The upper chamber of the United States Congress — 100 senators, two per state, six-year terms. Confirms federal judges and senior executive appointments, ratifies treaties, and shares legislative authority with the House of Representatives. Alaska's senators are Lisa Murkowski (R) and Dan Sullivan (R).
U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC 20510
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Patty Murray
“it is my intention to rip Trump's budget up and write a new one.”Senate Veterans' Affairs (Sullivan): Hearings to examine advancing the mission, focusing on evaluating the future of VA research. · Jul 22, 2026
Patty Murray
“I'm very concerned by the actions by this administration that have demoralized a lot of our VA research staff and created instability in research funding and really put up barriers that has slowed the research process. On the very first day of the Trump administration, all VA research staff became subject to a hiring freeze.”Senate Veterans' Affairs (Sullivan): Hearings to examine advancing the mission, focusing on evaluating the future of VA research. · Jul 22, 2026
Patty Murray
“the president's budget proposes a substantial reduction to VA's research program, not only through cuts to dedicated research appropriations, but also through reduced support from medical care accounts and lower projected reimbursements that many of our research programs rely on. Those reductions raise very serious concern about VA's ability to sustain its ongoing research and continue developing new innovations that improve our veterans' care.”Senate Veterans' Affairs (Sullivan): Hearings to examine advancing the mission, focusing on evaluating the future of VA research. · Jul 22, 2026
Patty Murray
“I just want to emphasize what I made— comment I made in the opening remark about the pending OMB rule that would really undermine our current system and allow— take away decision-making power from our experienced scientists and just allow political appointees, whether this administration or into the future, decide where research is going to go. That is really concerning to VA researchers. We need decisions based on science, not based on somebody's mad at somebody or political decision in any administration.”Senate Veterans' Affairs (Sullivan): Hearings to examine advancing the mission, focusing on evaluating the future of VA research. · Jul 22, 2026
Patty Murray
“a planned study on RSV missed its enrollment window and could not even enroll participants. Another clinical trial closed after it took 6 months to hire a researcher. The study's principal investigator and its lead clinician both resigned from the VA after that debacle.”Senate Veterans' Affairs (Sullivan): Hearings to examine advancing the mission, focusing on evaluating the future of VA research. · Jul 22, 2026
Patty Murray
“research at the Pittsburgh VA to predict stroke risk was put on hold. Enrollment into clinical trials for advanced cancer was delayed, and a clinical trial in Florida on preventing dementia and heart disease was canceled.”Senate Veterans' Affairs (Sullivan): Hearings to examine advancing the mission, focusing on evaluating the future of VA research. · Jul 22, 2026
Most of Alaska labor backs Peltola. Sullivan took some anyway.
Most of Alaska's organized labor backs Mary Peltola, but Dan Sullivan has drawn several major unions, including the AFL-CIO's own affiliates.
by Bill AlaskaNews1d ago3 min readAI
Federal grant will test a Yup'ik healing framework against homelessness
The federal Administration for Children and Families awarded the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness $450,000 for a one-year project serving Alaska Native households, built on the Yup'ik Calricaraq healing framework rather than standard case management.
by Walter AlaskaNews3d ago2 min readAI
Sullivan and Peltola clash in a combative first forum, previewing a bitter Senate race
In their first forum since the August primary, Sen. Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola clashed sharply over oil and gas permitting, Willow and their voting records, previewing a contentious Alaska Senate race.
by Bill AlaskaNews1w ago4 min readAI
Dan Sullivan endorsed Dan Sullivan over Dan Sullivan in Alaska's Senate race
Former Anchorage Mayor Dan A. Sullivan called himself 'the OG Dan Sullivan' in a Facebook post endorsing the incumbent senator over his same-name challenger from Petersburg.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
Peltola out-raised and out-spent Sullivan, and enters the general election with less cash
Democrat Mary Peltola and Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan advanced from Alaska's all-party primary to a November ranked-choice general election for the U.S. Senate seat.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAI
Peltola's first general election ad, out a day after the primary, runs against her own party.
Mary Peltola's campaign launched her first general election television ad the day after Alaska's primary, a spot built around her breaks with the Democratic Party.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAI
Trump names Kyle Reardon to the Alaska judgeship vacant since 2024
President Trump named magistrate judge Kyle Reardon to the Alaska federal district judgeship, vacant since Joshua Kindred resigned in July 2024 amid misconduct findings.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAI
Trump takes aim at Alaska's U.S. Senate Primary Election
President Donald Trump posted Friday on Truth Social endorsing incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan and warning Alaskans not to confuse him with Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. of Petersburg. Both are certified Republican candidates on the August 18 primary ballot.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago3 min readAI
Money floods a dead-even Alaska Senate race
Alaska's U.S. Senate race between Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola has drawn an extraordinary flood of money as polls show a dead heat ahead of the Aug. 18 open primary.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min readAI
Sullivan voted against every Iran war powers resolution this year — a record now drawing outside money before the primary
Sen. Dan Sullivan voted against all 13 Iran war powers resolutions in the Senate this year, a record now drawing outside spending for and against him ahead of Alaska's Aug. 18 primary.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min readAI
A hemp-ban delay divides Alaska's senators in the funding bill
A Senate stopgap bill delays a Nov. 12 federal ban on intoxicating hemp like delta-8, products Alaska already restricts. Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan split on the delay.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min readAI
Alaska's senators split as Senate confirms Blanche 50-49
The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general 50-49 on Saturday. Sen. Lisa Murkowski voted no and Sen. Dan Sullivan voted yes, the second time the two split on the nomination that day.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Kodiak will homeport the Coast Guard's first Arctic Security Cutters
Kodiak will homeport the Coast Guard's first two Arctic Security Cutters, with a third bound for Seward, part of a multibillion-dollar Arctic icebreaker buildup.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
A stopgap pauses a rule that would let appointees veto grants, protecting billions bound for Alaska
A continuing resolution bars OMB from finalizing a rule that would let political appointees veto federal grants, protecting billions in awards bound for Alaska through Dec. 11.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
Peltola's energy platform draws fire from both sides in the race
Mary Peltola released an energy platform in her Senate race against Dan Sullivan, backing the LNG pipeline and renewable credits. His campaign and environmental groups pushed back.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
The Senate failed to advance a national voter photo-ID bill — and Alaska's ID rules are looser than most
The U.S. Senate failed to advance a federal voter photo-ID bill on a party-line vote, with both Alaska senators voting yes. Alaska accepts non-photo ID like hunting licenses to vote.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Alaskans already on heating aid don't have to reapply for a new $10 million round
Sen. Dan Sullivan announced Friday Alaska will receive an additional $10 million in federal heating assistance, distributed automatically in September to households already enrolled, nearly doubling the state's allocation.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
Senate passes Russia sanctions bill 86-11; Murkowski and Sullivan vote yes
The U.S. Senate passed H.R. 5334, imposing sanctions on the Russian Federation, 86-11 on Friday. Earlier the same day, senators rejected an amendment to strike duties on countries buying Russian oil and gas, 32-64. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan voted to keep the duties and for passage.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
A program that lets people with ALS try experimental treatments just got five more years
The U.S. Senate voted to reauthorize the ACT for ALS program, which lets people with ALS access investigational treatments outside clinical trials, for five more years through 2031.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Sullivan files resolution to overturn EPA decision on California at-berth ship emissions
Sen. Dan Sullivan introduced a Congressional Review Act resolution Thursday to void an EPA decision allowing California to limit emissions from ocean-going vessels while docked. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Murkowski cosponsors bill to let Coast Guard commandant sign local support deals
Sen. Lisa Murkowski has cosponsored S. 5341, introduced Aug. 6 and referred to the Senate Commerce Committee, which would move authority for Coast Guard installation-support agreements with local governments to the service's commandant.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
Murkowski cosponsors Senate bill to restore Afghan Temporary Protected Status
Sen. Lisa Murkowski signed on as a cosponsor of S. 5308, introduced Thursday by Sen. Christopher Coons, which would designate Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status. The bill was read twice and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee the same day.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Murkowski says she will vote against Blanche for attorney general
Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Friday she will oppose Todd Blanche's nomination for U.S. attorney general, citing the Epstein files, immunity protections for the president and a nearly $2-billion Justice Department fund she says stays blocked only while the Senate holds leverage.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska's Senate race is on pace to shatter spending records — before a primary that decides nothing
Alaska's U.S. Senate race between Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola is on pace to break state spending records ahead of the Aug. 18 primary, driven by its national stakes for Senate control.
by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Murkowski presses Interior on who's paying for Trump's Smithsonian signs
Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Jeff Merkley demanded Interior explain the cost and funding for National Park Service signage ordered outside a Smithsonian museum under a Trump executive order.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
Sullivan leads a push to sanction ships supplying China's fleet
Nine U.S. senators, led by Alaska's Dan Sullivan, asked Treasury to sanction 29 ships resupplying China's fishing fleet, arguing its illegal catch undercuts American fishermen.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Sullivan plans to add an ad-transparency bill to kids' safety package
Sen. Dan Sullivan plans to attach his ADS for Mental Health Act, requiring ad platforms to report on public-service ads and promote mental health help, to a kids' safety package.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Senate confirms CDC director; Alaska's vaccine question stays open
The U.S. Senate confirmed Erica Schwartz of Florida as CDC director Wednesday on a 51-44 vote. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan both voted yea, on the confirmation and on the cloture motion that preceded it.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Senate bill co-led by Murkowski targets AI chatbot toys' risks to children
A bipartisan Senate bill co-led by Sen. Lisa Murkowski would study the safety risks of AI chatbot toys for children, after testing found some discussing explicit content and household dangers.
by Alaska News1mo ago2 min readAI
Murkowski cosponsors Senate bill to pay providers for breast cancer risk assessments
Sen. Lisa Murkowski cosponsored S. 5258, introduced Wednesday by Sen. Bill Cassidy, which would create a federal payment model reimbursing providers for comprehensive breast cancer risk assessments and personalized screening plans. It sits in the Senate Committee on Finance with no hearing scheduled.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
A rule meant to reveal where 'forever chemicals' are used stays delayed
The U.S. Senate rejected a motion to proceed to S.J.Res. 187 on a 48-50 vote Wednesday, leaving in place an EPA rule that pushes back when companies must report PFAS manufacturing and imports. Murkowski and Sullivan both voted nay.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
41.3 million for Alaska Native education is freed up after a month's delay
Fifteen Alaska organizations will share $41.3 million in Alaska Native Education Program continuation awards, spread across 26 grants. The U.S. Department of Education obligated the money Wednesday, about a month after the July 1 date it was expected, after Sen. Lisa Murkowski raised the delay with Secretary Linda McMahon.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Senate panel advances Crow coal land swap 6-5, rejects four amendments
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, chaired by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, voted 6 to 5 Wednesday to advance the Crow Revenue Act, which exempts a Montana coal land exchange from environmental review. Four amendments requiring an appraisal, a named lessee and a locked revenue split failed 5 to 6.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Murkowski and Sullivan vote to advance an African trade bill
The U.S. Senate voted 89-4 Monday to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 6500, which would extend duty-free treatment for imports from certain African countries and extend customs user fees. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan both voted yea.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
Betting apps take bets in Alaska as a Senate panel weighs the fallout
Prediction-market apps are taking sports bets in Alaska, where betting isn't legal, tribal leaders told a Senate roundtable. Sen. Murkowski admitted being 'asleep at the switch.'
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
A bill to give the Coast Guard its own secretary, one of several that haven't moved
Sens. Dan Sullivan, Rick Scott and Tommy Tuberville have introduced the Coast Guard Leadership Modernization Act, which would create a Senate-confirmed civilian Secretary of the Coast Guard. Civilian oversight now defaults to the secretary of Homeland Security.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
A cap on what families pay for child care is going away, with both Alaska senators' votes
The U.S. Senate declined to overturn a rule removing a federal cap on child care copayments for low-income families. Murkowski and Sullivan both voted to let it stand.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
A sacred Athabascan site stranded inside Denali for 47 years moves closer to return
The Senate committee advanced the Geese House Site Conveyance Act, transferring a sacred Athabascan site inside Denali National Park to Doyon, Limited, nearly 50 years after it was selected.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
For Alaska's rural broadband, federal permits are the bottleneck
With Alaska 60% federal land and over $1 billion allocated for rural broadband, the broadband industry told a Senate hearing that federal permitting is the real bottleneck.
by Melinda Communities.News1mo ago2 min readAI
The Gulf of Alaska's ocean station was saved. The funding still isn't.
The Gulf of Alaska's Ocean Station Papa was spared from dismantling after Sen. Murkowski's bill, but she's now pressing NSF on funding to keep the ocean-monitoring network running.
by Melinda Communities.News1mo ago2 min readAI