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
Video Clips
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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
Super PAC 'Protecting Alaska Fishermen' commits $1.4M against Sullivan
Protecting Alaska Fishermen super PAC reports $1.4 million in independent expenditures opposing Sen. Dan Sullivan; FEC filings show no donors yet.
by Walter AlaskaNews1d ago2 min read
Senate committee advances five-year renewal of federal program mapping Alaska's geology
Senate Energy committee advances S. 4870 reauthorizing USGS Earth MRI geologic mapping program through 2031; Murkowski cites critical mineral and geothermal data gaps in Alaska.
by Maggie AlaskaNews5d ago2 min read
Murkowski cosponsors Senate resolution marking Filipino American History Month
Sen. Lisa Murkowski cosponsors S.Res. 931, recognizing October 2026 as Filipino American History Month. Filipinos are Alaska's largest Asian American group.
by Walter AlaskaNews5d ago1 min read
Murkowski cosponsors bill letting housing builders use industry certifications to prove materials are US-made
Murkowski cosponsors Build American Efficiency Act letting HUD-funded housing builders use Make It American certifications for Build America, Buy America compliance.
by Maggie AlaskaNews5d ago2 min read
Seoul protested U.S. Alaska LNG announcement, says investment remains under review
South Korea says it agreed only to review Alaska LNG, with no $54 billion investment approved; Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan objected to Commerce Secretary Lutnick.
by Walter AlaskaNews5d ago4 min read
Senate vote to advance data center utility cost bill fails 57-43
Senate blocks Ratepayer Protection Act, H.R. 9340, 57-43; bill would have states consider making data centers pay grid upgrade costs; Murkowski, Sullivan voted yes.
by Walter AlaskaNews6d ago2 min read
Senate stalls congressional stock trading bill on party-line vote
A bill restricting stock trading by members of Congress stalled in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday after a 53-47 vote fell short of 60. Murkowski and Sullivan both voted to advance it.
by Walter AlaskaNews6d ago1 min read
Senate confirms Sonderling as labor secretary, 47-41
The U.S. Senate confirmed Keith Sonderling as Secretary of Labor 47-41 on Wednesday. Murkowski and Sullivan voted yes on confirmation and on cloture, after Murkowski pressed him in July on seafood worker visas.
by Walter AlaskaNews6d ago2 min read
What the Senate permitting bill would change in Alaska, section by section
Senate permitting bill Alaska impact: NEPA deadlines, court remedies, wetlands permits, tribal consultation, Ambler Road, Pebble, Alaska LNG, Cook Inlet PowerLink and the RCA.
by Bill AlaskaNews6d ago7 min read
Trump calls Alaska's second Dan Sullivan a 'fraud' at gas line event
At a White House event touting the Alaska LNG deal, President Trump called Senate candidate Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. a fraud, questioned the courts that kept him on the ballot and called Alaska's voting system crazy.
by Alaska News6d ago2 min read
Senate leaders release bipartisan permitting overhaul that would change NEPA reviews
Senators Capito, Lee, Heinrich and Whitehouse release Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, a permitting overhaul including NEPA, Endangered Species Act changes.
by Bill AlaskaNews6d ago2 min read
Murkowski cosponsors bill to write newborn and postpartum supply kit program into law
Sen. Lisa Murkowski cosponsors the NEST Act with Sen. Andy Kim to codify an HHS pilot sending newborn and postpartum supply kits to expectant mothers in high-need areas.
by Walter AlaskaNews6d ago2 min read
Murkowski-backed bill extending ALS treatment access programs for five years passes Congress
ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act, co-led by Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, passes Congress, extending ALS expanded access and research programs through 2031.
by Walter AlaskaNews6d ago2 min read
Senate sends Anchorage Quyana Clubhouse land transfer to president
The U.S. Senate passed a bill Tuesday giving Southcentral Foundation ownership of the Anchorage parcel under Quyana Clubhouse, a step the foundation says it needs to finance a larger mental health facility
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Murkowski votes no as Senate blocks Israel human rights request
Senate rejects 47-51 a motion to discharge S. Res. 852 requiring a State Department report on Israel's human rights practices; Murkowski votes no, Sullivan absent.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min read
Senators question Golden Dome's $185 billion price as budget office puts full shield at $1.2 trillion
Congressional budget analysts told a Senate subcommittee Tuesday that a missile shield matching Trump's Golden Dome order would cost about $1.2 trillion to build and run for 20 years, far above the Pentagon's $185 billion target. Senators asked who would be protected.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago3 min read
Lee objection blocks Murkowski-Merkley bill on presidential memorials
A bill from Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Jeff Merkley to require congressional approval before demolishing presidential memorials, including the Kennedy Center, stalled Monday when a senator objected.
by Alaska News1w ago1 min read
Senate passes national college NIL bill 77-22, with Murkowski voting yes and Sullivan not voting
The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act 77-22. Sen. Lisa Murkowski voted yes and Sen. Dan Sullivan did not vote. What it means for Alaska athletes.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Markey blocks Sullivan's attempt to fast-track bycatch bill through the Senate
Sen. Ed Markey objects to Sen. Dan Sullivan's request to pass the Bycatch Reduction Act by unanimous consent; Mary Peltola calls the bill a last-ditch effort.
by Alaska News1w ago2 min read
Murkowski bill would modify and continue Snettisham's exemption from federal hydropower licensing
Murkowski bill S. 5501 would modify and continue the Snettisham Hydroelectric Project's exemption from Federal Power Act licensing. Snettisham supplies most of Juneau's power.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
FDA nominee Overton commits to Alaska food inspections and salmon labeling but not mifepristone access
FDA nominee Heidi Overton tells Sen. Lisa Murkowski she'll keep Alaska food safety inspections and work on GE salmon labeling; no commitment on mifepristone access.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Murkowski cosponsors bill to keep Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainians in the US
Sen. Lisa Murkowski cosponsors a bill to keep Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainians as USCIS says TPS ends Oct. 19 and a missed DHS deadline raises questions.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Senate Indian Affairs Committee advances Native housing rewrite to full Senate
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee, chaired by Lisa Murkowski, advanced a rewrite of the federal law funding housing in Alaska Native villages and tribal communities.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Senate panel told it must rewrite the nuclear waste law before disposal sites can proceed
Senators were told Congress must rewrite the Nuclear Waste Policy Act before disposal sites can proceed, and that the $51 billion waste fund may be IOUs.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Alaska's universities fall outside parts of an advancing college sports bill
The Senate advanced the Protect College Sports Act 70-21, with Murkowski and Sullivan voting yes. UAA and UAF are Division II and fall outside parts of it.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read
Murkowski's bill would extend a rural maternity program Alaska never used
Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Tim Kaine introduced a bill to continue a federal rural maternity program that has never awarded a grant to an Alaska recipient.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
U.S. signs Greenland security pact; Murkowski says she is encouraged
The United States secured permanent military basing rights in Greenland under an agreement Trump signed Tuesday with the Danish and Greenlandic prime ministers in New York.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
Alaska's three-judge court has been short since 2022; Reardon would fill the last seat
The Senate questioned Kyle Reardon for Alaska's federal court, which has lacked a full bench since 2021 after a judge resigned amid misconduct findings.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read
Sullivan's bycatch bill advances from Senate committee
The Senate Commerce Committee advanced Sen. Dan Sullivan's Bycatch Reduction Act, sending the amended bill toward possible action by the full Senate.
by Alaska News2w ago1 min read
Sullivan bill would have Congress ratify ANWR Coastal Plain permits
Sen. Dan Sullivan introduced S. 5438, which would have Congress ratify federal permits behind Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain oil and gas leasing.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
Murkowski cosponsors Senate resolution backing Russian democracy advocates
Sen. Lisa Murkowski cosponsored a Senate resolution declaring U.S. support for Russian democratic actors to be in the national interest.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read
Sullivan diesel-derate bill advances Senate committee 10-9
A Senate panel advanced Dan Sullivan's diesel-derate bill 10-9 as EPA separately considers replacing engine power cuts with warnings.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
Alaska ended childhood liver cancer, and Washington noticed
The Surgeon General nominee cited western Alaska, where newborn hepatitis B vaccination beginning in 1984 ended pediatric liver cancer among Alaska Native children.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read
The Senate questions Alaska's nominee for a long-empty federal judgeship
The Senate Judiciary Committee questioned Kyle Reardon, nominated to fill Alaska's federal district court seat that has sat vacant since 2022.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
Both Alaska senators back advancing a federal NIL bill
Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan voted to advance the Protect College Sports Act, which would set NIL rules for athletes at UAA and UAF, where Alaska has no state law.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min read
The Senate blocked federal crypto rules. Alaska already wrote its own
The U.S. Senate blocked a digital asset market bill 49-50 on Tuesday. Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan voted to advance it. Alaska passed its own kiosk law in July.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read
The program mapping Alaska's subsurface runs out at the end of the year
The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, which has nearly doubled Alaska's public subsurface geologic data, expires this year unless Congress reauthorizes it
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min read
Senate panel will take up Native housing bill co-sponsored by both Alaska senators
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee takes up S. 5354 Wednesday, reauthorizing the Native American Housing Assistance Act that funds Alaska Native village housing.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read
Sullivan's bycatch bill reaches its first Senate committee test
Senate Commerce takes up Sen. Dan Sullivan's S. 4938, the Bycatch Reduction Act, requiring salmon excluders, Alaska trawl gear standards and expanded electronic monitoring.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read
In Kodiak, Sullivan and Peltola agreed on the problems and fought over the fix
Sen. Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola agreed on climate, subsistence and funding at Kodiak's fisheries debate, then split over what counts as delivering.
by Alaska News3w ago3 min read