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
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 AlaskaNews3d ago2 min readAI
Peltola challenges Sullivan for Alaska's U.S. Senate seat
Mary Peltola, the first Alaska Native elected to Congress, is running against Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan for Alaska's U.S. Senate seat on November 3, 2026. Her 2024 congressional loss by fewer than 7,000 votes, combined with an 11-point overperformance of the Democratic ticket, has made the race a national target for Democrats.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
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 AlaskaNews2d 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 AlaskaNews1w ago1 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 AlaskaNews3d ago2 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 AlaskaNews2w ago2 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 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 AlaskaNews1w ago3 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 AlaskaNews2w ago2 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 AlaskaNews1w 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 AlaskaNews2w 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 AlaskaNews1w 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 AlaskaNews1w 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 AlaskaNews2w 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 AlaskaNews2w ago2 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 AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAI
Senate bill would fast-track Army Corps engineering for Juneau's glacial flooding
A Senate committee bill directs the Army Corps of Engineers to skip intermediate study steps and move directly to preconstruction planning for a permanent solution to Juneau's recurring glacial lake outburst flooding. The measure still needs full Senate passage and a presidential signature.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 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 AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAI
A sacred site promised in 1978 is being considered by Congress to go to Doyon
A Senate committee will consider the Geese House Site Conveyance Act, transferring about 21,578 acres in Denali National Park and Preserve to Doyon, Limited.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 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 AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAI
Alaska's senators split on Iran war powers, and Murkowski missed the vote
Alaska's senators split again on Iran war powers: Sullivan voted to block the resolution and Murkowski, a frequent Trump defector on Iran, was absent as it failed 47-49.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago1 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 News2w 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 AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAI
A Washington pharmacy fight could hit Alaska's military families hardest
A Senate fight over TRICARE's pharmacy contract could hit Alaska's military families hardest, where cuts that pushed out local pharmacies leave a plane ride or unreliable mail-order as the alternative.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Sullivan ad misleads on Peltola's military vote, fact-checkers find, as Senate race tightens
FactCheck.org ruled Friday that Sullivan campaign ads misleadingly claimed Peltola opposed military pay raises; she voted against a partisan House bill but backed the final compromise that delivered a 5.2% raise. The finding lands as both candidates press concrete fuel and fisheries proposals in a race four forecasters now call a toss-up.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
Alaska's newsroom is auditing what AI tells voters — and it keeps changing
Voting Monitor, an Alaska News project, tracks how 15 AI models answer voter questions about the 2026 races — finding recommendations that shift daily and change by a user's region.
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 AlaskaNews2w ago1 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 AlaskaNews2w 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 AlaskaNews2w 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 AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAI
Trump pardons an Alaska diesel mechanic, reigniting a fight over emissions rules
President Trump pardoned Wasilla diesel mechanic Mackenzie Spurlock, convicted of removing truck emissions controls — praised by Sen. Dan Sullivan, criticized as weakening clean-air rules.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 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 AlaskaNews1w ago1 min readAI
House passes Alaska Native walrus-ivory protection bill
After eight years of advocacy, federal legislation preempting state ivory bans that criminalized legal Alaska Native walrus-ivory handicrafts has passed both chambers and awaits presidential signature, directly affecting rural artists' ability to sell work across state lines.
by Alaska Newsadded 2mo 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 AlaskaNews2w ago1 min readAI
Murkowski and Sullivan split on a motion to discharge an Iran War Powers Resolution
Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan split on a Senate motion to discharge an Iran War Powers Resolution — mirroring their 2020 split on a similar measure
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Cook Political Report shifts Alaska Senate race to toss-up
The Cook Political Report shifted the Sullivan–Peltola Senate race to toss-up, backed by an independent Times/Siena poll showing a two-point margin, in a Republican-leaning state.
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 AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAI
A housing bill aimed straight at rural Alaska just cleared the U.S. Senate
The U.S. Senate voted 85-5 on Sunday to pass the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, with both Alaska senators voting yes on a bill that targets rural housing repair, tribal infrastructure, and Alaska's Section 8 waitlist.
by Walter 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 AlaskaNews3w ago2 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 AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAI