url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399082,Alaska Delegation Secures Temporary Extension for Vessel Incidental Discharge for Alaska Fishermen and Small Boat Operators,2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congress sent President Trump legislation (S. 2273) to extend an exemption for Alaska fishing vessels, and commercials vessels less than 79 feet in length, from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) incidental discharge regulations, which expired on December 18, 2017. The temporarily extension effective until January 19, 2018 will provide fishing and small commercial vessels relief as Congress pursues a permanent exemption to a patchwork of burdensome federal and state regulations for vessel ballast water and incidental discharges. For months, weve been working to permanently fix this misguided and overly burdensome rule by the EPA regarding incidental discharges and ballast water, said bill sponsor Senator Dan Sullivan. Although weve seen significant progress securing a permanent exemption for small vessels and fishermen known as the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act in the Coast Guard Authorization Act the current exemption has expired. Without this stopgap measure, small vessel operators and fishermen will be forced to obtain EPA permits for even the most basic activity, including vessel deck runoff, hosing out their fish holds, and other minor discharges. This short term extension was extremely important to pass so we did not leave our small vessel operators and our fishermen exposed to non-compliance or penalty as Congress moves forward with a permanent solution early in 2018. This is a much needed extension for the exemption of commercial fishing vessels and other small boats from meeting the mandates of the EPAs incidental discharge permits, which gives us time to permanently fix the problem, said Senator Lisa Murkowski. I have long fought against this nonsensical EPA rule being imposed on our fishing fleet, which according to the EPA itself, does not help regulate pollution discharges properly. It was written so broadly that it penalizes Alaskas fisherman for simply washing fish guts off their decks. This is an unacceptable standard to force on our state's fishing fleet. Its imperative that we permanently exempt our fishermen from the regulatory and monetary burden it imposes. Alaska and our small vessel owners deserve better. I look forward to working with Senator Sullivan and others to finalize a permanent solution."" Passing this extension is crucial for the fishermen and small boat operators in Alaska, said Congressman Don Young. While this is a short-term fix to a long-term problem, the Alaska delegation has been working to develop a permanent solution to this frivolous and burdensome rule issued by the EPA. Without this bill, fishermen and small vessel operators would be forced to get permits for simple things like hosing out their fish holds which is unacceptable and a prime example of overregulation. The fishing industry is vital to Alaska, and the EPA doesnt need to make it harder for them to do their jobs by paying for unnecessary permits. I am glad to see this extension pass through Congress so we can protect the industry and what it means for our local economies. When we return next year, I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the House and with our Senators to address this issue permanently and quickly. Yesterday, the Senate unanimously approved S. 2273, legislation introduced by Senator Dan Sullivan and co-sponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski, to extend the period which fishing vessels and vessels that are shorter in length than 79 feet are exempt from the EPAs requirements for discharges incidental to the normal operation of the vessel.Alaska Congressman Young ushered the legislation to quick and final passage in the House earlier today. Senator Dan Sullivan, Chairman of the Senate Coast Guard Subcommittee, has consistently worked to pass the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, which was most recently included in S. 1129, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2017. The legislation would provide all fishing vessels and small commercial vessels with a permanent exception to incidental vessel discharges and create a consistent, uniform regulatory structure that would restore efficient and cost effective commerce while ensuring environmental protection of our nations ports and waterways. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-announces-new-additions-to-committee-staff,Murkowski Announces New Additions to Committee Staff,2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.17 Murkowski Announces New Additions to Committee Staff Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced three recent additions to her Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee staff: Suzanne Cunningham as senior policy advisor for oil and gas, Diana Nielsen as a legal fellow, and Tonya Parish as press assistant. Im pleased to welcome Suzanne, Diana, and Tonya to our team, Murkowski said. Suzanne brings significant experience from her work in the Alaska State Legislature, Diana has considerable knowledge of energy and resource policy, and Tonya will be key to our efforts to communicate our work. I look forward to their contributions as we continue to advance good policies that will promote economic growth and provide benefits to Alaska and the nation. Cunningham joins the committee after serving for the past five years in the Alaska Senate as chief-of-staff for State Sen. Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage, and as a senior advisor for the Alaska Senate Rules Committee. She will focus primarily on oil and natural gas issues for the committee. Prior to her roles in the State Senate, Cunningham worked as the president and CEO of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Alaska and in marketing for the Port of Anchorage. She also served as a legislative aide in the Alaska State House of Representatives. Cunningham is originally from Anchorage, Alaska, and earned her bachelors degree from Oregon State University. Nielsen joins the committee as a legal fellow, as part of a fellowship established through Columbia University School of Laws Social Justice Initiative. She comes to Washington, D.C. from New York, where she recently finished her Juris Doctor in Law at Columbia University School of Law and a Master of International Affairs with a concentration in energy and resource management at Columbia University School of International Public Affairs. Prior to that she worked at ACO Investment Group as an investment analyst and previously worked for several years overseas in a variety of roles with the United Nations, Deloitte Consulting, and the Burmese Environmental Working Group. Nielsen is originally from Granite Bay, Calif., and also has a bachelor of arts degree from Northwestern University. Parish joins the committee after working as a researcher and administrative aide at David Parish and Associates, LLC, based in Juneau, Alaska. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 2015 with a bachelors degree in business marketing and a minor in psychology. Parish was also the founder and event coordinator for the Erik Peterson Memorial Run, served as a legislative aide for the Office of Alaska State Senate Finance Co-Chair Anna MacKinnon, and interned at Early Warning Labs, LLC, the Resource Development Council, and the Office of Alaska State Sen. Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage. She is originally from Anchorage, Alaska, and graduated with honors from Dimond High School in 2011. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-sullivan-shares-holiday-message-to-alaskans,Senator Sullivan Shares Holiday Message to Alaskans,2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.17 Senator Sullivan Shares Holiday Message to Alaskans Dear Friend, Holiday greetings Alaska from Washington, D.C. This morning before I leave to spend the holidays back in our great state with my family, I wanted to spend a few minutes updating you on the positive things we've been able to accomplish for our state, and our country over, the past year. It's been a busy week in DC, but a great week for Alaska. For decades, Alaskans have fought for the right and opportunity against an unwilling federal government to allow us to develop the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. We've done this so that we can strengthen our communities and build a better life for the next generation of Alaskans. To watch my video message to Alaska, click above. But for decades, we've been denied that right. That changed this week when the House and Senate voted to open ANWR for development. That historic vote, along with tax reform that will put more money in the pockets of hard working Alaskansalong with other numerous achievements we've had this year, point to a singular message: We have a bright future ahead of us. It's a future where our communities can be stronger, our families safer, and our full potential as a State realized. There's no doubt that we have challenges. Too many Alaskans are in the throes of addictionsincluding the opioid addiction. The crime levelsincluding domestic violence and sexual assaultare simply too high at very unacceptable levels. These are issues that I'll continue to focus on in the coming year. But the future is very bright. We live in a state with so much potential. Our abundant natural resourcesour minerals, metals, fisheries, timber, oil, gas, alternative energy potential, our world class tourism, our military and its training facilitiesall of these make us the envy of the country and in many cases of the world. Now the current Administration knows it, and if my Senate colleagues didn't fully appreciate our potential before, well I believe they certainly do now. But our greatest resource is all of you, our people. When we work together toward a common purposecreating a more prosperous, vibrant state, where all people and all cultures are respected, where our children are offered the best education, where we are safe in our homes and in our neighborhoods, where our great entrepreneurial spirit can be set freethere is nothing that can stop us. There is nothing that can stop Alaska. Let me mention a few other accomplishments that your congressional delegation has been working on over the last several months: Because of the tax bill that just passed, middle class Alaskans will soon be getting more money in their pockets. And our main street businesses will also see tax relief and will be given the incentive to reinvest here in Alaska, in America, hire Alaska workers, give pay raises, and help grow out economy and get the Alaska economy out of its recession. In Alaska, we have more veterans per capita than any other state. I'm proud to serve on the Veteran's Affairs Committee, where we've been able to pass 10 major pieces legislation that aim to strengthen veterans' health care, benefits and overall support. We're getting good Alaskans in places in the highest levels of the federal government to administer these policies enacted by Congresspeople that are doing a great job, that know the issue and will protect Alaska's interests. Another thing that Alaska is blessed with is our strategic location. Using my seat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, we've been able to advocate for significant increases in funding for our military in Alaska. For example, in just the past three years we've received and had authorized over $1 billion for military construction in our stateincluding $200 million that was just appropriated and signed by the President this morning to build a new missile field at Fort Greely. These are all items that are critical for our national security, but they will also result in good-paying jobs for hundreds of Alaskans. Speaking of our military. As many of you know, members of the 4-25 Airborne Brigade Combat Team at JBER and other Alaska-based members of the Air Force have recently deployed to Afghanistan. I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to be deployed away from family during the holidays, and how a face from home or a message from home can lift spirits to our soldiers. So last weekend I had the opportunity to visit our troops in Afghanistan. As you can imagine, they are doing a superb job in a very tough environment. They are truly arctic tough warriors and I know we're all very proud of them and we all thank them from the bottom of our hearts for their service and wish them God Speed. We live in a great state, in the greatest country in the world. We might not agree on everythingbut I think that most of us, if not all of us, can agree on that. And I think we can agree that we're at our best when we all work together. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a very Happy New Year Alaska. It's the honor of a lifetime to serve all of you in the United States Senate. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399081,Young Supports Government Funding Bills to Benefit Alaskans,2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Alaska Congressman Don Youngissued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 4667, a supplemental appropriations bill for disaster relief and H.R. 1370, a continuing resolution for funding government operations: Today, the House approved legislation that will continue to fund the government, deliver relief to disaster victims and enhance Alaskas military preparedness, said Congressman Young. Ensuring that our government can operate and serve the American public is one of the most important responsibilities of Congress. In addition to avoiding a potential shutdown, there are many good provisions in these bills that will benefit Alaskans. I am particularly pleased to see additional funding for missile defense military construction at Fort Greely and what this means for our countrys ability to respond to emerging threats from overseas. There is also renewed support for a number of health-related programs that serve thousands of Alaskans, particularly those who live in rural areas. Notable provisions in these bills include: Military and Veterans funding: Provides for the necessary costs to detect, defeat and defend against the use of ballistic missiles as requested by DOD. Allocates $200 million for a new missile field in Fort Greely as requested by the Administration. Provides $2.1 billion in mandatory funding for the Veterans Choice program. Health-related funding: Authorizes $550 million for Community Health Centers, $65 million for the National Health Service Corps, and an additional $15 million for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program. Authorizes $37.5 million for the Special Diabetes Program for the first and second quarters of FY 2018 and $37.5 million for the Special Diabetes Program for Indians for the second quarter. Provides $2.85 billion for the Childrens Health Insurance Program, known as Denali KidCare in Alaska, through March 31, 2018. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-welcomes-secretary-zinkes-order-to-strengthen-american-mineral-security,Murkowski Welcomes Secretary Zinke's Order to Strengthen American Mineral Security,2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.21.17 Murkowski Welcomes Secretary Zinke's Order to Strengthen American Mineral Security U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed strong support for a new Secretarial Order signed by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to curb the nations growing dependence on foreign sources of minerals. Murkowski attended the signing ceremony at the Department of the Interior. Our nations growing dependence on foreign minerals is a distinct threat to our economy, our national defense, and our international competitiveness, Murkowski said. We need to improve all aspects of the supply chain from geologic surveying to permitting reform so that our nation produces more of the minerals that are fundamental to energy, health care, manufacturing, and other technologies. I welcome Secretary Zinkes determination to strengthen our nations mineral security, and will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure we complement these efforts with legislative action. The Secretarial Order directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to identify which minerals are critical to national defense and the economy; to create a plan to conduct a comprehensive geological survey of the United States; and to ensure that the geologic data in the maps is publically available. Yesterday, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing the Departments of the Interior, Energy, and Commerce to develop a strategy to reduce our import reliance for strategic materials, including recommendations for technology, permitting and geologic mapping improvements that will boost mining and manufacturing of minerals domestically. This action follows a report that was released by the USGS Professional Paper 1802 - which updates analyses of 23 different minerals that are critical to national and economic security. Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and has been a strong proponent of strengthening U.S. mineral security. She has held several hearings on the issue, introduced standalone legislation during previous Congresses, and included a section in her bipartisan energy and natural resources bill that would address all aspects of the supply chain to increase U.S. critical mineral production. More information about the new Secretarial Order is available here. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/senate-passes-bill-to-provide-short-term-funding,Senate Passes Bill to Provide Short-Term Funding,2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.21.17 Senate Passes Bill to Provide Short-Term Funding U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski today released the following statement after the Senate passed H.Res 289 to provide short-term government funding. I am pleased that my colleagues and I have passed a resolution to fund the government through January 19th. It is important that we avoided a shutdown for our nation, for the countless Alaskans that are federal employees, and for all the individuals who rely on government services. While there are topics that I believe this resolution is lacking, we cannot overlook the laundry list of good work it does include. From a PAYGO waiver for the tax reconciliation bill, which means no cuts to Medicaid or resource receipts, to $2.85 billion for CHIP funding so that parents can rest easy about the healthcare of their children, to additional funding to bolster our military defense capabilities against ballistic missiles including those at Ft. Greeley. I am proud that this bill invests so much in our healthcare and military efforts, among others. This is only a short-term extension to fund the government, but I look forward to reaching a long-term solution that addresses the provisions that were not included. And I believe we can get there. It is disheartening though that many issues that I have been a long-standing advocate for were not included, said Senator Murkowski. Healthcare has continuously been a focus of mine and I stand by my statements that Alexander/Murray and Collins/Nelson are crucial, bipartisan solutions in addressing our most pressing needs when it comes to our current healthcare system. And as a co-sponsor of both the BRIDGE Act and the DREAM Act, I firmly hold the principle that those who were brought to this country by their parents, raised here, educated here, lived here, and dreamed here, should be welcomed to stay here and should have the right to work and find a path to citizenship. We need to address and pass a solution for dreamers. Bill Highlights: $2.85 billion for CHIP funding, authorized from Oct. 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018. $2.1 billion for the VA Choice Fund. $550 million for community health center funding, for the 1st and 2nd quarters of FY18. $11,761,000 for the IHS, for an additional amount for the costs of staffing and operating newly constructed facilities. Extends funding for the Special Diabetes Program PAYGO waiver for the tax reconciliation bill. Extends FISA authorization for the duration of the CR. $770 million to accelerate procurement and construction of an additional missile field with $200 million specifically allotted to construct 20 additional Ground-Based Interceptors in Fort Greely, Alaska. ### Note: Please do not reply to this email. This mailbox is unattended. For further information, please contact Senator Murkowskis press office at 202-224-9301 or 202-224-8069. Visit our website at http://murkowski.senate.gov Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-votes-for-short-term-funding-measure-highlights-200-million-boost-to-alaska-based-missile-defense-funding-and-reauthorization-of-chip,"Sullivan Votes for Short-Term Funding Measure, Highlights $200 Million Boost to Alaska-Based Missile Defense Funding and Reauthorization of CHIP",2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.21.17 Sullivan Votes for Short-Term Funding Measure, Highlights $200 Million Boost to Alaska-Based Missile Defense Funding and Reauthorization of CHIP WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after voting in support of the continuing resolution, which funds the federal government until January 19, 2018, funds the Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and provides $200 million in military construction for an additional missile field of 20 Ground-Based Interceptors at Fort Greely, Alaska. While I fundamentally disagree with this process for funding our government stopgap measure to stopgap measure, today's action will ensure the U.S. government and economy remain open and operational through the New Year, said Senator Sullivan. Importantly, this funding extension contains some very important priorities, including the critical reauthorization of the CHIP program also known as Denali KidCare in Alaska which has successfully served Alaskan families and children for years, and a significant boost to our national security in the form of a $200 million increase to missile defense spending and construction at Ft. Greely. This provision, which I called for in my bill the Advancing America's Missile Defense Act was included and authorized in the FY2018 NDAA, and will ensure U.S. missile defense stays ahead of the rapidly increasing threat from North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399079,Congress Approves Legislation to Open Alaskas 1002 Area,2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"After 37 Years, Responsible Development Is Closer Than Ever share: f t WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statements after the House and Senate passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, securing a major victory for Alaskans and all Americans. In addition to reforming the tax code, the bill opens the non-wilderness 1002 Area in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to responsible energy development. This is a watershed moment for Alaska and all of America, Murkowski said. We have fought to open the 1002 Area for a very long time, and now, our day has finally arrived. I thank all who kept this effort alive over the decades, especially Ted Stevens and Frank Murkowski, and all who supported this bill. Alaskans can now look forward to our best opportunity to refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, thousands of jobs that will pay better wages, and potentially $60 billion in royalties for our state alone. This is a major victory for Alaska that will help us fulfill the promises of our statehood and give us renewed hope for growth and prosperity. For decades, Alaskans have fought for the right and opportunity against an unwilling federal government to allow Alaska to develop the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge so that we can strengthen our communities and build a better life for our children, Sullivan said. But for decades, weve been denied that right. Today that has changed. I want to thank all of the hundreds if not thousands of Alaskans who have spent countless hours over the years to get this done. I want to thank Senator Murkowski and Congressman Young for all of their hard work over the years on this issue. I also want to thank the late Senator Ted Stevens and his family, who spent much of his life on this just cause. Twelve years ago, his last attempt to open the 1002 Area of the coastal plain was blocked. Senator Stevens said that it was the saddest day of his life. Today, no doubt, hes looking down on us, with a smile on his face. This is a historic moment for Alaskans and I am incredibly proud of the work this delegation has done over the years to open the 1002 Area of ANWR, Young said. Congress specifically set aside this land to be used for responsible resource development and it was always intended to unleash Americas potential energy production. Opening this area will create more jobs for Alaskans, generate future revenue for this country to pay down the deficit and keep energy affordable for American families and businesses. I am especially proud to see this measure pass today because I have fought to open the 1002 area for the past 40 years and today marks an important step in this process. For 37 years, the members of Alaskas congressional delegation have championed legislation to open a small portion of the 1002 Area, within the non-wilderness portion of ANWR, to responsible energy development. That effort culminated today with congressional passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which President Trump is expected to sign in the days ahead. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, is the author of the bills second title, which establishes an environmentally responsible oil and gas program in the non-wilderness 1002 Area of ANWR. At least two lease sales, featuring the most prospective acreage in the 1002 Area, will be held within the next decade. In 1980, Congress set aside the 1.57-million acre 1002 Area for potential future development, which is supported by a strong majority of Alaskans. Surface development will be limited to 2,000 federal acresjust one ten-thousandth of all of ANWRand will bring an estimated 10.4 billion barrels of oil to market, strengthening our nations energy security long into the future. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/after-37-years-responsible-development-is-closer-than-ever,"After 37 Years, Responsible Development Is Closer Than Ever",2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.17 After 37 Years, Responsible Development Is Closer Than Ever After 37 Years, Responsible Development Is Closer Than Ever U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statements after the House and Senate passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, securing a major victory for Alaskans and all Americans. In addition to reforming the tax code, the bill opens the non-wilderness 1002 Area in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to responsible energy development. This is a watershed moment for Alaska and all of America, Murkowski said. We have fought to open the 1002 Area for a very long time, and now, our day has finally arrived. I thank all who kept this effort alive over the decades, especially Ted Stevens and Frank Murkowski, and all who supported this bill. Alaskans can now look forward to our best opportunity to refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, thousands of jobs that will pay better wages, and potentially $60 billion in royalties for our state alone. This is a major victory for Alaska that will help us fulfill the promises of our statehood and give us renewed hope for growth and prosperity. For decades, Alaskans have fought for the right and opportunity against an unwilling federal government to allow Alaska to develop the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge so that we can strengthen our communities and build a better life for our children, Sullivan said. But for decades, weve been denied that right. Today that has changed. I want to thank all of the hundreds if not thousands of Alaskans who have spent countless hours over the years to get this done. I want to thank Senator Murkowski and Congressman Young for all of their hard work over the years on this issue. I also want to thank the late Senator Ted Stevens and his family, who spent much of his life on this just cause. Twelve years ago, his last attempt to open the 1002 Area of the coastal plain was blocked. Senator Stevens said that it was the saddest day of his life. Today, no doubt, hes looking down on us, with a smile on his face. This is a historic moment for Alaskans and I am incredibly proud of the work this delegation has done over the years to open the 1002 Area of ANWR, Young said. Congress specifically set aside this land to be used for responsible resource development and it was always intended to unleash Americas potential energy production. Opening this area will create more jobs for Alaskans, generate future revenue for this country to pay down the deficit and keep energy affordable for American families and businesses. I am especially proud to see this measure pass today because I have fought to open the 1002 area for the past 40 years and today marks an important step in this process. For 37 years, the members of Alaskas congressional delegation have championed legislation to open a small portion of the 1002 Area, within the non-wilderness portion of ANWR, to responsible energy development. That effort culminated today with congressional passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which President Trump is expected to sign in the days ahead. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, is the author of the bills second title, which establishes an environmentally responsible oil and gas program in the non-wilderness 1002 Area of ANWR. At least two lease sales, featuring the most prospective acreage in the 1002 Area, will be held within the next decade. In 1980, Congress set aside the 1.57-million acre 1002 Area for potential future development, which is supported by a strong majority of Alaskans. Surface development will be limited to 2,000 federal acresjust one ten-thousandth of all of ANWRand will bring an estimated 10.4 billion barrels of oil to market, strengthening our nations energy security long into the future. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/historic-tax-reform-bill-heads-to-presidents-desk,Historic Tax Reform Bill Heads to Presidents Desk,2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.17 Historic Tax Reform Bill Heads to Presidents Desk Provides Tax Cuts to Middle-Class, Opens 1002 Area of ANWR U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) applauded passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act conference report, comprehensive tax reform that reduces taxes and encourages the economic growth needed to create jobs and generate wealth. The legislation includes a section written by Senator Murkowski, which contains an important step in creating new economic opportunities by opening up the non-wilderness 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for responsible energy development. The bill now heads to the President to be signed into law. The passage of this bill marks a defining moment in our nations history. Its been 31 years since we last reformed the tax codeand this bill comes not a moment too soon. Its time we deliver relief, tax cuts, and good jobs for hard-working Americans, Senator Murkowski said. The combination of developing more of our natural resources and stimulating Americas economy through tax cuts will create opportunities for our nation and enable Americans to keep more of their hard-earned dollars. It doubles the standard deduction, doubles the child tax credit, and lowers each individual tax bracket. This bill also provides a tremendous opportunity for small businesses. Bottom line, it will be good for our economy, good for jobs and growth, and good for families and businesses. As chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Murkowski is the author of the bills second title, which opens a small portion of the non-wilderness 1002 Area of ANWR for responsible energy development. It establishes an environmentally protective oil and gas development program with two lease sales required over the next ten years, and puts Alaska and the entire nation on a path toward greater economic prosperity for decades to come. This is a watershed moment for Alaska and all of America, Murkowski said. We have fought to open the 1002 Area for a very long time, and now, our day has finally arrived. I thank all who kept this effort alive over the decades, especially Ted Stevens and Frank Murkowski, and all who supported this bill. Alaskans can now look forward to our best opportunity to refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, thousands of jobs that will pay better wages, and potentially $60 billion in royalties for our state alone. This is a major victory for Alaska that will help us fulfill the promises of our statehood and give us renewed hope for growth and prosperity. Additional Bill Highlights: Nearly Doubles the Standard Deduction: For an individual, the standard deduction goes from $6,500 to $12,000. For joint filers, it goes from $13,000 to $24,000. Double the Child Tax Credit: The child tax credit is doubled from the current $1,000 to $2,000 and its refundability expanded, allowing more families to benefit. Lower Tax Rates: Individual tax rates for middle-income Americans are reduced, which will help taxpayers keep even more of their hard-earned money. To allow America companies a more competitive edge and encourage jobs to return from oversees, the corporate rate is lowered to 21%. Small Business: Pass-Throughs: This bill enables small business owners to keep more of their hard earned dollars, as less of their income will be taxable. It allows owners of pass-throughs (S-corps, partnerships, limited liability companies and sole proprietorships) to deduct 20% of qualified pass-through income from their overall personal income tax liability. Section 179 Expensing: Allows businesses to deduct the full cost of equipment used in a business, rather than depreciating it over many years. The bill increases the section 179 expensing maximum deduction from $500,000 to $1,000,000. This will provide immediate and practical relief to business owners in every industry throughout Alaska, keeping pace with the reality of todays business environment. Small Brewers: Cuts the excise tax on small brewers in half. With dozens of small brewers in Alaska and growing, this will make a positive impact on not only producers but also consumers. Home Mortgage Interest Deduction: The bill provides tax relief to current and aspiring homeowners by keeping current law treatment for mortgages taken in acquiring a home but repeals the deduction for interest with respect to home equity loans. Death Tax: Doubles the exemption amount for the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes from $5 million to $10 million. This will provide relief for many Alaskans such as fishermen with vessels, gear, permits, quota, and other business and personal capitalization who wish to pass the family business down. Individual Mandate Tax Penalty: Eliminates this burdensome tax penalty levied on people who couldnt afford insurance or chose not to. By repealing the individual mandate, nothing else about the structure of the Affordable Care Act would be changed, those who qualify for subsidies will still be able to retain them. Settlement Trust Improvement Act: Includes an amendment by Senator Murkowski permitting Native Corporations to deduct from their taxable income the amount of any contribution of cash or assets that the Native Corporation makes to a Settlement Trust and to assign certain payments described in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) to a Settlement Trust without having to recognize any associated income, encouraging Native Corporations to make those contributions. Education Related Provisions: Maintains all of the tax incentives to pursue postsecondary education that exist in current law. Students and parents will continue to benefit from tax deductions for tuition and student loan interest, exemptions for student tuition waivers, and employer-provided assistance. The Lifetime Learning Credit and American Opportunity Tax credit for higher education expenses, Coverdell and 529 savings plans, and the $250 teacher expenses deduction will all continue to help Alaskans. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/at-last-congress-approves-legislation-to-open-alaskas-1002-area-,AT LAST: Congress Approves Legislation to Open Alaskas 1002 Area,2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.17 AT LAST: Congress Approves Legislation to Open Alaska's 1002 Area After 37 Years, Responsible Development Is Closer Than Ever WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statements after the House and Senate passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, securing a major victory for Alaskans and all Americans. In addition to reforming the tax code, the bill opens the non-wilderness 1002 Area in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to responsible energy development. This is a watershed moment for Alaska and all of America, Murkowski said. We have fought to open the 1002 Area for a very long time, and now, our day has finally arrived. I thank all who kept this effort alive over the decades, especially Ted Stevens and Frank Murkowski, and all who supported this bill. Alaskans can now look forward to our best opportunity to refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, thousands of jobs that will pay better wages, and potentially $60 billion in royalties for our state alone. This is a major victory for Alaska that will help us fulfill the promises of our statehood and give us renewed hope for growth and prosperity. For decades, Alaskans have fought for the right and opportunity against an unwilling federal government to allow Alaska to develop the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge so that we can strengthen our communities and build a better life for our children, Sullivan said. But for decades, we've been denied that right. Today that has changed. I want to thank all of the hundreds if not thousands of Alaskans who have spent countless hours over the years to get this done. I want to thank Senator Murkowski and Congressman Young for all of their hard work over the years on this issue. I also want to thank the late Senator Ted Stevens and his family, who spent much of his life on this just cause. Twelve years ago, his last attempt to open the 1002 Area of the coastal plain was blocked. Senator Stevens said that it was the saddest day of his life.' Today, no doubt, he's looking down on us, with a smile on his face. This is a historic moment for Alaskans and I am incredibly proud of the work this delegation has done over the years to open the 1002 Area of ANWR, Young said. Congress specifically set aside this land to be used for responsible resource development and it was always intended to unleash America's potential energy production. Opening this area will create more jobs for Alaskans, generate future revenue for this country to pay down the deficit and keep energy affordable for American families and businesses. I am especially proud to see this measure pass today because I have fought to open the 1002 area for the past 40 years and today marks an important step in this process. For 37 years, the members of Alaska's congressional delegation have championed legislation to open a small portion of the 1002 Area, within the non-wilderness portion of ANWR, to responsible energy development. That effort culminated today with congressional passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which President Trump is expected to sign in the days ahead. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, is the author of the bill's second title, which establishes an environmentally responsible oil and gas program in the non-wilderness 1002 Area of ANWR. At least two lease sales, featuring the most prospective acreage in the 1002 Area, will be held within the next decade. In 1980, Congress set aside the 1.57-million acre 1002 Area for potential future development, which is supported by a strong majority of Alaskans. Surface development will be limited to 2,000 federal acresjust one ten-thousandth of all of ANWRand will bring an estimated 10.4 billion barrels of oil to market, strengthening our nation's energy security long into the future. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399078,House Passes H.R. 1 Conference Report,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Alaska Congressman Don Young released the following statement: Reforming our broken and outdated tax code is long overdue -- Americans deserve a system that serves their needs, said Congressman Young. I am proud to support this measure and what it means for Alaskan families and businesses. This bill marks the thirteenth time the House has voted to allow for responsible resource development in the 10-02 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) which is crucial to the future of the American energy sector. Opening ANWR means more jobs for Alaskans, economic growth and securing Americas energy independence for generations to come. I have fought this battle for over 40 years and I am hopeful that we will see this to the finish line. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-introduces-bill-to-address-ocean-acidification,Murkowski Introduces Bill to Address Ocean Acidification,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.17 Murkowski Introduces Bill to Address Ocean Acidification WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently introduced the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2017 to identify and assess communities, including island communities, low-population rural communities, and subsistence communities, that are most dependent on coastal and ocean resources that may be impacted by ocean acidification. This bipartisan bill was introduced with Senators Cantwell (D-WA), Collins (R-ME), Peters (D-MI), and Whitehouse (D-RI). Alaskas culture and economy thrive on so many resources that come from the ocean. This proactively addresses a very real issue and will help us all gain a deeper understanding of how ocean acidification is affecting our coastal and subsistence communities throughout Alaska, said Senator Murkowski. This is significant legislation for those living in a state or community whose livelihood greatly depends on the health of our oceans. At a time when partisanship is at an all-time high, this bipartisan group of Senators have joined together to introduce legislation that would help our nations coastal communities better understand and respond to the impacts associated with ocean acidification, said Sarah Cooley, Director of the Ocean Acidification Program at Ocean Conservancy. The science is clear: the ocean is becoming acidified. This is a major threat to a variety of ocean resources that coastal communities depend on, and we must rise to the challenge and tackle this problem head-on. The Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2017 would conduct coastal community vulnerability assessments related to Ocean Acidification. The act strengthens collaborations with a wide range of stakeholders including Indigenous Knowledge groups, IOOS, regional Ocean Acidification Networks, and Sea Grants into the planning and implementation of coastal community vulnerability assessments. The act requires that the assessment identifies: (1) the communities that are most dependent on ocean and coastal resources, (2) the nature of the social and economic vulnerabilities of the communities, and (3) identify the harmful impacts of ocean acidification on those communities. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-returns-from-visit-to-afghanistan,Sullivan Returns from Visit to Afghanistan,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.17 Sullivan Returns from Visit to Afghanistan Senator Meets with Deployed Members of JBER's 4-25, Shares Thanks for Service and Sacrifice WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) returned yesterday to Washington, DC after spending the weekend in Afghanistan meeting with deployed members of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division of Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (JBER) and Alaska-based members of the Air Force. Senator Sullivan meeting members of 4-25 at FOB Gamberi (click here to view photos, click here for b-roll) It was an honor to meet and see the men and women of the 4-25 during their deployment to Afghanistan, Senator Dan Sullivan. These Arctic tough warriors, trained in some of the most challenging and diverse landscapes in the world, continue to prove to the Army and Pentagon leadership why they are a pivotal asset to address emerging security challenges in the Asia-Pacific, the Arctic, and around the world. Across the board, the reports were glowing the Spartan men and women are doing an incredible job and proving every day that as Gen. Mark Milley stated they are one of the most trained and ready units in the entire United States Army.' I commend the 4-25 for all they are doing. Being away from family and loved ones is always difficult, but being deployed over the holidays is especially difficult, Sullivan said. We owe them a great deal of gratitude and appreciation for conducting a critical mission that protects the citizens of the U.S. by preventing terror from once again establishing a foothold in the region. Members of 4-25 at FOB Fenty meet with Senator Sullivan (click here to view photos, click here for b-roll) Senator Sullivan, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, traveled overseas to observe and asses the status and implementation of new U.S. strategy for Afghanistan, and to see directly Alaska's airborne brigade combat team on deployment. Sullivan, who successfully fought to overturn the 2015 decision to drastically reduce Army force structure at JBER by 2,600 troops, met with members of the 4-25 and other military units at numerous sites and locations in Afghanistan, including Bagram Air Base, Kandahar Air Base, Forward Operating Base Fenty and Forward Operating Base Gamberi. Sullivan also conducted meetings with senior military and diplomatic leaders through Afghanistan and at Al Udeid Air Force Base in Qatar to receive updates on continued anti-terrorism efforts, including the fight against the Taliban. While in Afghanistan, Senator Sullivan spoke to an event held Anchorage for Spartan spouses. Senator Sullivan's wife Julie was a special guest and thanked 4-25 families for their shared sacrifice. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/-senators-introduce-new-bipartisan-legislation-to-combat-sexual-harassment-and-discrimination-in-congress-bring-transparency-and-accountability-to-sexual-harassment-reporting-process,"Senators Introduce New Bipartisan Legislation To Combat Sexual Harassment And Discrimination In Congress, Bring Transparency And Accountability To Sexual Harassment Reporting Process",2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.17 Senators Introduce New Bipartisan Legislation To Combat Sexual Harassment And Discrimination In Congress, Bring Transparency And Accountability To Sexual Harassment Reporting Process Bipartisan Congressional Harassment Reform Act Would Overhaul Current Reporting Process for Victims of Harassment and Discrimination in Congress, End Required Secrecy, and Require Members of Congress Found Liable for Harassment or Discrimination to Pay Settlements Out of Their Own Pocket U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) today introduced new bipartisan legislation that would overhaul the current process that victims of harassment and discrimination in Congress must go through when reporting a claim. The current process for victims of harassment and discrimination in Congress lacks transparency and is difficult to navigate. This legislation, the Congressional Harassment Reform Act, would bring transparency and accountability to the current process by extending protections to interns and fellows, eliminating forced mediation, ending the current required secrecy in the process by allowing victims to speak publicly about their case, requiring Members of Congress found personally liable for harassment to pay settlements out of their own pockets, and improving systems to address harassment and discrimination in Congress. Congress should never be above the law or play by their own set of rules, said Senator Gillibrand. We should treat every person who works here with respect and dignity, and that means creating a climate where there is accountability, fairness, respect, and access to justice if sexual harassment takes place. There are real costs to sexual harassment in the workplace. We now know that many people quit their jobs because of it, or miss out on promotions or raises, all of which can throw off the entire trajectory in their careers. We must ensure that Congress handles complaints to create an environment where staffers can come forward if something happens to them without having to fear that it will ruin their careers. This bipartisan legislation would bring us much closer to that goal. Sexual harassment is wrong. Every person, man or woman, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace, said Senator Cruz. In recent months, we've seen wave after wave of appalling sexual harassment and assault allegations -- from Hollywood, to newsrooms, to the halls of Congress. And powerful men who have abused their positions have been held to account. Congress is not above the laws, and secret settlements with taxpayer money to cover up harassment should no longer be tolerated. This legislation seeks to empower victims of harassment to report those crimes and to hold the perpetrators accountable."" There cannot be tolerance for any type of sexual harassment or abuse in our society. Congress must lead by example and immediately improve upon how it addresses allegations of sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination to make sure that those who have engaged in misconduct are held accountable and the victims are protected. This bipartisan legislation takes the necessary steps to provide victims with greater protections and choice, holds Members of Congress liable for their wrongdoings, and protects taxpayer dollars. Victims are coming forward and making their voices heard; its critical that we take action now to protect and defend them, said Senator Ernst. Were finally experiencing a cultural shift in this country to a place where sexual abuse and harassment will no longer be tolerated, and Congress needs to lead by example. For starters, that means requiring training to prevent harassment and discrimination, ensuring that no one is silenced or retaliated against, and increasing accountability regarding settlements. Every personregardless of where they workshould feel safe. Our bill will enact important and necessary reforms as part of a much larger movement, said Senator Feinstein. I am proud to join with a diverse bipartisan group of colleagues in proposing this comprehensive reform of congressional harassment policies. Quite honestly, I am appalled at the current policies and procedures in place regarding harassment claims in Congress and reports of settlement payouts. Looking back, Congress has been reluctant to apply basic civil rights protections to its own employees, and when it finally did, it included arduous requirements that seemed to protect the victimizer more than the victims. This is a significant piece of legislation which levels the playing field for victims, improves transparency, and holds members of Congress who use their positions of power in abusive ways personally liable to repay the government for the cost of their conduct. It is the strong medicine weve long needed to deter harassment in the congressional workplace and ensure that those who perpetrate it are held accountable. Every workplace should be a safe-haven for employees, free from any kind of harassment, said Senator Lisa Murkowski. We urgently need accountability in the halls of Congress, said Senator Shaheen. Those whove experienced sexual harassment on Capitol Hill face a daunting struggle to reach any semblance of justice and often have egregious restrictions that prevent them from speaking out. And its galling that the taxpayer, rather than the perpetrator, is on the hook for paying settlements. Congress must not be resistant to the awareness and accountability that is sweeping the country. This legislation makes long overdue reforms and Im very encouraged by the bipartisan support. I urge leadership to quickly begin consideration of this important effort. Harassment must not be tolerated in any workplace, especially in Congress. This legislation will institute stronger policies and procedures to deter reprehensible behavior in the first place, and when it does occur, ensure just outcomes for victims, Blumenthal said. While comprehensive, mandatory training is a straightforward and common-sense step to begin addressing workplace harassment on Capitol Hill, it is not sufficient. Allowing employees access to counseling, mediation and confidential advice will give survivors of harassment the resources and peace of mind they deserve in resolving the misconduct of employers and supervisors. We need to make major changes here in Congress and get our house in order. The current process for victims of sexual harassment or discrimination on Capitol Hill is difficult to navigate and lacks transparency. This needs to change and Senator Gillibrands bipartisan legislation will reform the current process so it works better for victims of sexual harassment or discrimination and provides more transparency to the public,"" said Senator Baldwin. Sexual harassment in the workplace is a pervasive, persistent problem across the country and across industries, and Congress is certainly no exception,said Senator Booker. The current system for reporting sexual harassment in Congress is archaic, discourages justice, and focuses on protecting members and offices at the expense of survivors. This bipartisan bill is a much needed step toward creating a reporting system in Congress that puts the rights of survivors first and provides much needed accountability. The survivors of sexual harassment and assault have carried the burden of congressional inaction for far too long. Its vital that Congress send a clear message to survivors that they are heard and supported, and to those who commit theseatrocious acts that theres no place for their behavior anywhere in oursociety. Sexual harassment and assault can leave lifelong scars on victimswhich can be compounded by an arduous system of reporting, said Senator Sullivan. All of those in Congress must be respectful towards one another. Im glad to cosponsor this bill that will mandate a much-needed overhaul in our reporting system. Victims and survivors need to know well do all we can do in Congress to make sure that they are protected and that those who abuse their employees are held accountable. Over the past few months, our country has experienced a much-needed transformation when it comes to listening to courageous women share their stories about harassment. No one should be forced to work in an environment where they are made to feel uncomfortable or intimidated. Let me be extremely clear: sexual harassment and workplace misconduct has no place in America, and certainly has no place in the United States Congress, said Senator Gardner. Im proud to join Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and my other colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to introduce this bipartisanlegislation that reforms the way Congress deals with harassment. This legislation ensures we have an open, transparent process that does not leave the taxpayers on the hook for Members of Congress misconduct. Im proud to introduce this bill today and call on each of my colleagues tosupport this important proposal. ""We know that the system in Congress for dealing with sexual harassment is broken, and we must continue working to empower all women and do everything we can to prevent sexual harassment, misconduct, and assault from occurring in the first place,"" Senator Hassan said. ""This bipartisan bill is critical to those efforts, and I will keep working across the aisle to move this important measure forward and to help ensure a safe work environment for all."" Specifically, the Congressional Harassment Reform Act would do the following: Extends protections to interns and fellows. Requires everyone working on Capitol Hill, including Members, to take the Office of Compliance training. Changes the name of the Office of Compliance (OOC) to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights. Puts victims in the drivers seat by allowing them to choose how to resolve their complaint (e.g. counseling and mediation are both no longer mandatory) and protecting their option to discuss their claim publicly. Establishes a Confidential Advisor to consult, on a confidential basis, with any employee who has alleged harassment or discrimination; and assist any employee who has an allegation under Title IV in understanding the procedures, and the significance of the procedures. Gives OOCs General Counsel the authority to conduct interviews and gather evidence regarding complaints of covered harassment and discrimination filed under this section, including interviews with former employees. Allows individuals to work remotely without penalty throughout proceedings. Improves tracking of complaints and procedures by implementing an online platform. Requires that if a Member of Congress is found to be personally liable for harassment or discrimination, they will be responsible for the cost of any settlement. Requires that if a Member of Congress is found to be personally liable for harassment or discrimination, any settlement must be approved by the Senate or House Ethics Committee. Requires that all settlements will be publicly disclosed unless the victims choose to keep them private. Requires offices to post notices with information about employees rights and how to contact the Office of Compliance. Provides for a climate survey to identify the pervasiveness of the problem and what gaps continue to exist in its resolution. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/bipartisan-group-of-senators-urge-congressional-leadership-to-commit-resources-to-opioid-epidemic,Bipartisan Group of Senators Urge Congressional Leadership To Commit Resources To Opioid Epidemic,2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.17 Bipartisan Group of Senators Urge Congressional Leadership To Commit Resources To Opioid Epidemic Washington, D.C. As the Nations opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the country, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) have called on Senate leadership to provide states with the resources they need to tackle this ongoing public health emergency. In their letter, the bipartisan group urge Leaders McConnell (R-KY) and Schumer (D-NY) to include additional funding dedicated to addressing the crisis in the upcoming supplemental and omnibus appropriations legislation. Opioid misuse is not a partisan issue. It is ravaging communities in every state and preys upon individuals and families regardless of party affiliation, wrote the Senators. We have worked together on this issue in the past, and with the clear statement from Acting Secretary Hargan that the administration is looking for Congress to lead the way, it is time for us to work together again. As the Senate considers pending supplemental and omnibus appropriation legislation, please make every effort to ensure that new, substantial and sustained funding for the opioid epidemic is included in any legislative package. The full text of the letter can be seen below: Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Democratic Leader Schumer: We write today to discuss our Nations opioid misuse epidemic and the urgent need for Congress to provide our states with the resources they need to deal with this public health emergency. In light of recent statements from the administration asking Congress to act on this issue, we believe the upcoming supplemental and omnibus appropriations legislation present significant opportunities for additional funding. As you are aware, the opioid misuse epidemic is taking a toll on individuals, families and communities across the Nation. It is tearing apart families and straining the resources of local governments, law enforcement and public health agencies. Although we are pleased by the recent declaration of the epidemic as a public health emergency, that action needs to be coupled with adequate, sustained resources. On December 4, Acting HHS Secretary Eric Hargan stated that the administration is looking forward to hearing from Congress about how they intend to address this. That means it is up to us to act. We urge you to advance a spending package that will provide substantial new resources for our families and our communities who have waited too long for help. Although the measures in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), the 21st Century Cures legislation and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 were important first steps, we must now build upon those efforts to ensure that states have adequate resources for first responders, enforcement, prevention efforts and treatment and recovery services. We must also provide more resources for research into addiction and pain, to gain a better understanding of the disease and develop innovative new treatments for substance misuse. Opioid misuse is not a partisan issue. It is ravaging communities in every state and preys upon individuals and families regardless of party affiliation. We have worked together on this issue in the past, and with the clear statement from Acting Secretary Hargan that the administration is looking for Congress to lead the way, it is time for us to work together again. As the Senate considers pending supplemental and omnibus appropriation legislation, please make every effort to ensure that new, substantial and sustained funding for the opioid epidemic is included in any legislative package. Thank you and we look forward to working with you to ensure that our communities receive the resources they need to effectively address this national crisis. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-conference-report-opens-the-1002-area-reforms-tax-code,"Murkowski: Conference Report Opens the 1002 Area, Reforms Tax Code",2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.17 Murkowski: Conference Report Opens the 1002 Area, Reforms Tax Code Alaska Nearing Two Significant Wins in Reconciliation Package U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after she, along with all of the Republican conferees for H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed and unveiled the final conference committee report for the bill. The conference report includes two titles: the first to provide tax relief to American families and businesses, and a second, authored by Murkowski, to open a small portion of the non-wilderness 1002 Area in northeast Alaska to responsible energy development. Im grateful to my fellow conferees for working incredibly hard to reconcile our differences on tax reform and reach an agreement that reduces rates, lets hard-working Americans keep more of their own money, and makes our nations businesses more competitive, Murkowski said. I also thank all of the conferees for recognizing the significant opportunity within our energy title and agreeing to open the non-wilderness 1002 Area. If we can successfully pass this legislation, the ultimate result will be more domestic jobs, larger paychecks, and greater energy securityand that is exactly what Alaska and our country need right now. Title II of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act establishes an environmentally protective oil and gas program in the non-wilderness 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), which Congress specifically set aside for evaluation of its oil and gas potential. Responsible development is limited to just 2,000 federal acres within the 1002 Area just one ten-thousandth of all of ANWR. The text of Title II is identical to what the Senate passed on December 2, 2017. View the text of the conference report here. View the policy highlights of the conference reporthere. Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. She and Congressman Don Young, R-Alaska, were members of the conference committee. The Senate and House will vote on the final reconciliation package next week. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/senators-introduce-new-bipartisan-legislation-to-combat-sexual-harassment-and-discrimination-in-congress-bring-transparency-and-accountability-to-sexual-harassment-reporting-process,"SENATORS INTRODUCE NEW BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO COMBAT SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION IN CONGRESS, BRING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT REPORTING PROCESS",2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.17 SENATORS INTRODUCE NEW BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO COMBAT SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION IN CONGRESS, BRING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT REPORTING PROCESS Bipartisan Congressional Harassment Reform Act Would Overhaul Current Reporting Process for Victims of Harassment and Discrimination in Congress, End Required Secrecy, and Require Members of Congress Found Liable for Harassment or Discrimination to Pay Settlements Out of Their Own Pocket U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) today introduced new bipartisan legislation that would overhaul the current process that victims of harassment and discrimination in Congress must go through when reporting a claim. The current process for victims of harassment and discrimination in Congress lacks transparency and is difficult to navigate. This legislation, the Congressional Harassment Reform Act, would bring transparency and accountability to the current process by extending protections to interns and fellows, eliminating forced mediation, ending the current required secrecy in the process by allowing victims to speak publicly about their case, requiring Members of Congress found personally liable for harassment to pay settlements out of their own pockets, and improving systems to address harassment and discrimination in Congress. Congress should never be above the law or play by their own set of rules, said Senator Gillibrand. We should treat every person who works here with respect and dignity, and that means creating a climate where there is accountability, fairness, respect, and access to justice if sexual harassment takes place. There are real costs to sexual harassment in the workplace. We now know that many people quit their jobs because of it, or miss out on promotions or raises, all of which can throw off the entire trajectory in their careers. We must ensure that Congress handles complaints to create an environment where staffers can come forward if something happens to them without having to fear that it will ruin their careers. This bipartisan legislation would bring us much closer to that goal. Sexual harassment is wrong. Every person, man or woman, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace, said Senator Cruz. In recent months, we've seen wave after wave of appalling sexual harassment and assault allegations -- from Hollywood, to newsrooms, to the halls of Congress. And powerful men who have abused their positions have been held to account. Congress is not above the laws, and secret settlements with taxpayer money to cover up harassment should no longer be tolerated. This legislation seeks to empower victims of harassment to report those crimes and to hold the perpetrators accountable."" There cannot be tolerance for any type of sexual harassment or abuse in our society. Congress must lead by example and immediately improve upon how it addresses allegations of sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination to make sure that those who have engaged in misconduct are held accountable and the victims are protected. This bipartisan legislation takes the necessary steps to provide victims with greater protections and choice, holds Members of Congress liable for their wrongdoings, and protects taxpayer dollars. Victims are coming forward and making their voices heard; its critical that we take action now to protect and defend them, said Senator Ernst. Were finally experiencing a cultural shift in this country to a place where sexual abuse and harassment will no longer be tolerated, and Congress needs to lead by example. For starters, that means requiring training to prevent harassment and discrimination, ensuring that no one is silenced or retaliated against, and increasing accountability regarding settlements. Every personregardless of where they workshould feel safe. Our bill will enact important and necessary reforms as part of a much larger movement, said Senator Feinstein. I am proud to join with a diverse bipartisan group of colleagues in proposing this comprehensive reform of congressional harassment policies. Quite honestly, I am appalled at the current policies and procedures in place regarding harassment claims in Congress and reports of settlement payouts. Looking back, Congress has been reluctant to apply basic civil rights protections to its own employees, and when it finally did, it included arduous requirements that seemed to protect the victimizer more than the victims. This is a significant piece of legislation which levels the playing field for victims, improves transparency, and holds members of Congress who use their positions of power in abusive ways personally liable to repay the government for the cost of their conduct. It is the strong medicine weve long needed to deter harassment in the congressional workplace and ensure that those who perpetrate it are held accountable. Every workplace should be a safe-haven for employees, free from any kind of harassment, said Senator Lisa Murkowski. We urgently need accountability in the halls of Congress, said Senator Shaheen. Those whove experienced sexual harassment on Capitol Hill face a daunting struggle to reach any semblance of justice and often have egregious restrictions that prevent them from speaking out. And its galling that the taxpayer, rather than the perpetrator, is on the hook for paying settlements. Congress must not be resistant to the awareness and accountability that is sweeping the country. This legislation makes long overdue reforms and Im very encouraged by the bipartisan support. I urge leadership to quickly begin consideration of this important effort. Harassment must not be tolerated in any workplace, especially in Congress. This legislation will institute stronger policies and procedures to deter reprehensible behavior in the first place, and when it does occur, ensure just outcomes for victims, Blumenthal said. While comprehensive, mandatory training is a straightforward and common-sense step to begin addressing workplace harassment on Capitol Hill, it is not sufficient. Allowing employees access to counseling, mediation and confidential advice will give survivors of harassment the resources and peace of mind they deserve in resolving the misconduct of employers and supervisors. We need to make major changes here in Congress and get our house in order. The current process for victims of sexual harassment or discrimination on Capitol Hill is difficult to navigate and lacks transparency. This needs to change and Senator Gillibrands bipartisan legislation will reform the current process so it works better for victims of sexual harassment or discrimination and provides more transparency to the public,"" said Senator Baldwin. Sexual harassment in the workplace is a pervasive, persistent problem across the country and across industries, and Congress is certainly no exception,said Senator Booker. The current system for reporting sexual harassment in Congress is archaic, discourages justice, and focuses on protecting members and offices at the expense of survivors. This bipartisan bill is a much needed step toward creating a reporting system in Congress that puts the rights of survivors first and provides much needed accountability. The survivors of sexual harassment and assault have carried the burden of congressional inaction for far too long. Its vital that Congress send a clear message to survivors that they are heard and supported, and to those who commit theseatrocious acts that theres no place for their behavior anywhere in oursociety. Sexual harassment and assault can leave lifelong scars on victimswhich can be compounded by an arduous system of reporting, said Senator Sullivan. All of those in Congress must be respectful towards one another. Im glad to cosponsor this bill that will mandate a much-needed overhaul in our reporting system. Victims and survivors need to know well do all we can do in Congress to make sure that they are protected and that those who abuse their employees are held accountable. Over the past few months, our country has experienced a much-needed transformation when it comes to listening to courageous women share their stories about harassment. No one should be forced to work in an environment where they are made to feel uncomfortable or intimidated. Let me be extremely clear: sexual harassment and workplace misconduct has no place in America, and certainly has no place in the United States Congress, said Senator Gardner. Im proud to join Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and my other colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to introduce this bipartisanlegislation that reforms the way Congress deals with harassment. This legislation ensures we have an open, transparent process that does not leave the taxpayers on the hook for Members of Congress misconduct. Im proud to introduce this bill today and call on each of my colleagues tosupport this important proposal. ""We know that the system in Congress for dealing with sexual harassment is broken, and we must continue working to empower all women and do everything we can to prevent sexual harassment, misconduct, and assault from occurring in the first place,"" Senator Hassan said. ""This bipartisan bill is critical to those efforts, and I will keep working across the aisle to move this important measure forward and to help ensure a safe work environment for all."" Specifically, the Congressional Harassment Reform Act would do the following: Extends protections to interns and fellows. Requires everyone working on Capitol Hill, including Members, to take the Office of Compliance training. Changes the name of the Office of Compliance (OOC) to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights. Puts victims in the drivers seat by allowing them to choose how to resolve their complaint (e.g. counseling and mediation are both no longer mandatory) and protecting their option to discuss their claim publicly. Establishes a Confidential Advisor to consult, on a confidential basis, with any employee who has alleged harassment or discrimination; and assist any employee who has an allegation under Title IV in understanding the procedures, and the significance of the procedures. Gives OOCs General Counsel the authority to conduct interviews and gather evidence regarding complaints of covered harassment and discrimination filed under this section, including interviews with former employees. Allows individuals to work remotely without penalty throughout proceedings. Improves tracking of complaints and procedures by implementing an online platform. Requires that if a Member of Congress is found to be personally liable for harassment or discrimination, they will be responsible for the cost of any settlement. Requires that if a Member of Congress is found to be personally liable for harassment or discrimination, any settlement must be approved by the Senate or House Ethics Committee. Requires that all settlements will be publicly disclosed unless the victims choose to keep them private. Requires offices to post notices with information about employees rights and how to contact the Office of Compliance. Provides for a climate survey to identify the pervasiveness of the problem and what gaps continue to exist in its resolution. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-honors-alaskan-of-the-week-4th-brigade-combat-team-25th-infantry-division-4-25,"Sullivan Honors Alaskan of the Week: 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (4-25)",2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.17 Sullivan Honors Alaskan of the Week: 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (4-25) WASHINGTON, D.C. This week, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) took to the Senate floor to honor the servicemen and women of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division of Anchorage's Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The 4-25, which recently deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel, was recognized as part of Senator Sullivan's series, Alaskan of the Week. Senator Sullivan honoring the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (click photo or here to watch) RECOGNIZING THE 4TH BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM, 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, once a week when we are in session, I come to the floor to recognize a person or group of people in my great State of Alaska who make it very special. We call them our Alaskan of the Week. Alaska is beautiful, it is big, and it is special. Right now, much of the State is gearing up for the skiing season. Snow is out, and there is nothing more beautiful and invigorating than taking to the slopes of Alaska. It is also a great time to see the Northern Lights dancing in the sky. So I urge everybody to come out to Alaska. Winter or summer, it will be the trip of a lifetime. Of course, it is much more than snow and beautiful dancing lights; our people are what make us so specialrugged, independent, generous, and giving to their families, their communities, our State, and our country. Alaska is a patriotic StateI would argue, the most patriotic State in our great Nation. For one, we have the most veterans per capita of any State in America. We have the very best military forces, and we have a lot of them. Let me name just a few. We have the Army's 1st Stryker Brigade, based at Fort Wainwright. Chike Springer, one of my staffers helping me out here, served there in the 1st Stryker Brigade's Aviation Task Force. We have the Northern Warfare Training Center; the 59th Signal Battalion; the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion; the Air Force's Third Wing, 11th Air Force; the 176th Wing; the 673rd Air Base Wing; the Air Force reservists of the 477th Fighter Group; the 354th at Eielson; and the 213th Space Warning Squadron at Clear Air Force Station. You get the picturesome of the best military forces. The 49th Missile Defense Battalion, the cornerstone of America's missile defense, protecting the entire Nation, is right there at Fort Greely. These are the thousands of men and women in the Reserves and on Active Duty who are stationed in our great State. We are proud of them, and we owe them and their families a huge debt of gratitude for their service, especially now that we are approaching the holiday season. Today, I want to particularly recognize the men and women who make up the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Divisionthe only airborne brigade combat team in the Pacific theater and in the Arctic. As my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee know, they are referred to in Alaska and throughout the Army as the 425. This unit, over 3,000 men and women strong, is our Alaskans of the Week. I want to talk a little bit about the 425. It has a very strong lineage and heritage. Although it was created relatively recentlyin 2004and was the first new U.S. airborne unit created since the end of World War II, its heritage springs from the 25th Infantry Division, which was first activated in 1941 and played a seminal role in World War II and all of our country's conflicts since. Just like the 25th Infantry Division, the 425 has played a major role in our country's conflicts since its inception. Members of the 425 have deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and just last September, a couple months ago, they were again deployed to Afghanistan to train and advise Afghan security forces. As part of a larger drawdown of our military and the Armya misguided drawdown by the previous administration, announced in 2015the 425 was part of 40,000 Active-Duty Army soldiers to be cut, just gotten rid of. This would have been an enormous strategic mistake for the Army and for America's national security, especially as it related to the 425, the only mountain, cold weather, airborne BCT in the entire Arctic and Asia Pacific. They are also a critical reserve force for any contingency on the Korean Peninsula given how close we in Alaska are to Korea. So what happened? Alaskans circled the wagons. Rallies with hundreds, if not thousands, of my fellow Alaskans came out in our great State, urging the Department of Defense and the U.S. Army: Don't make this mistake. Don't cut this unit. Keep it intact. Here in Washington, we did our work. I had a heart-to-heart with a number of senior Army and DOD officials with one simple goal in mind: to get them to personally visit this unit, to come see them train, to see how capable they were, and to understand their strategic value to America's national security. And that happened. Many senior Army officialsthe Army Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Armywent to Alaska, went to JRTC, and watched the 425 in action. I remember standing on the second floor of a building in a mock Middle Eastern town watching members of the 425 jump into an LZ at JRTC in the middle of the night for a nighttime airfield seizure operation. There is something awe-inspiring about watching 1,000 airborne paratroopers silently fall out of the night sky to seize terrain something that probably sends chills up the spine of our Nation's enemies. Fast-forward to today. Of the 40,000 soldiers slated to be cut from the U.S. Army, only one unit was sparedone and it was the 425. Why did this happen? It happened because they made it happen. This great unit saved themselves. When the Army's top brass went to Alaska, went to Fort Polk and watched them train at JRTC, they saw what a great unit this was and realized they were making a big mistake. When General Milley, Chief of Staff of the Army, made the final decision to reverse the previous decision of the Army and retain the 425, he said it was one of the most trained and ready units in the entire United States Army.'' That was the Chief of Staff of the Army. The 425 didn't rest. They are deployed, back in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, while deployed, just a few days ago, on December 11, Alaska lost a son and the 425 lost one of its own as part of this mission. It is heartbreaking for the families and for the unit. These brave young men and women are willing to sacrifice and have already sacrificed, and our prayers are with them during these holidays. They are our Alaskans of the Week. I plan on visiting them overseas during the holidays. My wife Julie will also be attending an event this weekend in Anchorage for the families of those who are deployed, showing our support and our respect for the men and women in this unit and their families, because, as many know, when a family is deployed, it is not just the young man and woman in the unit who sacrifice, it is the entire family. To the families, we say thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your service and sacrifice. To the men and women who make up the 425, we also say thank you for all you are doing for usfor serving us, for keeping us safe, for protecting this country, when Americans are enjoying the holidays. I look forward to seeing you in theater. Please be assured that all Members of this bodySenators, Democrats, Republicansknow your record of service and wish all of you Godspeed this holiday season. Thank you for being our Alaskans of the Week. Army Strong. Arctic Tough. Sparta Lives. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399077,ICYMI: Young Defends ANWR Development in Full Conference Committee Meeting,2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Alaska Congressman Don Young spoke at the House-Senate Conference Committee meeting to discuss H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. “I am honored to have been selected as a conferee for this critical tax reform legislation,” said Congressman Young. “One of the most important measures to me in this tax bill is the pathway to open the 10-02 region within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). ANWR is crucially important to the nation. Opening the 10-02 will decrease our nation’s dependence on foreign oil and create jobs for Alaskans.” To watch his full remarks, click here. U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan named Congressman Young to the Conference Committee which has been tasked with negotiating the final terms of the tax reform legislation. Congressman Young has consistently worked with his colleagues to allow for responsible resource development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) Coastal Plain. He has passed ANWR legislation on 12 separate occasions in the House. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-reconciliation-bill-is-a-great-opportunity-for-alaska-america,"Murkowski: Reconciliation Bill is a Great Opportunity for Alaska, America",2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.14.17 Murkowski: Reconciliation Bill is a Great Opportunity for Alaska, America Reiterates Support for Opening 1002 Area and Tax Reform During Conferee Meeting U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today participated in a public meeting of Senate and House conferees on H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. During the meeting, Murkowski reiterated her strong support for this pro-jobs, pro-growth, and pro-energy bill that will benefit American families and businesses. The energy title of the bill, authored by Murkowski, opens a small portion of the non-wilderness 1002 Area in northeast Alaska to responsible energy development. “This legislation will be good for our economy, good for jobs and growth, and good for American families and businesses,” Murkowski said. “Tax reform will fix our broken tax code, put dollars back in the pockets of hard-working Americans, and make our nation globally competitive once more. I’m also proud of our energy title, which contains the single-most important step we can take to strengthen our long-term energy security and create new wealth.” (Click image to watch video of Sen. Murkowski) Murkowski emphasized that a strong majority of Alaskans support the congressional delegation’s efforts to open the 1002 Area. “Alaskans have fought for a long time to authorize a program for responsible energy development in the non-wilderness 1002 Area,” Murkowski said. “It will provide economic growth and prosperity for our state and the nation.” Murkowski submitted a number of statements for the record of the meeting, including testimony from Matthew Rexford, tribal administrator for the Native Village of Kaktovik, Richard Glenn of Ukpeagvik, Gov. Bill Walker, I-Alaska, and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, D-Alaska. She also submitted letters and resolutions of support from Alaska State legislators, the Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat, the North Slope Borough, national labor organizations, and energy security advocates.     Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, is the lead author of Title II of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The title establishes an environmentally protective oil and gas development program in a small portion of the non-wilderness 1002 Area, which Congress specifically set aside for evaluation of its oil and gas potential. Responsible development is limited to just 2,000 federal acres within the 1002 Area – just one ten-thousandth of all of ANWR. The committee also strengthened the title by adopting a bipartisan amendment from Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Luther Strange, R-Ala., and Angus King, I-Maine, to increase revenue sharing for the Gulf Coast for priorities such as coastal restoration and hurricane protection. The Energy and Natural Resources Committee reported its title on a bipartisan basis on November 15, 2017. The House passed its motion to go to conference on H.R. 1 and appointed conferees on Monday, December 4. The Senate passed its motion to go to conference and appointed conferees on Wednesday, December 6. Click here to view Murkowski’s opening remarks during today’s meeting. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-group-of-senators-introduce-legislation-to-combat-harassment-and-discrimination-in-congress-bring-transparency-and-accountability-to-sexual-harassment-reporting-process,"Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Legislation to Combat Harassment and Discrimination In Congress, Bring Transparency And Accountability To Sexual Harassment Reporting Process",2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.14.17 Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Legislation to Combat Harassment and Discrimination In Congress, Bring Transparency And Accountability To Sexual Harassment Reporting Process Bipartisan Congressional Harassment Reform Act Would Overhaul Current Reporting Process for Victims of Harassment and Discrimination in Congress, End Required Secrecy, and Require Members of Congress Found Liable for Harassment or Discrimination to Pay Settlements Out of Their Own Pocket Washington, DCU.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) today introduced new bipartisan legislation that would overhaul the current process that victims of harassment and discrimination in Congress must go through when reporting a claim. The current process for victims of harassment and discrimination in Congress lacks transparency and is difficult to navigate. This legislation, theCongressional Harassment Reform Act, would bring transparency and accountability to the current process by extending protections to interns and fellows, eliminating forced mediation, ending the current required secrecy in the process by allowing victims to speak publicly about their case, requiring Members of Congress found personally liable for harassment to pay settlements out of their own pockets, and improving systems to address harassment and discrimination in Congress. Sexual harassment and assault can leave lifelong scars on victimswhich can be compounded by an arduous system of reporting,said Senator Sullivan.All of those in Congress must be respectful towards one another. I'm glad to cosponsor this bill that will mandate a much-needed overhaul in our reporting system. Victims and survivors need to know we'll do all we can do in Congress to make sure that they are protected and that those who abuse their employees are held accountable. Congress should never be above the law or play by their own set of rules,said Senator Gillibrand.We should treat every person who works here with respect and dignity, and that means creating a climate where there is accountability, fairness, respect, and access to justice if sexual harassment takes place. There are real costs to sexual harassment in the workplace. We now know that many people quit their jobs because of it, or miss out on promotions or raises, all of which can throw off the entire trajectory in their careers. We must ensure that Congress handles complaints to create an environment where staffers can come forward if something happens to them without having to fear that it will ruin their careers. This bipartisan legislation would bring us much closer to that goal. Sexual harassment is wrong. Every person, man or woman, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace,said Senator Cruz.In recent months, we've seen wave after wave of appalling sexual harassment and assault allegations -- from Hollywood, to newsrooms, to the halls of Congress. And powerful men who have abused their positions have been held to account. Congress is not above the laws, and secret settlements with taxpayer money to cover up harassment should no longer be tolerated. This legislation seeks to empower victims of harassment to report those crimes and to hold the perpetrators accountable."" There cannot be tolerance for any type of sexual harassment or abuse in our society. Congress must lead by example and immediately improve upon how it addresses allegations of sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination to make sure that those who have engaged in misconduct are held accountable and the victims are protected. This bipartisan legislation takes the necessary steps to provide victims with greater protections and choice, holds Members of Congress liable for their wrongdoings, and protects taxpayer dollars. Victims are coming forward and making their voices heard; it's critical that we take action now to protect and defend them,saidSenator Ernst. We're finally experiencing a cultural shift in this country to a place where sexual abuse and harassment will no longer be tolerated, and Congress needs to lead by example. For starters, that means requiring training to prevent harassment and discrimination, ensuring that no one is silenced or retaliated against, and increasing accountability regarding settlements. Every personregardless of where they workshould feel safe. Our bill will enact important and necessary reforms as part of a much larger movement,said Senator Feinstein. I am proud to join with a diverse bipartisan group of colleagues in proposing this comprehensive reform of congressional harassment policies. Quite honestly, I am appalled at the current policies and procedures in place regarding harassment claims in Congress and reports of settlement payouts. Looking back, Congress has been reluctant to apply basic civil rights protections to its own employees, and when it finally did, it included arduous requirements that seemed to protect the victimizer more than the victims. This is a significant piece of legislation which levels the playing field for victims, improves transparency, and holds members of Congress who use their positions of power in abusive ways personally liable to repay the government for the cost of their conduct. It is the strong medicine we've long needed to deter harassment in the congressional workplace and ensure that those who perpetrate it are held accountable. Every workplace should be a safe-haven for employees, free from any kind of harassment,said Senator Lisa Murkowski. We urgently need accountability in the halls of Congress,said Senator Shaheen.Those who've experienced sexual harassment on Capitol Hill face a daunting struggle to reach any semblance of justice and often have egregious restrictions that prevent them from speaking out. And it's galling that the taxpayer, rather than the perpetrator, is on the hook for paying settlements. Congress must not be resistant to the awareness and accountability that is sweeping the country. This legislation makes long overdue reforms and I'm very encouraged by the bipartisan support. I urge leadership to quickly begin consideration of this important effort. Harassment must not be tolerated in any workplace, especially in Congress. This legislation will institute stronger policies and procedures to deter reprehensible behavior in the first place, and when it does occur, ensure just outcomes for victims,Senator Blumenthal said.While comprehensive, mandatory training is a straightforward and common-sense step to begin addressing workplace harassment on Capitol Hill, it is not sufficient. Allowing employees access to counseling, mediation and confidential advice will give survivors of harassment the resources and peace of mind they deserve in resolving the misconduct of employers and supervisors. We need to make major changes here in Congress and get our house in order. The current process for victims of sexual harassment or discrimination on Capitol Hill is difficult to navigate and lacks transparency. This needs to change and Senator Gillibrand's bipartisan legislation will reform the current process so it works better for victims of sexual harassment or discrimination and provides more transparency to the public,""said Senator Baldwin. Sexual harassment in the workplace is a pervasive, persistent problem across the country and across industries, and Congress is certainly no exception,said Senator Booker.The current system for reporting sexual harassment in Congress is archaic, discourages justice, and focuses on protecting members and offices at the expense of survivors. This bipartisan bill is a much needed step toward creating a reporting system in Congress that puts the rights of survivors first and provides much needed accountability. The survivors of sexual harassment and assault have carried the burden of congressional inaction for far too long. It's vital that Congress send a clear message to survivors that they are heard and supported, and to those who commit theseatrocious acts that there's no place for their behavior anywhere in oursociety. Over the past few months, our country has experienced a much-needed transformation when it comes to listening to courageous women share their stories about harassment. No one should be forced to work in an environment where they are made to feel uncomfortable or intimidated. Let me be extremely clear: sexual harassment and workplace misconduct has no place in America, and certainly has no place in the United States Congress,said Senator Gardner.I'm proud to join Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and my other colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to introduce this bipartisanlegislation that reforms the way Congress deals with harassment. This legislation ensures we have an open, transparent process that does not leave the taxpayers on the hook for Members of Congress' misconduct. I'm proud to introduce this bill today and call on each of my colleagues tosupport this important proposal. ""We know that the system in Congress for dealing with sexual harassment is broken, and we must continue working to empower all women and do everything we can to prevent sexual harassment, misconduct, and assault from occurring in the first place,""Senator Hassan said.""This bipartisan bill is critical to those efforts, and I will keep working across the aisle to move this important measure forward and to help ensure a safe work environment for all."" Specifically, theCongressional Harassment Reform Actwould do the following: Extends protections to interns and fellows. Requires everyone working on Capitol Hill, including Members, to take the Office of Compliance training. Changes the name of the Office of Compliance (OOC) to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights. Puts victims in the driver's seat by allowing them to choose how to resolve their complaint (e.g. counseling and mediation are both no longer mandatory) and protecting their option to discuss their claim publicly. Establishes a Confidential Advisor to consult, on a confidential basis, with any employee who has alleged harassment or discrimination; and assist any employee who has an allegation under Title IV in understanding the procedures, and the significance of the procedures. Gives OOC's General Counsel the authority to conduct interviews and gather evidence regarding complaints of covered harassment and discrimination filed under this section, including interviews with former employees. Allows individuals to work remotely without penalty throughout proceedings. Improves tracking of complaints and procedures by implementing an online platform. Requires that if a Member of Congress is found to be personally liable for harassment or discrimination, they will be responsible for the cost of any settlement. Requires that if a Member of Congress is found to be personally liable for harassment or discrimination, any settlement must be approved by the Senate or House Ethics Committee. Requires that all settlements will be publicly disclosed unless the victims choose to keep them private. Requires offices to post notices with information about employees' rights and how to contact the Office of Compliance. Provides for a climate survey to identify the pervasiveness of the problem and what gaps continue to exist in its resolution.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399074,Natural Resources Committee Approves 3 Bills by Young,2017-12-13,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed H.R. 200, H.R. 4475 and S. 825, all legislation sponsored by Alaska Congressman Don Young. “Alaska is considered the gold standard of fisheries management and this industry is crucial to our local economy,” Congressman Young stated. “My bill, H.R. 200, updates the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) to ensure regional fisheries are able to develop management plans that match needs of their areas which they know best.” The House Natural Resources Committee marking up Congressman Young's bills. “Reauthorizing the MSA will ensure a proper balance between the biological needs of fish stocks and the economic needs of fishermen and coastal communities,” said Congressman Young. “MSA has not been reauthorized since 2006, it is long past time for this Congress to act and support our nation’s fisheries. I had two other bills considered – the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitory System Act and Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium Land Transfer Act. I am happy to say that both of these passed the committee with bipartisan support.” To watch the full remarks, click here. “America’s fisheries are governed by an outdated regulatory scheme and inflexible decrees imposed by distant bureaucrats. Fishermen and biologists on the ground should be partners in the formation of management plans, not powerless onlookers,” Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) said. “This bill provides flexibility so we can better meet local needs, expand economic activity and conserve ecosystems. Rep. Young has delivered a win for local management and I look forward to moving this bill through the chambers in the coming year.” Background: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery and Conservation Management Act, or MSA, was first written by Congressman Don Young in 1976 and has been the primary law governing fisheries resources and activities in federal waters. Since its last reauthorization in 2006, federal regulations, improper science, and poor management decisions have hampered access to U.S. fisheries. H.R. 200, Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act”, will improve the management process by affording regional Councils the flexibility to manage stocks effectively and better tailor management plans to suit their regional needs. Additionally, the Natural Resources Committee approved H.R. 4475 and S. 825, two bills which will also address regional concerns. The United States is the third most active country for volcanic eruptions, after Indonesia and Japan. The National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System Act, H.R. 4475, will direct the United States Geological Survey to establish a volcano warning and monitoring system to protect U.S. citizens from avoidable harm. S. 825, Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium Land Transfer Act of 2017 was introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK) earlier this year and passed by the Senate in November. The legislation provides a land transfer of 19 acres of federal land in Sitka to the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC), which will allow the SEARHC to expand healthcare delivery for Alaska Natives in the region. Congressman Young is the sponsor of the House companion bill, H.R. 1901. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-streamlining-the-federal-permitting-process-is_essential-to-modernizing-us-energy-infrastructure-,Murkowski: Streamlining the Federal Permitting Process is Essential to Modernizing U.S. Energy Infrastructure,2017-12-12,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.12.17 Murkowski: Streamlining the Federal Permitting Process is Essential to Modernizing U.S. Energy Infrastructure U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired an oversight hearing to examine the permitting processes for energy and resource infrastructure projects at the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The hearing focused on permitting challenges and opportunities to improve the responsiveness, transparency, and predictability of permit reviews. “We all recognize that we need to make investments to upgrade and modernize our aging infrastructure,” Murkowski said. “However, the current regulatory regime for these projects, from electric transmission lines to hydropower to mining projects, impacts the cost effectiveness of our federal investments. The length and uncertainty associated with the permitting process is driving private investment dollars overseas, rather than keeping those jobs here and creating growth and prosperity for our nation.” Murkowski also highlighted her bipartisan work to reform the permitting process. “The Energy and Natural Resources Act that Sen. Cantwell and I reintroduced this year has provisions that take important steps to streamline project reviews,” Murkowski said. “Whether it is energy production, pipelines, pumped storage, water supply, mining, or LNG, the permitting system needs to be improved across the board, and our bill will help us make needed progress.” The U.S. is among the worst in the world when it comes to permitting delays for new mines. This weakens our mineral security and puts the manufacturing, health care, energy, defense, and other industries at unnecessary risk. Hecla Mining Vice President of External Affairs Luke Russell emphasized how permitting delays reduce infrastructure investment and increase our nation’s foreign mineral dependency. “Metals and minerals are the building blocks of our nation’s infrastructure – simply put, it is impossible to create infrastructure without them,” Russell said. “The United States is blessed with world class mineral endowment, but sadly has become increasingly dependent on foreign sources of minerals…The length of time it takes to secure permits in the U.S., which takes an average of seven to ten years, or longer, is a key reason behind this dependency. In addition, it is making the United States less attractive for investment.” In addition to Russell, the committee received testimony from DOI Associate Deputy Secretary Jim Cason, Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council Acting Executive Director Janet Pfleeger, FERC Director of the Office of Energy Projects Terry Turpin, Water Quality Management Unit Supervisor at the Washington Department of Ecology Chad Brown, and Transwest Express Vice President and General Counsel Roxane Perruso. Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. An archived video of today’s hearing is available on the committee’s website. Click here to view Murkowski’s first round of questions with witnesses and here for her second round. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-applauds-signing-of-ndaa-bipartisan-agreement-boosting-missile-defense-national-security-and-military-readiness,"Sullivan Applauds Signing of NDAA, Bipartisan Agreement Boosting Missile Defense, National Security and Military Readiness",2017-12-12,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.12.17 Sullivan Applauds Signing of NDAA, Bipartisan Agreement Boosting Missile Defense, National Security and Military Readiness WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) applauded the President for signing the FY2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law, legislation that authorizes $634.2 billion for base budget requirements, $65.7 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), and includes a number of provisions important to Alaska. I thank the President for signing this important legislation into law, which will ensure that our fighting men and women have what they need to protect our nation, said Senator Sullivan. In a world with an increasingly complex and diverse array of threats, I am hopeful that this bill helps begin the process of rebuilding a military constrained by sequestered-budgets and Obama administration defense cuts. While there is still much more to do, this bill reverses lost military readiness with $26.2 billion in additional funding above the President's request. The NDAA also authorizes much needed procurement such as 90 F-35s and 17 KC-46s and increases our military's end-strength by over 20,000 servicemembers spread across all four services, the active-duty, guard, and reserve, and even authorizes 2.4% pay raises for all military members. The FY 2018 NDAA also includes authorization of $12.3 billion for the Missile Defense Agency a 57 percent increase over the President's initial request and includes $200 million in military construction for a new missile field at Fort Greely, AK, as well as authorized funding needed to procure an additional 20 missile interceptors required to operationalize the field. Additionally, the bill includes funding for advancing key missile defense technologies and for beginning to build a space-based sensor layer. Notably, this bill also authorizes up to 28 additional interceptors for homeland missile defense the second largest capacity increase ever. Any strategy on North Korea must include a robust and integrated missile defense, said Senator Sullivan. For the past year in hearings and in legislation I have stressed that Congress must lead on bolstering our nation's missile defense. I'm grateful that provisions in the bill that I introduced, the Advancing America's Missile Defense Act, were included in this NDAA, including twenty-eight more interceptors, advancing a new missile field at Fort Greely. With the passage of the Defense Authorization today and the President's budget request earlier this month, we are finally getting serious about advancing America's missile defense. Other Key Provisions: Working with many of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, Senator Sullivan successfully included numerous provisions in the FY 2018 NDAA to advance initiatives that will play an important role in ensuring the long term security of Alaska, the Arctic and the United States. These initiatives include the authorization to build a new heavy-class polar icebreaker, a U.S Navy study on ice-hardening its ships, and provisions aimed at improving and increasing the Alaska Guard's combat search and rescue capabilities. Alaska Military Construction: Authorizes $368.9 million for military construction in Alaska to continue to support the beddown of two squadrons of F-35As at Eielson AFB and to construct a new 20-GBI missile field at Fort Greely. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-honors-alaskans-of-the-week-great-alaska-shootout-and-uaa-womens-basketball-team-,Sullivan Honors Alaskans of the Week: Great Alaska Shootout and UAA Womens Basketball Team,2017-12-08,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.08.17 Sullivan Honors Alaskans of the Week: Great Alaska Shootout and UAA Women's Basketball Team WASHINGTON, DC This week, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) recognized the Great Alaska Shootout and the 2017 championship winning UAA Women's Basketball team as part of his Alaskan of the Week series. Alaskan of the Week on the U.S. Senate Floor (click image or here to watch). The following statement was submitted to the Congressional Record: Mr. President, every week I've been coming to the floor to brag about my state, about the wonders of its natural landscape a land that everyone should see for themselves. But I've also been bragging about the people in my state. And nearly every week, I've chosen a person or a group to highlight. I call these people our Alaskan of the Week. It's one of the best things I do all week because although Alaska is beautiful, it's the people that make my State so special kind, generous people, full of rugged determination, full of patriotism, and full of drive. Living in the North, in some of the most difficult terrain and extreme conditions of the world, breeds competitionin the best way possible. It also lights sparks of creativity all across the state. And when creativity meets competition, great things happen. You saw great things happen on the basketball court late last month, when the University of Alaska's women's basketball teamour Alaskans of the Week won the championship at the Great Alaska Shootout in Anchorage, the seminal sports event of the year, that for four decades has corresponded with Thanksgiving weekend. Mr. President, let me spend a few minutes talking about the Great Alaska Shootout. In the late 1970s, a coach from the University of Alaska Anchorage's basketball team had a vision to put the fledgling UAA basketball program on the map. How would he do that? He would create a pre-season college basketball tournament and he would make sure that participation in any tournament outside of the contiguous 48 states didn't count against the limits for how many games a team was allowed to play. And so was born the Great Alaska Shootout. So for the last 40 years, thousands of Alaskans, from all over the state many who had never been to a professional game or even a college game traveled to Anchorage to watch some of the best college basketball in the country. And in Anchorage, people opened their homes to the teams from the Lower 48 to enjoy a home cooked Thanksgiving dinner. The names and the teams that came to Alaska over the last 40 years are legion. Patrick Ewing, Glenn Robinson, Sam Perkins, Ray Allen, Dwyane Wade and Alaska's own Trajon Langdon to name just a few. And all the great college basketball coaches at one time or the other came to our state: Coach K, Jim Valvano, Bobby Knight, Denny Crum, Roy Williams, Tom Izzo, Pat Summitt and so many more. As one reporter put it, it was an annual Thanksgiving week staple for ESPN and it made Anchorage the center of the college basketball world for one bright, shining week. And time and again, the Seawolves, both the men's and the women's team, both Division 2 programs up against Division 1 schools, showed the world what basketball in Alaska looked like. And it looked strong. The Great Alaska Shootout was a gift to the world, and to all of Alaska. Mr. President, times have changed and so have college basketball tournaments. More choices became available. Other states began to compete with Alaska. And this last Thanksgiving, sadly, was the Shootout's last tournament. But again, UAA's basketball teams made us proud. All told, the men's team won 39 games in 40 Shootouts. And this past Thanksgiving Day, the UAA women which has become a Division 2 powerhouse under the leadership of coach Ryan McCarthy claimed the women's championship at the final Shootout, beating the Division One University of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes 59-52. It was their seventh title in tournament history. Everyone involved and everyonebusinesses who sponsored the Shootout throughout the years, the many avid fans who haven't missed a game, and all those who played throughout the decadesare deserving of recognition. But at this year's final Great Alaska Shootout, the women showed us all the true meaning of grit and determination. Here's to the women's basketball team at UAA our Alaskan of the Week and here's to the Great Alaska Shootout. Thanks for the memories. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-meets-with-hhs-secretary-nominee-azar,Sullivan Meets with HHS Secretary Nominee Azar,2017-12-08,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.08.17 Sullivan Meets with HHS Secretary Nominee Azar WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement after meeting with President Trump's designee to become the next Secretary of the Health and Human Services (HHS), Alex Azar. Senator Sullivan and Alex Azar, nominee to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services. I had a very positive and productive meeting yesterday with Alex Azar, President Trump's nominee to be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services, said Senator Sullivan. Among our many discussions, we spoke directly of the need to address Alaska's many health care challenges many of which he is familiar with from his time as Deputy Secretary of HHS in the Bush administration. Mr. Azar committed to continuing the work of the previous HHS Secretary to develop an Alaska-specific health care pilot program. I look forward to voting for his confirmation in the near future and working collaboratively to improve the delivery of services and care for Alaskans. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399070,ICYMI: Young Joins Fox Business News to Discuss Tax Reform Conference Committee,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Alaska Congressman Don Young joined Neil Cavuto on Fox Business News to discuss his recent appointment to the House-Senate Conference Committee to work on H.R. 1, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. “This is a conference committee which means that, while both sides have a difference of opinion, our job is to meet and work through them,” said Congressman Young. “Our goal is to work together to get this bill done.” To see the full interview, click here. House Speaker Paul Ryan named Congressman Young to the Conference Committee earlier this week. This Committee has been tasked with negotiating the final terms of the tax reform legislation which contains the pathway to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) Coastal Plain to responsible resource development. Congressman Young has consistently worked with his colleagues to allow for responsible resource development in ANWR, leading the House to pass ANWR legislation on 12 separate occasions. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/congressional-delegation-congratulates-alaskan-joe-balash-on-confirmation-as-assistant-secretary-of-the-interior,Congressional Delegation Congratulates Alaskan Joe Balash on Confirmation as Assistant Secretary of the Interior,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.07.17 Congressional Delegation Congratulates Alaskan Joe Balash on Confirmation as Assistant Secretary of the Interior U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the U.S. Senate voted 61-38 to confirm Alaskan Joe Balash to be the next U.S. Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the Department of the Interior Click image or here to view Senator Sullivan’s floor statement “Today I’m pleased to see that after weeks of partisan gridlock, Joe Balash was finally confirmed as a U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals,” said Senator Sullivan. “Joe’s work throughout the years as a public servant in Alaska – including as the Commissioner of the state’s Department of Natural Resources—will serve him well in his new role. He understands how to build consensus, how to navigate state and federal interests, and importantly, how to work to develop our resources, and grow our economy while always understanding that our lands sustain us and stringent environmental safeguards are absolutely necessary for all Americans. His position at DOI will be a big gain for Secretary Zinke, the Department of the Interior, the United States and Alaska.” Click image or here to view Senator Murkowski’s floor statement “I congratulate Joe on his confirmation to be Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management and thank Secretary Zinke for selecting an Alaskan for this critical role,” Senator Murkowski said. “He has demonstrated that he is both capable and willing to work with everyone, from hunters to tribes to environmentalists and conservationists, on the stewardship of our public lands. His discipline, determination, and broad knowledge and expertise on energy and resource policy, will enable him to be a strong partner for Secretary Zinke and a strong advocate for Alaskans and the American people.”   “Joe Balash’s confirmation is great news for the Department of the Interior and for Alaskans,” said Congressman Young. “He is a true public servant with a proven track record of advocating for responsible resource development. His knowledge and expertise make him exceptionally qualified for this job. In this new role, I am confident that he will continue to use his experience on energy and resource policy to lead necessary reforms and enhance policies at the Department.” The Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management is one of six assistant secretaries at the Department and is responsible for overseeing several important agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Senator Lisa Murkowski, held a nomination hearing for Joe Balash on September 7, 2017. Balash was reported favorably out of the Committee with near unanimous support on September 19, 2017. Prior to today’s vote, both Senators Murkowski and Sullivan spoke on the Senate floor in favor of Joe Balash’s confirmation.  Balash hails from the community of North Pole, AK. He previously served as the Chief of Staff for Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and as both the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. 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-named-to-reconciliation-conference-committee,Murkowski Named to Reconciliation Conference Committee,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.07.17 Murkowski Named to Reconciliation Conference Committee Murkowski, Young to Represent Alaska’s Interests on 1002 Area, Tax Reform U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, was selected today to serve on the Conference Committee for H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The conference committee will reconcile House and Senate legislation to reform the tax code and open a small portion of the non-wilderness 1002 Area in northeast Alaska to responsible energy development. “I’m grateful to Leader McConnell and my colleagues for the opportunity to represent Alaska and the nation as we bring this important bill through the last parts of the legislative process,” Murkowski said. “I’m very confident that we will quickly reach agreement to provide tax relief to families and job creators while strengthening the long-term energy security of our nation. With Congressman Young representing the House of Representatives on our energy provisions, Alaskans will have a very strong voice at the table to ensure this bill crosses the finish line.” Republican Conferees Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas   Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio     Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.  Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, wrote Title II of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which establishes an environmentally protective oil and gas development program in a small portion of the non-wilderness 1002 Area. The Energy and Natural Resources Committee reported the title on a bipartisan basis on November 15, 2017. The House passed its motion to go to conference on H.R. 1 and appointed conferees on Monday, December 4. 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-statement-on-new-ferc-chairman,Murkowski Statement on New FERC Chairman,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.07.17 Murkowski Statement on New FERC Chairman U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the swearing-in of Kevin McIntyre to begin a five-year term on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), starting today as the Commission’s chairman. “I’m pleased to learn that Mr. McIntyre was sworn in this morning, bringing FERC to a full complement of Commissioners for the first time since 2015. For more than two years, I have been working toward the day when FERC would once again have a full bench. We worked hard to restore FERC’s quorum in August, and I thank Commissioner Chatterjee for chairing the Commission until today. “I look forward to Chairman McIntyre’s leadership and to continuing to work with all of the Commissioners. My hope is that, after due consideration of the record, FERC will concentrate its full capacity on deciding promptly the many important proceedings on its docket. Coming from his decades of careful practice before the agency, I expect Chairman McIntyre will lead his colleagues to well-reasoned decisions that are effective to keep America’s energy networks reliable and affordable.” Murkowski is chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congressional-delegation-congratulates-alaskan-joe-balash-on-confirmation-as-assistant-secretary-of-the-interior,Congressional Delegation Congratulates Alaskan Joe Balash on Confirmation as Assistant Secretary of the Interior,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.07.17 Congressional Delegation Congratulates Alaskan Joe Balash on Confirmation as Assistant Secretary of the Interior WASHINGTON, DCU.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the U.S. Senate voted 61-38 to confirm Alaskan Joe Balash to be the next U.S. Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the Department of the Interior. Click image orhereto view Senator Sullivan's floor statement Today I'm pleased to see that after weeks of partisan gridlock, Joe Balash was finally confirmed as a U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals,said Senator Sullivan.Joe's work throughout the years as a public servant in Alaska including as the Commissioner of the state's Department of Natural Resourceswill serve him well in his new role. He understands how to build consensus, how to navigate state and federal interests, and importantly, how to work to develop our resources, and grow our economy while always understanding that our lands sustain us and stringent environmental safeguards are absolutely necessary for all Americans. His position at DOI will be a big gain for Secretary Zinke, the Department of the Interior, the United States and Alaska. Click image orhereto view Senator Murkowski's floor statement I congratulate Joe on his confirmation to be Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management and thank Secretary Zinke for selecting an Alaskan for this critical role,Senator Murkowski said. He has demonstrated that he is both capable and willing to work with everyone, from hunters to tribes to environmentalists and conservationists, on the stewardship of our public lands. His discipline, determination, and broad knowledge and expertise on energy and resource policy, will enable him to be a strong partner for Secretary Zinke and a strong advocate for Alaskans and the American people. Joe Balash's confirmation is great news for the Department of the Interior and for Alaskans,said Congressman Young.He is a true public servant with a proven track record of advocating for responsible resource development. His knowledge and expertise make him exceptionally qualified for this job. In this new role, I am confident that he will continue to use his experience on energy and resource policy to lead necessary reforms and enhance policies at the Department. The Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management is one of six assistant secretaries at the Department and is responsible for overseeing several important agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Senator Lisa Murkowski, held anomination hearingfor Joe Balash on September 7, 2017. Balash wasreported favorablyout of the Committee with near unanimous support on September 19, 2017. Prior to today's vote, both Senators Murkowski and Sullivan spoke on the Senate floor in favor of Joe Balash's confirmation. Balash hails from the community of North Pole, AK. He previously served as the Chief of Staff for Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and as both the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-sullivan-names-state-director,Senator Sullivan Names State Director,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.07.17 Senator Sullivan Names State Director WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) today announced the appointment of Rene Limoge Reeve to serve as his State Director based in his Anchorage, AK office. I'm pleased to welcome Rene to the Sullivan team, said Senator Sullivan. Her experience and understanding of Alaska will be invaluable as we further our efforts to advance Alaska and America's interests in the U.S. Senate. Rene Limoge Reeve comes to Senator Sullivan's office from the Alaska Support Industry Alliance, where she served as Deputy Director. Rene is a graduate of the University of Vermont and holds a degree in Political Science and English. Rene has worked in numerous capacities in the Alaska State Legislature, as Press Secretary for former Alaska Lt. Governor Craig Campbell, and as a Senior Research Analyst for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-monument-decisions-are-responsive-to-local-input,Murkowski: Monument Decisions Are Responsive to Local Input,2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.17 Murkowski: Monument Decisions Are Responsive to Local Input U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following statement after President Trump signed presidential proclamations reducing the size of two national monuments, Bears Ears and the Grand Staircase-Escalante, both located in Utah. The administration also released Secretary Zinke’s final national monuments review and recommendations to the president. “The Antiquities Act has been misused in recent administrations to make sweeping withdrawals that ignore local concerns,” Murkowski said. “Lost in those decisions have been the voices of the people who actually live in the areas affected by these designations. We must work to ensure that the local people who are impacted the most by these decisions are heard, respected, and included in the decision-making process. The proclamations issued by the president this week reduce two of Utah’s monuments to a more appropriate size while continuing to protect areas of historical and scientific significance.” The president has authority to declare national monuments under the Antiquities Act, but is explicitly required to designate “the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected.” The Trump administration concluded that requirement was not met by the 1.35 million-acre designation for Bears Ears National Monument or the 1.9 million-acre designation for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Earlier this year, she and 27 Senate colleagues introduced S. 33, the Improved National Monument Designation Process Act, which would require greater state and local input in the monument designation process. In July 2016, the committee held a field hearing in Blanding, Utah, chaired by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, where local residents expressed virtually unanimous opposition to the designation of a large-scale monument for Bears Ears. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-statement-on-expulsion-of-russia-from-2018-winter-olympics,Sullivan Statement on Expulsion of Russia from 2018 Winter Olympics,2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.17 Sullivan Statement on Expulsion of Russia from 2018 Winter Olympics WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement today on the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to expel Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. I applaud the International Olympic Committee for taking this decisive action against Russia and their state-sponsored doping program, said Senator Sullivan. This unprecedented action sends a powerful message to the international sporting community that this orchestrated attempt to cheat on the world's stage implemented at the direction of the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin across more than 30 sports and 1,000 athletes will not and cannot be tolerated. With the 2018 Winter Games in South Korea approaching, my hope is we can begin to rebuild trust and confidence in the Olympic Games and the use of sport as an international unifier. Background: Following reports and allegations associated with the Russian doping scandal, Senator Sullivan strongly advocated for the International Olympic Committee to ban Russia's Olympic team from competing in the Olympic Games. In May 2016, Senator Sullivan wrote IOC President Bach expressing concern over reports that the Russian government including President Vladimir Putin endorsed a widespread doping program over several pastOlympicGames and a variety of sporting events.Sullivan called on the IOC, pending the results of an investigation, to ban the Russian team from competing in the 2016 SummerOlympicsin Rio de Janeiro. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/committee-reviews-key-interior-and-doe-nominees,Committee Reviews Key Interior and DOE Nominees,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.17 Committee Reviews Key Interior and DOE Nominees U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to consider two of President Trump’s nominees for the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of Energy (DOE). The nominees were Dr. Tim Petty to be Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science and Dr. Linda Capuano to be Administrator of the Energy Information Administration (EIA). “Having these nominees before our panel brings us another step closer to getting full teams in place for Secretary Zinke and Secretary Perry, which will allow their agencies to effectively fulfill the important roles they play for our country,” Murkowski said. During her opening statement, Murkowski emphasized the nominees’ qualifications and her intention to move them quickly through committee. “Dr. Petty has a wealth of knowledge and expertise on both water and science issues. Once confirmed, it will mark his return to the ‘Water and Science Hallway’ at Interior, having served at DOI under President Bush. He is also supported by faculty at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he earned his Ph.D.,” Murkowski said. “Dr. Capuano’s broad experience in the energy and technology industries and robust work history makes her well qualified to be at the helm of the Energy Information Administration. I am confident that both of our nominees are well positioned for these roles, and it is certainly my hope to move their nominations quickly through committee to full Senate confirmation.” The Energy and Natural Resources Committee has favorably reported a total of 18 nominees, four of whom continue to await confirmation by the full Senate. Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. An archived video and witness testimony from today’s hearing are available on the committee’s website. Click here and here to view both rounds of her questions for the nominees.  Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-bill-to-improve-southeast-rural-health-passes-senate,Murkowski Bill to Improve Southeast Rural Health Passes Senate,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.17 Murkowski Bill to Improve Southeast Rural Health Passes Senate Land Conveyance Would Progress Efforts to Expand Health and Social Services U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski praised the Senate’s passage of her legislation, the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium Land Transfer Act of 2017, which  provides a land transfer of 19.07 acres in Sitka. S. 825, co-sponsored by Senator Sullivan, allows for much needed expansions by Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) at the Mt. Edgecumbe Sitka Campus. These extensions would enhance the level of healthcare services available to Southeast Alaska by providing a future site for new primary care and acute care facility space, as well as much needed staff housing. “I thank my colleagues in the Indian Affairs Committee and the rest of the Senate for recognizing the need to support and expand access to healthcare in rural Alaska,” said Senator Murkowski. “SEARHC is working hard to provide southeast Alaskans throughout the region with the most advanced healthcare opportunities possible and it was my honor to help them in their efforts.” “Senator Murkowski and I worked hard to pass legislation allowing the transfer of land in Sitka to SEARHC so they can move forward with their expansion project, said Senator Sullivan. “This is great news for the people in the entire southeast region, whose healthcare needs will ultimately be better served. I will continue to support SEARHC as they advance and work with Alaskans and our congressional delegation to improve healthcare across the state.” “We are sincerely grateful to Senator Murkowski and Senator Sullivan for their time, hard work and focus in getting S. 825 passed,” said SEARHC President and CEO Charles Clement. “Alaska is truly privileged to have such tireless advocates in Washington, D.C. working on behalf of rural Alaska and Tribal health. With the passage of this bill, SEARHC can expand services and improve access to healthcare throughout all Southeast Alaska.” The land transfer will give SEARHC more leverage and oversight of the property while seeking expansion opportunities.  SEARHC is currently managing and maintaining the land that will be transferred in the bill. Congressman Don Young also introduced companion legislation [H.R. 1901] in the House of Representatives currently under consideration by that body. S. 825 will be sent to the House for consideration as well.  Related Issues: Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska, Health Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-chairs-hearing-on-nominee-to-head-noaa,Sullivan Chairs Hearing on Nominee to Head NOAA,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.17 Sullivan Chairs Hearing on Nominee to Head NOAA Receives commitments on Alaska-based NOAA missions and personnel, seafood trade, and hydrographic surveys Washington, D.C. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) last week chaired a hearing in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on the president's nominee, Barry Lee Myers, to serve as administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). If confirmed, Myers would serve as Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and oversee many critical operations for Alaska, including daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, fisheries science and management, and ocean mapping and science. In my home state of Alaska, we are particularly dependent on NOAA's services, Senator Sullivan stated to the Committee. Alaska is the superpower of seafood, accounting for almost 60% of all domestic landings and more than 60,000 jobs making the fisheries industry our largest private employer more than oil and gas. NOAA is the agency responsible for oversight of America's fisheries, and I will be among those working closely with the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere to ensure a continuing bright future for this very important segment of the U.S. economy. NOAA is also responsible for charting our waters, providing accessible, timely and accurate weather forecasting, and studying and help keep clean our unique and treasured oceans and natural resources. All missions of extreme importance for the country and my state as well. Senator Sullivan, who took the reins of last week's nomination hearing at the request of Chairman John Thune (R-SD), immediately took the opportunity to highlight the misguided practice to locate Alaska-based personnel, infrastructure and missions outside of the 49th state. Of the many examples currently in place, Sullivan highlighted two: the NOAA research vessel Fairweather, which by law must be homeported in Ketchikan but actually resides in Oregon; and the Alaska Regional Coordinator of NOAA's Marine Debris Program who is currently based in Seattle, WA. Sullivan on NOAA assets and personnel: No other Senator would tolerate such a situation (click here to watch). NOAA has entire offices that are directly focused on Alaska because we're so big and have so many important elements of the NOAA mission. Yet, so much of NOAA staffing and infrastructure for Alaska-based missions are not located in Alaska, said Sullivan. No other Senator would tolerate such a situation where an executive agency focuses exclusively on their state's weather and NOAA-related issues and aren't even based in that state. To be the most effective and cost effective to the taxpayer, NOAA staff and assets who work solely on Alaska issues must be in Alaska. The previous administration did little to work with me on this. I would like your commitment to help restore the agency's presence, as appropriate when working on Alaska issues, to be in Alaska. After receiving a full commitment to conduct a complete review and assessment on Alaska-based assets and personnel based outside of Alaska, Sullivan next received assurances from the NOAA nominee to work on addressing a growing seafood deficit facing both Alaska and the nation. Senator Sullivan discussing the importance of reducing barriers that place American seafood at a trade disadvantage (click here to watch). You mentioned in your opening statement the issue of seafood trade. I've appreciated Secretary Ross' emphasis on trying to doing something on the seafood trade deficit. The agencies under NOAA's purview have a lot to do with it, Sullivan stated. Will you work with me and other seafood exporters to reduce barriers that put us at a completive disadvantage with regard to other countries? Sullivan closed by focusing on the longstanding issue of updating Alaska's and the nation's backlog of hydrographic charting and surveys. Sullivan emphasizing the need for leadership to resolve the nation's growing hydrographic survey backlog (click here to watch). One other area that impacts Alaska, but it impacts the whole country, is the issue of hydrographic surveying, Sullivan said. There are parts of my state that still rely on charts and data collected back in the 1800's when Russia was still in charge of Alaska. There's a potential to address the backlog of hydrographic surveying in Alaska, but also throughout the entire country, through partnerships with the private sector. But, there's needed leadership for this to happen. Will you work with the committee to aggressively reduce the charting backlog and increase the use of public private partnerships to achieve this goal in terms of upgrading hydrographic surveying across the country? Like many of the answer before, Sullivan received a brief, but definitive commitment to work to resolve this outstanding issue. Yes I will Senator, said Mr. Myers. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-congratulates-congressman-young-on-becoming-dean-of-the-house-and-tax/anwr-conferee,Sullivan Congratulates Congressman Young on Becoming Dean of the House and Tax/ANWR Conferee,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.17 Sullivan Congratulates Congressman Young on Becoming Dean of the House and Tax/ANWR Conferee WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following video congratulating Congressman Don Young (R-AK) on becoming the Dean of House, the most senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives, in addition to being named by Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) to serve on the conference committee responsible for producing final tax and ANWR legislation. Senator Sullivan congratulating Congressman Young (click photo orhereto watch) To my fellow Alaskans, I wanted to highlight what an important day it is today forCongressman Don Young the Congressman for all Alaska. You know he's a great partner. SenatorMurkowski and I work super closely with him. As a matter of fact, I was on the phone with him this morning alreadydiscussing strategy for our state and how to get big things done for our state. But what was announced today was two things the Speaker of the House announced that Congressman Young is going to be onthe Conference Committee for the tax reform bill that we passed in the Senatelast week. As many Alaskans, most Alaskans know, that also has a provision to openthe coastal plain of ANWR something we've been trying to do for over 40 years.I know Don Young is going to protect that provision in the Senate and make sure the Conference report has a strongANWR provision. He was also named, and became today, the Dean of the House the longest serving member of the House. 45 years representing Alaska and serving our great nation. So to Congressman Young, great job! We know you're doing such outstanding work for our state and our country. Here's to more great success. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399067,"Young Named to Powerful Conference Committee, Hand-Picked to Defend ANWR Title in Pro-Growth Tax Reform Measure",2017-12-04,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - Today, Alaska Congressman Don Young was named by House Speaker Paul Ryan to serve on the powerful Conference Committee tasked with producing the final terms of tax reform legislation that contains the pathway to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) coastal plain to responsible resource development. The House affirmed the Speaker's appointment of conferees by a vote of 222-192. ""This has always been a team effort, one that required our delegation to fire on all cylinders at each and every turn.  Now that we head to a Conference Committee - the group responsible for negotiating a pathway to the president's desk - I will do everything in my power to ensure this important moment to unlock ANWR's energy resources does not pass us by,” said Congressman Young.“It's been over 40 years since this battle began - a generation's long battle that is finally coming to a head. I thank Speaker Ryan and the House Leadership for recognizing my role in this important debate and for entrusting me to be part of the effort to craft an agreement that will positively improve the lives of Alaskans and Americans for generations to come. I commend the work of both Senator Murkowski and Senator Sullivan, the dedicated staff on the Energy Natural Resources Committee, and the countless Alaskans who have stood by our side to make this a reality. It's a remarkable place to be, especially given the dire straits we were in as an energy producing state only two years ago. Although we have faced many challenges and crossed many roadblocks, we as Alaskans have never been deterred. Our resilience and determination to win the day has never been stronger and I look forward to bringing Alaska the victory on ANWR they have long deserved. There is still a long way to go in our unified effort to unleash Alaska's true energy potential, but I am committed to getting this across the finish line."" Congressman Don Young, the longest serving House Republican, notably a member of the Conference Committee that yielded major impact to the Alaska economy and energy sector. In 1973, he served on the Conference Committee that negotiated the final terms of the Trans Alaska Pipeline Act, legislation that authorized the right-of-way and construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPs). Congressman Young has consistently worked with his colleagues to allow for responsible resource development in ANWR, leading the House to pass ANWR legislation on 12 separate occasions. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/senate-passes-comprehensive-tax-reform-bill-,Senate Passes Comprehensive Tax Reform Bill,2017-12-02,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.17 Senate Passes Comprehensive Tax Reform Bill Pro-Growth, Pro-Economy, Pro-Jobs U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) cast her vote in favor of the Hatch-Murkowski Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, comprehensive tax reform that aims to encourage the economic growth needed to create jobs and generate wealth, while reducing taxes. The legislation contains a section written by Senator Murkowski that opens a small portion of the non-wilderness 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for responsible energy development. The combination of developing more of our natural resources and stimulating America’s economy through tax cuts will create opportunities for our nation and put more dollars back into the pockets of hard-working Americans. “This bill provides relief for hardworking Alaskans and their families by doubling the standard deduction, increasing the child tax credit, and reducing the tax brackets at every income level. It stimulates economic growth and takes the actions we need to get the economy back on track,” said Senator Murkowski. “The hallmark of this bill is job creation - jobs that put food on the table and allows families the opportunity to put their children through college. The kind of jobs that allow Alaskans to build up their savings to cope with the unexpected and to retire with peace of mind. This bill provides a tremendous opportunity for small businesses, which make up 99 percent of the businesses in Alaska, making this a huge win for our state.”  Title II of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was written by Murkowski as chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, opens a small portion of the non-wilderness 1002 Area of ANWR for responsible energy development. It establishes an environmentally protective oil and gas development program with two lease sales required over the next ten years, and puts Alaska and the entire nation on a path toward greater economic prosperity for decades to come.  “Tonight is a critical milestone in our efforts to secure Alaska’s future,” Murkowski said. “Opening the 1002 Area and tax reform both stand on their own, but combining them into the same bill, and then successfully passing that bill, makes this a great day to be an Alaskan. I thank all of the Senators who spent time learning about our opportunities and needs, and who joined us tonight in voting for Alaska. We are grateful for their support and eager to take the next steps for this pro-jobs, pro-growth, and pro-energy legislation.” Additional Bill Highlights: Double the Standard Deduction: For an individual, the standard deduction goes from $6,350 to $12,000. For joint filers, it goes from $12,700 to $24,000. Double the Child Tax Credit: The child tax credit is doubled from the current $1,000 to $2,000, and more parents are allowed to claim the credit. Lower Tax Rates: Individual tax rates for middle-income Americans are reduced from 25 percent to 22 percent, 28 percent to 24 percent, and 33 percent to 32 percent, which will help taxpayers keep even more of their hard-earned money. The bill also makes permanent the 20 percent corporate tax rate. Small Business: Pass-Throughs: This bill enables small business owners to keep more of their hard earned dollars, as less of their income will be taxable. It allows owners of pass-throughs (S-corps, partnerships, limited liability companies and sole proprietorships) to deduct 23% of qualified pass-through income from their overall personal income tax liability. Section 179 Expensing: Allows businesses to deduct the full cost of a piece of equipment used in a business, rather than depreciating it over many years. The bill increases the section 179 expensing maximum deduction from $500,000 to $1,000,000. This will provide immediate and practical relief to business owners in every industry throughout Alaska, keeping pace with the reality of today’s business environment. Small Brewers: Cuts the excise tax on small brewers in half. With dozens of small brewers in Alaska and growing, this will make a positive impact on not only producers but also consumers. Home Mortgage Interest Deduction: The bill keeps current law treatment for mortgages taken in acquiring a home but repeals the deduction for interest with respect to home equity loans. Death Tax: Doubles the exemption amount for the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes from $5 million to $10 million. This will provide relief for many Alaskans such as fishermen with vessels, gear, permits, quota, and other business and personal capitalization. Individual Mandate Tax Penalty: Eliminates this burdensome tax penalty levied on people who couldn’t afford insurance or chose not to. By repealing the individual mandate, nothing else about the structure of the Affordable Care Act would be changed, those who qualify for subsidies will still be able to retain them. Settlement Trust Improvement Act: Includes an amendment by Senator Murkowski permitting Native Corporations to deduct from their taxable income the amount of any contribution of cash or assets that the Native Corporation makes to a Settlement Trust and to assign certain payments described in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) to a Settlement Trust without having to recognize any associated income, encouraging Native Corporations to make those contributions. Cruise Ships: Includes an amendment by Senator Sullivan to strike a tax hike that disproportionately impacted the Alaska economy and its workers, particularly in communities that rely on cruise ship tourism. For the many ports of call throughout the Inside Passage, and elsewhere across Alaska, this amendment was important to ensure local businesses and tourism reliant communities – who rely on the more than one million cruise ship passengers who visit Alaska each year – would not be negatively impacted by this bill. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/senate-passes-legislation-to-open-alaskas-1002-area,Senate Passes Legislation to Open Alaskas 1002 Area,2017-12-02,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.17 Senate Passes Legislation to Open Alaska’s 1002 Area Reconciliation Bill Will Create Jobs, Generate Revenues, Refill TAPS U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statements after the Senate passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which includes Murkowski’s title opening a small portion of the non-wilderness 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for responsible energy development. “Tonight is a critical milestone in our efforts to secure Alaska’s future,” Murkowski said. “Opening the 1002 Area and tax reform both stand on their own, but combining them into the same bill, and then successfully passing that bill, makes this a great day to be an Alaskan. I thank all of the Senators who spent time learning about our opportunities and needs, and who joined us tonight in voting for Alaska. We are grateful for their support and eager to take the next steps for this pro-jobs, pro-growth, and pro-energy legislation.” “Today’s historic vote is yet another milestone in bringing us that much closer to realizing a decades-long dream of opening the 1002 area of ANWR,” Sullivan said. “Although there is still work to be done, I’m optimistic we will succeed on the merits of our policy and the passion of our people. Allowing development in the coastal plain, an area specifically set aside for exploration and development, is a win for Alaska and a win for the nation. It will create thousands of good paying jobs, restore faith in our economy and drive investments in our communities. It will also help protect the global environment by producing energy at home using the most stringent of environmental standards, and will help strengthen our national security and foreign policy. Going forward, I will continue to work with Senator Murkowski and Congressman Young as a strong team for Alaska to at long last make this a reality for Alaska and the nation.” “I applaud the Senate for passing this much-needed legislation to reform our tax code and unlock more of Alaska’s energy potential,” Young said. “Alaska is home to a vast amount of natural resources, and through the development of ANWR, we will strengthen our economy by creating new jobs and generating new revenue. I am proud of the work that has been done by our Senators to overcome complex parliamentary hurdles and retain this important language in the bill. As we move forward, particularly through the Conference Committee process, I will work with my House colleagues to ensure Alaska’s interests are protected and our energy sector continues to be a global leader. This is crucial for the economic growth of our state and nation, but also for countless families, communities and small businesses.”  Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Title II of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was written by Murkowski, establishes an environmentally protective oil and gas development program in the non-wilderness 1002 Area, with two lease sales required over the next ten years. It was reported out of committee on a bipartisan basis on November 15, 2017. Murkowski and Sullivan both voted in support of the reconciliation bill. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-legislation-to-open-alaskas-1002-area,Senate Passes Legislation to Open Alaskas 1002 Area,2017-12-02,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statements after the Senate passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which includes Murkowski's title opening a small portion of the non-wilderness 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for responsible energy development. Tonight is a critical milestone in our efforts to secure Alaska's future, Murkowski said. Opening the 1002 Area and tax reform both stand on their own, but combining them into the same bill, and then successfully passing that bill, makes this a great day to be an Alaskan. I thank all of the Senators who spent time learning about our opportunities and needs, and who joined us tonight in voting for Alaska. We are grateful for their support and eager to take the next steps for this pro-jobs, pro-growth, and pro-energy legislation. Today's historic vote is yet another milestone in bringing us that much closer to realizing a decades-long dream of opening the 1002 area of ANWR, Sullivan said. Although there is still work to be done, I'm optimistic we will succeed on the merits of our policy and the passion of our people. Allowing development in the coastal plain, an area specifically set aside for exploration and development, is a win for Alaska and a win for the nation. It will create thousands of good paying jobs, restore faith in our economy and drive investments in our communities. It will also help protect the global environment by producing energy at home using the most stringent of environmental standards, and will help strengthen our national security and foreign policy. Going forward, I will continue to work with Senator Murkowski and Congressman Young as a strong team for Alaska to at long last make this a reality for Alaska and the nation. I applaud the Senate for passing this much-needed legislation to reform our tax code and unlock more of Alaska's energy potential,Young said. Alaska is home to a vast amount of natural resources, and through the development of ANWR, we will strengthen our economy by creating new jobs and generating new revenue. I am proud of the work that has been done by our Senators to overcome complex parliamentary hurdles and retain this important language in the bill.As we move forward, particularly through the Conference Committee process, I will work with my House colleagues to ensure Alaska's interests are protected and our energy sector continues to be a global leader. This is crucial for the economic growth of our state and nation, but also for countless families, communities and small businesses. Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Title II of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was written by Murkowski, establishes an environmentally protective oil and gas development program in the non-wilderness 1002 Area, with two lease sales required over the next ten years. It was reported out of committee on a bipartisan basis on November 15, 2017. Murkowski and Sullivan both voted in support of the reconciliation bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-praises-passage-of-legislation-to-unlock-tax-reform-and-1002-development,Sullivan Praises Passage of Legislation to Unlock Tax Reform and 1002 Development,2017-12-02,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.17 Sullivan Praises Passage of Legislation to Unlock Tax Reform and 1002 Development WASHINGTON, DC Today, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) offered his support for the passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as amended by the Senate, legislation to reform our nation's outdated tax code and unlock the energy resources in the 1002 Area of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). I was proud to cast a vote to reform our nation's outdated tax system, and to unleash America's energy potential by opening up the 1002 area of ANWR for energy production, said Senator Sullivan. This tax reform bill will go a long way in helping hard-working, middle-class Alaskans, who are suffering due to a recession. It will put more money in the pockets of middle-class Americans, will simplify our tax code, give a boost to our small businesses, and allow our companies to compete across the globe. For the last decade, the U.S. economy has been stagnant jobs have been lost, wages have been flat, more Americans have fallen into poverty and more Americans have lost faith in the ability to achieve their dreams. This bill, which will grow our economy, is essential for the future of Alaskan and American families, small businesses, and communities all across our country. Going forward, I'll continue to work with my colleagues in the House to ensure provisions that benefit Alaskan families particularly unlocking the rich energy resources in the 1002 area of ANWR remain in the bill and reach the President's desk. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-welcomes-epas-decision-not-to-impose-duplicative-mining-regulation,Murkowski Welcomes EPAs Decision Not to Impose Duplicative Mining Regulation,2017-12-01,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.01.17 Murkowski Welcomes EPA’s Decision Not to Impose Duplicative Mining Regulation U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement in support of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to not impose duplicative and burdensome financial assurance regulations on hardrock mines under the Superfund statute. EPA’s decision properly recognizes concerns raised by Congress, states, and small businesses, both well before and after the Obama administration released the draft CERCLA 108(b) rule in December 2016, as well as the strong requirements already in place at the state and federal levels to protect the environment. “I’m pleased the EPA took all of the facts into consideration and decided against imposing new, duplicative, and burdensome financial assurance requirements for hardrock mines,” Murkowski said. “Significant requirements are already in place at both the state and federal levels to ensure resources are available for mine cleanup and environmental protection. Today’s decision will protect mining jobs, our nation’s mineral security, and help ensure we can responsibly access the materials needed for our national defense, manufacturing, and other high-tech industries.” The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) have statutory responsibility for the development and administration of financial assurance requirements for hardrock mines on federal lands and have had requirements in place since 1981 and 1974, respectively. Both agencies often re-assess the sufficiency of existing financial assurances. In addition to these requirements, states have generally promulgated analogous standards for hardrock mines on non-federal lands. The Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy made clear that the Obama administration’s 2016 draft rule would “impose costly requirements on hardrock mines owned by small firms, without evidence that a problem exists warranting intervention.” Murkowski is chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Interior-EPA Appropriations Subcommittee. She has strongly opposed EPA’s CERCLA 108(b) regulations since the Obama administration began work on them in 2011. The agency previously released an unworkable draft rule in December 2016.  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=399066,Alaska Delegation Praises Passage of Tribal Employment and Training Legislation,2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young released the following statements praising the unanimous Senate passage of H.R. 228, legislation to strengthen and reform a comprehensive Native employment and training program commonly known as the “477 Program.” The legislation, championed by a united Alaska delegation, marks Young’s second to reach the President’s desk during the 115th Congress. “The 477 Program has proven to be an innovative and effective tool in providing education and training opportunities aimed to improve the quality of life in every region of Alaska. I am proud the Senate has recognized the importance of this program to support self-sufficiency, create jobs, and expand employment opportunities for American Indians and Alaska Natives nationwide,” Senator Murkowski said. “I am so pleased Congress has once again recognized the importance of this program and I look forward to it being signed by the President. I am also thrilled that this will be the first Native American bill passed this Congress.” “The 477 Program has been a great success for over two decades benefitting Alaska Natives and Native Americans throughout the nation,” Senator Sullivan said. “The 477 is a proven example of promoting self-determination while cutting red tape. The 477 program supports lowering the unemployment rate in Alaska, and throughout the nation, by providing workforce development services in some of the most impoverished areas. The 477 program is an example of how the federal government can streamline their processes to better work with those providing services on the ground. I am proud that the Senate passed this legislation; one step closer to expanding and making permanent this model program.” “After more than 5 years of work developing and advancing this legislation, I’m happy to see it head to the President’s desk to be signed into law,” said Congressman Young. “This would not be possible without the delegation’s dedicated efforts to navigate the bill to final passage.  Our legislation is what tribal self-determination is all about – empowering Native communities to craft the best solutions for their unique education and training needs.  I commend the 477 Tribal Work Group and the many individual tribes and tribal organizations that have fought tirelessly for these policy improvements over the years.  This is Indian country’s victory.” “The 477 program is one of the best tools that we have available to allow Native communities in Alaska and across the nation to effectively invest in their communities. It allows us to negotiate grants and contracts across all departments, consolidate them into a single plan, program and budget, and then maximize programs that respond best to community need,” said Gloria O’Neill, President and CEO of Cook Inlet Tribal Council. “This allows us to invest more program dollars directly into the community, so that we can be more creative and work in a much more efficient and productive manner, connecting people to their full potential.” The Senate-passed H.R. 228, the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2017, was introduced by Congressman Young and passed in the House on February 27, 2017. Senator Murkowski and Senator Sullivan both sponsored S.91, a Senate companion bill to H.R. 228. The legislation, which moves to the President’s desk for signature, improves and makes permanent the 477 program, expands the types and sources of funding available, resolves plan approval and appeal processes, and ensures that funds will be transferred and require only one report.  The 477 Program is unique in that it allows federally-recognized tribes and Alaska Native entities to combine formula-funded federal grant funds into a single plan with a single budget and a single reporting system. The legislation allows for implementation of plans for the purpose of economic development, job training, welfare-to-work and tribal work experience, higher education, skill development, facilitation of employment, assisting Indian youth and adults to succeed in the workforce, and encouraging self-sufficiency. The legislation authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Interior to cooperate with the Attorney General, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Education, Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Transportation, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs on coordination of federally-funded employment, training, and related services programs. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-praises-passage-of-tribal-employment-and-training-legislation,Alaska Delegation Praises Passage of Tribal Employment and Training Legislation,2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.30.17 Alaska Delegation Praises Passage of Tribal Employment and Training Legislation Bill Empowers Tribes and Tribal Organizations to Offer Innovative Workforce Development Initiatives Across Alaska U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young released the following statements praising the unanimous Senate passage of H.R. 228, legislation to strengthen and reform a comprehensive Native employment and training program commonly known as the “477 Program.” The legislation, championed by a united Alaska delegation, marks Young’s second to reach the President’s desk during the 115th Congress. “The 477 Program has proven to be an innovative and effective tool in providing education and training opportunities aimed to improve the quality of life in every region of Alaska. I am proud the Senate has recognized the importance of this program to support self-sufficiency, create jobs, and expand employment opportunities for American Indians and Alaska Natives nationwide,” Senator Murkowski said. “I am so pleased Congress has once again recognized the importance of this program and I look forward to it being signed by the President. I am also thrilled that this will be the first Native American bill passed this Congress.” “The 477 Program has been a great success for over two decades benefitting Alaska Natives and Native Americans throughout the nation,” Senator Sullivan said. “The 477 is a proven example of promoting self-determination while cutting red tape. The 477 program supports lowering the unemployment rate in Alaska, and throughout the nation, by providing workforce development services in some of the most impoverished areas. The 477 program is an example of how the federal government can streamline their processes to better work with those providing services on the ground. I am proud that the Senate passed this legislation; one step closer to expanding and making permanent this model program.” “After more than 5 years of work developing and advancing this legislation, I’m happy to see it head to the President’s desk to be signed into law,” said Congressman Young. “This would not be possible without the delegation’s dedicated efforts to navigate the bill to final passage.  Our legislation is what tribal self-determination is all about – empowering Native communities to craft the best solutions for their unique education and training needs.  I commend the 477 Tribal Work Group and the many individual tribes and tribal organizations that have fought tirelessly for these policy improvements over the years.  This is Indian country’s victory.” “The 477 program is one of the best tools that we have available to allow Native communities in Alaska and across the nation to effectively invest in their communities. It allows us to negotiate grants and contracts across all departments, consolidate them into a single plan, program and budget, and then maximize programs that respond best to community need,” said Gloria O’Neill, President and CEO of Cook Inlet Tribal Council. “This allows us to invest more program dollars directly into the community, so that we can be more creative and work in a much more efficient and productive manner, connecting people to their full potential.” The Senate-passed H.R. 228, the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2017, was introduced by Congressman Young and passed in the House on February 27, 2017. Senator Murkowski and Senator Sullivan both sponsored S.91, a Senate companion bill to H.R. 228. The legislation, which moves to the President’s desk for signature, improves and makes permanent the 477 program, expands the types and sources of funding available, resolves plan approval and appeal processes, and ensures that funds will be transferred and require only one report.  The 477 Program is unique in that it allows federally-recognized tribes and Alaska Native entities to combine formula-funded federal grant funds into a single plan with a single budget and a single reporting system. The legislation allows for implementation of plans for the purpose of economic development, job training, welfare-to-work and tribal work experience, higher education, skill development, facilitation of employment, assisting Indian youth and adults to succeed in the workforce, and encouraging self-sufficiency. The legislation authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Interior to cooperate with the Attorney General, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Education, Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Transportation, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs on coordination of federally-funded employment, training, and related services programs 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/floor-speech-reconciliation-legislation,FLOOR SPEECH: Reconciliation Legislation,2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.30.17 FLOOR SPEECH: Reconciliation Legislation Thank you, Mr. President.  I appreciate the fact that I’m able to follow my colleague from South Carolina who has described and encapsulated in pretty simple terms what this proposal is before us, this tax proposal is, is good for the country.  It’s good for American families. It’s good for Alaskan families and South Carolina, and I’m pleased to be able to join my colleagues this afternoon in support of the reconciliation legislation that we have pending before us.  I happen to believe that the tax reform title will help our families keep more of their hard earned dollars.  I think it will make American businesses more competitive.   I am also proud to be the author of the energy title, contained within this measure, that works to strengthen our long-term energy security. I think it’s important that we look at the moment here, recognize the magnitude of this moment —once in a generation do we have the opportunity to take a hard look at our economy, the role that Congress can play in encouraging true growth, and then take the action that we need to get the economy back on track. Our historic tax reform effort will grow Alaska’s and the nation’s economy.  And when you look at it from the broader view, from a thousand-foot view, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a pro-economy, pro-growth, and pro-jobs proposal reduces taxes and puts dollars back in the pockets of hard-working Americans at every income level. When you think about all that does in terms of boosting the economy to create jobs—jobs that feed our families, that help us put our kids through college.  The kind of jobs that allow folks to build up their savings to cope with the unexpected, to retire with peace of mind, and give flexibility to be the great innovators that we are in this country. What we see in this proposal are meaningful developments in the tax code to provide substantive relief to Americans across the economic spectrum.  In Alaska, a family of four with two kids, earning $50,000 that uses the standard deduction will see a tax decrease of $1,400.  If that same family earned about $75,000, their tax liability would be reduced by $2,000. The Child Tax Credit, the benefit that we see from near doubling that tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000, being refundable, expanding the eligibility to children under 18 years old.  This expansion is a significant form of help to the 22 million Americans who use the Child Tax Credit. In terms of simplifying the tax code—how often do we hear our constituents say “just make it simpler for us.” Making it simpler, fair tax treatment for individuals in every income bracket, again, this is a proposal that delivers.  Most Americans take advantage of the standard deduction and this Act doubles the standard deduction, resulting in a $12,000 deduction for single filers and $24,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly. I focus a lot on the families in Alaska, we don’t happen to have a lot of large corporations, but when you look to the benefits contained within this proposal and the impact that they have on our larger businesses, our corporations, it is significant.  Recognizing that the steps we are taking to lower the corporate rate, to allow us to be more competitive, not only in this country but globally, all we need to do is really look to what we are seeing already with the uptick in businesses and how we can be doing more to further incentivize that.  I think we recognize that lower corporate will allow American businesses to compete against foreign competitors, and make the investments in American operations that will bring the jobs and economic growth that have eluded us for years. In Alaska, 99.6 percent of our businesses are small businesses; they’re taxed at the individual rate.  So the discussion that we have had with regards to allowing of pass-through small businesses to be able to deduct an additional percent of their business income from their taxes, this is a significant benefit for our entrepreneurs and one that I certainly endorse. Some of the other provisions that help our businesses — the100 percent immediate full business expensing for the next five years, the expansion of the Section 179 small business expensing — these incentivize the kind of foundational investments that implement long-term plans, that help to expand operations, and encourage businesses to take the risks needed to create lasting economic growth. And the bill also helps our smaller businesses protect what they’ve built; and when someone passes on, the ability to be able to pass to that next generation.  What we have done with the doubling of the exemption for the estate tax is important.  There’s been a lot of discussion about the benefit that is seen with this particular provision on our farmers.  In Alaska, we don’t have a big agriculture section of our state, but we view our fisherman as the as farmers or ranchers of the sea, truly small businessman.  When you think about the investment that a fishing family makes, in a vessel, in the gear, in the permits, in the quota, you can have a significant investment totaling millions of dollars, $7 or $8 million.  It’s about $1 million when you think about the quota and the permits.  So recognizing how we are able to provide for just a little bit of relief to those smaller families, I don’t think they would consider themselves millionaires in terms of having that disposable income, but being able to pass that hard work that you have built as a small family operator in a fishing business is important, and it’s significant. Bottom-line, Mr. President, this is a proposal that does the work.  It does work for Alaska families.  It gets dollars in pockets and relief to families.  It will help restore competition in the global marketplace, certainty to job creators, and also confidence that now is the time to invest in America. So I thank the members of the Finance Committee, the good work done by Chairman Hatch, for the work that they have done on tax reform.  I’d also thank the members of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, who worked with me to report the second title of this legislation and to report it on a bipartisan basis.  We’ve got a very straightforward text—just six pages in total, which is pretty impressive in this day in age—this small package offers tremendous opportunity for Alaska, for the Gulf Coast, and for all of our nation.  Within this title we authorize responsible energy development in the 1002 Area, this covers 1.57 million acres of land in the non-wilderness portion of ANWR in the northeastern corner of the state. We require the program to be managed in a manner similar to the environmentally protective framework that is used for other federal lands on Alaska’s North Slope.  It also provides two lease sales to be conducted over the next ten years.  In terms of how the revenues are shared, we split the revenues from development evenly between the federal government and the State of Alaska.  We have limited surface development to just 2,000 federal acres within the 1002 Area—this is just 1/10,000th of all of ANWR.  Again, we are talking about a very limited surface development to just 2,000 federal acres within the 1002 Area. Many have raised concerns about the environmental process, does it get sidestepped; not at all.  We have not preempted the environmental review process.  We have not limited the consultation process with Alaska Natives in any way.  All relevant laws, regulations, and executive orders will apply under our language. I think it’s important to recognize this is not something that just appeared.  Our title is the result of a regular order process here in the Senate, and it will include a regular order environmental process, with laws like NEPA all fully applied, after we pass it.  We also strengthened our bipartisan title in committee, during our regular order markup, by adding a bipartisan amendment sponsored by Senators Cassidy, Strange, and King.  Their provision will increase revenue sharing for the Gulf Coast and be used for priorities like coastal restoration and hurricane protection—we’ve all seen that given the hurricanes that they have endured in the Gulf region this year, there is certainly need for this critical investment. The 1002 Area, in the northeast corner of Alaska, is a long way from the Gulf Coast—but it will also bring substantial benefits to every part of our nation. With this provision, we will generate substantial revenues for long-term deficit reduction—well over $100 billion over the life of the fields.  I think that’s important to keep it into context, we’re talking not just about short-term within this window, but what will come our way over the life of the fields in terms of revenues to the country. We’re going to create jobs—thousands of them, and not just in Alaska, but all really all over the country.  We will reduce our foreign oil dependence—and this is important because we are projected to remain a net importer long into the future—and in states like California, our foreign dependence has actually deepened as we have seen Alaska’s production decline.  So this means for them, jobs and revenues as well. And of course you cannot talk about energy security without recognizing the benefits to our country’s national security, and what this yields. We’re also taking a major step to make energy more affordable.  The fact of the matter is the world is using more oil, and not less.  Our prices are rising.  OPEC would like to keep it that way, regardless of the consequences for America.  Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency, among others, is warning of a looming shortfall in global supply.  We’ve seen the price spikes and disorder that result when we fail to respond. I think we recognize that these are all significant benefits—jobs, revenues, national security, affordability.  But we should be equally confident that this will not come at the expense of our environment, simply because we have the technologies, the new developments, that really have worked to dramatically reduce the footprint of development, smaller than ever.  The size of development pads on Alaska’s North Slope has decreased by roughly 80 percent since we began operations in the 70s.  New technologies have expanded the subsurface reach of the newest rigs by more than 4,000 percent.  Folks have seen the various charts we have had on the floor that show just how far we are able to reach below the surface from one single well.  If you were to drop a drill down below the Capitol here, extended reach technology can take you all the way out to National Harbor, just to put things in context here.  So the technologies allow us to have a much, much smaller footprint.  Many exploration wells are now built using ice roads and ice pads that melt when the spring thaw comes, leaving no impact on the tundra.  So making sure that we are being environmentally conscious at every turn is what we do, is a priority for us, in Alaska. We hear baseless claims of destruction and devastation, but the reality is that is not our experience in Alaska, that is not how we do business, and we need less land to access more resources than ever before.  That’s the reality in Alaska today. Alaskans understand this.  That’s why there are so many of us that so strongly support this development.  Our entire congressional delegation.  Our independent Governor and our Democratic Lieutenant Governor.  Alaska Natives who live on the North Slope, including in Kaktovik, which is actually in the 1002 Area; some people say that this is an area that is untouched, unspoiled, but you need to talk to the people who live in Kaktovik who fly in on the airstrip there, whose children attend the school, who work in the clinic, these are people who also support development. The Voice of the Arctic Inupiat.  The North Slope Borough.  Dozens of our state legislators.  Hundreds and hundreds of Alaskans have called or written in support of this effort—which is no surprise, because about 70 percent of Alaskans support responsible energy development in the non-wilderness 1002 Area. They’re joined by a variety of national stakeholders.  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  The National Association of Manufacturers.  Americans for Prosperity.  Securing America’s Future Energy.  North America’s Building Trades.  The Laborers’ International Union of North America.  The International Union of Operating Engineers.  Just to name a few.                   There are some who worry about the potential impacts of development in the 1002 Area, and I will be the first to agree that the environment and local wildlife will always be a concern, always be a priority—and that’s why we did not waive NEPA or any other environmental laws.  And that’s why consultation requirements with our Alaska Native peoples will apply.  And that’s why surface development will cover up to, but no more than, 2,000 federal acres. Fact of the matter is, Mr. President, we will not sacrifice wildlife or the environment for the sake of development.  But we also recognize: that’s not the choice we face here.  This is not an either or proposition.  This has not been the experience in Prudhoe Bay, where the Central Arctic caribou herd has grown more than seven-fold since development began.  And it comes because we are taking the care as we seek to develop.    If we are allowed to move forward with development, we will do it right.  We will take care of our lands, we will take care of our wildlife, and we will take care of our people.  I would not support development if I was not convinced that it can be done safely and responsibly.  I was born in Alaska.  I think I’m the first senator serving who was ever born in Alaska, actually in the Territory of Alaska.  It will always be my home.  My husband I have raised our boys there, and we hope they lead a long and a healthy life in this amazing and beautiful place. We know that there is no one who cares more about our place, these spaces, than those who call it home.  We love this place, and we will not risk its future for the sake of development.  But again, we know that’s not the case here.  We know that is not the trade-off here.  We know that this is not an either-or proposition. The 1002 Area was created by a congressional compromise.  We always knew that its future would require another compromise.  And today, we have it before us.  We are not asking to develop all of the 1002 Area, we are asking instead 2,000 federal acres, about one ten-thousandth of ANWR.  And we have waited for nearly 40 years for the right technologies to come along, so that the footprint of development is small enough to ensure the environment is protected going forward. So Mr. President, I encourage members to recognize the tremendous opportunity that we have before us.  Clear from my words today and that leading up to it, that I support this legislation—and encourage every member to vote in favor of its passage.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399065,Congressman Young Names New Press Secretary,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – This week, Alaska Congressman Don Young welcomed Murphy McCollough to serve as Press Secretary and spokesman in his Washington, D.C. office. Murphy, a Texas native who most recently worked for Congressman John Culberson (R-TX), arrives following the departure of Matthew Shuckerow, who recently left to serve as Deputy Communication Director for Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK). “I welcome Murphy McCollough as my new Press Secretary and spokesman and invite the Alaska media to get to know her in the coming weeks and months,” said Congressman Don Young. “Murphy’s experience in communications and politics makes her an excellent choice to fill this demanding and often underappreciated role. I look forward to working with her closely as we continue our service to the Alaskan people.” Young continued, “Like the many before him, Matt Shuckerow will always be a valued member of my team. I wish him the best as he returns to the Senate and continues his work on behalf of the Alaskan people. His integrity, passion and dedication will be missed, but a welcome addition to Senator Sullivan’s team.” Murphy McCollough previously served as Deputy Press Secretary for Representative John Culberson (R-TX), where she helped shaped a wide range of policy and communications strategy. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., Murphy worked as a legislative aide in the Texas State Legislature. Murphy is a graduate of Texas A&M University and is currently completing her master’s in Strategic Public Relations from the George Washington University. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/senator-murkowski-statement-on-senate-tax-reform-legislation,Senator Murkowski Statement on Senate Tax Reform Legislation,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.29.17 Senator Murkowski Statement on Senate Tax Reform Legislation After thoroughly reviewing the good work of the Finance Committee, I intend to support the reconciliation legislation that is now before the Senate. Because the bill includes provisions originating in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Alaskans can expect to see me co-managing it with my colleagues, Budget Chairman Mike Enzi and Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch. The bill before us has a number of features that are very attractive to Alaskans. It lowers tax rates, doubles the child tax credit, and provides tax relief for many families by doubling the standard deduction. It promotes economic growth, employment, and investment by improving the tax code for corporations and small businesses. And it removes the tax penalty for those who do not wish to purchase health insurance that they cannot afford or that offers little value to them. Of course, the bill also includes a title that I am proud to have written, to open a small portion of the non-wilderness 1002 Area in ANWR in northeast Alaska to responsible energy production. We still have work to do on this legislation and I look forward to the debate on the Senate floor and my colleagues’ ideas to further improve it. Outside of the tax legislation, we must enact healthcare reforms to help stabilize the individual market. The Alexander-Murray bill helps to accomplish that, and as an original cosponsor of that effort, I will continue to encourage the President and my colleagues to act swiftly on it. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-outlines-support-for-pro-growth-tax-measure-before-senate,Sullivan Outlines Support for Pro-Growth Tax Measure Before Senate,2017-11-28,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.28.17 Sullivan Outlines Support for Pro-Growth Tax Measure Before Senate What's uniting Republicans is the desire to let middle class families bring home more pay WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) today expressed his support for the Senate tax overhaul also known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Senator Sullivan spoke in favor of the comprehensive, pro-growth tax package, particularly his interest in stimulating new economic growth and empowering American families with more money in their pockets. The measure, which passed the Senate Budget Committee today and is expected to be considered on the Senate floor later this week, is designed to address years of anemic economic growth, encourage new investments across the country, lower taxes on American taxpayers, and increase wages for American workers. Watch Senator Sullivan's interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer (click here to watch). BLITZER: We're following multiplebreaking stories this hour,including passage of theSenate Republican tax overhaulbill by the Budget Committee. Setting the stage for a vote by the full Senate. President Trump went to Capitol Hill today to personally pressure Republican holdouts.We're back with RepublicanSenator Dan Sullivan of Alaska.He's a key member of the ArmedServices Committee.He supports the tax overhaulbill.Are you comfortable, though,Senator, with a bill that wouldadd, according to theCongressional Budget Office,$1.4 Trillion to the nationaldebt over the next ten years? SULLIVAN: Well, look, that score by theCBO, Wolf, takes into account they estimate that our economicgrowth with that score would be1.9% over the next ten years.I think that vastlyunderestimates what we can do inthis economy.You know, one of the things thatis so important about this taxbill is we've got to get thiseconomy growing again.We've had a lost decade ofeconomic growth.About less than 2% GDP growth. We can get to 3%, 3.5% economic growth.We're going to do that and thosedeficits won't be such achallenge.We'll have much more of anopportunity for bringing in morerevenue.And, look, that brings anotherpoint.Everybody is saying who is goingto benefit?I think the person who is goingto benefit the most is theperson who doesn't have a jobnow, who is going to get onebecause of the strong growthwe're going to see out of thiseconomy. BLITZER: What happens if your upbeatassessment turns out to beincorrect and there isn't thekind of 3%, 4% growth that youanticipate, but it gets backunder 2%.Would you support a snapbackprovision to snap back some ofthe tax cuts in order to dealwith a huge budget deficit? SULLIVAN: Well, look, that wasdiscussed at the lunch todayand, you know, the Presidentcame to Capitol Hill and it wasa very good lunch.It was a good discussion.A lot of back and forth.That topic itself was raised bySenator Corker, SenatorLankford, and it's somethingthat I'm certainly looking atbecause it raises an importantpoint.I think we're going to get backto levels, we're alreadystarting to see it, traditionallevels of growth 3%, 3.5% that we need particularly interms of the middle class.They haven't seen strong growthin over a decade.The tax bill is going to be akey part of that.That's why a lot of people areexcited about it. BLITZER: You're potentially open tothat snapback provision? SULLIVAN: I am. BLITZER: Did the decision for ChuckSchumer and Nancy Pelosi to backout of their scheduled WhiteHouse meeting with the Presidenttoday help unite Republicans toget this bill through the BudgetCommittee? SULLIVAN: Look, I was not aware of thatdecision during the discussionat lunch.I think what's unitingRepublicans is the desire to letmiddle class families bring homemore pay.Put more money in the pockets ofAmericans.To me that's what this tax billis all about and growing theeconomy.I think that's what's unitingRepublicans across the board.I think you saw good momentum atthe lunch today, good discussionyou saw coming out of that luncha lot of member who's haddiffering views.They're starting to cometogether.We still have more work to do,but the Budget Committee's votetoday was an important step. ### Press Contact Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/donnelly-and-murkowski-push-for-national-health-service-corps-expansion-to-combat-opioid-abuse,Donnelly and Murkowski Push for National Health Service Corps Expansion to Combat Opioid Abuse,2017-11-20,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.20.17 Donnelly and Murkowski Push for National Health Service Corps Expansion to Combat Opioid Abuse Senators’ bipartisan approach would help rural and underserved areas that lack adequate substance abuse treatment providers U.S. Senators Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today called on Senate leaders to do more to combat substance use disorders and the workforce shortage facing treatment providers in rural and underserved communities. Donnelly and Murkowski sent a letter asking for more resources to be dedicated to the addiction treatment workforce shortage and for the reauthorization and expansion of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) student loan repayment and forgiveness program to include addiction treatment facilities. In June, Donnelly and Murkowski introduced the Strengthening the Addiction Treatment Workforce Act, which would make addiction treatment facilities eligible for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) student loan repayment and forgiveness program. Donnelly and Murkowski said, in part in their letter to Senate leaders, “As you know our country is currently experiencing an opioid crisis…The epidemic has been particularly devastating in underserved areas that lack adequate treatment providers… In response to President Trump’s public health emergency declaration, we strongly encourage you to move quickly to reauthorize this program, increase its funding, and expand eligible treatment facilities to include addiction treatment as outlined in our bill the Strengthening the Addiction Treatment Workforce Act.…The President was right to declare the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency, but additional progress will require Congress to invest more in addiction treatment and recovery efforts, especially in rural and underserved areas.” The full letter can be read below or by clicking here. November 20, 2017 Senator Mitch McConnell United States Capitol Building Senator Charles E. Schumer United States Capitol Building Dear Leader McConnell and Leader Schumer, As you know our country is currently experiencing an opioid crisis. In our home states of Indiana and Alaska, the epidemic has been particularly devastating in underserved areas that lack adequate treatment providers. While we welcome President Trump’s recent declaration of a public health emergency, there is more that Congress can do to help those struggling with opioid addiction.  Programs like the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) are specifically designed to encourage health professionals to work in medically underserved areas. The authorization for the NHSC, however, recently expired on September 30, 2017. In response to President Trump’s public health emergency declaration, we strongly encourage you to move quickly to reauthorize this program, increase its funding, and expand eligible treatment facilities to include addiction treatment as outlined in our bill the Strengthening the Addiction Treatment Workforce Act. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 22 million Americans aged 12 or older have experienced a substance use disorder, such as opioid addiction. However, only 1 in 10 people receive addiction treatment services, in part due to a shortage in the addiction treatment workforce. In order to address this challenge, we have introduced the bipartisan Strengthening the Addiction Treatment Workforce Act. This bill would help address the shortage of providers who treat people battling substance use disorders by making addiction treatment facilities eligible for the NHSC student loan repayment and forgiveness program. Qualifying facilities must be primarily engaged in serving individuals living with or in recovery from substance use disorders, and have a license, certification, or accreditation required by the state. The facility must also provide, at a minimum, outpatient counseling, FDA-approved medication-assisted treatment, other evidence-based ambulatory services, or residential treatment services, and other evidence-based opioid addiction treatment and recovery services. Our bill would allow addiction treatment facilities to attract and retain a well-trained workforce in medically underserved areas and expand the number of health care providers, including nurses, social workers, counselors, psychologists, and therapists, who care for people struggling with substance use disorders. The President was right to declare the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency, but additional progress will require Congress to invest more in addiction treatment and recovery efforts, especially in rural and underserved areas. We look forward to working with you on these efforts. Sincerely, Joe Donnelly United States Senator Lisa Murkowski United States Senator Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-releases-fy2018-interior-environment-appropriations-bill-,"Murkowski Releases FY2018 Interior, Environment Appropriations Bill",2017-11-20,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.20.17 Murkowski Releases FY2018 Interior, Environment Appropriations Bill Prioritizing Health, Protecting Lands, and Improving Safety Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released her Fiscal Year 2018 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act recommendation, which supports key programs to protect the health of our economy. Known as the chairman’s mark, the draft recommends responsible funding levels and serves as the basis of the subcommittee’s appropriations bill negotiations for the new fiscal year. “This bill will empower Americans to build our economy and create healthy communities for our families. As chairman, I’ve worked hard to address key priorities, from ensuring our parks are adequately staffed, to prioritizing healthcare through IHS, and focusing on public safety,” said Senator Murkowski. “In this draft bill, we direct federal resources where they are needed by investing in programs aimed to protect people and our lands, enable new infrastructure projects to boost the economy, and help communities provide vital, basic services.”  Click here for text of Draft FY2018 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee controls funding levels for federal agencies and departments such as 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). Murkowski, as Chairman, is able to write the Senate’s annual appropriations bill for the Subcommittee.  Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-names-deputy-communications-director,Sullivan Names Deputy Communications Director,2017-11-20,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.20.17 Sullivan Names Deputy Communications Director ANCHORAGE, AK U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK)today announced the addition ofMatthew Shuckerowto his Washington, D.C. office, where he will serve as Deputy Communications Director. Shuckerow, who returns to the U.S. Senate after four years as Alaska Congressman Don Young's Communications Director, will serve as the primary spokesman and principal media contact for Senator Sullivan. Matt Shuckerow is a familiar face to many in the Alaska media and has proven himself to be a seasoned professional and communicator, said Senator Sullivan. Having served our congressional delegation well for years, I'm confident he will continue to make an impactful difference as we grow our outreach and message with Alaskans. I thank Congressman Young for sharing this valuable member of his team and look forward to putting Matt's experience and knowledge to work for Alaska. Matt Shuckerow was born in Kodiak, AK, and raised in Anchorage, AK. He is a graduate of A.J. Dimond High School in Anchorage and holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno. Prior to working for Congressman Don Young, Shuckerow served in various roles for Senator Lisa Murkowski before ascending to the position of Press Secretary. Matt Shuckerow can be reached at matt_shuckerow@sullivan.senate.gov ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-statement-on-designation-of-north-korea-as-a-state-sponsor-of-terrorism,Sullivan Statement on Designation of North Korea as a State Sponsor of Terrorism,2017-11-20,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.20.17 Sullivan Statement on Designation of North Korea as a State Sponsor of Terrorism ANCHORAGE, AK U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on the Trump administration's decision to designate North Korea as an official state sponsor of terrorism: I commend President Trump's decision to designate North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. Under the reign of Kim Jong-un, North Korea's provocative actions have only increased, and today's designation to further isolate this rogue regime sends a strong message to our allies and adversaries that we take this threat seriously and will use every tool at our disposal to hold this tyrannical despot accountable. ### Press Contact Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-convenes-hearing-to-review-us-coast-guard-operations-and-readiness-underscores-need-for-king-cove-road,"Sullivan Convenes Hearing to Review U.S. Coast Guard Operations and Readiness, Underscores Need for King Cove Road",2017-11-17,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.17.17 Sullivan Convenes Hearing to Review U.S. Coast Guard Operations and Readiness, Underscores Need for King Cove Road USCG Commandant: I can't foot stomp loud enough the criticality of building out this 11-mile stretch of road. WASHINGTON, DC Yesterday, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard, convened a hearing to review the readiness and operational performance of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), particularly in light of numerous natural disasters and storms that may have stretched the multi-mission service beyond its limits. Highlighted throughout the hearing were numerous discussions on Alaska-focused priorities and concerns, including the development of icebreakers, the home of future Coast Guard assets, and the ongoing need to build the King Cove road. Senator Sullivan chairs a hearing to discuss Coast Guard readiness and operations (click here to watch) Today's hearing was an important step in reviewing the real world needs and operational requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard, Senator Sullivan said following the hearing Not only did this serve as an opportunity to further review readiness, revitalization, needs for infrastructure and assets, it also served as a moment to highlight the critical work being done by our men and women of the Coast Guard to protect our coastal communities, waterways and oceans. Importantly, this hearing featured key testimony from both Admiral Zukunft and Etta Kuzakin of King Cove on the need to build the 11-mile, life-saving road between King Cove and Cold Bay a project we're working to approve through all means necessary. Among witnesses testifying were Admiral Paul Zukunft, Commandant of the USCG, who spoke broadly to the various challenges facing Coast Guard operations, assets and missions, and directly addressed his unabashed support for building the 11-mile, one lane, gravel road between the communities of King Cove and Cold Bay. Admiral Zukunft speaking on the need to build the King Cove Road (click here to watch) I sincerely appreciate your leadership on this very critical issues that is not widely known in the 48 contiguous states, Admiral Zukunft said in response to questions from Senator Sullivan. You and I saw this 11-mile stretch. This is very attainable at a very moderate cost, but you can't put a dollar sign on a life. To a community, this is not a highly trafficked area to begin with. I cannot foot stomp loud enough the criticality of building out this 11-mile stretch of road and providing the lifeline that this community needs to high level healthcare. The hearing's second panel heard directly from King Cove resident Etta Kuzakin, who in 2013 was rescued by the USCG in extreme weather conditions while 34 weeks pregnant. Kuzakin spoke passionately of her admiration for the men and women of the USCG, who she credits with saving her life and the life of her unborn child, and for the need to bring this longstanding injustice to a close for the sake of the people of King Cove and the men and women of the Coast Guard. Etta Kuzakin, President of the Agdaguxx Tribe and resident of King Cove, tells of her rescue by the USCG (click here to watch) Today, I am speaking to you not only as President of the Agdaguux Tribe, but as a mother who nearly lost my youngest child and possibly my own life, were it not for the courageous men and women of the Coast Guard who came to my rescue more than four and a half years ago, Kuzakin stated in her opening remarks. Our notoriously harsh and unpredictable weather on the Alaska Peninsula means that some Coast Guard medevacs are not only dangerous for patients, but also for the Coast Guard. At least 30 percent of the time, flights are delayed or cancelled because of gale-force winds, snow squalls or dense fog. Yet, time and time again, the Coast Guard has come to our rescue when no one else could. We're hopeful that in the near future, we'll have a single-lane gravel road connecting our isolated community to the nearby all-weather Cold Bay Airport, providing a safe and reliable transportation alternative. Since the 2013 denial of the King Cove road by former Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell, the community has experienced 68 medevacs, including 17 by the Coast Guard. Senator Sullivan and the Alaska congressional delegation have long pushed to resolve this issue both administratively and legislatively through the introduction of the King Cove Land Exchange Act. In August 2017, Senator Sullivan and Admiral Zukunft traveled to King Cove, AK where they met with members of the community, including Mayor Henry Mack, to discuss the need for the life-saving, 11-mile road to connect the community to the all-weather airport loca1ted in Cold Bay. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-meets-with-secretary-of-homeland-security-designee-nielsen,Sullivan Meets with Secretary of Homeland Security Designee Nielsen,2017-11-17,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.17.17 Sullivan Meets with Secretary of Homeland Security Designee Nielsen WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after meeting with President Trump's designee to become the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen. I had a productive meeting with Kirstjen Nielsen, President Trump's nominee to head DHS, said Senator Sullivan. Kirstjen's experience and leadership working at DHS gives her the familiarity needed to run such an important agency.During our visit, we discussed the strategic national security importance of adding more icebreakers to a lackluster fleet, and I also stressed the need for DHS to focus on improving and strengthening the H-2B visa process, a program that supports Alaska's seasonal labor workforce and is vital to the Alaskan seafood industry. I look forward to voting to approve her confirmation and to working with her in the future. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399063,Young Shares Statement Following House Passage of Tax Reform Package,2017-11-16,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Following the House passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act – legislation to meet the tax reform instructions outlined in H. Con. Res. 71, the Concurrent Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2018 – Alaska Congressman Don Young shared the following statement:     “A fairer, simpler tax code – not one riddled with loopholes and exemptions – will benefit a vast majority of Alaskans and Americans and help spur a level of economic growth and activity not seen in this country for years,” said Congressman Don Young. “ I’ve long pushed to reform our outdated and over complicated tax system with something more in tune with American values and ideals. This effort, born out of a need to drive our economy to new heights and repair a competitive edge that once made this nation so great, is far from over. As we move forward -- and the House and Senate prepare to come together to reconcile our differences -- I remain vigilant in my resolve to protect Alaskan workers, middle class families and small businesses. This is a critical juncture for our nation, one that works to unlock ANWR’s vast energy potential and generate new wealth and growth that will benefit Americans for generations to come. As we saw yesterday, ANWR continues to be a driving force in our efforts to move this legislation forward. I’ve fought this fight for over 40 years, I intend to see it through.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-requests-state-department-to-focus-on-transboundary-issues,Alaska Delegation Requests State Department to Focus on Transboundary Issues,2017-11-16,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.16.17 Alaska Delegation Requests State Department to Focus on Transboundary Issues Cites Concerns Over Water Quality in Southeast Alaska The Alaska Congressional Delegation joined together with the State of Alaska to urge Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to address the downstream risks that mining in British Columbia may pose to Alaskan communities and habitats surrounding transboundary rivers. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, Congressman Don Young, Governor Bill Walker and Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott wrote a letter (attached) to Secretary Tillerson, seeking his Department’s engagement in their efforts to ensure that British Columbia institutes appropriate safeguards to prevent potential negative effects from the development of large-scale hard rock mine proposals and operations to transboundary waterways and fisheries. Additionally, the Delegation requested B.C. mining projects and potential impacts to Alaska be included on the agenda for upcoming bilateral meetings between the U.S. Department of State and Global Affairs Canada. “We, like this administration, prioritize the promotion and protection of American economic interests, which in this instance could be threatened by B.C. transboundary mining and inadequate financial mechanisms to assure long term management of toxic wastes and redress for damages from potential releases.” In their letter, the Alaska Delegation stressed the need for communication between the U.S. and Canada on this issue, for Alaskans’ livelihoods and Alaska’s economic stability, but also to industrial development and job security across the entire nation. “Alaska’s economy and culture are directly connected to our natural resources, many of which are nurtured by our vast river systems throughout the state. The Alsek, Chilkat, Taku, Whiting, Stikine, Unuk, Salmon, and Chickamin Watersheds drain from B.C. into Southeast Alaska.  Increasing mineral development and legacy mining impacts in the Taku, Stikine and Unuk Watersheds threaten Alaska’s world-renowned salmon runs, which support the commercial fishing and visitor industries and contribute to the way of life for Alaskans throughout the region.” The Alaska Delegation also explained how Alaska’s fisheries are some of the most productive in the world, and represent the livelihoods and communities that are based around the natural resources of the region. “Alaska is a resource state and we believe in thoughtful utilization of not only our fisheries but our other natural resources. Mining, like fisheries, is central to our regional economy by providing well-paying jobs and serving as the foundation of America’s manufacturing sector. While we share common resource development interests with our Canadian neighbors, we must be assured that mineral development in B.C. does not disproportionally impact the ecosystem services we depend on in Southeast.” The delegation asked for consideration on the following requests ahead of the Secretary’s upcoming meetings with the Canadian Delegation: Encourage B.C. officials to develop public outreach tools to better explain their processes for considering the cumulative impacts of proposed mining projects on transboundary waters during the environmental assessment process. Determine whether an International Joint Commission reference is a suitable venue to evaluate whether mines operating in the transboundary region between B.C. and Alaska are implementing best management practices in the treatment of wastewaters and management of potential-acid-generating mine tailings and waste rock. Establish a formal consultation process with U.S. state agencies, other federal agencies, tribes, and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act corporations during the environmental assessment process, similar to the consultation process afforded to a cooperating agency under the National Environmental Policy Act in the U.S. Support and work towards robust funding and other needed resources for developing a reliable database of water quality  and related data for transboundary waters that can be used to track cumulative impacts, trends and significant episodic changes associated with operating and historic mines in the  transboundary region. Establish an interagency task force led by the Department of State and including the Department of Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other agencies as necessary, to work in collaboration with the State of Alaska, and develop recommendations and direct funding to ensure protection of transboundary rivers. The full text of the delegation’s latest letter is attached.   Related Files Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/legislation-to-unlock-1002-areas-vast-energy-resources-advances-in-senate,Legislation to Unlock 1002 Areas Vast Energy Resources Advances in Senate,2017-11-16,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.16.17 Legislation to Unlock 1002 Area’s Vast Energy Resources Advances in Senate Authorizes Responsible Exploration and Development in Coastal Plain, Generates Over $1 Billion in Revenues Over First 10 Years Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources advanced reconciliation language pursuant to its instruction in H. Con. Res. 71, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018, to raise $1 billion in federal revenues. Following a bipartisan 13-10 vote in favor of the reconciliation language that would end the years-long moratorium on oil and gas development in a small portion of the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), Alaska’s congressional delegation shared the following statements: “Our bipartisan vote today is another positive step forward for Alaska and our nation, and I thank my colleagues for their strong support,” Senator Lisa Murkowski said. “Opening a small part of the non-wilderness 1002 Area for responsible energy development will create thousands of good jobs, keep energy affordable for families and businesses, ensure a steady long-term supply of American energy, generate new wealth, reduce the federal deficit, and strengthen our national security.” “I want to thank Senator Murkowski for her leadership on this issue and for passing the bill out of her committee,” Senator Dan Sullivan said. “This is another step that could result in a decades-long dream of opening a small section of the 1002 area in ANWR for responsible resource development. Alaskans overwhelmingly support developing the area because we know that doing so would create good paying jobs, and more state funds to help pay for public safety, education, and much needed infrastructure across our state. We also know that increasing our domestic energy production will strengthen our national security by stopping importation of energy from countries that don’t like us, and exporting energy to our allies.” “The Alaska Delegation remains unified in our efforts to open ANWR’s coastal plain to safe and responsible development. I thank Senator Murkowski and her team on the Energy Committee for working to move us one step closer to that goal,” said Congressman Don Young. “For over 40 years, I have worked -- with the backing of a large majority of Alaskans, including the residents of Kaktovik -- to develop the 1002 Area.  As the House and Senate proceed with their respective tax packages, I look forward to coming together in the conference committee process to ensure this critical language stays within the underlying legislation and the needs of Alaskans are met.” The legislation authorizes limited and responsible energy development on 2,000 federal acres in the non-wilderness portion of ANWR, known as the “1002 Area” or Coastal Plain. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the legislation will raise nearly $1.1 billion over the 10-year budget window. Between rents, royalties, and federal taxes, it will raise substantially greater revenues once production from the 1002 Area begins. The budget reconciliation language now moves to the Senate Budget Committee. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-sullivan-applauds-passage-of-ndaa-conference-report,Senator Sullivan Applauds Passage of NDAA Conference Report,2017-11-16,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.16.17 Senator Sullivan Applauds Passage of NDAA Conference Report Includes authorization for $200 million in military construction for new missile field at Fort Greely, AK WASHINGTON, DC Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Conference Report to H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and conferee, applauded the passage, which continues the 56-year bipartisan tradition of passing this bill. The bill authorizes $634.2 billion for base budget requirements, $65.7 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), and includes a number of provisions important to Alaska. I applaud today's bipartisan passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, a bill that ensures that our fighting men and women have what they need to protect our nation, said Senator Sullivan. In a world with an increasingly complex and diverse array of threats, I am hopeful that this bill helps begin the process of rebuilding a military constrained by sequestered-budgets and Obama administration defense cuts. While there is still much more to do, this bill reverses lost military readiness with $26.2 billion in additional funding above the President's request. The NDAA also authorizes much needed procurement such as 90 F-35s and 17 KC-46s and increases our military's end-strength by over 20,000 servicemembers spread across all four services, the active-duty, guard, and reserve, and even authorizes 2.4% pay raises for all military members. The FY 2018 NDAA also includes authorization of $12.3 billion for the MissileDefense Agency a 25 percent increase over the President's request and includes $200 million in military construction for a newmissilefield at Fort Greely, AK, as well as authorized funding needed to procure an additional 20 missile interceptors required to operationalize the field. Additionally, the bill includes funding for advancing key missile defense technologies and for beginning to build a space-based sensor layer. Notably, this bill also authorizes up to 28 additional interceptors for homeland missile defense the second largest capacity increase ever. Any strategy on North Korea must include a robust and integrated missile defense, said Senator Sullivan. For the past year in hearings and in legislation I have stressed that Congress must lead on bolstering our nation's missile defense. I'm grateful that provisions in the bill that I introduced, the Advancing America'sMissileDefenseAct, were included in this NDAA, including twenty-eight more interceptors, advancing a new missile field at Fort Greely. With the passage of the Defense Authorization today and the President's budget request earlier this month, we are finally getting serious about advancing America's missile defense. Other Key Provisions: Working with many of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, Senator Sullivan successfully included numerous provisions in the FY 2018 NDAA to advance initiatives that will play an important role in ensuring the long term security of Alaska, the Arctic and the United States. These initiatives include the authorization to build a new heavy-class polar icebreaker, a U.S Navy study on ice-hardening its ships, and provisions aimed at improving and increasing the Alaska Guard's combat search and rescue capabilities. Alaska Military Construction: Authorizes $368.9 million for military construction in Alaska to continue to support the beddown of two squadrons of F-35As at Eielson AFB and to construct a new 20-GBI missile field at Fort Greely. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/energy-committee-advances-chairmans-mark-to-meet-fy2018-budget-instruction-,Energy Committee Advances Chairmans Mark to Meet FY2018 Budget Instruction,2017-11-15,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.15.17 Energy Committee Advances Chairman’s Mark to Meet FY2018 Budget Instruction Authorizes Responsible Development in 1002 Area, Generates Over $1 Billion in Revenues Over First 10 Years Washington, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today advanced reconciliation legislation pursuant to the committee’s instruction to raise $1 billion in federal revenues in H. Con. Res. 71, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018. “Our bipartisan vote today is another positive step forward for Alaska and our nation, and I thank my colleagues for their strong support,” Murkowski said. “Opening a small part of the non-wilderness 1002 Area for responsible energy development will create thousands of good jobs, keep energy affordable for families and businesses, ensure a steady long-term supply of American energy, generate new wealth, reduce the federal deficit, and strengthen our national security.” The budget reconciliation legislation was reported favorably out of committee on a bipartisan vote of 13-10. Murkowski voted in support of the legislation, which now heads to the Budget Committee. The legislation authorizes limited and responsible energy development on 2,000 federal acres in the non-wilderness portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska, known as the “1002 Area” or Coastal Plain. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the legislation will raise nearly $1.1 billion over the 10-year budget window. Between rents, royalties, and federal taxes, it will raise substantially greater revenues once production from the 1002 Area begins.  Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Press Contact Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-we-must-rebuild-a-smarter-more-resilient_electric-grid-in-puerto-rico-and-the-us-virgin-islands,"Murkowski: We Must Rebuild a Smarter, More Resilient Electric Grid in Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands",2017-11-15,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.15.17 Murkowski: We Must Rebuild a Smarter, More Resilient Electric Grid in Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday chaired an oversight hearing to examine the ongoing recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Committee members also discussed the short-term, mid-term, and long-term efforts to rebuild stronger, more resilient and reliable electric grids on the islands. “The totality of recovery work that still needs to be done in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands is overwhelming,” Murkowski said. “Restoring electricity is the immediate priority. It has been out for far too long, and that is harming the health of both local residents and their economy. These conditions are awful and tragic, but they are also an opportunity to work together to rebuild the electric grids in a smarter manner—whether through microgrids, distributed generation, burying the lines where possible, direct current versus alternative current, or some other manner.” More hurricanes will impact the islands in the years to come. Rebuilding the electric grids to withstand future storms by using smarter, more resilient technologies is critical to ensuring residents have affordable and reliable power moving forward. In response to a question from Murkowski, Julio Rhymer, Sr., executive director and CEO of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, highlighted the significant strides the U.S. Virgin Islands have made to harden the grid from successive disasters and to allow for greater resilience. “Over the several years, we’ve been able to basically tap hazard mitigation funds, and that’s why we have underground systems that actually generate basically power to about 75 to 80 percent of our businesses within our commercial districts on St. Thomas and St. Croix,” Rhymer said. “That’s what we’ve been doing since each storm - that we try to learn from each lesson learned - how to underground and how to become more resilient. And that’s what we’re doing now in terms of microgrids and going toward basically composite poles, etc. to make sure that in the next storm, there’s less damage, not as much damage, or little to no damage…With each storm, and each successive storm, we learn and we get more resilient.” The committee received testimony from U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Kenneth Mapp, Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, DOE Assistant Secretary for the Office of Electricity Delivery and Reliability Bruce Walker, Major General Donald E. Jackson, Jr. of the Army Corps of Engineers, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority Executive Director Ricardo Ramos, Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Executive Director and CEO Julio Rhymer, Sr., and Puerto Rico Energy Commission Acting Chairman José Román Morales, PE, and Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico Executive Director Natalie Jaresko. Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Last week, Murkowski and committee members, Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Al Franken, D-Minn., along with other members of the Senate and House, visited communities in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to assess the hurricane damage during a congressional delegation trip. Click here to view Murkowski’s round of questions with witnesses of panel one and here for questions to witnesses of panel two. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/senators-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-expand-breastfeeding-protections-at-work,Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Breastfeeding Protections at Work,2017-11-15,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.15.17 Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Breastfeeding Protections at Work Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), joined by Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Al Franken (D-MN), announced the introduction of the Supporting Working Moms Act of 2017. This bipartisan legislation would help ensure that more working mothers can continue to breastfeed their babies after they return to work.  This bill builds on an existing law authored by Merkley and Rep. Carolyn Maloney in 2010 that provides space and time for hourly employees to pump breastmilk at work. The Supporting Working Moms Act would extend these protections to salaried workers. “No American worker should have to choose between her job and breastfeeding her baby,” said Merkley. “Ensuring that new mothers returning to the workplace have the option to continue breastfeeding is good for business and good for families. With this bill, businesses can improve retention of valuable employees, and parents will be empowered to make their own choices, rather than being constrained by outdated workplace policies.” “I am proud to introduce this legislation to support nursing mothers and their newborn babies in one of the most critical stages of development,” said Murkowski. “By encouraging breastfeeding for working mothers, and making it more accessible for them to do so, we are helping to improve the health and well-being of both mother and child.” “Giving new moms the flexibility to work and care for their children is a no-brainer,” said Blumenthal. “By expanding the 2010 back to work breastfeeding provisions to include both wage earning and salaried workers, this bill provides critical support for nursing mothers and newborns during a baby’s formative phases. Making breastfeeding more accessible for working moms will help millions of businesses and families thrive.” “Working mothers provide critical financial support to millions of American families,” said Warren. “By expanding support for breastfeeding mothers, this bill will help level the playing field for working women across the country.”  “Ensuring that women can continue to breastfeed when returning to the workplace is critical to the health and well-being of mothers and babies, and it is essential to our country’s economic stability,” Hassan said. “This bipartisan bill is a common-sense measure to help ensure that women can remain in the workplace while supporting the health of their children and contributing to our nation’s economic success. I will continue fighting to ensure that women have the freedom to make their own health care decisions and are not held back from participating in our economy because of outdated policies.” “It’s basic common sense that moms should have the flexibility to do their jobs and breastfeed their children,” Wyden said. “This bill stops employers from penalizing women who choose to breastfeed their kids and removes barriers that right now make it harder for new mothers to return to work and support their families.” According to the Business Case for Breastfeeding, published by the Department of Health and Human Services in 2014, employers that provide support for breastfeeding mothers experience lower health care costs, lower rates of absenteeism, and better retention of experienced employees.  The Supporting Working Moms Act would help new parents and babies by expanding the breastfeeding provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act to cover salaried office workers: The 2010 Merkley-Maloney provision amended Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act to provide mothers who are classified as non-exempt employees with reasonable break times to pump milk in a private, non-bathroom environment while at work.  The Supporting Working Moms Act would expand this provision to cover salaried employees who work in traditional office environments.  The expansion would cover an additional approximate 13.5 million executive, administrative, and professional women in the workplace.  The Supporting Working Moms Act is endorsed by the following national organizations: Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine American Association of Birth Centers American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Baby Cafe USA Breastfeeding in Combat Boots Childbirth and Postpartum Professionals Association HealthConnect One Healthy Children Project, Inc. Human Milk Banking Association of North America International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners Mom2Mom Global MomsRising National Association of County and City Health Officials National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners National Partnership for Women & Families National WIC Association  Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399062,Young Applauds House-Passage of Bicameral National Defense Authorization Act,2017-11-14,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Conference Report to H.R. 2810, the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, a bipartisan, bicameral agreement that authorizes $634.2 billion for base budget requirements, $65.7 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) and includes a number of Alaska-focused provisions championed by Alaska Congressman Don Young. “I’m proud to let Alaskans know that today the House of Representatives voted to approve the FY18 NDAA Conference Report. This bill will authorize the funding our men and women in uniform need to fulfill their critical missions.  It will keep food in their bellies, shoes on their feet, tracks on the tanks and planes in the air,"" said Congressman Don Young. “Improving our nation’s missile defense system is something Senator Sullivan and I have been working on and we were successful in securing language in this year’s conference report to authorize funding for an additional 28 ground-based interceptors -- bolstering our arsenal already housed at Fort Greely.  Additionally, this bill provides authorization for one Polar-Class heavy icebreaker, critical as we fall behind and face a pending icebreaker gap.  These are just two essential steps towards enhancing security in the Arctic and across the globe.  With an ever-growing list of adversaries, both old and new alike, I am happy that this bill will ensure that our armed forces are ready to fight and continue to evolve faster than our enemies.” The FY18 NDAA takes important steps to reform and rebuild our armed forces.  It will ensure our troops are trained and equipped, and their families are cared for. Congressman Young worked throughout the legislative process to include Alaska-focused priorities within the House-passed NDAA: Amendments included in the FY2018 NDAA by Congressman Young: Missile Defense: This year’s NDAA included several missile defense provisions championed by Congressman Young. It incorporates language that is similar to Congressman Young’s Advancing America’s Missile Defense Amendment which he successfully included in the House-passed NDAA. Arctic Security Capability and Resources Gap: The legislation requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress on DOD efforts to resolve Arctic security capability and resource gaps, and the requirements and investment plans for military infrastructure required to protect national security interests in the Arctic region. Additional language in the NDAA secured by Congressman Young: Icebreakers:  The NDAA authorizes the U.S. Navy to partner with the U.S. Coast Guard to procure one Polar-Class Heavy Icebreaker – which is desperately needed to ensure national security and maritime interests are protected in the Arctic. Modernization of JPARC to Support Fifth Generation Fighters:  The NDAA requires the Secretary of the Air Force to submit to the congressional defense committees a report regarding proposed improvements to the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex. Military Construction: The NDAA authorizes $168.9 million for military construction projects at Eielson Air Force Base and extends a 2015 project authorization for the emergency power plant fuel storage at Clear Air Force Station.  Additional Items of Interest Included in the FY18 NDAA: Military Pay Raises: The NDAA fully funds the 2.4% pay raise our troops are entitled to under law. Fort Greely: The NDAA includes authorization for the Administration’s budget amendment that among other things authorized $2.1 billion for missile defense, including $200 million for the construction of a new missile field at Fort Greely and 20 missile interceptors required to operationalize the field. F-35 Procurement:  The NDAA authorizes $5.8 billion for procuring 56 F-35A fighters, which is $1.3 billion and 10 aircraft more than the Administration’s request. This funding continues progress on stationing two squadrons of F-35’s at Eielson Air Force Base and is critical to ensuring the on-time delivery of these aircraft to Interior Alaska.   Strengthening Military Force Structure: The NDAA authorizes increasing the size of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Army Guard and Reserve, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard.  Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC): Includes a provision explicitly stating nothing in the NDAA should be construed as authorizing an additional round of BRAC. Alaska Congressman Young helped defeat an amendment to the House version of the NDAA that would have removed this provision.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-honors-our-veterans-,Murkowski Honors Our Veterans,2017-11-10,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.10.17 Murkowski Honors Our Veterans ‘We Cannot Thank Them Enough for Being Role Models of Courage, Sacrifice, and Service’ U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) shared the following message with Alaskans on Veterans Day: “This Veterans Day, and every day, I am thankful for the men and women who have served in our military branches and have sacrificed so much for our nation’s freedom and protection. Veterans are our fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. They are our co-workers, neighbors, community leaders, and our friends. We cannot thank them enough for being role models of courage, sacrifice, and service. We should remember to live every day appreciating the freedoms and liberties that our military has secured for all of us. “Today while we celebrate the service of all Veterans, we cannot forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given everything to secure our country’s freedom. My heart is with their loved ones who feel their loss every day. “The members of our military and their families can never be honored enough, and deserve our unwavering support. Our veterans have done so much for each of us, so I hope each of us will take time to demonstrate our gratitude for our veterans and their families, by asking what we, as individuals and as a community, can do for them.” Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399058,U.S. House Moves Ahead on Numerous Veterans-Related Bills,2017-11-09,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Alaska Congressman Don Young today released the following statement after this week’s House-passage of 14 bills aimed at assisting our nation’s veterans and ensuring they receive the care and commitment they earned through service to our nation. “As we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day – a day to honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform – the House has committed to moving forward on numerous pieces of legislation on behalf of our nation’s veterans,” said Congressman Don Young. “This week the House passed 14 veterans-related bills across a wide spectrum of issues – from improving veterans health care to streamlining educational benefits and protecting veterans’ finances. These bills work to uphold Congress’ commitment and fulfill the promises this nation made to our veterans. On the 11th day of the 11th month, let us remember the remarkable men and women who have served this nation and fought to defend our many freedoms. We owe them a great deal of gratitude for the gift of freedom they have bestowed upon each and every one of us.”  The House-passed veterans measures include: H.R. 1133, the Veterans Transplant Coverage Act, to authorize VA to provide all care and services needed for a veteran to receive an organ transplant from a live donor, regardless of whether the donor is eligible for VA health care or whether the health care facility is part of the VA. Click here for more information. (Congressman Don Young is a cosponsor)  H.R. 2601, the Veterans Increased Choice for Transplanted Organs and Recovery (VICTOR) Act, would enable veterans who aren’t able to access care at a VA transplant center to seek care at a community transplant facility. Click here for more information. (Congressman Don Young is a cosponsor)  H.R. 3705, the Veterans Fair Debt Notice Act, to instruct the VA to use plain language in its debt notices to provide a clear explanation of why VA is alleging that the veteran owes such a debt. Click here for more information. H.R. 4173, the Veterans Crisis Line Study Act of 2017, to require the VA to conduct a study on the outcomes and efficacy of the Veterans Crisis Line based on an analysis of national suicide data and data collected from the VCL. Click here for more information. H.R. 918, the Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act, to require VA to provide an initial mental health assessment and any subsequent mental health services required to meet urgent mental health care needs to former service members who would otherwise be ineligible for such services because they were discharged from military service under OTH conditions. Click here for more information. H.R. 1900, National Veterans Memorial and Museum Act, to designate the Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio, as the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. H.R. 2123, the Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine Support Act (VETS) Act of 2017, gives the VA Secretary the legislative authority to allow VA providers to practice telemedicine across state lines. Click here for more information. HR 3634, the Securing Electronic Records for Veterans Ease (SERVE) Act of 2017, to make BAH documentation available online to all veterans, which would help confirm a veteran’s monthly housing stipend and simplify their home or apartment rental process. Click here for more information. H.R. 3949, the Veteran Apprenticeship and Labor Opportunity Reform (VALOR) Act, to simplify an approval process by allowing companies to register their apprenticeship programs with one central approval agency. Click here for more information. H.R. 3122, the Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2017, directs the VA to work with federal agencies and states to develop and implement standards that protect individuals who are eligible for this increased pension from dishonest, predatory or otherwise unlawful practices. Click here for more information. H.R. 3562, legislation that would give VA-designated appraisers the ability to rely solely on information from approved third parties, such as a desktop appraisal, when determining a home’s value for a VA home loan. Click here for more information. H.R. 3656, legislation that would provide a headstone or marker for all eligible non-veterans who die on or after November 11, 1998. Click here for more information. H.R. 3657, legislation that would authorize VA to provide headstones and markers to eligible spouses and dependents who are buried or interred at tribal veterans cemeteries. Click here for more information.     ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399059,Alaska Delegation Welcomes Joint Development Agreement to Advance Alaska LNG Project,2017-11-09,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the State of Alaska, the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC), China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), CIC Capital Corporation (CIC Capital), and the Bank of China (BOC) announced the signing of a joint development agreement to advance the Alaska LNG project.  “We congratulate Gov. Walker and all who are working on the Alaska LNG project on this milestone. We also thank President Trump for his strong support of the project and efforts to reduce our trade deficit with China, which is Alaska’s largest trading partner. “The responsible development of Alaska’s natural resources offers a great opportunity to create good jobs and new wealth in our state and across the country, while paying down both state and federal deficits, improving our balance of trade, and strengthening our national security. We look forward to learning more about this announcement and are ready to work with all stakeholders to advance the Alaska LNG project.” Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signed the joint development agreement on Thursday at a signing ceremony in Beijing, which was attended by President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Click here for more information on the joint development agreement for the Alaska LNG project.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-welcomes-joint-development-agreement_to-advance-alaska-lng-project,Alaska Delegation Welcomes Joint Development Agreement to Advance Alaska LNG Project,2017-11-09,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.09.17 Alaska Delegation Welcomes Joint Development Agreement to Advance Alaska LNG Project U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the State of Alaska, the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC), China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), CIC Capital Corporation (CIC Capital), and the Bank of China (BOC) announced the signing of a joint development agreement to advance the Alaska LNG project.  “We congratulate Gov. Walker and all who are working on the Alaska LNG project on this milestone. We also thank President Trump for his strong support of the project and efforts to reduce our trade deficit with China, which is Alaska’s largest trading partner. “The responsible development of Alaska’s natural resources offers a great opportunity to create good jobs and new wealth in our state and across the country, while paying down both state and federal deficits, improving our balance of trade, and strengthening our national security. We look forward to learning more about this announcement and are ready to work with all stakeholders to advance the Alaska LNG project.” Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signed the joint development agreement on Thursday at a signing ceremony in Beijing, which was attended by President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Click here for more information on the joint development agreement for the Alaska LNG project.  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=399060,Alaska Delegation Takes Next Step to Open Alaskas 1002 Area,2017-11-08,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, and Alaska Gov. Bill Walker today issued the following statements after the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources released budget reconciliation legislation to open a small part of the non-wilderness portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), known as the “1002 Area” or Coastal Plain, to responsible oil and gas development.  “This legislation is a tremendous opportunity for both Alaska and our country,” Murkowski said. “The legislation I released tonight will put us on a path toward greater prosperity by creating jobs, keeping energy affordable for families and businesses, generating new wealth, and strengthening our security—while reducing the federal deficit not just by $1 billion over ten years, but tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars over the decades to come.” “I’d like to thank Senator Murkowski for her leadership on this very important issue for Alaska and for our country,” Sullivan said. “For years, military and civilian leaders—Democrats and Republicans—have emphasized the importance of energy security for our national security. History has also shown us time and again that energy can be used as a force for good, productive diplomacy and also for troublesome power-grabs by our nation’s foes. I have no doubt that this legislation, which would lead to producing more energy responsibly by opening up the small section of the 1002 area in ANWR, will help make the United States the world’s energy super power again, will dramatically increase our country’s national security and lead to American jobs and productive diplomacy around the globe.” “For over forty years, Alaskans have led the fight to safely and responsibly unlock the 1002’s vast energy resources,” Young said. “Today is an important step in that process, one that ultimately works to create new jobs and opportunities for our people, generate new revenue and wealth, and strengthen the economic outlook of Alaska and the nation. Alaskans have proven, through tried and tested methods on our North Slope, that resource development and wildlife protection are not and should not be considered mutually exclusive. Although the House is solely responsible for producing a tax-related measure at this stage in the reconciliation process, I feel confident in our delegation’s efforts – under Senator Murkowski’s leadership on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee – to ensure Alaska’s true energy potential can serve a major role in America becoming energy dominant. As this effort moves forward, I am committed to protecting Alaska’s interests in any and all future negotiations.” “When Alaska became a state, we had a promise from the federal government in our statehood compact: we need to live off the resources in our land. Much like midwestern states harvest the resources that grow on the ground, like wheat and corn, Alaska must harvest the resources in our ground,” Walker said. “I thank Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan, and Congressman Young for their tireless work on behalf of Alaska, and our ability to responsibly develop a small portion the 1002 Area.” The reconciliation legislation released tonight will raise nearly $1.1 billion over the next 10 years alone, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Between royalties and federal income taxes, it will raise substantially greater revenues once production from the 1002 Area begins. In addition to refilling the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, responsible development will help restore growth to Alaska’s economy and provide funding that could support education, healthcare, and infrastructure initiatives across the state. The revenues from development will also substantially reduce state and national deficits. View the text of the Chairman’s Mark here. View a summary of the Chairman’s Mark here. View the map referenced in the Chairman’s Mark here. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, chaired by Senator Lisa Murkowski, will hold a markup on the legislation on the morning of Wednesday, November 15.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-takes-next-step-to-open-alaskas-1002-area,Alaska Delegation Takes Next Step to Open Alaskas 1002 Area,2017-11-08,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.08.17 Alaska Delegation Takes Next Step to Open Alaska’s 1002 Area U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, and Alaska Gov. Bill Walker today issued the following statements after the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources released budget reconciliation legislation to open a small part of the non-wilderness portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), known as the “1002 Area” or Coastal Plain, to responsible oil and gas development.    “This legislation is a tremendous opportunity for both Alaska and our country,” Murkowski said. “The legislation I released tonight will put us on a path toward greater prosperity by creating jobs, keeping energy affordable for families and businesses, generating new wealth, and strengthening our security—while reducing the federal deficit not just by $1 billion over ten years, but tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars over the decades to come.” “I’d like to thank Senator Murkowski for her leadership on this very important issue for Alaska and for our country,” Sullivan said. “For years, military and civilian leaders—Democrats and Republicans—have emphasized the importance of energy security for our national security. History has also shown us time and again that energy can be used as a force for good, productive diplomacy and also for troublesome power-grabs by our nation’s foes. I have no doubt that this legislation, which would lead to producing more energy responsibly by opening up the small section of the 1002 area in ANWR, will help make the United States the world’s energy super power again, will dramatically increase our country’s national security and lead to American jobs and productive diplomacy around the globe.”   “For over forty years, Alaskans have led the fight to safely and responsibly unlock the 1002’s vast energy resources,” Young said. “Today is an important step in that process, one that ultimately works to create new jobs and opportunities for our people, generate new revenue and wealth, and strengthen the economic outlook of Alaska and the nation. Alaskans have proven, through tried and tested methods on our North Slope, that resource development and wildlife protection are not and should not be considered mutually exclusive. Although the House is solely responsible for producing a tax-related measure at this stage in the reconciliation process, I feel confident in our delegation’s efforts – under Senator Murkowski’s leadership on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee – to ensure Alaska’s true energy potential can serve a major role in America becoming energy dominant. As this effort moves forward, I am committed to protecting Alaska’s interests in any and all future negotiations.”   “When Alaska became a state, we had a promise from the federal government in our statehood compact: we need to live off the resources in our land. Much like midwestern states harvest the resources that growon the ground, like wheat and corn, Alaska must harvest the resources in our ground,” Walker said. “I thank Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan, and Congressman Young for their tireless work on behalf of Alaska, and our ability to responsibly develop a small portion the 1002 Area.”   The reconciliation legislation released tonight will raise nearly $1.1 billion over the next 10 years alone, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Between royalties and federal income taxes, it will raise substantially greater revenues once production from the 1002 Area begins. In addition to refilling the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, responsible development will help restore growth to Alaska’s economy and provide funding that could support education, healthcare, and infrastructure initiatives across the state. The revenues from development will also substantially reduce state and national deficits.   View the text of the Chairman’s Mark here. View a summary of the Chairman’s Mark here. View the map referenced in the Chairman’s Mark here.   Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The committee will hold a markup on the legislation on the morning of Wednesday, November 15. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-releases-chairmans-mark-to-meet-fy2018-budget-instruction,Murkowski Releases Chairmans Mark to Meet FY2018 Budget Instruction,2017-11-08,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.08.17 Murkowski Releases Chairman’s Mark to Meet FY2018 Budget Instruction Generates Over $1 Billion in Revenues Over First 10 Years to Reduce Federal Deficit U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released reconciliation legislation pursuant to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s instruction to raise $1 billion in federal revenues in H. Con. Res. 71, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018.   “Our instruction is a tremendous opportunity both for our committee and our country,” Murkowski said. “The legislation I released tonight will put Alaska and the entire nation on a path toward greater prosperity by creating jobs, keeping energy affordable for families and businesses, generating new wealth, and strengthening our security—while reducing the federal deficit not just by $1 billion over ten years, but tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars over the decades to come.”   The reconciliation legislation would authorize limited and responsible energy development in a small part of the non-wilderness portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, known as the “1002 Area” or Coastal Plain.   The Congressional Budget Office estimates the legislation will raise $1.092 billion over the 10-year budget window. Between royalties and federal income taxes, it will raise substantially greater revenues once production from the 1002 Area begins.   View the text of the Chairman’s Mark here. View a summary of the Chairman’s Mark here. View the map referenced in the Chairman’s Mark here.      Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The committee will hold a markup on the legislation a full week from today, on the morning of Wednesday, November 15. Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/ak-delegation-applauds-major-missile-defense-increase-in-trump-administrations-budget-request,AK Delegation Applauds Major Missile Defense Increase in Trump Administrations Budget Request,2017-11-07,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.07.17 AK Delegation Applauds Major Missile Defense Increase in Trump Administration’s Budget Request The Alaska Congressional delegation today applauded the Trump administration’s FY18 budget amendment for the Department of Defense, which requests $4 billion for missile defeat and defense upgrades to counter increasing threat from North Korea. This action includes $2.1 billion for missile defense, including $200 million in military construction for a new missile field at Fort Greely, AK, and 20 missile interceptors required to operationalize the field. “For the past year, I have been sounding the alarm for more missile defense. Today, I commend the Trump administration for prioritizing this essential capability with a much needed increase of $4 billion,” said Senator Sullivan. “Many of these important investments in the Administration’s request, which I called for in my bill, the Advancing America’s Missile Defense Act, will help ensure that we outpace the rapidly growing threat from North Korea.  Going forward, I will continue to reach across the aisle to ensure that these critical investments are funded, and so that American cities are well protected.” “The administration is to be commended for their rapid response to the heightened threat posed by North Korea and I especially thank Senator Sullivan for his leadership on this issue, said Senator Murkowski. “As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee I will do all that I can to ensure that the President’s defense request is fully funded. The suggestion that additional missile defense capacity can be built at Fort Greely has been around for some time. But rather than analyze, assess and debate while North Korea builds, this administration is moving forward with determination. Today’s announcement is a vote of confidence for missile defense, for the soldiers and airmen that defend us and for Alaska’s strategic role in protecting our freedoms.” “Alaska has long been, and continues to be, at the forefront of our national security operations. With numerous elements that support the safety of our nation, there is little question the value we place in the assets and missions housed in Alaska,” said Congressman Young. “ It’s been nearly 20 years since the passage of the ‘All-American Resolution,’ language I spearheaded in the late 90’s that was critical to bringing the Ballistic Missile Defense System to Fort Greely. With emerging threats across the globe, particularly the reckless and irrational behavior of the North Korean regime, now is the time to make robust investments in our Alaska-based missile defense capabilities. I welcome this request by the Trump Administration, one that builds upon a unified effort in Congress and underscores the importance of systems that serve as a vital deterrent to North Korea and as a frontline defense against weapons of mass destruction.” Click here for President Trump’s request to Congress for the Department of Defense. Related Issues: Defense Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/sen-murkowski-leads-codel-to-puerto-rico-us-virgin-islands,"Sen. Murkowski Leads CODEL to Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands",2017-11-07,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.07.17 Sen. Murkowski Leads CODEL to Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands Delegation Gets Firsthand Look at Hurricane Damage and Recovery Efforts, Discusses How to Rebuild Sustainable, Resilient Electric Grid U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this past weekend led a congressional delegation to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to assess damages in the hurricane ravaged islands and ongoing recovery efforts. The delegation also held discussions with local leaders on how to restore power expeditiously and rebuild a stronger, more sustainable electric grid. Joining Murkowski on the CODEL were Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Al Franken, D-Minn., Tom Carper, D-Del., and Kamala Harris, D-Calif., and Reps. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., Garrett Graves, R-La., and Peter DeFazio, D-Ore. The delegation met with staff at San Juan Children’s Hospital (top to bottom, l to r): Franken, Shuster, Graves, Carper, Murkowski, DeFazio, Cassidy, Gov. Rosselló, Harris, Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón, and staff of the hospital. “I’ve seen my share of disasters, but the reality on the ground is extraordinary. Everywhere we went, we saw devastation. The families we met have touched each and every one of us, and we will stand strong with them throughout their recovery,” Murkowski said. “As members of Congress, we have a big responsibility to our fellow Americans who call Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands home. We must work together to not only restore power in the short term, but also find a workable, long-term solution to help the islands move forward with a more resilient and reliable energy grid that can withstand severe hurricanes. “I thank FEMA, the Department of Energy, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Homeland Security, and so many of the National Guard units who are on the ground assisting with the recovery and rebuilding of these communities every day. I also thank the members who joined me on this trip. My goal is to ensure that Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have the resources they need to make a full recovery, and my next step is to hold an oversight hearing next week before the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.”   Photo above shows the damage to a solar field in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands following Hurricanes Irma and Maria.  Photo above shows a roadway wiped out by flooding during Hurricane Maria in Barranquitas, a mountain municipality in the central region of Puerto Rico that was heavily damaged.   On Sunday, the delegation visited impacted neighborhoods and the Schneider Medical Center in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The group also visited San Juan Children’s Hospital in Puerto Rico, where Tesla restored electricity using solar and battery power. On Monday, they visited the Palo Seco power plant outside of San Juan, toured the Joint Field Office in San Juan, and visited Barranquitas in the mountain region of Puerto Rico, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Maria. Finally, the delegation took an aerial overflight of power plants in the southern part of Puerto Rico, as well as solar and wind farms that sustained damage. The delegation also participated in a press conference on Monday afternoon with Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló and Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón. Click here to view Murkowski’s remarks. Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Cassidy and Franken are also members of the committee, which will hold a hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 14 to evaluate short-term, mid-term, and long-term efforts to rebuild stronger, more resilient, and more reliable energy systems in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands going forward. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399056,AK Delegation Applauds Major Missile Defense Increase in Trump Administrations Budget Request,2017-11-06,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC – The Alaska Congressional delegation today applauded the Trump administration’s FY18 budget amendment for the Department of Defense, which requests $4 billion for missile defeat and defense upgrades to counter increasing threat from North Korea. This action includes $2.1 billion for missile defense, including $200 million in military construction for a new missile field at Fort Greely, AK, and 20 missile interceptors required to operationalize the field. “For the past year, I have been sounding the alarm for more missile defense. Today, I commend the Trump administration for prioritizing this essential capability with a much needed increase of $4 billion,” said Senator Sullivan. “Many of these important investments in the Administration’s request, which I called for in my bill, the Advancing America’s Missile Defense Act, will help ensure that we outpace the rapidly growing threat from North Korea.  Going forward, I will continue to reach across the aisle to ensure that these critical investments are funded, and so that American cities are well protected.” “The administration is to be commended for their rapid response to the heightened threat posed by North Korea and I especially thank Senator Sullivan for his leadership on this issue, said Senator Murkowski. “As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee I will do all that I can to ensure that the President’s defense request is fully funded. The suggestion that additional missile defense capacity can be built at Fort Greely has been around for some time. But rather than analyze, assess and debate while North Korea builds, this administration is moving forward with determination. Today’s announcement is a vote of confidence for missile defense, for the soldiers and airmen that defend us and for Alaska’s strategic role in protecting our freedoms.” “Alaska has long been, and continues to be, at the forefront of our national security operations. With numerous elements that support the safety of our nation, there is little question the value we place in the assets and missions housed in Alaska,” said Congressman Young. “ It’s been nearly 20 years since the passage of the ‘All-American Resolution,’ language I spearheaded in the late 90’s that was critical to bringing the Ballistic Missile Defense System to Fort Greely. With emerging threats across the globe, particularly the reckless and irrational behavior of the North Korean regime, now is the time to make robust investments in our Alaska-based missile defense capabilities. I welcome this request by the Trump Administration, one that builds upon a unified effort in Congress and underscores the importance of systems that serve as a vital deterrent to North Korea and as a frontline defense against weapons of mass destruction.” Click here for President Trump’s request to Congress for the Department of Defense.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ak-delegation-applauds-major-missile-defense-increase-in-trump-administrations-budget-request,AK Delegation Applauds Major Missile Defense Increase in Trump Administrations Budget Request,2017-11-06,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.06.17 AK Delegation Applauds Major Missile Defense Increase in Trump Administration's Budget Request WASHINGTON, DC The Alaska Congressional delegation today applauded the Trump administration's FY18 budget amendment for the Department of Defense, which requests $4 billion for missile defeat and defense upgrades to counter increasing threat from North Korea. This action includes $2.1 billion for missile defense, including $200 million in military construction for a new missile field at Fort Greely, AK, and 20 missile interceptors required to operationalize the field. For the past year, I have been sounding the alarm for more missile defense. Today, I commend the Trump administration for prioritizing this essential capability with a much needed increase of $4 billion, said Senator Sullivan. Many of these important investments in the Administration's request, which I called for in my bill, the Advancing America'sMissileDefenseAct, will help ensure that we outpace the rapidly growing threat from North Korea. Going forward, I will continue to reach across the aisle to ensure that these critical investments are funded, and so that American cities are well protected. The administration is to be commended for their rapid response to the heightened threat posed by North Korea andI especially thank Senator Sullivan for his leadership on this issue, said Senator Murkowski. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee I will do all that I can to ensure that the President's defense request is fully funded. The suggestion that additional missile defense capacity can be built at Fort Greely has been around for some time. But rather than analyze, assess and debate while North Korea builds, this administration is moving forward with determination. Today's announcement is a vote of confidence for missile defense, for the soldiers and airmen that defend us and for Alaska's strategic role in protecting our freedoms. Alaska has long been, and continues to be, at the forefront of our national security operations. With numerous elements that support the safety of our nation, there is little question the value we place in the assets and missions housed in Alaska, said Congressman Young. It's been nearly 20 years since the passage of the All-American Resolution,' language I spearheaded in the late 90's that was critical to bringing the Ballistic Missile Defense System to Fort Greely. With emerging threats across the globe, particularly the reckless and irrational behavior of the North Korean regime, now is the time to make robust investments in our Alaska-based missile defense capabilities. I welcome this request by the Trump Administration, one that builds upon a unified effort in Congress and underscores the importance of systems that serve as a vital deterrent to North Korea and as a frontline defense against weapons of mass destruction. Click here for President Trump's request to Congress for the Department of Defense. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399048,Young Supports Denali Kid Care and Community Health Center Funding in House-Passed Legislation,2017-11-03,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – With the support of Alaska Congressman Don Young, today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3922, the Championing Healthy Kids Act, bipartisan legislation to fund important safety net programs like the state Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP), known as Denali KidCare in Alaska, and Federal Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).  “These two programs, which have provided valuable services and care to underserved Alaskans for years, were both extremely important to fund and reauthorize,” said Congressman Don Young. “Although some unnecessary confusion was created by not addressing this sooner, I’m happy to see progress being made on these bipartisan priorities before states exhausted their funding. We’ve seen the success of both Denali KidCare and Community Health Centers across nearly every corner of our state, particularly in areas where services might otherwise not be offered due to population size and remoteness. Denali KidCare continues to support our youth and in doing so is making a strong investment in our future. And Alaska-based Community Health Centers are making critical contributions to our state – in both rural and urban locations – by offering affordable health solutions and care. I look forward to moving this package forward and ensuring these programs are renewed for the betterment of our state and our people.” Among other important health priorities, this legislation supports the following: 5-year Extension of The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), a state and federal partnership that provides health care to children in lower-income families. According to the Alaska Division of Health Services, more than 17,700 Alaska children receive their health insurance through the CHIP program or DenaliKid Care. The legislation extends CHIP funding through FY 2022 and ensures children continue to receive coverage through state CHIP programs rather than through the ACA exchanges and Medicaid. 2 Year Extension of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) or Community Health Centers. These community-based, patient centered organizations  FQHCs (community health centers) are community-based, patient-centered organizations that provide comprehensive health services to medically underserved populations, regardless of their ability to pay. FQHCs are located across all corners of Alaska (click here for Alaska-based locations). The bill extends funding for these centers for two years through the Community Health Center Fund.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399054,"Congressman Young's ""This Week in Congress"" for Oct 30 - Nov 3, 2017",2017-11-03,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Dear Friends, Hello, this is Congressman Don Young coming to you from my desk in Washington, D.C. We’ve had a good week in Congress – one of the better weeks we’ve had in some time. We’ve been able to pass a number of bills out of the House and hold hearings on a wide range of important legislation, including one that I sponsored – H.R. 221, the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act. Congressman Young gives an update from Washington, D.C. on the important work being done for Alaska (click here to watch) As you likely saw, we had a hearing in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Senator Lisa Murkowski, on oil and gas development in the 1002 Area of ANWR and the benefit it holds for Alaska and the nation. Senator Murkowski did a great job in chairing the meeting and was very collected as her Ranking Member, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), was as I would say “being enlightened.” Senator Sullivan also did a wonderful job, as a former Alaska DNR Commissioner and U.S. Marine, to discuss the important national security impacts this area holds for the nation and the responsible record Alaskans have had on the North Slope for over 50 years. As some of you may have seen, in my testimony I drew a little blue dot on my nose to illustrate the size of the surface area being proposed for development in the 1002 Area (2,000 acres) in comparison to the ANWR area as a whole ­– which represents 1/10th of 1/10th percent of the 19 million acre area. Many have used the comparison of a dime on a football field, but this was my way of showing the true surface disturbance in the region. Congressman Young poses for a photo before his testimony in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee As a matter of history, the 1002 Area of ANWR was created by an Act of Congress in 1980. There was an agreement at the time that this area would be set aside for future development, not permanent preservation.  Although many have entirely ignored the intent of Congress, we are once again working through the budget reconciliation process to end the moratorium on oil and gas development on the coastal plain of ANWR. Elsewhere in Congress, which ties into our efforts on ANWR, was the introduction of tax-related legislation in the House – H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This overall effort is aimed at updating our nation’s outdated and over complicated tax code with growth-driven reforms, those that empower middle class families, support entrepreneurship and small business, and drive American competition and competitiveness. This is a complicated process, and changes have already been announced, but I do believe tax reform should be pursued. But very simply, this is just the beginning of the process – one that will be combined  down the road with our efforts to open ANWR. Today, we also passed an important bill, H.R. 3922, the Championing Healthy Kids Act, bipartisan legislation to fund important safety net programs like the state Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP), known as Denali KidCare in Alaska, and Federal Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). We’ve seen the success of both Denali KidCare and Community Health Centers across nearly every corner of our state, particularly in areas where services might otherwise not be offered due to population size and remoteness. I look forward to moving this package forward and ensuring these programs are renewed for the betterment of our state and our people. All in all, it was a good week for Alaska. I’m excited to continue Alaska’s work in the U.S. House of Representatives and to rejoin many of you in Alaska to speak on the many issues before us. God Bless, Don Young Congressman for All Alaska In the News:",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399044,Young Hits it Right on the Nose in Committee Testimony to Open ANWRs 1002 Area,2017-11-02,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Alaska Congressman Don Young joined a unified group of Alaskans in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to speak in favor of ending the years-long prohibition against oil and gas development in the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) – an area specifically set aside by Congress in 1980 for future development. Young, an ardent supporter of responsible oil and gas development in ANWR’s coastal plain, spoke passionately on the Committee’s first panel of witnesses alongside Senator Dan Sullivan and Governor Bill Walker. Young’s leading argument – which hit the issue right on the nose – is that technology has improved to the point that no more than 2,000 surface acres ( approx.. 3 sq. miles) of the 19 million acre ANWR would be required to develop the more than 15 billion barrels of oil estimated to be in the coastal plain. In a move that caught the attention of lawmakers and attendees, Young drew a dot on the tip of his nose to illustrate the size of surface impact proposed for the 1002 in comparison to the greater ANWR area. “You see anything different on my nose right now,” Young asked the panel. “I am Alaska. One tenth of one tenth percent is what we’re talking about in disturbance…This little dot on my nose – I weigh 225 lbs. – this little dot is what we’re talking about in surface impact in the 1002 Area. That’s a potential for approximately – early estimates were 10 billion barrels – and now estimates are probably around 20 billion barrels of oil.” Congressman Young testifying before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Development in AWNR’s 1002 (click here to watch, click here for remarks) As described by Congressman Young, one of the few who has been part of this debate from the beginning, the creation of the 1002 Area was built on an understanding that it would be used for future development. “If we are to be energy sufficient, to control the international instances that can be faced, we need ANWR,” Congressman Young said. “The Congress recognized it when we passed the Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act (ANILCA). Scoop Jackson, Warren Magnuson, Mo Udall, all agreed to this provision because they knew the value of that oil and the value it had to this nation. Now we’re fighting the same battle again because of the ignorance and misinformation from those that would prefer not having any resource development at all, not only in Alaska – we’re easy to pick on because we’re a three person delegation – but for the nation as a whole.” Young closed as he began – an argument that resource development in the 1002 Area can be done safely and responsibly just as industry and the State of Alaska have proven on the North Slope for over 50 years.   “I hope you have the courage to do what’s right for this nation – what’s good for Alaska, what’s good for the nation, and good for all the people in the future. Madam Chairman, I thank you for having this hearing,” Young said. “I remind you, look at this little blue dot on my nose. That is the footprint in the 1002 Area. I don’t think it changes my appearance that much.” Following the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, a group of Alaskans joined together to further discuss the necessity of opening the 1002 for exploration. This group included Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska), Alaska Gov. Bill Walker, Alaska Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, and members of the Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat, including Richard Glenn, Matthew Rexford, John Hopson, Jr. and Teresa Imm. The Alaska Delegation holds a press availability following today’s hearing in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (click here to watch). *Click here for photos from today’s hearing. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-now-is-the-right-time-to-open-alaskas-1002-area,Alaska Delegation: Now is the Right Time to Open Alaskas 1002 Area,2017-11-02,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.02.17 Alaska Delegation: Now is the Right Time to Open Alaska’s 1002 Area Limited Development Will Create Jobs, Reduce Deficits, Generate New Wealth, and Strengthen National Security U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing focused on the potential for oil and gas development in the non-wilderness portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), known as the “1002 Area” or Coastal Plain, to meet the $1 billion budget reconciliation instruction the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee received last week in H. Con. Res. 71. During the hearing, Sen. Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, both R-Alaska, provided opening statements for committee members.  Murkowski opened the hearing by emphasizing that the 1002 Area is not federal wilderness, and separate from the wilderness in ANWR. In 1980, Congress specifically designated the 1002 Area for consideration for oil and gas exploration. Today, Alaskans are asking to develop just 2,000 federal acres within it – about one ten-thousandth of all of ANWR. Murkowski explained that limited, responsible development would generate new wealth and prosperity for Alaska and the nation, among many other substantial economic benefits.  “Opening the 1002 Area to responsible oil and gas development will create thousands of new jobs, and those jobs will pay the types of wages that support families and put our kids through college,” said Murkowski. “It will also generate tens of billions of dollars in revenues over the life of the fields for every level of government.” Murkowski also explained how the environmental footprint of development on Alaska’s North Slope has shrunken dramatically since Prudhoe Bay began operations in the 1970s, and the stringent standards that Alaskans have put in place to protect local wildlife. “The Central Arctic caribou herd, which lives year-round in and around Prudhoe Bay, is now more than seven times larger than when development began,” said Murkowski. “For over 40 years now, Alaskans have repeatedly proven that we can develop safely and responsibly, and development in the 1002 Area will be no different. We will not harm the caribou; or the polar bears, whose dens can be protected; or the snow geese, whose nesting areas can be safeguarded; or any of the other birds and wildlife that visit the Coastal Plain in the summer.”  Between the 1970s and today, the surface footprint of Arctic development decreased by about 80 percent. What was once a 65-acre pad now takes up 12 acres or less. Below ground, extended reach drilling from a single pad will grow to an area of 125 square miles by 2020—an increase of more than 4,000 percent from the 1970s.  Sullivan, Young, and Alaska Gov. Bill Walker provided opening statements about the economic and national security benefits of opening the 1002 Area to responsible development. “Opening the small section of the 1002 area in ANWR for development will strengthen our national security,” said Sullivan, who has been a Marine for 24 years, a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, and sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee. “When we don’t have to import energy from countries that don’t like us, or better yet, when we can export American energy to our allies like Japan and Korea, or even a country like China, this helps our national security and foreign policy.” In a move that caught the attention of lawmakers and attendees, Young drew a dot on the tip of his nose to illustrate the size of surface impact in comparison to the greater ANWR area. “You see anything different on my nose right now,” Young asked the panel. “I am Alaska. One tenth of one tenth percent is what we’re talking about in disturbance…This little dot on my nose – I weigh 225 lbs. – this little dot is what we’re talking about in surface impact in the 10-02 Area. That’s a potential for approximately – early estimates were 10 billion barrels – and now estimates are probably around 20 billion barrels of oil.” “Using the Energy Information Administration’s projections for the price of oil and USGS’s resource estimate for ANWR, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) estimates that oil production from federal lands in the 1002 Area will generate $175 billion dollars in royalty and tax revenues for Alaska over the potential 40-plus year life of the basin,” said Walker.                                   The committee also received testimony from a number of Alaskans who strongly support opening the 1002 Area: Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, State of Alaska; Richard Glenn, executive vice president for land and natural resources of the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation; Matthew Rexford, tribal administrator of the Native Village of Kaktovik; and Aaron Schutt, president and CEO of Doyon, Ltd. Each highlighted the broad support of Alaskans. “As Congress originally considered in ANCSA and ANILCA, it must be determined whether these economic benefits can be pursued in a safe manner that protects the wildlife of the Alaska North Slope. I believe the State’s longstanding success shows that it definitively can, and thus should be done,” said Mallott. “The reality is that the survival of our region and the development of our communities today depend on continued exploration and production,” said Glenn. “Without this economic driver, our communities will need access to greater government subsidies and programs in order to be sustained.” “As Iñupiat, we stand to be unarguably the most affected by oil and gas activity in the Arctic. Therefore, we have the greatest stake in seeing that any and all development keeps our land and subsistence resources safe,” said Rexford. “We know it can be done, because it’s being done.” “The official environmental impact statement for ANWR development from the U.S. Department of the Interior, now three decades old, showed that ANWR’s total potential oil reserves could be developed while only affecting about 2,000 acres of the surface of the coastal plain,” said Schutt. “The technology available to oil and gas companies today supports that assessment. Development will not physically touch 99.99 percent of the refuge, and it would leave untouched all of the refuge’s current 7.16 million acres of formal wilderness.” Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. An archived video and testimony from today’s hearing are available on the committee’s website. Click here to view Murkowski’s questions for the first panel of witnesses, and here for the second panel.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/alaska-delegation-now-is-the-right-time-to-open-alaskas-1002-area,Alaska Delegation: Now is the Right Time to Open Alaskas 1002 Area,2017-11-02,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing focused on the potential for oil and gas development in the non-wilderness portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), known as the 1002 Area or Coastal Plain, to meet the $1 billion budget reconciliation instruction the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee received last week in H. Con. Res. 71. During the hearing, Sen. Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, both R-Alaska, provided opening statements for committee members. Murkowski opened the hearing by emphasizing that the 1002 Area is not federal wilderness, and separate from the wilderness in ANWR. In 1980, Congress specifically designated the 1002 Area for consideration for oil and gas exploration. Today, Alaskans are asking to develop just 2,000 federal acres within it about one ten-thousandth of all of ANWR. Murkowski explained that limited, responsible development would generate new wealth and prosperity for Alaska and the nation, among many other substantial economic benefits. Opening the 1002 Area to responsible oil and gas development will create thousands of new jobs, and those jobs will pay the types of wages that support families and put our kids through college, said Murkowski. It will also generate tens of billions of dollars in revenues over the life of the fields for every level of government. Murkowski also explained how the environmental footprint of development on Alaska's North Slope has shrunken dramatically since Prudhoe Bay began operations in the 1970s, and the stringent standards that Alaskans have put in place to protect local wildlife. The Central Arctic caribou herd, which lives year-round in and around Prudhoe Bay, is now more than seven times larger than when development began, said Murkowski. For over 40 years now, Alaskans have repeatedly proven that we can develop safely and responsibly, and development in the 1002 Area will be no different. We will not harm the caribou; or the polar bears, whose dens can be protected; or the snow geese, whose nesting areas can be safeguarded; or any of the other birds and wildlife that visit the Coastal Plain in the summer. Between the 1970s and today, the surface footprint of Arctic development decreased by about 80 percent. What was once a 65-acre pad now takes up 12 acres or less. Below ground, extended reach drilling from a single pad will grow to an area of 125 square miles by 2020an increase of more than 4,000 percent from the 1970s. Sullivan, Young, and Alaska Gov. Bill Walker provided opening statements about the economic and national security benefits of opening the 1002 Area to responsible development. Opening the small section of the 1002 area in ANWR for development will strengthen our national security, said Sullivan, who has been a Marine for 24 years, a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, and sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee. When we don't have to import energy from countries that don't like us, or better yet, when we can export American energy to our allies like Japan and Korea, or even a country like China, this helps our national security and foreign policy. In a move that caught the attention of lawmakers and attendees, Young drew a dot on the tip of his nose to illustrate the size of surface impact in comparison to the greater ANWR area. You see anything different on my nose right now, Young asked the panel. I am Alaska. One tenth of one tenth percent is what we're talking about in disturbanceThis little dot on my nose I weigh 225 lbs. this little dot is what we're talking about in surface impact in the 10-02 Area. That's a potential for approximately early estimates were 10 billion barrels and now estimates are probably around 20 billion barrels of oil. Using the Energy Information Administration's projections for the price of oil and USGS's resource estimate for ANWR, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) estimates that oil production from federal lands in the 1002 Area will generate $175 billion dollars in royalty and tax revenues for Alaska over the potential 40-plus year life of the basin, said Walker. The committee also received testimony from a number of Alaskans who strongly support opening the 1002 Area: Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, State of Alaska; Richard Glenn, executive vice president for land and natural resources of the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation; Matthew Rexford, tribal administrator of the Native Village of Kaktovik; and Aaron Schutt, president and CEO of Doyon, Ltd. Each highlighted the broad support of Alaskans. As Congress originally considered in ANCSA and ANILCA, it must be determined whether these economic benefits can be pursued in a safe manner that protects the wildlife of the Alaska North Slope. I believe the State's longstanding success shows that it definitively can, and thus should be done, said Mallott. The reality is that the survival of our region and the development of our communities today depend on continued exploration and production, said Glenn. Without this economic driver, our communities will need access to greater government subsidies and programs in order to be sustained. As Iupiat, we stand to be unarguably the most affected by oil and gas activity in the Arctic. Therefore, we have the greatest stake in seeing that any and all development keeps our land and subsistence resources safe, said Rexford. We know it can be done, because it's being done. The official environmental impact statement for ANWR development from the U.S. Department of the Interior, now three decades old, showed that ANWR's total potential oil reserves could be developed while only affecting about 2,000 acres of the surface of the coastal plain, said Schutt. The technology available to oil and gas companies today supports that assessment. Development will not physically touch 99.99 percent of the refuge, and it would leave untouched all of the refuge's current 7.16 million acres of formal wilderness. Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. An archived video and testimony from today's hearing are available on the committee's website. Click here to view Murkowski's questions for the first panel of witnesses, and here for the second panel. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-smart-building-technologies-promote-energy_efficiency-and-resiliency-in-american-homes-and-businesses,Murkowski: Smart Building Technologies Promote Energy Efficiency and Resiliency in American Homes and Businesses,2017-10-31,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.31.17 Murkowski: Smart Building Technologies Promote Energy Efficiency and Resiliency in American Homes and Businesses U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to discuss new efficiency opportunities provided by advanced building management and control systems. The committee heard from representatives of the Department of Energy (DOE), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Cold Climate Housing Research Center, Southern Company, and Emerson Commercial and Residential Solutions. Smart technologies have had a big impact on reducing energy use and costs across the nation. According to DOE’s Building Technology Office, new homes in the United States use about 20 percent less energy for space heating than older homes. Those households are paying roughly $216 less per year by using more energy efficient equipment and appliance standards - although, that has not been enough to address high energy costs in places like rural Alaska.   “These numbers are dramatically different in Alaska, where energy costs are exorbitantly high, and some of our rural communities live dangerously close to, or are already in, energy insecurity,” Murkowski said. “Some Alaskan families pay thousands of dollars a month – up to half of their household budgets, on energy alone. The challenges in rural Alaska are unique, and that is certainly true when it comes to optimizing the way a building uses energy.” Bruno Grunau, chief programs officer of the Cold Climate Housing Research Center in Fairbanks, Alaska, highlighted the significant strides being made to save on energy and create resilient, healthy, durable, sustainable homes in Alaska. “Our focus at the research center is applied research, and how quickly can we get this research on the ground to demonstrate it,” Grunau said. “Our philosophy is if you cut the [energy] demand in half, you’re effectively doubling the supply. Cutting the demand doesn’t just save money for families and businesses, but reduces the stress on our natural resources, eases pressure on the grid, and makes our communities more resilient to natural disasters and economic uncertainty.” Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. An archived video and testimony from today’s hearing are available on the committee’s website. Click here and here to view both rounds of Murkowski’s questions for witnesses.  Related Issues: Energy Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-honors-alaskan-of-the-week-chris-apassingok,Sullivan Honors Alaskan of the Week: Chris Apassingok,2017-10-31,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.31.17 Sullivan Honors Alaskan of the Week: Chris Apassingok WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan(R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor this week in recognition of Chris Apassingok, a young whaler from Gambell, Alaska who is helping to keep the Alaska Native whaling tradition alive. Chris was recognized as part of Senator Sullivan's series, Alaskan of the Week. Click here to watch Senator Sullivan's floor remarks. The following is the statement submitted to the Congressional Record: TRIBUTE TO CHRIS APASSINGOK Mr. President, one of the privileges of being in the Senate is actually being able to preside, as the Presiding Officer is doing right now--to sit at the Chair and listen and watch my colleagues talk about issues that matter to them, and a lot of times issues that matter to their States. In this amazing country of ours we have so many great States, great stories, and great traditions. When I am presiding, some relate to Texas, where the current Presiding Officer is from, celebrating our unique traditions, while still appreciating that at our best we share values as Americans together--opportunity, liberty, justice, and fairness. It really is one of the things that makes the Senate a great body and what makes us strong as a nation. One of the things I like to do is to come to the Senate floor and talk about some of the traditions in my State--some of the things that I think make Alaska the greatest State in the Nation. I know some of my colleagues will not fully agree with that, but we all get to brag about our State. When I do that, I like to talk about an individual whom we recognize as the Alaskan of the Week . Often, it is somebody who is doing something in a remote part of Alaska whom not a lot of people know about. It is very important to share that with my colleagues in the Senate and other colleagues watching on TV. Today, I would like to recognize a young Alaskan from Gambell, AK, named Chris Apassingok, a young whaler who is helping to keep the tradition that we have in Alaska--Native whaling--alive and well. He is our Alaskan of the Week . This year, Chris was a keynote speaker at the Elders and Youth Conference, which is a precursor to the Alaska Federation of Natives conference held each year in one of our cities. It is the largest annual gathering in the United States of any Native peoples, and there is nothing like it in all the country. AFN, as we call it in Alaska, is certainly a highlight of my year. My wife and I and our kids always try to get there. Let me spend a few minutes talking about why Chris's speech about whaling was so important and what happened after he landed a huge bowhead whale in Alaska and why that was so inspiring for so many in my great State and, really, around the country. Gambell, AK, is where Chris calls home, a Yupik village of about 700 people on St. Lawrence Island, on the northwest edge of Alaska. It is 1 of 11 Alaska communities that participate in two whaling seasons, recognized and authorized by the International Whaling Commission. These are subsistence communities. What does that mean? They are subsistence communities because whale meat is actually a necessity in feeding these communities. I should point out that we have no road systems at all in Northern Alaska. Most of Alaska has no roads connected from community to community, and certainly not in Gambell. The Presiding Officer and I have had the opportunity to travel around Alaska. He has seen our great State. He knows that many communities are only accessible by air or seasonal barge. Some areas can only be reached at certain times of the year because of the weather. These communities need food. They need whales. The annual bowhead whale migration provides the largest subsistence resource available in these remote areas of our great State. Even so, when a whale is taken, the sharing does not stop with the residents of the community. Each whale produces between 6 and 25 tons of food, on average. This meat is shared with other subsistence communities in our State and with family members and elders throughout the State. That is a hugely important part of Alaskan Native culture. This is another example of the resourcefulness of the Alaskan Native peoples, which has enabled them to survive in the Arctic--with some of the toughest weather and conditions anywhere in the world for millennia--and which has shaped the culture of Alaska and the character of our State today. Back to Chris, he is an extraordinary hunter, even by the standards of Gambell, a community of extraordinary hunters. He could aim and shoot a rifle at the age of 5. By 11, he had trained himself to strike whales, as one writer put it, ``standing steady in the front of the skiff with the gun, riding Bering Sea swells like a snowboarder.'' This past April, Chris and his father set out on a boat in the Bering Sea to do what their ancestors have been doing for thousands of years. After they got a bearded seal, they spotted a spouting bowhead. Chris took the first shot, it was accurate, and it was a huge whale, 57 feet 11 inches. It took 2 hours to tow it to shore and 4 days for the community to carve it up. As always, when a whale is landed, it is time for celebration in the community, and this time was no different, but shortly after this, things unfortunately went sour for Chris and the community. A radical special interest activist, with a large online following, read the story about Chris and the whale and he began to attack Chris and so did many of his followers, from all across the globe--hundreds of people, most of them adults, cyber bullying and attacking a 16-year-old boy from Gambell, AK, who had, at that point, only left his village once in his life. They were shameful, no respect, no civility, and I mean vicious attacks. I will not repeat them here. It is enough to say they were greatly upset. In the community, Chris, his family, and his mother cried all night. Chris was angry that he and his family were being attacked for partaking in this necessary tradition that his community and his ancestors have been doing for thousands of years--thousands of years. However, this young man, despite the hateful messages from adults, from adults who live a world away, despite the names they were calling him, Chris, now 17, cut through the noise, stood strong, and gave a great speech at AFN, that he will continue to hunt and feed his family and his community the way his ancestors have done for millennia. At his speech last week at AFN, he asked: ``Will you stand with me as I continue my hunting [traditions of my family]?'' The crowd applauded, all of whom rose when he asked this: ``Will you stand with me'' as we continue our subsistence activities that we have undertaken for thousands of years? I hope everyone across the country stands with this extraordinary young man--truly brave and courageous--as he continues his tradition and his right to hunt and feed his community. This afternoon, I will be holding a hearing in the Commerce Committee about whaling in Alaska and how necessary it is for subsistence and the survival of these important cultures. I hope all Americans also stand with so many other proud Alaska whalers, protecting their rights to hunt the way their ancestors have hunted. Thank you, Chris--a young man in Alaska, 17 years old--for standing tall for your people, for all of Alaska. I also want to thank his parents Susan and Daniel for raising such a fine hunter. Congratulations, Chris, for being our Alaskan of the Week. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-supports-improving-safety-for-alaska-natives-and-american-indians,Murkowski Supports Improving Safety for Alaska Natives and American Indians,2017-10-27,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.27.17 Murkowski Supports Improving Safety for Alaska Natives and American Indians Signs on as Co-Sponsor to New Legislation U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined her colleagues on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs this week to attend an oversight hearing to advance three bills to improve public safety for Alaska Natives and American Indians.  Senator Murkowski showed her support for the bills, the Tribal Law and Order Reauthorization and Amendments Act, the SURVIVE Act, and Savanna’s Act, by signing on as a co-sponsor. During her opening statement, Senator Murkowski spoke on the devastating statistics surrounding murdered and missing Native women. Murkowski believes the United States isn’t doing enough to address the staggering statistics.  “Unfortunately in my tenure on the committee, and I think this has been going on 15 years now, these statistics as they relate to domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual assault, murder, youth suicide, suicide - they continue to mount,” said Senator Murkowski. “The efforts that we must make to help address at the federal level working with our tribes is something that I join my colleagues in the good work, but know we have an awful lot to be done to be even making a dent in things.”   (Click here to watch video.)  Senator Murkowski later recognized the importance of these three bills and acknowledged practical ways in which they can help strengthen the federal role in preventing crime, provide much needed services for victims, and bring much needed attention and coordination to the issue of murdered and missing native women. While questioning the hearing’s witnesses, Murkowski also emphasized the importance of continuing progress in the utilization of tribal courts and encouraging preemptive measures like substance abuse prevention and mental and behavioral health programs. “These bills are a good start at addressing what is needed for American Indians and Alaskans Natives who frankly have endured too much – we need to give these issues the attention they deserve, we need coordination across federal agencies, we need to ensure we have robust victim services to help victims get through their darkest days when they are experiencing it.” Bill Details: Tribal Law and Order Reauthorization and Amendments Act: Reauthorizes and extends programs under the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 and adds additional requirements to improve public safety in Indian Country. The SURVIVE Act: Increases tribal victim assistance by creating a tribal grant program within the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime. Savanna’s Act: Combats the epidemic of murdered and missing Native women and girls by improving the federal government’s response to addressing the crisis.  Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399042,"Concurrent Budget Resolution Paves Way for Tax Reform, Resource Development in ANWR",2017-10-26,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Alaska Congressman Don Young today applauded the House-passage of  H.Con. Res. 71, a concurrent budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2018 that paves the way to long overdue tax reform and resource development within the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). “This budget resolution not only lays the foundation for achieving much needed tax reform, it takes us one step closer to unleashing Alaska’s true energy potential through the development of ANWR – two issues that will not be easy, but are vitally important for Alaska,”  said Congressman Don Young. “ANWR is absolutely key in this equation, especially as we look to generate new revenue, create new jobs and opportunities for our people, and strengthen our economic outlook.  As the budget reconciliation process moves forward, I am committed to ensuring Alaska’s needs are reflected in the House and through any future negotiations with the Senate. On a broader note, this budget takes a serious step to prioritize our nation’s safety and security, while also beginning to address spending and our spiraling debt. It’s often something people avoid discussing, but we must understand that without unlocking new resources, encouraging new growth and championing new business activity, we will never get out from under the years of hardship created under previous administrations.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-emerging-technologies-key-to-protecting-us-energy-infrastructure-from-cyber-intrusions,Murkowski: Emerging Technologies Key to Protecting U.S. Energy Infrastructure from Cyber Intrusions,2017-10-26,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.26.17 Murkowski: Emerging Technologies Key to Protecting U.S. Energy Infrastructure from Cyber Intrusions U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to discuss the innovation of emerging cyber technologies that can be used to protect our nation’s electric grids and other critical energy infrastructure from future cyberattacks. The committee heard from representatives of the Pacific Northwest, Oak Ridge and Idaho National Laboratories, Qubitekk, and New Context Services. While we are looking at solutions to rebuild stronger electric grids in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to withstand natural disasters, we must also look for ways to harden the grid from constantly-evolving cyber intrusions. “It seems like every day we hear about an attempted hack or actual breach that has taken place. With this growing threat, we must continually look for ways to eliminate, diminish, or mitigate our vulnerabilities,” Murkowski said. “Advanced and emerging technologies are critical to protecting our national energy infrastructure from these attacks. Whether it is the application of quantum encryption, artificial intelligence, or moving control of grid infrastructure off of the public internet, there is significant research and development underway to provide a safe and reliable energy system now and in the future.” Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. In this Congress, a series of hearings focused on cybersecurity, electromagnetic pulse, and grid security issues have been held at both the full committee and subcommittee level. An archived video and testimony from today’s hearing are available on the committee’s website. Click here and here to view both rounds of Murkowski’s questions for witnesses.  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-statement-on-opioid-public-health-emergency-,Murkowski Statement on Opioid Public Health Emergency,2017-10-26,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.26.17 Murkowski Statement on Opioid Public Health Emergency U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after President Trump made an announcement, directing the declaration of a nationwide public health emergency to address the opioid crisis: “I applaud President Trump for declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency, today. Opioid addiction has become one of the most devastating public health issues confronting our nation. It is impacting everyone, destroying families, spurring crime, hurting our economy, and leading to the tragic deaths of far too many. “The impacts of this epidemic are far reaching and fighting it will require all of us, including federal, state, tribal and local governments, as well as families, communities, and individuals to work together. Within my own state, Governor Walker declared the opioid epidemic a public health crisis in February, and has since worked to take practical steps to combat this crisis. Today’s declaration and the emphasis it brings is another important step which I hope will encourage more collaboration and coordination in our efforts. I remain dedicated to working alongside Alaskans in this fight against opioid addiction and substance abuse and will keep fighting for the resources we need.”   Related Issues: Health Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-applauds-president-for-declaring-opioid-public-health-emergency-,Sullivan Applauds President for Declaring Opioid Public Health Emergency,2017-10-26,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.26.17 Sullivan Applauds President for Declaring Opioid Public Health Emergency WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) attended the White House today for President Trump's announcement that his administration will declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency, and afterward issued the following statement: I want to thank the President for declaring a public health emergency concerning the opioid epidemic, said Senator Sullivan. I applaud the flexibility and authority granted to federal agencies to address the epidemic, though we cannot effectively combat the crisis without additional funding. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate and House to provide more resources to the people on the ground, as well as states and local governments who are closer to the people. This crisis effects everyone, either directly or someone they know and love. We need to work together to fight the scourge of addiction. I would also like to thank Governor Bill Walker, who was with me today at the White House, for declaring the opioid crisis a public health disaster in Alaska in February and extending in March. Background: In October of 2015, eight Alaska women who struggle with addiction visited with Senator Sullivan in his Washington, DC office, and served as the inspiration for the Alaska Wellness Summit: Conquering the Opioid Crisis. In 2016, Senator Sullivan hosted the Summit, which featured the former U.S. Surgeon General and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary. Over the last two years, Congress with the support of Senator Sullivan, has passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), and the 21st Century Cures Act which included $1 billion over two years for states to combat the opioid crisis. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399040,Alaska Delegation Welcomes New Oil and Gas Lease Sales Within NPR-A,2017-10-25,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — The Alaska Congressional delegation today applauded the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management announcement to hold oil and gas lease sales on 900 tracts within portions of the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A). “I thank the administration for recognizing that Alaska has a leading role to play in America’s energy dominance and welcome its desire to increase access to the resources within our state’s 23-million acre National Petroleum Reserve,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources. “Responsible development in the NPR-A will strengthen our economy, begin to refill our Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, and generate new wealth to create prosperity and reduce our deficits. Those are substantial benefits—and this lease sale is a key step to gaining them.” “I welcome the BLM’s announcement today. Exploration and development of the NPR-A offers a promising opportunity to fill TAPS, boost Alaska’s economy, and protect America’s energy security,” said Senator Dan Sullivan. “After years of cutting of access to development, jobs and growth, the Department of Interior is now working with Alaska to put people back to work and ensure American energy dominance.” “I thank the President and Secretary Zinke for their work and commitment towards American energy dominance, an effort that is only made possible by Alaska’s vast energy resources,” said Congressman Don Young. “This decision is a testament to our work to spearhead new development and fight back against the status quo that has underserved Alaskan communities and interests for years.  The NPR-A was always intended for development, not to be locked away in perpetuity like the previous administration attempted. This announcement reaffirms Congress’ original intent of the NPR-A and begins moving us back in the right direction. I look forward to working with Secretary Zinke and the Department of Interior on strengthening responsible oil and gas development not only in the NPR-A, but across Alaska’s North Slope.” For additional information, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/gao-2016-tongass-plan-amendment-is-a-rule,GAO: 2016 Tongass Plan Amendment is a Rule,2017-10-24,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.24.17 GAO: 2016 Tongass Plan Amendment is a Rule Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) determination that the U.S. Forest Service’s 2016 Amendment to the Tongass Land Management Plan (TLMP Amendment) is a “rule” and therefore subject to the Congressional Review Act (CRA). Murkowski asked GAO to determine whether the TLMP Amendment met the definition of a “rule” earlier this year, and GAO announced yesterday that it does.  “I welcome GAO’s determination that the 2016 TLMP Amendment is a rule and subject to congressional review,” Murkowski said. “Every sector of the Southeast Alaska economy needs greater access to the Tongass, but this rule failed to provide it. Most concerning was the Forest Service’s decision to accelerate a transition to young-growth timber harvesting, even though it never completed an inventory to ensure it would be carried out successfully. While this rule can be improved administratively or legislatively, disapproving it entirely is now another option that we will consider in the days ahead.” Spanning a total of 16.7 million acres, the Tongass covers most of Southeast Alaska and is the largest national forest in the United States. Despite its expansive size, the Forest Service has increasingly restricted access for timber, mining, transportation, renewable energy, and even recreation. Those restrictions increased when the Obama administration finalized the TLMP Amendment on its way out of office in December 2016, which was finalized without completing a comprehensive inventory of young growth, a key recommendation of the Tongass Advisory Committee, and largely dismissed more than 1,000 objections. The Congressional Review Act became law in 1996. It helps maintain the balance of power between the branches of government by allowing Congress to pass a joint resolution of disapproval to overturn executive branch regulations. Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Following GAO’s release of this determination, the CRA provides for 60 legislative days to file a resolution of disapproval that would nullify the 2016 TLMP Amendment. 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-supports-disaster-aid_,Murkowski Supports Disaster Aid,2017-10-24,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.24.17 Murkowski Supports Disaster Aid Hurricane, Wildfire Recovery U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of a disaster aid bill to help communities facing hurricane destruction and fighting wildfires. The bill provides additional funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as funds to account for recent damage caused by wildfires, enabling aid workers to continue critical recovery operations, debris removal and infrastructure repair. The bill passed in a vote of 82-17. “The devastation we’ve seen from hurricanes this fall has just been overwhelming and almost unfathomable. And while progress has been made on recovery efforts, communities simply have not been able to overcome the challenges they are facing on their own. And while we work on long-term solutions, I’m proud that we are helping to provide substantial relief so those that have been impacted by these natural disasters have the supplies they so desperately need,” said Senator Murkowski. “As devastating wildfires continue to burn, we have secured funding to make forest management programs whole to help prevent these catastrophic fires we are seeing and ensure firefighters have tools they need.”  Bill Highlights: Department of Homeland Security $18.67 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund for major disasters declared under the Stafford Act; $4.9 billion of which may be transferred to the Disaster Assistance Direct Loan Program. Department of Agriculture $184.5 million for the Forest Service for “Wildland Fire Management” for fire borrowing repayment. $342 million for the “FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund” for fire borrowing repayment. Department of Interior $50 million for Wildland Fire Management to repay amounts transferred to the Forest Service for wildfire suppression. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-introduces-bill-to-authorize-cooperative-management-agreements-between-district-of-columbia-and-the-national-park-service-,Murkowski Introduces Bill to Authorize Cooperative Management Agreements Between District of Columbia and the National Park Service,2017-10-23,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.23.17 Murkowski Introduces Bill to Authorize Cooperative Management Agreements Between District of Columbia and the National Park Service Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, recently introduced a bill that authorizes the District of Columbia (District) to enter into cooperative management agreements (CMAs) with the National Park Service (NPS) to more efficiently manage park sites across the District. The bill, S. 1956, is the companion bill to H.R. 2897, which was introduced in June by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C. “Both the District and the Park Service share the mutual goal of providing better, more cost-effective management of our park sites across the nation’s capital,” said Murkowski. “S. 1956 would facilitate the implementation of this goal by extending authority to the District to enter into cooperative management agreements. Residents and visitors will reap the benefits of these agreements, starting with Franklin Park.” “I am grateful to my friend Senator Lisa Murkowski for introducing her Senate companion bill supporting the District’s efforts to work with NPS to rehabilitate Franklin Park and other underfunded NPS properties across the nation’s capital,” said Norton. “This legislation is a big win for the federal government and the District and will allow residents and visitors alike to enjoy greenspace and amenities right in downtown D.C. Our House bill has already been passed by two committees and is on its way to the floor. I look forward to working with Senator Murkowski to advance this noncontroversial bill through Congress.” “S. 1956 will enable the District to move forward on projects that will improve Washington, DC for residents, visitors, and businesses, and we are pleased to collaborate with Senator Murkowski on this legislation,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser, D-D.C. “With the authority to enter into cooperative management agreements, the District and the National Park Service will be able to restore urban spaces like Franklin Park so that they better represent and reflect the strength and grandeur of our nation’s capital.” Murkowski is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Click here to view the text of the bill. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/senate-passes-budget-resolution-opening-door-to_tax-reform-responsible-development-of-1002-area-,"Senate Passes Budget Resolution, Opening Door to Tax Reform, Responsible Development of 1002 Area",2017-10-19,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.19.17 Senate Passes Budget Resolution, Opening Door to Tax Reform, Responsible Development of 1002 Area U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after voting for the Fiscal Year 2018 budget resolution, which passed the Senate late tonight. “This budget resolution offers a tremendous opportunity to secure the future of Alaska, from long overdue federal tax reform to responsible energy development in a small part of the non-wilderness 1002 Area,” Murkowski said. “Tonight was just the first step, but we are now on a path that will allow us to create jobs, generate new wealth, keep energy affordable, and protect our national security.”   Murkowski is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which is instructed to raise $1 billion in the FY 2018 budget resolution. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/sullivan-murkowski-introduce-the-allowing-alaska-ivory-act,"Sullivan, Murkowski Introduce the Allowing Alaska IVORY Act",2017-10-19,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.19.17 Sullivan, Murkowski Introduce the Allowing Alaska IVORY Act U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, this week introduced S. 1965, the Allowing Alaska IVORY Act. The legislation would preempt states from banning walrus ivory or whale bone products that have been legally carved by Alaska Natives under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Additionally, the bill preempts states from issuing bans on mammoth ivory products. At last year’s Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, Senator Sullivan held a Senate Environment and Public Works field hearing to examine state laws across the country that prohibit ivory sales and harm Alaska Native artisans.  Since that hearing, Senator Sullivan has been working with Alaska Native leaders and those negatively impacted by the bans to craft legislation that addresses their concerns. “Alaska Native and rural economies across our state are being negatively impacted by overly broad bans on not just elephant ivory but walrus and mammoth ivory,” said Senator Sullivan. “These products allow not just valuable artistic and cultural expressions, but vital income for many rural Alaskans. Further, the Fish and Wildlife Service and members of the conservation community have recognized that these broad state bans have little benefit to combatting the poaching problem, while creating confusion on the part of buyers of Alaskan ivory. Our bill will cut the confusion, and carry out the true intent of our existing laws to allow Alaskan Natives and Alaskans to responsibly use their resources to access economic opportunity while maintaining centuries old cultural practices.” “A number of states have enacted legislation claimed to be aimed at combating the illicit elephant ivory trade, which is something we all want to fight,” said Senator Murkowski. “However, the legislation being passed by many of these states would prevent Americans from purchasing and possessing traditional Alaska Native handicrafts derived from marine mammal and locally found fossilized Mammoth ivory, thus destroying a legal and culturally rich economic source for many Alaska Natives. Sadly, state ivory bans were enacted without any attempt at consultation with indigenous groups who create this type of cultural art or lawmakers from states where it is part of our history. The Constitution assigns Congress the power to legislate on matters involving our first peoples. We join together today to protect important sources of income for Alaska’s indigenous people, their culture, and an important part of our state’s history by preempting this vastly overreaching state legislation.” In addition to introducing the IVORY Act this week, the Alaska Congressional Delegation wrote the National Governors Association and National Conference of State Legislatures to highlight the “potentially devastating and unintended consequences of broadly crafted state ivory bans that are currently in place or under consideration in nearly half of the United States.” CLICK HERE to read the letter. In August 2016 Senator Murkowski wrote Governor Brown of California to ask whether his state’s overreaching legislation was intended to harm the market for Alaska Native handicrafts Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-senators-pledge-support-for-turning-senate-on-full-time,ICYMI: Senators Pledge Support For Turning Senate On Full Time,2017-10-19,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.19.17 ICYMI: Senators Pledge Support For Turning Senate On Full Time Call for Senate changes to overcome partisan obstruction WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) was joined by David Perdue (R-GA), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dean Heller (R-NV), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Kennedy (R-LA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Luther Strange (R-AL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and James Lankford (R-OK) in sending a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledging their full support to turn the Senate on full time, 24/7, for the remainder of the year to combat partisan obstruction and get results for the American people. The 115th Congress is being disrupted by sustained, partisan obstruction. We believe our conference must be willing to change how the Senate operates both by tradition and by rule, said the senators in the letter. We appreciate your acknowledging our concerns and applaud your plan to work nights and weekends when necessary to overcome this gridlock. You have our full support to turn the Senate on full time, 24/7, to advance the president's agenda, including a meaningful health care solution, bold changes to our tax code, and funding the government by year's end. You have our pledge to be available for voting day and night and we offer our time to preside over the Senate when necessary to keep us on track, concluded the senators. View the full text of the letter below. Dear Leader McConnell: The 115th Congress is being disrupted by sustained, partisan obstruction. We believe our conference must be willing to change how the Senate operates both by tradition and by rule. We appreciate your acknowledging our concerns and applaud your plan to work nights and weekends when necessary to overcome this gridlock. You have our full support to turn the Senate on full time, 24/7, to advance the president's agenda, including a meaningful health care solution, bold changes to our tax code, and funding the government by year's end. As you know, one glaring example of this unprecedented obstruction is the minority party's perversion of Senate rules to undercut the confirmation process of the administration's nominees and judicial appointments. When new presidents are elected, they have always been given an opportunity to put their team in place in short order. Historically, this is not just a common courtesy, it is an expectation of Americans to have a seamless transition of power resulting in a functioning federal government. It is abundantly clear that the tactics employed by the minority are designed to imperil the new administration and its agenda. Overcoming this obstruction will require a real commitment on our part. An aggressive work calendar, as you have proposed, which should include nights and weekends, will enable administration and judicial nominees to be confirmed more quickly. You have our pledge to be available for voting day and night and we offer our time to preside over the Senate when necessary to keep us on track. Given the unprecedented obstruction by our colleagues across the aisle, we hope you will also take a renewed look at the rules governing executive branch nominations. Our conference should always remember that we are fighting for hardworking Americans. In their daily lives, when there is work to be done whether on assembly lines, in the fields of family farms, fishing in our bountiful waters, or standing in harm's way everyday Americans do what it takes to get the job done. We owe them the same unrelenting effort in the job they gave us to do. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-murkowski-introduce-the-allowing-alaska-ivory-act,"Sullivan, Murkowski Introduce the Allowing Alaska IVORY Act",2017-10-19,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.19.17 Sullivan, Murkowski Introduce the Allowing Alaska IVORY Act U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, this week introducedS. 1965, the Allowing Alaska IVORY Act.The legislation would preempt states from banning walrus ivory or whale bone products that have been legally carved by Alaska Natives under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Additionally, the bill preempts states from issuing bans on mammoth ivory products. At last year's Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, Senator Sullivan held a Senate Environment and Public Works field hearing to examine state laws across the country that prohibit ivory sales and harm Alaska Native artisans. Since that hearing, Senator Sullivan has been working with Alaska Native leaders and those negatively impacted by the bans to craft legislation that addresses their concerns. Alaska Native and rural economies across our state are being negatively impacted by overlybroad bans on not just elephant ivory but walrus and mammoth ivory,said Senator Sullivan.These products allow not just valuable artistic and cultural expressions, but vital income for many rural Alaskans. Further, the Fish and Wildlife Service and members of the conservation community have recognized that these broad state bans have little benefit to combatting the poaching problem, while creating confusion on thepart of buyers of Alaskan ivory. Our bill will cut the confusion, and carry out the true intent of our existing laws to allow Alaskan Natives and Alaskans to responsibly use their resources to access economic opportunity while maintaining centuries old cultural practices. A number of states have enacted legislation claimed to be aimed at combating the illicit elephant ivory trade, which is something we all want to fight,said Senator Murkowski.However, the legislation being passed by many of these states would prevent Americans from purchasing and possessing traditional Alaska Native handicrafts derived from marine mammal and locally found fossilized Mammoth ivory, thus destroying a legal and culturally rich economic source for many Alaska Natives. Sadly, state ivory bans were enacted without any attempt at consultation with indigenous groups who create this type of cultural art or lawmakers from states where it is part of our history. The Constitution assigns Congress the power to legislate on matters involving our first peoples. We join together today to protect important sources of income for Alaska's indigenous people, their culture, and an important part of our state's history by preempting this vastly overreaching state legislation. In addition to introducing the IVORY Act this week, the Alaska Congressional Delegation wrote the National Governors Association and National Conference of State Legislatures to highlight the potentially devastating and unintended consequences of broadly crafted state ivory bans that are currently in place or under consideration in nearly half of the United States.CLICK HEREto read the letter. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-supports-fy18-budget-resolution-lays-foundation-for-tax-reform-unlocking-alaskas-energy-potential,"Sullivan Supports FY18 Budget Resolution, Lays Foundation for Tax Reform, Unlocking Alaskas Energy Potential",2017-10-19,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.19.17 Sullivan Supports FY18 Budget Resolution, Lays Foundation for Tax Reform, Unlocking Alaska's Energy Potential WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement tonight after voting in support the FY18 Budget Resolution, which passed on a vote of 51-49. Today I was pleased to vote for a fiscally responsible budget that will curb out-of-control spending, protect Social Security, strengthen Medicare and bring robust economic growth to America, all without raising taxes on hardworking Alaskans, Senator Sullivan said. Today's effort will begin the process of allowing hardworking Americans to keep more of their pay check. Included in the bill are instructions to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to find $1 billion in additional revenues through increased resource development, including the 1002 Area of Alaska's North Slope. This resolution is another key step that we've recently accomplished in a decades long fight to allow Alaskans to produce energy in our state something that Alaskans, democrats, republicans, independents, overwhelmingly support, said Senator Sullivan. More American energy production means more good-paying jobs, increased economic growth, and a stronger national security. More American energy production will also help to generate wealth, decrease our federal deficit, while fostering a more sustainable global environment. Because no one in the world produces energy more responsibly than Alaskans and Americans. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399041,Alaska Delegation Applauds EPAs Selection of Chris Hladick as Region 10 Administrator,2017-10-17,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Don Young,Y000033,donyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young today released the following statement after Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt appointed Alaskan Chris Hladick to serve as regional administrator for Region 10. ""‎Chris is exactly what Alaska needs, an experienced Administrator that will implement the law instead of furthering agendas,” said Senator Murkowski. “Chris has years of experience as the Commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development and as a city administrator in rural Alaska. He knows the issues our communities face when dealing with the EPA, from fishermen struggling with overburdensome regulations to the need to ensure that Alaskans can reasonably comply with the agency's environmental rules. His knowledge will be an asset as he works to create collaborative relationships between the Region X office and Alaska.” ""The Congressional delegation has been relentlessly pushing to have an Alaskan serve as the Administrator for EPA's Region 10 Office,” said Senator Sullivan.“I’m pleased that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt worked closely with our offices to find a well-qualified candidate for this position. Chris Hladick has a long history of working for Alaska.  He understands how state and federal agencies intersect, and will be able to navigate the EPA’s rules and regulations in order to serve Alaska and the other region-10 states. He also has the heart of a public servant informed by years of experiences serving in different places across Alaska. He knows the importance and impact EPA programs can positively make to the lives of Alaskans. I look forward to working with him and the agency to help grow our economy, provide good paying jobs for Alaskans, and to keep necessary safeguards in place to keep our environment pristine.” “Extortion has long been the name of the game for the EPA – sue and settle type tactics rather than helping communities or individuals actually address their challenges. Chris Hladick knows first-hand the overbearing nature of the previous administration’s EPA; helping lead a challenge against them while serving as City Manager of Unalaska,” said Congressman Don Young. “Having lived in and managed river and coastal communities across rural Alaska for many years, Chris understands the many challenges our residents face when dealing with government agencies, particularly the EPA. I’m optimistic Chris can begin rebuilding a level of trust and confidence in the EPA that was steadily eroded over the previous eight years.” For the last two years, Mr. Hladick has served as commissioner of Commerce Community and Economic Development for the State of Alaska where he has been responsible for six divisions and seven corporate agencies supervising about 500 employees. He previously worked as city manager for Unalaska, Alaska where he was responsible for administering union contracts and oversaw the operating budgets of the city’s police, fire and emergency response, public works and utilities departments. He also served as city manager of Dillingham and Galena, Alaska.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/ak-delegation-congratulates-tara-sweeney-on_nomination-for-key-role-in-administration-,AK Delegation Congratulates Tara Sweeney on Nomination for Key Role in Administration,2017-10-17,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.17.17 AK Delegation Congratulates Tara Sweeney on Nomination for Key Role in Administration Alaskan Chosen to be Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Tara Sweeney to be Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs within the U.S. Department of the Interior. “I extend my congratulations and full support to Tara on her nomination to serve as Assistant Secretary,” said Murkowski. “Tara has a very strong record of professionalism and accomplishment in Alaska, across the country, and internationally, especially with the indigenous people of the circumpolar north. She has significant experience on Arctic issues and chaired the Arctic Economic Council. She is an expert on energy, infrastructure, broadband, economic development, Native self-determination, and a wide range of policy issues that will come before her. Secretary Zinke could not have chosen a better leader to help him fulfill the federal government’s trust responsibility, and I know Tara has the heart and drive to excel in this position.” “This is a historic appointment for Alaskans and for the country,” said Sullivan. “I’ve worked with Tara Sweeney for years and I have witnessed first-hand her integrity, her strong leadership skills and her devotion to public service. Tara has a deep love for our state and people, and is relentless in her commitment to securing a better future for Alaska and the nation. With her long history of advocating for Alaska Native cultural values, rights, and economic opportunity, I can’t think of anyone better to have as our nation’s next Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs.”                     “This is an absolutely outstanding choice,” said Young. “Tara’s knowledge, experience and leadership will go a long way in straightening out the BIA, allowing it to run more efficiently for the good of all First Americans. She has extensive experience not only in business, but also within Alaska Native groups and organizations. Tara knows first-hand the fight for Native empowerment and self-determination because she’s been on the front lines for years.  There’s long been a problem with Native issues not receiving the priority they deserve but with Tara Sweeney at the helm, I have no doubt the Department of Interior will be paying close attention and the voices of our Native communities will be heard. Tara follows in great Alaskan footsteps, those of my dear friend Morris Thompson, and will do a fantastic job working on behalf of American Indians and Alaska Natives across the country.” Tara Sweeney is Iñupiaq and a lifelong Alaskan from Ukpia?vik (Barrow). She currently serves as the executive vice president of external affairs for the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC), the largest Alaska-owned and operated business. Tara has served on the Alaska Federation of Natives Board since 2007, previously serving as board co-chairman. She earned her bachelor’s degree in science from Cornell University. The Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs is one of five assistant secretaries at the Department of the Interior, reporting to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary. The Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs supports the Secretary of the Interior in fulfilling the United States’ trust responsibility to the Federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and villages and individual Indian trust beneficiaries, as well as in upholding the Federal-Tribal government-to-government relationship. 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/alaska-delegation-applauds-epas-selection-of-chris-hladick-as-region-10-administrator_,Alaska Delegation Applauds EPAs Selection of Chris Hladick as Region 10 Administrator,2017-10-17,2017,2017-10,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.17.17 Alaska Delegation Applauds EPA’s Selection of Chris Hladick as Region 10 Administrator U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young today released the following statement after Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt appointed Alaskan Chris Hladick to serve as regional administrator for Region 10. ""‎Chris is exactly what Alaska needs, an experienced Administrator that will implement the law instead of furthering agendas,” said Senator Murkowski. “Chris has years of experience as the Commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development and as a city administrator in rural Alaska. He knows the issues our communities face when dealing with the EPA, from fishermen struggling with overburdensome regulations to the need to ensure that Alaskans can reasonably comply with the agency's environmental rules. His knowledge will be an asset as he works to create collaborative relationships between the Region X office and Alaska.” ""The Congressional delegation has been relentlessly pushing to have an Alaskan serve as the Administrator for EPA's Region 10 Office,” said Senator Sullivan. “I’m pleased that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt worked closely with our offices to find a well-qualified candidate for this position. Chris Hladick has a long history of working for Alaska.  He understands how state and federal agencies intersect, and will be able to navigate the EPA’s rules and regulations in order to serve Alaska and the other region-10 states. He also has the heart of a public servant informed by years of experiences serving in different places across Alaska. He knows the importance and impact EPA programs can positively make to the lives of Alaskans. I look forward to working with him and the agency to help grow our economy, provide good paying jobs for Alaskans, and to keep necessary safeguards in place to keep our environment pristine.” “Extortion has long been the name of the game for the EPA – sue and settle type tactics rather than helping communities or individuals actually address their challenges. Chris Hladick knows first-hand the overbearing nature of the previous administration’s EPA; helping lead a challenge against them while serving as City Manager of Unalaska,” said Congressman Don Young. “Having lived in and managed river and coastal communities across rural Alaska for many years, Chris understands the many challenges our residents face when dealing with government agencies, particularly the EPA. I’m optimistic Chris can begin rebuilding a level of trust and confidence in the EPA that was steadily eroded over the previous eight years.” For the last two years, Mr. Hladick has served as commissioner of Commerce Community and Economic Development for the State of Alaska where he has been responsible for six divisions and seven corporate agencies supervising about 500 employees. He previously worked as city manager for Unalaska, Alaska where he was responsible for administering union contracts and oversaw the operating budgets of the city’s police, fire and emergency response, public works and utilities departments. He also served as city manager of Dillingham and Galena, Alaska.   Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z