Press Releases
Save Our Seas 2.0 tackles global marine debris crisis
by Sen. Dan Sullivan, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse & Sen. Bob Menendez
OPINION - We may have plenty of political differences, but we come from coastal states. That means we have a front-row seat to the peril of plastic waste and marine debris flowing into our oceans at the rate of around 8 million metric tons per year. We understand what it will mean for our fishing and tourism industries when the weight of plastic in our oceans equals the weight of fish in the sea - something projected to happen by mid-century. We don't have a moment to lose in confronting this pr… Continue Reading
11.11.19
Senator Sullivan Recognizes Alaska’s Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, released the following video message recognizing and thanking veterans for their sacrifice and service to the United States of America. Senator Sullivan Continues to Fight for Veterans: "When we talk about service to our country, Alaska is at the forefront of that conversation,"said Senator Sullivan. "Our great state boasts more veterans per capita than any other state in… Continue Reading
11.08.19
Sullivan Honors Alaskan of the Week: Perry Green
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) yesterday recognized Perry Green, of Anchorage, Alaska, on the floor of the U.S. Senate. His family business, David Green Master Furrier, is iconic in Anchorage. Perry, a man of deep faith, has for decades selflessly given back to his community through countless board memberships and fundraising events. Perry is especially generous to causes that raise money for America's men and women in uniform. Senator Sullivan recognized Perry as part of … Continue Reading
11.07.19
Sullivan Honors Four Educators as Alaskans of the Week
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) yesterday recognized Joshua Hall and Jennifer Childress, teachers at Dimond High School in Anchorage, Dawn Wilcox, a teacher at Campbell Elementary in Anchorage, and Angie Wright, a teacher at Auke Bay Elementary in Juneau, on the floor of the Senate. The four Alaska educators were among 215 teachers across the country to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, announced by the White House in October… Continue Reading
11.06.19
Alaska Congressional Delegation Applauds $25 Million BUILD Grant for Port of Alaska
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $25 million Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant to the Port of Alaska, located in Anchorage. "The Port of Alaska - which provides the vast majority of the food, construction materials, fuel, and other vital goods that Alaskans rely on - is in danger from crumbling infrastructure," said the Al… Continue Reading
11.05.19
Sullivan, Murkowski, Warren, McSally, Tester, Harris, Gillibrand and Hassan Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Honor Women Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC -- United States Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) today introduced the Senate companion to a House resolution urging the U.S. Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp series honoring women veterans of the Armed Forces and calling for the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend … Continue Reading
10.31.19
Senate Democrats Filibuster Critical Troop Funding for Ninth Time Since 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) today took to the Senate floor to rebuke Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Democrats for filibustering the defense appropriations bill, the ninth such filibuster since 2015. The legislation, which includes critical funding for America's troops serving overseas, passed out of committee with unanimous bipartisan support. "Since I've been in the Senate, there's been no bill filibustered more by Senate Democrats than the bi… Continue Reading
10.27.19
Sullivan Statement on the Death of ISIS Leader Baghdadi
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement regarding the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: "Congratulations to President Trump, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Milley, Defense Secretary Esper, and most importantly the incredible men and women in our special forces and intelligence services, on the successful raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. "There has been a lot of focus over the past few weeks on the Trump… Continue Reading
10.26.19
EDITORIAL: Every human should be alarmed by the plastic crisis in our oceans
by Editorial Board
"WITHOUT CHANGE," warns a bipartisan group of senators, "there will be more plastic by weight than fish in the oceans by 2050." Some of the signs of this growing crisis are visible: sea turtles caught in discarded fishing nets; piles of trash floating in the ocean; birds and fish stranded in plastic six-pack rings. But much of the trash in the ocean is not so obvious. National Geographic reports that the iconic Great Pacific Garbage Patch - also known as the Pacific trash vortex - is … Continue Reading
10.25.19
Senators Sullivan and Markey Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve the Health of Oceans
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) have introduced S. 2699, the Ocean, Coastal and Estuarine Acidification Necessitates (OCEAN) Research Act. This bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Science Foundation, which lapsed in 2012. The bill strengthens investment in research and monitoring of poorly-unders… Continue Reading
10.24.19
Murkowski, Sullivan, Schatz, Hirono Urge FCC to Stop Plan That Threatens Funding For Programs That Help Millions of Americans Access Phone And Internet Services
WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai'i) called on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to end his efforts that would threaten funding for programs that help millions of Americans in rural communities access telephone and internet services. "Especially in rural areas, USF programs have been key to redefining access to services and ensuring that the most vulnerable Ame… Continue Reading
10.23.19
Alaska Delegation Pays Tribute to Senator Ted Stevens
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan, Lisa Murkowski, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the late Senator Ted Stevens and his contributions to Alaska and the nation. The Alaska Congressional Delegation joined members of the Stevens family, friends, congressional colleagues, and former staff at a ceremonial unveiling of a portrait of Senator Stevens, which will be hung in the U.S. Capitol. At the time he left office, Senator Stevens… Continue Reading
10.23.19
SPEECH: Honoring Alaska's Late Senator Ted Stevens
Mr. President, I want to add my voice in recognizing what an important day it is here. I want to thank the Senators from Alabama and Mississippi and, of course, my good friend Senator Murkowski. Many other Senators--the Senators from California, Iowa--all came to the floor already today to talk about this great American, this great Alaskan. I try to come to the floor about once a week, and I do a speech that I call the ``Alaskan of the Week'' to talk about an Alaskan who has done great s… Continue Reading
10.17.19
Alaska Congressional Delegation Applauds Historic DOJ Public Safety Investments for Alaska
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today applauded the Department of Justice's announcement that Attorney General Barr will award $42 million in grant funding to improve public safety in rural Alaska. Specifically, the funding aims to address the lack of law enforcement in communities across Alaska through support for Alaska Native villages, tribes, and victim services. Attorney General Barr made the announcement during a teleco… Continue Reading
10.16.19
Senators Sullivan, Murkowski Praise Nomination of Joshua Kindred
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded President Donald J. Trump's announcement on his intent to nominate Joshua Kindred to serve as United States District Court Judge for the District of Alaska. "I congratulate Joshua on being nominated to serve on the federal bench for the District of Alaska," said Senator Sullivan. "With his extensive criminal and trial experience, combined with a deep understanding of Alaska and Alaska-centric federal l… Continue Reading
10.15.19
Delegation Welcomes Draft of Tongass-Specific Roadless Rule
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (Forest Service) announced the release of its draft Roadless Rule for the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska. "I'm very pleased the administration has listened to Alaskans and is proposing a full exemption from the Roadless Rule as its preferred alternative," Murkowski said. "I thank President Tr… Continue Reading
10.11.19
Sullivan Announces New Fairbanks Regional Director
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) today announced that Greg Bringhurst has been hired as his Fairbanks regional director and rural advisor. Bringhurst will replace Leslie Hajdukovich, who served in this position for the last four and a half years. "I was so thankful to have Leslie representing the office in Fairbanks. Together with our fantastic constituent relations representative Lisa Harbo, Leslie provided excellent service to Interior residents and was a joy to work with. W… Continue Reading
10.04.19
President Signs Alaska Remote Generator Bill into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Donald J. Trump signed S. 163, the Alaska Remote Generator Reliability and Protection Act. This legislation, introduced by U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Alaska Congressman Don Young (R-AK), and co-sponsored by Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), relaxes stringent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission regulations for generators used in remote Alaska to allow residents in these communities to reliably and affordably power their villages. "Prior to this bill b… Continue Reading
09.25.19
Sullivan Presses for Improved Fishery Disaster Declaration and Relief Process
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee held a hearing titled, "Fishery Failures: Improving the Disaster Declaration and Relief Process" to examine federal and stakeholder perspectives on the fishery disaster process and how those disasters impact local communities. The hearing also examined recent and pending disaster declarations and how the process for both declaration and relief could be improved. Before asking his questions, Senator Dan Sullivan (… Continue Reading
09.25.19
Senate Committees Approve Sullivan-Whitehouse Bill to Save Our Seas
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) today applauded passage of two parts of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (introduced in whole as S. 1982) by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. A third piece of the bill awaits action by the Senate Commerce Committee. The Save Our Seas 2.0 Act was introduced in June to address the plastic debris crisis threatening coastal economies and harmi… Continue Reading