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Lisa Murkowski

Lisa Murkowski

United States Senator

Appears in 7 stories

Born: 1957 (age 68 years), Ketchikan, AK
Party: Republican Party
Spouse: Verne Martell (m. 1987)
Education: Willamette University School of Law (1985), Georgetown University (1980), Willamette University (1975–1977), and more
Office: United States Senator

Stories

Congress debates federal citizenship proof requirements for voter registration

Rule Changes

U.S. Senator (R-AK) - Only Republican senator publicly opposing the bill

Since 1993, Americans have registered to vote by attesting to their citizenship under penalty of perjury. No proof required. The House just voted 218-213 to change that, passing the SAVE America Act to mandate in-person documentary proof of citizenship—a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers—before anyone can register for federal elections.

Updated Feb 12

Gold hits record $4,620 as DOJ investigation threatens Fed independence

Money Moves

U.S. Senator (R-AK), Banking Committee Member - Supporting Tillis blockade of Fed nominees; position threatens Warsh confirmation

On January 30, 2026, President Trump nominated former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell as Fed Chair when his term expires in May. Markets reacted violently: gold, which had surged to a record $5,626 per ounce amid the constitutional crisis over Powell's criminal investigation, plunged 11% in hours as investors bet Warsh would preserve central bank independence. Silver crashed 30% in its worst day since 1980. The dollar index spiked to 97.14, recovering from multi-year lows below 96. However, by February 3-5, gold rebounded to $5,070 as investors reassessed the confirmation timeline and Powell investigation trajectory. The rally began January 26 when gold broke $5,000 for the first time, driven by the unprecedented DOJ grand jury subpoenas served January 9 over Powell's congressional testimony about a $2.5 billion headquarters renovation.

Updated Feb 5

Trump's Greenland gambit

Force in Play

U.S. Senator (R-Alaska) - Part of congressional delegation opposing Greenland acquisition

President Trump's dramatic January 21 reversal—withdrawing tariff threats and ruling out military force after announcing a "framework" with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte—defused an unprecedented crisis within the Atlantic alliance. The framework centers on Arctic security cooperation, U.S. access to Greenland's rare earth minerals (the world's eighth-largest reserves at 1.5 million metric tons), and deployment of Trump's proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system—a $175-831 billion multilayered shield against hypersonic threats. NATO clarified Rutte "did not propose any compromise to sovereignty," framing the deal as collective efforts to prevent Russian or Chinese Arctic footholds. By January 29, Secretary of State Rubio announced technical talks through the agreed working group had begun, calling them "a regular process" and expressing optimism: "We've got a little bit of work to do, but I think we're going to wind up in a good place."

Updated Jan 30

Two GOP senators block Trump's Fed picks over Powell probe

Rule Changes

U.S. Senator (R-AK) - Supporting Tillis's Fed nominee blockade

No president has ever criminally investigated a sitting Federal Reserve chair. When Trump's Justice Department served Jerome Powell with grand jury subpoenas on January 11, two Republican senators announced they would block all Fed nominees until the probe ends. With a 13-11 GOP majority on the Banking Committee, even one defection creates a confirmation stalemate.

Updated Jan 28

NATO allies deploy troops to Greenland against U.S. acquisition demands

Force in Play

U.S. Senator (R-Alaska) - Participated in congressional delegation to Copenhagen

The United States has operated military bases in Greenland since 1941, under agreements with Denmark. On January 15, 2026, NATO allies deployed troops to the island to counter U.S. pressure after American-Danish talks collapsed. On January 17, President Trump announced 10% tariffs on eight European countries—Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom—rising to 25% by June unless 'a deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.' On January 20, Trump declared on Truth Social that 'there can be no going back' on Greenland, calling it 'imperative for National and World Security.' That same day, Denmark deployed its Army Chief, General Peter Boysen, alongside 58 additional troops to Greenland, bringing total Danish military presence to approximately 178 personnel for Operation Arctic Endurance.

Updated Jan 21

Trump's Greenland push reaches White House talks

Force in Play

U.S. Senator from Alaska (Republican) - Leading congressional opposition to Greenland acquisition

The United States has not acquired sovereign territory since 1917, when it purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million. Now, after President Trump announced on January 17 that he will impose 10% tariffs on eight European nations starting February 1—escalating to 25% by June 1 unless a deal is reached for Greenland—the transatlantic alliance faces its gravest crisis since World War II. In an unprecedented show of unity, the leaders of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement condemning the tariffs as undermining transatlantic relations and risking a 'dangerous downward spiral.' An estimated 10,000 Danes and 5,000 Greenlanders—nearly 10% of Greenland's population—protested in the streets. On January 19, Trump sent a letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stating he no longer felt an 'obligation to think purely of Peace' after the Norwegian Nobel Committee did not award him the Nobel Peace Prize, explicitly linking his perceived snub to his Greenland demands.

Updated Jan 20

The Western Arctic rule war: BLM’s 2024 NPR-A protections are officially gone

Rule Changes

U.S. Senator (R–Alaska) - Backing rule rescission and a return to broader leasing access

BLM’s rollback of the 2024 NPR-A protections isn’t new news—but today is when it becomes real. As of December 17, 2025, the rescission is officially in effect, wiping out the Biden-era rule that tried to hardwire stronger guardrails into how the Western Arctic gets developed.

Updated Dec 17, 2025