Arctic Today: New US icebreaker to be based in Seattle
The first heavy icebreaker to be taken into service by the U.S. Coast Guard since the 1970s will be be home-ported in Seattle, Washington, the Coast Guard announced Monday. Two subsequent icebreakers, if built, will also be based in Seattle. “The Pacific Northwest has been the home of our icebreaking fleet since 1976, and I […]
Murkowski Leads Congressional Delegation Arctic-Focused Trip
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) this week led a congressional delegation to locations across the Arctic and North Atlantic to develop a better understanding of the region, further the United States’ relationship with the other Arctic nations, and visit American troops in the Far North. As part of the trip, the delegation focused extensively on […]
Murkowski Applauds Inclusion of Measure to Protect Firefighters from PFAS Chemicals in Annual Defense Bill
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded the Senate Armed Services Committee for including measures to address per-and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure within the Committee-approved annual defense bill. This week the Senate Armed Services Committee passed the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), sending it to the full Senate for consideration, which included Senator […]
Alaska Applauds Air Force Decision to Base Additional F-22 Jets at JBER
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, today applauded the Air Force for its plan to permanently station six additional F-22s, previously based at Tyndall AFB, Florida, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The plan is expected to become final following completion of environmental review. “We have long advocated for our military […]
Murkowski questions National Guard and Reserve Leaders on Arctic training
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently participated in a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to review the FY2020 Budget Request for the National Guard and Reserve. During the hearing Murkowski emphasized the military’s significant and evolving opportunities in the Arctic. The Committee heard from the following witnesses: General Joseph L. Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard […]
Arctic Today: The only US heavy icebreaker catches fire returning from Antarctica
The crew of the Polar Star, the only operable U.S. heavy polar icebreaker, had completed this season’s annual resupply mission to Antarctica despite a bevy of difficulties: an electrical system began smoking, one of two evaporators used for making drinking water broke, a shaft on the propeller began leaking, and there were ship-wide power outages. […]
Senator Murkowski Announces 2019 U.S. Service Academy Nominations
Today Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) proudly announced the 42 Alaskans she nominated to the U.S. Service Academies. U.S. Service Academy applicants are considered based on their academic record, community involvement, physical fitness, and leadership capabilities. “Every year, some of Alaska’s best and brightest young adults apply for the chance to attend these prestigious academies. I […]
Murkowski Supports Coast Guard Reauthorization
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) last night voted in favor of S. 140, The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018, which passed in a 94-6 vote. The bipartisan legislation co-authored by Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), co-sponsored by Senator Murkowski, will further develop America’s presence in the Arctic, support the maintenance and repair of U.S. Coast […]
Murkowski Votes in Favor of Funding Package to Benefit Alaska
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today voted in favor of the Conference Report for H.R. 6157, a funding package which includes the Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2019 and the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The funding package includes the largest pay raise for troops in nearly a […]
Annual Defense Bill Heading to President’s Desk
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the final version of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation which supports our troops through the biggest pay raise in nearly ten years and provides our military with the resources needed to face emerging threats and protect Americans at home and abroad. […]