Dear Alaskan,

As we grapple with record inflation and painfully high gas prices, I continue to push the Biden administration to allow Alaska to responsibly develop the resources we have in our own backyard. Approving common sense projects like Willow can help bring down inflation, create jobs, and improve U.S. economic growth. Dealing with the administration is a challenge, but we do have good things coming our way.

Over the last month alone, Alaskans have been selected for numerous grants as a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These include historic funding for ferry service, the Ted Stevens International Airport, and for high-speed internet.

As a senior Appropriator, I’ve been hard at work shaping the Fiscal Year 2023 spending bills. I’ve secured roughly $500 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for over 130 projects in our state that will support workforce development; housing, water, and wastewater infrastructure; community safety; salmon research; mental and behavioral health; military members and their families; and more.

It’s important to remember the Congressionally Directed Spending does not increase federal spending levels. Rather, it ensures that spending priorities are directed by the people that their elected representatives and not by non-elected agency bureaucrats. Alaskans have raised these projects to me as their top priorities, so I’ll be doing everything I can to steer them into law by year’s end.

Last week, the Senate passed the PACT Act to provide better healthcare access and coverage to veterans who had toxic exposures during their service to our nation. I was proud to support this legislation every step of the way, and I’m eager for it to be signed into law so that our veterans can receive the first-rate care they deserve.

As always, my time back home in our great state—connecting directly with you—continues to drive my work in Washington, DC. It’s an honor to serve Alaskans.

Take care,

There's no place like home: Connecting with Alaskans where they live helps me better represent them back in Washington, D.C.

Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act Delivering Results

Recent Grant Announcements:

Broadband: Over $116 million to improve high-speed internet access in numerous Alaska villages and communities.
Ferries: $300 million is available to support ferry service and fast-track electrified ferry transportation.
Airports: $2.4 million in grant funding for the Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage as part of the Airport Terminals Program.

Historic Benefits for Alaska in Infrastructure Law

Growing Alaska's Tourism and Economy

Support for Roads, Bridges, and Rail

Boosting Broadband

Investments for Addressing Wildfires

Prioritizing Rural Airports

Policy Updates

PACT Act: Senate passed legislation to expand healthcare access and coverage for the millions of veterans impacted by toxic exposures.
Water Resources Development Act: Senate passed legislation which includes key victories for Alaska infrastructure such as ports and harbors.
CHIPS Act: Senate passed legislation to address major chip supply issues, largely through semiconductor manufacturing grants and tax credits.
Reproductive Freedom For All Act: Introduced legislation to enact in federal law the essential holdings of Roe v. Wade and related cases, protecting abortion rights and contraception access.
Election Reform: Introduced proposals to reform and modernize the outdated Electoral Count Act of 1887 to ensure that the electoral votes tallied by Congress accurately reflect each state’s vote for President.
Arctic Commitment Act: Introduced comprehensive legislation to address national priorities in the Arctic Region with provisions pertaining to national security, shipping, research, and trade.
Offshore Revenue Sharing: Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee advanced my bill, the Alaska Offshore Parity Act, which establishes a federal offshore revenue sharing program for Alaska that provides parity with revenue sharing elsewhere in the outer Continental Shelf.

FY23 Congressionally Directed Spending for Alaska

Click here for an interactive map.

The Senate Appropriations Committee published the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) appropriations bills. As a senior member of the Committee, I included $491 million in Congressionally Directed Spending to support more than 130 projects throughout Alaska. I advocated for Alaskans through investments in workforce development, housing, healthcare, water and wastewater infrastructure, community safety, fisheries research, wildfire mitigation and response, working waterfronts, and Alaska’s military members and their families.

Alaska State Travel

In Utqiagvik with North Slope Mayor North Slope Borough Mayor Harry Brower, Jr. looking at coastal erosion.

Celebrating Nalukataq in Utqiaġvik. Congrats to all of the successful whaling crews this spring season!

With the Mayor of Seldovia, Jeremiah Campbell, and the President and CEO of Seldovia Village Tribe, Crystal Collier, at their "Key to the City" event to celebrate the community's 60th anniversary as a first-class Alaska city.

Delivering the keynote speech at the Resource Development of Alaska’s 41st Annual Member Luncheon.

Meeting with VIPER Transitions in Anchorage, an organization working to eliminate suicide among veterans.

Visiting with UPS at their location at the Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage.

Kicking off the Peony Festival in Homer. Visiting with Beth and Kurt at their Farm, Scenic Place Peonies.

Visiting with the owners of Grace Ridge Brewing Co., Sherry and Don Stead, at their new location in Homer.

Hosting retired Marine Corps four-star General and former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis as my guest of honor at the Fairbanks Military Appreciation Banquet.