Press Releases
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Senators Introduce Bill to Fix Backlog of VA Appeals
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Dean Heller (R-NV), and Jon Tester (D-MT) have introduced S. 2473, The Express Appeals Act, legislation establishing a new, voluntary five-year pilot program to help reduce the large backlog of appeals made by veterans to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). "It is astonishing to me that an average veteran waits nearly 1,000 days - or almost three years - for the VA to resolve an appeal of one of their benefit decisi… Continue Reading
02.27.15
Sullivan Praises Commerce Committee Passage of Vessel Discharge Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), applauded the Senate Commerce Committee’s passage of legislation he co-sponsored that would permanently exempt Alaska’s fishing vessels, and commercial vessels less than 79 feet in length, from Environmental Protection Agency incidental discharge regulations. S. 373, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, introduced earlier this month, is widely supported by the maritime and fishing industries. “Permanently exempting these vessels from the EPA… Continue Reading
02.27.15
Sullivan Opposes Funding Bill that Includes President’s Amnesty Plan
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) today voted against final passage of the Department of Homeland Security funding bill that does not include provisions to block President Obama’s executive amnesty plan. “President Obama's decision in November to unilaterally issue executive amnesty was a blatant disregard for the rule of law and the will of the American people. The president himself said no less than 22 times that he didn’t have the authority to take the law into his own han… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Sullivan Announces Additional Hires in Washington, DC Office
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) today announced additional legislative staff hires in his Washington, DC office. Erik Elam will serve as the Majority Staff Director of the Fisheries, Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, and Jason Suslavich and Kate Wolgemuth will both serve as Legislative Assistants. “Erik, Jason and Kate all bring unique skill sets to their respective jobs, and I am pleased they will be joining my team in Washington,” Sen. Sullivan said. “Their advice and experien… Continue Reading
02.24.15
Sullivan Statement on President Obama’s Veto of Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement today on President Obama’s veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline Act. “I’m profoundly disappointed that yet again, as he’s done in Alaska, President Obama chose to cater to his small, radical environmental constituency, rather than listen to the voice of most reasonable Americans,” said Sen. Sullivan. “Keystone would create good jobs and it would strengthen American energy security through responsible development. That’… Continue Reading
02.05.15
Sullivan Announces Opening of Anchorage & Mat-Su District Offices
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) today announced the opening of his Anchorage and Mat-Su district offices - which will serve as local hubs for constituent relations for their respective communities. “I am pleased to announce the opening of our Anchorage and Mat-Su offices,” Sen. Sullivan said. “Whether assisting a veteran with a VA claim, or helping a senior with their Social Security benefits, providing Alaskans with the help they need is one of the most important aspects of … Continue Reading
02.04.15
Sullivan Questions Secretary of Defense Nominee at Confirmation Hearing
Sullivan Questions Secretary of Defense Nominee at Confirmation Hearing Senator discusses geostrategic importance of Alaska, timeline for defeating ISIS, threat of Iran with Dr. Carter WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) today questioned Secretary of Defense nominee Dr. Ashton Carter on a variety of national security issues during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. During the hearing, which stretched into the late afternoon - Sen. Sullivan ask… Continue Reading
02.04.15
Murkowski, Sullivan: Denali Is ‘The Great One’s Rightful Name
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan today announced they have introduced legislation that would make “Denali” the official name of America’s tallest peak - the most widely-used designation of the 20,230 foot tall mountain given by the state’s Koyukon Athabascan residents (Deenaalee). The bill would reverse a century-old decision: 19th Century prospector William Dickey naming it after a President who never stepped foot in Alaska, William McKinley - and how it has since been… Continue Reading
02.04.15
Sullivan Presses EPA Administrator on Proposed “Waters of the United States” Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure today held a joint hearing to review the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Army Corps) jointly proposed rule to redefine what are “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Given the significant amount of waterways and wetlands in Alaska already subject to regulatory requirements under the CWA, Senator… Continue Reading
02.03.15
Let's win assault on Alaska together
by Senator Dan Sullivan
Most of us remember where we were when we first learned of some momentous event that seemed briefly to freeze history in time. Like many Alaskans, I'll never forget where I was on 9/11. Many of us will never forget where we were when we learned that Sen. Ted Stevens was in the plane crash that took his life, or when Gov. Wally Hickel passed on. And I will never forget where I was when I heard that President Barack Obama was once again going to attempt to lock up millions of acres of Alaska la… Continue Reading
02.03.15
Sullivan Applauds Passage of Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, released the following statement today after the U.S. Senate voted 99-0 to approve the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, of which he is a co-sponsor. The legislation will improve mental health care and suicide prevention resources for American servicemen and women. “As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I believe Congress must do everything within its power… Continue Reading
02.02.15
Senator Sullivan Meets with Alaskan Troops over Super Bowl Sunday
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Over the weekend, Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) travelled to the National Training Center, Ft. Irwin, CA to observe the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division during the brigade's training rotation. While at the National Training Center, Sen. Sullivan, who was accompanied by Major General Michael Shields, commander of U.S. Army Alaska, conducted a site visit to the brigade's field headquarters, received a detailed rotational briefing, conducted a promotion, wit… Continue Reading