Lisa Murkowski

09/22/2026

The racial and rural disparities in maternal and infant mortality rates in this country are alarming and unacceptable.

Our legislation works to address this by investing in innovative approaches to maternal health care, improving data collection, strengthening support for women during the postpartum period, and expanding the use of telehealth in rural communities.

Whether you’re in Napakiak or New York City, every mother and child deserves access to quality care, and the programs implemented through this bill will help bring us closer to that goal.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska

09/21/2026

Yom Kippur is a time of reflection, repentance, and forgiveness, and one of the most sacred days in Judaism. I wish all those observing a peaceful and contemplative fast. G’mar Chatima Tova.

09/19/2026

I’m encouraged that our nations have reached a breakthrough that respects Greenlandic self-determination and the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark while strengthening our shared security in the Arctic.

I’m hopeful that this agreement will build upon the longstanding framework established by the 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement, adapting our cooperation to address today’s security challenges while preserving the foundation that has supported our partnership. I have always had faith in the enduring friendship between the United States, Greenland, and Denmark, and I believe this agreement represents an important opportunity to further strengthen our bond.

President Donald Trump says he has a deal with Denmark to bolster the U.S. military presence in Greenland.

09/18/2026

The Office of Management and Budget has proposed revisions that could significantly change how federal grants and financial assistance are administered, including funding that supports Tribal governments and organizations across Alaska and the nation.

I sent a letter to OMB urging meaningful government-to-government consultation and calling for any final rule to recognize the unique political and legal status of Tribes, uphold the federal trust, treaty and statutory obligations, and fully account for the impacts on Tribal governments and the essential services they provide. For Tribes, changes to federal grant administration could affect resources for health care, housing, education, public safety, infrastructure, child welfare, and more.

09/16/2026

Alaska has the highest su***de rate in the United States, at more than double the national average. In 2025, more young people in Alaska died by su***de than in any other year in the past decade.

I appreciated the chance to engage with Dr. Westlake, nominee to be HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, about how we can improve Alaska’s mental health outcomes. It must start with addressing our severe shortage of mental health professionals, and I will work with Dr. Westlake to increase access to providers across our state.

09/12/2026

For too long, federal programs have been developed for Native communities instead of with them, resulting in fragmented systems that react to crises instead of preventing them. Tribes know their children, their communities and what works. When given the authority, flexibility and resources to lead, tribes create solutions grounded in culture, family, community and accountability.

Ultimately, this legislation is not about reports or bureaucracy. It is about whether a child in a remote village can access mental health care without leaving home. It is about whether parents can keep their family together during hardship. It is about whether Native youth can grow up with opportunity grounded in culture, language, community and hope.

Most of all, it is about the voices that started this conversation.

The bipartisan proposal would expand tribal authority, improve coordination and strengthen services for Native families.

09/11/2026

This morning, I am attending a memorial ceremony at Fort Wainwright as we mark the 25th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attacks in our nation’s history.

The attacks of September 11, 2001, claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 Americans, including hundreds of first responders who charged into the destruction to rescue others. We remember all who were lost, from the innocents trapped on hijacked planes and in burning buildings to the heroes who perished saving their fellow citizens.

We also honor our nation’s military men and women, who answered the call to serve. Thousands of soldiers deployed from Alaska and fought courageously in Afghanistan, Iraq, and beyond. Many came home wounded and some never came home at all, sacrificing everything on our behalf.

While we have lost much of the national unity that prevailed a quarter-century ago, we have prevented similar attacks on our soil. We know who to thank for that: our military, our law enforcement, and our first responders.

On this September 11, we remember the fallen and honor the patriots whose bravery continues to keep us safe.

09/07/2026

For decades, Alaska Native leaders and ANTHC have led the charge to bring the Alaska Native Medical Center into Tribal ownership. I’ve been proud to support that vision through my work in the Senate by securing vital resources, advancing land transfers, promoting self-determination, and holding the federal government accountable to its commitments to Alaska Native people.

This transfer will create new opportunities for investment and improvements at ANMC, strengthening the Tribal health system and, in turn, health care across Alaska. I’m honored to have been a partner in this effort, and I will continue working to ensure Alaska Native communities have the resources, authority, and opportunity to shape their own health care future.

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, which has co-managed the hospital for years, took over ownership from the Indian Health Service after a yearslong effort.

09/05/2026

For five years, we’ve been working to restore access to one of the most extraordinary places in North America, so it was very gratifying to join the dedication of the new Pretty Rocks Bridge in Denali National Park.

Incredible work by the National Park Service, the Federal Highway Administration, and the remarkable engineers and construction crews who found a way to build a bridge in some of the most challenging terrain you can imagine. I can’t wait to see buses rolling across it and visitors once again experiencing some of the best that Alaska has to offer.