbf Murkowski: Investment in Arctic Through Omnibus Bill 2015-12-22 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.22.15 Murkowski: Investment in Arctic Through Omnibus Bill Year-End Budget Bill Priorities Arctic Needs U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced many provisions within the year-end budget bill to fund the federal government that will lay the groundwork for increased research and investment in the Arctic. Included are provisions to spur construction of a Polar icebreaker, support research both onshore and offshore, and increase safety in Alaskas waters. The Arctic is a national asset and should be treated as a national priority. As new possibilities and opportunities emerge in the Arctic, it is imperative that we invest today in the infrastructure and the assets that will be critical to supporting our Arctic strategy, said Senator Murkowski. While the U.S. Chairs the Arctic Council for the next two years, we have not only a big role but a tremendous opportunity to be a global leader in the region, and I believe we are heading in the right direction. Moving forward, I hope that the Administration will recognize the importance of the Arctic by taking the actions necessary in their upcoming budget request to provide the resources our nation needs to be a leader in the region. Improving Navigational Aid and Weather Forecasting Increases funding for NOAA to conduct hydrographic surveys (or sonar mapping) of the nations coastline. Attached to that funding is a provision from Senator Murkowski emphasizing the need for Arctic mapping and setting hard deadlines with the federal agencies responsible in the region. Senator Murkowski included a provision to examine the benefit that electronic navigational buoys would provide to vessels transiting the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea. Requires the National Weather Service to identify any disparity in forecasting occurring in Alaska compared to the Lower 48, as well as to identify what resources are necessary to correct it. Alaska and the Arctic have some of the h… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-investment-in-arctic-through-omnibus-bill Murkowski: Investment in Arctic Through Omnibus Bill 2015-12-22 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.22.15 Murkowski: Investment in Arctic Through Omnibus Bill Year-End Budget Bill Priorities Arctic Needs U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced many provisions within the year-end budget bill to fund the federal government that will lay the groundwork for increased research and investment in the Arctic. Included are provisions to spur construction of a Polar icebreaker, support research both onshore and offshore, and increase safety in Alaska's waters. The Arctic is a national asset and should be treated as a national priority. As new possibilities and opportunities emerge in the Arctic, it is imperative that we invest today in the infrastructure and the assets that will be critical to supporting our Arctic strategy, said Senator Murkowski. While the U.S. Chairs the Arctic Council for the next two years, we have not only a big role but a tremendous opportunity to be a global leader in the region, and I believe we are heading in the right direction. Moving forward, I hope that the Administration will recognize the importance of the Arctic by taking the actions necessary in their upcoming budget request to provide the resources our nation needs to be a leader in the region. Improving Navigational Aid and Weather Forecasting Increases funding for NOAA to conduct hydrographic surveys (or sonar mapping) of the nation's coastline. Attached to that funding is a provision from Senator Murkowski emphasizing the need for Arctic mapping and setting hard deadlines with the federal agencies responsible in the region. Senator Murkowski included a provision to examine the benefit that electronic navigational buoys would provide to vessels transiting the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea. Requires the National Weather Service to identify any disparity in forecasting occurring in Alaska compared to the Lower 48, as well as to identify what resources are necessary to correct it. Alaska and the Arctic have some of the… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398555 Alaska Congressman Don Young Shares Thoughts on Passage of Omnibus Appropriations Package 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Don Young Y000033 donyoung.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Alaska Congressman Don Young today shared the following statement after House passage of a bipartisan omnibus appropriations package funding the government through the FY16 Fiscal Year. The bill, which includes a number of tax related measures, passed the House passed 316 to 113. End of the year deal making is no way to legislate, but shutting down the government is even worse, said Congressman Don Young. Ive argued for years we must restore regular order to the appropriations process something I expressed to Speaker Ryan just this week which will get rid of these 11th hour, must pass negotiations. While I share the priority of exporting crude oil developed on private lands, Im afraid we didnt leverage ourselves well in defending some Alaskan and western priorities. I supported this bill for the numerous Alaska focused provisions we fought for and defended during the appropriations process, but I did so reluctantly. This massive spending bill is a tough pill to swallow mainly for what it lacks, but ultimately is provides a number of important reforms and provisions for Alaska and the nation that would not have been achieved otherwise. Overall, the bill provides for the common defense of our nation, protects our veterans, holds the IRS accountable, and strengthens many programs important to the nation. Congressman Don Young Shares Thoughts on Omnibus Appropriations Bill (click here to watch). For Congressman Youngs thoughts on the tax related portions of this bill, which were voted on yesterday in the House,click here. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=42c3b5f5-ecfe-44aa-ba8f-f7f4a4df356f Murkowski Hails Path Forward for Point Spencer Development 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.18.15 Murkowski Hails Path Forward for Point Spencer Development Senate Approves Point Spencer Land Transfer Today U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) praised the Senates action to approve the Point Spencer Land Conveyance Act. Murkowski introduced the bicameral legislation with Congressman Don Young (R-AK) in May, to streamline future infrastructure development and potential uses of Point Spencer, Alaska by calling for the conveyance of approximately 2,500 acres of federal lands to local, state, and federal stakeholders. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a co-sponsor of the legislation and a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, supported inclusion of the bill in the Coast Guard Authorization Act (H.R. 4188), which passed the Senate Friday by unanimous consent. America is an Arctic nation because of Alaska, and its time that we started investing in our future, Murkowski said. Putting in place measures to speed up economic development in Alaskas Arctic will empower us to be a more active participant in activities in the North. Public-private partnerships are an important way to spur investment in the region and with the Senates action today, we are one step closer to making that happen. The Point Spencer Land Conveyance Act would establish a public-private partnership between Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) and the State of Alaska in an effort to bring timely development to Alaskas Seward Peninsula. Among stakeholders, the U.S. Coast Guard would retain its footprint in the region to support their statutory mission and duties, while the partnership would be conveyed lands to establish a U.S. Arctic deep draft port. Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. Print Email … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=530baa50-7c33-4b65-83dc-90b515b4e8e9 Murkowski Champions Alaska Priorities in Year-End Budget Bill 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.18.15 Murkowski Champions Alaska Priorities in Year-End Budget Bill Today the U.S. Senate approved the year-end budget package, known as the omnibus bill, to fund the federal government for the upcoming fiscal year. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured a number of initiatives important to Alaska outside of the jurisdiction of the subcommittee on Interior Appropriations, which she chairs. A summary of Alaska-specific provisions in the omnibus bill appears on the following pages. Click here to view the Alaska priorities Senator Murkowski was able to secure as Chairman of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. (Murkowski discusses year-end budget billClick image to watch video.) Strengthening Alaskas Communities Supports suicide prevention programs by allocating $35 million for Garrett Lee Smith prevention grants and $2.9 million for the American Indian and Alaskan Native Suicide Prevention Initiative. Includes $9 billion in funding for Head Start, which provides educational and health services to over 3,000 young Alaskans in 100 communities. Language in this bill also encourages the Department of Health and Human Services to consider the unique challenges faced by Head Start providers in remote and frontier areas. Increases funding by $77 million for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), for a total of $751 million. The purpose of CSBG is to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty. In Alaska, funding is provided for RurAL CAP Murkowski strongly supports the increase in Child Care and Development Block Grant funding from $2.435 billion to $2.761 billion, to assist states, tribes, and providers in improving the quality of child care for Americas working families. Provides $286 million for Title X Family Planning Grants, which supports ten family planning facilities in Alaska. Provides $638 million for the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, to improve the health of mothers a… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=711bcbb4-0df1-471d-a0a0-6d780172b137 Murkowski Announces Interior Provisions in Year-End Omnibus Bill to Benefit Alaska 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.18.15 Murkowski Announces Interior Provisions in Year-End Omnibus Bill to Benefit Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced a series of provisions within the year-end omnibus budget package that will approve, support, and fund a broad range of initiatives important to Alaska. Murkowski secured many of the provisions through her role as Chairman of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, which provides Alaska with a strong voice in federal budget negotiations. Today the Senate voted on the bill which passed in a vote of 65-33. (Senator Murkowski highlights wins for AlaskaClick image to watch video) Murkowski developed a strong Interior Appropriations bill that was marked up in the Appropriations Committee in June 2015. After the bill was reported, Senate Democrats repeatedly blocked the consideration of individual appropriations bills. Left with no choice but to turn an omnibus measure, Murkowski worked with her colleagues to include funding and policy initiatives that address a wide range of Alaska-specific priorities. Those provisions include support for energy development in the state; greater funding for alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs; the continuation of the backhaul waste removal program; a prohibition on the regulation of lead content in ammunition and fishing tackle; and full funding for contract support costs for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service. A summary of Alaska-specific provisions in the omnibus appears on the following pages. Fulfilling Federal Responsibility to Alaskan Communities Fully funds the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program at $452 million. In FY15, Alaska received more than $28 million in PILT payments. PILT compensates local governments for tax revenues lost due to federal land ownership, and provides for vital services such as firefighting and police protection, the construction of public schools and roads, and search-and-rescue operations. Restores the National Wil… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-announces-interior-provisions-in-year-end-omnibus-bill-to-benefit-alaska Murkowski Announces Interior Provisions in Year-End Omnibus Bill to Benefit Alaska 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.18.15 Murkowski Announces Interior Provisions in Year-End Omnibus Bill to Benefit Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced a series of provisions within the year-end omnibus budget package that will approve, support, and fund a broad range of initiatives important to Alaska. Murkowski secured many of the provisions through her role as Chairman of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, which provides Alaska with a strong voice in federal budget negotiations. Today the Senate voted on the bill which passed in a vote of 65-33. (Senator Murkowski highlights wins for AlaskaClick image to watch video) Murkowski developed a strong Interior Appropriations bill that was marked up in the Appropriations Committee in June 2015. After the bill was reported, Senate Democrats repeatedly blocked the consideration of individual appropriations bills. Left with no choice but to turn an omnibus measure, Murkowski worked with her colleagues to include funding and policy initiatives that address a wide range of Alaska-specific priorities. Those provisions include support for energy development in the state; greater funding for alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs; the continuation of the backhaul waste removal program; a prohibition on the regulation of lead content in ammunition and fishing tackle; and full funding for contract support costs for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service. A summary of Alaska-specific provisions in the omnibus appears on the following pages. Fulfilling Federal Responsibility to Alaskan Communities Fully funds the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program at $452 million. In FY15, Alaska received more than $28 million in PILT payments. PILT compensates local governments for tax revenues lost due to federal land ownership, and provides for vital services such as firefighting and police protection, the construction of public schools and roads, and search-and-rescue operations. Restores the National Wil… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-champions-alaska-priorities-in-year-end-budget-bill Murkowski Champions Alaska Priorities in Year-End Budget Bill 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.18.15 Murkowski Champions Alaska Priorities in Year-End Budget Bill Today the U.S. Senate approved the year-end budget package, known as the omnibus bill, to fund the federal government for the upcoming fiscal year. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured a number of initiatives important to Alaska outside of the jurisdiction of the subcommittee on Interior Appropriations, which she chairs. A summary of Alaska-specific provisions in the omnibus bill appears on the following pages. Click here to view the Alaska priorities Senator Murkowski was able to secure as Chairman of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. (Murkowski discusses year-end budget billClick image to watch video.) Strengthening Alaska's Communities Supports suicide prevention programs by allocating $35 million for Garrett Lee Smith prevention grants and $2.9 million for the American Indian and Alaskan Native Suicide Prevention Initiative. Includes $9 billion in funding for Head Start, which provides educational and health services to over 3,000 young Alaskans in 100 communities. Language in this bill also encourages the Department of Health and Human Services to consider the unique challenges faced by Head Start providers in remote and frontier areas. Increases funding by $77 million for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), for a total of $751 million. The purpose of CSBG is to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty. In Alaska, funding is provided for RurAL CAP Murkowski strongly supports the increase in Child Care and Development Block Grant funding from $2.435 billion to $2.761 billion, to assist states, tribes, and providers in improving the quality of child care for America's working families. Provides $286 million for Title X Family Planning Grants, which supports ten family planning facilities in Alaska. Provides $638 million for the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, to improve the health of mothers… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-hails-path-forward-for-point-spencer-development Murkowski Hails Path Forward for Point Spencer Development 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.18.15 Murkowski Hails Path Forward for Point Spencer Development Senate Approves Point Spencer Land Transfer Today U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) praised the Senate's action to approve the Point Spencer Land Conveyance Act. Murkowski introduced the bicameral legislation with Congressman Don Young (R-AK) in May, to streamline future infrastructure development and potential uses of Point Spencer, Alaska by calling for the conveyance of approximately 2,500 acres of federal lands to local, state, and federal stakeholders. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a co-sponsor of the legislation and a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, supported inclusion of the bill in the Coast Guard Authorization Act (H.R. 4188), which passed the Senate Friday by unanimous consent. America is an Arctic nation because of Alaska, and it's time that we started investing in our future, Murkowski said. Putting in place measures to speed up economic development in Alaska's Arctic will empower us to be a more active participant in activities in the North. Public-private partnerships are an important way to spur investment in the region and with the Senate's action today, we are one step closer to making that happen. The Point Spencer Land Conveyance Act would establish a public-private partnership between Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) and the State of Alaska in an effort to bring timely development to Alaska's Seward Peninsula. Among stakeholders, the U.S. Coast Guard would retain its footprint in the region to support their statutory mission and duties, while the partnership would be conveyed lands to establish a U.S. Arctic deep draft port. Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. Print E… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-unanimously-passes-coast-guard-authorization-bill Senate Unanimously Passes Coast Guard Authorization Bill 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 12.18.15 Senate Unanimously Passes Coast Guard Authorization Bill Bill Strengthens Coast Guard, Protects Alaska's Fishermen, Transfers Federal Lands to Alaska, Buoys Expansion of Icebreaker Fleet WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, today welcomed unanimous passage of the Coast Guard Authorization Act, which included several key provisions vital to Alaskans' interests. Today's unanimous passage of this important legislation demonstrates Congress's strong commitment to the U.S. Coast Guard, which serves countless Alaskans in every corner of our state, said Senator Sullivan. Working with members of the Senate Commerce Committee as well as Senator Lisa Murkowski and Congressman Don Young, I am pleased to have included important provisions for Alaska's commercial fishermen, the transfer of federal lands back into the hands of Alaskans, and for the expansion of our icebreaker fleet. Specifically, the Coast Guard Authorization Act includes: The Port Spencer Land Conveyance Act, which conveys land at Point Spencer to the Bering Straits Native Corporation and the State of Alaska for potential infrastructure development. A land conveyance in Tok, which will allow the Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) to continue operating the Tok Area Counseling Center, the only behavioral health center in the region. A provision that would reduce the cost of building a new fishing vessel, thereby encouraging new construction by providing a safe alternative to requiring costly certification by classification societies. Language that would pave the way for growing America's polar icebreaker fleet by allowing the Coast Guard to pay for a polar icebreaker incrementally, rather than requiring full funding in a single year. The bill would also require the Coast Guard to determine the feasibility of refurbishing the icebreaker, Polar Sea, which has be… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-votes-against-2200-page-18-trillion-spending-and-tax-reform-bill Sullivan Votes Against 2,200 Page $1.8 Trillion Spending and Tax Reform Bill 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 12.18.15 Sullivan Votes Against 2,200 Page $1.8 Trillion Spending and Tax Reform Bill WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement today after voting against H.R. 2029, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, a $1.8 trillion spending and tax reform bill: This was a difficult vote for me.This 2,200 page $1.8 trillion spending and tax reform bill contains several provisions that I have advocated for, and will continue to press for, that benefit some Alaskans, small business owners, and the energy sector. However, voting in favor of such a massive and consequential piece of legislation, without having had the opportunity to fully understand and vet its positive and negative implications for Alaska and our nation, or offer amendments, is something that I could not do in good conscience. The way in which we fund our federal government in this case, 72 hours to read a 2,200 page $1.8 trillion take-it-or-leave-it bill, negotiated behind closed doors by just a few members of Congress and the White House is broken and not worthy of our great nation nor the people we represent. It is also a principal reason why we have seen such an explosion of trillions of dollars in debt, which this bill adds to, that imperils our nation's fiscal stability and our children's future. Alaskans are currently debating through a transparent, open, and yes, contentious process how to best address the state's very significant fiscal challenges.The federal government should be doing the same.This bill and the process that produced it demonstrates we aren't.Going forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues to improve this process. That is what Alaskans and the American people deserve. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398553 Pro-Growth Tax Package Focused on Protecting American Families and Small Businesses Passes House 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Don Young Y000033 donyoung.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. A bipartisan package aimed at providing common sense tax relief to American families and small businesses passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 318 to 109. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015, supported by Alaska Congressman Don Young, encourages growth and opportunity across the U.S. economy by improving transparency and operations within the IRS, providing much needed relief and certainty for the American taxpayer, and reducing the nations growing tax burden. The best way to grow and strengthen the economy is by protecting families and small businesses from the heavy hand of the IRS, said Congressman Don Young. Reforming the American tax code has long been overdue, not only because its become entirely too complicated and burdensome but because it continues to harm hardworking Americans and job creators. This package represents only a small step towards improving our broken tax code and reigning in the IRS. Through more than 50 permanent and temporary tax extensions, and a number of serious measures to hold the IRS accountable, we restore a level of certainty that Americans count on when planning for tomorrow and making investments for their futures. Importantly, the PATH Act includes legislation authored by Congressman Young to provide Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) an equitable tax reduction for the donation of conservation easements. Youngs language would raise the tax deduction cap for conservation easement donations made by ANCs, bringing deductions in line with what is currently available for certain farmers and ranchers making similar donations. Click here to read more about Youngs provision, which previously passed the House in a separate tax package. ANCs generally pay federal corporate taxes at the highest marginal rate, but are not eligible for the same corporate tax credits available to other corporations,said Congressman Don Young earlier this year.In order to ensure the tax code for ANCs is in line with other non-Alaska Native corpor… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=17d47af5-3c0d-4642-a05e-e6a6dc7b88c0 Senator Murkowski Ensures Fully-Funded Wildfire Budget 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.17.15 Senator Murkowski Ensures Fully-Funded Wildfire Budget Reiterates Commitment to Long-Term Legislative Solution for Fire-Borrowing, Suppression Efforts, Forest Management U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today highlighted her efforts to ensure that the omnibus appropriations bill included language to fully fund wildfire suppression efforts for the rest of Fiscal Year 2016. As part of her remarks, delivered this afternoon on the Senate floor, Murkowski reiterated that a long-term wildfire and forestry management bill is one of her top priorities as chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. It should go without saying that our nations wildfire epidemic is a serious challenge that demands attention from every one of us. Each year the wildfire season seems to include new worsts and shattered records, and 2015 has been particularly devastating, Murkowski said. As chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Murkowski developed legislation earlier this year to fully fund our nations wildland firefighting efforts while ending the pattern of fire borrowing and increasing the budget for preventative measures. The omnibus takes a shorter-term approach, but as a result of Murkowskis leadership contains an unprecedented $1.6 billion for fire suppression ($600 million more than the average federal cost of fighting wildfires over the past ten years), $545 million for hazardous fuels reduction, and $360 million for the Forest Services timber program. The omnibus is our path forward on wildfire funding for this year. It devotes greater resources to fire prevention and hazardous fuels reduction. It contains real money, not an empty account, those funds will be available immediately, and we can use the window it provides to develop long-term solutions, said Murkowski. Murkowski also explained why Congress chose not to include a flawed administration proposal in the omnibu… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=7745faa6-1752-4fed-9bd2-71697c8fcf70 Senator Murkowski Releases Statement on Fairbanks Four 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.17.15 Senator Murkowski Releases Statement on Fairbanks Four Today Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) shared her thoughts on the outcome of the Fairbanks Four case: I am pleased that the State of Alaska agreed to set aside the convictions of the Fairbanks Four based on the new evidence that has been developed and that Judge Lyle has accepted the settlement agreement today. I first took up the cause of the Fairbanks Four in 2013, asking the State of Alaska to take a hard look at whether their convictions were just. I concurrently asked the US Department of Justice to examine whether the civil rights of the Fairbanks Four were violated. I commend UAF Journalism Professor Brian ODonoghue for his dogged investigation and the outstanding attorneys of the Alaska Innocence Project and Dorsey & Whitney for their diligent representation. I also commend the members of the Fairbanks community who have stood vigil to ensure that the cause of the Fairbanks Four was not forgotten. Justice prevails! Print Email Tweet 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=bc5fb310-4726-4e5a-a28b-156d3ed64c94 Murkowski Works to Support Alaskas Fisheries and Protect Consumers through Omnibus Bill 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.17.15 Murkowski Works to Support Alaskas Fisheries and Protect Consumers through Omnibus Bill Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) welcomed the addition of multiple provisions she sponsored in the year-end budget bill to fund the federal government that will both protect American consumers and support Alaskas vital fishing industry. These provisions include a labelling mandate for genetically engineered (GE) salmon, a change in nomenclature of Alaska pollock to minimize consumer confusion, support for visa programs that provide much-needed workers during the busy fish processing season, recommendations for nutritional advice on seafood, and protection against the influence of third parties on the definition of sustainable seafood in Alaska. Alaska is known around the world for our sustainably-caught, wild, delicious seafood, and provisions within this omnibus package ensure we maintain this reputation for years to come, said Murkowski. We must support Alaskas fisheries that contribute so much to our state, an industry that employs 63,000 Alaskans and provides billions to the states economy. Whether this includes protecting our healthy salmon stocks from the many threats of Frankenfish or making sure Alaskas fisheries have the staff they need during the busy season, I intend to do anything I can to support our thriving seafood industry into the future. GE Salmon: After the FDAs decision last month to approve GE salmon for human consumption, Senator Murkowski promised to fight back for the health of both consumers and Alaskas fisheries. Murkowski successfully fought to include a provision in the omnibus bill that blocks the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from introducing GE salmon into the market until it publishes labeling guidelines so consumers are aware of what is contained in the product they are purchasing. Further, Murkowski directed the FDA to develop labeling guidelines and implement a program to inform consumers whether or not the salmon for sale is genetically engineered. Clic… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-works-to-support-alaskas-fisheries-and-protect-consumers-through-omnibus-bill Murkowski Works to Support Alaskas Fisheries and Protect Consumers through Omnibus Bill 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.17.15 Murkowski Works to Support Alaska's Fisheries and Protect Consumers through Omnibus Bill Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) welcomed the addition of multiple provisions she sponsored in the year-end budget bill to fund the federal government that will both protect American consumers and support Alaska's vital fishing industry. These provisions include a labelling mandate for genetically engineered (GE) salmon, a change in nomenclature of Alaska pollock to minimize consumer confusion, support for visa programs that provide much-needed workers during the busy fish processing season, recommendations for nutritional advice on seafood, and protection against the influence of third parties on the definition of sustainable seafood in Alaska. Alaska is known around the world for our sustainably-caught, wild, delicious seafood, and provisions within this omnibus package ensure we maintain this reputation for years to come, said Murkowski. We must support Alaska's fisheries that contribute so much to our state, an industry that employs 63,000 Alaskans and provides billions to the state's economy. Whether this includes protecting our healthy salmon stocks from the many threats of Frankenfish' or making sure Alaska's fisheries have the staff they need during the busy season, I intend to do anything I can to support our thriving seafood industry into the future. GE Salmon: After the FDA's decision last month to approve GE salmon for human consumption, Senator Murkowski promised to fight back for the health of both consumers and Alaska's fisheries. Murkowski successfully fought to include a provision in the omnibus bill that blocks the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from introducing GE salmon into the market until it publishes labeling guidelines so consumers are aware of what is contained in the product they are purchasing. Further, Murkowski directed the FDA to develop labeling guidelines and implement a program to inform consumers whether or not the salmon for sale is genetically engineered… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/senator-murkowski-ensures-fully-funded-wildfire-budget Senator Murkowski Ensures Fully-Funded Wildfire Budget 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.17.15 Senator Murkowski Ensures Fully-Funded Wildfire Budget Reiterates Commitment to Long-Term Legislative Solution for Fire-Borrowing, Suppression Efforts, Forest Management U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today highlighted her efforts to ensure that the omnibus appropriations bill included language to fully fund wildfire suppression efforts for the rest of Fiscal Year 2016. As part of her remarks, delivered this afternoon on the Senate floor, Murkowski reiterated that a long-term wildfire and forestry management bill is one of her top priorities as chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. It should go without saying that our nation's wildfire epidemic is a serious challenge that demands attention from every one of us. Each year the wildfire season seems to include new worsts' and shattered records, and 2015 has been particularly devastating, Murkowski said. As chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Murkowski developed legislation earlier this year to fully fund our nation's wildland firefighting efforts while ending the pattern of fire borrowing and increasing the budget for preventative measures. The omnibus takes a shorter-term approach, but as a result of Murkowski's leadership contains an unprecedented $1.6 billion for fire suppression ($600 million more than the average federal cost of fighting wildfires over the past ten years), $545 million for hazardous fuels reduction, and $360 million for the Forest Service's timber program. The omnibus is our path forward on wildfire funding for this year. It devotes greater resources to fire prevention and hazardous fuels reduction. It contains real money, not an empty account, those funds will be available immediately, and we can use the window it provides to develop long-term solutions, said Murkowski. Murkowski also explained why Congress chose not to include a flawed administration proposal in the o… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/senator-murkowski-releases-statement-on-fairbanks-four Senator Murkowski Releases Statement on Fairbanks Four 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.17.15 Senator Murkowski Releases Statement on Fairbanks Four Today Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) shared her thoughts on the outcome of the Fairbanks Four' case: I am pleased that the State of Alaska agreed to set aside the convictions of the Fairbanks Four based on the new evidence that has been developed and that Judge Lyle has accepted the settlement agreement today. I first took up the cause of the Fairbanks Four in 2013, asking the State of Alaska to take a hard look at whether their convictions were just. I concurrently asked the US Department of Justice to examine whether the civil rights of the Fairbanks Four were violated. I commend UAF Journalism Professor Brian O'Donoghue for his dogged investigation and the outstanding attorneys of the Alaska Innocence Project and Dorsey & Whitney for their diligent representation. I also commend the members of the Fairbanks community who have stood vigil to ensure that the cause of the Fairbanks Four was not forgotten. Justice prevails! Print Email Tweet 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=123f84c5-12d7-46b3-8b8f-eff9b2addc5c Murkowski: End of the Year Package Could Have Big Impacts on Alaska 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.16.15 Murkowski: End of the Year Package Could Have Big Impacts on Alaska Legislation Includes Wide Ranging Tax Relief, Policy Provisions, and Funding Proposals Congress has reached an agreement on a year-end spending and tax package that sets federal funding levels for the next year and extends a series of tax breaks. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, had a major role in crafting the final package. The spending bill sustains Alaskas contribution to national defense, funds the delivery of the benefits that our veterans have earned, protects our fisheries, and fulfills the federal governments commitments to Alaska Natives. Alaskans will also enjoy tax relief as the legislation temporarily delays the implementation the Cadillac Tax, one of the Affordable Care Acts more costly provisions. The bill also halts any new funding for the Environmental Protection Agency and prevents continued overreach. Both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate are expected to vote on the legislation this week. (Senator Murkowski discusses the spending billClick image to watch video) Fisheries: Major wins for Alaskas seafood industry are included, such as: GE Salmon: Senator Murkowski made major successful strides fighting against Frankenfish by securing language to block the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from introducing genetically engineered salmon into the market until it publishes labeling guidelines so consumers are aware of whats contained in the product theyre purchasing. Further, Murkowski directed the FDA to develop labeling guidelines and implement a program to inform consumers whether or not the salmon for sale is genetically engineered. This comes on the heels of the FDA approving the production and sale of genetically engineered salmon last month. Pollock Nomenclature: Senator Murkowski also included a provision that allows only p… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=3435ecdb-d369-4cd1-aafe-33915440d9d0 Murkowski: Oil Export Ban Repeal is Win for Alaska, Nation 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.16.15 Murkowski: Oil Export Ban Repeal is Win for Alaska, Nation Omnibus Provision Enhances Americas Position as Global Energy Superpower U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed inclusion in the year-end spending bill of language she has long championed to repeal the decades-long ban on crude oil exports. Allowing oil exports is an important step forward in ensuring that our energy policies reflect our nations renewed abundance of resources. Not only will oil exports help safeguard our long-term economic prosperity, but it will also spur job creation across the country and deliver much-needed revenue to state and local governments, Murkowski said. With the threat of terrorism growing daily, oil exports are needed now more than ever to reduce volatility and provide our allies, and the world, a stable and secure source of energy. Todays action by Congress to allow oil exports is a culmination of Murkowskis work on this important geopolitical and national security issue. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, first proposed lifting the 40-year-old ban on oil exports in a speech at the Brookings Institution in January 2014. She continued to build a solid case for modernizing U.S. energy trade policies with a series of white papers, speeches and calls for government and independent analysis. In July, the energy panel favorably reported out Murkowskis Offshore Production and Energizing National Security Act (S. 2011), including language to fully repeal the outdated restrictions on exporting American oil. We have an opportunity to modernize our energy export policy and make America a world leader on issues of trade, the environment, and energy production, but we must seize it, Murkowski said. If we fail to act, we risk losing the gains in economic activity and job creation that weve seen in recent years in the energy sector. The bipartisan agreement announc… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-end-of-the-year-package-could-have-big-impacts-on-alaska Murkowski: End of the Year Package Could Have Big Impacts on Alaska 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.16.15 Murkowski: End of the Year Package Could Have Big Impacts on Alaska Legislation Includes Wide Ranging Tax Relief, Policy Provisions, and Funding Proposals Congress has reached an agreement on a year-end spending and tax package that sets federal funding levels for the next year and extends a series of tax breaks. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, had a major role in crafting the final package. The spending bill sustains Alaska's contribution to national defense, funds the delivery of the benefits that our veterans have earned, protects our fisheries, and fulfills the federal government's commitments to Alaska Natives. Alaskans will also enjoy tax relief as the legislation temporarily delays the implementation the Cadillac Tax, one of the Affordable Care Act's more costly provisions. The bill also halts any new funding for the Environmental Protection Agency and prevents continued overreach. Both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate are expected to vote on the legislation this week. (Senator Murkowski discusses the spending billClick image to watch video) Fisheries: Major wins for Alaska's seafood industry are included, such as: GE Salmon: Senator Murkowski made major successful strides fighting against Frankenfish by securing language to block the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from introducing genetically engineered salmon into the market until it publishes labeling guidelines so consumers are aware of what's contained in the product they're purchasing. Further, Murkowski directed the FDA to develop labeling guidelines and implement a program to inform consumers whether or not the salmon for sale is genetically engineered. This comes on the heels of the FDA approving the production and sale of genetically engineered salmon last month. Pollock Nomenclature: Senator Murkowski also included a provision that allows … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-oil-export-ban-repeal-is-win-for-alaska-nation Murkowski: Oil Export Ban Repeal is Win for Alaska, Nation 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.16.15 Murkowski: Oil Export Ban Repeal is Win for Alaska, Nation Omnibus Provision Enhances America's Position as Global Energy Superpower U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed inclusion in the year-end spending bill of language she has long championed to repeal the decades-long ban on crude oil exports. Allowing oil exports is an important step forward in ensuring that our energy policies reflect our nation's renewed abundance of resources. Not only will oil exports help safeguard our long-term economic prosperity, but it will also spur job creation across the country and deliver much-needed revenue to state and local governments, Murkowski said. With the threat of terrorism growing daily, oil exports are needed now more than ever to reduce volatility and provide our allies, and the world, a stable and secure source of energy. Today's action by Congress to allow oil exports is a culmination of Murkowski's work on this important geopolitical and national security issue. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, first proposed lifting the 40-year-old ban on oil exports in a speech at the Brookings Institution in January 2014. She continued to build a solid case for modernizing U.S. energy trade policies with a series of white papers, speeches and calls for government and independent analysis. In July, the energy panel favorably reported out Murkowski's Offshore Production and Energizing National Security Act (S. 2011), including language to fully repeal the outdated restrictions on exporting American oil. We have an opportunity to modernize our energy export policy and make America a world leader on issues of trade, the environment, and energy production, but we must seize it, Murkowski said. If we fail to act, we risk losing the gains in economic activity and job creation that we've seen in recent years in the energy sector. The bipartisan agreement a… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-reacts-to-epas-illegal-use-of-lobbying-and-propaganda-to-promote-wotus-rule Sullivan Reacts to EPAs Illegal Use of Lobbying and Propaganda to Promote WOTUS Rule 2015-12-14 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 12.14.15 Sullivan Reacts to EPA's Illegal Use of Lobbying and Propaganda to Promote WOTUS Rule WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement today regarding the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) legal decision that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) broke laws when it pushed for public support for the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Rule in 2014 and 2015. Specifically, the GAO's report said that the EPA had unlawfully used taxpayer dollars to use social media for lobbying and propaganda purposes. The EPA consistently earns it's moniker as a rogue agency,' with its persistent disregard for the rule of law, said Senator Sullivan. The agency's Waters of the U.S. Rule which would give the agency vast new authority over our lands and waters is a prime example. As we learned today, not only is the substance of the rule an overreach, but the EPA also broke laws in the way that it tried to sell the rule to Congress and the public. Once again, the EPA's demonstrated that it will go to any lengths to push its extreme environmental agenda. Read today's New York Times story on the report here. Here are some quotes from the GAO's report: As explained below, we conclude that EPA's use of Thunderclap constitutes covert propaganda, in violation of the publicity or propaganda prohibition. We conclude that EPA violated the anti-lobbying provisions contained in appropriations acts for FY 2015 when it obligated and expended funds in connection with establishing the hyperlinks to the webpages of environmental action groups. Because EPA obligated and expended appropriated funds in violation of specific prohibitions, we also conclude that EPA violated the Antideficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. 1341(a)(1)(A), as the agency's appropriations were not available for these prohibited purposes. Background: On May 22, 2015, Senators Dan Sullivan and Mike Rounds (R-SD) joined Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-OK) in sending a letter to EPA req… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/obamacare-hurts-alaska-most Obamacare hurts Alaska most 2015-12-13 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 12.13.15 Obamacare hurts Alaska most Recently, while home in Anchorage, in the course of two hours, three people in three differentplaces a gas station, Carr's and Lowe's talked to me about how Obamacare is wiping themout. Hardly a day passes when I don't hear from or read about Alaskans harmed by Obamacare. One Alaska family tells me they now pay $1,200 per month in premiums with a $10,000deductible. Another couple pays more than $3,000 per month in premiums, almost $38,000 per year.Here's an excerpt from a constituent letter: The renewal paperwork that I just receivedestimated our new payment to be just over $1,000/month doubling our monthly expense ...What is a young family to do? Another: Insurance rates are killing my small business ... We have tried to keep our employeesand their families covered but don't see how we can continue to. Please, please help us!! an Alaskan wrote to me. Workers and families are suffering. Small businesses are being squeezed. Job creation isstymied. Nearly every promise made by the president and those who voted for the AffordableCare Act has been broken. If you like your health care plan, you can keep it, the president told us. If you like yourdoctor, you can keep your doctor, he said. The law, he promised, means more choice, morecompetition, lower costs for millions of Americans.He also promised family premiums would be reduced on average by $2,500 per year. Instead, costs are soaring. A bronze plan, the least expensive available, averages $420 per month,with a deductible of $5,653 for an individual and $11,600 for a family. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised Obamacare would create 4 million jobs 400,000 jobs almost immediately. But the Congressional Budget Office projectsObamacare will result in 2 million fewer full-time jobs by 2017, and 2.5 million fewer by 2024. No state has been hurt more than Alaska. Five insurance companies originally offered individualcoverage in the exchange. Today, only two are left. Both… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398550 Young Defends 2nd Amendment on House Floor 2015-12-10 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Don Young Y000033 donyoung.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Alaska Congressman Don Young today spoke on the House floor in defense of the 2nd Amendment: Congressman Young speaking on the House Floor (click here). Given the challenges we face today, it is unproductive, dangerous and distracting for the White House and those in Congress to assert that terrorists are free to purchase firearms, and that law enforcement groups are unaware or unable to take the appropriate follow-up actions they deem necessary. FBI Director James Comey told the Senate Judiciary Committee, under the current system, law enforcement is notified every time a person on the no fly list attempts to buy a firearm. If terrorists are really buying guns legally and walking the streets with them, why haven't they been arrested? This watch list is not a vetted list of bad guys. How you get on and how you get off is unclear. A paperwork error can get you on the list. A name similar to your own can get you on the list. There are many ways for mistakes or abuses to occur, resulting in Americans having their 2nd Amendment rights taken away. The entire process is absent of one major pillar of our Constitution, due process. Even the ACLU agrees that due process rights must be respected. You too can get on the no fly list. I myself was included on that list. They didnt tell me who put me on it, why I was put on it, and what was the result. And the process to get off, to prove my own identity, was not short it took 6 months. To have people say terrorists are running around legally buying guns is not true. Even the LA Times editorial page said these efforts are misleading, that under these actions the "government would be infringing on a right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and yes, like it or not, the right to buy a gun is a fundamental constitutional right according to the U.S. Supreme Court. This is part of our Constitution. We should uphold the Constitution. Weve sworn to uphold the Constitution. Those that are talking about these proposals are against the Constitution. And I will fight … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398552 Coast Guard Authorization Unanimously Passes House 2015-12-10 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Don Young Y000033 donyoung.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Reflecting bipartisan and bicameral negotiations, today the House unanimously passed H.R. 4188, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015. The bill, which includes numerous provisions secured by Alaska Congressman Don Young, advances long sought reforms and priorities to protect the Coast Guards mission of protecting our oceans and waterways. Both Congressman Young and Senator Sullivan, who both serve on Committees of jurisdiction, worked in their respective bodies to negotiate terms of this legislation. Congressman Young Shares Thoughts on House Passage of Coast Guard Authorization (click here to watch). Im happy to report to Alaskans that today we unanimously passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015.The Coast Guard is a great unit which works well for Alaska and the nation as a whole. With 44,000 miles of coastline in Alaska, its important that we keep our Coast Guard strong and support their critical mission. This bill has a number of important provisions important to Alaska, on top of the reforms and improvements made to reaffirm our commitment to the Coast Guard. Federal land transfers in Tok, at Point Spencer and on the Pribilof Islands are all examples of working together with local governments to find common sense solutions. This bill is a good piece of legislation. Its one of the bright spots we have here in Congress these last waning days filled with a lot of chaos. Im happy to have been part of this process, I was happy to work with Chairman Duncan Hunter, and I look forward to finishing this bill on the Senate side with the help of our Senators and getting it to the Presidents desk. H.R. 4188 advances a number of important Alaskan causes offered by Congressman Young, including three stand alone bills he introduced: H.R. 2038, the Tok Land Transfer, will authorize the conveyance of U.S. Coast Guard housing facilities in Tok, Alaska to the Tanana Chiefs Conference to ensure the continuation of the regions only behavioral health clinic. H.R.2284, the Point Spencer … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=1fce0748-5565-4414-a735-49ed0ec07374 Murkowski: Terrorism Should Prompt Renewed Focus on Energy Security 2015-12-10 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.10.15 Murkowski: Terrorism Should Prompt Renewed Focus on Energy Security Stresses Strong Link Between Domestic Production, National and Global Security U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today highlighted terrorism and instability throughout the Middle East, Africa, and other oil-producing regions as reasons for policymakers to focus on greater domestic energy production and greater energy security. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, made her comments Thursday morning during a hearing she convened to examine the intersection between terrorism and global oil markets. She also criticized a group of Senate Democrats for attempting to permanently block access to strategic energy reserves in Alaska, despite deteriorating conditions abroad and just weeks after they voted to allow Iran to resume exporting oil. Click picture to view video of Murkowskis opening statement. As terrorists threaten oil supplies in the Middle East, and as the state sponsors of terrorism in Iran prepare to make billions of dollars from selling oil to our allies, some within Congress are talking about intentionally and severely hurting American energy production, like the proposal by some to permanently ban production in a small sliver of the non-wilderness portion of ANWR which could be the West Coasts strategic reserve, Murkowski said. I think this is wrong, dead wrong. Murkowski pointed to volatile areas around the world that pose threats to the global oil supply and underscored the need to lift the current ban on domestic crude oil exports as a way to minimize disruptions. Click picture to view video of Murkowski about the potential impact of sanctions on rogue oil sales. Oil production in countries like Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, and Sudan has been knocked offline due to terrorism and related violence. We also know that Iran will soon be rejoining the global oil market, if Pres… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-terrorism-should-prompt-renewed-focus-on-energy-security Murkowski: Terrorism Should Prompt Renewed Focus on Energy Security 2015-12-10 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.10.15 Murkowski: Terrorism Should Prompt Renewed Focus on Energy Security Stresses Strong Link Between Domestic Production, National and Global Security U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today highlighted terrorism and instability throughout the Middle East, Africa, and other oil-producing regions as reasons for policymakers to focus on greater domestic energy production and greater energy security. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, made her comments Thursday morning during a hearing she convened to examine the intersection between terrorism and global oil markets. She also criticized a group of Senate Democrats for attempting to permanently block access to strategic energy reserves in Alaska, despite deteriorating conditions abroad and just weeks after they voted to allow Iran to resume exporting oil. Click picture to view video of Murkowski's opening statement. As terrorists threaten oil supplies in the Middle East, and as the state sponsors of terrorism in Iran prepare to make billions of dollars from selling oil to our allies, some within Congress are talking about intentionally and severely hurting American energy production, like the proposal by some to permanently ban production in a small sliver of the non-wilderness portion of ANWR which could be the West Coast's strategic reserve, Murkowski said. I think this is wrong, dead wrong. Murkowski pointed to volatile areas around the world that pose threats to the global oil supply and underscored the need to lift the current ban on domestic crude oil exports as a way to minimize disruptions. Click picture to view video of Murkowski about the potential impact of sanctions on rogue oil sales. Oil production in countries like Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, and Sudan has been knocked offline due to terrorism and related violence. We also know that Iran will soon be rejoining the global oil market, if Pr… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=256e0a94-8a6d-4aa2-98d3-4503e6668449 Murkowski: Energy Vital to National Security 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.09.15 Murkowski: Energy Vital to National Security Chairman Highlights Reports on Iraq, ISIS, Instability Ahead of Thursdays Hearing U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today highlighted three reports produced during the past year by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources majority staff on the growing volatility in Iraq, the rise of ISIS and its black market oil sales, and the relationship between global petroleum outages and instability. Understanding whats happening when it comes to the links between terrorism and the sale of oil into the world market will inform our own policies as we seek to ensure that America and our allies have access to secure and abundant supplies of energy, said Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The reports are available under the documents section of the energy committees website and directly through the links below. Oil Production Outages and Strategic WarningA Dark Pool in the Mideast: The Problem of ISIS Oil SalesIraq through the Lens of Energy The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on Dec. 10 to examine the relationship between terrorism and global oil markets and whether terrorist groups pose an economic threat to the United States. Print Email Tweet 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=c5d75b0d-b924-4793-aa8e-930dfe4e281a Murkowski: Americas Public Lands Should be Open Unless Closed 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.09.15 Murkowski: Americas Public Lands Should be Open Unless Closed U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke on the Senate floor to highlight important legislation she has sponsored to provide millions of sportsmen and sportswomen with greater access to and new opportunities on public lands. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, urged her Senate colleagues to support her Sportsmens Act (S. 556), which she shepherded through the committee in November. That measure, along with a measure (S. 659) being considered by the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, combine to form the Bipartisan Sportsmens Act that Murkowski introduced with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) earlier this year. Click picture to view video The heart of the Sportsmens Act is its provision to make federal lands open unless closed, which establishes a new standard for access to public lands across the country, Murkowski said. Our federal lands will be open unless closed, not closed until opened or closed by bureaucratic inertia. It doesnt get any simpler than this: Americans should be able to access and enjoy their public lands. Murkowski pointed to the committees bipartisan work, under her leadership as chairman, to overcome the political brinkmanship that has previously stood in the way of the Sportsmens Acts advancement in the Senate. Sportsmens legislation has a long history of strong bipartisan support here in the Senate, but it has failed to advance because this was, for years, a largely dysfunctional chamber, Murkowski said. But this year is different. The Senate is back to regular order and the committees are working hard to prepare legislation for consideration on the Senate floor. Murkowski also discussed her willingness to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) a provision added to the bill in committee provided that it is reformed to limit federal land acquisition and adhere to the congressionally intended balance of funding to States. States a… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=c9cca619-a96d-4120-a066-2dc830048774 Senate Passes Major Education Reform Bill 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 04.12.16 Senate Passes Major Education Reform Bill Returns Control Over Alaskas Schools to Alaskans Today Senator Lisa Murkowski voted in support of the final version of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the long-overdue overhaul of the No Child Left Behind Act, which became law in 2002. Todays legislation passed by a vote of 85-12. The House of Representatives passed the bill on December 2nd by a vote of 359-64.It now heads to the Presidents desk to be signed into law. Senator Murkowski had a major hand in drafting this legislation, both as a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, which produced the Every Child Achieves Act (ECCA) with many provisions beneficial to Alaska, and as a member of the conference committee that negotiated the differences between ECCA and the House of Representatives Student Success Act. As a result, Senator Murkowski was able to give Alaskas unique education interests and priorities a voice throughout the year-long process. Prior to final passage of the bill, Senator Murkowski spoke on the Senate floor about what the bill will do to return control over education decisions back to the states: I am more than pleased to join with superintendents, principals, and school board members who celebrate that federal bureaucrats will be prohibited from dictating standards, assessments, and school accountability plans. No more federal control, no more waivers with strings, no more one-size-fits-all education mandates that really never fit us in Alaska The Every Student Succeeds Act guarantees that our parents, teachers, tribes, community leaders, and principals have a seat at the table to design how our schools serve our children. (Click image to watch video.) ESSA gives control back to states, educators, parents, school boards, and tribes by: Eliminating Adequate Yearly Progress States will be in charge of determining how to identify … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-americas-public-lands-should-be-open-unless-closed Murkowski: Americas Public Lands Should be Open Unless Closed 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.09.15 Murkowski: America's Public Lands Should be Open Unless Closed U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke on the Senate floor to highlight important legislation she has sponsored to provide millions of sportsmen and sportswomen with greater access to and new opportunities on public lands. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, urged her Senate colleagues to support her Sportsmen's Act (S. 556), which she shepherded through the committee in November. That measure, along with a measure (S. 659) being considered by the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, combine to form the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act that Murkowski introduced with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) earlier this year. Click picture to view video The heart of the Sportsmen's Act is its provision to make federal lands open unless closed,' which establishes a new standard for access to public lands across the country, Murkowski said. Our federal lands will be open unless closed,' not closed until opened or closed by bureaucratic inertia. It doesn't get any simpler than this: Americans should be able to access and enjoy their public lands. Murkowski pointed to the committee's bipartisan work, under her leadership as chairman, to overcome the political brinkmanship that has previously stood in the way of the Sportsmen's Act's advancement in the Senate. Sportsmen's legislation has a long history of strong bipartisan support here in the Senate, but it has failed to advance because this was, for years, a largely dysfunctional chamber, Murkowski said. But this year is different. The Senate is back to regular order and the committees are working hard to prepare legislation for consideration on the Senate floor. Murkowski also discussed her willingness to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) a provision added to the bill in committee provided that it is reformed to limit federal land acquisition and adhere to the congressionally intended balance of funding to States… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-energy-vital-to-national-security Murkowski: Energy Vital to National Security 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.09.15 Murkowski: Energy Vital to National Security Chairman Highlights Reports on Iraq, ISIS, Instability Ahead of Thursday's Hearing U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today highlighted three reports produced during the past year by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources majority staff on the growing volatility in Iraq, the rise of ISIS and its black market oil sales, and the relationship between global petroleum outages and instability. Understanding what's happening when it comes to the links between terrorism and the sale of oil into the world market will inform our own policies as we seek to ensure that America and our allies have access to secure and abundant supplies of energy, said Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The reports are available under the documents section of the energy committee's website and directly through the links below. Oil Production Outages and Strategic WarningA Dark Pool in the Mideast: The Problem of ISIS Oil SalesIraq through the Lens of Energy The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on Dec. 10 to examine the relationship between terrorism and global oil markets and whether terrorist groups pose an economic threat to the United States. Print Email Tweet 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-supports-major-education-reform-bill Sullivan Supports Major Education Reform Bill 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 12.09.15 Sullivan Supports Major Education Reform Bill Legislation Eliminates Common Core Mandate, Restores Local & State Control WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement today after voting in support ofthe Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA), which passed the U.S. Senate on a vote of 85-12.This bipartisan bill is the most significant education reform since 2001, and will replace the outdated and ineffective standards that were forced on states under the No Child Left Behind Act. The ESSA removes control of education from the federal government and rightfully returns it back to the states and local communities. I came to Washington with the goal of taking power and responsibility away from the federal government, and returning it to state and local hands, said Senator Sullivan. With overwhelming passage of bipartisan education reform legislation in both the House and Senate the first in over a decade we have begun to do that.The ESSA eliminates the federal Common Core mandate, which so many Alaskans have opposed, and prevents the federal government from acting as a national school board.And while this bill isn't perfect, it restores control of schools back to teachers, local school boards, states, and engaged parents, who are the best educators. Finally, I want to thank Senator Lisa Murkowski for her steadfast commitment to education reform for Alaska and for all the years that she's worked to make this legislation happen. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398548 House Passes Legislation to Strengthen Visa Waiver Program with Near Unanimous Support 2015-12-08 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Don Young Y000033 donyoung.house.gov     legacy House Passes Legislation to Strengthen Visa Waiver Program with Near Unanimous Support Closes Massive National Security Holes in Our Already Dismal Immigration System f t # e Washington, D.C., December 8, 2015 Washington, D.C. Alaska Congressman Don Young today shared the following message after House passage of H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act: The strength and security of our nation is paramount, including our ability to prevent foreign enemies from entering our country. Today, the House voted to reinforce our Visa Waiver Program and close massive national security holes in our already dismal immigration system. This bill, which overwhelmingly passed 407 to 19, ensures Visa Waiver countries share critical intelligence and counter-terrorism information to better equip ourselves when identifying those wishing to cause harm. By enhancing screening and background checks, we also close gaps in our global travel system identified by U.S. intelligence. And to prevent global terrorists from penetrating U.S. soil, this bill denies Visa Waiver status to those who have visited terrorist hotspots. This is just one small step in an overall effort to protect Americans from the growing threats of radical extremism. ### f t # e 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=487c9d6c-b21c-44ff-9e63-be226bf599e9 Murkowski: National Park Centennial Opportunity to Ensure Sustainability for Next 100 Years 2015-12-08 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.08.15 Murkowski: National Park Centennial Opportunity to Ensure Sustainability for Next 100 Years Chairman Calls for Addressing Maintenance, Encourages Alternative Funding U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today urged National Park Service (NPS) officials to look for innovative ways to fund the nations park systems on the 100th anniversary of the agency and to take steps to meet the evolving needs of the next generation of visitors. Click picture to view video of Murkowskis opening statement. The centennial offers us a chance to ensure the national park systems sustainability for the next 100 years. And it will take a serious effort to achieve that goal, Murkowski said. The National Park Service estimates its maintenance backlog at approximately $11.5 billion right now and its anticipated that the backlog will continue to grow. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, called the maintenance backlog a travesty that must be addressed. To me, there is little point in conserving lands or allowing the federal government to acquire even more land if we are not going to take proper care of them, she said. Murkowski said the administrations proposal, The National Park Service Centennial Act (S. 2257), was a good start to an overdue conversation on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the park system. But she dismissed the administrations request for $1.5 billion in mandatory spending without identifying where the new money is supposed to come from. Click picture to view video of Murkowski talking about alternative funding streams for NPS. I do not think this is an instance where we can simply throw money at the problem and consider it solved. I disagree that simply providing more funding as the administration proposes is the best approach. Murkowski said. Our nation is facing a very serious fiscal crisis; we simply cannot spend however much we want, on w… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=1786552d-e62e-49ed-a181-4967233679b9 FLOOR SPEECH: Final Passage of Every Child Succeeds Act 2015-12-08 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.08.15 FLOOR SPEECH: Final Passage of Every Child Succeeds Act Mr. President, I would like to take just a moment to talk very briefly about the Every Student Succeeds Act. I know that several of my colleagues have come down to the floor, just a couple of minutes ago the Senator from Wyoming, to really talk about the good things weve seen in this education reform bill and celebrate how the bill ends the national school board by putting more control for our schools in our state and local hands.And I think that is worthy of note. For the schools, for the administrators, for the teachers, for the parentsI think this is worthy of celebration. I am more than pleased that the Every Student Succeeds Act will finally allow our states to judge our schools by more than just test results, and allow our teachers to do what they want to do. They want to be able to teach our kids, and really engage in the art and the love of learning, and not just prepare for a test. We all know that our children are more than what can be described in some of these fill in the bubble exercise tests. And teachers are more than robots that just stand in front of a class to follow a script that has been orchestrated from elsewhere. I tell many, both Alaskans and Outside, that I got my political start, if you will, as the president of my sons PTA in our local neighborhood school. And I came to understand, very up-front and personal, what No Child Left Behind meant, not only just for my sons school but for schools all across Alaska. You have an area of a lot of geography and not a lot of numbers in terms of populations. NCLB did not work for us as a very rural state. One-size-fits-all did not work. My sons school, our public school, was deemed a failing school in the first year that Adequate Yearly Progress was the standard of measurement. And we were dubbed a failing school because we had one subcategory of students where the numbers were so small, but we didnt have enough students show up to take the test on that day. We all know … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-national-park-centennial-opportunity-to-ensure-sustainability-for-next-100-years Murkowski: National Park Centennial Opportunity to Ensure Sustainability for Next 100 Years 2015-12-08 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.08.15 Murkowski: National Park Centennial Opportunity to Ensure Sustainability for Next 100 Years Chairman Calls for Addressing Maintenance, Encourages Alternative Funding U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today urged National Park Service (NPS) officials to look for innovative ways to fund the nation's park systems on the 100th anniversary of the agency and to take steps to meet the evolving needs of the next generation of visitors. Click picture to view video of Murkowski's opening statement. The centennial offers us a chance to ensure the national park system's sustainability for the next 100 years. And it will take a serious effort to achieve that goal, Murkowski said. The National Park Service estimates its maintenance backlog at approximately $11.5 billion right now and it's anticipated that the backlog will continue to grow. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, called the maintenance backlog a travesty that must be addressed. To me, there is little point in conserving lands or allowing the federal government to acquire even more land if we are not going to take proper care of them, she said. Murkowski said the administration's proposal, The National Park Service Centennial Act (S. 2257), was a good start to an overdue conversation on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the park system. But she dismissed the administration's request for $1.5 billion in mandatory spending without identifying where the new money is supposed to come from. Click picture to view video of Murkowski talking about alternative funding streams for NPS. I do not think this is an instance where we can simply throw money at the problem and consider it solved. I disagree that simply providing more funding as the administration proposes is the best approach. Murkowski said. Our nation is facing a very serious fiscal crisis; we simply cannot spend however much we want… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398547 Young Responds to Presidents Oval Office Address 2015-12-07 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Don Young Y000033 donyoung.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Alaska Congressman Don Young today shared the following statement in response to the Presidents address to the nation: Last night, the President gathered the nation to discuss ongoing security threats and counterterrorism efforts. What should have been a demonstration of leadership and strength, including a strategic and comprehensive plan to defeat radical Islamic terrorism and ensure the safety of Americans, was nothing more than the same failed policies that continue to underestimate our global enemies. For months, Congress and the American people have called upon the President to develop a comprehensive strategy to weaken, deter and eliminate ISIS. Yet, while our global enemies grow spreading fear and destruction, our President seems more concerned with defending his pitiful attempt at foreign policy and attacking the rights of millions of law abiding citizens. Americans deserve a commander-in-chief committed to building solutions to defeat ISIS. Until he can provide that leadership, his calls for Congress to pass an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) which ties the hands of our military men and women is both disingenuous and insincere. I remain committed to protecting the safety and security of our citizens. In the coming days, the House will take additional steps to strengthen our nation by approving bipartisan legislation to close the glaring security gaps in our visa waiver program. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=0cf57ed8-c3ed-4efa-875f-213a8acb1173 Sen. Murkowski Highlights Alaskas Leadership in Energy Innovation 2015-12-07 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.07.15 Sen. Murkowski Highlights Alaskas Leadership in Energy Innovation U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week highlighted the energy innovation occurring in some of Alaskas most isolated communities as local leaders seek to reduce the cost of electricity through a variety of cutting-edge technologies. Click here to view video of Thursdays event Speaking Thursday at an event hosted by The Hill newspaper on microgrids and innovation, Murkowski said that integrating a mix of local renewable resources hydro and wind, chiefly is a way for many Alaska communities to cut their dependence on expensive diesel that must be shipped in. About 70 communities in Alaska have reportedly integrated renewable energy with traditional diesel generation. Alaska has dozens of isolated communities that arent within a hundred miles of an electric grid. Every one of them relies on a microgrid because they have no other choice, and the cost of energy for those communities is extremely high, said Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Murkowski also noted that Hybrid microgrids dont make sense for everyone, but for more and more Alaska communities, integrating renewables and storage is a viable option. Theyre doing it to reduce their diesel use to lower their heating and electricity costs, gain a little more control over their supply, and increase its reliability. Microgrids are also being used to connect villages that are close to each other, which vastly increases their options if a generator goes down. That can be a matter of life and death due to the harsh winters in rural Alaska. Murkowski highlighted the community of Kodiak, which is currently producing 99.7 percent of its electricity from renewable energy. Kodiaks isolated microgrid uses wind, hydro, batteries, and a flywheel to generate power. It is the perfect example for the rest of the country to follow, Murkowski said. Kodiaks renewable energy use is not only reducing its dependence on diesel, it is also s… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=7127b91d-04f3-4262-af3a-2d80dd23dda7 Sen. Murkowski Highlights Alaskas Leadership in Energy Innovation 2015-12-07 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.07.15 Sen. Murkowski Highlights Alaskas Leadership in Energy Innovation U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week highlighted the energy innovation occurring in some of Alaskas most isolated communities as local leaders seek to reduce the cost of electricity through a variety of cutting-edge technologies. Click here to view video of Thursdays event Speaking Thursday at an event hosted by The Hill newspaper on microgrids and innovation, Murkowski said that integrating a mix of local renewable resources hydro and wind, chiefly is a way for many Alaska communities to cut their dependence on expensive diesel that must be shipped in. About 70 communities in Alaska have reportedly integrated renewable energy with traditional diesel generation. Alaska has dozens of isolated communities that arent within a hundred miles of an electric grid. Every one of them relies on a microgrid because they have no other choice, and the cost of energy for those communities is extremely high, said Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Murkowski also noted that Hybrid microgrids dont make sense for everyone, but for more and more Alaska communities, integrating renewables and storage is a viable option. Theyre doing it to reduce their diesel use to lower their heating and electricity costs, gain a little more control over their supply, and increase its reliability. Microgrids are also being used to connect villages that are close to each other, which vastly increases their options if a generator goes down. That can be a matter of life and death due to the harsh winters in rural Alaska. Murkowski highlighted the community of Kodiak, which is currently producing 99.7 percent of its electricity from renewable energy. Kodiaks isolated microgrid uses wind, hydro, batteries, and a flywheel to generate power. It is the perfect example for the rest of the country to follow, Murkowski said. Kodiaks renewable energy use is not only reducing its dependence on diesel, it is also spu… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/sen-murkowski-highlights-alaskas-leadership-in-energy-innovation Sen. Murkowski Highlights Alaskas Leadership in Energy Innovation 2015-12-07 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.07.15 Sen. Murkowski Highlights Alaska's Leadership in Energy Innovation U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week highlighted the energy innovation occurring in some of Alaska's most isolated communities as local leaders seek to reduce the cost of electricity through a variety of cutting-edge technologies. Click here to view video of Thursday's event Speaking Thursday at an event hosted by The Hill newspaper on microgrids and innovation, Murkowski said that integrating a mix of local renewable resources hydro and wind, chiefly is a way for many Alaska communities to cut their dependence on expensive diesel that must be shipped in. About 70 communities in Alaska have reportedly integrated renewable energy with traditional diesel generation. Alaska has dozens of isolated communities that aren't within a hundred miles of an electric grid. Every one of them relies on a microgrid because they have no other choice, and the cost of energy for those communities is extremely high, said Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Murkowski also noted that Hybrid microgrids don't make sense for everyone, but for more and more Alaska communities, integrating renewables and storage is a viable option. They're doing it to reduce their diesel use to lower their heating and electricity costs, gain a little more control over their supply, and increase its reliability. Microgrids are also being used to connect villages that are close to each other, which vastly increases their options if a generator goes down. That can be a matter of life and death due to the harsh winters in rural Alaska. Murkowski highlighted the community of Kodiak, which is currently producing 99.7 percent of its electricity from renewable energy. Kodiak's isolated microgrid uses wind, hydro, batteries, and a flywheel to generate power. It is the perfect example for the rest of the country to follow, Murkowski said. Kodiak's renewable energy use is not only reducing its dependence on diesel, it i… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-applauds-passage-of-long-term-highway-reauthorization-bill Sullivan Applauds Passage of Long-Term Highway Reauthorization Bill 2015-12-04 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 12.04.15 Sullivan Applauds Passage of Long-Term Highway Reauthorization Bill Alaska Priorities Included in Bipartisan FAST Act Headed to President's Desk WASHINGTON, DC Yesterday evening, Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) joined 82 of his colleagues in passing the bipartisan Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which provides funding for our nation's surface transportation needs over the next five years. Passage of a long-term highway bill will provide Alaskans with much-needed certainty in infrastructure investments throughout our state, Senator Sullivan said. Building off Congressman Young's work as a past chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Senator Murkowski's position on the Surface Transportation Conference Committee, combined with my position on both the Environment and Public Works and Commerce Committees, we were able to secure a number of Alaska-specific provisions that will increase transportation funding for corehighwayprograms, tribal transportation and the ferry system that are so vital to Alaska's economic future. The bill also includes reforms to our permitting system, which will help cut through project-killing red tape and streamline regulatory burdens. This bill amounts to a big win for Alaska as it will allow us to not only address our infrastructure needs but also promote and sustain economic growth throughout the state. Funding for Alaska: The FAST Act is a five-year bill that sets funding levels above the baseline in the first year.From there, the bill sets growth of the program at inflation for the following 4 years. The bill maintains the current formula that delivers a high rate of return for Alaska. FAST ACT APPORTIONMENT FOR ALASKA FY16 508,614,600 FY17 519,117,557 FY18 530,336,370 FY19 542,306,359 FY20 555,294,332 Alaska's FY15 total was $483,955,039. The … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398545 House Approves Major Reforms to K-12 Education Law 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Don Young Y000033 donyoung.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Today, the House passed bipartisan, bicameral legislation to replace an outdated K-12 education law plaguedwith one-size-fits-all policies and riddled with unreasonable standards. S.1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act, is the first major reform to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act since the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) became law in 2002. Many will agree that our current education system is broken, filled with unreasonable, unworkable and unmanageable federal standards, said Congressman Young. Alaska suffered greatly under NCLB, a law which failed to take into account our states unique educational challenges. Despite the best efforts of Alaskas educators and administrators, our geographic, economic, and cultural barriers have often prevented schools in the state from complying with NCLB requirements. As a former teacher, I am committed to ensuring our nations children are provided with the best possible education. I believe S.1177 contains a number of critical reforms Alaskan parents and teachers have demanded. By empowering our states and restoring local control, we get the federal government out of the way as we invest in the next generation of our nations leaders. The K-12 legislation advanced today would stop the federal governments promotion of Common Core and protect the rights of states and school districts to develop or change their own standards as they see fit. The bicameral bill: Prohibits any agent of the federal government including the Secretary of Education from incentivizing, forcing, or coercing states into adopting Common Core,or interfering with a states standards or assessments. Rejects policies and programs the secretary has used to coerce states to adopt Common Core, including waivers of K-12 education law with strings attached and the Race to the Top program. Prevents the secretary from imposing additional burdens on states and school districtsthrough the regulatory process in areas of standards, assessments, and state account… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398546 House Passes 5-Year Transportation Agreement 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Don Young Y000033 donyoung.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Alaska Congressman Don Young, former Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, offered the following statement after House passage of H.R. 22, the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The last time Congress passed a long-term transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU, I was Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Since then, we have limped along with short-term extension after short-term extension, robbing our states and localities of the certainty they depend on to repair and expand our nations crumbling infrastructure. I proudly worked with Chairman Bill Shuster and Ranking Member Peter DeFazio to break this cycle by producing this meaningful long-term package. This bill, which represents negotiations between the House and Senate, is by no means perfect. However, it makes a number of important reforms and improvements to give states and localities added flexibility, to streamline duplicative permitting processes, to refocus significant resources on moving freight, and to maintain a strong commitment to safety. The success of any states economy directly depends on their ability to move people and products safely and efficiently. That is especially true in a developing and geographically unique state like ours, which is why I worked so hard to secure numerous provisions specifically beneficial to Alaskans including $31 million annually for the Alaska Railroad, ample funding for our ferry program, and significant increases for the Tribal Transportation Program. Showing the power of a united Alaskan delegation, together Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan and I were able to secure these and other provisions for the betterment of our state and people. Overall, Alaska will see an increase of $281 million compared to our current transportation funding levels. H.R. 22, which passed today by a vote of 359 to 65, would secure over $2.9 billion in transportation funding for Alaska over the next five years - a $281 million or 10.6% increase above cu… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=1ec37e5f-fcda-431e-9b96-f9b453ac126c Murkowski Votes for Long-Term Highway Bill 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.03.15 Murkowski Votes for Long-Term Highway Bill Five Year Funding Program Provides Certainty for Alaska Projects Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski voted on the final version of the transportation funding agreement, the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which passed by a vote of 83-16. The legislation provides funding for our nations surface transportation needs over the next five years, from highways to ferries and railroads. Senator Murkowski was a member of the surface transportation conference committee to negotiate the differences between both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate versions of the bill. Through this leadership position, Murkowski was able to give Alaskas interests and priorities a voice at the negotiating table, and help retain provisions secured by Senator Dan Sullivan (as a member of both the Environment and Public Works Committee and Commerce Committee) and Congressman Don Young (as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee). The FAST Act provides annual increases in funding to the state over a five year period. Alaska stands to receive more than $2.6 billion from Fiscal Years (FY) 2016-2020. Alaska has unique transportation needs and challengeswhether it be due to our states vast size, remoteness, difficult terrain, or harsh climate. Because of this, its imperative that we have the certainty that comes with a long-term transportation funding bill, said Murkowski. We all recognize that Alaska is in the midst of budget crisis, so being able to rely on federal funding for critical infrastructure projects, whether it be on roads, bridges, or ferries, is key to our state. Im proud that with the FAST Act, we have a five year bill with stable fundingthe longest time period for transportation funding that Congress has secured in seventeen years. Alaska-specific provisions included in the five year transportation bill include: Alask… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=8f9bb50b-e988-4e60-b513-60c212120153 Chairman Murkowski: Democrats Wilderness Proposal Dead On Arrival 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.03.15 Chairman Murkowski: Democrats Wilderness Proposal Dead On Arrival U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today dismissed a new bill from a group of Senate Democrats to formally designate the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) as permanent wilderness. I will do everything in my power to make sure this misguided effort does not advance another inch after today, Murkowski said. Once again Alaska is again being attacked by a group of senators who wish to impose President Obamas destructive agenda. Instead of recognizing that the surface development of just 0.01 percent of the non-wilderness portion of ANWR is a great opportunity for our country, these members have chosen to distort the facts of the debate and renege on important promises made to Alaska. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, also pointed out the irony of Senate Democrats recent efforts to allow Iran to increase its own oil production while stifling energy production at home. The context of this bill is simply stunning. Many of the same Democratic members who sponsored it recently voted to lift sanctions on Iran, Murkowski said. Its beyond me how these senators could support Irans ability to begin exporting up to a million barrels a day enabling an increase in Iranian production many times greater than Alaskas current production and yet want to stop development that would disturb less area than the Dulles Airport in Virginia. Polls routinely show that more than 70 percent of Alaskans support ANWR development. Under the terms of the 1980 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), additional wilderness designations are also barred in Alaska without the express approval of Congress. Alaska already contains more than half of all land in America protected under wilderness status the federal governments most restrictive management designation. Congress in 1980 also made a conscious decision to keep the coastal plain out of wilderness status because of i… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=aa77ab82-f8ce-45cf-921f-bf6dbb5526da Murkowski on Senate Floor: For Whom is the Affordable Care Act Affordable? 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.03.15 Murkowski on Senate Floor: For Whom is the Affordable Care Act Affordable? Senator Details Harmful Effects of ACA on Alaskans, Announces Support for Repeal Bill As the Senate begins to take a series of votes to repeal key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski spoke on the Senate floor to lay out how the ACA is drastically harming the people of Alaska. Senator Murkowski referred to specific examples from Alaskans, including families, small businesses, and school districts across the state, who have reached out to share the financial burdens the failed healthcare law is placing on them. In her speech, Murkowski outlined how in Alaska, the rising healthcare costs have gone too far: Alaskans have the highest insurance premiums in the country, and I hear from folks back home all the time about the burden these costs place on them. Our states largest newspaper has been reporting on the premium increases coming out over the past several months, detailing the incredible rise of premiums throughout the state. The average monthly premium for a single 40-year-old in the state of Alaska is now over $700, more than double the national average. People are paying thousands of dollars each month to insure their families, and costs have been going up somewhere between 25-40 percent each year. How do you budget for that? (Murkowski discusses rising premiums in Alaskaclick image to watch video.) Murkowski explained how detrimental the ACAs Cadillac tax could be on Alaska: Alaska is facing a fiscal crisis. The state cut the education budget this year and is looking hard at cutting more next year. School districts cannot handle the imposition of hundreds of thousands of dollars in new taxes on top of a budget reduction. The money would be far better spent on paying teachers what they deserve. School districts are now possibly looking to reduce benefits for teachers in order to … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=ab0de662-a523-4139-8813-fca0ea4c0f71 Federal Government Has Failed to Keep Promises Made in ANILCA 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.03.15 Federal Government Has Failed to Keep Promises Made in ANILCA U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today called for the federal government to live up to the promises made in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), legislation that was signed into law 35 years ago that has helped protect many of Alaskas most treasured lands. Click photo to view video of Murkowskis opening statement. The 35th anniversary of ANILCA is an opportunity to examine how the law has and has not worked for Alaskans and all Americans. This is also a perfect moment to reassert that the law must be implemented as it was written, not as federal agencies wish it were written. And that means the federal government must honor rural preference, protect subsistence rights, provide Alaskans with access to our lands, and allow us to responsibly develop our resources, said Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. ANILCA protected over 100 million acres of federal lands in Alaska, doubling the size of the countrys national park and refuge system, and tripling the amount of land designated as wilderness. Overall, the act designated roughly 57 million acres of Alaska as formal wilderness. In exchange for withdrawing so much of Alaska, ANILCA included a lot of promises with respect to Alaskas rights, to allow residents access to inholdings, and to provide continued use of federal lands for recreation, hunting, and the pursuit of economic prosperity. Unfortunately, Murkowski said, those promises have not been kept. Click photo to view video of Murkowski asking Alaska state Sen. John Coghill about ANILCAs broken promises. Murkowski highlighted ANILCAs no more clause, which prohibits the president from ever again using the Antiquities Act to create new monuments in Alaska without congressional approval, as just one of the broken promises. More than 40 million more acres of Alaska have been withdrawn or proposed for protection over the past seven years, including half of ou… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=dc8ef691-4195-4e91-93bf-3f6316827354 FLOOR SPEECH: Harmful Impacts of Affordable Care Act on Alaskans 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.03.15 FLOOR SPEECH: Harmful Impacts of Affordable Care Act on Alaskans Madam President, I have come to the Floor to once again talk about how the Affordable Care Act is harming the people of the State of Alaska. Alaskans have the highest insurance premiums in the country, and I hear from folks back home all the time about the burden these costs place on them. Our states largest newspaper has been reporting as weve been seeing these premium increases coming out over the past several months, detailing the incredible rise of premiums throughout the state. The average monthly premium for a single 40-year-old in the state of Alaska is now over $700, more than double the national average. People are paying thousands of dollars each month to insure their families, and costs have been going up somewhere between 25-40 percent each year. How do you budget for that? A family of three in Ketchikan will be paying almost $2,000 per month next year, for one of the cheapest bronze plans available. This plan comes with a $10,500 deductible. Heck of a deal. So despite paying almost $24,000 for insurance, nearly all medical bills will still be paid out-of-pocket by this family. They will not see any benefit until they have spent almost $35,000. Contrast that $2,000 per month for health insurance with their mortgage payment of $1,250. Does that seem right to anyone? It should not cost more to insure your family than to own a home. A married couple in Wasilla was paying about $850 per month prior to the ACA, but that plan was not acceptable under the new regulations, despite the Presidents promise that if you like your plan, you can keep it, and they had to find another insurer. Next year, they will be paying over $2,300 per month. That means they will be paying over $17,000 more per year for the same coverage. A 268 percent increase in just over one calendar year. This is not right, this is not conscionable. Its not like this married couple have somehow or another increased their income by an additional $17,000 l… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/-murkowski-on-senate-floor-for-whom-is-the-affordable-care-act-affordabled Murkowski on Senate Floor: For Whom is the Affordable Care Act Affordable? 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.03.15 Murkowski on Senate Floor: For Whom is the Affordable Care Act Affordable? Senator Details Harmful Effects of ACA on Alaskans, Announces Support for Repeal Bill As the Senate begins to take a series of votes to repeal key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski spoke on the Senate floor to lay out how the ACA is drastically harming the people of Alaska. Senator Murkowski referred to specific examples from Alaskans, including families, small businesses, and school districts across the state, who have reached out to share the financial burdens the failed healthcare law is placing on them. In her speech, Murkowski outlined how in Alaska, the rising healthcare costs have gone too far: Alaskans have the highest insurance premiums in the country, and I hear from folks back home all the time about the burden these costs place on them. Our state's largest newspaper has been reporting on the premium increases coming out over the past several months, detailing the incredible rise of premiums throughout the state. The average monthly premium for a single 40-year-old in the state of Alaska is now over $700, more than double the national average. People are paying thousands of dollars each month to insure their families, and costs have been going up somewhere between 25-40 percent each year. How do you budget for that? (Murkowski discusses rising premiums in Alaskaclick image to watch video.) Murkowski explained how detrimental the ACA's Cadillac tax could be on Alaska: Alaska is facing a fiscal crisis. The state cut the education budget this year and is looking hard at cutting more next year. School districts cannot handle the imposition of hundreds of thousands of dollars in new taxes on top of a budget reduction. The money would be far better spent on paying teachers what they deserve. School districts are now possibly looking to reduce benefits for teachers in order t… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/chairman-murkowski-democrats-wilderness-proposal-dead-on-arrival Chairman Murkowski: Democrats Wilderness Proposal Dead On Arrival 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.03.15 Chairman Murkowski: Democrats' Wilderness Proposal Dead On Arrival U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today dismissed a new bill from a group of Senate Democrats to formally designate the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) as permanent wilderness. I will do everything in my power to make sure this misguided effort does not advance another inch after today, Murkowski said. Once again Alaska is again being attacked by a group of senators who wish to impose President Obama's destructive agenda. Instead of recognizing that the surface development of just 0.01 percent of the non-wilderness portion of ANWR is a great opportunity for our country, these members have chosen to distort the facts of the debate and renege on important promises made to Alaska. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, also pointed out the irony of Senate Democrats' recent efforts to allow Iran to increase its own oil production while stifling energy production at home. The context of this bill is simply stunning. Many of the same Democratic members who sponsored it recently voted to lift sanctions on Iran, Murkowski said. It's beyond me how these senators could support Iran's ability to begin exporting up to a million barrels a day enabling an increase in Iranian production many times greater than Alaska's current production and yet want to stop development that would disturb less area than the Dulles Airport in Virginia. Polls routinely show that more than 70 percent of Alaskans support ANWR development. Under the terms of the 1980 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), additional wilderness designations are also barred in Alaska without the express approval of Congress. Alaska already contains more than half of all land in America protected under wilderness status the federal government's most restrictive management designation. Congress in 1980 also made a conscious decision to keep the coastal plain out of wilderness status becau… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/federal-government-has-failed-to-keep-promises-made-in-anilca Federal Government Has Failed to Keep Promises Made in ANILCA 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.03.15 Federal Government Has Failed to Keep Promises Made in ANILCA U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today called for the federal government to live up to the promises made in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), legislation that was signed into law 35 years ago that has helped protect many of Alaska's most treasured lands. Click photo to view video of Murkowski's opening statement. The 35th anniversary of ANILCA is an opportunity to examine how the law has and has not worked for Alaskans and all Americans. This is also a perfect moment to reassert that the law must be implemented as it was written, not as federal agencies wish it were written. And that means the federal government must honor rural preference, protect subsistence rights, provide Alaskans with access to our lands, and allow us to responsibly develop our resources, said Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. ANILCA protected over 100 million acres of federal lands in Alaska, doubling the size of the country's national park and refuge system, and tripling the amount of land designated as wilderness. Overall, the act designated roughly 57 million acres of Alaska as formal wilderness. In exchange for withdrawing so much of Alaska, ANILCA included a lot of promises with respect to Alaska's rights, to allow residents access to inholdings, and to provide continued use of federal lands for recreation, hunting, and the pursuit of economic prosperity. Unfortunately, Murkowski said, those promises have not been kept. Click photo to view video of Murkowski asking Alaska state Sen. John Coghill about ANILCA's broken promises. Murkowski highlighted ANILCA's no more clause, which prohibits the president from ever again using the Antiquities Act to create new monuments in Alaska without congressional approval, as just one of the broken promises. More than 40 million more acres of Alaska have been withdrawn or proposed for protection over the past seven years, including half… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-votes-for-long-term-highway-bill Murkowski Votes for Long-Term Highway Bill 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 12.03.15 Murkowski Votes for Long-Term Highway Bill Five Year Funding Program Provides Certainty for Alaska Projects Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski voted on the final version of the transportation funding agreement, the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which passed by a vote of 83-16. The legislation provides funding for our nation's surface transportation needs over the next five years, from highways to ferries and railroads. Senator Murkowski was a member of the surface transportation conference committee to negotiate the differences between both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate versions of the bill. Through this leadership position, Murkowski was able to give Alaska's interests and priorities a voice at the negotiating table, and help retain provisions secured by Senator Dan Sullivan (as a member of both the Environment and Public Works Committee and Commerce Committee) and Congressman Don Young (as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee). The FAST Act provides annual increases in funding to the state over a five year period. Alaska stands to receive more than $2.6 billion from Fiscal Years (FY) 2016-2020. Alaska has unique transportation needs and challengeswhether it be due to our state's vast size, remoteness, difficult terrain, or harsh climate. Because of this, it's imperative that we have the certainty that comes with a long-term transportation funding bill, said Murkowski. We all recognize that Alaska is in the midst of budget crisis, so being able to rely on federal funding for critical infrastructure projects, whether it be on roads, bridges, or ferries, is key to our state. I'm proud that with the FAST Act, we have a five year bill with stable fundingthe longest time period for transportation funding that Congress has secured in seventeen years. Alaska-specific provisions included in the five year transportation bill include: … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-lambastes-va-leadership-over-missed-alaska-healthcare-deadline Sullivan Lambastes VA Leadership Over Missed Alaska Healthcare Deadline 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 12.03.15 Sullivan Lambastes VA Leadership Over Missed Alaska Healthcare Deadline WASHINGTON, DC At a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing yesterday, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) changed his tone and lambasted the Deputy Secretary and the Undersecretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on the lack of progress on the Alaska Pilot Program for the Veterans Choice Program. After conducting a field hearing and a series of listening sessions throughout Alaska in August held at the request of Senator Sullivan the VA announced the pilot program would be fully implemented by mid-November to help fix the problems Alaska veterans were having with the Choice program. But since the announcement, the agreed-upon deadlines for the Alaska Pilot Program have not been met and veterans continue to complain about the implementation of Veterans Choice Program in Alaska. When are you going to fix the problem in Alaska like you committed to when you were there in August? Senator Sullivan asked VA Undersecretary Dr. Shulkin. On behalf on my veterans I'm pissedBy mid-November, it was all going to be done. It's not done." Senator Sullivan continued, [The VA is] asking for $13-14 billion [from Congress] to fix the Choice Act and can't even fix it in my state where you know it is a freaking disasterIt is a nightmare. During the hearing, the VA admitted that they had not met their mid-November deadline, despite agreeing to implement the second and final phase of Alaska's Pilot Program by that time. According to the VA, no staff has been hired and they have yet to even create job descriptions. Dr. Shulkin agreed that the program was taking longer than it should to implement. It is taking longer than you or I want and you're right to be impatient, Dr. Shulkin told Senator Sullivan. I know that the deputy secretary and I have spoken about this. He is committed to it, the secretary [of the VA] is committed to itYou have never deviated from this. We're not deviating from itI don't want to be givi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-on-obamacare-no-state-has-been-hurt-more-by-the-law-than-alaska Sullivan on Obamacare: No state has been hurt more by the law than Alaska 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 12.03.15 Sullivan on Obamacare: No state has been hurt more by the law than Alaska WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor today, calling on his colleagues to pass the Restoring Americans' Health Care Freedom Reconciliation Act, which would repeal the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare. If it passes, it will be the first time a bill to repeal will end up on the president's desk. During his remarks (available here, with excerpts below), Senator Sullivan talked about how the act was hurting the country, but no place more than in Alaska. Hardly a day passeswhen I'm in D.C. or back homethat I don't hear or read about Alaskans who have been harmed by Obamacare. I recently heard from an Alaskan who pays $1,200 a month in premiums with a $10,000 deductible. I heard from another couple who will be paying $3,131 a month, almost $38,000 a year. Here's an excerpt from a constituent letter: The renewal paperwork that I just received estimated our new payment to be just over $1,000/month - doubling our monthly expense What is a young family to do? Another: Insurance rates are killing my small businessWe have tried to keep our employees and their families covered but don't see how we can continue to.' No state has been hurt more by the law than Alaska. Five insurance companies originally offered individual coverage in the exchange, offering a glimmer of hope that competition might drive down costs. Today, only two are left. Both will be increasing premiums by about 40 percent this year alone. In Anchorage, the lowest level plana bronze planis going up 46 percent in just one year, which makes it among the most expensive in the country. In Anchorage, a nonsmoking 40-year-old who doesn't receive subsidies will be forced to pay anywhere from $579 to $678 a month for a bronze plan with a deductible of either $5,250 for the more expensive premium, and $6,850 for the less expensive premium. This was not the affordable' health care that was promised. And we can… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-responds-to-senate-democrats-anwr-legislation Sullivan Responds to Senate Democrats ANWR Legislation 2015-12-02 2015 2015-12 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 12.02.15 Sullivan Responds to Senate Democrats' ANWR Legislation WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) today responded to legislation introduced by 34 Senate Democrats to designate the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) as Wilderness: Let me be clear: This bill will never pass this Congress, and those who are offering it know that, said Senator Dan Sullivan. So why are they doing it? The only explanation is that it must be fundraising season again.But it's disappointing no matter what the reasoning. In offering this bill, what they're telling the American people is that they're not interested in strengthening our country's national security through domestic energy security. They're not interested in helping pay down the national debt through the hundreds of billions of dollars that oil production from ANWR is estimated to generate in federal revenue. And they aren't interested in the tens of thousands of jobs oil production from ANWR would create. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=7e03ae60-f8bb-4896-bd3e-34d3ba6d00c4 U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Tammy Baldwin Introduce Bipartisan Digital Coast Act to Aid Shoreline Communities 2015-11-25 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.25.15 U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Tammy Baldwin Introduce Bipartisan Digital Coast Act to Aid Shoreline Communities Bill Delivers Next Generation Coastal Information for Improved Water Resource Management, Disaster Response, Long-Term Planning and Restoration U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Digital Coast Act, to help coastal communities better prepare for storms, cope with varying water levels, and strengthen coastal economic development planning efforts. Digital Coast is a valuable tool that can be used by Alaskans across the state to aid in emergency preparedness for storms and coastal erosion, and private, public and commercial development projects. The data helps us to better understand Alaskas and our nations coasts, said Senator Murkowski. We still have a long way to go in completing mapping and surveying Alaska, both inland and along our coasts, but this will help to prioritize Alaska and the Arctic as critical areas that must be mapped. Wisconsins Great Lakes are a great asset for our quality of life and also for our long-term economic security. Our shoreline communities face a variety of challenges to keep their harbors open, their waters clean and their beaches ready for visitors, said Senator Baldwin. This bill ensures that our Great Lakes communities have the resources and tools they need to adapt to changing environmental conditions, maintain healthy shores, and make smart planning decisions to support their local economies and way of life. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) currently assembles and hosts the Digital Coast Project, a collaborative online database of the most up-to-date coastal information, and makes it available to both the public and private sectors. Digital Coast also provides tools for coastal communities to decipher and use the high-tech mapping data to make accurate decisions … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=8e030ccd-901d-4bba-9947-860956d4888d Alaska WWII and Korean War Veteran Looks Back on 27 Years of Service 2015-11-25 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.25.15 Alaska WWII and Korean War Veteran Looks Back on 27 Years of Service Murkowski Spotlights 91-Year-Old Veteran from Anchorage Today Senator Murkowski is releasing her 26th Veteran Spotlight interview, focusing on the military service of WWII and Korean War veteran Robert Grant of Anchorage. Grant was just 18 years old when he volunteered to join the U.S. Army where he served as a ball turret gunner for the Army Air Corps in the 486th Bombardment Group. After being stationed in England during WWII, flying over Germany, he later went on to be a radar observer in the 319th Fighter Squadron during the Korean War. His military career later led him to receive a stage waiver to go through pilot training in the U.S. Air Force. Robert reflected on his 27 years of service, including his time as ball turret gunner in WWII, The heroes in that war were in the ground. They were the heroes, not me. Those were the guys that did all the real fighting. During his interview, Robert recalled his experience fighting in WWII valuable to helping his fellow serviceman during the Korean War, especially when they came under fire. At this time, Robert was a radar observer, sitting directly behind his pilot. Our job was to intercept those airplanes at nighttime. My pilot had never been in combat before so it shocked him and surprised him with these explosions going off outside the airplane. That was all new to him, and I was busy with my radar scope and he was flying the airplane and I was telling him, you go left, port, starboard, and all that, said Robert Grant. Sure I was scared, but I didnt have time to be scared. He needed help. He was flying the airplane, and he needed help because it was frightening to him and Id been through it, so I knew what the hell it was. (Click image to watch video.) Major Robert Grants long career of military service is truly commendable. He has shown tremendous sacrifice, commitment, an… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-wwii-and-korean-war-veteran-looks-back-on-27-years-of-service Alaska WWII and Korean War Veteran Looks Back on 27 Years of Service 2015-11-25 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.25.15 Alaska WWII and Korean War Veteran Looks Back on 27 Years of Service Murkowski Spotlights 91-Year-Old Veteran from Anchorage Today Senator Murkowski is releasing her 26th Veteran Spotlight interview, focusing on the military service of WWII and Korean War veteran Robert Grant of Anchorage. Grant was just 18 years old when he volunteered to join the U.S. Army where he served as a ball turret gunner for the Army Air Corps in the 486th Bombardment Group. After being stationed in England during WWII, flying over Germany, he later went on to be a radar observer in the 319th Fighter Squadron during the Korean War. His military career later led him to receive a stage waiver to go through pilot training in the U.S. Air Force. Robert reflected on his 27 years of service, including his time as ball turret gunner in WWII, The heroes in that war were in the ground. They were the heroes, not me. Those were the guys that did all the real fighting. During his interview, Robert recalled his experience fighting in WWII valuable to helping his fellow serviceman during the Korean War, especially when they came under fire. At this time, Robert was a radar observer, sitting directly behind his pilot. Our job was to intercept those airplanes at nighttime. My pilot had never been in combat before so it shocked him and surprised him with these explosions going off outside the airplane. That was all new to him, and I was busy with my radar scope and he was flying the airplane and I was telling him, you go left, port, starboard, and all that, said Robert Grant. Sure I was scared, but I didn't have time to be scared. He needed help. He was flying the airplane, and he needed help because it was frightening to him and I'd been through it, so I knew what the hell it was. (Click image to watch video.) Major Robert Grant's long career of military service is truly commendable. He has shown tremendous sacrifice, commitment,… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/us-senators-lisa-murkowski-and-tammy-baldwin-introduce-bipartisan-digital-coast-act-to-aid-shoreline-communities U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Tammy Baldwin Introduce Bipartisan Digital Coast Act to Aid Shoreline Communities 2015-11-25 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.25.15 U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Tammy Baldwin Introduce Bipartisan Digital Coast Act to Aid Shoreline Communities Bill Delivers Next Generation Coastal Information for Improved Water Resource Management, Disaster Response, Long-Term Planning and Restoration U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Digital Coast Act, to help coastal communities better prepare for storms, cope with varying water levels, and strengthen coastal economic development planning efforts. Digital Coast is a valuable tool that can be used by Alaskans across the state to aid in emergency preparedness for storms and coastal erosion, and private, public and commercial development projects. The data helps us to better understand Alaska's and our nation's coasts, said Senator Murkowski. We still have a long way to go in completing mapping and surveying Alaska, both inland and along our coasts, but this will help to prioritize Alaska and the Arctic as critical areas that must be mapped. Wisconsin's Great Lakes are a great asset for our quality of life and also for our long-term economic security. Our shoreline communities face a variety of challenges to keep their harbors open, their waters clean and their beaches ready for visitors, said Senator Baldwin. This bill ensures that our Great Lakes communities have the resources and tools they need to adapt to changing environmental conditions, maintain healthy shores, and make smart planning decisions to support their local economies and way of life. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) currently assembles and hosts the Digital Coast Project, a collaborative online database of the most up-to-date coastal information, and makes it available to both the public and private sectors. Digital Coast also provides tools for coastal communities to decipher and use the high-tech mapping data to make accurate decisio… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=d8a6f002-5b2b-4856-aff3-85d135e0d545 Alaska Delegation Files Supreme Court Amicus Brief in Support of John Sturgeon Case 2015-11-24 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.24.15 Alaska Delegation Files Supreme Court Amicus Brief in Support of John Sturgeon Case The three members of Alaskas congressional delegation today filed an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Alaskan John Sturgeon, who is suing the National Park Service over being forced off the Nation River for using a hovercraft to hunt moose, something that he had been doing for decades. The National Park Service claimed it controlled that stretch of the Nation River because it is part of the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. The State of Alaska claims it is theirs to regulate under the Statehood Act. After the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit sided with the Park Service inSturgeon v. Masica, giving the Park Service expansive rights over state and native land, Sturgeon sought review by the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court announced in October that it will hear the case. Oral arguments will take place in January 2016. At issue in the case is who, under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA), controls state and Native property located within the outer boundaries of ANILCA Conservation System Units. As the brief indicates, Alaskas congressional delegation submits that only the State of Alaska and Alaska Native Corporations, and not the federal government, are empowered to make land use decisions on these non-federal lands. A section of ANILCA was carefully written with Alaska sovereignty in mind and clearly prohibits federal control over such lands and waters. The section, 103 (c), states that no lands owned by the State, Native Corporation, or private party shall be subject to the regulations applicable solely to public lands within national parks and preserves.The amicus curiae brief was prepared by Jonathan Katchen and Kyle Parker of Crowell & Moring, Anchorage, Alaska on a pro bono basis for the Alaska congressional delegation. As Alaskas Attorney General, I worked to rescind the National Park Service regulations that … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-files-supreme-court-amicus-brief-in-support-of-john-sturgeon-case Alaska Delegation Files Supreme Court Amicus Brief in Support of John Sturgeon Case 2015-11-24 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.24.15 Alaska Delegation Files Supreme Court Amicus Brief in Support of John Sturgeon Case The three members of Alaska's congressional delegation today filed an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Alaskan John Sturgeon, who is suing the National Park Service over being forced off the Nation River for using a hovercraft to hunt moose, something that he had been doing for decades. The National Park Service claimed it controlled that stretch of the Nation River because it is part of the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. The State of Alaska claims it is theirs to regulate under the Statehood Act. After the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit sided with the Park Service inSturgeon v. Masica, giving the Park Service expansive rights over state and native land, Sturgeon sought review by the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court announced in October that it will hear the case. Oral arguments will take place in January 2016. At issue in the case is who, under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA), controls state and Native property located within the outer boundaries of ANILCA Conservation System Units. As the brief indicates, Alaska's congressional delegation submits that only the State of Alaska and Alaska Native Corporations, and not the federal government, are empowered to make land use decisions on these non-federal lands. A section of ANILCA was carefully written with Alaska sovereignty in mind and clearly prohibits federal control over such lands and waters. The section, 103 (c), states that no lands owned by the State, Native Corporation, or private party shall be subject to the regulations applicable solely to public lands within national parks and preserves.The amicus curiae brief was prepared by Jonathan Katchen and Kyle Parker of Crowell & Moring, Anchorage, Alaska on a pro bono basis for the Alaska congressional delegation. As Alaska's Attorney General, I worked to rescind the National Park Service regulations th… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398544 Alaska Delegation Files Supreme Court Amicus Brief in Support of John Sturgeon Case 2015-11-23 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Don Young Y000033 donyoung.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC The three members of Alaskas congressional delegation today filed an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Alaskan John Sturgeon, who is suing the National Park Service over being forced off the Nation River for using a hovercraft to hunt moose, something that he had been doing for decades. The National Park Service claimed it controlled that stretch of the Nation River because it is part of the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. The State of Alaska claims it is theirs to regulate under the Statehood Act. After the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit sided with the Park Service inSturgeon v. Masica, giving the Park Service expansive rights over state and native land, Sturgeon sought review by the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court announced in October that it will hear the case. Oral arguments will take place in January 2016. At issue in the case is who, under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA), controls state and Native property located within the outer boundaries of ANILCA Conservation System Units. As the brief indicates, Alaskas congressional delegation submits that only the State of Alaska and Alaska Native Corporations, and not the federal government, are empowered to make land use decisions on these non-federal lands. A section of ANILCA was carefully written with Alaska sovereignty in mind and clearly prohibits federal control over such lands and waters. The section, 103 (c), states that no lands owned by the State, Native Corporation, or private party shall be subject to the regulations applicable solely to public lands within national parks and preserves.The amicus curiae brief was prepared by Jonathan Katchen and Kyle Parker of Crowell & Moring, Anchorage, Alaska on a pro bono basis for the Alaska congressional delegation. As Alaskas Attorney General, I worked to rescind the National Park Service regulations that are at issue in this case and I am pleased that the Supreme Court will be hearing it, Senato… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=5251d525-7f62-4ec4-9e39-01df46396446 Murkowski Fights Back Against FDAs Approval of GE Salmon 2015-11-23 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.23.15 Murkowski Fights Back Against FDAs Approval of GE Salmon Senator Continues Fight for Mandatory Labeling, Announces Intent to Block FDA Nominee, Supports Stores Boycotting GE Salmon Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski announced the next steps she is taking to fight back against the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) recent approval of genetically engineered (GE) fish for human consumption. Senator Murkowski has long been adamantly opposed to the approval of GE salmon, introducing legislation and inserting a provision in the appropriations process to require compulsory labeling of Frankenfish if ever approved for sale to consumers. Murkowski plans to push back against the FDAs decision by advancing her efforts for mandatory labelling and blocking confirmation in the Senate of the nominee to be FDA Commissioner. I will not stand back and just watch these genetically engineered creatures be placed in our kitchens and on our tables without a fight. I am furious about this decision, but now I must do everything I can to make sure it is labeledconsumers have a right to know what it is they are eating, said Senator Murkowski. Genetically modifying salmon is messing with natures perfect brain food. The real thing is not only the safe choice, but its the best thing. Senator Murkowski next steps of action include: Pushing Legislatively for the Mandatory Labeling of GE Salmon Senator Murkowski will reintroduce an updated version of her current legislation, S.738, to require further research into the risks and impacts of Frankenfish, and to address the more urgent need for mandatory labeling requirements. Murkowski will continue to work through the appropriations process to build upon the language she was able to include in the FY16 Agriculture, Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration spending bill. Blocking Approval of the Nominee to be FDA Commissioner Senator Murk… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-fights-back-against-fdas-approval-of-ge-salmon Murkowski Fights Back Against FDAs Approval of GE Salmon 2015-11-23 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.23.15 Murkowski Fights Back Against FDA's Approval of GE Salmon Senator Continues Fight for Mandatory Labeling, Announces Intent to Block FDA Nominee, Supports Stores Boycotting GE Salmon Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski announced the next steps she is taking to fight back against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) recent approval of genetically engineered (GE) fish for human consumption. Senator Murkowski has long been adamantly opposed to the approval of GE salmon, introducing legislation and inserting a provision in the appropriations process to require compulsory labeling of Frankenfish if ever approved for sale to consumers. Murkowski plans to push back against the FDA's decision by advancing her efforts for mandatory labelling and blocking confirmation in the Senate of the nominee to be FDA Commissioner. I will not stand back and just watch these genetically engineered creatures be placed in our kitchens and on our tables without a fight. I am furious about this decision, but now I must do everything I can to make sure it is labeledconsumers have a right to know what it is they are eating, said Senator Murkowski. Genetically modifying salmon is messing with nature's perfect brain food. The real thing is not only the safe choice, but it's the best thing. Senator Murkowski next steps of action include: Pushing Legislatively for the Mandatory Labeling of GE Salmon Senator Murkowski will reintroduce an updated version of her current legislation, S.738, to require further research into the risks and impacts of Frankenfish, and to address the more urgent need for mandatory labeling requirements. Murkowski will continue to work through the appropriations process to build upon the language she was able to include in the FY16 Agriculture, Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration spending bill. Blocking Approval of the Nominee to be FDA Commissioner Senator… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/alaska-delegation-files-supreme-court-amicus-brief-in-support-of-john-sturgeon-case Alaska Delegation Files Supreme Court Amicus Brief in Support of John Sturgeon Case 2015-11-23 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 11.23.15 Alaska Delegation Files Supreme Court Amicus Brief in Support of John Sturgeon Case WASHINGTON, DC The three members of Alaska's congressional delegation today filed an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Alaskan John Sturgeon, who is suing the National Park Service over being forced off the Nation River for using a hovercraft to hunt moose, something that he had been doing for decades. The National Park Service claimed it controlled that stretch of the Nation River because it is part of the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. The State of Alaska claims it is theirs to regulate under the Statehood Act. After the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit sided with the Park Service inSturgeon v. Masica, giving the Park Service expansive rights over state and native land, Sturgeon sought review by the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court announced in October that it will hear the case. Oral arguments will take place in January 2016. At issue in the case is who, under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA), controls state and Native property located within the outer boundaries of ANILCA Conservation System Units. As the brief indicates, Alaska's congressional delegation submits that only the State of Alaska and Alaska Native Corporations, and not the federal government, are empowered to make land use decisions on these non-federal lands. A section of ANILCA was carefully written with Alaska sovereignty in mind and clearly prohibits federal control over such lands and waters. The section, 103 (c), states that no lands owned by the State, Native Corporation, or private party shall be subject to the regulations applicable solely to public lands within national parks and preserves.The amicus curiae brief was prepared by Jonathan Katchen and Kyle Parker of Crowell & Moring, Anchorage, Alaska on a pro bono basis for the Alaska congressional delegation. As Alaska's Attorney General, I worked to rescind the National Park Service… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398541 Alaska Delegation Responds to FDA Approval of GE Salmon 2015-11-19 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Don Young Y000033 donyoung.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. After years of pushback from consumers, scientific experts and fishing interests, today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the first ever approval for a genetically engineered animal intended for food, AquAdvantage Salmon. The Alaska Congressional Delegation, who has consistently fought to keep genetically engineered (GE) fish off the nations dinner plates and away from our nations oceans, today shared their disappointment in the FDAs ill-advised decision. I am livid at the FDAs announcement to approve genetically engineered salmonwhat seems to be more science experiment than fish or food, said Senator Lisa Murkowski. I have adamantly opposed the approval of GE salmon, both for the health of Americans and the sustainability of our fisheries, but now that the decision has been made, the next step must be to ensure that Americans know what they are consuming. I have introduced both a bill and provision in the appropriations process to mandate the labeling of Frankenfish, and it is more imperative than ever, after this potentially disastrous decision, to make sure they become law. I am extremely disappointed in todays decision by the FDA, said Senator Dan Sullivan. Genetically Engineered (GE) salmon has no business on our dinner plates. I remain committed to ensuring that at minimum, these newly approved Frankenfish are properly labeled so that Americans know exactly where their salmon came from. Wild Alaskan salmon is an abundant, sustainably managed resource, and despite this misguided decision, will continue to be one of the healthiest and tastiest foods in the world. This harebrained decision goes to show that our federal agencies are incapable of using common sense, said Congressman Don Young. From the beginning, Ive said the FDAs process fails to consider the threats GE fish pose to natural salmon fisheries, including genetic contamination, interbreeding, and direct competition. By embarking on this science experiment, the FDA ignores fundamental risk questions related t… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398542 House Passes Legislation to Suspend Syrian Refugee Program 2015-11-19 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Don Young Y000033 donyoung.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Following calls to suspend Syrian refugee resettlement efforts in the United States by numerous Americans, Governors and Members of Congress, today the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015. Alaska Congressman Don Young joined 288 of his colleagues, including 47 House Democrats, in voting for the legislation. Today, I stood with an overwhelming majority of the House to support additional layers of safety and security for the American people, said Congressman Young. Without a proper review of our refugee resettlement programs and additional layers of vetting, we potentially leave our doors open to a growing number of enemies looking to cause harm and destruction across the world." While I fully understand a review system exists today, I also share serious concerns with the level of information and intelligence available during that process, Young said. The FBI Director himself said that 'when we dont know much about somebody, there wont be anything in our data and that there is no assurance that theres no risk associated with this. Protecting our citizens and providing for the common defense of our nation is paramount, which is why I voted to suspend Syrian resettlement efforts until our law enforcement and intelligence agencies can verify these individuals do not pose a security threat to the country. Administration officials, including White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, visited Capitol Hill today to lobby Members against the passage of H.R. 4038. A bipartisan majority, including 47 Democrats, voted in unison to soundly reject the Presidents opposition to the bill. The SAFE Act would bar refugees from Syria or Iraq from being admitted to the United States until the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Office of the Director of National Intelligence agree that the refugee does not pose a security threat to the United States. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=a285c8c9-1d48-44f0-ab98-9688d68821e5 Alaska Delegation Responds to FDA Approval of GE Salmon 2015-11-19 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.19.15 Alaska Delegation Responds to FDA Approval of GE Salmon Marks First Ever Approval of GE Animal for Human Consumption After years of pushback from consumers, scientific experts and fishing interests, today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the first ever approval for a genetically engineered animal intended for food, AquAdvantage Salmon. The Alaska Congressional Delegation, who has consistently fought to keep genetically engineered (GE) fish off the nations dinner plates and away from our nations oceans, today shared their disappointment in the FDAs ill-advised decision. I am livid at the FDAs announcement to approve genetically engineered salmonwhat seems to be more science experiment than fish or food, said Senator Lisa Murkowski. I have adamantly opposed the approval of GE salmon, both for the health of Americans and the sustainability of our fisheries, but now that the decision has been made, the next step must be to ensure that Americans know what they are consuming. I have introduced both a bill and provision in the appropriations process to mandate the labeling of Frankenfish, and it is more imperative than ever, after this potentially disastrous decision, to make sure they become law. I am extremely disappointed in todays decision by the FDA, said Senator Dan Sullivan. Genetically Engineered (GE) salmon has no business on our dinner plates. I remain committed to ensuring that at minimum, these newly approved Frankenfish are properly labeled so that Americans know exactly where their salmon came from. Wild Alaskan salmon is an abundant, sustainably managed resource, and despite this misguided decision, will continue to be one of the healthiest and tastiest foods in the world. This harebrained decision goes to show that our federal agencies are incapable of using commonsense, said Congressman Don Young. From the beginning, Ive said the FDAs process fails to consider the… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-responds-to-fda-approval-of-ge-salmon Alaska Delegation Responds to FDA Approval of GE Salmon 2015-11-19 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.19.15 Alaska Delegation Responds to FDA Approval of GE Salmon Marks First Ever Approval of GE Animal for Human Consumption After years of pushback from consumers, scientific experts and fishing interests, today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the first ever approval for a genetically engineered animal intended for food, AquAdvantage Salmon. The Alaska Congressional Delegation, who has consistently fought to keep genetically engineered (GE) fish off the nation's dinner plates and away from our nation's oceans, today shared their disappointment in the FDA's ill-advised decision. I am livid at the FDA's announcement to approve genetically engineered salmon'what seems to be more science experiment than fish or food, said Senator Lisa Murkowski. I have adamantly opposed the approval of GE salmon, both for the health of Americans and the sustainability of our fisheries, but now that the decision has been made, the next step must be to ensure that Americans know what they are consuming. I have introduced both a bill and provision in the appropriations process to mandate the labeling of Frankenfish, and it is more imperative than ever, after this potentially disastrous decision, to make sure they become law. I am extremely disappointed in today's decision by the FDA, said Senator Dan Sullivan. Genetically Engineered (GE) salmon has no business on our dinner plates. I remain committed to ensuring that at minimum, these newly approved Frankenfish are properly labeled so that Americans know exactly where their salmon came from. Wild Alaskan salmon is an abundant, sustainably managed resource, and despite this misguided decision, will continue to be one of the healthiest and tastiest foods in the world. This harebrained decision goes to show that our federal agencies are incapable of using commonsense, said Congressman Don Young. From the beginning, I've said the FDA's process fails to cons… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/alaska-delegation-responds-to-fda-approval-of-ge-salmon Alaska Delegation Responds to FDA Approval of GE Salmon 2015-11-19 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 11.19.15 Alaska Delegation Responds to FDA Approval of GE Salmon Marks First Ever Approval of GE Animal for Human Consumption Washington, D.C. After years of pushback from consumers, scientific experts and fishing interests, today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the first ever approval for a genetically engineered animal intended for food, AquAdvantage Salmon. The Alaska Congressional Delegation, who has consistently fought to keep genetically engineered (GE) fish off the nation's dinner plates and away from our nation's oceans, today shared their disappointment in the FDA's ill-advised decision. I am livid at the FDA's announcement to approve genetically engineered salmon'what seems to be more science experiment than fish or food, said Senator Lisa Murkowski. I have adamantly opposed the approval of GE salmon, both for the health of Americans and the sustainability of our fisheries, but now that the decision has been made, the next step must be to ensure that Americans know what they are consuming. I have introduced both a bill and provision in the appropriations process to mandate the labeling of Frankenfish, and it is more imperative than ever, after this potentially disastrous decision, to make sure they become law. I am extremely disappointed in today's decision by the FDA, said Senator Dan Sullivan. Genetically Engineered salmon has no business on our dinner plates. I remain committed to ensuring that at minimum, these newly approved Frankenfish are properly labeled so that Americans know exactly where their salmon came from. Wild Alaskan salmon is an abundant, sustainably managed resource, and despite this misguided decision, will continue to be one of the healthiest and tastiest foods in the world. This harebrained decision goes to show that our federal agencies are incapable of using commonsense, said Congressman Don Young. From the beginning, I've said the FDA's process fail… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=56171030-f082-4af2-b002-b76f827f9179 Sen. Murkowski Votes to Rein in Costly EPA Climate Regulations 2015-11-18 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.18.15 Sen. Murkowski Votes to Rein in Costly EPA Climate Regulations U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today voted to block the Obama administration from imposing costly new climate regulations on Americas economy. Murkowski voted in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 23 and Senate Joint Resolution 24, which are both bipartisan resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to block the administrations so-called Clean Power Plan limits on carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing power plants. The Obama administration has once again overstepped in attempting to drastically overhaul the way America generates its energy, Murkowski said. Command-and-control regulations from the EPA are not an acceptable climate policy for the United States. This regulatory regime was widely regarded as the worst way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the administration chose to pursue it anyways. Murkowski said the rule, promulgated by Obamas Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would make existing coal-fired power plants more expensive to operate, and new ones almost impossible to build, raising electricity prices, restricting economic growth, and harming job-creation The administration has failed to consider the impact that these regulations will have on the budgets of the American people, Murkowski said. While Alaska is currently exempt from these burdensome rules, we must remain vigilant in guarding against their expansion by an administration that appears to be more focused on striking a deal on climate change with the United Nations than meeting the energy needs of Americans. The CRA allows the Senate to vote down executive branch regulations. Murkowski is chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Appropriations Interior-Environment Subcommittee. At her urging, EPA recognized Alaskas unique needs and challenges and exempted the state from the rule for existing power plants earlier this year. … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=70e6bef8-39fd-4244-a79b-6c5e1f009486 Murkowski Presses FDA Nominee on Seafood Issues 2015-11-18 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.18.15 Murkowski Presses FDA Nominee on Seafood Issues FDA Commissioner Nominee Questioned on Pollock Labeling, Nutrition Advice U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski recently questioned Dr. Robert Califf in a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing regarding his nomination to be the next Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Murkowski began her line of questioning by pressing Dr. Califf to reconsider the FDAs refusal to use its regulatory authority to change the acceptable market name of pollock in order to avoid consumer confusion as to where the fish is harvested. Senator Murkowski recently introduced legislation, along with Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Patty Murray (D-WA) seeking to differentiate American-caught seafood from Russian-harvested seafood. Senator Murkowski questioned Dr. Califf on the FDAs reluctance to change the market name: I would ask you again to look at the issue we have raised repeatedly before the FDA regarding pollock nomenclature. As you know, this is something where we contend that you have the regulatory authority to change the acceptable market name from Alaska pollock to pollock, so that we can put some limitation/parameters on what were seeing from the large volume of Russia-harvested pollock that is sold to US consumers as Alaska pollock. I have repeatedly raised this and ask that you work to expedite this change and remove the blockade that has been created within the FDAs bureaucracy regarding this pollock nomenclature. Dr. Califf responded by saying, as you know, were still open for comments thinking about this, and I will work with you to come to a resolution on this issue. (Senator Murkowski questions Dr. Califf on pollock nomenclature. Click image to watch video.) Senator Murkowski also asked Dr. Califf about the FDAs impending advice to pregnant women on seafood consumption. In 2014, the FD… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-presses-fda-nominee-on-seafood-issues Murkowski Presses FDA Nominee on Seafood Issues 2015-11-18 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.18.15 Murkowski Presses FDA Nominee on Seafood Issues FDA Commissioner Nominee Questioned on Pollock Labeling, Nutrition Advice U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski recently questioned Dr. Robert Califf in a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing regarding his nomination to be the next Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Murkowski began her line of questioning by pressing Dr. Califf to reconsider the FDA's refusal to use its regulatory authority to change the acceptable market name of pollock in order to avoid consumer confusion as to where the fish is harvested. Senator Murkowski recently introduced legislation, along with Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Patty Murray (D-WA) seeking to differentiate American-caught seafood from Russian-harvested seafood. Senator Murkowski questioned Dr. Califf on the FDA's reluctance to change the market name: I would ask you again to look at the issue we have raised repeatedly before the FDA regarding pollock nomenclature. As you know, this is something where we contend that you have the regulatory authority to change the acceptable market name from Alaska pollock to pollock, so that we can put some limitation/parameters on what we're seeing from the large volume of Russia-harvested pollock that is sold to US consumers as Alaska pollock. I have repeatedly raised this and ask that you work to expedite this change and remove the blockade that has been created within the FDA's bureaucracy regarding this pollock nomenclature. Dr. Califf responded by saying, as you know, we're still open for comments thinking about this, and I will work with you to come to a resolution on this issue. (Senator Murkowski questions Dr. Califf on pollock nomenclature. Click image to watch video.) Senator Murkowski also asked Dr. Califf about the FDA's impending advice to pregnant women on seafood consumption. In 2014, … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/sen-murkowski-votes-to-rein-in-costly-epa-climate-regulations Sen. Murkowski Votes to Rein in Costly EPA Climate Regulations 2015-11-18 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.18.15 Sen. Murkowski Votes to Rein in Costly EPA Climate Regulations U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today voted to block the Obama administration from imposing costly new climate regulations on America's economy. Murkowski voted in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 23 and Senate Joint Resolution 24, which are both bipartisan resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to block the administration's so-called Clean Power Plan limits on carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing power plants. The Obama administration has once again overstepped in attempting to drastically overhaul the way America generates its energy, Murkowski said. Command-and-control regulations from the EPA are not an acceptable climate policy for the United States. This regulatory regime was widely regarded as the worst way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the administration chose to pursue it anyways. Murkowski said the rule, promulgated by Obama's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would make existing coal-fired power plants more expensive to operate, and new ones almost impossible to build, raising electricity prices, restricting economic growth, and harming job-creation The administration has failed to consider the impact that these regulations will have on the budgets of the American people, Murkowski said. While Alaska is currently exempt from these burdensome rules, we must remain vigilant in guarding against their expansion by an administration that appears to be more focused on striking a deal on climate change with the United Nations than meeting the energy needs of Americans. The CRA allows the Senate to vote down executive branch regulations. Murkowski is chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Appropriations Interior-Environment Subcommittee. At her urging, EPA recognized Alaska's unique needs and challenges and exempted the state from the rule for existing power plants earlier this year. … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-sullivan-and-schatz-work-to-pass-noaa-sexual-harassment-and-assault-prevention-legislation Senators Sullivan and Schatz Work To Pass NOAA Sexual Harassment And Assault Prevention Legislation 2015-11-18 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 11.18.15 Senators Sullivan and Schatz Work To Pass NOAA Sexual Harassment And Assault Prevention Legislation WASHINGTON, DC Today, the Senate Commerce Committee unanimously approved S. 2206, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Act. U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced the legislation with bipartisan support from U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Thune (R-S.D.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). The bill directsNOAAto develop and adopt policies to protect its employees from sexual harassment and assault, contains provisions which update personnel practices for theNOAACorps, and reauthorizes funding to maintain the nation's nautical charts, with an emphasis on the importance of up-to-date survey information for the Arctic. NOAAcurrently functions under the Department of Commerce's sexual harassment policy and does not have its own specific procedures in place. This poses problems for the manyNOAAemployees and contractors who serve at sea or in remote areas. Earlier this year, Dr. Julia O'Hern, a NOAA contractor, wrote about her experiences in the Washington Post as she sought a fair review of her claims of sexual harassment. Without clear procedures, Dr. O'Hern faced challenge after challenge trying to seek justice. Her story can be found here. The legislation approved by the Commerce Committee today would address cases like Dr. O'Hern's by requiringNOAAto put such policies and procedures in place within one year of enactment. I was shocked to learn that NOAA lacked their own policies to address sexual assault and harassment, said Senator Sullivan. Regrettably, these issues are a problem, and having tailored procedures to respond is essential, particularly for those personnel many of whom work for NOAA in Alaska doing important work on ships at sea or in other relatively isolated conditions. This legislation also reauthorizes funding to ensure that … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398540 Congressman Young: The Safety and Security of Americans is Paramount 2015-11-17 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Don Young Y000033 donyoung.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Alaska Congressman Don Youngtoday shared the following statement in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and the growing threat of ISIS: The safety and security of Americans is paramount and I will not sit idle while extremist groups like ISIS spread violence and hatred across the globe. I stand with numerous others in calling for the suspension of Syrian refugee resettlement efforts in the United States. Until we can ensure these programs are safe and not vulnerable to exploitation by our enemies, we must proceed with caution. Sadly, President Obama and his advisers have doubled down on their failed foreign policy decisions that dramatically underestimated the threats and capabilities of ISIS. Ultimately, a path forward must include a strategic and comprehensive plan to defeat and deter the growing threat of radical extremism, which is why I have called upon the President to sign the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and put forth a plan to eliminate ISIS. As we move forward, I remain committed to protecting our citizens and upholding one of the federal governments most basic responsibilities the common defense of our nation. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=3fd2e01b-47c1-4122-8fe7-441da2f7a46b Murkowski: Administration at Fault for Second Oil Companys Decision to Abandon Arctic 2015-11-17 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.17.15 Murkowski: Administration at Fault for Second Oil Companys Decision to Abandon Arctic U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement in response to the announcement by Norways Statoil that it is ending its Alaska operations and giving back the leases in Alaskas Arctic offshore frontier that the company had won in 2008: I am very concerned that, for the second time in as many months, a major company has decided to walk away from Alaska because of the uncertainty surrounding our federal governments support for Arctic development, Murkowski said. Low oil prices may have contributed to Statoils decision, but the real project killer was this administrations refusal to grant lease extensions; its imposition of a complicated, drawn-out, and ever-changing regulatory process; and its cancellation of future lease sales that have stifled energy production in Alaska. These actions threaten to undermine Alaskas economy, our security, and our environment. Statoils divestment of its 16 leases in the Chukchi Sea comes without the company drilling a single exploratory well in the region. The northern waters off Alaskas Arctic coastline holds an estimated 24 billion barrels of oil and 104 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, according to federal estimates. Statoils Chukchi leases are located roughly 40 miles north of Shells Burger prospect. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, is pushing to end the federal governments overreaching regulations, which are hurting Alaskans across the state. It is absurd that Interior has created a regulatory environment where operators cannot have commercially viable exploration programs, because so many requirements and hurdles have been put in place, Murkowski has previously said. In July, Murkowski advanced the Offshore Production and Energizing National Security (OPENS) Act to ensure Alaskans receive a fair share of the revenue from development in the federal waters of… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=a84567c5-809a-45f6-95df-b79409b19689 Murkowski Urges President to Immediately Institute Moratorium on Admitting Syrian Refugees to the United States 2015-11-17 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.17.15 Murkowski Urges President to Immediately Institute Moratorium on Admitting Syrian Refugees to the United States Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski issued the following statement in response to concerns over whether or not to allow Syrian refugees into the United States: I urge the President to agree to an immediate moratorium on granting asylum to Syrian refugees. A moratorium is necessary for the Congress and the American people to better understand the adequacy of our existing refugee vetting process and whether meaningful additional steps need to be taken when considering the applications of Syrian refugees. My view is that the security of Alaskans and all Americans must come first. Over the past 24 hours I have heard from Alaskans who are fearful that the United States intends to imminently admit thousands of Syrian refugees, without adequate vetting, at the risk of our national security. This does not appear to be the case. Asylum applications can take up to two years to process; sometimes longer. I have also heard from leaders of our faith communities who argue the moral dimensions of the issue. They are deeply troubled that the U.S. is about to turn away innocent families, fleeing war and persecution, due to a misunderstanding about the rigorous process that has historically been used to determine which of a fortunate few will be given refugee status in the United States. After initially proposing to admit up to 10,000 Syrian refugees in 2016, the administration did a poor job at explaining how the refugee resettlement process works and addressing concerns that the U.S. will not have access to sufficient information to determine the security risks associated with admitting a particular person or family. The administration has done little to remedy this lack of clarity in the wake of the events in Paris. The events last weekend in Paris give rise to legitimate concerns that terrorists will enter the United States posing as refugees. It is not surprising that the first instinct o… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-administration-at-fault-for-second-oil-companys-decision-to-abandon-arctic Murkowski: Administration at Fault for Second Oil Companys Decision to Abandon Arctic 2015-11-17 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.17.15 Murkowski: Administration at Fault for Second Oil Company's Decision to Abandon Arctic U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement in response to the announcement by Norway's Statoil that it is ending its Alaska operations and giving back the leases in Alaska's Arctic offshore frontier that the company had won in 2008: I am very concerned that, for the second time in as many months, a major company has decided to walk away from Alaska because of the uncertainty surrounding our federal government's support for Arctic development, Murkowski said. Low oil prices may have contributed to Statoil's decision, but the real project killer was this administration's refusal to grant lease extensions; its imposition of a complicated, drawn-out, and ever-changing regulatory process; and its cancellation of future lease sales that have stifled energy production in Alaska. These actions threaten to undermine Alaska's economy, our security, and our environment. Statoil's divestment of its 16 leases in the Chukchi Sea comes without the company drilling a single exploratory well in the region. The northern waters off Alaska's Arctic coastline holds an estimated 24 billion barrels of oil and 104 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, according to federal estimates. Statoil's Chukchi leases are located roughly 40 miles north of Shell's Burger prospect. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, is pushing to end the federal government's overreaching regulations, which are hurting Alaskans across the state. It is absurd that Interior has created a regulatory environment where operators cannot have commercially viable exploration programs, because so many requirements and hurdles have been put in place, Murkowski has previously said. In July, Murkowski advanced the Offshore Production and Energizing National Security (OPENS) Act to ensure Alaskans receive a fair share of the revenue from development in the feder… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-urges-president-to-immediately-institute-moratorium-on-admitting-syrian-refugees-to-the-united-states Murkowski Urges President to Immediately Institute Moratorium on Admitting Syrian Refugees to the United States 2015-11-17 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.17.15 Murkowski Urges President to Immediately Institute Moratorium on Admitting Syrian Refugees to the United States Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski issued the following statement in response to concerns over whether or not to allow Syrian refugees into the United States: I urge the President to agree to an immediate moratorium on granting asylum to Syrian refugees. A moratorium is necessary for the Congress and the American people to better understand the adequacy of our existing refugee vetting process and whether meaningful additional steps need to be taken when considering the applications of Syrian refugees. My view is that the security of Alaskans and all Americans must come first. Over the past 24 hours I have heard from Alaskans who are fearful that the United States intends to imminently admit thousands of Syrian refugees, without adequate vetting, at the risk of our national security. This does not appear to be the case. Asylum applications can take up to two years to process; sometimes longer. I have also heard from leaders of our faith communities who argue the moral dimensions of the issue. They are deeply troubled that the U.S. is about to turn away innocent families, fleeing war and persecution, due to a misunderstanding about the rigorous process that has historically been used to determine which of a fortunate few will be given refugee status in the United States. After initially proposing to admit up to 10,000 Syrian refugees in 2016, the administration did a poor job at explaining how the refugee resettlement process works and addressing concerns that the U.S. will not have access to sufficient information to determine the security risks associated with admitting a particular person or family. The administration has done little to remedy this lack of clarity in the wake of the events in Paris. The events last weekend in Paris give rise to legitimate concerns that terrorists will enter the United States posing as refugees. It is not surprising that the first instinct o… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-votes-to-block-epa-climate-regulations Senate Votes to Block EPA Climate Regulations 2015-11-17 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 11.17.15 Senate Votes to Block EPA Climate Regulations WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate today passed two bipartisan resolutions disapproving of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) climate regulations. I'm pleased that the Senate affirmed what the American people have been saying about President Obama and the EPA's national energy tax. The tax has been challenged in court by 27 states, 24 national trade associations, 37 rural electric cooperatives, 10 major companies and 3 labor unions representing 878,000 members.It's expected to cost hundreds of billions of dollars over the next 15 years, and will force electricity prices even higher for Americans who are already struggling to pay their bills. As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I wish to commend Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-OK) for his tireless leadership on this issue, and know that I remain committed to holding the Obama Administration and rogue agencies like the EPA accountable for their actions. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-comments-on-statoils-withdrawal-from-alaska Sullivan Comments on Statoils Withdrawal from Alaska 2015-11-17 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 11.17.15 Sullivan Comments on Statoil's Withdrawal from Alaska WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) issued the following statement in response to the news that Statoil is closing its Alaska office and pulling out of the state. This is extremely bad news for our state. When I was Alaska's Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, I remember the excitement surrounding the opening of Statoil's office in Anchorage, just as I remember the excitement surrounding Shell's Arctic drilling program. At that time, I don't think that most Alaskans could have imagined that it would be our own federal government that would kill, through over burdensome regulations and uncertainty, the great promise of energy development in the Arctic OCS. As Shell's CEO put it recently about drilling in Arctic waters off Alaska's coast, (W)e are of the view that the US government should simplify and modernize the permit processes there, if there is any ambition to develop oil and gas in the offshore of Alaska.' I'll keep fighting to modernize our permitting processboth offshore and onshore, where there are still billions of barrels of oil and trillions of feet of natural gasin order to bring much needed energy security to our country, and economic security to Alaskans. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=a3b2bee5-7d9a-4462-b535-0451f1247feb Murkowski Statement on the Situation in Paris 2015-11-14 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.14.15 Murkowski Statement on the Situation in Paris Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski responded to the recent Paris attacks saying: The attacks in Paris yesterday are an absolute travesty. Our hearts break for the families of the victims, the wounded still suffering today, and the entire nation of France. Today we grieve for the dead, pray for the wounded, and join the people of France in demanding justice in the wake of this atrocity. These attacks are yet another tragic reminder of the continued dangers posed by radical Islamic terror groups to global security. Last evening the Department of Homeland Security reported that there is no credible threat against our homeland today. Now, nor ever, can we be complacent. The desire of radical Islam to attack our nation remains ever present. This is not the time to reduce investments in our national security, whether abroad or here in the homeland. Right now we need to stand with France but also stand together as a nation to stop these terrorists in their tracks and fight against terrorism and extremism. Print Email Tweet 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-statement-on-the-situation-in-paris Murkowski Statement on the Situation in Paris 2015-11-14 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.14.15 Murkowski Statement on the Situation in Paris Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski responded to the recent Paris attacks saying: The attacks in Paris yesterday are an absolute travesty. Our hearts break for the families of the victims, the wounded still suffering today, and the entire nation of France. Today we grieve for the dead, pray for the wounded, and join the people of France in demanding justice in the wake of this atrocity. These attacks are yet another tragic reminder of the continued dangers posed by radical Islamic terror groups to global security. Last evening the Department of Homeland Security reported that there is no credible threat against our homeland today. Now, nor ever, can we be complacent. The desire of radical Islam to attack our nation remains ever present. This is not the time to reduce investments in our national security, whether abroad or here in the homeland. Right now we need to stand with France but also stand together as a nation to stop these terrorists in their tracks and fight against terrorism and extremism. Print Email Tweet 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/senate-oks-sullivan-bill-to-promote-free-lawyers-for-domestic-violence-sexual-assault-victims Senate OKs Sullivan bill to promote free lawyers for domestic violence, sexual assault victims 2015-11-12 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 11.12.15 Senate OKs Sullivan bill to promote free lawyers for domestic violence, sexual assault victims FAIRBANKSThe U.S. Senate passed a bill Wednesday introduced by Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan that would encourage lawyers to provide free legal assistance to victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. It is Sullivan's first standalone bill to pass the Senate. If signed into law, the Pro bono Work to Empower and Represent Act would require U.S. attorneys in all 94 judicial districts across the country to hold at least one event every year promoting pro bono legal work on domestic violence and sexual assault cases. The bill also includes a provision requiring U.S. attorneys offices to hold events every few years with Native American or Alaska Native groups in their districts to address those types of crimes. Co-sponsoring the bill were Sens. Heidi Heitkamp, D-North Dakota, Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa and Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont. The bill passed the Senate in a unanimous vote, Sullivan spokesman Mike Anderson said. In a phone interview Thursday, Sullivan said he had championed such pro bono events in Alaska as state attorney general. The bill would mandate that same idea nationwide, he said. It's necessary because the demand for affordable or free legal advice for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence far exceeds the supply, Sullivan said. One of the best ways you can enable victims to break the cycle of violence, in terms of domestic violence and sexual assault, is to get the victim a lawyer, Sullivan said. The goal here is to literally have an army of thousands of lawyers throughout the country that do this, and raise awareness, and help to close the gap between what's needed in terms of services and what's currently provided. As a requirement in the legislation, each U.S. attorney's office would have to file a report with the U.S. attorney general about the events and their effectiveness, and, in turn, the attorney general will have to compile further … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-sullivan-heitkamp-bill-to-combat-domestic-violence Senate Passes Sullivan, Heitkamp Bill to Combat Domestic Violence 2015-11-12 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Dan Sullivan S001198 www.sullivan.senate.gov     legacy 11.12.15 Senate Passes Sullivan, Heitkamp Bill to Combat Domestic Violence WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) today applauded the Senate's unanimous passage of their bipartisan bill which they recently introduced, to help combat domestic abuse and sexual violence. The Pro bono Work to Empower and Represent (POWER) Act mandates that each year, the United States Attorney in each judicial district across the country work with domestic violence service providers or coalitions and an area volunteer lawyer project to hold at least one event which promotes pro bono legal services. The purpose is to reinforce a critical way of empowering survivors of domestic violence, engage citizens, and help lift victims out of the cycle of abuse. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, cosponsored the bill. Also critically important to both Senators is addressing the high rates of domestic and sexual violence among the Native American and Alaska Native populations in their states so the bill includes a provision requiring many United States Attorney's offices to work with the Native populations in their judicial district in planning and holding an event every few years with a focus on addressing these crimes in Indian Country and among Native populations. Senators Sullivan and Heitkamp, both former attorneys general of their states, understand how the legal system can help prevent the probability that victims will again be abused, and that a lack of access to legal services is one of the leading obstacles for women with children in getting out of domestic violence situations. Domestic violence and sexual assault are scourges that we must work to eliminate, said Senator Sullivan. One of my priorities as Attorney General for Alaska was to tackle the unacceptably high rates of domestic violence and sexual assault in my state. Among other initiatives, I put on a pro bono workshop that gathere… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398538 Congress Sends Bipartisan, Bicameral NDAA Agreement to Presidents Desk 2015-11-10 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Don Young Y000033 donyoung.house.gov     legacy A revised National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the House on November 4, 2015, was approved this morning in the Senate by an overwhelming majority. S. 1356, the Fiscal Year 2016 NDAA, maintains all major defense policies and reforms previously vetoed by President Obama, but makes minor revisions to funding levels in accordance with the newly enacted Bipartisan Budget Deal of 2015. Congressman Young shared the following thoughts after House passage of S. 1356 by a vote of 370 to 58. Press Release: House Overwhelmingly Passes Updated NDAA, Refutes Presidents Veto Claims Washington, D.C.Alaska Congressman Don Youngtoday joined 369 of his House colleagues to pass S. 1356, the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This reform-centered NDAA contains all of the major policy provisions passed by the House and Senate earlier this year, but makes minor adjustments to reflect new budget levels established by the Bipartisan Budget Deal of 2015. Today, I once again supported bipartisan legislation to provide our military men and women with the tools and resources necessary to succeed both here at home and abroad,said Congressman Young. This legislation makes a number of reforms within the Department of Defense to cut wasteful spending, focus on our nations most growing needs, and ensure the safety of all Americans. Importantly, the bill also preserves an amendment I offered expressing a Sense of Congress regarding the basing of the F-35 at Eielson Air Force Base." According to President Obama, his October 22, 2015 veto of previously passed NDAA legislation was based on three considerations: it maintains the sequester, it prevents wide spread reforms for our military, and it impedes the ability to close Guantanamo. However, todays House passed NDAA contains no changes to policy previously scrutinized by the President. Like our original NDAA, this legislation has zero ability to change sequestration, it maintains significant reforms to improve our military, and prevents the transfer of d… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398539 Congressman Young Shares Message in Advance of Veterans Day 2015-11-10 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Don Young Y000033 donyoung.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. In advance of Veterans Day, Alaska Congressman Don Young today shared the following message in celebration of our nations veterans: As we celebrate Veterans Day, the 11th day of the 11th month, I take pause to reflect on the great gift of freedom our men and women in uniform have given this nation. Throughout our history, our armed forces have proudly served and sacrificed in defense of freedom, liberty and justice. It is because of their valiant efforts their commitment to a cause much greater than their own that we live in peace and safety today. I wholeheartedly thank our Veterans, including the 71,000 who call Alaska home, for the freedom and opportunity they have bestowed upon this nation. We will never forget the sacrifices they made, and the physical and emotional toll they endured, when answering the call of duty. I encourage all Americans to join me in thanking our remarkable Veterans. We are forever indebted to them for their service. Congressman Young and the Last Frontier Honor Flight at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in April (click here to watch). ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=bc23a1d9-08b1-4437-bb1e-6acd296b6aaa Murkowski Votes for Military Authorization and Appropriation Bills 2015-11-10 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.10.15 Murkowski Votes for Military Authorization and Appropriation Bills On Eve of Veterans Day, Senate Sends Messages of Support for Military Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski cast her vote for two pieces of legislation to support our military, veterans, and our national security. S.1356, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which outlines priorities and authorizes how defense funds should be spent, passed by a vote of 91-3. This is substantially the same bill which President Obama vetoed in October with funding levels conformed to the recent Bipartisan Budget Act. The NDAA now heads to the Presidents desk to be signed into law. H.R. 2029, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, which provides funds for veterans health services and benefits, military housing and family support, and hospital and military construction for Fiscal Year 2016, passed by a vote of 93-0. This bill now heads to conference with the House of Representatives. Our men and woman in uniform, past and present, deserve our unequivocal support. Its a shame that the implementation of these bills was ever delayed by partisan politics in the first place. said Senator Murkowski. We should never compromise our national security. Im thankful that today my Senate colleagues did the right thing by showing our support for the security of this nation and the well-being of our armed forces. Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act: The Senates bill includes an amendment by Senator Murkowski requiring that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the nationwide implementation of the Choice Card program, which allows veterans to seek care outside of the VA under certain circumstances. The GAO is specifically directed to examine the failed implementation of the Choice Card program in Alaska. Simply put, the Veterans Choice Card program as it is… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=d2ec972d-4332-490a-b4cd-5fe78c077bfe Murkowski: Alaska is the West Coasts Energy Reserve 2015-11-10 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.10.15 Murkowski: Alaska is the West Coasts Energy Reserve Energy Panel Chair Highlights Alaskas Resources as a Strategic Security Asset U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today cautioned against making arbitrary sales of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to pay for unrelated legislative initiatives, and highlighted the potential benefits to the nation if the administration allowed Alaska to realize its true energy potential. Click photo to play video Through thick and thin, those barrels in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve rarely ever tapped have offered a measure of security and stability that is unique in the history of global commerce. Murkowski said. I support funding for SPR maintenance, for life extension, and for marine terminals. But I remain opposed to suggestions that we use the reserve to pay for completely unrelated programs, or that we simply sell off the entire stockpile, as some have suggested. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, in a speech Tuesday on the Senate floor, offered skepticism of the Department of Energys plans for a new gasoline reserve on the West Coast, calling it small potatoes, and highlighted Alaskas energy resources and infrastructure as an alternative. Opening up Alaskas resources now would ensure that more oil is transported through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. A healthy pipeline would ensure that oil can be shipped from Alaska to fuel West Coast refineries when needed, and help ensure that energy remains affordable for the West Coast, Murkowski said. Calling it strategic thinking, Murkowski concluded her remarks with a call to allow Alaska a state that wants to produce oil to actually develop its energy resources for the benefit of hardworking Alaskans, Californians, and even Hawaiians. … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=deb8f5f0-0a19-4f16-8afb-5104b04097db Senator Murkowski Shares Veterans Day Message with Alaskans 2015-11-10 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.10.15 Senator Murkowski Shares Veterans Day Message with Alaskans We can never thank them enough for their courage, sacrifice, and service U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski shared the following message with Alaskans on Veterans Day: On this day, as we should every day, we honor Americas veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve for the common good. The decision to enter into military service is not one to be taken lightly, nor is it an easy burden to bear. It comes with not only tremendous responsibilities, but great sacrifices. Standing up to serve is something to be commended, something to be respected and something to be honored by all of us who breathe easier and live freely because of those who have defended us at home and abroad. As Alaskans, we have the incredible honor of being surrounded by veterans, more so per capita than any other state in the nation. Veterans are our neighbors, co-workers, family members, and friends. And while theyve already given a selfless gift to our nation, they continue serving their communities long after they take off their uniforms. We can never thank them enough for their courage, sacrifice, and service, but we can, and we must, try. (Click image to watch video.) While words fall short of expressing our appreciation, we pause to honor and thank you for your service this Veterans Day. Words will never be enough to thank you, our veterans, for your selfless actions in making the decision to serve our country, your courage during active duty, and your commitment to our communities when you return home. One of the best ways we can show our gratitude for our veterans is by asking what we, as individuals and as a community, can do for them. Know that here in Washington D.C., I will continue to do all I can to give veterans the services they deserve. Its commonly known the problems that we face in Alaska when it comes to the VA. Weve had … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-alaska-is-the-west-coasts-energy-reserve Murkowski: Alaska is the West Coasts Energy Reserve 2015-11-10 2015 2015-11 Republican House AK Lisa Murkowski M001153 www.murkowski.senate.gov     legacy 11.10.15 Murkowski: Alaska is the West Coast's Energy Reserve Energy Panel Chair Highlights Alaska's Resources as a Strategic Security Asset U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today cautioned against making arbitrary sales of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to pay for unrelated legislative initiatives, and highlighted the potential benefits to the nation if the administration allowed Alaska to realize its true energy potential. Click photo to play video Through thick and thin, those barrels in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve rarely ever tapped have offered a measure of security and stability that is unique in the history of global commerce. Murkowski said. I support funding for SPR maintenance, for life extension, and for marine terminals. But I remain opposed to suggestions that we use the reserve to pay for completely unrelated programs, or that we simply sell off the entire stockpile, as some have suggested. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, in a speech Tuesday on the Senate floor, offered skepticism of the Department of Energy's plans for a new gasoline reserve on the West Coast, calling it small potatoes, and highlighted Alaska's energy resources and infrastructure as an alternative. Opening up Alaska's resources now would ensure that more oil is transported through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. A healthy pipeline would ensure that oil can be shipped from Alaska to fuel West Coast refineries when needed, and help ensure that energy remains affordable for the West Coast, Murkowski said. Calling it strategic thinking, Murkowski concluded her remarks with a call to allow Alaska a state that wants to produce oil to actually develop its energy resources for the benefit of hardworking Alaskans, Californians, and even Hawaiians. … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z

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