url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/year-end-omnibus-appropriations-package-signed-into-law,Year-End Omnibus Appropriations Package Signed Into Law,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.28.20 Year-End Omnibus Appropriations Package Signed Into Law U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded a year-end omnibus bill being signed into law, which includes a 12-bill appropriations package to fund the government through the end of Fiscal Year 2021, including Senator Murkowski's Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. This historic funding package also provides nearly $900 billion for COVID-19 relief; Senator Murkowski's bipartisan, bicameral Energy Act of 2020; a bipartisan compromise to address the issue of Surprise Medical Billing; a major tax extenders package, and more. I am glad that Congress was able to put our differences aside and work together in a bipartisan manner to do what's right for our nation. Together, we've crafted an omnibus bill which directs critical federal funding to where it is needed most, said Senator Murkowski. The 12-bill appropriations package invests in every sector of America. It will create economic opportunities for Alaskans, strengthen our national defense and military infrastructure, support Alaska's fisheries, and invest in transportation. It includes funding for a number of Native and rural programs, as well as provisions to protect Alaska's land and people. Building on my efforts to address Alaska's public safety crisis, including the crisis of missing, trafficked, and murdered indigenous women, additional funding is included for the BIA to continue to address those issues. We secured a number of funding initiatives that will build on my work to increase America's presence in the Arctic, as well as funding is included to improve healthcare for Alaskans. Full funding is also included for the PILT program which supports vital services, such as firefighting and police protection, construction of public schools and roads, and search-and-rescue operations. Reaching this agreement took significant bipartisan compromise from members across the board, and I'm proud to have been a part of that good work. The President's decision to sign this legislation without further delay, which includes critical COVID-19 relief, is welcomed news. ALASKA HIGHLIGHTS: (Note: Numbers are nationwide program funding levels.) Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Bill Highlights USGS Earthquake, Volcano, and Landslide Hazards: Provides funding for Alaska to develop and enhance earthquake monitoring capabilities, as well as operational funding to upgrade volcano monitoring equipment. Additionally, the bill provides funding for a site-specific landslide hazard assessment and a long-term monitoring strategy in Prince William Sound. Missing, Trafficked, & Murdered Indigenous Women: In order to improve the federal response to the epidemic of missing, trafficked, and murdered indigenous women, an additional $6.7 million is included for the BIA to continue to address these issues. Specifically, the bill includes $2 million for cold case work, $1 million for equipment needs, $3 million to support the goals of Operation Lady Justice, and $750,000 for victim witness specialists. The bill also continues language of the need to boost both coordination and data collection among Tribal, local, state, and federal law enforcement by directing BIA to designate an official within the agency to work with Tribes to develop a set of guidelines on how to best collect statistics. Native American women face high rates of violence and the lack of data on the number of women and girls who go missing or murdered further complicates the Nation's ability to address this crisis. Payment in Lieu of Taxes: Provides full funding at $515 million for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. The PILT program provides monetary compensation to local governments throughout Alaska that contain federal lands that are not subject to state or local taxation. The revenue helps local governments provide vital services, such as firefighting and police protection, construction of public schools and roads, and search-and-rescue operations. Timber Industry in Alaska: Dedicates resources critical to programs that support jobs and opportunities in the timber industry in Southeast Alaska. Also notes the harm the retaliatory Chinese tariffs are having on the Alaska timber industry and encourages the Department of Agriculture to consider including domestic timber products on the list of agriculture commodities covered for tariff relief. Denali National Park Road: Requires National Park Service to provide a long-term plan for addressing road improvements at Polychrome Pass. For a fill list of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill highlights, click here. Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Bill Highlights Micro-Grants for Food Security Program: Includes $5 million for the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program, which was created by Senator Murkowski in the 2018 Farm Bill, to help support Alaskans' ability to grow their own food. Genetically Engineered (GE) Salmon: Building on her previous efforts to inform consumers they are purchasing genetically engineered salmon, Senator Murkowski again secured bill language requiring the term genetically engineered in the market name of any GE animal approved for human consumption by the FDA prior to February 2019. Organic Certification for Wild Seafood: The bill includes report language urging USDA to reestablish the Wild Caught Working Group under the National Organic Standards Board to consider developing organic certification standards for wild seafood. Rural Broadband and telephone infrastructure: The bill includes $35.5 million for rural electric and telephone infrastructure loans and $97 million for Distance Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband grants. Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program: $68 million was included for this program, which includes funding Alaska Natives. The Senator secured report language that encourages the Secretary to distribute these funds in line with the fiscal year 2014 distribution to the degree practicable, which provided a higher amount for the portion dedicated to Alaska. For a full list of Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Bill Highlights, click here. Commerce, Justice, Science Bill Highlights Tsunami Preparedness: The bill provides a $500,000 increase to NOAA's Tsunami Warning Program and directs NOAA to work with other federal and state agencies to monitor the tsunami risk at Barry Glacier and inform emergency planning efforts for nearby communities like Whittier. National Weather Service (NWS): Provides $1.1 billion for the NWS, alongside report language highlighting continued concerns about staffing in Alaska. Human Trafficking and the FBI: Includes report language Senator Murkowski championed, directing the FBI to continue to designate a lead agent in each field office as a Human Trafficking Program Coordinator. In addition, the FBI is urged to allocate additional resources to those field offices in States with the highest rates of modern slavery and human trafficking. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the FBI shall submit a report on those field offices' capacity to investigate all crimes of slavery and human trafficking in their jurisdiction. The report should further detail any additional resources that have been provided to those field offices for these efforts. STOP School Violence Act (Byrne-JAG and COPS): $132,000,000 is included in support of this program. This program supports both student education and teacher/school-official training, to better identify and respond to signs of mental distress that might precipitate violent attacks on schools. This program also supports evidence-based efforts to improve school security and overall safety. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF): Funding is maintained at $65 million for the PCSRF, a program established in 2000 the help reverse declining steelhead and Pacific Salmon stocks in Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. For a full list off Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill highlights, click here. Defense, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs Bill Highlights Military Pay Raise: The bill takes care of our troops by providing funding for a 3% pay raise our servicemembers as authorized by the NDAA. Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies: Provides $10 million to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency to establish the sixth and newest DoD Regional Center with a focus on Arctic Security. F-35A Aircraft Procurement: Provides an increase of $2 billion to fund an additional 17 F-35A Joint Strike Fighters and associated spare parts, including 12 F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant and 5 F-35C takeoff and landing variant for a total of 96 F-35s in FY2021. Innovative Readiness Training (IRT): In an effort to increase real world training opportunities and deployment readiness, $30 million is provided for the Innovative Readiness Training program. The program can bring military reservists from across the country to Alaska for advanced training by providing public and civil-society programs that are rarely practices outside of typical training iterations. These programs typically include building critical infrastructure or providing mobile health and/or dental clinics to support the local communities that they are embedded with. Fort Greely Communications Center: Includes $48 million for the construction of a Communications Center at Fort Greely. For a full list of Defense, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill highlights, click here. Energy and Water Development Bill Highlights Arctic Energy: Includes report language directs the Department of Energy to support a renewed focus on the Arctic region and to reestablish the Arctic Energy Office. Once reconstituted, the office will serve as a centralized area to support the integration of research and development and innovative activities of the Department, including microgrids and integrated energy systems. Provides over $5 million for program direction. Nuclear Energy: Provides $250 million in continued funding for the advanced nuclear reactor demonstration program. This funding closely tracks the provisions within the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act, which is included in Division Z of the same bill. Office of Indian Energy (OIE):Includes $22 million, for a key program that assists tribes with energy needs and projects on their lands. Also includes report language tasking DOE to prioritize state entities in Alaska for technical assistance and directing OIE to design funding opportunity announcements that do not exclude tribes based on land ownership structures. This program recently awarded grants for projects in Iguigig, Kwethluk, and Togiak. Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response: Provides $156 million for the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) at the Department of Energy, which addresses emerging threats to our nation's energy supply by improving energy infrastructure security. For a fill list of Energy and Water Appropriations bill Highlights, click here. Homeland Security and State, Foreign Operations Bill Highlights Polar Security Cutter (PSC) and Polar Sustainment: Provides $555 million towards acquisition of the second polar security cutter as well as $15 million for a service-life extension to rehabilitate and restore the critical systems onboard the icebreaker POLAR STAR. Transboundary Watershed Management: Provides up to $500,000 to support State Department engagement with other Federal agencies to identify remaining gaps in the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between British Columbia and Alaska, Washington, Idaho, and Montana, relating to mining activity in transboundary watersheds. PFAS: Includes $5 million for environmental remediation projects related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances evaluation and response. Fishing Safety: Provides $6 million to help the Coast Guard implement the Fishing Safety Training and Fishing Safety Research Grant Programs. For a full list of Homeland Security and State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill Highlights, click here. Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Highlights: Alaska Native Education Equity Program (ANEP): An increase of $500,000 for a total of $36.453 million for a program designed to meet the unique educational needs of Alaska Native students. Native Language Immersion Grants: An increase to an estimated $2.5 million to support Native American and Alaska Native Language Immersion Schools and Programs grants, crafted by Senator Murkowski in the Every Student Succeeds Act. It has been determined that schools where indigenous language is the primary language of instruction have a strong, positive effect on Alaska Native students. Opioid Response Grants: Includes $1.5 billion for Opioid Response Grants for education, treatment, behavioral health services, and recovery support, $50 million of which shall be made available to Indian tribes or tribal organizations and for State with the highest mortality rate related to opioid use disorder. Area Health Education Centers: Includes $43.2 million, a $2 million increase, for Area Health Education Centers, which support efforts to recruit, retain, and train healthcare personnel in rural and underserved areas, Alaska's AHEC program supports workforce development across Alaska. For a full list of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Highlights, click here. Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Bill Highlights Essential Air Service: Includes $165 million for Essential Air Service to help increase access for rural communities that are otherwise isolated from the National Air Transportation System. Essential Air Service is a lifeline securing consistent passenger, mail and bypass mail service delivering medicine, foodstuffs and other necessities to these otherwise isolated communities. Ferry System: Includes funding to support the FAST Act, including $38 million for a competitive grant program which could help support maintenance and improvements of Alaska's ferry system through the construction of ferry boats, acquiring right-of-way, and constructing ferry terminal facilities. Tribal Housing: Makes significant steps towards addressing the immense housing and urban development needs in rural Alaska by allocating $747 million for Native American Housing Block Grants, vital funding to designated housing entities to address the housing needs of tribal communities. $100 million is included for Competitive Grant funding again. $70 million is included for the Indian Community Development Block Grant fund to support tribal economies and community development efforts. In addition, the bill includes $1.5 million for the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund, which provides lenders with a 100-percent guarantee for mortgages to American Indian and Alaska Native borrowers to address the unique nature of tribal trust land used as collateral. For a full list of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Bill Highlights, click here. Related Issues: Education, Energy, Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska, COVID-19 Resource Page, Alaska's Fisheries, Arctic, Health, Veterans",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-statement-on-ndaa-veto,Murkowski Statement on NDAA Veto,2020-12-24,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.24.20 Murkowski Statement on NDAA Veto President Donald J. Trump vetoed H.R. 6395, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. Following the announcement, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement: It's incredible that the President chose to veto the annual National Defense Authorization Act, particularly because his reason for doing so is an issue not related to national defense. Congress has passed a defense authorization bill for 60 years, which emphasizes the priority. In Alaska and across our nation, military members and their families are grappling with the challenges of COVID-19 while standing on the front lines of our national defense. This is a disservice to military members, their families, and our nation, said Senator Murkowski. It is pivotal that this bill becomes law so that our service members, their families and veterans receive the support they have earned and our military forces are fully equipped to defend our national interests. Related Issues: Defense Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-outlines-covid-19-emergency-relief-bill-in-year-end-omnibus-package,Murkowski Outlines COVID-19 Emergency Relief Bill in Year-End Omnibus Package,2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.23.20 Murkowski Outlines COVID-19 Emergency Relief Bill in Year-End Omnibus Package The U.S. Senate passed a year-end omnibus bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which includes nearly $900 billion in targeted COVID-19 emergency relief for vulnerable Americans. The final COVID-19 emergency relief package was based on the Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020, legislation which Senator Murkowski recently unveiled alongside U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representatives Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) and Tom Reed (R-NY-23). The health and economic impacts of COVID-19 have been devastating, having touched every corner of the nation. Americans are counting on Congress for support. Following months of standstill and arguing over COVID-19 negotiations, I joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of colleagues committed to find compromise. We put our differences aside, put in the necessary time, and developed an emergency relief framework that put Americans first. I am proud to have been a part of a good-faith effort which led to the final COVID-19 relief legislation before us today, said Senator Murkowski. For small businesses struggling to keep their doors open, additional funding is included for the Paycheck Protection Program. The bill also temporarily provides $300 per week supplemental unemployment insurance as well as a $600 economic impact payments for many Americans who are struggling to make ends meet. The bill includes funding to support health care providers, schools, renters facing eviction, the Postal Service, and the food insecure. The bill also includes funding to expand the purchase and distribution of vaccines, taking us one step closer to ending the pandemic. There is still work to be done, but the targeted relief measures included in this bill will deliver direct and timely results for those who have been hit hardest by the pandemic. ALASKABILL HIGHLIGHTS SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES AND ECONOMIC STABILITY: Paycheck Protection Program:Includes a second round of loans through the Paycheck Protection Program a forgivable, non-taxable, simplified loan forgiveness program established by the CARES Act this spring. PPP Clarifying language: Clarifying language is added which explains that deductions are allowed for otherwise deductible expenses paid with the proceeds of a PPP loan that is forgiven, and the tax basis and other attributes of the borrower's assets will not be reduced as a result of the loan forgiveness. The provision is effective as of the date of enactment of the CARES Act. The provision provides similar treatment for Second Draw PPP loans, effective for tax years ending after the date of enactment of the provision. Local radio and TV stations as well as newspapers are now eligible for this funding. PPP Improvements: Includes a simplified forgiveness application. The bill allows for second draw loan applicants (less than $150,000 loans) to certify that the entity meets the revenue loss requirements. The bill also allows borrowers whose loan calculations have increased due to changes in interim final rules to work with lenders to modify their loan value regardless of whether the loan has been fully disbursed, or if Form 1502 has already been submitted. Repeal of EIDL Advance Deduction: Repeals section 1110(e)(6) of the CARES Act, which requires PPP borrowers to deduct the amount of their EIDL advance from their PPP forgiveness amount. Extension of time to spend CARES funding:Extends the deadline for spending CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund aid on COVID-related expenses through December 31, 2021. This applies to states, localities, and tribes. Individual Economic Impact Payments An additional round of $600 for individuals making up to $75,000 per year and $1,200 for couples making up to $150,000 per year, as well as a $600 payment for each qualified child dependent under 17.The bill also address families with mixed immigration status, allowing one-half ($600) to married filing jointly so long as at least one adult member of a filing couple has an SSN. Eligible children must also have a Social Security Number. These two provisions are retroactive to the CARES Act, so married filing jointly should be able to claim for additional credit when they file their 2020 taxes. CARES provided a first round of EIP of $1,200/$2,400 with same phase-out thresholds and $500 for children under 17. Provisions from the Community Services Block Grant Act: Includes language to address problems within the CARES Act that limited small states' ability to utilize the CSBG program. This would ensure Alaska would receive their remaining $3.625 million in CSBG CARES Act funds from HHS. CARES Act Section 3610 Extension: Extends until March 31, 2021, section 3610 of the CARES Act, which provides relief to certain federal contractors who cannot perform work at their duty-station or telework because of the nature of their jobs due to COVID-19. Unemployment Insurance:Extends Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) to March 14, 2021 and allows individuals receiving benefits as of March 14, 2021 to continue through April 5, 2021, as long as the individual has not reached the maximum number of weeks. The bill also restores the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) federal supplement to all state and federal unemployment benefits at $300 per week, starting after December 26 and ending March 14, 2021. Small Brewers Excise Tax Reduction: Includes a permanent reduction of excise tax on domestic beer production. This is been a priority for Alaska's small brewers. IMPROVING HEALTH AND WELLNESS: SAMHSA: $4.25 billion overall for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration including a $125 million set-aside for tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations to address substance use disorder and behavioral health efforts. Mental Health Services Block grant: $1.65 billion for Mental Health Services Block grant, of which no less than 50 percent of funds shall be directed to behavioral health providers. Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG): Includes $1.65 billion for Substance Abuse and Prevent Treatment Block Grant which was authorized by Congress to provide funds to States, Territories, and Indian Tribes for the purpose preventing and treating substance abuse. COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution:Includes$8.75 billionto plan, prepare for, promote, distribute, administer, monitor, and track coronavirus vaccines. Of this amount: $4.5 billion goes to states, localities, territories, and tribes, with $210 million to be transferred to IHSfor distribution to tribes, tribal organizations,Urban Indian Health Organizations, and health service providers to tribes. $300 million forhigh-risk and underserved populations, includingrural communities Provider Relief Fund:Provides $3 billion for the Provider Relief Fund, a program established by the CARES Act to help health care providers recover lost revenue and net changes in expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 Testing, Contact Tracing, and Surveillance:Includes $22.4 billionto states, localities, territories, andtribes, of which$790 million will be transferred toIHS for distribution totribes, tribal organizations,Urban Indian Health Organizations, and health service providers to tribes,and$2.5 billionisdedicated to expandingtesting for high-risk and underserved populations, including rural populations. SUPPORTING TRANSPORTATION: Federal Aviation Administration: Includes $2 billion in assistance to airports. Of this amount $5 million is included to help small communities address air service issues. Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS):Includes $2 billion to support payroll for parts of the transportation industry that didn't get relief in the CARES Act, including Alaska's ferries and the motor coach industry. Airport grant funding:Includes $4 billion to help large and small airports, including those in Alaska, with combatting coronavirus debt service payments, and rent relief for airport concessions. Federal Transit Administration grants: Includes $14 billion for FTA Grants. Alaska's ferry system is eligible for this funding. Federal Highway Administration Programs: Includes $10B for FHWA state highways programs. Alaska will receive a portion of this funding which can be used to support the state's ferry system. Essential Air Service funding:Includes $23 millionin support of the Essential Air Service Program, which is vital to many of Alaska's rural communities. Airline Payroll Support Program:Includes $15 billion forthe airline payroll support program (PSP) and extends it through March 31, 2021. SUPPORTING EDUCATION AND FAMILIES: Child Care: Includes $10 billion for child care providers that participate in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to provide child care assistance to families and help providers cover operational costs. Head Start: Includes $250 million for Head Start providers Education Stabilization Fund: Includes $81.9 billion for the Education Stabilization Fund, including $819 million for the Bureau of Indian Education and outlying areas. Emergency Rental Assistance: Provides $25 billion for emergency rental assistance, which will provide protections for renters who would otherwise be at risk of losing their homes this winter. Included in this amount is $800 million for Tribes or their Tribally Designated Housing Entities. INVESTING IN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY: Fisheries:Includes $300 million total for fishery assistance, which includes a set aside of $30 million for Tribes. Seafood Purchases and Protective Costs: Includes $1.5 billion for the Secretary to purchase food and agricultural products, including seafood, and provide grant and loan support to food processors, including seafood processing facilities and processing vessels, and other organizations for COVID response and worker protection. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) Benefits:Temporarily increases the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) monthly benefits to address the higher cost of food. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): Includes $400 million for TEFAP which provides food to food banks. Commodity Supplemental Food Program: Includes $13 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program to provide food boxes to senior citizens. Related Issues: COVID-19 Resource Page Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/critical-year-end-bill-package-passes-us-senate,Critical Year-End Bill Package Passes U.S. Senate,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.20 Critical Year-End Bill Package Passes U.S. Senate Includes FY2021 Appropriations Bills, COVID-19 Relief Funding, Murkowski-Manchin Energy Bill, Tax Extenders Package, Health Care Package Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded Senate passage of a year-end omnibus bill, which includes 12 appropriations bills to fund the government through the end of Fiscal Year 2021, among which is Senator Murkowski's Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. This historic funding package also includes a nearly $900 billion COVID-19 relief package; Senator Murkowski's bipartisan, bicameral Energy Act of 2020; a bipartisan compromise to address the issue of Surprise Medical Billing; a major tax extenders package, and more. The bill passed the Senate with a 91-7 vote and now heads to the President's desk. Today the Senate passed a year-end bill package that includes significant targeted emergency relief for hardworking Americans and their families at a time when they need it most. As a result of COVID-19, Alaskans are struggling with so much uncertainty, including devastating health impacts, economic disparity, and difficult changes to their everyday lives. I spent weeks working with a bipartisan group of colleagues from both chambers on a relief bill, and that product spurred action that resulted in the bill we passed today. This legislation is not the end-all, be-all of COVID-19 relief, but it will provide Americans and Alaskans with much-needed support to help get them through this difficult time, said Senator Murkowski. In addition to COVID-19 relief funding, the package also includes a number of other policy initiatives that are critical to Americans, including appropriations bills to fund the entire federal government on a bipartisan basis, and a number of bills to address the quality and cost of healthcare.I'm also proud that through my leadership as Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the first comprehensive modernization of our nation's energy policies in 13 years is included in this package. I applaud my colleagues for the bipartisan work that has been put forth to reach a deal before the holidays. My hope is that this package will not only take us one step closer to normal', but will help make our nation stronger than we were, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Related Issues: Health, COVID-19 Resource Page, Budget, Spending, and the National Debt, Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-applauds-senate-passage-of-interior-appropriations-bill-,Murkowski Applauds Senate Passage of Interior Appropriations Bill,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.20 Murkowski Applauds Senate Passage of Interior Appropriations Bill Improves Health, Safety and, Livelihoods of Alaskans U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded Senate passage of an Appropriations Package for Fiscal Year 2021, which included the Interior-Environment Appropriations bill. As chairman of the Interior Subcommittee, Murkowski crafted a bill which invests in health and wellness, reduces regulatory burdens, increases economic opportunity, improves Alaskans' abilities to respond to natural disasters, support for the arts and humanities, and more. Building on my long-standing efforts to address issues of public safety in rural Alaska, including the crisis of missing, trafficked, and murdered indigenous women, additional funding is included to support the BIA. Full funding is included for the PILT program which supports vital government services, such as firefighting and police protection, construction of public schools and roads, and search-and-rescue operations. The bill invests in mineral security, aids Alaska's timber industry, and supports Alaska's public lands. To improve the health and safety of Alaskans the bill includes support for a Zero Suicide Initiative, alcohol and substance abuse prevention programs, and village built clinics, said Senator Murkowski. Throughout my time as chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, I've worked hard to ensure the needs of Alaskans are well-represented. This year, with the added health and economic challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the fiscal security and stability this bill brings is as important as ever. Click here for a full list of FY2021 Alaska Interior Appropriations Bill Highlights. Investing in Clean Air, Water, and Land The bill increases funding for Targeted Airshed Grants to ensure communities like Fairbanks have the resources to continue to reduce harmful levels of PM 2.5. The bill provides robust funding to improve wastewater and drinking water systems in rural Alaska as well as funding for technical assistance, training, and guidance to sanitation operators and communities in Native villages. The bill addresses PFAS contamination through funding to support state-led cleanup and remediation efforts of PFAS contaminated water sources, water systems, and lands as well as increased funding for USGS for testing and mapping of PFAS contamination. Funding also is included to conduct preliminary appraisal and valuation related to potential future land acquisitions in the Bristol Bay ecosystem. Supporting Infrastructure Development The Interior bill fully funds the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program which provides monetary compensation to local governments throughout Alaska that contain federal lands that are not subject to state or local taxation. The revenue helps local governments provide vital services, such as firefighting and police protection, construction of public schools and roads, and search-and-rescue operations. The bill prioritizes infrastructure improvements on our nation's public lands, which is key to both local visitors and the tourism sector and implements the Great American Outdoors Act and funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The bill provides the National Park System with an additional $100 million to address critical operations in our nation's parks. The bill also includes funding for Forest Service (FS) recreation access including cabins, trails, and campgrounds and provides resources to help expand recreation-based businesses to operate in the Chugach and Tongass National Forests in Alaska. Improving Health and Safety The bill provides dedicated funding for 105 (l) tribal lease payments and maintains support for Village Built Clinics. These clinics are the backbone of Alaska's rural health program and are often the only source of medical care available to Alaskans in rural areas. The bill also includes substantial funding to provide support for infrastructure improvements through Small Ambulatory Clinics. To help address the disproportionate level of violence against Native American women and the lack of data on the number of women and girls who go missing, additional funding is included for Missing, Trafficked, and Murdered Indigenous Women initiatives. The bill also provides for domestic violence prevention initiatives, specific VAWA tribal court needs, and to help communities develop tribal court systems. Preparing and Responding to Natural Hazards The bill includes additional funding to address landslide concerns in the state of Alaska through the development of site-specific hazard assessments and the installation of monitoring equipment to surveil potential landslide motion. This legislation includes funding for the earthquake hazards program, which will help states like Alaska develop and enhance earthquake monitoring capabilities. Funding is also provided for wildfire prevention and suppression efforts work to help reduce the risk of wildfires. In addition, the bill maintains funding for Alaska mapping initiatives. The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee controls funding levels for federal agencies and departments including the Department of the Interior (DOI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Forest Service (FS), National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and Indian Health Service (IHS), as well as National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and the Smithsonian Institution. Related Issues: Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska, Health, Education, Budget, Spending, and the National Debt Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-manchin-house-colleagues-reach-agreement-on_energy-package-for-year-end-appropriations-bill,"Murkowski, Manchin, House Colleagues Reach Agreement on Energy Package for Year-End Appropriations Bill",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.21.20 Murkowski, Manchin, House Colleagues Reach Agreement on Energy Package for Year-End Appropriations Bill U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., today announced that their bipartisan, bicameral Energy Act of 2020 has been included as Division Z of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, must-pass legislation that will be considered in the House and Senate starting today. The Energy Act features consensus provisions from the Senate's American Energy Innovation Act (S. 2657) and the House's Clean Economy Innovation and Jobs Act (H.R. 4447). It stands to become the first comprehensive modernization of our nation's energy policies in 13 years. Murkowski and Manchin, Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, spent months negotiating with Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J.-6, and Ranking Member Greg Walden, R-Ore.-2, of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, as well as with Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas-30, and Ranking Member Frank Lucas, R-Okla.-3, of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to reach six-corner' agreement on the final package. The Energy Act represents the first modernization of our nation's energy policies in well over a decade. This bipartisan package will foster innovation across the board on a range of technologies that are critical to our energy and national security, our long-term economic competitiveness, and the protection of our environment, Chairman Murkowski said. This has been a years-long effort that would not have been possible without great partners on both our committee and the committees of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives. I'm also grateful to Leader McConnell and Senator Schumer for recognizing the importance of our work and agreeing to include it in this year-end legislation. This all-of-the-above energy package is the first comprehensive national energy policy update in 13 years. The Energy Act of 2020 provides a down payment on the technologies that will be critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the powersector, industry, and buildings and addressing climate change. This focus on research, development, and demonstration will create high quality jobs and ensure the United States continues to lead the world in the clean energy future. The Energy Act also reauthorizes popular and effective programs like ARPA-E and the Weatherization Assistance Program and creates new programs to facilitate the transferal of technologies to the private sector. This legislation is the culmination ofstrong bipartisan work throughout the 116th Congress in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and the result of collaboration with our House colleagues leading the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Science, Space, and Technology. This energy package is an important reminder that when we work in a bipartisan way, the American people come out on top,said Ranking Member Manchin. The Energy Act prioritizes research, development, and demonstration of next-generation technologies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector, industry, and buildings while keeping American energy affordable and globally competitive. The package focuses on energy storage; advanced nuclear; carbon capture, utilization and storage; carbon removal; renewable energy; critical minerals and materials; fusion; industrial technologies; smart manufacturing; and grid modernization, among other areas. It reauthorizes popular, proven-effective programs like ARPA-E and Weatherization Assistance. The package also includes a range of measures that will boost energy efficiency and brings administrative reforms to improve the Department of Energy. The Energy Act is the culmination of years of bipartisan work spearheaded in the Senate by Murkowski and Manchin. Under their leadership, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a series of hearings, legislative markups, and bipartisan negotiations over the course of the 116th Congress to shape the focus on this effort and reach consensus on the dozens of individual measures. In total, nearly 70 senators sponsored or cosponsored provisions included in the Energy Act. All or part of 37 Senate bills are included, including 29 bipartisan bills. The full text of the Energy Act can be found here. Click here for a high-level summary. Click here for a section-by-section. Click here for a list of included Senate bills. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/final-covid-19-emergency-relief-package-based-on-original-bipartisan-bicameral-legislation,"FINAL COVID-19 EMERGENCY RELIEF PACKAGE BASED ON ORIGINAL BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL LEGISLATION",2020-12-20,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.20 FINAL COVID-19 EMERGENCY RELIEF PACKAGE BASED ON ORIGINAL BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL LEGISLATION Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark Warner (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) and Tom Reed (R-NY-23) applauded the final COVID-19 emergency relief package. Following months of deadlock in Congress while millions of Americans were at risk of losing their lifelines, we put our heads down and worked around the clock for nearly a month to produce a bipartisan, bicameral bill to address the emergency needs of our country. We are relieved Congress has finally agreed on a COVID-19 emergency relief package. Our consensus bill was the foundation of this final package and we applaud Congressional leadership for finishing what we started. Workers, businesses, and families need help right now and we urge our colleagues to quickly pass this bill and President Trump to immediately sign the legislation to provide Americans with relief. Related Issues: COVID-19 Resource Page Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/bipartisan-bicameral-group-finish-what-we-started-,"BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL GROUP: FINISH WHAT WE STARTED",2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.18.20 BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL GROUP: FINISH WHAT WE STARTED Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark Warner (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) and Tom Reed (R-NY-23) called on Congress to deliver immediate COVID-19 relief to the American people. Earlier this week, the Senators and the Problem Solvers Caucus shared two bills, one of which, the bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020, is serving as the framework for the final COVID-19 relief package. Today we find ourselves in the middle of a global pandemic that has taken the lives of more than 310,000 Americans, and hours away from a government shutdown that threatens to delay urgent aid to people in need throughout the nation. We must set our differences aside. The American people elected us to govern on their behalf, and at a time when they need us more than ever we must end the partisan games and meet this moment together for the good of the country. On Monday, our bipartisan, bicameral group presented a bill that helps provide for the emergency needs of the millions of families struggling to make ends meet. Once again, we encourage the leaders to finish what we started and deliver immediate assistance to the workers, families and businesses that need it most. Related Issues: COVID-19 Resource Page Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-statement-on-fda-approval-of-moderna-covid-19-vaccine,Murkowski Statement on FDA Approval of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.18.20 Murkowski Statement on FDA Approval of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted an emergency use authorization for Moderna's COVID-19 Vaccine, the second to receive such approval in the U.S. The FDA approval of a second highly effective and safe vaccine option is welcomed news, as it will not only substantially increase America's vaccine supply, but will also provide additional shipping options for hard to reach areasparticularly important for a state like Alaska, said Senator Murkowski. With Pfizer vaccines currently being distributed and Moderna vaccines arriving as soon as next week, this is a strong signal of hope for Alaskans as they continue to navigate the significant health and economic challenges of COVID-19. It is still vital that Alaskans continue to follow public health guidelines, including wearing masks, avoiding large gatherings, and social distancing, but the roll-out of these two vaccines is significant progress. This is the light at the end of the tunnel that we've all been waiting for. Related Issues: COVID-19 Resource Page Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/national-landslide-preparedness-act-heads-to-presidents-desk,National Landslide Preparedness Act Heads to Presidents Desk,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.20 National Landslide Preparedness Act Heads to President's Desk The Senate yesterday passed bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help communities prepare for and respond to landslides and other natural hazards, sending it to the President's desk for signature. The Senate first passed S. 529, the National Landslide Preparedness Act, in July, and yesterday unanimously passed a modified version of the bill as H.R. 8810, which the House of Representatives passed and sent to the Senate last week. Sens. Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., along with Sens. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Cory Gardner, R-Colo., Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., shepherded the bill through the Senate a second time. The legislation will improve emergency preparedness and planning by targeting key gaps in current science and mapping, which are critical to understanding landslide hazards and risks. The passage of this legislation is particularly timely in the wake of landslides that have impacted Southeast Alaska in recent weeks. Two young Alaskans remain missing after landslides devastated Haines earlier this month, which remains under threat of even more landslides, Murkowski said. The tragedy in Haines, the threat from the Barry Arm landslide in Prince William Sound, and the 2015 Sitka landslides are some recent real-world examples of why there needs to be a national strategy to prepare for, monitor, and respond to landslides. I'm glad that we can finally round out the suite of hazards programs and complement the great work already being done by our federal partners to address earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and avalanches. Six years after the Osolandslide, everyone in the State of Washington remembers the devastating impactslandslides can have, Cantwell said.This bill woulddramaticallyincrease our use of LIDAR data needed to map, identify, and track landslide risk areas. Employing our best science and mapping technologies will help communities across our state save lives, safeguard property, and improve our emergency planning and response. The National Landslide Preparedness Act establishes a National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to better identify and understand landslide risks, protect communities, save lives and property, and improve emergency preparedness. The bill also codifies USGS' 3D Elevation Program to update and coordinate the collection of elevation data across the country using enhanced, high-resolution surveys. Enhanced elevation data helps communities plan for and respond to natural hazards and provides critical data to inform decision-making for public safety, national security, infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, and natural resource management. Clickherefor more information. Murkowski is Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Cantwell is Ranking Member on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/qanda-with-murkowski-bipartisan-bicameral-covid-19-emergency-relief-package,"Q&A WITH MURKOWSKI: Bipartisan, Bicameral Covid-19 Emergency Relief Package",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.20 Q&A WITH MURKOWSKI: Bipartisan, Bicameral Covid-19 Emergency Relief Package Murkowski Highlights Alaska Highlights This week, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representatives Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) and Tom Reed (R-NY-23) to unveil the legislative text for the two bipartisan, bicameral COVID-19 emergency relief bills. Today, Senator Murkowski took part in a Q&A to help further explain details of the legislation. QUESTION 1: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE NOTABLE WINS FOR ALASKA IN THE TWO-BILL PROPOSAL? CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO QUESTION 2: WHAT MAKES THIS COVID-19 EMERGENCY RELIEF PROPOSAL UNIQUE? CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO I think what is important to recognize is what went into this. This bipartisan, bicameral group was initially four Republicans and four Democrats. We actually met at my house for a dinner. We came together to talk about what we might be able to dohow we could respond to the urgency of the issue. We broadened that group to include members of the Problem Solvers Caucus in the House, said Senator Murkowski. This is a reflection of the good work that can come when you've got a commitment to work together to really reach compromise when Americans are in need. We know this is not the end-all and be-all; we were trying to focus on targeted emergency relief and that's what you see reflected in this proposal. It's something the American people have asked for, something Alaskans need, and I am proud to have put my muscle behind it. QUESTION 3: WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR ALASKANS? CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO I think people need to know that when things are really hard, members can come togetheracross parties, across the halls of Congressand say what is it that we can do to respond', said Senator Murkowski. As I think about the policy contours that we have laid down that offer hope to Alaskans, I hope that people not only look at this process but also at those who step forward to say we can put our parties aside, and we will focus on the need and we are going to deliver a product', and hopefully that hope, cooperation, and willingness to work together will carry over into the new year. I'm proud of the process we have engaged in. I don't know how it will move forward as the Leadership takes up its negotiations but I think we have given them an extraordinary work product with which to base. The bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020 would provide as much as $748 billion in relief to American students, families, businesses, workers, and health care providers during this crisis. The State and Local Support and Small Business Protection Act of 2020 would provide $160 billion in funding for state and local governments and tribes, as well as liability protections. ALASKA BILL HIGHLIGHTS: Extension of time to spend CARES funding: Extends the deadline for spending CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund aid on COVID-related expenses through December 31, 2021 Unemployment Insurance: Extends all pandemic unemployment insurance programs by 16 weeks, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), from their expiration at the end of December. The proposal also expands federal supplemental unemployment insurance benefits by $300 per week for 16 weeks, from the end of December into April 2021. Small Businesses: Includes additional aid for small businesses, including a second round of loans through the Paycheck Protection Program a forgivable, non-taxable, simplified loan forgiveness program established by the CARES Act this spring. Provisions from the Community Services Block Grant Act: Language to address This would ensure Alaska would receive their remaining $3.625 million in CSBG CARES Act funds from HHS. Support for Transportation Systems: Includes $8 billion to support payroll for parts of the transportation industry that didn't get relief in the CARES Act, including Alaska's ferries and the motor coach industry. Airport grant funding: Includes $4 billion to help large and small airports, including those in Alaska, with combatting coronavirus debt service payments, and rent relief for airport concessions. Essential Air Service funding: Includes $23 billion in support of the Essential Air Service Program, which is vital to many of Alaska's rural communities. Airline Payroll Support Program: Includes $17 billion for the airline payroll support program (PSP) and extends it through March 31, 2020. State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Includes $160 billion in total funding for state, local, and tribal governments including: $152 billion for state and local governments with $500 million minimum to states. $8 billion set aside for tribal entities including tribal governments, tribal organizations, and Alaska Native Corporations COVID-19 Testing, Tracing, and Isolation: Includes provisions from Senator Murkowski's bill the TRACE Act, introduced with Senator King (I-ME), which would help enhance coronavirus testing, contact tracing, and supported isolation efforts. Fisheries: Includes $500 million for fishery assistance with a set aside of $50 million for tribes. Provider Relief Fund: Provides $35 billion for the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) including $7 billion for rural providers and $1 billion for tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian health organizations, and health service providers to tribes. Vaccine Distribution: Includes $6 billion to help support COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts. Rural Water Infrastructure: Includes $500 million to build out water infrastructure in rural Alaska villages, the territories, and on Indian reservations Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) Benefits: Temporarily increases the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to address the higher cost of food. Tribal Funding for Behavioral Health: Includes $185 million set-aside for tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations for substance use disorder and behavioral health efforts. Opioid and other drug-related overdose deaths: Includes provisions from Senator Murkowski's Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act to help address the increase in opioid and other drug-related overdose deaths during COVID-19. Flexibility for E-rate: Includes flexibility for the E-rate program, which makes telecommunications and information services more affordable for schools and libraries. This flexibility would allow schools in remote villages to better deliver services to the homes of students. Relief for Students: Includes an extension of suspensions on student loan repayment until April 1, 2021. Broadband: Includes $100 million for the state to fund new broadband infrastructure as well as at least $50,000 to each Tribe in Alaska to support broadband Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/bipartisan-senators-representatives-share-details-of-two-bipartisan-covid-19-emergency-relief-bills,"BIPARTISAN SENATORS, REPRESENTATIVES SHARE DETAILS OF TWO BIPARTISAN COVID-19 EMERGENCY RELIEF BILLS",2020-12-14,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.14.20 BIPARTISAN SENATORS, REPRESENTATIVES SHARE DETAILS OF TWO BIPARTISAN COVID-19 EMERGENCY RELIEF BILLS Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) and Tom Reed (R-NY-23) shared additional details for the two bipartisan, bicameral COVID-19 emergency relief bills. The Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020, shared by Senators Manchin, Collins, Warner, Cassidy, Shaheen, Murkowski, King, Romney, Hassan, Portman and Durbin would provide as much as $748 billion in relief to American students, families, businesses, workers, and health care providers during this crisis. The Bipartisan State and Local Support and Small Business Protection Act of 2020, shared by Senators Manchin, Collins, Cassidy, Murkowski, Romney and Portman would provide $160 billion in funding for state and local governments and liability protections. The Problem Solvers Caucus is working on a version in the House. The American people are hurting in ways we haven't seen in generations. The next several months are going to the most difficult stretch of the COVID-19 pandemic in this country, and we as Members of Congress have a responsibility to act. Food banks are overwhelmed with requests, small businesses are being forced to shut their doors again, we are on the verge of a devastating housing crisis and millions of Americans still find themselves unemployed. The two bipartisan, bicameral emergency relief bills shared today are a compromise that will carry the American people through April 1st of next year to ensure our healthcare crisis doesn't become an economic catastrophe. For Congress to do nothing in the face of a national crisis of this magnitude is unacceptable and I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support these bipartisan solutions. We're not going home for Christmas until this gets done, Senator Manchin said. We have had a Christmas miracle occur in Washington. We worked night and day for over a month to put together an emergency COVID relief package. My hope is that our hard work will spur our leadership on both sides of the aisle to take our products and use them as the basis for a COVID relief package that is urgently needed by our struggling families, hard-hit small businesses, health care providers, Postal Service, schools, and so many others, said Senator Collins. I'm particularly proud of the $300 billion package that Senator Jeanne Shaheen and I led. It includes an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program, which has saved millions of jobs in this country, including 250,000 jobs in Maine alone. Undoubtedly, depending on the course of this pandemic, we may have to do more, but surely we can come together and provide this relief before we break for the Christmas holiday. The American people deserve no less. I will be the first to admit that this deal is imperfect. But these challenges are simply too urgent to allow politics to interfere, and an imperfect deal is better than no deal. With unemployment and other benefits scheduled to run out just before Christmas, the American people cannot afford for us to wait. After several weeks of work, I hope that this bipartisan bill moves us closer to providing real relief to the American people without further delay, said Senator Warner. COVID infections are rising. Small businesses owners and their employees are afraid of going bankrupt and losing their jobs. Families are wondering how to afford food and rent. This bill reflects weeks of good-faith negotiations from both Republicans and Democrats to find a solution that delivers relief to struggling Americans. This is Congress' last chance to pass a relief bill before Christmas. We must deliver for the good of our country, said Dr. Cassidy. 300,000 Americans have been taken by COVID-19. As hospital beds fill up, small businesses close their doors and Americans struggle to put food on the table, the urgency to get financial relief to our communities cannot be overstated. The bipartisan legislation we've announced today written in good-faith and across party lines are the only relief bills that can clear Congress. Senate and House leaders must act swiftly, said Senator Shaheen. The impact of the COVID-19 crisis has been overwhelming and no person or industry has been spared. This legislation responds to those who have been hardest-hit, including our small businesses and child care providers, and it addresses pre-existing problems in our society that have been worsened by the pandemic, such as food insecurity and the substance use disorder epidemic. This legislation will help Americans get through the darkest months of this crisis, but our work is not over. We will need to build on this bipartisan effort in the weeks and months ahead to ensure New Hampshire families and all Americans have the assistance they need to recover. Across the nation, Americans continue to struggle with significant health and economic impacts due to COVID-19. In Alaska, I continue to hear from small businesses who are struggling to keep their doors open as well as many who are uncertain they will be able to pay rent or even feed their family. Congress must fulfill our obligation to the American people by providing emergency relief to those who have been hit the hardest by the impacts of this pandemic. People are looking to Congress for leadership in a time of serious need and these targeted measures will make an immediate difference,said Senator Murkowski. It is time to put partisan differences aside and provide Americans with the relief they so desperately need. I urge my colleagues to support this much needed legislation for the sake of all those who are struggling. After weeks of negotiations marked by good-faith efforts on both sides of the aisle to strike a compromise, today we have reached an agreement that would provide hundreds of billions of dollars for Americans who are struggling, said Senator King. This agreement extends unemployment benefits for workers who've lost their jobs due to the pandemic's economic impact; provides another crucial lifeline for the nation's small businesses, and strengthens our public health infrastructure as healthcare providers across the country prepare to deliver vaccine doses in the months ahead. Our agreement is far from perfect; I strongly would have preferred additional funding for unemployment, and would rather that the critical funds for state and local infrastructure were included in the overall package rather than broken out. However, we don't have time to let the perfect be the enemy of the good. When you look at our initial framework, this final agreement isn't a glass that's half full -- this glass is eighty percent full. I support this measure because the American people are in desperate need of relief, and they don't have time for months of Congressional haggling; they need action, now. This legislation should be viewed as a starting point, to get us through the worst of the long winter ahead and in the next several months, Congress should continue negotiating in an effort to prepare additional relief legislation this coming spring. After many weeks of good faith efforts, I'm pleased we were able to reach agreement on a two part relief package that includes emergency relief for small businesses, unemployment insurance, funding for vaccines and health care providers, as well as state and local assistance and a national liability shield for COVID-related lawsuits. This compromise represents the best path forward for Congress and the Administration to provide much-needed relief for the American people before the end of the year, said Senator Romney. People in New Hampshire, and across the country, urgently need additional COVID-19 relief, said Senator Hassan. We have come together, compromised, and found bipartisan agreement on a strong emergency relief package that will help protect lives and livelihoods and there is significant bipartisan, bicameral support for it. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this across the finish line. The Senate should not adjourn until we have passed a new COVID-19 package to provide the relief Americans need, and I'm pleased to announce this bipartisan effort with my colleagues. Together, we have crafted two packages, one that will support our health care response to this pandemic and, just as important, provide a bridge of additional aid to bolster our economy until vaccines are widely available and Americans feel safe returning to normal life. The second package is focused on ensuring that state and local governments have the funding they need to provide essential services while protecting businesses, nonprofits, schools, and faith-based organizations from frivolous lawsuits. I hope all of our colleagues will support these bipartisan products, said Senator Portman. It is clear that we are at a critical moment. I'm hopeful that with the first shipment of a vaccine arriving today at hospitals across the country, we will be able to turn the corner on this pandemic. But we also know that it will take time and resources to vaccinate enough people, and the winter is going to be hard for many families and businesses. With this in mind, this group of Democrats and Republicans came together and worked on compromise, emergency relief legislation in the areas where we could agree totaling $748 billion. This package does not include everything I think we need. However, it is an honest compromise, Senator Durbin said. While the fight continues over state and local funding and corporate liability immunity, we must provide some emergency relief for the American people before we go home for the holidays. I support the $748 billion bipartisan package. I urge my colleagues to support this package, and I call on the Senate Majority Leader to bring it to the floor for a vote this week. This team effort is an example of how Congress should, can, and must work together, and a model for governing in a way that the country needs and deserves. This remarkable, bipartisan, bicameral effort from rank and file members has fulfilled our mission to develop an emergency relief down payment that can help our entire nation, said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). Now, the House and Senate must come together in the spirit of unity, in the spirit of humanity, and in the spirit of America and pass this emergency relief package before Christmas, so that our country can begin the new year in the spirit of hope and optimism and with much needed relief. By staying in the room and refusing to give up, we've crafted a comprehensive proposal that directly addresses the short-term economic needs of the nation and ensures millions of American families will go into the holidays with the federal support they deserve, said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY). This effort proves working together is not dead, and it is possible to solve problems if by listening in good faith. Let's get emergency relief across the finish line and passed into law without delay. Background documents for the bills can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-congratulates-president-elect-biden-and-vice-president-elect-harris-on-presidential-campaign-victory,Murkowski Congratulates President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris on Presidential Campaign Victory,2020-12-14,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.14.20 Murkowski Congratulates President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris on Presidential Campaign Victory Thanks Trump Administration for Past Four Years U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement after the Electoral College declared President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as the winners of the 2020 presidential election: Today Electoral College delegations voted in their respective states. President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have crossed the 270-vote threshold needed to be declared our elected President and Vice President. I congratulate them on their victory. I thank President Trump, Vice President Pence, and all who served within their administration for the contributions they made to our state, and our nation, during their time in office. On behalf of Alaska, I am grateful for their diligent work on our behalf. As the Biden administration begins their time in office, we are grappling with the ongoing pandemic, working to revitalize our economy, striving to address social justice issues, and tackling a number of challenging policy initiatives. Now, more than ever, is the time for us to come together as a nationto put differences aside move forward for the benefit of the American people. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-welcomes-kaleb-froehlich-back-to-team-as-chief-of-staff,Murkowski Welcomes Kaleb Froehlich Back to Team as Chief of Staff,2020-12-14,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.14.20 Murkowski Welcomes Kaleb Froehlich Back to Team as Chief of Staff Announces Promotions and Departures Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) welcomed Kaleb Froehlich back to her team in Washington, D.C. as her Chief of Staff and announced the promotion of Garrett Boyle to Deputy Chief of Staff. I am excited to welcome Kaleb back to my team, said Senator Murkowski. He has spent much of his career working on behalf of Alaskans and has a deep passion for our state. Kaleb's previous experience and strong work ethic will help us achieve many successes for Alaska. Kaleb Froehlich will become Senator Murkowski's Chief of Staff. Kaleb is a born and raised Alaskan from Juneau. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. From 2009-2014, Kaleb served as Senior Counsel to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee under Sen. Murkowski. I am also pleased to announce that Garrett Boyle will be promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Counsel, said Senator Murkowski. Garrett's steady shepherding of our legislative agenda as my Legislative Director has been both invaluable to the team and made the difference securing critical policy wins for Alaska. Boyle received his bachelor's degree from Seattle University and is a graduate of Tulane University School of Law.He was raised in small towns throughout Alaska, including Ouzinkie, Unalakleet, and Seward.Prior to joining Senator Murkowski's staff, he ran his own business dealing with oil and gas and patent law issues, and served as an extern in the Eastern District of Louisiana while in law school. I am blessed to able attract young Alaskans who want to serve their state in Washington to my office, said Senator Murkowski. But we all know Alaska is home and there comes a time when it is time to go home. I want to thank Michael Pawlowski Fish for his years of service to Alaska as my Chief of Staff. I know he will continue working for a better Alaska in his new venture but we will all miss his counsel and efforts in Washington. Michael Pawlowski joined the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee as a Senior Policy Advisor in 2015 after serving in various positions at all levels of State Government. Better known to many Alaskans as simply Fish, Pawlowski has served as Senator Murkowski's Chief of Staff since January 2016. Michael recently announced his intent to return to Alaska to partner with former State Senator Jerry Mackie in a new venture, Strategy North Group. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-applauds-new-polar-security-cutters-authorized-in-coast-guard-bill,Murkowski Applauds New Polar Security Cutters Authorized in Coast Guard Bill,2020-12-13,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.13.20 Murkowski Applauds New Polar Security Cutters Authorized in Coast Guard Bill Icebreakers Critical to U.S. Arctic Operations U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded the authorization of additional Polar Security Cutters (icebreakers) in the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act, which passed Congress as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. The bipartisan provision was authored by U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK). Since coming to the senate, Senator Murkowski has focused on Arctic issues, working to raise awareness of the significance of the region and is recognized as the congressional leader on the arctic. For years, Murkowski has led the charge to recapitalize and expand America's fleet of Polar Security Cutters to further prioritize the U.S. presence in the Arctic region. My priority in the arctic has long been to raise awareness of America's role in this rapidly evolving region. As recognized by this year's NDAA now, more than ever, it's time to move from awareness to action. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have worked aggressivelyto help secure a robust fleet of Polar Security Cutters to meet our nation's needs in the Arctic, to protect our interests in the region, and to strengthen our national security. I'm proud of the progress that we have made to help the U.S. strengthen its capacity and presence in the Arctic as other Arctic and non-Arctic nations expand theirs, said Senator Murkowski. The authorization of additional Polar Security Cutters in the final NDAA is significantand a sign that we are moving in the right direction. The reality is, there is a race on for the Arctic passageway, and we need to be ready, said Senator Cantwell. This formal authorization of six polar icebreakers will send a strong message to the rest of the world: the United States is showing up in the Arctic. And with three of the icebreakers homeported in Seattle, this is a big win for the State of Washington and an opportunity for us to continue to pave the way in Arctic exploration, scientific research, and protecting our nation's foreign policy interests. I am pleased that the bipartisan Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020 is included in this year's National Defense Authorization Act, said Chairman Wicker. In addition to authorizing the funds necessary to support our Coast Guard, this legislation would provide for the purchase of an advanced new class of polar security cutters proudly being built by Mississippi shipbuilders. These vessels are the future of U.S. presence in the polar regions and will be critical to meeting our nation's economic, commercial, maritime, and national security needs. The highways of the Arctic are paved by icebreakers, and the authorization of Polar Class icebreakers in this year's NDAAbuilding on my previous defense authorization workwill put America in a much better position to operate in the region and protect our national security and economic interests, saidSenator Sullivan. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, from all corners of the country, for recognizing the importance of the Arctic,and for supporting the vessels and infrastructure that are needed to realize America's role as an Arctic nation. The U.S. currently has only has two polar icebreakers, POLAR STAR and HEALY. Due to the HEALY's fire this past summer, only the POLAR STAR is operational, putting the country at a disadvantage in comparison to other Arctic nations with much larger fleets. According to the most recent Coast Guard data, Russia has fifty-three icebreakers and Canada has seven. Even smaller Arctic nations have icebreaker fleets that outnumber that of the U.S.Finland has ten icebreakers, Sweden has seven, and Denmark has four. Polar Security Cutters are essential to developing a strategic and consistent presence in the polar regions, providing America with greater opportunities for research and development and the ability to respond to issues in some of the world's most remote and isolated regions. The diminishing sea ice we are seeing in the Arctic has led to greater opportunities for economic activity and greater accessibility regarding commercial transit and shipping. Background: In June 2020, Senator Murkowski commended the Trump Administration for issuing a Presidential Memorandum entitled Safeguarding U.S. National Interests in the Arctic and Antarctic Regions. The memorandum and statement of support from President Trump prioritizes some of our nation's most urgent Arctic needs, including the consideration of all assets and capabilities needed for the region, such as a full fleet of polar security cutters. In November 2019, Senator Murkowski introduced the Arctic Shipping Federal Advisory Committee Act, legislation to urge the U.S. to prioritize emerging opportunities in the Arctic for maritime transportation, and ensure that increased Arctic shipping proceeds safely and securely. In April 2019, Senator Murkowski introduced the Shipping and Environmental Arctic Leadership Act (SEAL Act), a bill that establishes a congressionally charted seaway development corporation in the Arctic to help fund the infrastructural and environmental demands of safe and reliable shipping in the region. In April 2019, Senator Murkowski introduced the Arctic Policy Act (APA), legislation to increase local and indigenous voices in federal science and policy in the Arctic by aiming to improve coordination and collaboration across agencies to advance an integrated plan for the Arctic, including establishing an Advisory Committee with local and tribal input in shaping national Arctic priorities. In April 2019, Senator Murkowski joined the Alaska Delegation in welcoming the announcement from the DoD Contracting Office on awarding the contract to build the nation's first new heavy Polar Security Cutter (PSC) in more than forty years. In February 2019, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murkowski worked to ensure funding in a year-end budget package for long lead-time materials (LLTM) for design and construction of a second Polar Security Cutter. Related Issues: Arctic, Defense Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-comments-on-fda-authorization-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine,Murkowski Comments on FDA Authorization of Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine,2020-12-12,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.12.20 Murkowski Comments on FDA Authorization of Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted an emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine: The FDA authorized the Pfizer vaccine to combat COVID-19, meaning administration of the first doses for frontline health workers and long-term care facility residents in Alaska could begin as soon as next week. This is a major milestone in the fight against the pandemic, said Senator Murkowski. In the midst of the holiday season, adhering to the changes that COVID-19 requires of us is increasingly difficult. But, as the rollout of a nationwide vaccine distribution plan begins, it is as important as ever that all Alaskansall Americanscontinue to follow public health guidelines, including social distancing, avoiding large gatherings, wearing masks, and washing your hands. This announcement is good progress, but this is just the first step in a long journey back to normal'. As we navigate this phase of recovery, the best gift we can give each other is to continue our efforts to protect the health and safety of ourselves and others. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-applauds-senate-passage-of-ndaa,Murkowski Applauds Senate Passage of NDAA,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.20 Murkowski Applauds Senate Passage of NDAA U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today voted in favor of the final Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill passed the Senate by an 84-13 vote and now heads to the President's desk. This major national security bill authorizes the annual budget for the Department of Defense (DoD), providing funding for training and readiness, to improve the livelihoods of military members and their families, modernize military technology, and includes multiple provisions to address high rates of suicide among the military community. The legislation includes portions of a bill introduced by Senators Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) which authorizes a new regional Department of Defense (DoD) Center for Arctic Security Studies. The Center, named after the late Ted Stevens, would be the first DoD Regional Center focused on the Arctic, its infrastructure and America's leadership in the region. The bill will also reform the Department of Defense's 1033 program, which authorizes the federal transfer of military equipment to state and local law enforcement agencies. Around the globe, emerging conflicts and security challenges require us to remain as vigilant as ever. In order to ensure America's national security, we must first ensure that our military forces are fully equipped to carry out their assigned duties, both on American soil and overseas. At a national level, this legislation invests in all sectors of the militarytechnology and equipment, training, infrastructure, and most importantly, the overall well-being of our troops and their families. We also include a pay raise for service members, provisions to help shore up some of the gaps in our military's mental and behavioral health needs, and reforms to the Department of Defense's 1033 program. Recognizing the emerging threats and challenges in the Arctic, this legislation prioritizes the needs of Alaska's military and America's role in the Arctic region. Within the legislation we authorize military construction projects for Fort Greely and Fort Wainright, including infrastructure to support missile defense and improve child care capabilities. Building on my longstanding efforts to bolster America's presence in the Arctic, the bill includes provisions that improve Arctic security, enhance communications infrastructure, and focuses our military and national security leadership on defense strategies in the region. I'm proud that the bill includes a provision that the Alaska delegation worked hard to secureauthorization for the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies. And to address our nation's growing dependence on foreign countries, including China, for minerals and metals, we include two key provisions championed by Senator Sullivan. The passage of NDAA is good news for Alaska and America. ALASKA HIGHLIGHTS: Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies: Includes a key provisions from legislation introduced by Senators Murkowski and Sullivan creating a new Department of Defense (DoD) Regional Center focused on the Arctic, named in honor of the late U.S. Senator Ted Stevens. If enacted, the Ted Stevens Center for Security Studies would be the first DoD Regional Center focused on the Arctic. The center's aim is to support defense strategy objectives and policy priorities through a unique academic forum and to foster strong international networks of security leaders to support multilateralism and diplomacy in the region. Polar Security Cutters: Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to enter into one or more contracts for the procurement of three Polar Security Cutters, previously approved in 2019, as well as three additional Polar Security Cutters. Military Construction:Authorizes $162M for MILCON projects in Alaska, including: Fort Greely Communications Center Fort Wainwright Unaccompanied Enlisted Personnel Housing Fort Wainwright Child Development Center Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020 For the first time ever, the Coast Guard authorization is included in NDAA. The Authorization will continue through fiscal year 2021, and enables the Coast Guard to carry out needed vessel capitalization and infrastructure development, and support its range of missions, including maritime safety, drug and illegal migrant interdiction, enforcement of U.S. laws at sea, protection of our nation's borders, and support for DOD's national security operations. Maritime transportation system emergency relief program: Creates a grant program, administered by MARAD, to provide relief for U.S. port owners and operators and those involved in vessel construction, transportation by water, or support activities for transportation by water during a national emergency such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or natural disasters. North Warning System Modernization Report:The North Warning System is a series of long and shortrange radar stations which provide observation and surveillance capability for cruise missiles. The bill directs the Secretary of Defense to develop a report on the status of the North Warning System infrastructure and to create a plan to modernize the system. Pay Raise for Troops: Includes a 3% pay raise for the troops, increases hazardous duty pay by 10%, and reauthorizes more than 30 other types of bonuses and special pay. Suicide Prevention Initiative:Includes several provisions to address the disproportionate rates of suicide among the military community. The report will provide an assessment of current policy guidelines, prevention programs, standards for response actions and data collection, and protection of privacy regarding suicide at remote installations. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) - This year's bill has a collection of PFAS related provisions such as, prizes for development of non-PFAS containing fire-fighting agents, notification requirements for agricultural areas exposed to DoD PFAS use. Additionally, an interagency body will be stood up to research PFAS. The agencies comprising this body include EPA, NIEHS, NSF, DoD, NIH, DOI, NOAA, DOT, DHS and many others. The interagency group will provide strategic focus on the many federally funded PFAS studies already ongoing, focus on alternatives to PFAS, and methods of removal or destruction of PFAS. Additionally, this year's NDAA restricts DoD from procurement of PFAS in houseware and other equipment and promotes development of alternatives. Senator Murkowski also cosponsored an amendment included in the final bill to increase funding for CDC's study of PFAS health implications. Strategic and Critical Materials: Includes a provision secured by U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) that requires DoD to acquire strategic and critical materials from domestic sources whenever possible. This recognizes the important role that Alaska's world-class mineral base can play in support of our nation's economic and national security. Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Program: Authorizes an unprecedented $30M for the DoD to continue utilizing the IRT program to provide hands-on and mission-essential training for Active, Reserve and National Guard forces across the country. The IRT Program, which is being used in Alaska, is a militarytraining opportunity that increases deployment readiness by providing key services such as health care, construction, transportation, and cybersecurity to American communities. Native American lands environmental mitigation program: Creates an environmental mitigation program for Native lands. Within this program, the Secretary of Defense will be able to undertake actions, including the identification, investigation, and documentation of suspected environmental effects attributable to past Department of Defense actions, develop mitigation options for such environmental effects, including development of cost-to-complete estimates and a system for prioritizing mitigation actions, and direct mitigation actions that the Secretary determines are necessary and appropriate. Micronuclear Reactor Programs and Report: Includes a provision calling for a report assessing the costs and feasibility of deploying micronuclear reactors to provide power and heat to Department of Defense facilities. Some of the most promising sites for potential micronuclear deployment are located in Alaska. The report also authorizes $50 million for the program to develop mobile micronuclear reactors that could be deployed in Alaska after testing is completed in the lower 48. ARCTIC HIGHLIGHTS: Assignment of Arctic Issues to Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere: Establishes Arctic focused leadership at the senior level within the DoD by requiring the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs to assign responsibility for the Arctic region to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere or another Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. Arctic Shipping Federal Advisory Committee: This provision establishes a Federal advisory committee tasked to develop recommendations on matters related to Arctic maritime transportation. Specifically, the committee shall recommend policies to enhance the leadership role played by the United States in the Arctic, policies that would improve the safety and reliability of Arctic maritime transportation in accordance with customary international maritime law, and consider establishing a congressionally chartered Arctic seaway development corporation modeled on the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. Additionally, the bill requires a Special Representative for the Arctic Region, appointed by the Department of State, to coordinate any activities recommended by the committee's implementation plan and to facilitate multilateral dialogues with member and observer nations of the Arctic Council. Senator Murkowski is the author of this legislation and championed inclusion in this year's Coast Guard Authorization. Permafrost Studies:Directs the Secretary of Defense to complete a study on the impact of permafrost from a warming climate in areas that possess critical infrastructure vital to national defense. Arctic Communications:Authorizes funding to establish more robust communications in the Arctic to support an initial satellite capability for the region. U.S. Coast Guard Unmanned Aircraft Program: Includes a provision to require the Coast Guard and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to assess the feasibility and advisability of using unmanned aircraft systems for Arctic surveillance in order to establish and maintain regular maritime domain awareness, respond to illegal activities, and collaborate with State, local, and tribal authorities, and international partners, in surveillance missions over the water. Related Issues: Defense Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/new-dod-arctic-security-studies-center-approved-by-congress,New DOD Arctic Security Studies Center Approved by Congress,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.20 New DOD Arctic Security Studies Center Approved by Congress The U.S. Senate today passed theNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA),including a provision authorizing a new regional Department of Defense (DOD) Center named theTed StevensCenter for Arctic Security Studies.U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chairman of Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, successfully included key elements of a bill he introduced earlier this Congress with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska) successfully included the provision in the House's version of the NDAA, which passed on Tuesday. The Ted Stevens Center, the first DOD regional center in the Arctic and the first new DOD regional center since 2000, will support defense strategy objectives and policy priorities through a unique academic forum, while also fostering strong international networks of security leaders. This year's defense authorization will be recognized as one of the most impactful in recent memory for our country, particularly for the Arctic region,said Senator Sullivan.In addition to the historic investments being made in the Arcticincluding new icebreakers,space-based communications, critical militaryinfrastructure, and new initiatives for remote locationswe will soon have an institute to cultivate theArcticpolicyexpertise that is desperately needed in the Department of Defense.In order to address the rise of Great Power' competitorsin the Arctic,the Ted Stevens Centerwill bea new focal point for strategic thinkingas it combines Alaska's extensive reserveofArctic expertise with the best andbrightest minds from around the world. I want to thank Senator Murkowski, who conceived of this idea, and Congressman Young, who included the provision in the House NDAA. Both of them worked with me to make the Ted Stevens Center a reality and honor the legacy of the center's namesake, a seminal Alaskan leader on whose shoulders we stand today. Throughout his time in the Senate, the late Senator Ted Stevens recognized the critical role the Arctic plays in our national defense. He understood the importance of improving the capabilities of our military in the region to safeguard our national interests and improve economic security. I'm proud to have shepherded support for the new Ted Stevens Arctic Center for Security Studies, the firstDOD Regional Center in the Arctic,said Senator Murkowski.We are seeing drastic geopolitical, environmental, and security changes in the High North, which are driving increased activity in the region and placing greater emphasis on the strategic importance of the Arctic. This new security center will help solidify America's place in the region and ensure that our country is equipped with the information it needs to support defense strategy objectives, advance defense readiness, improve international cooperation and multilateralism, and best address pressing regional and global security issues. The delegation worked hard to secure this new opportunity in the Arctic and I look forward to the ways it will benefit America while honoring the legacy of Ted Stevens in the process. ""My friend, our late Senator Ted Stevens, was not only a steadfast advocate for Alaska, but he also fully recognized the strategic importance of the Arctic to America's national security,said Congressman Young. Establishing the Ted Stevens Arctic Center for Security Studies has been one of my highest priorities, and I am proud that our Delegation has always fought for its creation. America's national security is not a partisan issue. Naming the Arctic Center for Security Studies after a consensus builder like Senator Stevens is an incredible testament to his legacy of patriotism and multilateralism. I am very pleased that this year's NDAA makes tremendous progress toward its creation, and I am grateful to my colleagues in the House and Senate for supporting it. In the 117th Congress and beyond, I will continue working with the Alaska Delegation and my friends on both sides of the aisle to ensure that the doors of the Ted Stevens Center finally open, and the critical work to defend America's interests the Arctic continues."" The DOD is authorized, within 120 days, to establish aTed StevensCenter for Arctic Security Studies.As a part of this authorization, the DOD is required to submit a plan to Congress on the stand-up of the center.The plan will detail the benefits of an Arctic security studies center, including identifying and considering suitable locations with close proximity to the Arctic, such as Alaska, and co-locating the center on military installations or at local universities. The report will also study associated costs, the suitability of using existing infrastructure, curriculum, and partnership opportunities with other Arctic nations. Related Issues: Defense, Arctic Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/us-senate-passes-continuing-resolution-to-fund-the-government,U.S. Senate Passes Continuing Resolution to Fund the Government,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.20 U.S. Senate Passes Continuing Resolution to Fund the Government U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today made the following statement after voting in favor of a continuing resolution to fund the government at current levels through December 18, 2020: Today I supported a short-term continuing resolution to fund the government through December 18, to keep the government functioning and to avoid adding unnecessary economic strain on hard-working Americans. For the thousands of Alaskans that are federal employees and contractors, and for all Americans who rely on government services, keeping the government open as we work to finalize FY2021 funding bills is crucial, said Senator Murkowski. Passing this resolution allows Congress the needed time to find compromise on a number of appropriations bills, including funding to support national defense, energy and water initiatives, education, and so much more. And in an effort to support Alaskans and Americans who are struggling to navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, I continue to work with colleagues on a bipartisan measure to provide much-needed emergency relief. A CR is not ideal, but during this additional work week, we have the opportunity to advance key policy initiatives in support of the American people. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-statement-on-uae-arms-sale-,Murkowski Statement on UAE Arms Sale,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.10.20 Murkowski Statement on UAE Arms Sale U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today made the following statement after voting against S.J. Res. 77 and S.J.Res.78, Resolutions of Disapproval which would block portions of an arms deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE): Along with many colleagues, I had significant concerns with the speed of this sale. I wanted to be certain the sale was following protocols that ensure Foreign Military Sales don't compromise information pertaining to sophisticated technology, and measures in place to safeguard the equipment, and that the U.S. has proper oversight going forward. I was able to get questions pertaining to those matters answered and given assurances. I am now comfortable moving forward with the sale. The UAE is a reliable partner to the U.S. and military operations. This sale ensures the Emiratis are properly equipped to defend themselves from threats in the region and remain an important partner for America. Resolution Details: S.J.Res.77 provides Congressional Disapproval for the sale of up to 18 MQ-9B reaper drones plus equipment and armaments. S.J.Res.78 provides Congressional Disapproval for the sale of up to 50 F-35A Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-statement-on-npfmc-closing-eez-waters-to-commercial-fishing-in-cook-inlet,Murkowski Statement on NPFMC Closing EEZ Waters to Commercial Fishing in Cook Inlet,2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.09.20 Murkowski Statement on NPFMC Closing EEZ Waters to Commercial Fishing in Cook Inlet Following the announcement that the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (NPFMC) has decided to close all Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters to commercial fishing in the Cook Inlet, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement: I am disappointed by the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council's decision to close federal waters in Cook Inlet to commercial fishing, but I am also very concerned about the prospect of federal management over resources that have been, and should be, managed by the State of Alaska. I understand this decision was made under difficult circumstances, and to meet the deadline required under the Ninth Circuit decision affecting management of the salmon fishery in Cook Inlet's federal waters. Nonethelessthis outcome underscores the need to collaboratively resolve tensions that have long persisted in Cook Inlet.Our fishery management process is intended to give the public a voice in decision-making, allow for a deliberative discussion of management policies, and foster compromise, but it cannot address serious management challenges arising from the Ninth Circuit's flawed interpretation of the Magnuson Stevens Act. I stand ready to work with Cook Inlet stakeholders, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and the State of Alaska on a better long-term solution that supports fishing livelihoods in Cook Inlet. Related Issues: Alaska's Fisheries Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/icymi-baldwin-murkowski-digital-coast-act-passes-congress,ICYMI: Baldwin-Murkowski Digital Coast Act Passes Congress,2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.07.20 ICYMI: Baldwin-Murkowski Digital Coast Act Passes Congress Bipartisan Legislation Aids Shoreline Communities by Delivering Next Generation Coastal Data Recently, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) passed theUnited States Senate.TheDigitalCoastActwill help shoreline communities along the Great Lakes and oceancoasts better prepare for storms, cope with varying water levels and strengthen economic development efforts. Following today'saction, the bill now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. Wisconsin's Great Lakes are a great asset for our quality of life and also for our long-term economic security,said Senator Baldwin. I'm proud that this bipartisanlegislationhas passed both chambers of Congress to strengthen our shoreline communities, which face a variety of challenges to keep their harbors open, their waters clean and their beaches ready for visitors. This bipartisan 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. I'm looking forward to the President signing this bill into law. With more than 46,000 miles of shoreline - more than all the Lower 48 states combined - measures to improve coastal mapping and development through research and analysis are critical to Alaska. The Digital Coast Act will help ensure coastal managers and developers have readily accessible and up-to-date tools to inform their decisions on emergency weather preparation and response, coastal restoration, and economic development. Coastal communities rely on these data sets to make informed decisions on issues such as coastal erosion, sea level rise, ecosystem restoration, and storm surge. I am hopeful the President will quickly sign this bill into law, helping to deliver accurate and relevant data to our coastal communities, said Senator Murkowski. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) currently assembles and hosts theDigitalCoastProject, a collaborative online database of the most up-to-datecoastal information, and makes it available to both the public and private sectors.DigitalCoastalso provides tools forcoastal communities to decipher and use the high-tech mapping data to make accurate decisions and smart investments incoastal communities. TheDigitalCoastActauthorizes the next phase incoastal mapping at NOAA, delivering local leaders essential information for responding to bluff erosion, high lake levels, and economic development needs.The bill supports further development of the current project, including increasing access to uniform, up-to-date data to help communities get thecoastal data they need to respond to emergencies, plan for long-termcoastal resilience, and manage their water resources. Supporters of the bipartisanDigitalCoastActinclude Quantum Spatial, Inc., The Nature Conservancy, Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors, Association of State Floodplain Managers, U.S. GEO, National Society of Professional Surveyors, National States Geographic Information Council, MAPPS (a national association of geospatial firms), American Planning Association,Coastal States Organization, National Association of Counties, and theDigitalCoastal Partnership Advocacy Coalition. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-joins-bipartisan-bicameral-group-in-calling-for-permanent-expansion-of-telehealth-coverage-in-end-of-year-legislation,"Murkowski Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Group In Calling For Permanent Expansion Of Telehealth Coverage In End Of Year Legislation",2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.04.20 Murkowski Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Group In Calling For Permanent Expansion Of Telehealth Coverage In End Of Year Legislation Telehealth Use Among Medicare Beneficiaries Increased By Nearly 13,000% In Just Over A Month U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers in calling for the expansion of access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic to be made permanent. Provisions from the Schatz-authored CONNECT for Health Act that have allowed Medicare beneficiaries in all areas of the country, and in their homes, to utilize telehealth services, as well as more types of health care providers to provide telehealth, were included in previous COVID-19 legislation but will expire following the pandemic unless congressional leaders act now to make those measures permanent. Telehealth has been a critical tool during the COVID-19 pandemic in ensuring that patients can continue to receive the health care services that they need while minimizing the spread of the virus and keeping health care providers and patients healthy and safe, the lawmakers wrote. We continue to hear from our constituents and health care providers that the uncertainty about the long-term future of Medicare telehealth coverage is a barrier to organizations investing fully in telehealth. Congress needs to act now to better serve patients and health care providers during the pandemic, and to ensure that telehealth remains an option after the pandemic is over. In their letter, the lawmakers highlight the growing use and benefits of telehealth during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as patients seek to avoid traveling to hospitals and other providers and instead receive care at home. New data shows that the number of Medicare beneficiaries using telehealth services increased by nearly 13,000 percent in just a month and a half during the pandemic. In addition to Schatz and Murkowski, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Angus King (I-Maine), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representatives Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), David McKinley (R-W.Va.), Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), David N. Cicilline (D-R.I.), Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), Brendan F. Boyle (D-Pa.), Tom O'Halleran (D-Ariz.), Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Elise M. Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), and Ron Kind (D-Wis.). The full text of the letter is below and available here. Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Minority Leader McCarthy: As we near the end of the year and the 116th Congress, we urge you to include provisions in end of the year legislation to make permanent expanded coverage of Medicare telehealth services. Specifically, immediate action to permanently waive geographic restrictions for originating sites, authorize health centers in rural and underserved areas to provide telehealth, and allow beneficiaries to use telehealth in their homes would be key steps to ensure much-needed certainty about Medicare telehealth coverage for health care providers and to improve access to care for patients. Telehealth has been a critical tool during the COVID-19 pandemic in ensuring that patients can continue to receive the health care services that they need while minimizing the spread of the virus and keeping health care providers and patients healthy and safe. Telehealth is also important in increasing capacity at health care facilities and reducing health care providers' use of scarce personal protective equipment. For these reasons, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance at the beginning of the pandemic advising individuals and health care providers to optimize the use of telehealth services. The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act included provisions from our bipartisan CONNECT for Health Act to increase access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, waivers of statutory geographic and originating site restrictions have allowed Medicare beneficiaries to use telehealth services in all areas of the country, as well as in their homes. In addition, more types of health care providers including health centers in rural and underserved areas, are authorized to provide distant site telehealth services, among other important flexibilities. This new authority resulted in a rapid increase in telehealth utilization. An early analysis of the expansion of Medicare telehealth coverage during the pandemic shows that before the public health emergency, about 13,000 beneficiaries in fee-for-service Medicare received telehealth services in a week, but by the last week of April, nearly 1.7 million beneficiaries received telehealth services. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also found that beneficiaries are getting care through telehealth at similar rates across demographics. In response to these findings, CMS stated that, The rapid adoption of telemedicine among providers and patients has shown that telehealth is here to stay. However, the authority for this expanded coverage of Medicare telehealth services is temporary and tied to the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration, which is renewed in three-month increments. We continue to hear from our constituents and health care providers that the uncertainty about the long-term future of Medicare telehealth coverage is a barrier to organizations investing fully in telehealtheven now during the pandemic. Ramping up telehealth requires significant costsincluding the purchase of equipment such as tablets and webcams, telehealth platforms, additional staff, provider training, and changes to electronic health records, billing, and patient engagement processes. Without more certainty about the future of Medicare coverage, many organizations are not investing in all of these areas to optimize the use and availability of telehealth. Therefore, Congress needs to act now to better serve patients and health care providers during the pandemic, and to ensure that telehealth remains an option after the pandemic is over. We understand that further data analysis is underway to assess the impact of the telehealth changes that have been available during the public health emergency. However, to fully benefit from telehealth during the pandemic, there are steps Congress should take before the end of the year to expand access to telehealth with appropriate guardrails and beneficiary protections. In particular, Congress should immediately provide permanent authority to waive or remove the geographic restrictions on originating sites in section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act so that a beneficiary's ability to receive telehealth services is no longer based on where he or she lives. Services that CMS has determined to be clinically appropriate to be delivered through telehealth should be available to all beneficiaries, not just some. CMS concurs, stating that The data have shown that telehealth can be an important source of care across the country, not just for those living in rural areas. We also urge action to permanently authorize Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics to provide distant site telehealth services and to allow patients to receive clinically appropriate telehealth services in their homes. These actions would address the restrictions on originating sites that CMS has stated are the greatest barriers to the expansion of Medicare telehealth services as well as ensure that health centers can continue their pivotal role in providing health care in rural and underserved areas. Telehealth is an area of strong bipartisan support, and Congress can, and should, act now to lead the way in ensuring expanded access to telehealth. We appreciate your collaboration on this important issue. Sincerely, Related Issues: COVID-19 Resource Page, Health",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/sullivan-markey-murkowski-applaud-senate-passage_of-young-fishermens-development-act,"Sullivan, Markey, Murkowski Applaud Senate Passage of Young Fishermens Development Act",2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.04.20 Sullivan, Markey, Murkowski Applaud Senate Passage of Young Fishermen's Development Act U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) applauded the Senate's passage of theYoung Fishermen's Development Act,legislationto mitigate the challenges facing the next generation ofentrants into the fishing industry bysupporting regional training opportunities and apprenticeship programs. Alaska istheunquestioned superpower of seafood, thanks to our world-class, sustainably-managedfisheries and our countless hard-working fishermen, saidSenator Sullivan. The sustainability and endurance of this vital industry, which employs morepeoplein Alaska than any other, depends onup-and-coming qualified fishermen. I thank my Senate colleagues for passing our legislation toreduce basic barriers to entry through new grants, training opportunities andapprenticeship programs. Helping the next generation of Alaskans enter our fisheries will help ensure Alaska remains the superpower of seafood. Despite centuries of fishing tradition in Massachusetts's coastal communities, new fishermen are finding it a challenge to join the industry,said Senator Markey.Our legislation will help ensure that our fishing industry continues to attract and grow future generations of young fishermen. More young men and womenwillbe pushing off the dock into new careers andfully participating in the economy of their communities. I thank my colleagues for their partnership on this hopeful legislation and look forward to enacting it into law. I appreciate Senator Sullivan leading this effort and am glad to once again join him in addressing some of the barriers facing young people as they try to join the commercial fishing fleet. This legislation will support education, training, and workplace development of future fishermen and help maintain sustainable fishing careers, strengthen food security, and encourage future generations of Alaskans to pursue jobs in this important industry,said Senator Murkowski.It is my hope that enactment of this legislation will help us pass down the values and lifestyles that fishing has woven into the fabric of our state. The United States is among the leading fishing nations in the world, generating more than $200 billion in sales and supporting 1.7 million jobs per year. The positive impact of U.S. commercial fisheries on the economy largely reflects the effective laws put into place under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and the collectiveeffortsof National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, regional fisheries management councils, and stakeholders tosustainably manage U.S. fisheries. In recent years,incoming generations of commercial fishermenseeking toenter the industryhave metnew challenges and higher barriers to entry, contributing to several shifts in the demographics of commercial permit holders. In several regions, commercial fisheries have seen anincrease by10 yearsor more in theaverage participant'sageover thepreviousgeneration of fishermen, and rural communities have lost 30 percent of local permit holders. Several studies suggest this graying of the fleet has led to an increase in financial capital and risk needed to enter intothecommercialfishingindustry. Modeled after the U.S. Department of Agriculture's successful Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, thislegislation creates the first federal program dedicated to training, educating, and assisting the next generation of commercial fishermen.The Young Fishermen's Development Program would include: A competitive grants program for collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally-based networks or partnerships. A mentorship/apprenticeship program to connect retiring fishermen and vessel owners with new and beginning fishermen. Financial support for local and regional training and education in sustainable and accountable fishing practices, marine stewardship, and business practices, and technical initiatives that address the needs of beginning fishermen. TheYoung Fishermen's Development Actwill now be considered by the House. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/delegation-welcomes-announcement-of_first-coastal-plain-lease-sale,Delegation Welcomes Announcement of First Coastal Plain Lease Sale,2020-12-03,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.03.20 Delegation Welcomes Announcement of First Coastal Plain Lease Sale U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that a Notice of Sale for the first lease sale in the non-wilderness Coastal Plain (1002 Area) of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) will be published on December 7, 2020. BLM's announcement means we are now just weeks away from a long-awaited lease sale in the 1002 Area, Murkowski said. This is a tremendous opportunity for Alaska's resources to continue benefitting our nation and providing American families with well-paying jobs. Alaskans have proven, over and over again, that we can responsibly develop our resources while being good stewards of our lands and waters. I thank Secretary Bernhardt and his team for their efforts to ensure the first lease sale is carried out, as required by law, enabling us to strengthen our state's economy over the long-term. This is great news for Alaska. Responsibly developing the untapped resources of ANWR's Coastal Plain will be critically important to filling TAPS, bolstering Alaska's economy, and providing jobs for hard-working Alaskans in the decades to come,Sullivan said. I applaud the Interior Department and the Bureau of Land Management for working diligently to implement the provision we as a delegation included in the 2017 tax law, and announcing a leasing program that Alaskans have fought so hard for more than 40 years to secure. This is an exciting day not only for Alaska, but for American energy dominance. I am very pleased that BLM has announced its first Notice of Sale for the 1002 Area of ANWR. This is a tremendous step forward for our state and the countless Alaskans who make a living in our energy sector. Finally achieving what was promised by ANILCA four decades ago is in sight, and I want to thank everyone involved for their ongoing hard work and commitment. As we approach the day when drilling can begin, I will be working hard with our Delegation, BLM, and the operators who will make our long-time fight a reality, Young said. President Trump signed H.R. 1, theTax Cuts and Jobs Act,in December 2017. The second title of the Act authorizes the surface development of up to 2,000 federal acres of the non-wilderness Coastal Plain (roughly one ten-thousandth of all of ANWR). The U.S. Geological Survey estimates this area contains 10.4 billion barrels of technically recoverable oil. New production from the 1002 Area will help refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System while creating high-paying jobs, generating revenues for the state and federal treasuries, keeping energy prices affordable for families and businesses, and strengthening national energy security. Alaska has a strong record of responsible resource development. The footprint of drilling pads on the North Slope has declined by 80 percent since the 1970s, while the reach of underground drilling has grown by 4,000 percent. The result is that less land is being used to develop resources than ever before; many modern sites cover just a few acres and are miles apart. The Central Arctic Caribou herd, which ranges throughout Prudhoe Bay, has seen its population grow for sustained periods alongside development on the North Slope. ANWR spans 19.3 million acres, an area of land roughly equal in size to South Carolina, in northeast Alaska. In 1980, Congress designated more than eight million acres within ANWR an area of land significantly larger than Maryland as federal wilderness as part of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. That same legislation set aside the 1.57-million acre Coastal Plain for petroleum exploration and potential future development, which is supported by a majority of Alaskans. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-welcomes-doe-effort-to-strengthen-domestic-mineral-supply-chains,Murkowski Welcomes DOE Effort to Strengthen Domestic Mineral Supply Chains,2020-12-02,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.20 Murkowski Welcomes DOE Effort to Strengthen Domestic Mineral Supply Chains U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the Department of Energy's (DOE) Loan Programs Office issued new guidance encouraging applications for projects that support secure supply chains of critical minerals. I thank Secretary Brouillette for his continued efforts to boost our economic and national security by strengthening our mineral security, said Murkowski. This guidance will help ensure that reasonable support is available to help domestic producers, refiners, and recyclers supply the minerals that make our modern life possible. It is critical that this policy be maintained and that Congress do its part to build robust domestic supply chains. Today'sannouncementbuilds on executive orders issued by President Trump and actions taken by various Departments and agencies.Specifically, the guidance applies to applicants for the Title XVII and the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan programs. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the United States imported at least half of its supply of 46 different nonfuel minerals in 2019, including 100 percent of 17 of them. China, in particular, hasconsolidated controlover the supply chains of many of the minerals used to make medical equipment, smart phones, clean energy, and defense technologies. TheWorld Bankreleased a report earlier this year estimating that demand for lithium, graphite, and cobalt will increase 500 percent by 2050 to meet clean energy demand. Murkowski has long been an advocate of U.S. mineral security. Her bipartisan legislation, theAmerican Mineral Security Act, would ensure timely surveying of domestic deposits of critical minerals, cut down on unnecessary permitting delays for projects to produce them, promote workforce development, and invest in research and development to increase recycling and the development of alternatives. It has been included in three proposed Senate coronavirus relief packages. As Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Murkowski has focused congressional attention on mineral security. Last year, she convened ahearingfocused on the link between minerals and clean energy technologies. In June, she convened ahearingfocused on the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on supply chains and the fundamental role that minerals play in them. More information about DOE's announcement is availablehere. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-welcomes-epa-grant-to-alaska-to-improve-air-quality-,Murkowski Welcomes EPA Grant to Alaska to Improve Air Quality,2020-12-02,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.20 Murkowski Welcomes EPA Grant to Alaska to Improve Air Quality U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded news that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $14.7 million to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to help improve air quality in Fairbanks. A portion of the Fairbanks North Star Borough is currently designated as a PM2.5 non-attainment area, with wood stoves serving as a major contributor to non-attainment. The funding, which is part of the EPA's Targeted Airshed grant program, will be used to continue a wood stove change out and conversion program to help reduce air pollution. For many Alaskan communities, burning wood is the most affordable option to stay warm. Unfortunately, older, inefficient heaters contribute to local air pollution and negatively impact public health. I worked hard to ensure that Fairbanks was eligible for this funding and have worked year-after-year to ensure that the program continues. There is still work to be done, but this funding from the EPA is good progress toward providing Alaskans with safer, more cost-effective home heating options. I commend the EPA for directing these much-needed funds to Alaska and thank Region 10 Administrator Hladick for understanding Alaskans' unique challenges, said Senator Murkowski. Background: Senator Murkowski has long worked to ensure the EPA provides grant assistance to the Fairbanks North Star Borough to meet new particulate matter standards (PM 2.5) for air quality. Senator Murkowski previously secured an amendment to modify the Targeted Airshed grant program so that communities like Fairbanks, where wood stoves have been a major reason for not meeting air quality standards, could qualify for federal aid. Most recently, as Chairman of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Murkowski increased funding for the program for Fiscal Year 2020. Senator Murkowski has also cosponsored bipartisan legislation, the Wood Heater Emissions Reduction Act, to create a dedicated grant program at EPA to support transitions to cleaner-burning heat sources. Related Issues: Health, Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murphy-murkowski-applaud-final-passage-of-save-our-seas-20,"Murphy, Murkowski Applaud Final Passage Of Save Our Seas 2.0",2020-12-02,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.20 Murphy, Murkowski Applaud Final Passage Of Save Our Seas 2.0 U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) applauded passage of Save Our Seas 2.0, legislation to combat marine debris. Murphy and Murkowski are both cosponsors of the bill, which was introduced and led by U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) and Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey). The legislation includes a Murphy-Murkowski drafted provision that allows for the establishment of a new Genius Prize to fund the development of materials to replace single use plastic and innovations that remove and prevent plastic waste. The amount of plastic flowing into our oceans poses a huge problem. That's why I was proud to work with Senators Sullivan, Whitehouse and Menendez on the bipartisan Save our Seas 2.0 Act, which will reduce the amount of plastic in our oceans at home and abroad, said Senator Murphy. I am also grateful the final bill includes language I drafted with Senator Murkowski to allow for the establishment of a genius prize to clean up marine debris and replace single-use plastics. There's more work to do, but this bill is an important step in the right direction. Alaskans depend on healthy oceans and coastlines to support the marine resources that so many of our communities depend on. Whether it's for our fisheries, tourism, or subsistence activitiesmaintaining a healthy marine environment is essential to our everyday lives. I applaud Senator Sullivan for his leadership on legislation to eliminate plastic waste polluting our oceans and am pleased by the Senate passage of Save Our Seas 2.0, legislation that I cosponsored, said Senator Murkowski. The bill includes a provision of mine with Senator Murphy to fund a new Genius Prize, which would reward innovation and creative strategies to combat the growing issue of marine debris. By creating incentives for the development of projects to clean up our oceans and shorelines, as well as to replace or improve single-use plastics, we are taking important steps to ensure healthier ocean environments for generations to come. Related Issues: Alaska's Fisheries Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-joins-bipartisan-bicameral-working-group-announcing-covid-19-emergency-relief-framework-,"Murkowski Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Working Group Announcing COVID-19 Emergency Relief Framework",2020-12-01,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.01.20 Murkowski Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Working Group Announcing COVID-19 Emergency Relief Framework Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Gottheimer (D-NJ-5), Tom Reed (R-NY-23), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH-16), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Dean Phillips (D-MN-3), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-7), and Fred Upton(R-MI-6) of the Problem Solvers Caucus, to announce a bipartisan, bicameral COVID-19 emergency relief framework that will help American students, families, businesses, workers, and health care providers during this crisis. A breakdown of the COVID-19 emergency relief framework can be found here. For video of Senator Murkowski, click here. I am honored to work with an exceptional group of Senators, as well as colleagues in the House, on a bipartisan measure to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In my home state of Alaska, Anchorage is officially going into our third round of hunker-down orders, shutting down businesses, restaurants, bars, hair salons, gymsessentially bringing to a halt the day-to-day life of many people in Anchorage. Many of our rural villages and off road communities are also in various stages of shutdown to control the spread of this awful virus. These lockdowns come at a significant cost. As the long winter approaches, the uncertainties of job loss, food insecurity, and stable housing all continue to grow, said Senator Murkowski. Our response our responsibility is to come together not as Republicans with a plan or Democrats with a counter-plan, but coming together with a proposal that will provide for targeted emergency relief for the American people. I am calling on my colleagues to join us in advancing the proposal we offer today, to provide much-needed relief for our nation. For video of today's full press conference, click here. Millions of Americans have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are hurting, but Congress has been deadlocked for months with both sides unwilling to compromise to help our fellow Americans who are in desperate need, said Senator Manchin. The bipartisan, bicameral framework announced today proves that we can reach across the aisle and create meaningful compromise that will help those who need it most. Our $908 billion framework provides our students, families, small businesses, and healthcare providers with the support they need and deserve during this devastating pandemic. I urge my fellow colleagues to work with our bipartisan, bicameral group on this proposal so Congress can finally pass a COVID-19 relief package to help Americans and West Virginians during these difficult times. This bipartisan, bicameral group worked night and day throughout the Thanksgiving recess because we recognize that families all across America are struggling, that businesses are closing, and that hospitals are overwhelmed, said Senator Collins. I am particularly pleased that this package includes funding for another round of Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans, which has helped keep our small businesses afloat. In Maine alone, the PPP has helped sustain the jobs of 250,000 workers. After many days of bipartisan negotiations, I'm proud that we've reached a compromise to help Americans get through the holiday season, while providing much-needed relief for small businesses, local governments, health care providers, and low-income and minority communities, among others, said Senator Warner. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to put the months of stalled negotiations behind us, and to support this bipartisan compromise in order to ensure that families across the country are not forced to spend the holiday unable to put food on the table. This is a bipartisan, bicameral effort that creates a pathway forward to bring relief to those who need it most. Republicans and Democrats in both chambers got much of what we wanted, and neither got everything we wanted. That combination reflects what Congress is supposed to do: reconcile priorities and deliver for the American people, said Senator Cassidy. Throughout New Hampshire from small businesses struggling to make payroll to hospitals fighting to keep their doors open and beds available I'm hearing from Granite Staters who cannot wait any longer.And they shouldn't. Over a quarter of a million Americans have died from COVID and more than 13.5 million Americans have been afflicted with it. The human toll of this crisis is crushing and that's before we even address the severe economic fallout it created, said Senator Shaheen. Some of those hardest hit have been our small businesses. When this body came together in March, we worked in good-faith to deliver the CARES Act that provided immediate relief through the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.We put our heads together again and have come up with a new bipartisan framework to build on that progress to help small businesses get to the other side of this crisis, and to provide funds for state and local government governments, support for vaccine development and distribution, assistance for our schools and universities, and relief for our health care providers. But this is just step one. We need more leaders on both sides of the aisle to join us so we can finish what we've started and deliver the relief that Americans are calling for. After nearly nine months of the coronavirus pandemic and far too little federal support, millions of Americans are facing financial ruin. It's past time for Congress to put political arguments aside and step up for those in need, said Senator King. If enacted into law, today's bipartisan package would increase unemployment benefits to help families make ends meet, give essential assistance to small businesses on the verge of closing, provide funds to the state and local governments who've led the response to this crisis, and much more including support for schools, hospitals, and vaccine distribution. This plan isn't perfect, and will require future Congressional action in order to help our country fully weather this pandemic but if we pass this bill before the year's end, we'll extend a lifeline to millions of Americans in need just as cases are spiking, CARES Act protections are expiring, and winter is arriving. The American people need us to work together to save lives and livelihoods so let's get it done. This is not a $1.8 trillion stimulus bill. This is a relief measure half that amount$908 billion, with $560 billion in repurposed funds from the first CARES Act, so the amount of new money is actually $348 billion, Senator Romney said. Included in this measure is a liability provision that provides a temporary suspension of any liability-related lawsuits at the state or federal level associated with COVID-19, giving states enough time to put in place their own protections. I am very pleased to be part of this effort, and urge my colleagues to come together on a deal. Our bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief framework provides the most viable path forward in months, and we must seize this opportunity now to provide critical relief for the American people,said Senator Hassansaid. I am grateful to my colleagues from both parties for coming together on this bipartisan effort, and I will do everything I can to get a deal across the finish line. ""This is a win for the American people, for common sense, and for problem solving. With cases spiking, winter around the corner, and countless small businesses closing every day, and far too many families hurting, we simply cannot leave anyone out in the cold. This is an essential down payment on what our families, small businesses, and local communities need,"" said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus. ""This four-month COVID-19 emergency relief package will get us through the hardest months of winter and into a new Administration."" For far too long, working families, small businesses, local governments, critical health care providers, and school districts across America have been left wondering when Washington would stop the partisan bickering and pass a comprehensive stimulus package, said Congressman Tom Reed (NY-29), Co-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus. Now, we have a bipartisan, bicameral deal that directly addresses the needs of the nation and best positions the country for an effective rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine. It's time to come together as proud Americans and get the job done. With the development of multiple successful vaccines, we are on the cusp of beating covid-19 and restoring our way of life, but we are not there yet. This sensible, bipartisan, bicameral proposal will provide those most in need with the bridge necessary to see us through this crisis. The time to act is now, said Representative Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16). Our nation's top economists have made it clear: Congress needs to act sooner than later on targeted focused relief, said Representative Dusty Johnson (SD-AL). I'm proud to be a part of this bipartisan, bicameral group that's put much-needed relief before politics. More than half of these dollars have been repurposed from CARES Act funding it's a responsible proposal. Our teachers, healthcare workers, business owners, and producers continue to step up as we battle COVID-19, it's time Congress does too. The need is great, the time is short, and the urgency is real. Our bipartisan, bicameral working group has found common ground, and now Congress must begin restoring faith in our government by passing an emergency COVID relief measure before year's end, said Representative Dean Phillips (MN-3). Working families, small businesses, restaurant owners, and our communities need relief and Congress must act. The failure to provide that relief over the last several months has been shameful, especially given that there are relief provisions and programs that are supported by both parties and both chambers of Congress, and most importantly, needed by the American people and our economy, said Representative Abigail Spanberger (VA-7). This bipartisan, bicameral package reflects the priorities of the Seventh District including funding for unemployment assistance, PPP, food assistance programs and our district's farmers, rental assistance, broadband internet, and opioid treatment. Today we have demonstrated that we can unite around a common purpose in the face of a national emergency, and I urge my colleagues as well as House and Senate leadership to bring this package forward for a vote. Michigan just had the deadliest month from COVID-19 since the pandemic begin. I hear daily from constituents who are struggling to make ends meet. Congress should not go home until we are able to get a COVID-19 deal passed and signed, delivering real help to those who need it most. It's time for us to step up, and our colleagues need to get behind this effort or out of the way, said Representative Fred Upton (MI-6)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-and-sullivan-army-corps_right-to-reject-pebble-permit,Murkowski and Sullivan: Army Corps Right to Reject Pebble Permit,2020-11-25,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.25.20 Murkowski and Sullivan: Army Corps Right to Reject Pebble Permit U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) formally rejected the Pebble Limited Partnership's application for a permit to discharge dredged or fill material into navigable waters under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Army Corps determined the Pebble project is contrary to the public interest. Murkowski and Sullivan, while staunch advocates of mining in Alaska, oppose the project and voiced their strong support for the Army Corps' decision to deny the permit. The agency's denial concludes the permitting process on the application submitted by the Pebble Partnership in December 2017. After years of review and analysis, the Army Corps has found that this project is contrary to the public interest,' ending consideration of its permit application and affirming that this is the wrong mine in the wrong place. I thank the agency and the broader Trump administration for completing a rigorous, impartial, and science-based process to determine the best course of action, Murkowski said. This is the right decision, reached the right way. It should validate our trust and faith in the well-established permitting process used to advance resource development projects throughout Alaska. It will help ensure the continued protection of an irreplaceable resource Bristol Bay's world-class salmon fishery and I hope it also marks the start of a more collaborative effort within the state to develop a sustainable vision for the region. Iwelcome the Army Corps' Record of Decision to deny the permit,said Senator Sullivan.The Pebble Limited Partnership had its opportunity to present a project that could meet the high environmental standards in Alaska that we demand. Today, the Army Corps has made the correct decision, based on an extensive record and the law, that the project cannot and should not be permitted. Resource development is one of the key industries that drives Alaska's economy and provides thousands of hard-working Alaskans withgood-payingjobs and opportunity for the future. I will continue to be a strong advocate for these resource-development jobs and economic opportunities in our state. However, given the special nature of the Bristol Bay watershed and the fisheries and subsistence resources downstream, Pebble had to meet a high bar so that we do not trade one resource for another. As I have been saying since August, Pebble did not meet that bar and, accordingly, the Corps rightly denied the permit. Throughout this process, I've emphasized to senior federal officials and Alaskans that this decision needed to be based on science and data, not politics. I want to thank the Army Corps and the Trump administration for acting accordingly, giving this permit a fair hearing through the regular process, and ultimately following the law and the record to deny the permit. The Pebble project is a proposed open-pit, large-scale mine in the Bristol Bay region of southwest Alaska. Earlier this summer, the Army Corps determined the project would impact several thousand acres of wetlands and waters and roughly 120 miles of streams in the Koktuli River Watershed. The Army Corps determined the project cannot be permitted as proposed and directed Pebble to submit a plan for in-kind and other compensatory mitigation within 90 days. Pebble reportedly did so, but the agency found that the project remained contrary to the public interest and therefore denied the permit. Murkowski and Sullivan both oppose the Pebble mine and have worked to ensure that federal decisionmakers are aware of Alaskans' views on the project. Earlier this month, Murkowski included report language in her Interior-EPA Appropriations bill urging the Army Corps to deny Pebble's permit if the project did not provide a full and functional compensatorymitigation plan that meets all requirements within the Corps' requested 90-day timeframe. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/icymi-murkowski-cortez-masto-op-ed-on-fight-against-mmiw-crisis,"ICYMI: Murkowski, Cortez Masto Op-Ed on Fight Against MMIW Crisis",2020-11-23,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.23.20 ICYMI: Murkowski, Cortez Masto Op-Ed on Fight Against MMIW Crisis A pathway toward ending the dark history of violence against Native women In case you missed it, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) wrote an Op-Ed for Indian Country Today to share their collaborative efforts to help respond to the inordinate violence that Native American women and girls face. In October, President Trump signed into law Savanna's Act and Not Invisible Act, two bills led by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) to address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women. Specifically, the bills work to improve the federal government's response through increased coordination, development of best practices, and creation of a joint commission on violent crime, ensuring Alaska Natives and survivors have a voice in developing methods to end these horrible crimes. To read the Senators' Op-Ed, click here or see below: November marks National Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich history, immense diversity and important contributions of Native people, while also acknowledging our country's dark history toward tribal nations. As representatives of states with vibrant tribal communities, we wanted to share how we're working together to help respond to the inordinate violence that Native American women and girls face. For years now, we've known that Native American communities are facing a crisis of missing, murdered and trafficked American Indians and Alaska Nativesin particular women and children. One of those victims was Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, a member of the Spirit Lake Nation who wasbrutally murderedby her neighbor in August 2017. She was only 22 years oldand eight months pregnantat the time of her death. This heartbreaking tragedy drew widespread attention upon a frightening reality that's been going on for generations: more thanfour in fiveAmerican Indian and Alaska Native women experience violence in their lifetimes, and on some reservations, and in Alaska, are murdered at a rate more thanten timesthe national average. It's unacceptable that so many Native women are being taken and that their families have failed to receive justice. Homicide is the third leading cause of death for American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls under the age of 19, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. Butconflicts over jurisdiction and gaps in sharing informationhave hampered investigations into those deaths and denied closure to too many families. To make the problem worse, we still lack sufficient data on the crimes, and what data exists isn't always shared. In 2018, an Urban Indian Health Institutesurvey foundthat out of the 5,712 Alaska Native and American Indian women and girls known to be missing, only 116 were registered in the Department of Justice database. The federal government must do far more to address violent crimes against Native women. While countless lives have been lost over the years, they were never forgotten. That is why in January 2019 we re-introducedSavanna's Act,originally authored by our former colleague Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota. In April of that same year, we introduced theNot Invisible Act,with the goal of dedicating even more effort to combatting the violence against Native American women and girls. After the unanimous passage of both bills in the Senate and House this year, President Trump signed them into law in October, making them the first legislation specifically addressing this epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. WithSavanna's Actand theNot Invisible Act, we are making real progress in seeking justice for the families of those missing, murdered and trafficked, and in curbing violence against Native women. Both laws require federal agencies to improve coordination with local partners and ensure tribal governments have the federal backing to address a crisis that has been under-resourced for far too long. The memory of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind lives on in the law that bears her name.Savanna's Actwill create standardized, yet region-specific guidelines for responding to cases of missing or murdered Native Americans, with meaningful consultation from tribes. These guidelines will go a long way to making sure that the different local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement involved in responding to these tragic cases actually work together effectively. The law also requires thatdata on missing or murdered Native Americans finally be collected and reported to Congress, along with recommendations for improving the quality of that data. Just as important, it makes sure that tribes have access to relevant federal law enforcement databases essential for fighting violent crime. TheNot Invisible Actrequires the Secretary of the Interior to appoint a person within the Bureau of Indian Affairs whose job it will be to make sure all federal agencies are actually working together, not in agency silos, to reduce violent crime against Native Americans and prosecute the perpetrators. The legislation also recognizes the historical failures of the federal government in interacting with our tribal nations by ensuring that tribes have a voice at the table. The law establishes a commission starting in the spring of 2021made up of law enforcement, tribal leaders, federal partners, service providers, family members of victims, and survivorsto make recommendations on what more must be done to combat the epidemic of missing, murdered and trafficked Native Americans. Our work is far from done, and more focus and determination will be needed in the coming weeks, months and years to ensure that we remain on track to curb this epidemic. The signing of theNot Invisible ActandSavanna's Actinto law by President Trump gives us hope. It means that Native communities finally have federal support to more effectively protect women and no longer have to fight this crisis alone. We thank Senator Heitkamp for her leadership, and we are grateful to Native American community leaders for their tireless advocacy over the years. Families of victims deserve answers; today is the beginning of the end of the legacy of violence against Native women and girls and the start of seeking justice for countless lives. If you or someone you know has been a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or trafficking,resourcesare available to you. Related Issues: Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-congressional-delegation-files-amicus-brief-in-support-of-alaska-native-corporations,Alaska Congressional Delegation Files Amicus Brief in Support of Alaska Native Corporations,2020-11-19,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.19.20 Alaska Congressional Delegation Files Amicus Brief in Support of Alaska Native Corporations Continue Push for ANCs to Be Eligible for COVID-19 Tribal Assistance U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and U.S. Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, filed an amicus curiae brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court togrant the petitionfor a writ of certiorari in support of Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) eligibility for tribal assistance appropriated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The amicus brief states that the indigenous peoples of Alaska will suffer severe negative consequences as a result of theD.C.Circuit Court of Appeals' September 25, 2020 decision,which heldthatANCs are ineligible for CARES Act tribalcoronavirus relief funding. The Alaska Congressional Delegation argued the decision should be reversed, citing decades old precedent and federal Indian law which supports ANCs eligibility for thisfunding. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit's September ruling overturned an earlier June 26 ruling by a U.S. District Court that concluded ANCs are eligible for the aid. We worked hard to secure funding within the CARES Act to provide emergency-relief funds to 'Indian tribes' as defined by the Indian Self-Determination Education and Assistance Actwhich includes Alaska regional or village corporationsto help provide the maximum benefit to all indigenous people to help overcome the impacts of COVID-19. The ruling by the D.C. Circuit deeming ANCs as ineligible for this critical funding is unacceptable as it goes against the language of ANCSA, ISDEAA, and the CARES Act, erasing more than 45 years of precedent, with the potential to undo the tribal systems of healthcare, education, housing, and more, said the delegation. The pandemic is hitting Alaska Native villages hard with COVID cases continuing to rise. We stand with the ANCs who are fighting for the health and safety of all Alaska Natives. Click here for the full amicus brief. Excerpts from the Amicus Brief: To undermine programs during a global pandemic is a failure to understand how Native entities work together in Alaska and calls for review by this Court. As Members of Congress who represent the only indigenous population that has been singled out for this disparate treatment, we have a unique interest in participating in this briefing and will be useful for this Court in interpreting the laws we have consistently passed for nearly half a century. The DC Circuit's decision, if allowed to stand, will have a widespread and deleterious effect on numerous agencies' precedents and practice, and calls into question laws that have been relied upon, with good reason, by the indigenous people of Alaska and this Nation, for nearly half a century. The DC Circuit's decision singles out the indigenous people of Alaska, the constituency we represent, and forces them to try to seek redress from the State rather than the federal government, which owes them a special duty under the trust relationship as Indians. Not only is that incorrect for legal and historic reasons, but it is also not the reality of how services are received or delivered in Alaska. Additionally, due to the sweeping nature of the DC Circuit's decision, the full impact of the injury is unknown, but may prove fatal to more than one system of delivering services to the Indian population of Alaska. While a global pandemic spreads to the remote villages of Alaska, the system that delivers health care has been called into question and critical funding withheld. Currently, COVID cases in the remote villages hit 20 percent and little safeguards within the communities. Over 30 villages lack basic sanitation infrastructure; there is no running water for all the residents, no flush toilets the lack of which only enables the pandemic to spread. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019 survey, 15.8% of Alaska's overall population is Alaska Native and American Indian alone. With the pandemic just reaching the villages, Alaska Native and American Indian people already account for 32.3% of total deaths in Alaska. This is occurring while needed relief funds are being withheld. ANCSA makes clear that the Alaska Native people are the heart and soul of the ANCs, and for whom the ANCs were formed to benefit. Alaska Native people are not to be considered ""less than"" other Indian people just because they fall into one designation rather than another. With its passage in 1975, ISDEAA also explicitly recognized and imported ANCs into concepts of self-determination by including them in the definition of 'Indian tribe.' The DC Circuit's decision found that the systems of receiving and delivering Indian services in Alaska should be set-aside because it did not conform to the Lower 48 model of a traditional sovereign tribe with reservation land; this is a fundamental misunderstanding of Alaska which has grave consequences. Timeline: Related Issues: COVID-19 Resource Page, Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-responds-to-pentagon-announcement-of-troop-withdrawals-in-afghanistan-and-iraq,Murkowski Responds to Pentagon Announcement of Troop Withdrawals in Afghanistan and Iraq,2020-11-19,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.19.20 Murkowski Responds to Pentagon Announcement of Troop Withdrawals in Afghanistan and Iraq Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller recently announced plans to reduce U.S. troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan by January 15, 2021. In response, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement: I do not support indefinite American troop presence in Afghanistan and Iraq and generally support efforts toward their removal, but it must be done in a thoughtful and strategic manner. I find the recent announcement of an abrupt troop withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan troubling with the deadline for removal coming shortly before the expected transition of presidential administrations, and the recent termination of former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. A premature withdrawal of troops from these theaters could have lasting negative impacts on national and regional security and be a disservice to the thousands of Americans who have fought and died in these wars. I encourage taking a pause in major shifts in our military posture. We must ensure that any future plans do not risk American lives or unravel the progress that has been made in counterterrorism efforts. I look forward to the opportunity to be briefed further on the details of this decision. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/blumenthal-and-murkowski-lead-bipartisan-push-to-preserve-legal-rights_protections-of-servicemembers--veterans,Blumenthal & Murkowski Lead Bipartisan Push To Preserve Legal Rights & Protections Of Servicemembers & Veterans,2020-11-18,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.18.20 Blumenthal & Murkowski Lead Bipartisan Push To Preserve Legal Rights & Protections Of Servicemembers & Veterans U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) led a bipartisan group of eleven senators urging the conference committee working on reconciling the differences between the House and Senate-passed versions of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to retain provisions passed by the House that would preserve servicemembers and veterans' access to justice. Access to the court system to enforce rights granted under the law is one of the fundamental principles of our democracy, wrote the senators in a letter to House and Senate Armed Services Committee leadership. Servicemembers and veterans should not be denied their right to their day in court if their federal, statutory rights are violated. Forced arbitration deprives servicemembers of that basic right. Arbitration is a private system without any legal protections. There is no public filing of cases, public review of decisions, or requirement that arbitrators have legal training or even follow the law. Laws like the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protect servicemembers from consumer scams, abuses, and fraud. These protections are undermined by mandatory arbitration clauses that deprive servicemembers from being able to seek justice in courts or joining together to seek accountability for claims of wrongdoing. The senators urged the NDAA conference committee to include a provision that would prohibit forced arbitration for USERRA claims. A number of consumer, military, and veterans groups support the House-passed provisions of the NDAA, including the American Association for Justice, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Military Officers Association of America, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Their letter of support can be viewed here. A copy of the full letter is available here and below. November 16, 2020 The Honorable Jim Inhofe The Honorable Jack Reed Chairman Chairman Ranking Member Senate Armed Services Committee Senate Armed Services Committee 205 Russell Senate Office Building 228 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Adam Smith The Honorable Mac Thornberry Chairman Ranking Member House Armed Services Committee House Armed Services Committee 2216 Rayburn Office Building 2216 Rayburn Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairmen and Ranking Members: As you work to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 2021 NDAA), we write to urge you to retain House-passed provisions that would protect servicemembers from being forced into arbitration when trying to uphold their federal rights granted by Congress under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The primary mission of the brave women and men of the U.S. Armed Forces is to protect our nation a mission that can be jeopardized when their lives are interrupted with consumer scams, abuses, and fraud. This risk is heightened by the particular burdens faced by servicemembers, such as limited access to internet or banking services while deployed. Congress has enacted laws such as SCRA to protect our servicemembers from these types of unscrupulous financial practices. Despite these laws, predatory lenders and other bad actors have circumvented federal protections through forced arbitration. The Department of Defense has long recognized the relationship between financial issues which negatively impact servicemembers and the use of forced arbitration and indeed stated in a 2006 report[1]: Service members should maintain full legal recourse against unscrupulous lenders. Loan contracts to Service members should not include mandatory arbitration clauses or onerous notice provisions, and should not require the Service member to waive his or her right of recourse, such as the right to participate in a plaintiff class. Waiver isn't a matter of choice' in take-it-or-leave-it contracts of adhesion. Just as no servicemember should be the victim of corporate financial abuse, no servicemember should face employment discrimination because of their service. Take the case of Kevin Ziober[2], a U.S. Navy reservist whose employer fired him just hours after throwing him a going away party before his imminent deployment to Afghanistan. Ziober sued his employer, arguing that the company violated USERRA when they fired him for fulfilling his military service. His employer, however, forced him into arbitration. Ziober fought all the way to the Supreme Court to be able to bring his claim in court, but was unable to enforce his rights under USERRA due to a forced arbitration clause in his employment contract. Access to the court system to enforce rights granted under the law is one of the fundamental principles of our democracy. Servicemembers and veterans should not be denied their right to their day in court if their federal, statutory rights are violated. Forced arbitration deprives servicemembers of that basic right. Arbitration is a private system without any legal protections. There is no public filing of cases, public review of decisions, or requirement that arbitrators have legal training or even follow the law. Attached is a letter from numerous military and veterans organizations in strong support of this effort to protect our men and women in uniform: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), among many others. As the letter states: Forced arbitration is a one-sided, non-transparent process in which servicemembers have very little chance at achieving a favorable outcome when their rights and protections set forth under these federal laws are violated. We urge you to retain the following provisions from Division A of the House-passed NDAA in the final FY 2021 NDAA: - Sec. 534 . Clarifications Regarding Scope of Employment And Reemployment Rights Of Members Of The Uniformed Services. This provision would ensure servicemembers are protected from the use of forced arbitration when they enforce their rights under USERRA. - Sec. 540A. To Resolve Controversies Under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act; - Sec. 540B. Limitation on Waiver Of Rights And Protections Under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act; and - Sec. 540C. Clarification Of Private Right Of Action Under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. These provisions would ensure that servicemembers are protected from the use of forced arbitration when they enforce their rights under SCRA. We urge you to include these protections in the FY 2021 NDAA to support our nation's servicemembers' and veterans' fundamental right to seek remedies through the court system for being unjustly fired or exploited Sincerely [1] Department of Defense, Report On Predatory Lending Practices Directed at Members of the Armed Forces and Their Dependents (Aug. 9, 2006), http://1.usa.gov/rVdafq. [2] Ziober v. BLB Res., Inc., 839 F.3d 814, 823 (9th Cir. 2016),cert. denied,137 S. Ct. 2274 (2017).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/enr-advances-ferc-nominees,ENR Advances FERC Nominees,2020-11-18,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.18.20 ENR Advances FERC Nominees The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today held abusiness meetingand reported the following nominees to the full Senate: Mr. Mark Christie to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and Ms. Allison Clements to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Mr. Christie has been nominated to replace former Commissioner Bernie McNamee for a term that ends on June 30, 2025. Ms. Clements has been nominated to replace former Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur for a term that ends on June 30, 2024. The committee favorably reported both Christie and Clements by voice vote. Both nominees will now be added to the Senate's Executive Calendar for potential floor consideration. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-highlights-need-for-university-land-grant_ancsa-fulfillment-act-at-legislative-hearing,"Murkowski Highlights Need for University Land Grant, ANCSA Fulfillment Act at Legislative Hearing",2020-11-18,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.18.20 Murkowski Highlights Need for University Land Grant, ANCSA Fulfillment Act at Legislative Hearing U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today highlighted two bills important to Alaska at an Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining (PLFM)legislative hearing. Murkowski spoke about the need to provide long-term fiscal stability for the University of Alaska (University) and to resolve a set of outstanding issues from the almost 50-year-old Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA). Murkowski's first bill, S. 4696, the University of Alaska Fiscal Foundation Act, will resolve the University's outstanding land grant by directly transferring up to 360,000 acres of land from the federal estate to the University. The transferred land will count against Alaska's Statehood entitlement, so it will come at no net loss to the federal government. Murkowski also submitted statements of support from Governor Dunleavy, the President of the Alaska State Senate, the University's Board of Regents, and the Association of Public & Land Grant Universities for the record of today's hearing. Senator Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, is a cosponsor of S. 4696 and Congressman Don Young, also R-Alaska, has introduced companion legislation in the House. Right now our largest state has a land-grant university with a land grant smaller than just about every other land-grant university in every other state. Alaska has a tremendous need for long-term support and stability for our University system as we navigate some of the most significant economic headwinds our state has ever faced,Murkowski said.This bill brings the State of Alaska and federal government together to cooperatively execute a program to fulfill the University's land entitlement. Murkowski's second bill, S. 4889, the ANCSA Fulfillment Act,is a package that aims to resolve a number of outstanding issues related to the landmark 1971 law, including: addressing the outstanding entitlement for the villages of Kaktovik and Canyon Village; ensuring Alaska Native elders are still eligible for federal need-based assistance; and authorizing the five landless communities in southeast Alaska to form urban corporations and receive lands. Sullivan is also a cosponsor of S. 4889 and Young has introduced companion legislation for the landless communities in the House. This bill aims to fulfill the spirit of ANCSA in a number of important ways. It would help alleviate the poverty and healthcare challenges faced by many rural Alaska communities, address delays for outstanding land entitlements, and end an outdated requirement for village corporations,Murkowski said.It will also remedy the half-century injustice where five southeast communities were omitted from ANCSA's authorizations to form urban corporations and thus have not received land entitlements. I encourage my colleagues tolistento the Alaska Native leaders whose parents pushed for the passage of ANCSA when they were children, and who are now passing the torch to their own children to right this wrong. Today's PLFM hearing featured testimony on multiple lands-related bills. An archived video, the full hearing agenda,and witness testimony from the subcommittee hearing are available on the committee'swebsite. Related Issues: Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska, Education Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-hassan-push-legislation-to-extend-deadline-for-communities-to-spend-cares-act-funding-through-september-2021,"Murkowski, Hassan Push Legislation to Extend Deadline For Communities to Spend CARES Act Funding through September 2021",2020-11-17,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.17.20 Murkowski, Hassan Push Legislation to Extend Deadline For Communities to Spend CARES Act Funding through September 2021 U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced legislation that extends the period during which States, Indian Tribes,territories,and local governments may use Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) payments, allocated under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. If enacted, thisbipartisanlegislation will allow the relief funds to be used until September 30, 2021, rather than the original deadline of the end of this year, December 30, 2020. The CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, allocated$150 billion to create the Coronavirus Relief Fund, out of which$8 billionwere reservedfor tribal governments. However, Indian Country did not receive any funds until May 5, 2020, well after the bill's statutory deadline. Alaska Natives in small, remote villages often travel long distances for healthcare, have limited internet to high-speed internet, and many homes lack running water and electricity, making legislation to extend the deadline to use CARES Act funding even more urgent. In crafting the CARES Act, Congress worked hard to ensure that Americans continue to have access to much needed, targeted relief. Unfortunately, a number of American Indian and Alaska Native communities, many of which have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, did not receive any funds until well after the CARES Act's statutory deadline.Particularly for our smaller communities in Alaska, spending this funding by the current deadline is an unreasonable task which is only compounded by the difficulties of preparing for Alaska's harsh winter. As local governments continue to assess and respond to the needs created by this pandemic, it's imperative that we aren't putting up red tape,said Senator Murkowski.As we continue our efforts to respond to the impacts of COVID-19, I remain committed to putting the needs of Alaskans first. Right now, that means allowing the recipients of CARES Act funding the time and flexibility they need to put that vital funding to good use. Local and state governments need additional assistance to protect public health and support our economy as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens, said Senator Hassan. Just this week I led a roundtable with Granite State leaders who shared with me that they need more funding to combat COVID-19, as well as more time to use it effectively. That's why I'm working on a bipartisan basis to extend the deadline for state and local governments to use CARES Act funding, and I continue to push for additional funding for public health needs, state and local governments, small businesses, and individuals. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/one-step-closer-interior-issues-call-for-nominations-for_first-lease-sale-in-alaskas-coastal-plain,One Step Closer: Interior Issues Call for Nominations for First Lease Sale in Alaskas Coastal Plain,2020-11-17,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.17.20 One Step Closer: Interior Issues Call for Nominations for First Lease Sale in Alaska's Coastal Plain U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced it will issue a Call for Nominations for tracts to be offered in the first lease sale in the non-wilderness Coastal Plain (1002 Area) of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The Call for Nominations follows the administration's Record of Decision in August and will include 32 tracts covering 1.6 million acres. This is a key step that puts us on track to have a lease sale in the 1002 Area as soon as January 2021, Murkowski said. While we face headwinds, from global economic conditions to an organized effort to prevent leasing, the Department's rigorous environmental review has provided a solid framework to ensure responsible exploration and development. We are now within sight of the first-ever lease sale on the Coastal Plain, and I appreciate the continued good work of Secretary Bernhardt and his team to help us reach this point. A lease sale in ANWR's Coastal Plain will be a major step in cementing the historic progress we've made for Alaska's economic future over the past four years,Sullivan said. This development could mean thousands of jobs forhard-workingAlaskans and hundreds of thousands of barrels in daily pipeline throughput. I applaud Secretary Bernhardt and the Interior Department team for faithfully implementing the law we passed in 2017 and moving us one step closer to responsibly developing the 1002 Area for the benefit of Alaskans and the entire country. Alaskans have always been strong environmental stewards who know how to develop our resources responsibly. Securing the longtime promise of development on ANWR's Coastal Plain was a tremendous victory for Alaska, and this call for nominations is a critical step toward a lease sale. Make no mistake: the voices that want to lock away Alaska from development are only growing louderand less Alaskan. There is light at the end of the tunnel in our fight, and the time is now to finally achieve what was promised by ANILCA four decades ago. As we approach the day where the first drilling rigs arrive and crude starts flowing, I will continue working to ensure that Alaska is front and center as we blaze the trail towardcontinuedAmerican energy dominance, Young said. BLM's Call for Nominations will officially appear in the Federal Register tomorrow. It will be open for 30 days, until December 17, 2020. During that time, members of the public can nominate tracts within the program area for potential inclusion in the upcoming lease sale. The lease sale itself will require 30 additional days of notice before it can be held. President Trump signed H.R. 1, theTax Cuts and Jobs Act,in December 2017. The second title of the Act authorizes the surface development of up to 2,000 federal acres of the non-wilderness Coastal Plain (roughly one ten-thousandth of all of ANWR). The U.S. Geological Survey estimates this area contains 10.4 billion barrels of technically recoverable oil. New production from the 1002 Area will refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System while creating high-paying jobs, generating revenues for the state and federal treasuries, keeping energy prices affordable for families and businesses, and strengthening national energy security. Alaska has a strong record of responsible resource development. The footprint of drilling pads on the North Slope has declined by 80 percent since the 1970s, while the reach of underground drilling has grown by 4,000 percent. The result is that less land is being used to develop resources than ever before; many modern sites cover just a few acres and are miles apart. The Central Arctic Caribou herd, which ranges throughout Prudhoe Bay, has seen its population grow for sustained periods alongside development on the North Slope. ANWR spans 19.3 million acres an area of land roughly equal in size to South Carolina in northeast Alaska. In 1980, Congress designated more than eight million acres within ANWR an area of land significantly larger than Maryland as federal wilderness as part of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. That same legislation set aside the 1.57-million acre Coastal Plain for petroleum exploration and potential future development, which is supported by a majority of Alaskans. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/appropriations-bills-for-fiscal-year-2021-unveiled,Appropriations Bills for Fiscal Year 2021 Unveiled,2020-11-12,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.12.20 Appropriations Bills for Fiscal Year 2021 Unveiled This week the Appropriations Committee released all twelve of its Fiscal Year 2021 draft funding bills. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, where she is the Chairman of the Interior and Environment Subcommittee. Our full Committee and subcommittees worked hard on these bills as it's critically important that we fund agencies and programs vital to Americans and our communities. Senator Murkowski said. As Americans grapple with the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, having a full-year funding agreement signed into law will bring much needed fiscal certainty at a time when Alaskans and all Americans need their government to function smoothly. Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food & Drug Administration Bill Text Explanatory Statement Commerce, Justice, Science Bill Text Explanatory Statement Defense Bill Text Explanatory Statement Energy and Water Development Bill Text Explanatory Statement Financial Services and General Government Bill Text Explanatory Statement Homeland Security Bill Text Explanatory Statement Interior and Environment [Note: Senator Murkowski is chairman of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. Click here for bill highlights.] Bill Text Explanatory Statement Labor, Health & Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Bill Text Explanatory Statement Legislative Branch Bill Text Explanatory Statement Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Bill Text Explanatory Statement State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Bill Text Explanatory Statement Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Bill Text Explanatory Statement Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-honors-american-veterans,Murkowski Honors American Veterans,2020-11-11,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.11.20 Murkowski Honors American Veterans It doesn't take a big ceremony or long speeches to honor those who have dedicated their life in service to America' U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) shared the following message with Alaskans on Veterans Day: (Click here to watch Murkowski's video message.) To all of you on Veterans Day, this year is different as many of our Veterans Day ceremonies are cancelled or as we follow new guidance due to COVID-19. But it doesn't take a big ceremony or long speeches to honor those who have dedicated their life in service to America. Whether you're attending an in-person event, joining a virtual celebration, or offering a simple thank you' to a veteran, I encourage everyone to find their own way to honor the brave men and women who have answered the call to serve. They have sacrificed their safety, their time, and so much more in the name of America's freedom and protection. Close to 70,000 veterans live among us in Alaska, more veterans per capita than any other state70,000 men and women who have shown commitment, strength, and perseverance for the sake of the freedoms we enjoy. We honor them for their devotion to duty, both to Alaska and to our great nation. Today and every day we pay tribute to all our veterans who have fought and served honorablywhether in times of war or in times of peace. You are our heroes. Thank you. Click here for Senator Murkowski's legislative efforts in support of veterans during the 116th Congress. Related Issues: Veterans Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/delegations-landless-legislation-rectifies-50-year-injustice,Delegations Landless Legislation Rectifies 50-Year Injustice,2020-11-10,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.10.20 Delegation's Landless Legislation Rectifies 50-Year Injustice Bill Would Provide Lands and Rights Under ANCSA to Five Southeast Native Communities U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, andRep.Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued statements on new legislation they introduced to allow the Alaska Native communities of Haines, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, and Tenakee to form urban corporations and receive land entitlements under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA). The five Southeast communities were not included in ANCSA, which divided 44 million acres of land among more than 200 regional, village, and urban corporations to resolve land claims throughout Alaska. Thedelegation's new bill entitled the Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act would amend ANCSA to provide each community with the right to form an Alaska Native Urban Corporation and receive 23,040 acres, or one township, of federal landjust as ANCSA granted to other Southeast Native communities 50 years ago. The identity of Alaska's first people is inextricably tied to the land they have inhabited for centuries, Murkowski said. For five decades, these five landless communities have sought the same benefits ANCSA granted to other Alaska Natives throughout Southeast. This is a matter of equity. Our new legislation will help correct this historical wrong. It is simply a matter of fairness that the five landless' Alaska Native communities in Southeast have the same access to land that other communities received following the historic enactment of ANCSA, Sullivan said. Our legislation directs the federal government to make good on its promises to the indigenous communities that were excluded from this seminal agreement, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to help them understand the unique importance of this bill to the people of my state. For too long, the so-called 'landless' Alaska Natives, from the communities of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell, have been denied the land and local resources that other village and urban corporations received under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971, Young said. Very frankly, this was an error that should have never happened, and I have always fought to secure the recognition that these communities deserve. Access to land is crucial, and will help bring economic opportunity and upward mobility to the Alaska Natives in Southeast. I am very proud to introduce the Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act. Just as we have with Alaska Native communities across our state, this bill would finally amend ANCSA to provide each landless community with the right to form an Alaska Native Urban Corporation, making them eligible to receive 23,040 acres of federal land. I am grateful to have Senators Murkowski and Sullivan as partners in this important initiative, and I sincerely appreciate the extensive input and engagement from stakeholders in Southeast. Securing a better tomorrow for Alaska Natives starts with ensuring fair treatment under law, and Alaskans can count on me to work hard to get this bill across the finish line. We are at a unique time in our history, as the United States comes to a collective reckoning of its past, while socially and institutionally reforming to rebuild its present, said Cecilia Tavoliero, Petersburg landless shareholder and president of the Southeast Alaska Landless Corporation, the nonprofit coalition of the five landless communities fighting for recognition. As we rebuild, Alaska Natives Without Land is fighting for Indigenous land rights for the descendants of the ancient villages of the Southeast Alaskan communities known today as Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee Springs and Wrangell. Sullivan and Murkowski filed the measure in the Senate earlier today, and Young will introduce it Thursday, when the House is back in session. There is no consensus on why the five communities were left out of ANCSA, but a congressionally-directed 1994studyby the University of Alaska's Institute of Social and Economic Research found that the examined history of the five communities showed strong similarities to other communities in the region that were granted corporations under ANCSA. The new legislation is the result of extensive and ongoing outreach to stakeholders in Southeast Alaska. Unlike previous measures, it identifies specific parcels of land that would be conveyed to the new urban corporations, which are depicted on official maps produced by the U.S. Forest Service. The legislation also includes detailed terms to protect many existing uses of those lands and to ensure that reasonable public access can continue. To read the legislation, click here. To see the Forest Service's maps, click here. Related Issues: Energy, Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-unveils-interior-environment-bill-,Murkowski Unveils Interior-Environment Bill,2020-11-10,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.10.20 Murkowski Unveils Interior-Environment Bill Prioritizing Health, Safety, and Well-being of Alaskans Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released her Fiscal Year 2021 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act bill. The Committee is responsible for funding agencies that are tasked with ensuring clean water and clean air, managing public lands, meeting federal trust responsibilities for Native peoples, and funding cultural agencies and museums. As chairman of the Interior Subcommittee, Murkowski crafted a bill with funding to strengthen local economies and create safer and healthier communities. For Alaskans, this Interior bill means cleaner air and water, as well as safer and healthier communities. Through my work on this bill we are prioritizing the need to protect our people, our water, and our lands. As we continue to navigate the detrimental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this bill will help to create an economic boost and opportunities for communities across Alaska, Senator Murkowski said. I look forward to working with my colleagues to finalize our work and have a bill signed into law that will bring much needed fiscal certainty at a time when Alaskans and all Americans need it most. Click here for the bill text. Click here for the explanatory statement. Investing in Communities The Interior bill fully funds the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program at $515 million. The PILT program provides monetary compensation to local governments throughout Alaska that contain federal lands that are not subject to state or local taxation. The revenue helps local governments provide vital services, such as firefighting and police protection, construction of public schools and roads, and search-and-rescue operations. As the Indian Health Service (IHS) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) serve a vital role in Alaska, bill fulfills the federal promises made to Alaska Natives by allocating full funding for Contract Support Costs, the operational costs of tribes to deliver services including federal Indian health programs. The bill provides dedicated funding for 105 (l) tribal lease payments and maintains support for Village Built Clinics. These clinics are the backbone of Alaska's rural health program and are often the only source of medical care available to Alaskans in rural areas, as well as provide support for infrastructure improvements through Small Ambulatory Clinics. The bill prioritizes infrastructure improvements on our nation's public lands, which is key to both local visitors and the tourism sector. The bill provides the NPS with an additional $71 million to address critical operations in our nation's parks. The bill also includes funding for Forest Service (FS) recreation access including cabins, trails, and campgrounds and provides resources to help expand recreation-based businesses to operate in the Chugach and Tongass National Forests in Alaska. In addition, the bill directs the FS to continue workforce initiatives in the Tongass National Forest and create economic opportunities for Alaska's Southeast region. Creating Safer Communities Native American women face high rates of violence and the lack of data on the number of women and girls who go missing or murdered further complicates the Nation's ability to address this crisis. An additional $6 million is included for Missing, Tracked, and Murdered Indigenous Women initiatives, with funding specifically for cold cases, equipment, and to support the goals of the Operation Lady Justice Task Force. The bill also provides for domestic violence prevention initiatives, specific VAWA tribal court needs, and to help communities develop tribal court systems. The bill also provides funding for important programs that help emergency responders respond to natural hazards and inform the public. Funding for the earthquake hazards program will help states like Alaska develop and enhance earthquake monitoring capabilities. Support for wildfire prevention and suppression efforts work to help reduce the risk of wildfires. In addition, the bill provides for data collection and landslide hazard assessments in Alaska's Prince William Sound area. Prioritizing Healthier Communities The bill provides robust funding to improve wastewater and drinking water systems through EPA programs which help bring basic water and sewer infrastructure to communities including increased funds for the improvement of existing water systems and sanitation facilities, along with training, in Native Villages. The bill addresses PFAS contamination by providing funding which support state-led cleanup and remediation efforts of PFAS contaminated water sources, water systems, and lands as well as increased funding for USGS for testing and mapping of PFAS contamination. The bill also recognizes the importance of the world-class Bristol Bay ecosystem and concurs with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' [Corps] assessment of August 24, 2020, that the Pebble mine project in southwest Alaska, as proposed, cannot be permitted under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Federal agencies should deny the permit for the project if Pebble Limited Partnership is unable to provide a full and functional compensatory mitigation plan that meets all requirements within the Corps' requested 90-day timeframe. Furthermore, the bill provides funding for preliminary appraisal and valuation work for potential land acquisitions and exchanges in high-priority conservation areas, such as the Bristol Bay ecosystem. The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee controls funding levels for federal agencies and departments including the Department of the Interior (DOI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Forest Service (FS), National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and Indian Health Service (IHS), as well as NEH, NEA, and the Smithsonian Institution (SI). Related Issues: Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska, Health, Budget, Spending, and the National Debt",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-welcomes-court-ruling-declaring-ge-salmon-unlawful,Murkowski Welcomes Court Ruling Declaring GE Salmon Unlawful,2020-11-06,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.06.20 Murkowski Welcomes Court Ruling Declaring GE Salmon Unlawful U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after a US District Court Judge for the Northern District of California ruled yesterday the Food and Drug Administration violated core environmental laws in approving the genetically engineered (GE) salmon: The impacts that genetically engineered salmon could have on Alaskans, our commercial fishing industry, and seafood consumers all over the world are concerning, and, as this ruling found, understudied. Yesterday's court ruling is welcome news. It confirms the FDA's decision to allow GE salmon to be produced in different locations across North America was in violation of the law, and did not consider the potential for severe consequences on nature's best brain food wild salmon. I have introduced legislation for years identifying these exact flaws within FDA's wholly inadequate assessment of the threat GE salmon poses to wild salmon stocks. I'm glad the court has caught up with my reasoning and recognized the concerns raised by many Alaskans about GE salmon. Background: In the 116th Congress, Senator Murkowski introduced the Genetically Engineered Salmon Labeling Act to ensure that any GE salmon products in the U.S. market are clearly labeled genetically engineered in the market name. In the year-end Fiscal Year 2020 funding bill, Senator Murkowski secured a provision which requires the market name of any genetically engineered product approved prior to the effective date of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard to include the term genetically engineered. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/icymi-vaccine-discussion-with-senator-murkowski-and-alaska-chief-medical-officer-dr-zink-in-light-of-covid-19-and-flu-season,ICYMI: Vaccine Discussion with Senator Murkowski and Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Zink in Light of COVID-19 and Flu Season,2020-11-05,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.05.20 ICYMI: Vaccine Discussion with Senator Murkowski and Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Zink in Light of COVID-19 and Flu Season Just like winter, COVID, if we plan and prepare to mitigate it, we will be safer In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) held a virtual discussion with Alaska's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anne Zink, last week to discuss vaccines and the important role of seasonal influenza vaccinations as Alaskans continue to face the health impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. They covered everything from efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the need for preventing a bad flu season, Alaskan concerns regarding vaccines, and efforts to prepare for a COVID-19 vaccine. Click here for video of their entire discussion. Dr. Zink first provided an update on current state of play of COVID-19 in Alaska and explained the importance of Alaskans working together to slow the spread, particularly as the winter flu season approaches. COVID fatigue is real and we are seeing that across our state and we are seeing cases rise because of it. So as we are really facing a very challenging time in our state right now we need to remember that prevention works, that masks work, that distance works, and we need to do it collectively. There's no one magic answer. It's a series of tools that we use in collection to really slow the spread. There's no one policy, no one person, no one thing that's going to make this go away. It's going to be all Alaskans working together, said Dr. Zink. The important message with us right now is to recognize that the protocols and the guidance haven't changed, said Senator Murkowski. Our numbers are not where we want them to be. In fact we are going in a direction that all of us had hoped we wouldn't see. The outbreaks that we are seeing in rural Alaska right now are quite concerning to all of us, because we recognize that we have much more limited capacity out there and you also have vulnerabilities among Alaska Native peoples that also present other challenges. Senator Murkowski then asked Dr. Zink what advice she's giving to those in rural areas of Alaska versus urban areas. Dr. Zink responded, I think some things have to be different. If you don't have running water and sewer it's hard to say wash your hands in the same way. And so I think we need to recognize the challenges and limitations. If you have 15 people living in two rooms, it's hard to say stay in your own separate place.' There are just physical limitations that are there. I think the big things that I would say is that many of our rural communities have really been able to slow the spread by quarantining before people come in and testing before people come in, but those restrictions on travel are not sufficient. They're not alone enough. No one single thing is going to protect it. And we need to create kind of speed bumps, or potholes, in the road of COVID to slow things down. Senator Murkowski asked Dr. Zink to discuss why this year with the COVID-19 pandemic upon us coupled with the seasonal influenza, it's more important than ever for Alaskans who are able, to receive a flu vaccine. Dr. Zink explained how while we work to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we also need to minimize the flu. Dr. Zink said, We also have really limited healthcare capacity in Alaska. And if you've ever had to wait in the emergency department for an admission, if you've ever had to be transferred to another hospital, you know what that means. You know that we have limited capacity. Just yesterday we had no ICU beds in Mat-Su and five in Anchorage, both overall. So we are full, we are really full right now. Only just about 8% are COVID related, but still we have limited capacity. The flu vaccine decreases your chance of needing ICU care by 83%. So when we talk about those beds and the needs to keep those beds open, the flu vaccine is an important tool to minimize your chance of needing hospitalization or potentially dying, for you. And it also minimizes the chance that we could spread it to others. We recognize it is not 100 percent effective but what you're sharing is that, while it might not keep you from getting the flu, how you respond to that flu virus is going to be easier for you to get through it if you had had the flu vaccine, Murkowski responded. This is one way that we can stop the spread of that but if you do get it, your reaction will typically be less severe, less difficult, less complicated. Dr. Zink stressed that while a vaccine is another tool to minimize risks, we always need to be supporting our immune systemincluding mental healthensuring your immune system is strong and robust. Senator Murkowski prompted Dr. Zink to address vaccine hesitancy and explain concerns from Alaskans on whether or not the flu vaccine would make someone sick. On the issue of child vaccinations, Murkowski cited that Alaska ranks at the bottom of the nation on percentage of those who have received their vaccinations. Murkowski explained, I supposed you can say that some of it is related to access, some of it is related to not being in a position to have good information about vaccines, but I'd like to hear from your perspective as we think about children's vaccinations and the importance of children getting their vaccines, not only to protect them but to protect others, whatever the outbreak may be. I can totally understand the reason for vaccine hesitancy in so many ways. And I think even just as a parent the balance that I had to remind myself, and not every parent has this advantage, is seeing kids in the emergency department struggling to breathe because of influenza, because of other vaccine preventable diseases. And having parents say to me I would do anything to have protected my kid and I didn't realize that I hadn't protected them.' And I never wanted to be in that situation. And until you see your child suffering and struggling, it's miserable. And so you know, my kid is going to throw a temper tantrum if I take away that candy, but it's going to be the right thing for them. My kid might cry when I poke them when they get their vaccine but it's the right thing to do to protect their health and the health of the community. There's probably no single thing that we do in medicine that has been as well studied as well as so effective as vaccines, except for maybe clean water. And so I think making sure we have clean water is a hugely important thing, but after that vaccines are probably next up there. We have been so successful at suppressing these diseases, so we don't see them and we don't see the risk of them. And it's because we don't see and feel that risk that it's hard to see the need for prevention, said Dr. Zink. Senator Murkowski then turned to efforts underway for a COVID-19 vaccine. We've got Operation Warp Speed that's moving forward to try to advance a vaccine quickly, but to do it safely. And again, to the issue of vaccine hesitancy, if people think that this vaccine has been too rushed, if it is not safe, there's going to be kind of a wait and see. And if what we're really trying to do is arrest this COVID virus, then a safe, effective vaccine is going to be important, but making sure that people take that vaccine is going to be a priority, said Murkowski. The vaccine and process toward a vaccine has become viewed as political. It should never be political. It should be a matter of science and research and the best and most brilliant minds coming together really designing a vaccine to save lives. Murkowski spoke to her efforts in Congress to make sure that through the vaccine development process there's increased transparency, helping boost public trust to help reassure Americans when a vaccine is available, that it is safe. Murkowski then asked Dr. Zink to speak to how Alaska is preparing for a future COVID-19 vaccine. It has to be safe, that's the number one thing. And then advantageous, it needs to work. And like we talk about the flu, it doesn't have to work perfectly to be useful and that's okay. There may be some additional steps that need to be taken in combination, but we want to make sure that it is number one safe and then number two, advantageous. It is very reassuring to see that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have completed their enrollment. They have also completed their enrollment with a diverse population, including many people who have underlying health factors for COVID, so that's great to see. It's really important, said Dr. Zink. And from the state perspective we are preparing and being ready to vaccinate and move out quickly once that vaccine is available. We've set up essentially almost like a department for vaccination, we have 8 subgroups and we're doing it in parallel with ANTHC. While we know that Alaska Native population is 15 percent of our population, 50 percent of our test sights are run via some type of tribal entity. Many of our rural communities, that's just where people get care and how people get care and the same will be true of vaccines. And so having a really close partnership there, particularly as we're thinking about really complex distribution ultra-cold storage, cold storage, timing, multiple vaccine, all of these challenges on the logistics endwe want to make sure the logistics isn't the limiting factor and that we're able to rapidly get vaccines out to those who want it. Related Issues: COVID-19 Resource Page, Health",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-applauds-usgs-funding-to-improve-earthquake-monitoring-and-response-in-alaska-,Murkowski Applauds USGS Funding to Improve Earthquake Monitoring and Response in Alaska,2020-10-30,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.30.20 Murkowski Applauds USGS Funding to Improve Earthquake Monitoring and Response in Alaska The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently announced an award of $2.85 million to the Alaska Earthquake Center at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks to support operations of the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS), including stations received from the National Science Foundation USArray. When an earthquake strikes, the ANSS a collaboration between regional, state, and academic institutes and the USGS works to collect and analyze real-time data, and distribute information to the local government, emergency responders, media, and the public. Year-after-year, in her role as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has secured funding to support the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. For Alaskans, earthquakes are a part of life. But the destruction caused by the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that took place in Alaska in November of 2018 was a stark reminder that our efforts to improve earthquake research, monitoring, and real-time date is imperative. This funding will play a critical role in supporting ANSS and the University of Alaska-Fairbanks in their efforts to reduce the impacts of earthquakes in Alaska as well as to keep the public informed and prepared in the face of disaster, said Senator Murkowski. In my role as Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, I've worked hard to secure funding to support efforts to help develop and enhance earthquake monitoring capabilities, including the purchase of seismic monitors that are part of the USArray. I'm proud to have played a role in securing funding which helped make this announcement possible and thank the USGS for prioritizing the needs of Alaskans. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/senate-and-house-introduce-accelerating-access-to-critical-therapies-for-als-act,Senate and House introduce Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act,2020-10-30,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.30.20 Senate and House introduce Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act Early access to promising treatments offers new hope in fight against ALS and improved infrastructure for neurodegenerative disease drug development This week, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) along with Representatives Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) and Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) introduced an updated version of ACT for ALS,Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act, in the United States Senate and House of Representatives. The two new pieces of legislation, S.4867in the Senate and H.R.8662in the House, create new pathways for faster and broader access to therapies for those most in need, including those facing a fatal disease like ALS. For years I've been working with the ALS community to help increase research opportunities and ensure those living with this deadly disease have the support they need. We've made progress, but even with promising treatments in clinical trials, patients unable to enroll in those research studies unfortunately have very few options for treatment. Through a new pilot grant program, as well as other additional funding, this bipartisan legislation will help address barriers to utilizing the current expanded access pathway, while also broadly supporting the development of ALS treatments. As someone whose family has been personally impacted by ALS, I'm proud to help Senator Coons lead this effort,said Senator Lisa Murkowski. ""We must do all we can to support thetens of thousandsof Americansimpacted byALS, aterrible diseasewithout a cure.ACTfor ALS will expand early treatment options and support the cutting-edge research needed to improve quality of life and find a cure. Weshouldtake steps to facilitate access to new therapies, drug treatments, and medical breakthroughsto aid Americans who sufferfromALS orotherforms of neurodegenerative disease,said Senator Chris Coons. ""This new legislation represents a monumental shift for those suffering from ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.It breaks the paradigm of disease research and creates a new pathway to deliver promising treatments.With this new law, we can break through faster for those who have suffered so much,said Congressman Jeff Fortenberry. ""For too long, ALS and diseases like it have gone under researched and under resourced at the federal level. That changes today. The new ACT for ALS bill is the product of intense engagement over many months and is our best opportunity in decades to disrupt the status quo, move the ball forward, and expedite treatment options for those living with terminal illnesses like ALS. I've been so proud to work alongside a diverse group of stakeholderspatients, advocates, scientists, researchers and doctors, both in and outside of government to produce a bold, bipartisan piece of legislation that offers new hope to those suffering from ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases with few treatments and no cures. I want to thank my partner in this effort, Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, and all those who worked with us to improve this legislation, and I am honored to give voice to the ALS patient community, without whom this effort would simply not be possible,said Congressman Mike Quigley. The revised ACT for ALS addresses several challenges associated with ALS therapeutic development.First, ALS clinical trials do not always employ expanded access programs that facilitate access to experimental treatments outside of the trial.This legislation tackles the financial barrier for therapies being tested from small biopharmaceutical companies by creating a grant program that funds access to investigational ALS treatments to patients not participating in the clinical trial. Additionally, the grant will fund a research project as part of providing expanded access to people living with ALS, adding to the understanding of how treatments impact the disease. The revised legislation also invests in neurodegenerative disease research through a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Rare Neurodegenerative Disease Grant Program. With this investment, Congress prioritizes making progress in the development of treatments and cures for ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, ACT for ALS would establish an HHS Collaborative for Neurodegenerative Diseases jointly led by the FDA and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the first federal effort explicitly charged with the responsibility to speed the development and approval of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. This collaborative is charged with coordinating efforts across the public and private sector to accelerate therapeutic development and regulatory review of treatments and cures for ALS and neurodegenerative diseases, including: Coordination among the centers of the Food and Drug Administration to achieve the goals specified in the draft guidance entitled Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Developing Drugs for Treatment Guidance for Industry, published in September 2019; Facilitation of access to investigational drugs for ALS; Definition or development of the regulatory and translational pathway for emerging therapeuticcategories; and Development and implementation of an ongoing mechanism to share feedback and information and develop strategies with the neurodegenerative disease community, including patients, treating physicians, national organizations that facilitate provision of care services, access andresearch, researchers, drug sponsors, drug manufacturers and Federal agencies. The bills have the full support and coordination of three leading ALS organizations in I AM ALS, The ALS Association and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The revised ACT for ALS addresses several challenges associated with ALS therapeutic development. We made a commitment at the start of 2020 to firmly stand behind this legislation and the drive to make it a reality for ALS patients waiting for critical, needed treatments. This bill will provide additional opportunities to access promising ALS therapies and create a collaborative focused squarely on expediting development and approval of new ALS treatments and cures. We now look forward to working with the community and Congressional leaders to take one more step toward changing the course of history as we end ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases,I AM ALS CEO Danielle Carnival, PhD,said. ""The strengthenedAccelerating Access to Critical Therapies (ACT) for ALS Actcould betransformativefor the ALS community. It will help provide effective treatments for everyone living with ALS today, and expanded access to experimental ones. Itcreates thefirst federalentityexplicitlychargedwith finding effective treatments for ALS as quickly as possible. We thank Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE),Mike Quigley (D-IL)and Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE) and LisaMurkowski (R-AK)for introducing this bill to meet these goals,stated Neil Thakur, PhD, The ALS Association Chief Mission Officer. ""The introduction of a strengthened ACT for ALS represents a substantial step forward in the effort to bring safe, effective, and innovative new treatments to the ALS community. We are proud to endorse this bill, and in coordination with the ALS patient community, we call on Congress to pass this legislation as soon as possible,saidKristin Stephenson, EVP, Chief Advocacy and Care Services Officer, Muscular Dystrophy Association. Link to Senate Bill:https://bit.ly/34GW6ou Link to House Bill:https://bit.ly/37POqlG BACKGROUND: Related Issues: Health",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/-delegation-tongass-exemption-will-help-build-sustainable-economy-in-southeast-alaska,Delegation: Tongass Exemption Will Help Build Sustainable Economy in Southeast Alaska,2020-10-29,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.29.20 Delegation: Tongass Exemption Will Help Build Sustainable Economy in Southeast Alaska U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) published aRecord of Decision(ROD) and final rule exempting the Tongass National Forest from the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (Roadless Rule). The Tongass is home tomanyAlaskans who want what most Americans take for grantedthe opportunity to live, work, and raise their families in the communities in which they grew up,said Murkowski, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.A full exemption from the Roadless Rule means access to more affordable and renewable energy to power homes and schools, access to technology at a time when more Americans are logging online for health care and education, and access for transportation and recreation to promote jobs and economic activity in the regionall while ensuring continued good stewardship of our lands and waters. I thank the USDA and Forest Service team for recognizing that one-size-fits-all federal policies are not appropriate in Alaska, and sometimes simply do not fit at all. Alaskans in Southeast have seen their opportunity to harvest timber, advance vitalrenewableenergy and mineral projects, build basic infrastructure and connect communities stifled for too long as a result of the 2001 Roadless Rule,said Sullivan. These opportunities are finally back on the table with thefinalization today ofa full exemption for the Tongass from this overly-burdensome and out-of-touch regulation. I will always fight to take control from bureaucratic D.C. agencies and put it into the hands of Alaskans who rely on our lands to make a living and understand intimately the important balance of conservation and local economies. I commend Secretary Perdue and the administration for working closely with Alaskans throughout this process and bringing us to this historic day. This is a great day for the State of Alaska, our economy, and Alaskans' right to govern themselves,said Young. For years, I have said that the one-size-fits-all Roadless Rule was a disaster for Alaska. This Congress, I have been working closely with the President and senior White House staff to secure a Roadless Rule exemption for the Tongass. Not only has the Roadless Rule put an unconscionable economic and social burden on Southeast Alaska, it also violates ANILCA and the no more' clause by locking up land from the people of Alaska. Today's ROD is incredible news for our state and our economy, particularly in Southeast. I want to thank the Administration for working with me, our Congressional Delegation, Governor Dunleavy, and, most importantly, for listening to Alaskans. We know that this is the right thing to do, both for our economy and the health of our forests. I very much look forward to lifting the Roadless Rule and unleashing our state's full potential. In Congress, I will always stand up for our right to manage our own lands. In 2018, the Forest Service announced it would develop a state-specific Roadless Rule focused on the Tongass National Forest. The final rule issued today exempts the Tongass from the 2001 rule, which established sweeping prohibitions on road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvest on inventoried roadless areas on National Forest System lands. The new rule responds to a petition from the State of Alaska requesting a full exemption from the 2001 rule for the Tongass, which the delegation strongly supported. The Tongass spans nearly 16.7 million acres, covering nearly all of southeast Alaska, and is home to 32 islanded communities. For decades, successive layers of federal law and regulation, including the 2001 rule, have continually restricted access needed for timber, mining, tourism, recreation, and the development of renewable resources such as hydropower. The result has been a weaker regional economy that is largely seasonal in nature, with local communities facing fewer employment opportunities and higher energy costs. The ROD and final rule represent a major milestone in the delegation's efforts to restore balance and provide greater flexibility in federal land management, including roadless management, on the Tongass. Protecting the unique roadless values within the Tongass has always been a priority and will not change under this new rule. Congress has enshrined those protections in law, designating nearly 5.7 million acres of wilderness and another 728,000 acres that are to be managed in a roadless state.When combined with national monument and other natural-settingland-use designations, more than 13million acres (nearly 80 percent) of the Tongass are already explicitly restricted from resource development or required to be managed as roadless areas. Excerpts from the Forest Service's Announcement The Tongass Forest Plan along with other conservation measures, will assure protection allowing roadless area values to prevail on the Tongass National Forest while offering additional flexibility to achieve other multiple-use benefits. Although 9.4 million acres would no longer be subject to the 2001 Roadless Rule with the final rule, only 186,000 more acres would become available for timber production, and road construction is estimated to increase Tongass-wide from 994 miles in the no-action alternative to 1,043 miles in the final rule over the next 100 years. From 2001 to 2011, the Tongass National Forest was exempt from the 2001 Roadless Rule. During this time, about 4,300 acres of [inventoried roadless areas] were entered for timber harvest and about 19 miles of roads were constructed in association of that timber harvest. Of that only 300 acres of timber harvest and 0.5 miles of road were authorized during the exemption period and the remaining timber harvest and road construction were authorized prior to the promulgation of the 2001 Roadless Rule. Related Issues: Energy",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-welcomes-coast-guard-heavy-icebreaker-deploying-to-the-arctic,Murkowski Welcomes Coast Guard Heavy Icebreaker Deploying to the Arctic,2020-10-29,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.29.20 Murkowski Welcomes Coast Guard Heavy Icebreaker Deploying to the Arctic Safeguarding Economic and National Security Interests in the Arctic Region U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announcement that the USCG's POLAR STAR, our nation's sole operational icebreaker is deploying to the Arctic. The U.S. Coast Guard announced that beginning in early December 2020, POLAR STAR, a heavy icebreaker, will conduct an 82-day deployment in the Arctic, primarily in the Bering and Chukchi Seas, to execute Coast Guard statutory missions, reduce regional maritime risks, and advance national security objectives. This will mark the first time since 1984 the Arctic had a U.S. polar class icebreaker in the region. I am working hard to ensure that America is well positioned to assert and defend our interests as geo-strategic activity in the Arctic increases at remarkable rates. As we continue to push for more icebreakers, I welcome news that America's only operational heavy icebreaker, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter POLAR STAR and her crew, will serve in America's Arctic this winter. While the USCGC POLAR STAR typically operates in Antarctica on resupply missions, this year Antarctica will be resupplied by aircraft and our area will enjoy USCGC POLAR STAR's presence instead, said Senator Murkowski. I look forward to a strong Coast Guard maritime domain asset in our waters and will be excited to see the great work the crew will accomplish during this time. USCGC POLAR STAR providing maritime domain presence and leadership this year will be a tremendous asset to the region, and in the years to come I look forward to the future fleet of Polar Security Cutters providing the same. Background: Senator Murkowski is committed to raising awareness of America's role as an Arctic nation as well as action necessary to support it. Murkowski has advocated for assets and capabilities needed for the region, such as a full fleet of Polar Security Cutters icebreakers to support America's national security and solidify our leadership in both the Arctic and Antarctic. In the Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations bill, Senator Murkowski successfully advocated for robust funding for the U.S. Coast Guard, including assets and infrastructure which provided $100 million for long-lead time materials for design and construction for a second Polar Security Cutter. In the Fiscal Year 2019 bill, Murkowski successfully secured full funding for design and construction of a heavy Polar Security Cutter, the nation's the first heavy polar security cutter in more than forty years. The bill also provided $20 million for long-lead time materials for a second Polar Security Cutter. The POLAR STAR previously has been operating in the Antarctic to support an annual joint military service mission called Operation Deep Freeze (ODF). But due to weather and ice conditions and risks related to COVID-19, the POLAR STAR is not required to deploy in support of ODP this year. Murkowski is the senior Senator for Alaska, America's only Arctic state. She is also co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus and a member of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region. Related Issues: Defense, Arctic Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-proposes-us-canada-border-crossing-solutions,Alaska Delegation Proposes US-Canada Border Crossing Solutions,2020-10-28,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.28.20 Alaska Delegation Proposes US-Canada Border Crossing Solutions In an effort to address US-Canada border crossing issues created by the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, Congressman Don Young, and Governor Mike Dunleavy (all R-AK) sent a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, raising issues severely impacting Alaskans. In their letter, the Alaska Delegation highlighted specific, persisting challenges impacting the health and safety of Alaskans and proposed reasonable solutions. As we continue to work together to address the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, to keep our residents and citizens safe and healthy, we appreciate the consideration for reasonable land crossing exceptions for essential travel between Alaska and the contiguous United States through your country. The Delegation explained that each year Alaskans, many elderly and with medical conditions, journey south, traveling through Canada to the contiguous United States, in order to be closer to comprehensive medical facilities better equipped to address their healthcare needs in addition to being in a warmer climate, which is easier on their health. Such travel is currently considered non-essential according to Canada's cross-border travel restrictions. In addition, the Delegation raised the unique circumstance of residents in Hyder, Alaska who are being impacted by current border closures. For example, the only grocery store in the region is located in nearby Stewart, British Columbia, and Hyder children typically attend the nearby Canadian schools. While there are many more individual instances of travel restrictions impacting daily lives, we highlight these two as some of the most pressing issues, but ones for which we think there are reasonable solutions to ensure the safety and health of both Canadians and Alaskans alike. We all agree that we must remain vigilant against the threats to the health and wellbeing of our people that COVID-19 has created. We have at-risk Alaskans who will soon be unable to complete their journey south by road due to snow and difficult winter conditions. We have Alaskans and Canadians, neighbors and families, separated by a single border post, unable to connect and collectively bear the burdens these global conditions have imposed on them. The Delegation proposed the following solutions, which would allow Alaskans to move forward with necessary travel while protecting Canadians from additional exposure to COVID-19: Allow an exception for non-discretionary, essential travel permitting Alaskans to transit south for the winter. This includes supporting a requirement that each Alaskan allowed to travel must present a negative COVID-19 test prior to transiting through Canada. Ease the current travel restrictions and grant a travel bubble to Hyder and Stewart, allowing residents to visit family and access essential supplies, schooling, medical care, religious services and other essential functions for these two highly-integrated, and very isolated communities. Click here for the Alaska Delegation letter, which is also below. Dear Prime Minister, We write to you as a united delegation from Alaska, the state with the most extensive shared border with Canada, to bring to your attention some specific issues severely impacting our constituents as the border crossing restrictions due to COVID-19 continue. Thank you, and your Canadian colleagues, for the high level of support and understanding in regard to the unique travel needs between our shared borders. As we continue to work together to address the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, to keep our residents and citizens safe and healthy, we appreciate the consideration for reasonable land crossing exceptions for essential travel between Alaska and the contiguous United States through your country. The purpose of this letter is to highlight some of those challenges which persist, but for which we believe, through working together, we can find reasonable solutions in a safe and healthy manner. Canadians and Alaskans alike know that winter will soon be upon us. Each year, Alaskans, many elderly and with medical conditions, pack up their vehicles and journey south to the contiguous United States. They travel south because Alaska's winter can be harsh, complicating underlying medical conditions. Their winter homes in the Lower 48 are closer to comprehensive medical facilities which are better equipped to address their healthcare needs. There, they can receive ongoing care in a warmer climate that is easier on their health. A recent challenge expressed by many Alaskans trying to return to their winter homes relates to current cross-border travel restrictions, which presently consider this travel non-essential. We submit that such travel is essential for these senior citizens, as well as for the health and safety of broader populations in regions where access to healthcare is limited. We understand and appreciate the magnitude of the task facing your government. Due to our own unique challenges, Alaska was the first state in the United States to require COVID-19 testing in our airports. Early on, we made the hard decision to shut down intrastate travel to protect our rural communities. We have been relatively fortunate so far; Alaska has seen no increase in excess mortality the gold standard by which a pandemic response can be judged. Alaskan residents of the community of Hyder also face unique challenges. Hyder, Alaska, and the British Columbia community of Stewart, straddle the border of our two countries, and have been living as one community for generations. Hyder's children attend Canadian schools, and their only road connects solely to Canada. The town's utilities and grocery needs are wholly located in Stewart. Hyder and Stewart remain divided by the current border closure. Families, some facing end-of-life issues, have been separated for over half the year. Hyder residents are disallowed from visiting their family down the street in Stewart, their children barred from school. Stewart's residents can walk down the road into Hyder, but must quarantine for two weeks upon return. While there are many more individual instances of travel restrictions impacting daily lives, we highlight these two as some of the most pressing issues, but ones for which we think there are reasonable solutions to ensure the safety and health of both Canadians and Alaskans alike. We all agree that we must remain vigilant against the threats to the health and wellbeing of our people that COVID-19 has created. We have at-risk Alaskans who will soon be unable to complete their journey south by road due to snow and difficult winter conditions. We have Alaskans and Canadians, neighbors and families, separated by a single border post, unable to connect and collectively bear the burdens these global conditions have imposed on them. In recent weeks, we have had several conversations with members of your government and provided specific suggestions, which we believe, would allow Alaskans to move forward with necessary travel while protecting Canadians from additional exposure to COVID-19. These include the following: First, allow an exception for non-discretionary, essential travel permitting Alaskans to transit south for the winter. Currently, Canada has very reasonable travel requirements for land crossings, including limited time in which to move from border to border, limiting time within the vehicle, no stops except for non-recreational purposes, etc. Those restrictions reasonably limit the amount of time any Alaskan would spend transiting border crossings. We know many presently need to transit via motorhomes, further limiting their time outside the vehicle. For Alaskans wishing to travel as described above, we would support a requirement that each Alaskan allowed to travel must present a negative COVID-19 test prior to transiting through Canada. This is currently a requirement that the State of Alaska has in place for all out-of-state air travelers, including Alaskans returning to the state, and is a reasonable requirement for non-residents. Alaskans currently have many means of access to free COVID-19 testing; therefore, we do not believe this would be a significant problem for such travelers. We are certain Alaskans journeying south would respect any conditions your government sets for them as they undertake passage through Canada. Second, ease the current travel restrictions and grant a travel bubble to Hyder and Stewart, allowing residents to visit family and access essential supplies, schooling, medical care, religious services and other essential functions for these two highly-integrated, and very isolated communities. We are likewise confident that residents of Hyder and Stewart would adhere to any restrictions needed to facilitate their reunification. To date, there has not been a single diagnosed case of COVID-19 in either community. The current travel restrictions are having an increasingly negative impact on these communities, and for these reasons we support the request of the residents of Hyder and Stewart to ease the current restrictions, including easing the travel quarantine requirement, in a responsible and safe way. These are starting suggestions, of course, and we are committed to working together with you, your administration, and your staff, as necessary to resolve any concerns or logistical issues. Our hope in sending this letter is to cut through the noise and bring these humanitarian issues to your attention. We each know from personal experience the many difficulties that come with managing a government during a pandemic. Our state and federal governments and our health officials stand ready to work with our Canadian neighbors and counterparts on a humane solution to these great challenges. Our collaboration thus far has been productive, and for that we thank you. Let's move forward together. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-smith-introduce-bill-to-extend-important-flexibility-and-funding-to-after-school-programs,"Murkowski, Smith Introduce Bill to Extend Important Flexibility and Funding to After School Programs",2020-10-28,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.28.20 Murkowski, Smith Introduce Bill to Extend Important Flexibility and Funding to After School Programs Will help afterschool programs support students and parents struggling with online learning during the school day. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program provides competitive grants to school districts, community based organizations, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations that provide supplemental academic and enrichment activities for students during non-school hours or periods when schools are not in session. The value of 21st CCLC-funded afterschool programs is well-established, ensuring children have an opportunity to access engaging learning activities while giving working parents peace of mind that their kids are safe when school is out. Unfortunately, 21st CCLC programs have been limited in their ability to support students whose schools are offering online-only or hybrid instruction during the COVID-19 health emergency. U.S, Senate Afterschool Caucus Co-Chairs, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tina Smith (D-NM), introduced the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020 to ensure that these students can receive the support they need to succeed. The bill also includes funding to help programs meet state and local health mandates. 21st Century Community Learning Centers have provided high-quality educational programming for over 20 years, inspiring students of all ages to learn, grow, and succeed. Through my roles on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee, I've been a strong and consistent advocate for the 21st CCLC program. However, grantees have been unable to use the funding we've secured to deliver school-day support to students who have transitioned to virtual learninga significant disservice to not only children, but also their parents, said Senator Murkowski. COVID-19 has been a major adjustment for everyone, but particularly for our students, teachers, and parents. We must ensure that our learning environments have the flexibility, support, and safety precautions needed to navigate this difficult time. This legislation is incredibly significant for families in Alaska and across the nation, helping to ensure that all students who are taking part in remote learning continue to receive the support and resources they need to succeed. ""During the pandemic, many afterschool programs have gone above and beyond to support students and families,"" said Senator Smith. ""Our bipartisan legislation will support and build upon this great work. It will help afterschoool programs provide in-person and virtual services during the day to fill-in gaps in students' hybrid or distance learning schedules. It will also require afterschool programs to follow local public health guidelines, and help them get cleaning, sanitation and PPE supplies. I'm glad to support afterschool programs and will continue to promote them in Minnesota and across the country. Afterschool programs have stepped up to meet the growing academic and social-emotional needs of students caused by the pandemic. The 21st Century Community Learning Center Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020 addresses the immediate need for great flexibility so afterschool programs can continue to support student academic achievement. This bill provides critical funding to ensure afterschool programs can expand hours of service, hire additional staff to maintain social distancing, and to pay for cleaning, sanitation, and PPE supplies to mitigate against the spread of the virus. The Alaska Afterschool Network applauds Senator Murkowski for her continued leadership in ensuring Alaska's most vulnerable students have access to these critical afterschool programs during this national public health crisis, said Thomas Azzarella, Director of Alaska Afterschool Network. This bill will allow our 21st CCLC programs to focus their attention on supporting students and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful to Senator Murkowski for her leadership on issues facing Alaska's students, said Alaska Education Commissioner Dr. Michael Johnson. Introduction of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020 in the U.S. Senate offers hope to students and families at a time when many are struggling terribly with school closures and adjustments caused by the pandemic. This bill would allow out-of-schooltime programs to do more to help families meet the unprecedented challenges they face today by stepping in to keep kids safe and help them learn. We are especially pleased that it provides both the flexibility and funding afterschool programs need to provide more help. We commend Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) for introducing this legislation and urge Senate leaders to make its passage a priority. The House passed a version of it last month. Our country's students, families, and schools will be better off when the Senate does the same, said Jodi Grant, Executive Director of the Afterschool Alliance. ""Bipartisan Policy Center Action applauds the work by Senator Murkowski and Senator Smith to provide flexibility and funding to the 21st Century Community Learning Center Program. As rotating school schedules, online instruction, and periodic closures are commonplace across the country while the nation continues to combat the spread of the coronavirus, working parents need safe, supervised care arrangements for their young children while they are not in school. The 21st Century Program fills a crucial need for families during these unprecedented times. This bipartisan legislation will provide the flexibility needed to help parents get the care they need, and ensure children receive consistent academic assistance needed to thrive, said Michele Stockwell, Executive Director of Bipartisan Policy Center Action. During this unprecedented time, access to supervised learning and educational support at Boys & Girls Clubs is even more critical to kids and families, said Jim Clark, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. We applaud Senators Murkowski and Smith for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020. The support will be critical to offset education disruptions that can increase learning loss, and provide needed flexibility for 21st Century Community Learning Centers programs providing full day virtual learning support. Bill Highlights: Allows 21st CCLC programs to provide services, virtually or in-person, to students during the school day if the students are not getting full-time in-person instruction in school. Requires 21st CCLC programs to follow health mandates and to submit an addendum of their application to their State education agency outlining how they're going to provide services during the school day and comply with the health mandates. Authorizes and appropriates $1.2 billion to help these programs provide additional hours of service, hire more staff to maintain social distancing, and pay for cleaning, sanitization, and PPE supplies. For the full bill text, click here. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-welcomes-federal-approval-for-willow-master-development-plan-,Alaska Delegation Welcomes Federal Approval for Willow Master Development Plan,2020-10-27,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.27.20 Alaska Delegation Welcomes Federal Approval for Willow Master Development Plan U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released itsRecord of Decisionfor the Willow Master Development Plan in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). As we navigate these uncertain times, the federal approval of a major new North Slope development project provides real opportunities for Alaska and a path forward to help rebuild and strengthen our economy for years to come,said Murkowski, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Willow could put hundreds of Alaskans back to work, boost state revenues, and generate more than 160,000 barrels of daily throughput for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. I thank the BLM team for their work to complete this comprehensive review, and appreciate ConocoPhillips' efforts to address community concerns in their project design. With this important Record of Decision completed, the NRP-A is slated to be among the hottest energy prospects in the world,said Sullivan. The Willow project alone willbemassiveandbring to our state hundreds of good-paying jobs forhard-workingAlaskans, more than one hundred thousand barrels a day in TAPS throughput, and billions of dollars in economic activitywithout negatively impacting the environment Alaskans cherish.We as a delegation have fought hard with the administration against those in the Lower 48 who want to shut Alaska's economy down, and I have every intention of protecting what we've earned.I thank the Department of Interior for their work on this important project. The Willow project represents immense potential for our state, and this ROD comes at a critical time, said Young.The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our economy. We must continue making progress on projects like Willow that could bring good-paying jobs, significant revenue, and the resources we need to make America energy independent. This milestone is an important one, not only for Alaska but for the countless families who depend on the oil and gas industry to make a living. I am grateful to everyone at BLM, who helped deliver today's ROD. I also want to thank ConocoPhillips for making crucial investments in our state, workforce, and economy. I look forward to our continued progress on this critical project. The Willow project is a multi-billion dollar development proposed by ConocoPhillips in the NPR-A. It is located to the west of the Greater Mooses Tooth-1 and Greater Mooses Tooth-2 developments. The NPR-A is administered by BLM and covers more than 23 million acres on the western North Slope of Alaskaan area roughly the size of Indiana. In 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated that NPR-A contains an estimated 8.7 billion barrels of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil. Read the Alaska delegation's prior letters to the Department of the Interior about the importance of the projecthereandhere. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-votes-to-confirm_judge-amy-coney-barrett-to-supreme-court,Murkowski Votes to Confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court,2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.26.20 Murkowski Votes to Confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today voted to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve as the next Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The nomination was confirmed by a vote of 52-48. On Saturday, prior to the vote, Senator Murkowski spoke on the Senate floor to explain her opposition to the process, but turning to the decision of whether Judge Amy Coney Barrett is qualified to serve on the highest court in the land, announced she would vote in favor of the nominee. My constitutional responsibility is to now look beyond process and to vote based on a solid evaluation of her qualifications and fitness of judicial temperament, said Senator Murkowski. I have reviewed Judge Barrett's confirmation hearing and her writings. I also had a lengthy discussion with her this week to delve further into her record and views of jurisprudence. It is clear that she is qualified by any objective standard and has received the highest possible rating from the American Bar Association. She has demonstrated a strong command of the law, intellect, discipline, and, ultimately, the capability to hold the position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. In Case You Missed It: Click here for Senator Murkowski's full statement announcing her vote. Click here to watch Senator Murkowski's floor speech. Click here to read Senator Murkowski's floor speech. Speech Excerpts: I have looked inward, considering in these difficult days what I believe is best for the institutions of our government. And I recognize that confirming this nominee is not going to heal, it's not going to salve the wounds that those institutions have endured. But neither will threats that, should the balance of power in this chamber change, that everything is on the table including the end of the legislative filibuster and packing the Court. I do not believe that moving forward on a nominee just over a week removed from a pitched presidential election, when partisan tensions are running about as high as they could, I don't believe this will help our country become a better version of itself. But frankly, I have lost that procedural fight. So what I can do now is be consistent with the precedent that I set for myself, and oppose a process that I said should not move forward. And I have done that. But at the end of the process is the substantive question of whether Judge Barrett should be categorically rejected as an Associate Justice in order to underscore my procedural objection. I've done my due diligence in my role of advice and consent. I have worked through the articles that she has written, the cases that she has written. I have engaged in a lengthy one-on-one with her. I watched both full days when she appeared before the Judiciary Committee. She presented herself admirably under a difficult situation. I have concluded that she is the sort of person we want on the Supreme Court. Her legal writing is excellent and will be an asset to her, as well as future generations of lawyers as they read through her opinions. Her intellectual curiosity, which is demonstrated by the depth and breadth of her academic work as a professor, will also serve the country well. Her temperament and her very patient nature were on full display over the course of the hearing. I had a good, I think very substantive, discussion with Judge Barrett about some Alaska related matters, focusing on Alaska-specific statutes like ANILCA. I raised some of the public safety challenges that we face in my home state that serve to undermine the principal of equal justice under the law. I raised the issue of voting rights and access to the ballot. It was important for me to hear and to better understand her views on precedent and her evaluation process, specifically the weight that she affords reliance on decisions that have been in place for decades, such as Roe v. Wade. We discussed the doctrine of severability in regards to the Affordable Care Act case. We spoke at length about my concern that the Supreme Court is increasingly viewed as political by the public and what that then does to erode the public confidence in the impartiality of our courts. We talked about the criteria and the evaluation that a Justice would undergo for purposes of a recusal from a matter. Justices should come to the Court with an open mind, willing to be convinced by the arguments presented in each case, to exchange thoughts with their colleagues, to learn new things, and rule as the law requires. And I am convinced that Judge Barrett will do just that. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-announces-how-she-will-vote-on-nomination-of_judge-amy-coney-barrett-,Murkowski Announces How She Will Vote on Nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett,2020-10-24,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.24.20 Murkowski Announces How She Will Vote on Nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve as the next Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court: I voted no on the motion to proceed yesterday because I have stated on multiple occasions since 2016 I do not believe the Senate should take up a Supreme Court nomination this close to a presidential election. I have been clear in that position throughout this process. With that vote, my view did not prevail, so the question now facing the Senateis whether Judge Amy Coney Barrett is qualified to serve on the highest court in the land. My constitutional responsibility is to now look beyond process and to vote based on a solid evaluation of her qualifications and fitness of judicial temperament. I have reviewed Judge Barrett's confirmation hearing and her writings. I also had a lengthy discussion with her this week to delve further into her record and views of jurisprudence. It is clear that she is qualified by any objective standard and has received the highest possible rating from the American Bar Association. She has demonstrated a strong command of the law, intellect, discipline, and, ultimately, the capability to hold the position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. There will be at least one more procedural vote on Sunday, and I will once again object to advancing the nomination past cloture. Assuming that motion prevails, when we reach a final vote, I will vote to confirm Judge Barrett to serve on the Supreme Court. Click here to watch Senator Murkowski's floor speech. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/icymi-time-op-ed-by-senators-hassan-murkowski-on-their-bipartisan-efforts-to-ensure-a-future-covid-19-vaccine-is-safe-and-effective,"ICYMI: TIME Op-Ed by Senators Hassan, Murkowski on Their Bipartisan Efforts to Ensure a Future COVID-19 Vaccine is Safe and Effective",2020-10-23,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.23.20 ICYMI: TIME Op-Ed by Senators Hassan, Murkowski on Their Bipartisan Efforts to Ensure a Future COVID-19 Vaccine is Safe and Effective In case you missed it, U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) wrote a piece for TIME on the importance of a transparent vaccine review process that maintains key oversight measures to ensure that a future COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective and to boost public confidence. The Senators recently introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure that the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention follow well-established measures so that COVID-19 vaccines meet rigorous standards that the public can rely on. To read the Senators' op-ed, click here or see below: TIME: The FDA and CDC Promised Transparency in the Vaccine Approval Process. Here's How Congress Can Hold Them to It By Senators Maggie Hassan and Lisa Murkowski The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on the health and economic well-being of families and communities across the country, and this virus will remain a significant threat until a safe and effective vaccine can be made available to all. While we all hope to get potential vaccines reviewed, produced and distributed as quickly as possible, we can't sacrifice safety and efficacy for speed. It is also critically important that the public has confidence in the federal government's vaccine review process, which includes assurances that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has followed the necessary protocols to ensure vaccine safety and effectiveness. Together, we've introduced the Safe Authorization for Vaccines during Emergencies (SAVE) Act to ensure that the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) follow well-established measures so that COVID-19 vaccines meet rigorous standards that the public can rely on. The FDA and CDC have existing vaccine review processes that are considered the gold standard by public-health experts around the world. During the normal vaccine approval process, the CDC and FDA each have advisory committees that meet and issue findings and recommendations on the safety and effectiveness of vaccines before they enter the market, including whether specific vaccines are safe for certain populations such as children or seniors. For the COVID-19 vaccine, however, an expedited review process called an emergency use authorization is being used. There's never been an emergency use authorization for a new vaccine before, and it is important to ensure that any expedited review process does not come at the expense of safety and efficacy. By taking key oversight measures, we can ensure the safety and effectiveness of a potential vaccine and promote transparency, even during an expedited process. By extension, we can also help bolster public confidence in the vaccine review process, as well as any vaccine product that enters the market. However, we have a lot of work ahead of us. Public trust in the vaccine approval process is critical to achieving widespread use, and right now, the public is skeptical. A CBS poll released in September found that two-thirds of Americans would think the process had been rushed if a vaccine enters the market this year, and only one in five plan to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Another poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that 62% of Americans worry that political pressure will lead to premature approval of a vaccine. If a majority of Americans are unwilling to take a vaccine, that vaccine will not be able to provide our communities with the protection that we need to return to normal life. We must make sure that doctors and public-health experts are evaluating each vaccine as it is being reviewed and are providing feedback in a public, transparent manner that is free from political influence. Doing so will help strengthen the safety of a vaccine and bolster the American people's confidence in it. At a recent Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing, FDA commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn and CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield committed that their respective agencies would conduct oversight measures, including allowing their independent advisory committees to meet, review data and issue public findings as part of the expedited COVID-19 vaccine review process. In addition, in September leading COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers took an unprecedented step of jointly releasing a public pledge committing to an evidence-based vaccine review process focused solely on safety and efficacy. We need to enshrine these commitments into law. That's what the SAVE Act does. Our bipartisan bill codifies into law that these FDA and CDC advisory committee meetings must meet and report findings, even if a COVID-19 vaccine goes through the expedited emergency use authorization process. And if these meetings do not occur, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must publicly explain why. Our bill will help ensure that a vaccine review process can take place in a transparent way, free from political influence, without slowing down its development. A safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is the only way we will be able to fully reopen our economy and get back to our normal lives. Through this bipartisan legislation, we can help reassure Americans when a vaccine is available, that it is safe. Related Issues: Health, COVID-19 Resource Page",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/senators-murkowski-and-sullivan-receive-security-briefing-on-alaska-election-security-,Senators Murkowski and Sullivan Receive Security Briefing on Alaska Election Security,2020-10-23,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.23.20 Senators Murkowski and Sullivan Receive Security Briefing on Alaska Election Security After reports some Alaskans were targeted by Iran in an effort to intimidate American voters, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, today released the following statement following a security briefing on election security in Alaska: This morning, we received detailed briefings by FBI and intelligence community officials on election security in Alaska. Given that our state and some of our citizens have already been targeted by Iran through spoofed emails designed to intimidate voters, Alaskans need to remain vigilant about the possibility of continued misinformation attacks from Iran or other foreign governments meant to sow discord and dissent or cast doubt on the integrity of Alaska's electoral system and infrastructure. We were assured there have been no known security breaches on Alaska election systems, which remain secure. Alaskans should remain skeptical about sensationalist, dubious, and last-minute claims about Alaska election infrastructure. If Alaskans see or hear evidence of such tactics, they should direct questions to State & Local election officials, the FBI, or congressional offices. Background: On October 21, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) John Ratcliffe and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray announced Iran targeted American voters with fake emails used to intimidate voters, which included Alaskans. Click here for Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe's remarks. Click here for a joint statement from Select Committee on Intelligence Acting Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) on the matter. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/feinstein-murkowski-introduce-resolution-supporting-domestic-violence-awareness-month,"Feinstein, Murkowski Introduce Resolution Supporting Domestic Violence Awareness Month",2020-10-22,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.22.20 Feinstein, Murkowski Introduce Resolution Supporting Domestic Violence Awareness Month U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today introduced a bipartisan resolution in support of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is observed in October. The resolution would raise further awareness about the ongoing problem of domestic violence in the United States and the struggles survivors face, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Domestic Violence Awareness Month encourages survivors to share their stories so that others will know they are not alone, said Senator Feinstein. This is particularly important right now, when the pandemic has left so many feeling isolated. Silence only allows the cycle of abuse to continue. I hope our resolution will show more survivors of domestic violence that they aren't alone and should feel comfortable coming forward so their abusers can be held accountable. Domestic violence is rampant in Alaska with statistics that are completely unacceptable. Unfortunately, isolation measures and increased stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic have only increased the reports of domestic violence in my state, said Senator Murkowski. Creating lasting policy changes to help put a stop to assault and abuse has long been a priority of mine. I'm proud to join Senator Feinstein on this resolution to bring awareness to the challenges we continue to face in this arena, and also to acknowledge the strength, bravery and resilience of domestic violence survivors. The full text of the resolution can be found here. Excerpts of the Resolution: According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, up to 12,000,000 individuals in the United States report experiencing intimate partner violence annually, including physical violence, rape, or stalking. More than 160 States, counties, and cities have experienced an increase in reports of domestic violence during the COVID19 pandemic. Domestic violence programs and hotlines have seen a substantial increase in contacts since the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic and are expecting a surge in requests for services when social distancing is no longer necessary. Congress has remained committed to protecting survivors of all forms of domestic violence and sexual abuse by making Federal funding available to support the activities that are authorized under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Congress should continue to raise awareness of domestic violence in the United States; and the corresponding devastating effects of domestic violence on survivors, families, and communities. It should pledge continued support for programs designed to assist survivors of domestic violence, hold perpetrators of domestic violence accountable, and bring an end to domestic violence. The Senate commends domestic violence victim advocates, domestic violence victim service providers, crisis hotline staff, and first responders serving victims of domestic violence, for their compassionate support of survivors of domestic violence. Related Issues: Health Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-joins-bipartisan-call-for-quick-distribution-of-liheap-assistance,Murkowski Joins Bipartisan Call for Quick Distribution of LIHEAP Assistance,2020-10-16,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.16.20 Murkowski Joins Bipartisan Call for Quick Distribution of LIHEAP Assistance As state agencies prepare to assist low-income homeowners and renters with heating their homes in the upcoming winter months, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jack Reed (D-RI) in a bipartisan letter urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) quickly at the highest level possible under the current continuing resolution.Forty Senators signed on to the letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murkowski fights each year to ensure that the LIHEAP continues to receive adequate funding. As the main federal program that helps low-income households and seniors with their energy bills, LIHEAP provides critical assistance during the cold winter and hot summer months. October marks the start of the heating season for many states and low-income families and seniors will be facing additional strains on their household budgets. In addition, millions of low income families, including seniors, are facing new and severe financial hardship due to the coronavirus, making the assistance provided through LIHEAP more important than ever, the Senators wrote. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that provides eligible low-income households with help paying a portion of their heating and utility bills. Eligibility is based on a household's combined income as well as the number of residents. In fiscal year 2020, Maine received more than $40 million in LIHEAP funding. Low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities can get help paying their winter heating bills by applying for LIHEAP through their local Community Action Agency.Benefit amounts are based on each household's income level, family size, whether they live in subsidized or non-subsidized housing, and the type of fuel used for heating. Click HERE to read the full letter. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/senator-lisa-murkowski-congresswoman-elaine-luria-urge-ndaa-conferees-to-include-nela-in-final-conference-report-,"Senator Lisa Murkowski, Congresswoman Elaine Luria Urge NDAA Conferees to Include NELA in Final Conference Report",2020-10-15,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.15.20 Senator Lisa Murkowski, Congresswoman Elaine Luria Urge NDAA Conferees to Include NELA in Final Conference Report This week, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va.-2, led 29 of their colleagues in a bipartisan letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee, urging them to include the text of the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (S. 903/H.R. 3306) in the final Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Provisions of this bipartisan bill have been included in the Senate's NDAA and the House of Representatives' Clean Economy and Jobs Innovation Act. The United States can be a strategic clean energy leader through the development of innovative nuclear technologies, said Senator Murkowski. The Department of Defense would be able to deploy advanced microreactors to bolster reliability, resilience, and security. Homes, schools, and businesses could switch to clean, safe, and more affordable power. This letter demonstrates that there is broad bipartisan and bicameral support for advanced nuclear energy, and all of us want to make the most of this policymaking opportunity. As a naval surface warfare officer who operated nuclear reactors on aircraft carriers, I know that the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act will safeguard national security,said Congresswoman Luria.By building a thriving nuclear workforce with expertise in defense-critical areas, our nation can once again become a leader in nuclear energy. I strongly urge the NDAA conferees to include this bipartisan legislation in the final conference report. The bill has seven key sections designed to jumpstart innovation in advanced nuclear energy: Establishing a nationwide strategy for nuclear science and engineering research and development; Providing for at least two advanced nuclear reactor demonstration projects, to be completed by the end of 2025; Revising federal energy contracting authority so that the government can enter into Power Purchase Agreements for up to 40 years, better reflecting the length of time that nuclear power offers a return on investment; Starting a pilot program for a long-term nuclear Power Purchase Agreement featuring breakthrough, first-of-its-kind nuclear technology; Requiring the Department of Energy to provide a source for fast-neutron research, which will be key for testing advanced nuclear concepts; Creating a program to begin supplying reactors with High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU), fuel which will be needed for many advanced reactor designs; and Establishing a University Nuclear Leadership Program to provide scholarships and funding for students pursuing studies in nuclear science. Click here to read the letter. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/-supreme-court-ruling-allows-administration-to-end-census-count-early-,Supreme Court Ruling Allows Administration to End Census Count Early,2020-10-14,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.14.20 Supreme Court Ruling Allows Administration to End Census Count Early U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after a U.S. Supreme Court order Tuesday granted the Justice Department's request to halt the 2020 Census count early, blocking a lower court order that required the government to continue with the count as originally planned through October 31, 2020: The Census data collection deadline has continued to play out like a yo-yo. I'm disappointed to see the Supreme Court order that the 2020 Census count can be cut short while appeals move forward. Ending data collection prematurely will undermine efforts for an accurate count of our nation and especially historically undercounted communities. While I continue to push to advance my bipartisan legislation with Senator Schatz, the 2020 Census Deadline Extensions Act, to ensure the Census Bureau has the time needed to finish the counting operations and data processing, I strongly encourage every Alaskan who hasn't participated in the Census questionnaire to do so in the next day. The deadline to respond online is now October 15, 2020 through 11:59 pm Hawaii Standard Time. What takes just a few minutes to complete has impacts to our state that last for the next ten years as it determines how much federal funding our local communities will receive for public services like schools and roads. This is too important to not get right. Background: U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) previously introduced the 2020 Census Deadline Extensions Act, alongside U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Congressmen Don Young (R-AK) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). This bipartisan, bicameral legislation aims to provide for additional time to complete the 2020 Census and is also cosponsored by Senators David Perdue (R-GA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Jon Tester (D-MT). Their bill extends the Census operations of nonresponse follow-up and self-response to October 31, 2020 as well as extends the Census statutory reporting deadlines for apportionment and redistricting. The Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General issued a report on September 18, 2020 finding that the acceleration of the census schedule increases the risks to a complete and accurate 2020 Census. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-to-receive-46-million-in-usda-grants_to-expand-high-speed-internet-access,Alaska to Receive $46 million in USDA Grants to Expand High-Speed Internet Access,2020-10-13,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.13.20 Alaska to Receive $46 million in USDA Grants to Expand High-Speed Internet Access U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, (all R-Alaska) joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue today for a virtual announcement of more than $46 million in USDA Broadband ReConnect Program grants being awarded to two Alaska service providers to establish and improve broadband infrastructure in some of the state's most remote communities. The grants are matched by nearly $17 million contributed by the grant recipients, bringing the total investment to roughly $63 million. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the shortcomings of not being connected, a familiar problem to many Alaskans for far too long. We must continue to help Alaskan communities have the telecommunications broadband infrastructure that is taken for granted elsewhere,said Senator Murkowski.The announcement of these two grants is incredibly exciting news for Southeast and the Aleutians, and will improve connectivity for families, businesses, schools, other critical community services, and so much more. I appreciate Senator Sullivan and Congressman Young for working with me on this effort and thank Secretary Purdue for addressing the needs of Alaskans. Gaining access to high-speed internet connectivity can be life-changing, especially for residents in rural Alaska where communication resources and infrastructure are most scarce,said Senator Sullivan. Thousands more Alaskansacross the statewill finally experience a utility so many of us take for granted, one that has shown itself to be absolutely indispensable in the age of COVID-19. Iappreciate that Secretary Perdue has made these funds available after our numerous discussions and correspondencesin whichI have calledattention to the lack of broadband across our state. As a member of the Commerce Committee, I will continue to work relentlessly to bring high-speed internet access to all communities across Alaska. ""Alaskans from our cities, rural areas, and Native villages all deserve access to high quality, reliable broadband,"" said Congressman Young. ""The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on the urgent need for internet access across our state. At this very moment, countless students are distance learning; working parents may be using the internet to learn new skills to help them succeed in the workforce; and some of our most vulnerable populations are utilizing telehealth services. We must ensure that all communities in our state are connected and empowered to thrive. I am grateful to Secretary Perdue for making these crucially needed investments in Alaska, and I remain confident that high-speed internet access will not only help our families prosper, but prepare our economy to come out of this pandemic stronger than ever before."" The need for rural broadband has never been more apparent than it is now as our nation manages the coronavirus national emergency. Access to telehealth services, remote learning for school children, and remote business operations all require access to broadband, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture SonnyPerdue said. I am so proud of our rural communities who have been working day in and day out, just like they always do, producing the food and fiber America depends on. We need them more than ever during these trying times, and expanding access to this critical infrastructure will help ensure rural America prospers for years to come. The two USDA grant recipients are Alaska Power & Telephone (AP&T) Wireless CompanyandUnicom, Inc., a subsidiary of GCI.AP&T Wireless was awarded $21.5 million to deploy a network connecting 225 individuals, 32 businesses, an educational facility, a post office, and a fire station in Alaska's Prince of Wales Island region. Unicom was awarded $25 million to deploy a network connecting 7,441 people, 310 businesses, ten educational facilities, seven post offices, four fire stations and a city hall across Southwest Alaska and the Aleutians. The announcement today follows a $19 million ReConnect grant awarded in 2019 to Cordova Telephone Cooperative to provide connectivity to 270 households in Yakutat, a project expected to be completed by the fall of 2021. USDA's Broadband ReConnect Program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. Senator Sullivan, Senator Murkowski, Congressman Young and Governor Mike Dunleavy wrote a letterto Secretary Perdue in April in support of the Alaska grant applicants. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowskis-bipartisan-legislation-addressing-crisis-of-missing-murdered-and-trafficked-indigenous-women-signed-into-law,"Murkowskis Bipartisan Legislation Addressing Crisis of Missing, Murdered, and Trafficked Indigenous Women Signed into Law",2020-10-10,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.10.20 Murkowski's Bipartisan Legislation Addressing Crisis of Missing, Murdered, and Trafficked Indigenous Women Signed into Law Today President Trump signed into law Savanna's Act and Not Invisible Act, two bills led by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) to address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women. Specifically, the bills work to improve the federal government's response through increased coordination, development of best practices, and creation of a joint commission on violent crime, ensuring Alaska Natives and survivors have a voice in developing methods to end these horrible crimes. Savanna's Act improves coordination among all levels of law enforcement, increases data collection and information sharing, and empowers tribal governments with access to the necessary law enforcement databases in cases involving missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, wherever they occur. Not Invisible Act improves engagement among law enforcement, tribal leaders, federal partners, and service providers. The bill also designates an official to coordinate efforts across agencies and establishes a commission of tribal and federal stakeholders to make recommendations to the Department of Interior and Department of Justice on combating the epidemic of disappearances, homicide, violent crime and trafficking of Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Today we've reached a huge milestone in our efforts to provide justice for victims, healing for their families, and protection for women, children, and families across the nation. I'm proud that we have elevated this issue from raising awareness, to actionhaving created enduring policy to make real, lasting change. And the way to make that necessary change is through partnerships, coordination, and pooling resourcesby working to solve this problem, together. Today we are reminding these families, they matter and their loved ones who are lost matter, said Senator Murkowski. Advancing these bills has been a top priority of mine and I applaud my Senate colleagues and the administration for their support in recognizing the importance of doing everything in our power to turn the tide of women and girls falling victim to this epidemic. For too long, the epidemic of missing,murderedand traffickedNative women and girlshas gone unaddressed. Former Senator Heidi Heitkamp bravely took up this effort in the last Congress, and I'm proud to have worked to get that legislation passed and signed by the President today. With theNotInvisibleActandSavanna'sAct, we reach a turning point in the effort to seek justice for the families of those missing and murdered, and in curbing the epidemic of violence against Native women. Both laws require federal agencies to improve coordination with local partners and ensure they have the federal backing to address a crisis that has been under-resourced for far too long. Today's signing puts us on a path towardsgreater justice for thousands of Native women and girls that have been missing, trafficked, or taken far too soon and puts into place the tools needed togiveour Native sisters, mothers and daughters greater security. No longer will these women beinvisible, and may the memory of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind live on in thelawthat bears her name. I thank my colleague Senator Murkowski for leading this bill with me and the President for signing this bipartisan legislation, said Senator Cortez Masto. What They Are Saying About Savanna's Act and the Not Invisible Act: The Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) thanks Senator Murkowski and Senator Masto, as well as Senator Sullivan, Congressman Young, and their colleagues, for working diligently to pass the Savanna's Act and Not Invisible Act. In rural Alaska, the statistics of missing and murdered Alaska Native peoples are disproportionately high and rising. Our tribal delegates have identified public safety as our region's number one priority. The public safety crisis in rural Alaska includes lack of access to public safety personnel and facilities, and therefore an inability to protect our most vulnerable tribal members; as well as the epidemic of missing and murdered Alaska Native peoples. To end this catastrophe, all levels of government must work together to find solutions centered around: awareness, education, prevention, and access to basic law enforcement. These bills are one significant step toward greater collaboration within government agencies, and an increased exchange of vital information both of which will increase law enforcement and better protect our native men, women, and children. This brings us closer to the goal: basic public safety resources in our Native communities. We must continue standing up for what we know is right until all tribal communities have the resources needed to protect our families. Quyana. Vivian Korthuis, AVCP Chief Executive Officer. Tlingit & Haida extends its sincere appreciation to Senators Lisa Murkowski and Cortez Masto for moving forward two very important laws Savanna's Act and the Not Invisible Act. This legislation is a step in the right direction to protecting our women and children.We know that through increased collaboration amongst our government and other agencies, we can improve the safety of our citizens. Indigenous women and children face disproportionate rates of domestic and sexual violence, and are often victims of human trafficking. The enactment of both laws elevates awareness of longstanding issues for Indigenous communities Tlingit & Haida stands ready to work with others toward creating a stronger collaborative approach on these important issues, said Richard Peterson, President of Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. The Alaska Federation of Natives commends U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Catherine Cortez Masto for their bipartisan leadership in the passage of Savanna's Act and Not Invisible Act, legislation that addresses the epidmenic-level crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Alaska Native and American Indian women. This is a huge victory for Native families seeking justice, said Julie Kitka, Alaska Federation of Natives President. These laws commemorate decades of advocacy to address the victimization of Native women in our country. Improving data collection and collaboration is a significant step forward to ensure victims receive justice. I know personally several Alaskan tribes that are seeking justice for their murdered members and this provides new hope as our communities grapple with the impacts of violence, said Victor Joseph, Tanana Chiefs Conference Chief/Chairman. Timeline on Senator Murkowski's Efforts: August 2020 Senator Murkowski joined other federal, state, tribal, and local leaders, for the official opening off the Operation Lady Justice Task Force Cold Case Office in Anchorage. July 2020 The administration announced a number of new Cold Case Task Force Offices for Missing and Murdered Natives would be established in Anchorage and across the nation. May 2020 Senator Murkowski joined U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) in introducing a resolution to designate May 5 as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The resolution acknowledges the lack of data on the number of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and calls upon Americans to commemorate the lives of those missing and murdered and to demonstrate solidarity with the families of victims in light of those tragedies. March 2020 Senator Murkowski applauded the Senate passage of two of her bills to address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women. The bills,Savanna's ActandNot Invisible Act, are both led by Senators Murkowski and Cortez Masto and aim to combat the epidemic by improving the federal government's response through increased coordination, development of best practices, and creation of a commission on violent crime. February 2020 Senator Murkowski helped lead a Capitol Hill briefing with Senator Cortez Masto on ways to increase the safety of Native women and address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women. The briefing also covered other topics, including issues for PL 280 states, the implementation of 2013 special jurisdiction, and various pieces of legislation that Senator Murkowski has introduced to improve safety in rural Alaska. December 2019 A funding bill with new investments secured by Senator Murkowski to address the crisis of missing, trafficked, and murdered Indigenous women was signed into law by the President. November 2019 The administration announced an Executive Order to enhance the operation of the criminal justice system and address the legitimate concerns of American Indian and Alaska Native communities regarding missing and murdered women particularly missing and murdered indigenous women. November 2019 The Senate passed a funding package which included the Appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2020 on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; and Commerce, Justice, Science which included funding secured by Senator Murkowski which would, for the first time, address the crisis of missing, trafficked, and murdered indigenous women. Specifically, $6.5 million is included for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to take a comprehensive look at the issue across the BIA and Indian Health Service (IHS), which includes funding for cold case work, background checks, equipment needs, training, and a directive for the IHS regarding forensic training. The bill also included language directing coordination and data collection among Tribal, local, state, and federal law enforcement. November 2019 Attorney General William Barr launched a national strategy to address missing and murdered Native Americans. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Initiative places MMIP coordinators in 11 U.S. Attorney's offices who will develop protocols for a more coordinated law enforcement response to missing cases. The plan also called for the deployment of the FBI's most advanced response capabilities when needed, improved data collection and analysis, and training to support local response efforts. June 2019 The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Attorney General Barr would declare a law enforcement emergency in rural Alaska under the Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance Program today. Immediately following his announcement, $6 million was made available to the state of Alaska to support critical law enforcement needs of Alaska Native villages. The Attorney General also authorized additional funding to invest in victim services and village public safety. In total, the $10 million was invested in rural communities across the state. June 2019 Senator Murkowski and U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) hosted U.S. Attorney General William Barr to Alaska for a visit focusing on law enforcement and public safety issues. During Attorney General Barr's four-day trip, Senator Murkowski facilitated meetings in both Bethel and Napaskiak to emphasize the public safety challenges faced across Alaska due to the lack of local law enforcement as well as to help shed light on the severity of the issue of missing and murdered Native women and girls. April 2019 Senator Murkowski called on Attorney General William Barr to work with her on addressing the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and on tribal jurisdictional concerns. Attorney General Barr testified in a Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee hearing examining the Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for the Justice Department. During the hearing, Murkowski raised the issue of protection for Alaska Native Villages in remote areas, and the need to expand tribal jurisdiction. This is the hearing AG Barr first announced he was planning to visit Alaska. April 2019 Senator Murkowski and Senator Cortez Masto introduced theNot Invisible Act, legislation aimed at addressing the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Native people by engaging law enforcement, tribal leaders, federal partners, and service providers and improving coordination across federal agencies. Separately, Senators Murkowski and Cortez Masto reintroduced Savanna's Act, a bill to combat the epidemic of murdered and missing Native women and girls by improving the federal government's response to addressing the crisis. November 2018 The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, of which Senator Murkowski is a member, passed theS. 1942, Savanna's Act, sending it to the full Senate for consideration.Following the hearing, Senator Murkowski joined her Senate colleagues Senators Heitkamp (D-ND), Murray (D-WA), Cantwell (D-WA), Tester (D-MT) as well as Co-Authors of the UIHI report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Annita Lucchesi and Abigail Echo-Hawk discuss the findings of a report prepared by the Seattle-based Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI) which indicated the epidemic of violence against Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls initially believed to be confined to Indian Country, was far more reaching. October 2017 - Senator Murkowski cosponsored Savanna's Act, which was introduced by former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp. The legislation is named for Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, who was abducted and killed in 2017 in Fargo, North Dakota. The bill passed the U.S. Senate unanimously in December of 2018. ### Note: Please do not reply to this email. This mailbox is unattended. For further information, please contact Senator Murkowski's press office at 202-224-9301 or 202-224-8069. Visit our website at http://murkowski.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/seward-and-alaska-railroad-awarded-20-million-grant-for-port-improvements,Seward & Alaska Railroad Awarded $20 Million Grant for Port Improvements,2020-10-09,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.09.20 Seward & Alaska Railroad Awarded $20 Million Grant for Port Improvements U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, (all R-Alaska) welcomed the announcement today of a roughly$19.78 millionport infrastructure grant issued by the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) for the City of Seward and the Alaska Railroad Corporation to improve the freight dock and corridor in Seward, Alaska. The Alaska congressional delegationwrote a letterto Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao supporting the grant application in May. This grant announcement by MARAD is an exciting development for the people of Seward and the industries that form the backbone of our economy, particularly fisheries and tourism,the delegation said. An expanded and revitalized port at the southern tip of Alaska's Railbelt will unleash new economic opportunities for Alaskans on the Peninsula and throughout the state, while also expanding vital transportation services to a number of rural communities. We also can't overstate the importance of this infrastructure to our maritime security and Coast Guard operations, with Seward soon poised to host a new Fast Response Cutter, in addition to the fueling and maintenance work already conducted at this important port. Mayor Terry, the community and the Railroad made a strong case for the wide-ranging benefits of this project, and we thank Secretary Chao for heeding the voices of Alaskans. According to the grant announcement, the project will lengthen and widen the primary freight dock at the Port of Seward to accommodate growing freight cargoes and minimize operational conflicts between freight and cruise movements, both onshore and in the harbor. Additionally, the project will include a roadway connection between the dock and Airport Road, facilitating the safe and efficient movement of passengers and cargo. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-joins-shaheen-led-bipartisan-letter-urging-inclusion-of-pfas-provisions-in-final-fy21-ndaa,Murkowski Joins Shaheen Led Bipartisan Letter Urging Inclusion of PFAS Provisions in Final FY21 NDAA,2020-10-08,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.08.20 Murkowski Joins Shaheen Led Bipartisan Letter Urging Inclusion of PFAS Provisions in Final FY21 NDAA U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined a bipartisan letter, led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), along with 19 Senators, to Senate and House Armed Services Committee leadership urging the inclusion of provisions in the final fiscal year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to prevent and address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The NDAA is annual defense legislation that authorizes the United States' national defense programs and priorities for the fiscal year. The Senate and House passed FY2021 defense bills earlier this year, and leadership from both committees are currently negotiating a final version of the bill to be considered by both chambers of Congress before going to the President to be signed into law. In their letter, the Senators underscored the adverse health effects tied to PFAS chemicals, two of which perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have emerged as widespread contaminants to the drinking water sources of military bases across the country due to their use in aqueous firefighting foam (AFFF) used by the military. They cited the Department of Defense's PFAS Task Force report updating the count of military installations impacted by these materials from 401 to 651. The Senators also expressed concern about occupational exposure for firefighters in particular who are more exposed to these chemicals through the use of firefighting foam and also potentially through their personal protective equipment (PPE). They argued that the serious health implications tied to these chemicals coupled with unknown long-term health effects demands action from Congress and the attention of the Department of Defense. The Senators wrote, We acknowledge the ongoing efforts of the Department of Defense (DOD); however, additional action is needed to address the immediate concerns of citizens near these military bases who are desperate to know what exposure to these contaminants means for their health and the health of their families. The Senators also requested for House and Senate committee leadership to include a number of provisions in the FY21 NDAA to confront PFAS contamination at military installations in our communities. These provisions include an amendment to the Senate bill that authorizes $15 million to continue the PFAS health impact study she established in the FY2018 defense bill, as well as a provision that would require PFAS blood testing for service members during their annual periodic health assessment (PHA) if it is determined they were stationed at one of the more than 600 military installations contaminated by PFAS. The Senators requested that this provision not only be retained in the final bill, but that it be expanded to include testing for military families and veterans who served on contaminated bases.The Senators also requested that the defense bill include a measure that would authorize a comprehensive study of firefighters' PPE to determine the prevalence and concentration of PFAS and also establishes a federal grant program to advance development of safe alternatives to PFAS chemicals in PPE. The Senators closed their letter by urging the conference committee to include a measure that modifies the authority for environmental restoration projects of the National Guard and provides technical corrections to ensure restoration of contamination by PFOS and PFOA, as well as a provision that would require the Secretary of Defense to evaluate available firefighting technologies or substances to be adapted for use by DOD to facilitate the phase-out of firefighting foam that contains PFAS chemicals. Their letter can be read in full here. In addition to Senators Murkowski and Shaheen, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-IN), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Gary Peters (D-MI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Bob Casey (D-PA). Background: Related Issues: Health, Defense Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/amidst-a-pandemic-and-ahead-of-flu-season-murkowski-and-colleagues-send-bipartisan-letter-calling-for-americans-to-receive-critical-immunizations-,"Amidst a Pandemic & Ahead of Flu Season, Murkowski and Colleagues Send Bipartisan Letter Calling for Americans to Receive Critical Immunizations",2020-10-07,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.07.20 Amidst a Pandemic & Ahead of Flu Season, Murkowski and Colleagues Send Bipartisan Letter Calling for Americans to Receive Critical Immunizations Carper, Murkowski, Hassan, Smith press HHS, CDC to take steps to make sure vulnerable populations, especially children and seniors, receive vaccines Amidst a pandemic and ahead of flu season, U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Tina Smith (D-MN), called on the Administration in partnership with state and local governments to ensure all Americans continue receiving necessary immunizations to prevent additional illness and outbreaks. In a letter to the leaders of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the bipartisan lawmakers called attention to low immunization rates even before the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, despite the fact that childhood vaccines are one of the most cost-effective and life-extending public health interventions providing immunity to infectious and deadly diseases. In fact, vaccination to the seasonal flu could prevent up to 810,000 hospitalizations and 61,000 deaths each year. Additionally, low adult immunization rates for vaccine-preventable diseases cost the U.S. economy about $9 billion each year. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, adherence to the yearly influenza vaccination varies across state, age group, and demographic information. In 2017, only 37 percent of adults adhered to the recommendations, a 6-percentage point drop from 2016 Should our Nation's influenza immunization rates remain low as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we could see an unprecedented strain on our healthcare resources and an inconceivable death toll. A high influenza disease rate will make it difficult to distinguish between the two viruses, resulting in diagnostic uncertainty. This can lead to mistreatment, coinfection, and confusion about how to respond to symptoms, further impeding public health properly, the lawmakers wrote. The senators noted, Vaccines are only effective in preventing outbreaks if enough people are immunized, achieving herd immunity. However, a recent Gallup poll found that if the federal government offered free, FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines today, 35 percent of Americans would not agree to be vaccinated. Despite communities of color being disproportionately affected by COVID-19, this rate was even higher for non-white Americans, at 41 percent. In rural areas, the rate was 44 percentThe high level of hesitancy among Americans for a COVID-19 vaccine is alarming and must be carefully addressed to achieve herd immunity. As Americans are recommended to receive their seasonal influenza vaccine by the end of October, we urge that the Administration carefully monitor the rate at which these vaccines are administered to avoid a dual outbreak of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza. The senators requested answers to their inquiries no later than October 23. The letter is available here. Related Issues: Health, COVID-19 Resource Page Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-welcomes-cross-border-permit-for-alaska-canada-railway,Alaska Delegation Welcomes Cross-Border Permit for Alaska-Canada Railway,2020-10-02,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.02.20 Alaska Delegation Welcomes Cross-Border Permit for Alaska-Canada Railway U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, issued the following statements after President Trump signed a presidential border-crossing permit for the Alaska-Alberta (A2A) Railway Development Corporation to lay track across the border between Alaska and Canada. The proposed $17-billion freight rail project would run through northwest Canada and connect into the existing Alaska Railroad system, transporting energy, minerals, and other commodities to global markets through ports in Southcentral Alaska. The effort to establish a railway connecting Alaska and Canada has been underway for decades, but never this close to reality. My father advocated for a rail connection between Canada and Alaska throughout his years in public office, and I have likewise worked with my partners in the delegation to advance the concept since coming to the Senate. I thank the President for sharing this vision and approving the cross-border permit for the A2A project. This rail infrastructure would strengthen the relationship between the United States and Canada while boosting Alaska's economy for years to come. As the project moves forward, I encourage the project sponsors and federal permitting agencies to continue to engage and consult with indigenous peoples and local communities along its proposed route, Murkowski said. TheA2Aproject would be a boon for Alaska, with the potential to expand our transportation system, decrease the cost of goods, provide greater security for food and supplies, and create hundredsifnot thousands of good-paying jobs for hard-working Alaska families during the construction and operation phases,Sullivan said. I thank the President for approving this permit and for his administration's dogged focus on advancing important economic and job-producing projects in Alaska. TheA2Aproject represents tremendous potential, not only for our economy but for the delivery of affordable energy for American families. I have been an outspoken supporter of this project because it means good-paying jobs for Alaskans. This year, I have been working very closely with the White House, and have personally made the case forA2Ato President Trump and Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. They have been steadfast partners in this project and continue to recognize Alaska's importance to the rest of the nation,Young said.Very frankly,A2Ameans jobs and opportunity, which are sorely needed amid this ongoing pandemic. This endeavor will strengthen our country's already close relationship with Canada and allow us to work hand-in-hand to responsibly develop our resources. The Presidential Permit means this project, and the economic potential it brings, can move forward, and I am very pleased that President Trump has officially signed it. I will continue to support the project to its completion, and will be doing everything within my power to cut through red tape and bureaucracy. I have always said that in Congress, relationships are important. I was proud to serve with Mark Meadows in the House, and our working relationship continues to prove beneficial in his role as White House Chief of Staff. President Trump keeps delivering for Alaska, and having his ear allows me to fight and advocate for the people of our great state. More information can be found on the project's website. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-leads-bipartisan-call-to-ensure-noaa-surveys-proceed-in-2021,Murkowski Leads Bipartisan Call to Ensure NOAA Surveys Proceed in 2021,2020-10-02,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.02.20 Murkowski Leads Bipartisan Call to Ensure NOAA Surveys Proceed in 2021 In May 2020, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries started canceling research surveys to protect the health of its crews and personnel at sea on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. In support of coastal communities across the country who rely on these surveys as a basis for their livelihoods, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) led a letter, co-signed by 18 of her Senate colleagues, calling on NOAA to identify and resolve any challenges created by COVID-19 that prevented surveys from occurring in 2020 in order to ensure surveys could be successfully executed in 2021. The COVID pandemic created formidable challenges for NOAA this year as the agency prepared to execute its annual research surveys. While I understand the decision to cancel this year's surveys as a result of COVID, it is critical that NOAA Leadership begin preparing immediately for a safe and successful field season in 2021. We cannot lose another year of critical data to this pandemic. I look forward to reviewing the agency's strategy to ensure that the data we need to properly manage our fisheries and marine resources is collected, while ensuring the safety of all federal personnel, said Senator Murkowski. In their letter, the Senators highlight the value of NOAA's work to fisheries and the blue economy. Fishery and ecosystem research surveys are essential to support the U.S. blue economy and provide valuable fishery-independent data needed to carry out provisions of the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Data collected from NOAA's research surveys are used to manage commercial and recreational fisheries that contributed 1.74 million jobs, over $240 billion in sales, and $111 billion in gross domestic product to the U.S. economy in 2017. The economic output of U.S. fisheries is maximized by setting accurate quotas and catch limits, which depend on the long-term, fishery-independent datasets collected by NOAA's research surveys, the Senators wrote. The Senators acknowledge their appreciation for NOAA's swift, initial response to supplement lost survey data by identifying alternative data collection methods. However, they reiterate that the methods to respond to the early impacts of COVID-19 are not sufficient replacements for the typical large-scale, long-term research surveys required to sustainably manage fisheries under the MSA. In closing, the Senators request a clear, written plan for FY21 surveys before December 15, 2020. In addition to Senator Murkowski, the letter was co-signed by U.S. Senators Doug Jones (D-AL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK) , Edward Markey (D-MA), Richard Burr (R-NC), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Margaret Hassan (D-NH), Rick Scott (R-FL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jack Reed (D-RI), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Angus King (I-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), John Cornyn (R-TX), Christopher Coons (D-DE), and Brian Schatz (D-HI). A full copy of the letter can be found here and below. Dear Dr. Jacobs, In May 2020, NOAA Fisheries started canceling research surveys to protect the health of its crews and personnel at sea on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we understand that the agency has yet to resume its usual operational tempo. Fishermen and communities across the country rely on these surveys as a basis for their livelihoods. We recognize that the pandemic has created unprecedented challenges and are grateful for NOAA's efforts to supplement the lost 2020 survey data through other methods. As we adapt to overcome the obstacles created by the pandemic, however, we fully expect NOAA Fisheries to successfully execute its research surveys in 2021. Fishery and ecosystem research surveys are essential to support the U.S. blue economy and provide valuable fishery-independent data needed to carry out provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Data collected from NOAA's research surveys are used to manage commercial and recreational fisheries that contributed 1.74 million jobs, over $240 billion in sales, and $111 billion in gross domestic product to the U.S. economy in 2017. The economic output of U.S. fisheries is maximized by setting accurate quotas and catch limits, which depend on the long-term, fishery-independent datasets collected by NOAA's research surveys. NOAA must collect these data to help fishermen, seafood processors, restaurants, and guides maximize their profits, maintain sustainable fisheries, and recover from the pandemic that has devastated the commercial and recreational fishing industries. When NOAA was forced to cancel surveys due to the pandemic, NOAA acted swiftly to supplement the lost survey data by identifying and developing alternative data collection methods. We appreciate this response, but recognize that these methods are not sufficient replacements for the typical large-scale, long-term research surveys required to sustainably manage fisheries under the MSA. We urge NOAA Fisheries to take an immediate, proactive approach to ensure all research surveys are successfully completed in fiscal year 2021. Any challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, whether logistical or health-related, that prevented surveys from occurring in 2020 should be identified and resolved through immediate planning and preparation. We encourage NOAA Fisheries to work with other federal agencies and private industries that have successfully conducted research cruises and other operations at sea during the pandemic, including the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard; identify successful strategies for minimizing risks; and develop a proactive plan to protect the safety of scientists and crew while ensuring NOAA can complete its core survey mission in FY21. We request that you provide our offices with a clear, written plan for FY21 surveys before December 15, 2020, that details what and how resources will be used to safely complete the surveys. If NOAA requires additional resources to successfully execute research surveys in FY21, we urge you to notify Congress immediately. Thank you for your continued efforts to support U.S. fisheries and protect NOAA personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to working with you to ensure that NOAA's normal scientific operations proceed without disruption in FY21. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-welcomes-stronger-push-on-mineral-security,Murkowski Welcomes Stronger Push on Mineral Security,2020-10-02,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.02.20 Murkowski Welcomes Stronger Push on Mineral Security U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on President Trump's new executive order to improve our nation's mineral security. The new order, issued on Wednesday evening, focuses on addressing the threat to the domestic supply chain from reliance on critical minerals from foreign adversaries and supporting the domestic mining and processing industries. The Trump administration has been a strong partner and continues to show real leadership in the effort to improve our nation's mineral security, Murkowski said. This new executive order will result in new actions to rebuild supply chains and end our reliance on foreign nations for the minerals we could be producing here at home. I thank the administration for recognizing the importance of this issue and urge Congress to provide additional authorities through the passage of my American Mineral Security Act. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the United States imported at least 50 percent of its supply of 46 different nonfuel minerals in 2019, including 100 percent of 17 of them. China, in particular, has consolidated control over the supply chains of many of the minerals used to make medical equipment, smart phones, clean energy, and defense technologies. This week's executive order builds on an executive order issued by President Trump in 2017 and actions taken by various Departments and agencies since then. The new order will help focus agencies on finding solutions to supply chain challenges and should result in needed improvements in mapping, permitting, financing, and other areas. Murkowski has long been a champion of U.S. mineral security. Her bipartisan legislation, the American Mineral Security Act, would ensure timely surveying of domestic deposits of critical minerals, cut down on unnecessary permitting delays for projects to produce them, promote workforce development, and invest in research and development to increase recycling and the development of alternatives. The bill has been incorporated into the broader American Energy Innovation Act and two Republican coronavirus recovery packages. Murkowski has also used her chairmanship of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to focus congressional attention on mineral security. In June, she convened ahearingfocused on the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on supply chains and the fundamental role that minerals play in them. Last September, she convened a hearing focused on the mineral needs of clean energy technologies. More information about the administration's order is availablehere. Related Issues: Energy, Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/schatz-murkowski-call-on-census-bureau-to-comply-with-court-ruling-continue-counting-until-october-31,"Schatz, Murkowski Call On Census Bureau To Comply With Court Ruling, Continue Counting Until October 31",2020-10-01,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.01.20 Schatz, Murkowski Call On Census Bureau To Comply With Court Ruling, Continue Counting Until October 31 Census Bureau Currently Plans To End Self-Response, Field Operations For 2020 Census On October 5 U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) urged the Census Bureau toreverse its decision to end the self-response period and field data collection for the 2020 Census on October 5 and instead allow operations to continue until October 31. This bipartisan effort follows the Census Bureau's decision to ignore a recent federal court ruling, whichfoundthat ending the counting operations early would result in a serious undercount. The Decennial Census has a profound impact on both representation and federal funding for all communities, and must be completed in a full, fair, and accurate manner,the senators wrote in their letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham.It is imperative that you extend self-response and field data collect operations to the original October 31 end date, and continue to count people across the country until then. On September 24, Judge Lucy Koh blocked the CensusBureau from endingthe counton September 30 anddelivering apportionment data to the president on December 31, 2020. However, the Bureau declined to follow the spiritof the ruling by selecting October 5 as the new target end date just five days after the deadline that the judge found would result in an inaccurate count. Delays in census operations due to the COVID-19 pandemicwillresult in a severe undercount of the population, specifically in Native, minority, and rural communities across the country. Extending the deadline until October 31,as the administration had originally proposed,willallow the Census Bureau to continue collecting and processing data, which will lead to a more accurate count. Earlier this month, Senators Schatz and Murkowskiintroduced bipartisan legislationto extend three critical census deadlines and help ensure a fair and full count. The letter is availablehereand below: Dear Secretary Ross and Director Dillingham: We write to urge you to extend both self-response and field data collection operations to October 31, 2020, as you initially planned on April 13, 2020. Extending the enumeration to October 5, 2020 is neither sufficient to prevent an undercount in communities across the country, nor does it comply with the September 24, 2020 order by Judge Lucy Koh in National Urban League v. Ross. In staying the shortened timeline, and enjoining both of you and the Census Bureau from implementing the September 30, 2020 end date, the court built an extensive record of the impact that the shortened timeline will have. Judge Koh made clear in granting the motion for stay and preliminary injunction that the shortened timelineending self-response and field data collect operations on September 30 rather than October 31will likely result in an undercount in both the numbers that the Secretary reports to the States and the numbers that the Presidentwho must draw on decennial census data'reports to Congress. The court also enjoined both of you and the Census Bureau from implementing the December 31, 2020 deadline for the delivery of apportionment data to the President. However, in documents provided to the court, the December 31 deadline was a justification for the October 5 end date. Thus your action runs counter to the court order. We strongly urge you to extend both self-response and field data collection operations to October 31. The Decennial Census has a profound impact on both representation and federal funding for all communities, and must be completed in a full, fair, and accurate manner. It is imperative that you extend self-response and field data collect operations to the original October 31 end date, and continue to count people across the country until then. We thank you for your attention to this matter, and we look forward to your written response. Sincerely, Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/duckworth-murkowski-urge-senate-leadership-to-include-head-start-funding-in-a-future-covid-relief-package,"Duckworth, Murkowski Urge Senate Leadership to Include Head Start Funding in a Future COVID Relief Package",2020-09-30,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.30.20 Duckworth, Murkowski Urge Senate Leadership to Include Head Start Funding in a Future COVID Relief Package U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) sent a bipartisan letter to Senate leadership requesting that any future COVID-19 relief package include emergency funding for Head Start programs that have experienced an uptick in operational costs due to expanded programming and services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Head Start programs deliver high-quality, evidence-based education and comprehensive services to children across the country. During this public health crisis, the organization has made it possible for families to receive critical health and education resources they would not have had otherwise. Emergency funding is needed so Head Start programs can cover these added expenses and enable more low-income parents to access the high-quality child care they need to get back to work. Programs like Head Start are critical to giving kids in Illinois and across the country the tools they need to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom. These services are a lifeline for many families during the COVID-19 pandemic. We should do all we can to make sure these programs can continue providing education and high-quality childcare so children access their full potential, said Senator Duckworth. In Alaska and across the country, Head Start programs not only provide child care so parents can work, they help vulnerable families get on a path to a successful future.They provide high-quality early learning, health, and nutrition services for infants and toddlers.They also help parents learn strong parenting skills, advance their family's well-being, and successfully navigate times of crisis. During this pandemic, Head Start programs have employed innovative ways to provide these crucial services while centers have been closed.But in order to maintain these efforts and re-open centers safely, Head Start needs additional support.We must ensure that these programs have sufficient funds to continue their important work during this public health crisis, said Senator Murkowski. The Senators' letter is supported by the National Head Start Association. A full copy of the letter can be found below and here. Dear Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, Chairman Shelby and Vice Chairman Leahy: We write to request that emergency funding for Head Start programs be included in any future relief legislation to address the 15-20 percent operational cost increases attributable to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Head Start programs have been critical in providing low-income children and their families with meals, housing assistance and learning resources during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Like Child Care Development Block Grant-funded programs, federal Head Start programs help fill an important need for working parents who need child care to go back to work. However, without additional emergency funding, Head Start programs will face difficulties in re-opening for in-person instruction and continuing to provide the virtual and home-based services that have been so essential during the pandemic. Head Start programs deliver high-quality, evidence-based education and comprehensive services to children across the country. With the help of Head Start, children are equipped with skills to enhance their social and emotional well-being, and receive health screenings, oral and mental health support, while parents can access resources to reach their financial goals and education needs. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Head Start programs quickly adapted and readjusted their Head Start model to implement innovative strategies to help vulnerable families in need during the public health crisis. Throughout the pandemic, these programs have distributed food, technology and learning resources to families; opened their facilities for children of emergency essential workers and families experiencing homelessness; provided children with both at-home lessons and virtual home visits; delivered baby formula and diapers to mothers; and helped parents navigate the unemployment process. These services made it possible for families to receive critical health and education resources they would not have had otherwise, significantly enhancing the lives of children and their parents. In a continuous effort to support children and families during COVID-19, Head Start programs have prioritized family engagement by developing creative ways to reach families in need. In Illinois, for example, one Head Start center created a grab-and-go prepackaged meal service for families because many children enrolled in Head Start receive most of their daily meal requirements from the program. Not only did this meal service help families feed their children, but it also helped alleviate a financial burden. In Alaska, several Head Start programs are also providing prepackaged meals as well as educational support utilizing online platforms for parenting education, virtual story times, and craft activities. In multiple regions of the state, Head Start programs are providing laptops, WiFi hotspots, free internet connectivity or I-pads to families to maintain services. For those regions where connections through technology is not possible, family advocates kept in touch with their families continuously through weekly phone calls and learning packets. Regardless of the state or region across our great nation, Head Start staff have remained in contact with children and families, and to this day, programs continue to adapt in the face of ever-changing circumstances. Despite these innovative efforts, operating during a deadly pandemic has carried additional costs that will only increase as these programs begin to re-open for in-person instruction. Head Start programs anticipate a 15-20 percent increase in operational costs resulting from purchasing personal protective equipment, procuring enhanced cleaning services, hiring additional staff and upgrading technology to expand virtual learning capabilities and capacity to continue to serve all enrolled families. The emergency funding we are requesting would enable Head Start programs to cover these costs and to re-open for in-person instruction and enable more low-income parents to access the high-quality child care they need to get back to work. The COVID-19 public health emergency has only reinforced how important and valuable Head Start programs are to vulnerable children and families in communities throughout the country in rural, urban, suburban, tribal and frontier communities. Thank you for your consideration on this important matter. Related Issues: COVID-19 Resource Page, Education Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/us-senate-passes-legislation-to-fund-the-government-,U.S. Senate Passes Legislation to Fund the Government,2020-09-30,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.30.20 U.S. Senate Passes Legislation to Fund the Government U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today made the following statement after voting in favor of the continuing resolution (HR 8337), which will fund the government at current levels through December 11, 2020: Today I supported a short-term continuing resolution to fund the government through December 11, avoiding an unnecessary shutdown. It is important that we keep our government operating, for the thousands of Alaskans that are federal employees and for all Americans who rely on government services. A government shutdown is never a good outcome, and with so much uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, it's imperative that we provide certainty where we can and prevent any additional economic hardship weighing on Americans. While this keeps the wheels on the bus for several more months, I look forward to continuing our work toward reaching a long-term solution. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/new-legislation-would-provide-greater-fiscal-stability-for-the-university-of-alaska,New Legislation Would Provide Greater Fiscal Stability for the University of Alaska,2020-09-29,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.29.20 New Legislation Would Provide Greater Fiscal Stability for the University of Alaska U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, last week introduced new legislation, the University of Alaska Fiscal Foundation Act, in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The legislation is supported by Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, also R-Alaska, and would resolve the University of Alaska's (University) unfulfilled land grant to help it generate revenues that support its students and operations. The University currently has one of the smallest land endowmentsjust 110,000 acresof any applicable institution of higher education. While those lands help the University generate revenues, a complicated history of federal laws and an adverse court ruling have prevented the State of Alaska (State) from being able to directly convey additional lands to the University from its own entitlementdespite that being Congress' clear intent for several decades. The delegation's new bill addresses these issues by allowing the University and State to jointly identify up to 500,000 acres for potential conveyance, which the Department of the Interior (DOI) would survey. The State and University would then work with DOI to transfer up to 360,000 acres in total to the University. Any land ultimately transferred to the University would be deducted from Alaska's outstanding statehood lands entitlement, which still totals several million acres. As we navigate these unprecedented times,the University of Alaska will continue to play a critical role by providing quality educations to young Alaskans and future generations, said Senator Murkowski, Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.This legislationwillfulfillthe University of Alaska's land grant for the benefit of its students and help provide a permanent foundation to support higher education in Alaska.This is key to a healthy and vibrantfuturefor our state, and I thankthe Governor and the Universityfor workingwith us todevelop this consensus approach. The University of Alaska, like so many other institutions in Alaska, has been hit hard by the pandemic, facing significant fiscal challenges as a result.said Senator Sullivan. Finally fulfilling the University's promise as a land grant university withsufficient lands to achieve its missionwill better enable the institution to support itself and continue to educate our state's next generation of leaders. I'm glad to join Senator Murkowski and Congressman Young in introducing this legislation to break through decades-long hurdles that have prevented the University from accessing the land it needs to secure a strong future. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly every area of our daily lives, including our economy, said Congressman Young. One critical way we can help Alaskans bounce back from these unprecedented times is to help our universities in their goal of providing high-quality education to the young people of our great state. The University of Alaska Fiscal Foundation Act is an important piece of legislation to provide this essential institution with the resources necessary to support our students. Our state is well-known for being able to balance resource development with environmental protection, and the University of Alaska should be empowered to responsibly utilize their lands for the benefit of students. I am grateful for the support of both the Alaska Delegation and Governor Dunleavy, and will continue working to secure a bright future for future generations of Alaskans. I am committed to getting Alaskans back to work, reviving our state's diverse economy, and enhancing and developing our abundant natural resources. The fulfilment of the University of Alaska's long-standing land grants is a significant step towards meeting these commitments, said Alaska Governor Dunleavy. I thank Senator Murkowski, as well as her Alaskan colleagues, Senator Sullivan and Congressman Young, for the introduction of the University of Alaska Fiscal Foundation Act. This vital piece of legislation would provide for the continuation of higher education by placing productive lands into active management to generate recurring revenues, supporting the University of Alaska. This is exactly what Congress intended in the creation of land grant universities and it is time this intent is realized. This is a major step forward and a very important day for the university toward our long-term financial security. The entire university community is grateful to our congressional delegation and for the support of the Governor, said University of Alaska Interim President Pat Pitney. While there's more work to be done in the months ahead, this legislation signals that our status as a land grant university without the land' is finally coming to an end. We look forward to theopportunity that the land will provide to our long term stablefunding toenhance our students' educational experience andfor cutting edge research. The text of the legislation as introduced in both the Senate and House is available here. To read more about the University's never-fulfilled land grant, please click here. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-comments-on-us-supreme-court-nominee,Murkowski Comments on U.S. Supreme Court Nominee,2020-09-26,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.26.20 Murkowski Comments on U.S. Supreme Court Nominee U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after President Trump nominated U.S. Circuit Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court: For weeks I have stated that I do not support taking up a potential Supreme Court vacancy this close to an election. But today the President exercised his constitutional authority to nominate an individual to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court left by the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I welcome the opportunity to meet with the Supreme Court nominee, just as I did in 2016. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-criticizes-circuit-court-ruling-against-native-corporations,Alaska Delegation Criticizes Circuit Court Ruling Against Native Corporations,2020-09-25,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.25.20 Alaska Delegation Criticizes Circuit Court Ruling Against Native Corporations U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today commented on a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit determining Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) are ineligible for tribal assistance appropriated by theCoronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The ruling overturns an earlier June 26 ruling by a U.S. District Court that concluded ANCs are eligible for the aid. We strongly disagree with the D.C. Circuit Court's decision today on the status of Alaska Nativepeopleunder the law,thedelegation said. TheCARES ActCoronavirus Relief Fund tribal set-aside was created to provide pandemic relieffor allAmerican Indian and Alaska Native people, regardless of how they receive the relief. It is unconscionable that COVID-19 aid would be withheld from a subset of Alaska Native people simply because of theuniquetribal system that exists in Alaska. Furthermore, this decision goes beyond the CARES Act, erasing more than 45 years of precedent and practice, with the potential to undo the tribal systems of health care, housing, education, workforce development, and more in our great state. Timeline: -On March 27, theCARES Actwas signed into law, including an $8 billion set-aside for tribal governments. -On April 14, the Alaska congressional delegation wrote to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt detailing the unique legal framework and circumstances for tribal entities in Alaska. The letter provided a historical background on Alaska regional corporations, which are made eligible forCARES Actassistance because of the definition of Indian tribe used in the bill. -In April, several tribes filed lawsuits to preventCARES Actfunds from being distributedtoANCs. -On April 23, the delegation submitted an op-ed to theAnchorage Daily Newsto correct the mischaracterizations about ANCs and explain why the entities are eligible forCARES Actfunds. -On June 26, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled ANCs are eligible for the aid. Judge Mehta based his decision on the definition of Indian tribe provided by the 1975Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act and used in the CARES Act, which included ANCs. Related Issues: Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska, COVID-19 Resource Page Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/delegation-welcomes-next-step-on-rulemaking-to_help-southeast-alaska-build-a-more-sustainable-economy,Delegation Welcomes Next Step on Rulemaking to Help Southeast Alaska Build a More Sustainable Economy,2020-09-25,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.25.20 Delegation Welcomes Next Step on Rulemaking to Help Southeast Alaska Build a More Sustainable Economy U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) published the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a Tongass-specific Roadless Rule. The final EIS includes six alternatives, with a full exemption selected as the preferred alternative. The Tongass is home to Alaskans who want what most Americans take for grantedthe opportunity to live, work, and play in the communities in which they grew up, Murkowski said. A full exemption from the Roadless Rule is about accessaccess to recreation, renewable energy, and more. This puts us on track for a Record of Decision and final rule by the end of the year, in turn opening the door for individuals and communities throughout Southeast to build a more sustainable economy while still ensuring good stewardship of our lands and waters. I thank Secretary Perdue and the Forest Service team for their continued good work on this important rulemaking. For nearly two decades, theRoadlessRule has stifled opportunities for Alaskans in Southeast to harvest timber, connect communities, develop minerals and build vital energy projects,Sullivan said. With this newTongass-specific regulation, the Forest Service has struck a better balance betweenconservation and fosteringopportunities for Alaskans to make a living.I thank Secretary Perdue,Chief Christiansen, andthe Forest Service team for working with Alaskans and reaching this critical stage on the path to a more responsible and workableRoadlessRule. For years, I have said that the one-size-fits-all Roadless Rule was a disaster for Alaska. This Congress, I have been working closely with the President and senior White House staff to secure a Roadless Rule exemption for the Tongass. Not only has the Roadless Rule put an unconscionable economic and social burden on Southeast Alaska, it also violates ANILCA and the no more' clause by locking up land from the people of Alaska. The release of the final EIS for Roadless Rule is incredible news for our state and our economy, particularly in Southeast. I want to thank the Administration for working with me, our Congressional Delegation, Governor Dunleavy, and, most importantly, for listening to Alaskans. An exemption will not only bring great economic benefit to Alaska, but will also help bolster the long-term health of the Tongass National Forest. This is a good day, and one that has been long in the making. I look forward to continuing to fight on behalf of our state's right to manage our own resources, Young said. In 2018, the Forest Service announced it would develop a state-specific Roadless Rule focused on the Tongass National Forest. The Alaska-specific rule will amend the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which established sweeping prohibitions on road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvest on inventoried roadless areas on National Forest System lands. The new rulemaking came in response to a petition from the State of Alaska requesting a full exemption from the 2001 Roadless Rule for the Tongass. The Tongass spans nearly 16.7 million acres, covering almost all of southeast Alaska, and is home to 32 islanded communities. For decades, successive layers of federal regulation, including the 2001 Roadless Rule, have continually restricted access needed for timber, mining, tourism, recreation, and the development of renewable resources such as hydropower. The result has been a weaker regional economy that is largely seasonal in nature, with local communities facing fewer employment opportunities and higher energy costs. The final EIS is a key milestone in the rulemaking process to restore balance in federal management on the Tongass. Inventoried Roadless Areas comprise about 9.5 million acres of the forest (an area three times the size of Connecticut). Combined with other federal protections, none of which will be affected by this rulemaking, nearly 80 percent of the Tongass is currently off-limits to most forms of development or required to be managed as roadless. The final EIS will be published in the Federal Register today. Additional information on the rule is available on the Forest Service's website. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-welcomes-court-ruling-moving-2020-census-deadline-back-to-late-october,Murkowski Welcomes Court Ruling Moving 2020 Census Deadline Back to Late October,2020-09-25,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.25.20 Murkowski Welcomes Court Ruling Moving 2020 Census Deadline Back to Late October U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California Judge Lucy H. Koh issued a preliminary injunction which prevents the Trump administration from ending the 2020 Census count by Sept. 30, a month before the previously scheduled completion date of Oct. 31. Judge Koh also bars officials from delivering completed population data to the White House on Dec. 31 versus the April 2021 delivery date earlier requested by the administration in response to the pandemic. The Judge found that a shortened census timeline would likely lead to inaccurate data for historically undercounted communities. Alaska is well-known to be a difficult state to enumerate and flawed census data would hurt affected communities for a full decade. I've continued to stress the importance of ensuring a fair and accurate census count and the need to address the various challenges the Census Bureau has faced this year that were created by the COVID-19 pandemic. This court ruling is welcome news. By going back to the October 31 deadline, we are providing everyone the necessary time to help ensure we get the census count right, said Senator Murkowski. The reality, though, is that this court ruling may face an appeal, continuing the uncertainty for census operations. My bipartisan legislation with Senator Schatz, the 2020 Census Deadline Extensions Act, is still important to provide certainty and clarity to the Census Bureau that they will have the time needed to finish the counting operations and data processing, ensuring a more accurate population count. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to respond to the Census if you have not already done so. Background: U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) previously introduced the 2020 Census Deadline Extensions Act, alongside U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Congressmen Don Young (R-AK) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). This bipartisan, bicameral legislation aims to provide for additional time to complete the 2020 Census and is also cosponsored by Senators David Perdue (R-GA), Gary Peters (D-MI) and Steve Daines (R-MT). Their bill extends the Census operations of nonresponse follow-up and self-response to October 31, 2020 as well as extends the Census statutory reporting deadlines for apportionment and redistricting. The Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General issued a report on September 18, 2020 finding that the acceleration of the census schedule increases the risks to a complete and accurate 2020 Census. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/white-house-covid-19-task-force-provides-an-update-on-the-federal-response-to-the-covid-19-pandemic,White House COVID-19 Task Force Provides an Update on the Federal Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic,2020-09-24,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.24.20 White House COVID-19 Task Force Provides an Update on the Federal Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Vaccine Development, Testing and Contact Tracing As communities in Alaska and across the country work to address the health and financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) participated in a Senate HELP Committee hearing focused on the COVID-19 federal response. The hearing included information on testing, data collection and vaccine development, and how the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has used funding provided by Congressto support state, territorial, tribal, and local public health capacity. The witnesses testifying in the hearing provided an update on recent actions to address supply chain needs and accelerate the research, development, and manufacturing scale-up of COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines, as well as plans for the distribution of vaccines. Expert witnesses included: CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health, FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn, and Admiral Brett Giroir of HHS. Recently, a CDC team deployed to Anchorage, Alaska to assist the Anchorage Health Department with responding to a COVID-19 outbreak within the population experiencing homelessness. Senator Murkowski began her opening remarks thanking the CDC for their swift response in helping Alaskans address this issue and for the agency's continued effort assisting Alaska's state and local public health departments during COVID-19. Click here for video of Senator Murkowski Murkowski asked Dr. Redfield for additional clarity on how the first allocation of the COVID-19 vaccine will be determined, whether the tribal health system receives its own allocation, and how critical populations will be defined within the federal distribution plan. When we talk about critical populations, it's my understanding that the first phase is going to be allocated based on targeting these critical populations. Well in Alaska we have about 1 quarter of our population as Alaska Native that could be determined to be critical population. And then further we need additional guidance on who qualifies as a healthcare worker? said Senator Murkowski. In our state, our community health aides are some of those frontline workers. Can you help me with further clarification for the state's proposed plan on this guidance in terms of allocation and defining critical populations? Dr. Redfield emphasized that he understands the importance of clear communication regarding the allocation of the vaccine. He said that definitive answers regarding the first allocation will depend on which vaccine is used and what the data says. He further noted that while the CDC's Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP) will give recommendations on the allocation, the final decision will likely be made by the Operation Warp Speed (OWS). We are currently going to see the plans as you know from each of the states on how they propose to allocate. The prioritization of how this vaccine will be distributed is based on which vaccine and what the data says, but that decision ultimately the recommendation will be Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices that will give that recommendation once they know which vaccine they will be recommending it for, said Dr. Redfield. Senator Murkowski finished her line of questioning for Dr. Redfield by asking him how the Administration plans to support states that lack the necessary health IT infrastructure to meet the proposed reporting requirements for the new vaccine. We've talked before about the public health IT infrastructure. I think we recognize that certainly in a state like mine, it's been tough when you are faxing, literally faxing the results, of your COVID tests. And it's not just Alaska, the state of California, it's a mess out there, said Senator Murkowski. What is the administration's plan to ensure that states have the support that they need for the requirements on reporting for this new vaccine? Because we're concerned in our state that we're not prepared for the level of reporting that will be required we don't mind the reporting, but we're not we do not have the infrastructure if you will, on the health IT side. Dr. Redfield added that there are additional plans within the Operation Warp Speed to augment IT capacity where there are gaps, and that the CDC recently released $200 million dollars for states to develop their COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans. BACKGROUND: On September 10, Senator Murkowski joined a Senate HELP Committee hearing on COVID-19 vaccinations, specifically on how developing a safe, effective vaccine will require increased public confidence and transparency. On June 30, Senator Murkowski took part in a Senate HELP Committee hearing focused on how to safely return to work and back to school. On June 24, Senator Murkowski participated in a Senate HELP Committee hearing focused on lessons learned from the COVID-19 response thus far, and the actions Congress should take to improve U.S. pandemic preparedness and response capabilities. On June 17, Murkowski joined a Senate HELP Committee hearing focused on telehealth servicesand the lessons learned from the pandemic regarding this form of health care delivery. On June 10, Senator Murkowski participated in a Senate HELP Committee hearing on going back to school safely for K-12, with a focus on ensuring all students receive the academic, technological, health, and social-emotional support they need to succeed. The hearing also focused on addressing the needs of homeless students. On June 4, Senator Murkowski took part in the Senate HELP hearing on going back to college safely during COVIDwhich focused on how institutions of higher education are preparing for students, faculty, and staff to return to campus this fall. On May 12, Murkowski joined the Senate HELP Committee for a hearing titled COVID-19: Safely Getting Back to Work and Back to School.The hearing focused on how U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies are working to help states and communities prepare to reopen in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, including efforts to increase testing, accelerate research, develop treatments and vaccines, and provide public health and safety guidance. On May 7, the Senate HELP Committee held a hearing titled Shark Tank: New Tests for COVID-19.The hearing focused on the current status of testing for the COVID-19 virus and how the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) are working to support the rapid development of new tests for COVID-19, through the NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) Initiative and other programs. COVID-19 SAFETY NOTICE: In accordance with the U.S. Senate's Attending Physician and the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms, in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Senate hearings have enacted the following adjustments to help ensure the health and safety of all participants during the COVID-19 pandemic: Members were seated six feet apart to respect social distancing guidelines; Participants were given the option to take part in the hearing by video conference; To maintain social distancing, very limited seating was accommodated; Members wore masks to and from the hearing room, but were allowed to remove masks during the hearing, if they chose to do so, as they were seated 6 feet from other members. Related Issues: Health, COVID-19 Resource Page Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-convenes-hearing-on-offshore-energy-technologies,Murkowski Convenes Hearing on Offshore Energy Technologies,2020-09-22,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.22.20 Murkowski Convenes Hearing on Offshore Energy Technologies U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired ahearingto examine the development of emerging offshore energy technologies, including renewable resources such as offshore wind and marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy. When most people hear the phrase offshore energy,' they think of offshore oil and gas, which make a substantial contribution to our economy and energy security. But there are numerous other ways to produce energy in the ocean, Murkowski said. Coastal states have the opportunity to expand and reimagine their ocean-based economies with these technologies, and developing them will enable cleaner and more affordable energy for a wide range of communities. Murkowski also noted that from the wind and tidal energy capacities in Cook Inlet to the RivGen Power System now providing nearly half of the power used in the village of Igiugig, Alaska is an ideal proving ground for such technologies. Dr. Walter Cruickshank of the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management testified that securing offshore energy technologies such as wind, MHK, and the potential recovery of methane (gas) hydrates from the ocean floor creates American jobs and promotes innovation in the United States. The hearing also included testimony from: Daniel Simmons, the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the Department of Energy; Stuart Davies, the CEO of Ocean Renewable Power Company, which developed and manufactured the technology utilized in Igiugig; Siri Kindem, President of Equinor Wind US; and Jonathan Lewis, Senior Counsel at the Clean Air Task Force, who urged immediate passage of the American Energy Innovation Act to expand research and development for zero-carbon fuels. Murkowski is Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. An archived videoof today's hearing can be found on the committee'swebsite. Click here,here andhereto view Murkowski's questions for the witnesses. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-cortez-masto-legislation-addressing-crisis-of-missing-murdered-and-trafficked-indigenous-people-advances-,"Murkowski, Cortez Masto Legislation Addressing Crisis of Missing, Murdered, and Trafficked Indigenous People Advances",2020-09-22,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.22.20 Murkowski, Cortez Masto Legislation Addressing Crisis of Missing, Murdered, and Trafficked Indigenous People Advances U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) applauded the unanimous House passage of two bills to address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous people (MMIP). The bills, Savanna's Act and Not Invisible Act, are both led by Senators Murkowski and Cortez Masto and aim to combat the MMIP epidemic by improving the federal government's response through increased coordination, development of best practices, and creation of an advisory committee on violent crime. Both pieces of legislation passed the Senate in March of 2020 and will now be heading to the President's desk to be signed into law. The issue of missing or murdered Indigenous women has been a crisis for such a painfully long time. Many tribal advocates and family members of those affected worked so tirelessly on this issue, and I am proud to have worked alongside them to elevate this crisis at the local, state, and national level. The bipartisan action we have seen, from tribal communities to the administration, has been significant. With the Senate's passage of Savanna's Act now in both Congressional chambers, we are not just making headway, we are taking the necessary steps to make real, lasting change, said Senator Murkowski. Today is a big victory in our fight to provide justice for victims, healing for their families, and protection for women and children across the nation. Earlier this year, the Senate took an important step forward in addressing the epidemic of missing and murdered Native women and girls. I am proud to see the House following suit today by passing Savanna's Act to give local and Tribal law enforcement the federal resources they need to address this crisis. Today's vote brings us one step closer to finally acting to protect our Native sisters, mothers and daughtersand to honoring the memory of those taken. The Silver State is home to many Native communities that have long lacked the resources to adequately address this issue, and today's House passage of Savanna's Act begins to close that gap, said Senator Cortez Masto. Savanna's Act, sponsored by Senator Murkowski and co-led with Senator Cortez Masto, improves coordination among all levels of law enforcement, increases data collection and information sharing, and empowers tribal governments with access to the necessary law enforcement databases in cases involving missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, wherever they occur. The legislation, originally introduced by former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota with Murkowski as a cosponsor, is named for Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, who was abducted and killed in 2017 in Fargo, North Dakota. For years, the epidemic of missing, murdered and trafficked Native women and girls has been ignored across the country, And for too long, Congress has failed to address this crisis. Too many Native women and their families have not received justice. That is simply unacceptable. Today's House passage of my bipartisan Not Invisible Act begins to change that stark reality. By improving coordination where it mattersbetween the federal government, law enforcement tribal governments and community leaderswe are addressing the root of the problem and getting to work to prevent these tragedies. I thank my colleagues in the House for their work on this important legislation and look forward to the President signing it into law, said Senator Cortez Masto. Too many families have faced unspeakable loss as Native women have gone missing, murdered, or trafficked and were let down by the complex law enforcement systems currently in place to protect them. So many Native people have called on Congress to address the crisis. I also know human trafficking is a horrifying reality across the state of Alaska, and it is disproportionately affecting Alaska Native communities, said Senator Murkowski. The Not Invisible Act paves the way for greater collaboration between federal agencies, law enforcement, and elected tribal officials, ensuring Alaska Natives and survivors have a voice in developing methods to end these horrible crimes. Through partnerships, coordination, and pooling resources we can turn the tide of women and girls falling victim to this epidemic. Not Invisible Act, sponsored by Senator Cortez Masto and co-led with Senator Murkowski, improves engagement among law enforcement, tribal leaders, federal partners, and service providers. The bill also designates an official to coordinate efforts across agencies and establishes a commission of tribal and federal stakeholders to make recommendations to the Department of Interior and Department of Justice on combating the epidemic of disappearances, homicide, violent crime and trafficking of Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Background: In March of 2020, the Senate unanimously passed Savanna's Act and the Not Invisible Act, Senators Murkowski and Cortez Masto's legislation to combat the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous people by improving the federal government's response through increased coordination, development of best practices, and creation of an advisory committee on violent crime. In February of 2020, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) helped lead a Capitol Hill briefing with U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) on ways to increase the safety of Native women and address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. The briefing also covered other topics, including issues for PL 280 states, the implementation of 2013 special jurisdiction, and various pieces of legislation that Senator Murkowski has introduced to improve safety in rural Alaska. In January of 2020, the White House task force, Operation Lady Justice, composed of federal officials from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), held their first meeting. In December of 2019, the President signed into law a funding packagewhich included for the first time, funding secured by Senator Murkowski to address the crisis of missing, trafficked, and murdered Indigenous women. Specifically, $6.5 million is included for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to take a comprehensive look at the issue across the BIA and Indian Health Service (IHS), which includes funding for cold case work, background checks, equipment needs, training, and a directive for the IHS regarding forensic training. The bill also includes language directing coordination and data collection among Tribal, local, state, and federal law enforcement. In November of 2019,U.S. Attorney General Barr announced the Department of Justice would launch a national strategy to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous persons.Following that announcement, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order to establish Operation Lady Justice, a task force to help address the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women. In November of 2019, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee advanced legislation led by U.S. Senators Murkowski and Cortez Masto (D-NV) to address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Native women. Related Issues: Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowskis-legislation-addressing-crisis-of-missing-murdered-and-trafficked-indigenous-people-advance_,"Murkowskis Legislation Addressing Crisis of Missing, Murdered, and Trafficked Indigenous People Advance",2020-09-22,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.22.20 Murkowski's Legislation Addressing Crisis of Missing, Murdered, and Trafficked Indigenous People Advance U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded the unanimous House passage of two of her bills to address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous people. The bills, Savanna's Act and Not Invisible Act, are both led by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and aim to combat the epidemic by improving the federal government's response through increased coordination, development of best practices, and creation of an advisory committee on violent crime. Both pieces of legislation passed the Senate in March of 2020 and will now be heading to the President's desk to be signed into law. The issue of missing or murdered Indigenous women has been a crisis for such a painfully long time. Many tribal advocates and family members of those affected worked so tirelessly on this issue, and I am proud to have worked alongside them to elevate this crisis at the local, state, and national level. The bipartisan action we have seen, from tribal communities to the administration, has been significant. With the Senate's passage of Savanna's Act now in both Congressional chambers, we are not just making headway, we are taking the necessary steps to make real, lasting change, said Senator Murkowski. Today is a big victory in our fight to provide justice for victims, healing for their families, and protection for women and children across the nation. Savanna's Act, sponsored by Senator Murkowski and co-led with Senator Cortez Masto, improves coordination among all levels of law enforcement, increases data collection and information sharing, and empowers tribal governments with access to the necessary law enforcement databases in cases involving missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, wherever they occur. The legislation, originally introduced by former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota with Murkowski as a cosponsor, is named for Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, who was abducted and killed in 2017 in Fargo, North Dakota. Too many families have faced unspeakable loss as Native women have gone missing, murdered, or trafficked and let down by the complex law enforcement systems currently in place to protect them. So many Native people have called on Congress to address the crisis. I also know human trafficking is a horrifying reality across the state of Alaska, and it is disproportionately affecting Alaska Native communities, said Senator Murkowski. The Not Invisible Act paves the way for greater collaboration between federal agencies, law enforcement, and elected tribal officials, ensuring Alaska Natives and survivors have a voice in developing methods to end these horrible crimes. Through partnerships, coordination, and pooling resources we can turn the tide of women and girls falling victim to this epidemic. Not Invisible Act, sponsored by Senator Cortez Masto and co-led with Senator Murkowski, improves engagement among law enforcement, tribal leaders, federal partners, and service providers. The bill also designates an official to coordinate efforts across agencies and establishes a commission of tribal and federal stakeholders to make recommendations to the Department of Interior and Department of Justice on combating the epidemic of disappearances, homicide, violent crime and trafficking of Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Timeline on Senator Murkowski's Efforts: November, 2018 The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, of which Senator Murkowski is a member, passed theS. 1942, Savanna's Act, sending it to the full Senate for consideration.Following the hearing, Senator Murkowski joined her Senate colleagues Senators Heitkamp (D-ND), Murray (D-WA), Cantwell (D-WA), Tester (D-MT) as well as Co-Authors of the UIHI report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Annita Lucchesi and Abigail Echo-Hawk discuss the findings of a report prepared by the Seattle-based Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI) which indicated the epidemic of violence against Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls initially believed to be confined to Indian Country, was far more reaching. April, 2019 Senator Murkowski and Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced theNot Invisible Act, legislation aimed at addressing the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Native people by engaging law enforcement, tribal leaders, federal partners, and service providers and improving coordination across federal agencies. Separately, Senators Murkowski and Cortez Masto reintroduced theSavanna's Act, a bill to combat the epidemic of murdered and missing Native women and girls by improving the federal government's response to addressing the crisis. April, 2019 Senator Murkowski called on Attorney General William Barr to work with her on addressing the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and on tribal jurisdictional concerns. Attorney General Barr testified in a Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee hearing examining the Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for the Justice Department. During the hearing, Murkowski raised the issue of protection for Alaska Native Villages in remote areas, and the need to expand tribal jurisdiction. This is the hearing AG Barr first announced he was planning to visit Alaska. June, 2019 Senator Murkowski and U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) hosted U.S. Attorney General William Barr to Alaska for a visit focusing on law enforcement and public safety issues. During Attorney General Barr's four-day trip, Senator Murkowski facilitated meetings in both Bethel and Napaskiak to emphasize the public safety challenges faced across Alaska due to the lack of local law enforcement as well as to help shed light on the severity of the issue of missing and murdered Native women and girls. June, 2019 The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Attorney General Barr would declare a law enforcement emergency in rural Alaska under the Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance Program today. Immediately following his announcement, $6 million was made available to the state of Alaska to support critical law enforcement needs of Alaska Native villages. The Attorney General also authorized additional funding to invest in victim services and village public safety. In total, the $10 million was invested in rural communities across the state. November, 2019 Attorney General William Barr launched a national strategy to address missing and murdered Native Americans. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Initiative places MMIP coordinators in 11 U.S. Attorney's offices who will develop protocols for a more coordinated law enforcement response to missing cases. The plan also called for the deployment of the FBI's most advanced response capabilities when needed, improved data collection and analysis, and training to support local response efforts. November, 2019 The Senate passed a funding package which included the Appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2020 on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; and Commerce, Justice, Science which included funding secured by Senator Murkowski which would, for the first time, address the crisis of missing, trafficked, and murdered indigenous women. Specifically, $6.5 million is included for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to take a comprehensive look at the issue across the BIA and Indian Health Service (IHS), which includes funding for cold case work, background checks, equipment needs, training, and a directive for the IHS regarding forensic training. The bill also included language directing coordination and data collection among Tribal, local, state, and federal law enforcement. November, 2019 The Administration announced an Executive Order to enhance the operation of the criminal justice system and address the legitimate concerns of American Indian and Alaska Native communities regarding missing and murdered people particularly missing and murdered indigenous people. December, 2019 A funding bill with new investments secured by Senator Murkowski to address the crisis of missing, trafficked, and murdered Indigenous women was signed into law by the President. February, 2020 Senator Murkowski helped lead a Capitol Hill briefing with U.S. Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV) on ways to increase the safety of Native women and address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. The briefing also covered other topics, including issues for PL 280 states, the implementation of 2013 special jurisdiction, and various pieces of legislation that Senator Murkowski has introduced to improve safety in rural Alaska. March, 2020 Senator Murkowski applauded the Senate passage of two of her bills to address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women. The bills,Savanna's ActandNot Invisible Act, are both led by Senators Murkowski and Cortez Masto and aim to combat the epidemic by improving the federal government's response through increased coordination, development of best practices, and creation of an advisory committee on violent crime. May, 2020 Senator Murkowski joined U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) in introducing a resolution to designate May 5 as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The resolution acknowledges the lack of data on the number of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and calls upon Americans to commemorate the lives of those missing and murdered and to demonstrate solidarity with the families of victims in light of those tragedies. July, 2020 The Administration announced a number of new Cold Case Task Force Offices for Missing and Murdered Natives would be established in Anchorage and across the nation. August, 2020 U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined other federal, state, tribal, and local leaders, for the official opening off the Operation Lady Justice Task Force Cold Case Office in Anchorage. Related Issues: Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-statement-on-supreme-court-vacancy,Murkowski Statement on Supreme Court Vacancy,2020-09-20,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.20.20 Murkowski Statement on Supreme Court Vacancy U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement on the United States Supreme Court vacancy: For weeks, I have stated that I would not support taking up a potential Supreme Court vacancythis close to the election. Sadly, what was then a hypothetical is now our reality, but my position has not changed. I did not support taking up a nomination eight months before the 2016 election to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Justice Scalia. We are now even closer to the 2020 election less than two months out and I believe the same standard must apply. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401743,Congressman Don Young Announces $4 Million Rail Infrastructure and Safety Grant Awarded to Alaska Railroad Corporation,2020-09-18,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Don Young Announces $4 Million Rail Infrastructure and Safety Grant Awarded to Alaska Railroad Corporation f t # e Washington, September 18, 2020 Washington, D.C. Today,Alaska Congressman Don Young, announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $4,110,480 to the Alaska Railroad Corporation as part of the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program. This funding will be used to replace a timber bridge over the Trail River approximately 23 miles north of Seward. The new bridge will support the Alaska Railroad's freight and passenger services by allowing industry standard gross weight capabilities of railcars and intermodal double-stack cars from 263k to 286k. ""Whether it is by train, plane, or watercraft, ensuring that Alaska's infrastructure is strong and safe is critical to our economy and way of life,"" said Congressman Don Young. ""As former Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I have seen first-hand the need for reliable roads, bridges, and highways. I am very grateful to the Department of Transportation for making this funding available to the Alaska Railroad. From tourism to the movement of goods and services, the work of the Alaska Railroad is vital. This funding will go a long way toward keeping the wheels turning on our trains for years to come. Infrastructure has always been one of my highest priorities in Congress, and I will always fight to ensure that Alaskan families and businesses can safely and effectively travel around our state."" Click here for more grant information. ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/09/18/2020/murkowski-joins-colleagues-in-examining-ways-to-simplify-the-fafsa,Murkowski Joins Colleagues in Examining Ways to Simplify the FAFSA,2020-09-18,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.18.20 Murkowski Joins Colleagues in Examining Ways to Simplify the FAFSA HELP Committee Hears Testimony on the FAFSA Simplification Act U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) took part in a Senate HELP Committee hearing focused on fixing the burdensome and complicated Federal Student Aid Application (FAFSA), which students utilize to apply for federal student financial aid to help pay for college. The hearing explored legislative solutions to simplify and shorten the FAFSA, including making it easier for low-income families to qualify for federal Pell Grants. We must do a better job of not only communicating to high school students what grants and loans might be available to them to go to college, but also improve the process on how they go about accessing that aid. The reality is, Alaskan students and families have missed out on federal aid because the process to get there is unnecessarily complex and onerous. It's important that we work to simplify this process and better equip student to make these important decisions. There are a number of challenges in pursuing a higher educationthe application process for student aid shouldn't be one of them. Click here for video of Senator Murkowski discussing options to improve the FAFSA process. Related Issues: Education Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-and-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-help-military-families,Murkowski and Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Military Families,2020-09-18,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.18.20 Murkowski and Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Military Families U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) as an original cosponsor of the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act, legislation that would give military spouses with valid professional licenses in one state, reciprocity in the state where their spouse is currently serving on military orders. Military families consistently rate Utah as a top destination to serve, and a big reason why is the work our state has done to make sure professional military spouses licensed in one state can also work in Utah. The American people absolutely depend on the brave men and women of our nation's Armed Services, and the families of those brave men and women deserve all the support we can give them, said Senator Lee. This bill helps do that by making it easier for military spouses to work when they have to transition to a new duty station. While we prioritize supporting our military, we must ensure we are supporting their families as well. This legislation underscores the importance of reducing obstacles that prevent spouses of service members from using their occupational licenses when moving across states lines for a Permanent Change of Station. Not allowing them to use their license is a disservice to members of our military, their families, and the communities they live in, said Senator Murkowski. This topic has arisen many times from Alaska-based service members, and is an issue leaders within the Alaska military and at the VA are both hoping to address. This commonsense bill will not only employ spouses of service members, it will also save families time and money, including providing much-needed workers in communities across Alaska and the nation. Additional Senators cosponsoring the bill include: Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Martha McSally (R-AZ), John Boozman (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), James Risch (R-ID), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Mitt Romney (R-UT), John Cornyn (R-TX), John Thune (R-SD), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Thom Tillis (R-NC). You can read a full copy of the bill here. Related Issues: Defense 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-passing-of-justice-ruth-bader-ginsburg,Murkowski Statement on the Passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,2020-09-18,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.18.20 Murkowski Statement on the Passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) tonight made the following statement after hearing of the passing of Justice of United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Tonight America lost a true leader and pioneer. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the second female Supreme Court Justice to sit on the bench. She has been a champion and crusader for equal justice and civil liberties and has made an enduring mark on history. Her life's story is a reminder of how far women have come in the fight for equality but there is more to be done. I have the greatest respect for her as a trailblazer among women. I am personally deeply saddened by her passing and know that women around the world who have also admired her tenacity and spirit feel the same. Tonight we mourn her passing and turn to honoring her life and legacy. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401735,Congressman Don Young Helps the House Pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to Protect Women in the Workplace,2020-09-17,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Don Young Helps the House Pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to Protect Women in the Workplace f t # e Washington, September 17, 2020 Washington, D.C. Today, Alaska Congressman Don Young helped the House of Representatives pass H.R. 2694, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. This legislation takes action to support pregnant workers by clarifying an employer's obligation to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees or job applicants with a known physical limitation. This bill has been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. ""I am both a father and a former business owner. I understand first-hand the importance of making sure that pregnant employees' health is protected in the workplace and that they are empowered to earn a living,"" said Congressman Don Young. ""Pregnant women in Alaska and across the country should not have to choose between staying home to protect their child's health or putting food on their family's table. This legislation takes crucial steps to properly balance a pregnant mother's health and the needs of their workplace. The establishment of a uniform federal standard for pregnant workers gives employers and employees the ability to work together productively, and will help retain pregnant employees in the workforce. Furthermore, this bill will reduce stress on the mother and ensure that her pregnancy is safe. By keeping mothers and their babies healthy, and helping businesses remain operational and free from litigation, this bill is pro-woman, pro-family, and pro-business. In our politically divided times, it is not every day that a sweeping piece of legislation can unify Republicans and Democrats, but that is what we were able to do today in the House. I am very proud to have supported this legislation, and will continue working in Congress to keep pregnant mothers safe and ensure a bright future for their children."" ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401741,Congressman Don Young Announces Economic Development Administration Grant Awarded to the Bering Sea Fishermen's Association,2020-09-17,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today,Alaska Congressman Don Youngannounced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $599,053 to the Bering Sea Fishermen's Association. This funding will assist in the rollout of the Alaska Ocean Cluster, an initiative to foster innovation in Alaska's ocean economy through a platform that engages existing industry members, entrepreneurs, investors, and government agencies. ""Alaska's seafood industry is central to our state's culture and way of life. Our fishermen and processors work day in and day out to move our seafood to market, but in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are facing more challenges than ever before,""said Congressman Don Young. ""Getting our fishing sector onto solid footing will require tremendous collaboration and innovation. TheAlaska Ocean Clusterrepresents tremendous economic potential for our fishermen. I am grateful to the Bering Sea Fishermen's Association for thinking outside the box and bringing industry and business leaders together, in collaboration with government entities, to strengthen our seafood industry by finding new economic opportunities. Alaska is home to tremendous natural resources and vast fishing expertise, and the Blue Pipeline Venture Studio is an exciting initiative that will help grow our economy. The funding announced by the Economic Development Administration is welcome news for the Alaskan families who make their living on the water, and I am grateful to the Department of Commerce for making these crucial investments in our state. I want to thank the Bering Sea Fishermen's Association for their long-time advocacy in our state. In Congress, I will always stand with our fishermen and processors, and will be fighting hard to ensure that they come out of these unprecedented times stronger than ever before."" ""This grant is very exciting news for our ocean and our fishermen. It has been three years since we launchedthe Alaska Ocean Cluster, and have proudly worked with folks from every corner of Alaska. We have designed theprogram to reach the fullest potential for strengthening and diversifying Alaska's economy by forming ocean-related businesses and reducing our reliance on outside sources. The Alaska Ocean Cluster will keep jobs in Alaska, and help strengthen Alaska's future,""said Karen Gillis, Executive Director of the Bering Sea Fishermen's Association. ""The cluster concept involves a coalition of private, public, and academic stakeholders forming around a base industry. In this process, the cluster supports both the industry and fellow mariners through economic transactions and shared assets. EDA grant background: This EDA investment funds the Blue Pipeline Venture Studio Cluster Development Project, to develop a business incubation program to support innovative entrepreneurial business enterprises. EDA grants are awarded through a competitive process based upon the application's merit, the applicant's eligibility, and the availability of funds. More information on EDA's grant process and investment process can be found atwww.eda.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401742,U.S. Department of Energy Announces Establishment of Office of Arctic Energy,2020-09-17,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette joined Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski in announcing the reestablishment of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Arctic Energy Office (AEO), which will be located on the campus of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. The AEO will drive coordination and collaboration on DOE's many activities in the Arctic region including: international cooperation on Arctic issues, research on methane hydrates, and development of advanced micro grids and nuclear power systems, such as small modular reactors. Reestablishing the office fulfills Secretary Brouillette's commitment to do so by the close of this fiscal year. The United States is an Arctic nation, and the region continues to play an essential role in meeting our Nation's energy needs, as well as those of our friends and allies, said Secretary Brouillette. DOE's Arctic Energy Office will grow to strengthen and coordinate our work in energy, science, and national security and help build an Arctic future of prosperity and increased opportunity. The reestablishment of the Arctic Energy Office will bring the power of DOE innovation and expertise to the region, ensuring we play an important role in its energy future, said Deputy Secretary Mark W. Menezes. As the region's geopolitical importance increases, the Office will also better facilitate strategic coordination with our fellow Arctic nations. The United States is an Arctic nation because of Alaska, and the reestablishment of the Arctic Energy Office in Fairbanks will ensure greater collaboration between our state's innovators and the Department of Energy's cutting-edge researchers, said Senator Lisa Murkowski, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. I prioritized this office in the Appropriations process because I know it will help facilitate the development of new energy technologies that benefit resource-rich Alaska and the country. I thank Secretary Brouillette, Deputy Secretary Menezes and their teams for working with us to reestablish this important office. The reestablishment of the Arctic Energy Office in Fairbanks underscores Congress'and the Trump Administration's increasing attention to the Arctic and Alaska's central role in securing ourenergy,economic,and national security interests in the region,said Senator Sullivan. I commend Secretary Brouillette and Senator Murkowski for their work to bring this important institution back to life, and I look forward to the vital scientific research and coordination that will serve Alaskans, the nation, and our global partners as a result. Alaska's climate is unlike any other in our nation, making our state a critical hub for research on sustainability in harsh environments, said Congressman Don Young. I have been a long-time supporter of Alaska's Cold Climate Housing Research Center, and have seen their important work for resilient housing first-hand. Having lived around the Arctic Circle, I can tell you that innovation is key for survival in challenging areas. Continuing this work will be essential to developing new energy technologies and ensuring that Alaska leads the way in their deployment. I want to thank Secretary Brouillette, Deputy Secretary Menezes, and the Trump Administration for their commitment to these critical operations and recognizing the important role Alaskans play in this field. The Arctic Energy Office's focus aligns well with UAF's academic and scientific expertise, said UAF Chancellor Dan White. Our deep regional knowledge and international partnerships make UAF a strong partner in advancing America's security and prosperity by addressing the challenges in the Arctic. I look forward to welcoming the Arctic Energy Office to the UAF Troth Yeddha' campus in Fairbanks."" Consistent with DOE's overall mission, the AEO will focus on energy, science, and national security. Rather than belonging to a particular program area, the AEO will report to the Under Secretary of Energy, and coordinate DOE's Arctic activities across the enterprise, bringing together DOE's wide range of assets, stakeholders, and equities to serve communities and U.S. interests in the region. The Office will be reestablished with three interim staff equipped with a wealth of experience across the energy, science, and national security spheres, and grow in service to the Department and the Nation. For more information, please visit theAEO website. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-welcomes-re-establishment-of_arctic-energy-office-in-fairbanks--,Murkowski Welcomes Re-Establishment of Arctic Energy Office in Fairbanks,2020-09-17,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.17.20 Murkowski Welcomes Re-Establishment of Arctic Energy Office in Fairbanks U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the Department of Energy (the Department) formally announced it has re-established its Arctic Energy Office in Fairbanks, Alaska. The United States is an Arctic nation because of Alaska, and the re-establishment of the Arctic Energy Office in Fairbanks will ensure greater collaboration between our state's innovators and the Department of Energy's cutting-edge researchers, Murkowski said.I have prioritized this office in the Appropriations process because I know it will help facilitate the development of advanced energy technologies that benefit resource-rich Alaska and the country. I thank Secretary Brouillette, Deputy Secretary Menezes, and their teams for working with us to re-establish this important office. Congress provided the Department with authority to establish an Arctic Energy Office through the National Defense Authorization Act of 2001. The revitalized office will support a renewed focus on the Arctic region, driving coordination and collaboration on Arctic issues with a primary focus on energy, science, and national security. The new office's cross-cutting mission will support the research and development of a wide range of technologies such as microgrids, advanced nuclear, and river and marine energy, among others. It will also help guide and strengthen the Department's international engagements on the Arctic. Murkowski is Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. She worked with Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., to include report language directing the Department to revive the Arctic Energy Office in each of the last two fiscal years. She also encouraged the re-establishment of the Arctic Energy Office during the nomination hearing for Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette and the nomination hearing for Deputy Secretary of Energy Mark Menezes. Learn more about the new office here. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401731,"Reps. Young, Lowenthal Lead Colleagues on Letter Calling for COVID Relief Funds for Zoos And Aquariums Such as the Alaska Sealife Center",2020-09-16,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Yesterday, Congressman Don Young (AK-At Large) and Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) led 77 of their House colleagues in calling on House leadership and appropriators to include COVID-19 relief funding for zoos and aquariums to maintain essential care for hundreds of thousands of animals during the pandemic. ""The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted businesses and organizations across the country, Congressman Young said. Sadly, this virus has not spared our nation's zoos, aquariums, and wildlife centers. In Alaska, we know that marine life is central to our culture, and the Alaska Sealife Center does important work protecting our vulnerable marine life and ecosystems, in addition to educating the public about ocean wildlife. This uniquely Alaskan institution typically welcomes over 160,000 visitors each year, but COVID-19 has deeply affected tourism and reduced the Sealife Center's revenue. We must ensure that the next COVID-19 relief package includes funding for the institutions working on behalf of wildlife. I am proud to join my friend, Congressman Alan Lowenthal, on this important effort to ensure that zoos and aquariums across our country can continue protecting animals and enriching our communities. These institutions are invaluable to both conservation and education; in Congress, I will always be their outspoken advocate."" The Members point out in their letter that the nation's accredited zoos and aquariums are facing an unprecedented economic crisis and many of these important institutions are at risk of closing permanently. Despite being shuttered during the pandemic, zoos and aquariums continue to incur significant costs, in some cases millions of dollars per institution per month, to maintain appropriate round-the-clock care and feeding of animals. Many of these facilities are also shouldering the costs of caring for, rescuing, and relocating endangered, threatened and protected species, many of which are the responsibility of, or owned by, the federal government. These staggering costs continue to mount while zoos and aquariums have little to no opportunity to generate revenue. From the California Academy of Sciences, Monterey Bay Aquarium, San Diego Zoo, to our own Aquarium of the Pacific here in Long Beach, California is home to some of the most iconic institutions dedicated to the education, study, and care of flora and fauna both on land and at sea, Congressman Lowenthal said. We must do everything that we can to ensure that these important institutions will continue long after the COVID-19 pandemic so that we can see, and animals can benefit from, their work. It is for this reason why I am honored to join with my friend and colleague, Representative Don Young, to try to secure critically needed resource for zoos and aquariums across the country. Congress has provided several mechanisms through the CARES Act and subsequent legislation to stabilize businesses and small nonprofits. However, these have not addressed the unique needs of zoos and aquariums, specifically, animal care costs have not been considered and many zoos and aquariums are not eligible for relief loans, or the loans require institutions to take on additional debt as they continue to lose money each day. The Members request $250 million to be administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to provide emergency operating grants for accredited zoos and aquariums with an established record of partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in conserving endangered, threatened and other federally protected species. The letter concludes by stating, Nationwide zoos and aquariums are economic drivers in our communities and are trusted sources of innovative education, scientific research, and wildlife conservation. These institutions are critical partners with the federal government in caring for protected species and supporting conservation. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in major economic hardship, and we request that you include targeted relief for zoos and aquariums in the next COVID-19 legislative package. Click here to read the full text of the letter. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401732,"PASSED BY THE HOUSE: Congressman Don Youngs Legislation to Expand Access to Child Care Services, Get Parents Back to Work",2020-09-16,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, the House of Representatives passed the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020, bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Don Young (R-AK) and Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-PA). This legislation will help expand access to child care services through the remainder of the COVID-19 emergency, aiding parents' return to the workforce and ensuring that children can continue their learning in an academically supportive environment. ""Now more than ever, 21st Century Community Learning Centers play a critical role in supporting our children through academic enrichment and access to engaging and safe learning environments, said Congressman Don Young. Normally, the program focuses on initiatives that occur after school, but these are anything but normal times. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way our children learn, and we must ensure that this critical grant program can adapt. Educators, administrators, and the students they teach need and deserve funding flexibility so that learning can continue during this public health crisis. This crucial legislation takes the steps necessary to ensure that the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program works for students in Alaska and across the country. I am proud to have worked with Congresswoman Susan Wild on this bill, and I am very grateful to my friends on both sides of the aisle for supporting its passage today. As Co-Chair of the House Afterschool Caucus, I want children, parents, and teachers in Alaska to know that they have a partner in Washington, D.C., and I will keep fighting so that they have the support needed to come out of this stronger than ever before."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401734,"Congressman Don Young Announces Over $4 Million in Department of Justice Grants to Combat Domestic Violence, Support Survivors in Alaska",2020-09-16,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today,Alaska Congressman Don Young announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Violence Against Women has awarded over $4 million to various state, Alaska Native, and community organizations under the Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Grant Program. These funds will be used to help Alaskan entities combat domestic abuse, stop violence against women, and prevent sexual assault and rape. Every year, women and girls around the country survive rape, domestic abuse, and other forms of tragic violence, and sadly, many of these heinous crimes are more prevalent in Alaska Native communities, said Congressman Don Young. Alaska often ranks first as the state with the highest rates of women killed by men, and Alaska Native women are ten times more likely to experience domestic violence than other women in the United States. We can and must do more to prevent violence against women, support survivors, and bring perpetrators of these criminal acts to justice. This funding will go a long way toward helping us keep our children and families safe. We must continue promoting a culture of zero-tolerance for domestic violence, and I am grateful to the Department of Justice for recognizing the urgent need for these crucial resources. I will continue working in Congress to ensure that all of our communities are safe places for Alaskans to thrive. Grant recipients and award amounts courtesy of the Department of Justice: Aiding Women from Abuse and Rape Emergencies, Incorporated: $ 636,020 Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies (AWARE), in partnership with the Alaska Legal Services Corporation, will continue to provide comprehensive, wrap-around legal and supportive services to empower victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in communities in northern Southeast Alaska. With this supplemental award, the project will continue to support: 1) a full-time staff attorney; 2) a full-time legal advocate; and 3) a mental health counselor to provide direct, co-located mental health services. These three team members will assists/victim survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence in protective order proceedings and related civil legal matters. Alaska Native Justice Center: $ 750,000 The Alaska Native Justice Center, in partnership with the Cook Inlet Tribal Council, will continue to provide culturally specific direct services to Alaska Native and American Indian victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in the southcentral Cook Inlet region. Specifically, the project will use this supplemental award to support: 1) a full-time Tribal Liaison Victim Advocate to provide culturally specific direct services; 2) emergency assistance and pro se legal clinic services; 3) career development and job placement services for victims; 4) development and distribution of a rural victim resource guide; and 4) culturally informed training for community services providers, law enforcement and court staff to build capacity for serving victims in remote communities. Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium: $ 499,951 The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), in partnership with Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) and Tundra Women's Coalition (TWC), will implement cross-sector health justice curriculum targeting Tribal Community Health Practitioners (TCHPs) to increase access to health care and legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. Specifically, this award will support: 1) the creation of a logic model and progress measurement tool; and 2) development of a cross-sector curriculum addressing how to respond to victims in a culturally appropriate manner; and 3) village-based health care services for victims. Funding will also be used to hire a project coordinator that will spearhead the curriculum development and provide instruction on the courses once developed. The timing for performance of this award is 36 months. Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government: $ 499,987 The Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government, in partnership with Pribilof School District, St. Paul Island Tribal Court, and Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, will enhance and strengthen advocacy services for domestic violence, sexual assault and dating violence victims entering emergency shelter and transitional housing. Specifically, this initial award will be used to support: 1) a part-time sexual assault advocate and a part-time domestic violence advocate who will assist victims with protection orders, securing shelter housing; and employment; 2) community outreach through radio announcements and local events; and 3) two staff training sessions per project year for medical staff, SART/SANE nurses, and advocates. The timing for performance of this award is 36 months. Kawerak, Incorporated: $ 498,555 Kawerak, Incorporated, a regional non-profit tribal consortia serving 20 tribes in the Bering Strait region of Northwestern Alaska, seeks to improve the multi-disciplinary response to high risk domestic violence cases and child sexual assault. This project will expand the Kawerak Child Advocacy Center (CAC) services to include advocacy and outreach services. Funding will support a CAC Specialist who will: 1) conduct forensic interviews; 2) track cases; and 3) coordinate outreach to Tribal leaders, school personnel and community members. Funds will also be used to provide trainings on strangulation, teen dating and violence domestic violence awareness. Safe - Safe and Fear Free Environment: $ 449,716 Safe and Fear-Free Environment (SAFE) will partner with the Dillingham Police Department, Dillingham City School District, State of Alaska Office of Children's Services, Bristol Bay Native Association, and the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation to continue providing victim-centered services through the Aurora Project. Specifically, this supplemental award will be used to support: 1) one part-time outreach and education coordinator, a part-time direct services coordinator, a part-time shelter manager, and 4 full-time village based advocate positions; 2) emergency shelter and transportation; 3) training for advocates, volunteer helpers, and community health aides working with adult and child victims; 4) trauma-informed training for law enforcement, village based advocates, tribal courts, tribal children service workers, educators, and childcare workers; 5) a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) for adult victims of sexual assault; and 6) an outreach and education campaign to inform community of available services and resources in response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child victimization. Tundra Women's Coalition: $ 500,000 Trundra Women's Coalition (TWC), in partnership with the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, will provide services to both adult and children victims of sexual assault who seek assistance through the TWC Children's Advocacy Center (CAC), and its Sexual Assault Response and Coordinated Community Response (CCR) to Domestic Violence teams. Specifically, this supplemental award will be used to: 1) hire a legal advocate to assist victims with protection orders, court accompaniment and securing legal representation; 2) hire a CCR coordinator to work with law enforcement in responding to domestic violence cases, and provide input on case reviews; 3) hire a CAC outreach advocate to provide services to victims residing at the local shelter, facilitate support groups for non-offending parents, and assist with forensic interviews; and 4) develop a bi-annual plan for making TWC's emergency services available to 58 communities in the Yukon-Kushkowin region of Southwest Alaska. Funding will also support the development and delivery of training on responding to adult sexual assault for first responders. Women in Safe Homes: $ 427,699 Women in Safe Homes (WISH), in coordination with its partners, will develop a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and establish a Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) in southern Southeastern Alaska. Specifically, funding will be used to: 1) conduct a needs assessment to evaluate current services and improve management of case investigations; 2) develop protocols and procedures for operating the MDT and CAC; 3) provide regional trainings for law enforcement, MDT and CAC staff on investigating crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking; and 4) secure a physical location for conducting victim interviews, medical exams and investigation work. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/manchin-murkowski-request-information-on-covid-19-impact-on-homeless-families-and-youth,"Manchin, Murkowski Request Information On Covid-19 Impact On Homeless Families And Youth",2020-09-16,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.16.20 Manchin, Murkowski Request Information On Covid-19 Impact On Homeless Families And Youth U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) requested information from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted families and children. The Senators also asked if the ACF had the resources needed to help those in need during the pandemic and if the Emergency Family Stabilization Act (EFSA), introduced by Senators Manchin and Murkowski, would provide the necessary resources. The Senators said in part, As our nation continues to grapple with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is important to keep our most vulnerable populations at the forefront of our actions, especially the children, youth, and families who are at-risk of or currently experiencing homelessness. Children and youth have largely been overlooked in previous COVID-19 legislation, but the need for services continue to rise at an alarming rate. The Senators requested answers to the following questions: How has COVID-19 impacted families, children and youth who are at-risk of or currently experiencing homelessness? What trends, if any, have emerged during COVID-19? Does ACF have the necessary resources at this time to adequately support and respond to the ever-increasing needs of families, children and youth who are at-risk of or currently experiencing homelessness as exasperated by COVID-19, including emerging trends? If not, please detail the additional resources ACF needs at this time and the estimated cost of those resources.. If signed into law, does ACF have the capacity to implement the Emergency Family Stabilization Act as currently proposed? Does ACF see a need for the Emergency Family Stabilization Act or similar legislation specifically designed to assist children and youth experiencing homelessness through ACF programs? A fact sheet on theEmergency Family Stabilization Actcan be foundhere. Read the full letter below or click here. Dear Assistant Secretary Johnson and Commissioner Darling: As our nation continues to grapple with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is important to keep our most vulnerable populations at the forefront of our actions, especially the children, youth, and families who are at-risk of or currently experiencing homelessness. Children and youth have largely been overlooked in previous COVID-19 legislation, but the need for services continue to rise at an alarming rate. The most recent data from The Department of Education reported a record number of 1.5 million children and youth in the school system who experienced homelessness during the 2017-2018 school year. An additional 1.4 million children under age six are estimated to have experienced homelessness. National research from the University of Chicago's Chapin Hall found that approximately 4.2 million youth ages 13-25 experienced homelessness on their own during a 12-month period. While these numbers are alarming, the actual number of children and youth experiencing homelessness is severely undercounted. This population is at a greater risk of health complications, lack of educational resources, experiencing physical and emotional abuse, lack of proper nutrition, and many other factors that contribute to an increased likelihood of experiencing homelessness as an adult. As you may be aware, there is a bipartisan, bicameral piece of legislation in both chambers of Congress that is intended to provide dedicated and critical support to children and youth experiencing homelessness. The Emergency Family Stabilization Act would address the complex and unique issues of children and youth experiencing homelessness by supporting community-based organizations working at the grassroots level with families and youth experiencing homelessness. Specifically, EFSA would assist children and youth with housing-related, health, education, and safety needs in an effort to secure and promote housing stability. Questions: How has COVID-19 impacted families, children and youth who are at-risk of or currently experiencing homelessness? What trends, if any, have emerged during COVID-19? Does ACF have the necessary resources at this time to adequately support and respond to the ever-increasing needs of families, children and youth who are at-risk of or currently experiencing homelessness as exasperated by COVID-19, including emerging trends? If not, please detail the additional resources ACF needs at this time and the estimated cost of those resources.. If signed into law, does ACF have the capacity to implement the Emergency Family Stabilization Act as currently proposed? Does ACF see a need for the Emergency Family Stabilization Act or similar legislation specifically designed to assist children and youth experiencing homelessness through ACF programs? Thank you for taking the time to review this letter. We look forward to reviewing your response and continuing to work together to address children and youth homelessness. With warmest regards, Related Issues: COVID-19 Resource Page Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-chairs-ferc-nominations-hearing,Murkowski Chairs FERC Nominations Hearing,2020-09-16,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.16.20 Murkowski Chairs FERC Nominations Hearing U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired ahearingto consider the nominations of Mark Christie and Allison Clements to be Members oftheFederal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Decisions that FERC Commissioners make matternot only to the energy sector but to the nation, Murkowski said. Approving the siting of natural gas pipelines, investigating energy markets, and licensing hydroelectric projects are just a few of the Commission's duties. FERC's economic reach has been estimated at roughly three percent of the gross domestic product, but its real impact is likely greater because energy is a fundamental input. FERC currently has three confirmed Members and two vacancies. Christie is the Chairman of the State Corporation Commission of Virginia and one of the nation's longest-serving state regulators. Clements most recently founded an energy policy and strategy consulting firm, and previously worked for the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). During the question-and-answer portion of the hearing, Murkowski asked both nominees to provide examples from their past experience demonstrating that they would be independent if confirmed to serve at FERC. Murkowski asked Clements about her views on the reliability and resilience of the electric grid, and ended by asking both nominees about whether FERC should have been more aggressive in California given the challenges it is currently facing. Christie is nominated for a term expiring June 30, 2025 to replace Commissioner Bernard McNamee, who recently departed from FERC after the end of his statutory term. Clements is nominated for a term expiring June 30, 2024, to replace former Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur. Murkowski is Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. An archived videoand witness testimony from today's hearing are available on the committee'swebsite. Clickhere andhereto view Murkowski's questions for Clements and Christie. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-speaks-about-western-wildfires_bill-to-assist-alaska-native-elders-,"Murkowski Speaks About Western Wildfires, Bill to Assist Alaska Native Elders",2020-09-16,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.16.20 Murkowski Speaks About Western Wildfires, Bill to Assist Alaska Native Elders U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today attended and brieflyspokeat a subcommittee hearing held by the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining (PLFM). Murkowski spoke about the western wildfire crisis and S. 2533, a bill she introduced to help ensure Alaska Native elders are not disqualified from receiving food assistance and other federal benefits. I want to share my thoughts, prayers, and sincere hopes for rain and recovery for so many who are facing the horrendous wildfires out west, Murkowski said. Right now, there are thousands of men and women working to fight these devastating fires. The brave individuals on the front lines are putting their lives at risk morning, noon, and nightin the midst of a pandemic, no less. Today's PLFM subcommittee hearing focused on receiving testimony on 15 bills, including S. 4431, the Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and ENR committee member Steve Daines, R-Mont. Murkowski's bill, S. 2533, would exclude settlement trusts from being considered when determining Alaska Native elders' eligibility for federal aid. These trusts are an important source of support for many elders living in remote, rural Alaska, but they do not at all displace the need for federal support that combats the poverty and healthcare challenges their communities face, Murkowski said. Murkowski is Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. An archived videoand witness testimony from today's hearing are available on the committee'swebsite. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401730,"Young, Gallego Introduce Bicameral, Bipartisan Bill to Extend Census Deadline, Ensure Fair and Accurate Count",2020-09-15,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today,Congressman Don Young (R-AK)and Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced bicameral, bipartisan legislation, the 2020 Census Deadline Extensions Act (H.R. 8250), alongside Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Brian Schatz (D-HI). This bill restores the original Census deadline to October 31, 2020 from the September 30, 2020 end date implemented in July. This would allow the U.S. Census Bureau more time to finish data collection and processing, in turn leading to a more thorough and accurate count. ""One of the most important things Alaskans can do to ensure that our state is treated fairly is to fill out the Census,""said Congressman Don Young. ""Our constitutionally mandated Census only happens once a decade, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made this decade's Census data collection uniquely challenging. Let me be very clear: if Alaska's field staff are unable to finish a thorough and accurate Census, billions in federal funding will be left on the table over the next decade. We must extend the Census deadline. Alaskans deserve to have their roads, schools, recreation areas, and other public services fully funded; our field staff need more time to complete this critical task. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation alongside Senators Murkowski and Schatz, and Congressman Gallego to ensure that the Census deadline is extended so that all Americans are empowered to succeed. The administration's plan to end the Census prematurely guarantees an undercount in America's most vulnerable communities. Unless we act, Hispanic, Indigenous, rural, and other minority and hard-to-count communities will be robbed of political representation and lose out on their fair share of trillions of dollars of federal funding directed by the Census,said Congressman Ruben Gallego. Our nation's Census is enshrined in the Constitution and is a fundamental pillar of our representative democracy. We cannot allow this process to be sabotaged. The Constitution, the courts, and the American people demand that every person, regardless of race, means, immigration status, religion, or location, must be counted. I call on the bipartisan leadership of both Chambers to pass this bill immediately to make that a reality. In August, Congressman Don Young sent a letter to Census Bureau Director Dr. Steven Dillingham, urging him to reverse plans to move up the field data collection deadline to September 30 from its original date of October 31. Clickherefor the letter. Organizations supporting this legislation: National AARP AASA, The School Superintendents Association AFL-CIO The AIDS Institute All On The Line American Anthropological Association American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) American Federation of Teachers (AFT) American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) American Library Association American Statistical Association Arab American Institute The Arc Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) Asian Americans Advancing Justice AAJC Asian Americans Advancing Justice Asian Law Caucus Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) Association of Educational Service Agencies Center for American Progress Center for Disability Rights Center on Law and Social Policy (CLASP) Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) Coalition of Labor Union Women Coalition on Human Needs Common Cause Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, U.S. Provinces Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA) Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics (COPAFS) Data Coalition Empowering Pacific Islander Community (EPIC) Feeding America First Focus Campaign for Children Forum For Youth Investment Generations United Girls Inc. Government Information Watch Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Association Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) Hispanic Federation Hmong American Census Network Immigrant Legal Resource Center Insights Association Interfaith Alliance Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Jewish Women International Justice for Migrant Women Justice in Aging The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics) Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) NALEO Educational Fund NAACP NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) NAPAFASA National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) National Association for Business Economics (NABE) National Association of Counties (NACo) National Association of Jewish Legislators National Association of Regional Councils National Black Justice Coalition National CAPACD National Center for Learning Disabilities National Coalition Against Domestic Violence National Coalition for Literacy National Community Action Partnership National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) National Council of Nonprofits National Council on Aging National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) National Education Association (NEA) National Equality Action Team (NEAT) National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) National Health Law Program National Housing & Rehabilitation Association National League of Cities (NLC) National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund National NeighborWorks Association National Organization of Black County Officials, Inc. (NOBCO) National Partnership for Women & Families National Rural Education Association Native Voice Network NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice Nielsen Nonprofit Network OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates Open the Government Partnership for America's Children People For the American Way PFLAG National PolicyLink Prison Policy Initiative PRLDEF Population Association of America Project On Government Oversight (POGO) Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK) Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Union for Reform Judaism United Way Worldwide Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) U.S. Conference of Mayors Voices for Racial Justice YWCA USA ZERO TO THREE State Advocates for Children of New Jersey (New Jersey) Agenda for Children (Louisiana) Alaska Census Working Group Alaska Counts Campaign (Alaska) Aloha United Way (Hawaii) Asian American Federation (New York) Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta (Georgia) Asian Americans Advancing Justice Los Angeles (California) Asian Law Alliance (California) Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (California) Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii (Hawaii) Center for Non-Profits (New Jersey) Centro Civico Cultural Dominicano (New York) Children's Defense Fund Minnesota (Minnesota) Children's Defense Fund Ohio (Ohio) Children's Trust of South Carolina (South Carolina) Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) (New York) City of Montgomery, Alabama (Alabama) Colorado Nonprofit Association (Colorado) Common Cause MN (Minnesota) Community Action Partnership of North Dakota (North Dakota) Community Action Partnership of Utah (Utah) Community Foundation for Mason County (Michigan) Community Foundation for Muskegon County (Michigan) Cook Inlet Housing Authority (Alaska) Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (Hawaii) Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) (Michigan) CT Association for Community Action (CAFCA) (Connecticut) The Foraker Group (Alaska) Forefront (Illinois) Fremont Area Community Foundation (Michigan) Hawaii Community Foundation (Hawaii) The Henry Ford (Michigan) Housing Action Illinois (Illinois) Idaho Nonprofit Center (Idaho) International Community Health Services (Washington) Isuroon (Minnesota) Kentucky Youth Advocates (Kentucky) Kentucky Nonprofit Network (Kentucky) Kids Forward (Wisconsin) Lake County Community Foundation (Michigan) Los Angeles LGBT Center (California) MACS 2020 Minnesotans for the ACS and 2020 Census (Minnesota) Main Street Project (Minnesota) Maryland Nonprofits (Maryland) Massachusetts Association for Community Action (Massachusetts) Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. (Hawaii) Maui Non Profit Directors Association (Hawaii) Mecosta County Community Foundation (Michigan) Michigan Association of United Ways (Michigan) Michigan Nonprofit Association (Michigan) Midland Area Community Foundation (Michigan) Minnesota Census Mobilization Partnership (Minnesota) Minnesota Community Action Partnership (Minnesota) Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (Minnesota) Minnesota Council on Foundations (Minnesota) MN Alliance for Democracy (Minnesota) Montgomery Counts Office (Alabama) Montana Nonprofit Association (Montana) New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) (New Jersey) New Mexico Thrives (New Mexico) New York State Community Action Association (NYSCAA) (New York) Nonprofit Association of Oregon (Oregon) North Carolina Center for Nonprofits (North Carolina) Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (Oklahoma) Oklahoma Policy Institute (Oklahoma) Osceola County Community Foundation (Michigan) Parents And Children Together (Hawaii) Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) (Pennsylvania) People Serving People (Minnesota) PICO California Research Advisory Services, Inc. (Arizona) Together SC (South Carolina) United Way Bay Area (California) Virginia Community Action Partnership (Virginia) Voices for Racial Justice (Minnesota) Washington Nonprofits (Washington) West Central Initiative (Minnesota) Wildfire: Igniting Community Action to End Poverty in Arizona (Arizona) ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/09/15/2020/young-murkowski-sullivan-introduce-bicameral-bipartisan-bill-to-ensure-fair-and-accurate-census-count,"Young, Murkowski, Sullivan Introduce Bicameral, Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Fair and Accurate Census Count",2020-09-15,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.15.20 Young, Murkowski, Sullivan Introduce Bicameral, Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Fair and Accurate Census Count Legislation Extends 2020 Census Completion Deadline Congressman Don Young and U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (all R-Alaska) introduced bicameral, bipartisan legislation, the 2020 Census Deadline Extensions Act, alongside Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) to provide for additional time to complete the 2020 Census. The bill extends the Census operations of nonresponse follow-up and self-response to October 31, 2020 as well as extends the Census statutory reporting deadlines for apportionment and redistricting. These extensions would allow the Census Bureau more time to finish the counting operations and data processing, as well as conduct quality assurance activities, leading to a more accurate count. Click here for bill text. One of the most important things Alaskans can do to ensure that our state is treated fairly is to fill out the Census, said Congressman Don Young. Our constitutionally mandated Census only happens once a decade, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made this decade's Census data collection uniquely challenging. Let me be very clear: if Alaska's field staff are unable to finish a thorough and accurate Census, billions in federal funding will be left on the table over the next decade. We must extend the Census deadline. Alaskans deserve to have their roads, schools, recreation areas, and other public services fully funded; our field staff need more time to complete this critical task. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation alongside Senators Murkowski and Schatz, and Congressman Gallego to ensure that the Census deadline is extended so that all Americans are empowered to succeed. Obtaining an accurate Census count is always difficult. But now, with the added delays and difficulties caused by COVID-19, it's become increasingly clear that more time is needed to ensure a fair and accurate census count. For an effort that happens once every ten years, with impacts that last for the next ten years, this is far too important to not get right. The Census determines how much federal funding our local communities will receive for services like schools, roads, and other public serviceseach vital to Alaska's livelihood, said Senator Murkowski. This legislation is critically important, taking into account all the various challenges and hurdles that have occurred during this year's Census, and providing the extensions necessary to have a complete 2020 Census. An accurate population count in Alaska is notoriously difficult given our many diverse and remote communities, and the coronavirus pandemic has only served to exacerbate this challenge, said Senator Sullivan. In Alaska, we are already witnessing the lowest self-response rates in the country. The impact of this Census will be felt for the next ten years, and we simply cannot afford an undercount. Pushing back the deadline is the appropriate response to make sure this Census is accurate and successful. Background: On September 1, the Alaska Congressional Delegation made a push for Alaskans to do their part and participate in the 2020 Census as the current deadline approaches. In August, U.S. Senators Murkowski and Sullivan joined a bipartisan group of senators calling on House and Senate leadership to extend the statutory deadlines for the delivery of apportionment data and redistricting files following the 2020 Census. Also in August, Congressman Don Young sent a letter to Census Bureau Director Dr. Steven Dillingham, urging him to reverse plans to move up the field data collection deadline to September 30 from its original date of October 31. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401728,Alaska Delegation Welcomes $21 Million BUILD Grant for Anchorage International Airport,2020-09-14,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today thanked Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao for awarding a $21 million Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant to the Alaska Energy Authority to construct a 190,000 square foot climate-controlled cold storage facility at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (TSAIA). The Alaska congressional delegation wrote a letter to Secretary Chao in May advocating for TSAIA to receive the BUILD grant. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I've worked hard to secure funding to support the BUILD Grants program. The positive impacts it has had on Alaska over the years are significant. I join the rest of the Alaska Delegation in applauding today's announcement and thank Secretary Chao for investing in the future of our state,said Senator Murkowski.This new transfer facility will improve shipping capabilities, strengthen Alaska's supply chain security, and provide much-needed jobs for Alaskans. With Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport having recently been recorded among the busiest in the worldthis news could not be more timely. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us just how important it is for our country to have secure and reliable supply chains, and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport has served as an indispensable link in these global chains for decades,said Senator Sullivan. To better meet the needs of our nation and the expected demands of global commerce, this critical piece of infrastructure is due for a dramatic expansion in storage capacity, particularly the ability to store cold freight during all seasons. I thank Secretary Chao and the Transportation Department for recognizing the benefits of having TSAIA serve as more than a gas and go' hub, which will help us better secure America's distribution networks and grow jobs and economic opportunities for Alaskans. I am very pleased to report that the Department of Transportation is making critical investments in the State of Alaska, said Congressman Young. Our state is geographically unique, and Alaskans know how important it is to ensure that temperature-sensitive goods, foods, and other items can safely and effectively make their way to Alaska and our rural communities. In April, the Anchorage Airport was recorded as the busiest in the world, which makes reliable cold storage facilities even more important for the global movement of cargo. I am proud to have worked with Senators Murkowski and Sullivan in support of this project, and am grateful to the Department of Transportation and Secretary Chao for listening to us and making this significant investment in our state. As former Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am acutely aware of Alaska's infrastructure needs. In Congress, I will continue advocating so that Alaskans can utilize safe and reliable infrastructure for generations to come. Background Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world due, in large part, to its central position on the shortest flying routes between the United States and the Far East. Air cargo carriers are able to transport freight more efficiently and cost-effectively by stopping along this route to refuel at TSAIA. Although roughly two-thirds of cargo freighters and half of the total cargo flown between the U.S. and Asia transit through TSAIA, only a small fraction of the cargo ever leaves the aircraft for storage or sorting at the airport itself. Anchorage currently has limited capacity for cold storage, causing many carriers to depend onother statesfor such facilities. The proposed cold storage facility, and other planned expansions, would increasingly enable air cargo carriers to both refuel at TSAIA and store or sort freight for shipment directly to more destinations, rather than adding a stop for sorting at a second domestic airport. The cold storage facility is the first phase of a planned 715,000 square-foot cargo transfer and storage facility at TSAIA. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-welcomes-21-million-build-grant-for-anchorage-international-airport,Alaska Delegation Welcomes $21 Million BUILD Grant for Anchorage International Airport,2020-09-14,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.14.20 Alaska Delegation Welcomes $21 Million BUILD Grant for Anchorage International Airport U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today thanked Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao for awarding a $21 million Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant to the Alaska Energy Authority to construct a 190,000 square foot climate-controlled cold storage facility at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (TSAIA). The Alaska congressional delegation wrote a letter to Secretary Chao in May advocating for TSAIA to receive the BUILD grant. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I've worked hard to secure funding to support the BUILD Grants program. The positive impacts it has had on Alaska over the years are significant. I join the rest of the Alaska Delegation in applauding today's announcement and thank Secretary Chao for investing in the future of our state,said Senator Murkowski.This new transfer facility will improve shipping capabilities, strengthen Alaska's supply chain security, and provide much-needed jobs for Alaskans. With Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport having recently been recorded among the busiest in the worldthis news could not be more timely. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us just how important it is for our country to have secure and reliable supply chains, and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport has served as an indispensable link in these global chains for decades,said Senator Sullivan. To better meet the needs of our nation and the expected demands of global commerce, this critical piece of infrastructure is due for a dramatic expansion in storage capacity, particularly the ability to store cold freight during all seasons. I thank Secretary Chao and the Transportation Department for recognizing the benefits of having TSAIA serve as more than a gas and go' hub, which will help us better secure America's distribution networks and grow jobs and economic opportunities for Alaskans. I am very pleased to report that the Department of Transportation is making critical investments in the State of Alaska, said Congressman Young. Our state is geographically unique, and Alaskans know how important it is to ensure that temperature-sensitive goods, foods, and other items can safely and effectively make their way to Alaska and our rural communities. In April, the Anchorage Airport was recorded as the busiest in the world, which makes reliable cold storage facilities even more important for the global movement of cargo. I am proud to have worked with Senators Murkowski and Sullivan in support of this project, and am grateful to the Department of Transportation and Secretary Chao for listening to us and making this significant investment in our state. As former Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am acutely aware of Alaska's infrastructure needs. In Congress, I will continue advocating so that Alaskans can utilize safe and reliable infrastructure for generations to come. Background Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world due, in large part, to its central position on the shortest flying routes between the United States and the Far East. Air cargo carriers are able to transport freight more efficiently and cost-effectively by stopping along this route to refuel at TSAIA. Although roughly two-thirds of cargo freighters and half of the total cargo flown between the U.S. and Asia transit through TSAIA, only a small fraction of the cargo ever leaves the aircraft for storage or sorting at the airport itself. Anchorage currently has limited capacity for cold storage, causing many carriers to depend onother statesfor such facilities. The proposed cold storage facility, and other planned expansions, would increasingly enable air cargo carriers to both refuel at TSAIA and store or sort freight for shipment directly to more destinations, rather than adding a stop for sorting at a second domestic airport. The cold storage facility is the first phase of a planned 715,000 square-foot cargo transfer and storage facility at TSAIA. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/senator-murkowski-speaks-in-remembrance-of-september-11-,Senator Murkowski Speaks in Remembrance of September 11,2020-09-11,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.11.20 Senator Murkowski Speaks in Remembrance of September 11 Encourages America to Come Together As A Nation U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today released the following statement in remembrance of September 11, 2001: Click here for video of Senator Murkowski. On September 11, 2001, America fell victim to unprovoked terrorist attacks which took the lives of nearly 3,000 Americans and injured another 6,000. Today, we pay tribute to the lives that were lost and honor their families and loved ones. But as we reflect on what was lost on September 11, we must also remember what we foundthe unity that we felt when we saw men and women run to the fire in the service of others. Today, we are at another pivotal moment in our history, facing unprecedented challengesa pandemic that challenges us both individually and collectively. That can break us down and divide us, or, if we choose, can bring us together and make us stronger. The outpouring of support we showed for each other in the days and months that followed September 11 reminds us that in our darkest moments, our common bonds are stronger than any fears. So today, I call on each of us to remember our American idealsthat we are a United Statesnot battleground states. That we are friends and neighbors, mothers and fathers, sons and daughtersnot democrats or republicans. That fulfilling the promise America provides not just to its citizens here at home, but to those suffering oppression across the world, requires each and every one of us to be better to each other, for each other. As we remember being attacked from abroad on September 11, it is my hope that we can use that memory to unify here at home today. God Bless. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/us-senators-smith-murkowski-introduce-bipartisan_legislation-to-help-tribes-combat-covid-19-other-public-health-crises,"U.S. Senators Smith, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Tribes Combat COVID-19, Other Public Health Crises",2020-09-11,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.11.20 U.S. Senators Smith, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Tribes Combat COVID-19, Other Public Health Crises Today U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and LisaMurkowski(R-Alaska) introduced bipartisan legislation to help Tribesaccess public health data andaddresshealthdisparitiesthat hit American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities especially hard. TheTribal Health Data Improvement Actwould strengthendata sharingbetween Tribes,Tribal Epidemiology Centers andtheCenters for Disease Controland Prevention(CDC)so Tribes can moreeffectively address public health challenges. Tribes andTribal Epidemiology Centersare routinely denied access to important health data systems, despite having clearance to do so.Accessing federal and state public health data is critical for engaging in preventative public health work and combatting current health crises. Structural barriers to accessing datahave been especiallyproblematicduring COVID-19,which has disproportionately hurt AI/AN communities.This bill clarifies that Tribes and Tribal Epidemiology Centers, as public health authorities, should be granted access to the data they request. AI/AN communitiesalsoface stark health disparities across multiple health conditions including diabetes, cancer, liver disease and kidney disease. But theseinequitiesareunderestimated due to inaccuratedataat the state and federal level, which toooften misclassifiesor undercountsAI/AN individuals.This bill would address this problem by directing federal and state public health authorities to identify best practices for the collection of health data on race and ethnicity. We need to respond to the deep institutional inequalities that are harming the health of Indigenous people, especially during COVID-19,said Senator Smith.TribesandTribal Epidemiology Centers should be able toaccess to public health data. And we need to fix and prevent futurehealth data errors aboutAmerican Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN)individuals.My bipartisan bill is an opportunity for Congress to help Tribes improve public healthincommunities across the country. American Indian and Alaska Native communities face stark health disparities. In addition to these alarming health inequities, high rates of misclassification and undersampling of these populations are far too common in our public health data systems at the Federal, State, and local levels. As we navigate COVID-19, we know that Tribes have faced significant challenges in accessing CDC data to carry out their responsibilities to their members,said Senator Murkowski.The changes made by this legislation will go a long way in improving the quality and accuracy of Tribal health care data, including amending a statute that has posed many challenges to the Alaska Native Tribal Epidemiology Center's ability to access life-saving data from the CDC. I'm proud to join Senator Smith in leading this important legislation. I'd like to thank Senator Murkowski for introducing this important bill that will allow improved availability of, and access to, quality health-related data for Alaska Native and American Indian tribes and those organizations that serve our Native communities throughout the state of Alaska. Good data is critical to informed decision-making. The current pandemic has shed light on the current data access challenges and this amendment to the Public Health Service Act serves to make explicit the public health authority of tribes and tribal organizations to access data. In addition, this bill will help to improve the data quality and accuracy for birth and death records, as well as for health care and public health surveillance systems by addressing misclassification and under-sampling for Alaska Native and American Indian people. Better data, improved access and use of this data will mean better information for reporting and decision-making, said Andy Teuber, Chairman and President, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) strongly supports the Tribal Health Data Improvement Act. Nationwide, there is a paucity of accurate and reflective public health data concerning American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) stemming from high rates of misclassification and undersampling of AI/ANs in state and local disease surveillance systems. The COVID-19 pandemic, and its disproportionate impact on Indian Country, has shed an urgent light on these long-standing challenges and deficiencies in AI/AN public health data. This bill would break down barriers in Tribes' and Tribal Epidemiology Centers' access to federal public health data, which is important in controlling COVID-19 in hard-hit Tribal communities. It would also fund Tribal governments and Tribal organizations to work with state and local health agencies and require that they improve their data systems to accurately capture birth and death rates for AI/ANs, which has posed an issue long before COVID-19 but became even more evident as our Tribal members are succumbing to the virus. NIHB urges immediate action to pass this critical legislation, said Stacy A. Bohlen, Chief Executive Officer of the National Indian Health Board. Specifically, theTribal Health Data Improvement Actwould: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to give direct access to public health data to Tribes, the Indian Health Service, and Tribal Epidemiology Centers Require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop guidance for States and local health agencies to improve the quality and accuracy of birth and death record data for American Indians/Alaska Natives Require the CDC to enter into cooperative agreements with Tribes, Tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and Tribal Epidemiology Centers to address misclassification and undersampling of American Indians/Alaska Natives on birth/death records and in health care/public health surveillance systems Encourage states to enter into data sharing agreements with Tribes and Tribal Epidemiology Centers to improve access to public health data In addition to Sens. Smith andMurkowski, the legislation is supported by Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.),Steve Daines (D-Mont.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Kevin Cramer (N.D.) TheTribal Health Data Improvement Actis endorsed by the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) and Seattle Indian Health Board. You can read a summary of the bill here. Related Issues: Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z