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
A federal expansion of hunting and fishing access on national wildlife refuges would land most heavily in Alaska
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed the largest expansion of hunting and fishing access in agency history in May, opening or expanding more than 1,450 opportunities across 32 states including Alaska's National Wildlife Refuges. Director Brian Nesvik told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Wednesday the proposal reflects the Trump administration's commitment to American hunters and anglers.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min readAI
Fish and Wildlife lost quarter of staff, faces questions on refuge management
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has lost roughly **1,800 employees**, about a quarter of its workforce, including **530 biologists** and over 100 regional senior staff. Director Brian Nesvik told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Wednesday that some refuges now have no staff working on the ground, though he said that does not necessarily mean they are closed to public use.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min readAI
Fish and Wildlife Service seeks $5M to cut energy permit times in half
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asked Congress Wednesday for $5.1 million to speed up endangered species consultations for energy projects from 30 to 14 days, directly affecting Alaska oil, gas, and mining permit timelines.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min readAI
The Air Force wants $7 billion for fighter recapitalization at Elmendorf — but Alaska's military investments are riding on a partisan bill senators don't think will pass
Air Force fiscal 2027 budget request splits critical programs between base appropriations and reconciliation bill. Senators from both parties say the structure creates risk for Alaska installations and missions.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min readAI
The Air Force wants a $338.8 billion budget — a 34% jump that includes a 130% Space Force boost that flows to Clear
The Department of the Air Force asked Congress for $338.8 billion in fiscal 2027, a 34 percent jump from last year, to address readiness shortfalls after 25 years of underfunding. Senators questioned splitting the request between base appropriations and a reconciliation package.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min readAI
The federal autonomous vehicle framework Congress is debating would apply to Alaska's roads — but Alaska wasn't part of the conversation
Industry witnesses urged a Senate panel to establish federal rules for autonomous vehicles and block state patchworks. Labor representatives called for binding premarket safety standards beyond self-certification.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago3 min readAI
The promotions Warren says Hegseth is blocking would fill leadership at Alaska's strategically critical installations
Senator Elizabeth Warren accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of blocking women and minority officers from military promotions, citing zero women among 22 recent Navy one-star promotions and reported removal of women and Black officers from promotion lists.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min readAI
Judge voids H-1B fee Alaska schools said threatened rural hiring
A federal judge vacated the Trump administration's $100,000 H-1B visa fee that Alaska lawmakers and school officials said threatened rural teacher hiring.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago3 min readAI
Murkowski and Sullivan split on DACA votes in Senate budget debate
Alaska's two Republican senators split on two DACA-related amendments during Senate budget votes Friday, with Murkowski voting to support DACA processing and protections while Sullivan opposed them.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago1 min readAI
Russian seafood floods US markets as Alaska fishermen seek relief
Sen. Sullivan pressed Alaska's seafood marketing director on the Russian import ban's impact during a June hearing. Alaska fishermen are now questioning the promised price relief on social media.
by Alaska Newsadded 3mo ago2 min readAI
Sullivan and Murkowski split on DACA funding votes
Alaska's senators divided on two DACA funding amendments during budget votes this week. They voted together on 12 other budget measures.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo 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 3mo ago2 min readAI
Murkowski votes no on reconciliation bill; Sullivan votes yes
Alaska's two Republican senators split on final passage of a Senate reconciliation bill Thursday. The measure passed 52-47 and now moves to the House.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago1 min readAI
Senate passes immigration enforcement bill 52-47, splitting Alaska delegation
The U.S. Senate passed a Republican immigration enforcement bill 52-47, advancing billions for border security and ICE operations. Alaska's senators split on final passage but both backed failed efforts to restrict Justice Department settlement payments.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min readAI
Sullivan: Russia flooding markets to drive down Alaska fish prices
Sen. Sullivan says Russia has publicly declared economic war on Alaska fishermen by flooding markets with subsidized seafood. A Senate hearing Tuesday examined how the expanded import ban is affecting Alaska harvesters.
by Alaska Newsadded 3mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska VA tech rollout faces staffing questions ahead of October launch
Gary Shatswell told senators he lacks details on the skills lost when 1,300 IT employees left the VA before he arrived. He offered no plan to restore the positions.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min readAI
Second Dan Sullivan files for Alaska U.S. Senate race
A Petersburg resident named Dan Sullivan has filed to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan in Alaska's 2026 Senate race. Social-media posts confirm this is the third Dan Sullivan in Alaska politics.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago1 min readAISullivan raises $2.1M in Q1, lands labor and Native-corporation endorsements
Senator Dan Sullivan's campaign reports $7.5 million cash-on-hand after raising $2.1 million in Q1 2026, while securing endorsements from Alaska Teamsters Local 959, Alaska District Council of Laborers, United Fishermen of Alaska, and the ANCSA Regional Association representing 135,000 Alaska Native shareholders.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago1 min readAI
Federal highway chief commits to King Cove Road action
Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster told the Senate he will push the King Cove Road forward and visit Alaska in late June. The project has faced decades of environmental review over its route through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min readAI
Challenger named Dan Sullivan files against Senator Dan Sullivan
A candidate with the same name as incumbent U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan has filed to challenge him, creating potential voter confusion on Alaska's 2026 federal ballot.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago1 min readAI
Senate panel hears testimony on bill to ban youth gender care
A Senate committee heard conflicting testimony on federal legislation to ban hormone therapies and surgeries for minors with gender dysphoria. A detransitioner and medical professionals presented opposing views on the evidence base for such care.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska's filing deadline turned the 2026 election from rumor into a real race
Alaska's 2026 election filing deadline produced a 17-ticket governor's race, crowded federal contests including Mary Peltola's shift to the Senate race, and several competitive state House rematches and open seats.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago3 min readAI
Challenger named Dan Sullivan files for U.S. Senate race against incumbent Dan Sullivan
A second candidate legally named Dan Sullivan has filed against incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan, creating the first major test of Alaska's top-four primary and ranked-choice voting system's ability to handle potential voter confusion tactics. This is a concrete, verifiable filing with statewide implications that legacy outlets may be avoiding due to partisan framing.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min readAI
VA budget seeks $488 billion with 60,000 Alaska veterans facing shift toward private care
The VA's fiscal 2027 budget requests $17 billion more for community care in 2028 while holding direct-care spending nearly flat, prompting senators to question whether the department is abandoning its own hospitals.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min readAI
Anchorage health facility secures federal approval for land transfer to expand services
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs unanimously approved eight bills Wednesday benefiting tribes in Massachusetts, Washington, Alaska, and California, even as members sharply criticized the administration's proposed budget cuts to tribal programs.
by Maggie AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI
IHS proposes $93M sanitation cut as Alaska Native villages face sanitation gaps
The Indian Health Service proposed cutting sanitation facilities construction funding by $93 million below fiscal year 2026 levels Wednesday, citing a need to prioritize direct patient care over infrastructure, while over 2,000 water and sanitation projects remain unfunded across Indian Country.
by Maggie AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min readAI
FBI steps up Alaska security task force, adds agents to state
Murkowski questioned federal law enforcement officials about missing Indigenous people, northern-border drug trafficking and Alaska detention capacity.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Murkowski presses federal law enforcement on Alaska trafficking, missing Indigenous people
Sen. Lisa Murkowski questioned federal law enforcement officials about missing and murdered Indigenous people, northern-border drug trafficking and Alaska's lack of a federal detention facility during a Senate budget hearing.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago3 min readAI