Arctic Caucus Co-Chairs Murkowski, King Support Decisions of Arctic Organizations Amid Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Angus King (I-Maine), co-chairs of the Senate Arctic Caucus, issued the following statements commending Arctic intergovernmental forums for publicly denouncing Russia’s war against Ukraine. This included a joint statement from seven nations of the Arctic Council (all but Russia) and a decision to pause all meetings and engagements in […]
Murkowski, King Introduce Bill to Strengthen Diplomacy in the Arctic
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Angus King (I-ME)—co-chairs of the Senate Arctic Caucus—today introduced the Arctic Diplomacy Act of 2021, legislation which will elevate Arctic issues in U.S. foreign policy by establishing an Assistant Secretary of State for Arctic Affairs who will lead and conduct U.S. foreign policy in the Arctic region and on […]
White House Announces Appointment of New U.S. Arctic Research Commissioners
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made the following statement after the Biden Administration appointed new U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC) Commissioners and a new chair. USARAC is an independent federal agency that advises the President and Congress on domestic and international Arctic research. USARC Commissioners will include Dr. Mike Sfraga, Director of the Polar Institute […]
Iceland President Honors Senator Murkowski for Arctic Diplomacy
On the sidelines of the Arctic Council Ministerial meeting, the President of Iceland, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, presented U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) with the Icelandic Order of the Falcon—the highest honor Iceland can bestow on individuals. Senator Murkowski received this prestigious honor in recognition of her efforts strengthening the relations between Iceland, Alaska and all […]
Murkowski Takes Leadership Role in Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was selected to serve as Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (SCPAR), the Arctic Council’s working body with permanent participants from eight Arctic countries. Senator Murkowski has represented the U.S. on the Standing Committee, as an Arctic Parliamentarian, since 2003. Being elevated to the […]
Murkowski Arctic Priorities included in Comprehensive China Legislation
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced that her legislative efforts on Arctic diplomacy were included in the base bill of the Strategic Competition Act of 2021, comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to counter China by confronting the nation’s economic and geopolitical power. To ensure that the United States has adequate capacity to prevent and respond to […]
ICYMI: Murkowski Meets with Secretary Blinken and NSA Sullivan
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-AK, on Friday met with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan, and the National Security Council’s Asia coordinator Kurt Campbell as they traveled back to the U.S. after meetings in Japan and South Korea. (Pictured left to right: Senator Sullivan, Secretary […]
Whitehouse-Murkowski Bill Would Advance Understanding of Oceans, Great Lakes, and Coasts
U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate Oceans Caucus, have introduced legislation to advance data collection of the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts. The Bolstering Long-Term Understanding and Exploration of the Great Lakes, Oceans, Bays, and Estuaries Act, or BLUE GLOBE Act, would accelerate technology innovation, plan […]
Murkowski Questions DOE Secretary Nominee on Arctic Energy, Resource Jobs, Cybersecurity, Critical Minerals
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, took part in a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to consider the nomination of Jennifer M. Granholm, the former Governor of Michigan, to be the Secretary of Energy. Murkowski opened the hearing by asking Governor Granholm for a commitment to advance energy security in the Arctic. Last […]
Alaska Delegation Commends U.S. Navy for New Arctic Strategy
U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) commended the U.S. Navy for releasing “A Blue Arctic” last week, the service’s strategy document for the Arctic region. The Department of the Navy’s document builds upon the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Arctic strategy, released in June of 2019, and compliments the Air Force’s Arctic strategy, released in July […]