Celebration 2026 in Juneau was a strong reminder of what makes Alaska so special. Watching the canoes arrive, hearing the drums, and seeing the dancers share their stories is both inspiring and deeply moving. What stood out most was the connection between generations – elders passing on their wisdom and the youth proudly wearing their regalia and carrying their traditions and cultures forward. With an estimated 5,000 participants at the event, the room was a vibrant, living expression of identity, resilience, and community. It was an honor to take part in this gathering that celebrates the strength of Alaska Native cultures and ensures these traditions will continue to thrive for generations to come. Photos by Chloe Anderson, courtesy of Sealaska Heritage and the staff of Senator Murkowski

For years, I have worked to rebuild America's icebreaker fleet and ensure new vessels are homeported in Alaska. With two new Arctic Security Cutters officially coming to Kodiak and another planned for Seward, that effort is now translating into real investments, real assets, and real opportunities for our state. These vessels will enable the Coast Guard to support missions across the North Pacific and Arctic, strengthening our national security and emergency response. But they’ll do a lot more than break the ice: they’ll also bring new housing investment, construction jobs, and Coast Guard families to our communities, supporting local businesses and creating opportunities to grow. There is still significant work ahead at every level to build the shoreside infrastructure needed to support our growing icebreaking fleet. But homeporting them where they belong—Alaska—is the next essential step to turning this long-held vision into reality. adn.com/alaska-news/military…

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Tribal Energy Development Capacity (TEDC) Grant Program is now accepting applications. The program supports Tribal capacity building for energy development, governance, and business planning. As a long-time leader and advocate for Alaska Native energy projects, I encourage eligible Tribes to consider applying. Applications are due July 16, 2026. For more information and application materials, visit the link here: bia.gov/service/grants/tedc

Happy Don Young Day! Today we celebrate a larger-than-life icon, a man who saw Alaska’s incredible potential and spent every minute of every day of his 49 years in office working to help Alaskans seize it. I am fortunate to count him as a mentor and am grateful to have served alongside him on behalf of Alaska.

Today’s decision from a U.S. District Judge to vacate the policy implementing the Presidential Proclamation mandating a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applicants—a 5,000% increase in some cases—came at a critical time for Alaska’s schools that are in the midst of hiring before next fall. Many school districts in rural and remote parts of the state rely on the H-1B visa program to bring quality teachers to their communities. In Alaska, this isn’t a partisan issue: the state legislature unanimously passed a resolution last month urging the federal government to waive the fee for educators. Last year, I introduced legislation to create an educator exemption, and I’ve been talking to Secretary Mullin about an administrative waiver from the fee to help bring teachers here. Today’s news is welcome relief for Alaska’s schools, but I will continue working to eliminate this fee permanently so that Alaska’s students are receiving the best education possible, regardless of the outcome of future legal challenges. newsfromthestates.com/articl…

Ensuring Alaska Native artists’ ability to create and sell their traditional handicrafts is about more than income. It’s about supporting families who have used their work to preserve heritage and culture through generations. For many artists, materials such as ivory have long-been vital to their craftsmanship and are already protected under existing federal law. Recent restrictions on the use of sustainably and legally sourced items could make it harder to continue practicing these skills and passing on the culture of their elders. Safeguarding wildlife and honoring Indigenous art can coexist. I’m pleased to support Senator Sullivan’s legislation to ensure a one-size-fits-all rule does not prevent the world from experiencing the beauty of Alaska Native art.   murkowski.senate.gov/press/r…

While I support funding to secure our borders and protect the homeland, I do not support bypassing the annual appropriations process by providing funding for multiple years in a manner that diminishes both congressional direction and oversight. By choosing to appropriate funding for three fiscal years instead of one, this measure weakens the normal budgeting process and sets another precedent for avoiding it when we find ourselves in disagreement. In doing so, it reduces Congress’ ability to apply reasonable checks on immigration policy for the remainder of this administration and into the next. Had this measure provided immigration funding for one year, included clear restrictions on what those funds can be used for, and eliminated any potential for taxpayer dollars to be allocated to the administration’s brazen ‘anti-weaponization’ fund, I likely would have voted for it. The final bill fell short on all of those fronts, so I opposed it.

Since @SenatorCollins was first sworn into office, she has not missed a single vote. 10,000 consecutive roll call votes is an incredible milestone and a remarkable testament to her work ethic and commitment to public service. Congratulations!

We can never repay the brave men and women who laid down their lives for our freedom, but we can embrace the loved ones they left behind and honor their legacy with gratitude for the freedoms their sacrifice made possible. We remember and honor them this Memorial Day.

Following a two-part field hearing I hosted in Anchorage and Bethel to hear firsthand from Alaskans impacted by ex-Typhoon Halong, I spoke on the Senate floor about the storm’s ongoing impacts. Communities facing environmental threats and natural disasters shouldn’t have to navigate impossible choices alone. We need a federal disaster response system that is coordinated, easier to access, and built to serve people before, during, and after a crisis hits. Alaska’s communities, and communities across the country, deserve action, safety, and support.

As Chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, I’m proud of the bipartisan progress we made this week in advancing these eight bills through committee to the Senate floor, including my bill the Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025. We are now one step closer to enactment, and therefore, enabling SCF to make the needed investments in Quyana Clubhouse to expand the delivery of mental health and social services.

Cape Fox was placed at an incredible disadvantage when it was forced to claim lands under ANCSA that offered little to no economic value to its village corporation. After decades of hard work, Cape Fox has finally overcome these obstacles and is now finally on track to complete its land entitlement. This is a testament to Cape Fox’s resilience, determination, and stewardship, and I congratulate them. I’m also grateful to my Senate colleagues for temporarily setting aside their differences on lands-related legislation to allow us to again pass this measure in the Senate, and to Senator Dan Sullivan and Congressman Nick Begich for their partnership in this effort. It is great to have this done and I look forward to the benefits it will provide in Southeast Alaska. murkowski.senate.gov/press/r…

Today I pressed DOJ on proposed cuts to law enforcement and violence prevention grants, including programs that support rural police departments, Tribal justice efforts, and survivors of domestic violence. Alaska’s communities already face enormous challenges with distance, cost, and a limited work force. They cannot afford to lose access to these critical resources. I also raised concerns about the removal of the Not Invisible Act Commission report from DOJ and Interior websites. I’m monitoring these items closely and pushing to ensure Alaska’s rural and Native communities remain a priority.

This is one of the most significant achievements on the North Slope in decades and further cements the region’s renaissance. Pikka will help refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, create great jobs for Alaskans, and bring billions to the state over its lifespan—benefitting all who live here. This is also just the start, with new phases of the project yet to come and additional development taking place across the Nanushuk formation. I heartily congratulate Santos, Repsol, their hard-working teams, and individuals like Bill Armstrong who made this happen—from the vision to explore and discover, to now firmly putting Alaska back on the map as the place to produce energy. murkowski.senate.gov/press/r…

Happy Birthday, Head Start! For 61 years, Head Start has helped more than 40 million children and families nationwide reach their full potential in school and in life. This year alone, more than 3,000 children and 2,500 families are participating in one of Alaska’s 17 Head Start programs across the state. I’m proud to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs that give young Alaskans opportunities to learn, thrive, and succeed while helping build stronger communities.

The impacts of Typhoon Halong are a stark reminder that disaster doesn’t end when the storm passes. Months later, Alaska Native communities are still displaced and facing the trauma and uncertainty of what comes next. That’s why, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, I hosted a two-part field hearing that included a roundtable in Anchorage and a hearing and Tribal leader listening session in Bethel. Direct input from Alaskans helps ensure communities receive the support and resources they need in the short term, while also helping us better prepare for future disasters.

Today, the Senate voted on a resolution directing the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Iran, the eighth such resolution on this matter. I voted against the previous seven resolutions because I believed an abrupt withdrawal would endanger American forces and civilians in the region, but also because the president was operating within his constitutional authority under the 60-day threshold established by the War Powers Act. Two elements have changed since those previous votes: we have now surpassed the 60-day limit for hostilities without congressional authorization, and the administration has asserted that hostilities have ended, despite the blockade and continued fire directed at members of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as our assets, allies, and partners. The administration's own position removes any justification for keeping our servicemembers in harm's way without congressional authorization. If U.S. forces are still required to operate in the region or hostilities are resumed, the administration is obligated to seek authorization from Congress and should come before this body, and the American people, making that case. I have been working with several colleagues on an authorization for the use of military force, but with the reported claim of ended hostilities, this course of action is not an effective means to manage this conflict. Should hostilities reignite and military action resume, I will reconsider the introduction of an AUMF. Until then, I will support measures to officially end hostilities and bring our men and women home. I will oppose any effort to redefine 'hostilities' in ways that allow the president to wage war indefinitely without seeking congressional approval as outlined by the Constitution.

Last week marked a deeply meaningful moment as the U.S. Navy christened the USNS Solomon Atkinson, honoring one of Metlakatla’s proudest Tsimshian sons. The ceremony celebrated the extraordinary legacy of Sol Atkinson, one of the first Navy SEALs, a decorated veteran of Korea and Vietnam, and a dedicated leader who spent his life serving both his country and his community. In a deeply personal honor, my staff in attendance placed my challenge coin in the ship’s mast-stepping ceremony, where it was sealed in steel and permanently welded into the mast. This centuries-old maritime tradition symbolizes protection and good fortune for the ship and all who serve aboard her. That coin will sail with the USNS Solomon Atkinson for as long as she serves. Having a Navajo-class ship bear Sol Atkinson’s name ensures that his story will continue to inspire generations to come. I’m thankful his family could be there to see this remarkable tribute to his life and service.

We have an obligation and a responsibility to make sure people feel safe in their communities. #MMIWG