Friday - March 29, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Alaska Newsletter for Sunday August 02, 2020 ( 27 items )  

Murkowski Joins Heinrich, Daines Legislation to Extend Deadline for Tribes to Spend CARES Act Funding
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Steve Daines (R-MT) in introducing legislation that extends the coverage of Coronavirus Relief Fund payments allocated under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to tribal governments from December 30, 2020, to December 30, 2022. The CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, allocated $8 billion   more

Rep. Lucas: Critical Mineral Provisions in Senate Recovery Legislation Important First Step to Securing U.S. Supply
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Oklahoma, ranking Republican member of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, issued the following statement on the inclusion of minerals legislation by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, in Senate Republicans' COVID-19 relief package: "China holds an overwhelming advantage in access to critical minerals and the COVID-19 pandemic has made it dangerously clear that we can't take our supply for granted. "From battery storage technologies and de  more

Rep. Stauber Priorities for Minnesota Included in Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minnesota, issued the following news release: This week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7617, an appropriations package that will fund several federal departments. Included in this package was two of Congressman Stauber's priorities for Minnesota, including an amendment to increase funding for Native American Suicide Prevention Programs and an amendment to bring more opportunities to shipyards in the Great Lakes. Of his Native American Suic  more

Rep. Young Announces Over $10 Million in Health and Human Services Grants for Alaska
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: Alaska Congressman Don Young announced over $10 million has been awarded to the State of Alaska and to various Alaska Native organizations. This funding was made available under multiple grant programs and will be used for health care services, opioid addiction treatment, and early childhood education. "COVID-19 has caused many challenges for our nation, and Alaska has not been left untouched. This virus strain  more

Rep. Young Announces Over $3.5 Million in CARES Act Grants to Boost COVID-19 Housing Resiliency in Alaska Native Villages
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: Alaska Congressman Don Young, announced over $3.5 million in funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program has been awarded to four Alaska Native organizations to fund community development projects to prepare, prevent, and respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This funding was made available by the CARES Act, legislation passed by the  more

Rep. Young Issues Statement on Water Resources Development Act
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, issued the following statement: Alaska Congressman Don Young helped the House pass H.R. 7575, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020. The WRDA bill reauthorizes the activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and sets Congressional priorities to improve our nation's ports system, inland waterways, dams, levees, aids to navigation, flood control, and the operational functions the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers undertake in support of  more

Rep. Young Stands Up for Alaska's Working Families and Children, Supports Passage of Sweeping Child Care Legislation
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: Alaska Congressman Don Young voted in support of two pieces of child care legislation, H.R. 7027 - the Child Care Is Essential Act, and H.R. 7327 - the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act. Together, these bills provide over $70 billion in funding to support child care services, strengthen the Child Care and Development Block Grant program, and implement emergency relief for parents impacted by the COVID-19 pand  more

Reps. Young, Finkenauer Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Unlock Capital for Entrepreneurs in New & Emerging Markets
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: Congressman Don Young (R-AK) and Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (D-IA) introduced the bipartisan Unlocking Opportunities in Emerging Markets Act, which will establish an Office of Emerging Markets within the Small Business Administration (SBA) to assist rural, women, minority, and veteran small business owners in obtaining capital to start and grow their businesses. "Alaska is home to countless entrepreneurs who  more

Sen. Cantwell Slams Trump Administration for Rushing to Approve Pebble Mine Despite Grave Risk
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on July 29: In today's Senate Commerce Committee hearing, Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) slammed the Trump administration for ignoring more than a decade of scientific analysis on the devastating impacts the proposed Pebble Mine will have on Alaska's Bristol Bay salmon fishery. Cantwell has been vocal about the   more

Sen. Capito: New Bipartisan Bill Boosts Innovative Technology to Protect West Virginians Health, Grow Economy
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation supporting the development of innovative technologies that ensure cleaner air and a healthier environment. "Working in a bipartisan fashion, I have been a champion of policies supporting carbon capture, utilization, and s  more

Sen. Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Waive Federal Provision Preventing Nevada From Accessing Necessary Financial Support for Community Services
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in introducing legislation that would address the "maximum allotment" provision that is significantly limiting the amount of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act relief funds that can be awarded to smaller states through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) pro  more

Sen. Hirono Announces Nearly $3.2 Million for Native Hawaiian Serving Educational Institutions
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced nearly $3.2 million in federal funding for Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions in Hawaii, including Chaminade University, the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo), UH Maui College, Honolulu Community College, Kapiolani Community College, and Windward Community College. Provided through the U.S. Department of Education's Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serv  more

Sen. Murkowski Applauds Administration's Actions to Address MMIW Crisis
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded the establishment of seven Cold Case Task Force offices across the nation, dedicated to solving cold cases involving missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. This week marked the opening of an office in Bloomington, Minnesota with an office scheduled to open in Anchorage, Alaska next month, on August 27. Other nationwide offices include: Rapid Ci  more

Sen. Murkowski Joins Bennet, Young in Effort to Support Hard-Hit Businesses
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has worked well for many Alaskan businesses, but is often less effective for the businesses that should be receiving the most assistance - the smallest businesses or those who have seen revenues decline the most. Its limited duration will also leave many of the most-affected businesses without support in the difficult months ahead. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) rec  more

Sen. Murkowski Joins Colleagues in Push to Aid U.S. Postal Service
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: In an effort to help the United States Postal Service (USPS) overcome the detrimental impacts of COVID-19, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Steve Daines (R-MT), Doug Jones (D-AL), and Jon Tester (D-MT) as a cosponsor of S. 4174, the Postal Service Emergency Assistance Act. This legislation would provide USPS with up to $25 billion to help  more

Sen. Murkowski's Mineral Bill Included in Recovery Legislation
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news: U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced that her bipartisan American Mineral Security Act is included in new legislation to help the U.S. recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Murkowski's bill, which focuses on rebuilding domestic supply chains, addresses systemic weaknesses exposed by the pandemic and is critical to the future of U.S. manufactur  more

Sen. Murkowski, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Research and Development of Carbon Removal Technologies
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation, the Carbon Removal, Efficient Agencies, Technology Expertise (CREATE) Act, which supports the development of innovative technologies that ensure cleaner air and a healthier environment. "Carbon removal technologies have significant promise and c  more

Sen. Murkowski: Carbon Management Has Significant Promise
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news on July 28: U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing focused on the development of carbon removal technologies in the United States. Murkowski also highlighted the introduction of the CREATE Act, a new bill she is cosponsoring to establish an executive committee at the National Science and Technology Council to coordinate interagenc  more

Sen. Murkowski: Indian Affairs Committee Advances Bills Focused on Health, Safety, Energy, and Cultural Repatriation
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: This week the Senate Indian Affairs Committee advanced four bills led by U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) - legislation to further uphold the Federal government's trust responsibilities to our nation's First Peoples, improve health care services, improve protections of Native American tangible culture heritage, and help tribal communities work with the Office of Indian Energy (OIE). The Committee advanced Murk  more

Sen. Murkowski: Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill to Protect Communities From Landslides
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news: The U.S. Senate yesterday unanimously approved bipartisan legislation led by Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Cory Gardner, R-Colo., Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, to help communities prepare for and respond to landslides and other natural hazards. S. 529, the National Landslide Prepare  more

Sen. Rosen Joins Colleagues in Letter Requesting Support for Indigenous Youth During COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Senate colleagues in a letter to education and health officials, requesting mental health support for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Native youth often confronted a number of factors - like historical trauma, housing insecurity, and poverty - that increased their  more

Sen. Sullivan Chairs Hearing on Chinese Threats to American Economic Competitiveness
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: Continuing his leadership efforts to address the non-reciprocal economic relationship between the United States and China, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) yesterday chaired a hearing of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Security entitled "The China Challenge: Realignment of U.S. Economic Policies to Build Resiliency and Competitiveness." The hearing examined topics related to the Chinese Communist Party  more

Sens. Heinrich, Murkowski Legislation to Safeguard Tribal Items Passes Through Committee
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release on July 29: During a markup in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) to prohibit the exporting of sacred Native American items and increase penalties for stealing and illegally trafficking tribal cultural patrimony was passed unanimously out of the committee by a voice vote. The legislation will now be avail  more

Sens. King, Murkowski Introduce Legislation to Enhance Testing, Tracing Protocols
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) have introduced legislation to establish a grant program through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help enhance coronavirus testing, contact tracing, and supported isolation efforts. The COVID-19 Testing, Reaching, And Contacting Everyone (TRACE) Act's grants could be used to support programs that use mobile health unit  more

Sens. Peters, Murkowski Lead Bipartisan Effort to Support Veteran Workforce Development During COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced a bipartisan effort to support veteran workforce development during the COVID-19 pandemic. The senators introduced bipartisan legislation to extend GI Bill benefits for veterans whose registered apprenticeships were cut short or ended due to COVID-19. Currently, veterans must meet a minimum number of apprenticeship hours to receive their   more

Sens. Shaheen, Murkowski Introduce New Legislation to Waive Provision in Law Preventing Smaller States From Accessing Necessary Financial Support for Community Services
WASHINGTON, July 25 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced legislation that would address the "maximum allotment" provision that is significantly limiting the amount of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act relief funds that can be awarded to smaller states through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program. The Senators' bill waives the provision for the purposes of  more

Sens. Sullivan, Merkley Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Struggling Ports Stay Afloat Amid Coronavirus Crisis
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce's Subcommittee on Security, and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) teamed up to introduce legislation to help ports weather the coronavirus pandemic and future disasters. The bipartisan Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act (MTSERA)would establish a first-of-its-kind comprehensive maritime emergency relief authority to provide cr  more