Happy Tuesday Morning! 

The 118th Congress has begun!

The Alaska Congressional Delegation, two-thirds of who are fresh off of re-election, have a long day ahead of them as leaders are elected, parliamentary rules packages are considered, and legislation is introduced. We here at The Delegation will keep our eyes on Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congresswoman Mary Peltola. We'll bring you a roundup of newsy items you might have missed.

The elephant in the room

One of the first orders of business for the House of Representatives is the election of a new speaker. With a slim majority in the chamber, Republicans have nominated Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-23) for the top spot in the House. As expected, the hard-conservative House Freedom Caucus (HFC) has largely come out in opposition to McCarthy, casting doubt on his prospects. Negotiations between McCarthy and his right flank haven't produced any new answers as to who will secure the votes to become the next Speaker of the House. Among his concessions to the HFC, McCarthy has lowered the threshold to invoke a motion known as "vacating the chair." This concession, which empowers any five members to force a vote on ousting the Speaker, could imperil McCarthy's own speakership, should he win.

Follow along with House Floor proceedings here.

Calmer waters across the hall

Vice President Kamala Harris has already sworn in U.S. Senators for the 118th Congress. Democrats held the Senate in the 2022 midterms, expanding their majority by one seat. There isn't much Senate news yet to share, as proceedings on that side of the hallway are relatively drama-free compared to the House.

Follow along with Senate Floor proceedings here.

Social Media Corner

I hope your holiday season is commencing with as much joy and as little stress as possible. It really is difficult to believe that 2022 is nearly over. With 2023 — and the start of a new Congress — fast approaching, I wanted to take a break from my holiday-induced newsletter hiatus for some quick updates on the Alaska Congressional Delegation's recent moves and votes in Congress.

Election season, we hardly knew ye.

As you know, election season is over; the incessant TV, radio, and web ads have gone quiet, and your email inbox is probably feeling some relief from fundraising emails. Alaska's two highest-profile congressional elections have been called. Senator Lisa Murkowski and Congresswoman Mary Peltola have been re-elected to the U.S. Senate and U.S. House, respectively. Alaska has now conducted four elections under the new ranked-choice system, working out the kinks and streamlining the process along the way. While Murkowski and Peltola didn't hit the required 50% in the first ranked-choice tabulations (though Peltola came very close at 48.7% in the first round), they clinched victory in round two when voters' second-choice options were reallocated among the remaining candidates. They will return to D.C. in January, joining Senator Dan Sullivan as Alaska's Congressional Delegation for the 118th Congress (January 3, 2023, to January 3, 2025).

As a former Alaska Delegation staffer, one of the most frequent situations I'd encounter was constituents being unaware of a vote or statement that Congressman Young had made despite it being available on his website. 

So, allow me to plug the official congressional websites of Alaska's Delegation. Don’t forget to bookmark these!

The Alaska Delegation votes aye...I mean..."I do."

This morning, Representative Mary Peltola joined her House Democratic colleagues and 39 House Republicans to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation to codify federal recognition and protections for same-sex and interracial marriage. The bill, which repeals the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, was supported in the Senate by both Senators Murkowski and Sullivan. It marks Congress' first successful legislative action in response to June's Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, in which Justice Thomas issued a concurring opinion stating that the Supreme Court should revisit other landmark cases — including Obergefell v. Hodges.

The version voted on by the House today contained the Senate's religious liberty protections that were not in the original bill. The changes include explicit language clarifying that non-profit religious organizations will not be required to "provide any services, facilities, or goods for the solemnization or celebration of a marriage" and a provision preventing the federal government from recognizing polygamy. 

Both Murkowski and Sullivan supported the bill, but they did so for different reasons.

While voting to advance the bill, Murkowski highlighted her support for marriage equality, stating, "I have long supported marriage equality and believe all lawful marriages deserve respect. I thank my colleagues who improved the bill's protections for religious liberty and continued prohibitions on polygamy, allowing it to move forward this week. All Americans deserve dignity, respect, and equal protection under the law."

To Sullivan, the bill was about protecting religious liberty, "Although I disagreed with Obergefell, I said then I would respect the Court's decision and also continue to fight for, respect, and defend the religious liberty of all Americans. Even with a Republican president and Republican majorities in the House and Senate, we were unable to codify any substantive religious liberty protections into law—until today," Sullivan said.

Finally, Representative Peltola's statement following the bill’s passage framed the vote through the lens of freedom, one of the themes of her "fish, family, and freedom" campaign slogan.

"Enacting this important legislation is a major victory for freedom, privacy, dignity, and equality,” said Peltola. “The federal government should never stand in the way of someone marrying the person they love. I'm proud to have supported this bill which will strengthen the rights of millions of Americans."

The bill now heads to President Biden's desk for his signature. 

House passes bill to make Sullivan's POWER Act permanent. 

Earlier this month, the House, led by Congresswoman Peltola, passed a bill to make the Pro Bono Work to Empower and Represent (POWER) Act permanent. The POWER Act, bipartisan legislation created by Senator Dan Sullivan and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), combats domestic violence nationwide by requiring all federal district courts to host an annual summit encouraging lawyers to offer their legal services to survivors on a pro bono basis. Additionally, the POWER Act requires an event to be held specifically in areas with Alaska Native and Native American populations. It was first enacted in 2018, and authorized for a period of four years. The permanent authorization passed the Senate in August and will now head to President Biden's desk for signature. According to a joint press release from Sullivan and Shaheen, the POWER Act has resulted in 248 pro bono legal summits across the nation, reaching more than 61,000 attorneys.

Senator Sullivan released a statement following the House vote:

"Many lawyers are more than willing to donate their time and expertise to help vulnerable survivors navigate the complex legal system. The key is letting attorneys know about the significant need that exists and how they can help. This was the motivation behind my 2018 POWER Act—a continuation at the national level of our efforts in Alaska with the Choose Respect initiative. In the years since the POWER Act became law, we've amassed an army of thousands of lawyers who are lifting women and children out of horrible situations."

Murkowski announces new funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The federal government continues rolling out funding to Alaska from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This week, Senator Lisa Murkowski, a key negotiator of the bill, announced new grants to restore habitats, bolster climate resilience, and protect Alaska's ecosystems. The grant list can be found here, in the Senator's recurring grant roundup news release. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, officially titled the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, was enacted in November 2021, and was supported by both Senators Murkowski and Sullivan, in addition to the late Congressman Don Young.

"Due to grants made available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, record funding has been awarded to projects – including five in Alaska – which will help communities build climate resilience and improve vast tracts of coastal habitats. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this funding will have on Kotlik, Point Hope, and Chilkat Indian Village as well as through the good work of the Alaska Wildlife Alliance and the Alaska Conservation Foundation."

Social Media Corner

• Congresswoman Mary Peltola is leaving the office formerly occupied by Congressman Don Young. But before she did, she shared one final meeting with Senator Murkowski in the room Congressman Young worked from for years. Alaskans visiting Capitol Hill can find her new office in the Cannon Building, room 153.

• Senator Murkowski and Congresswoman Peltola attended the 2022 White House Congressional Ball.

• Senator Dan Sullivan spoke with nationally syndicated radio host Hugh Hewitt about the Willow Project.

• Senator Murkowski welcomed Bennet Lane, an Alaskan leader from the Job Corps Center in Palmer, who was visiting DC for a leadership summit.

HELLO, ALASKA, and HELLO DELEGATION readers! Happy Thursday!

Your author (that's me, Zack Brown) apologizes for the recent lack of updates. Between travel, the midterms, and decorating for autumn, life gets busy!

By the way, did you hear the news about the midterms? They're over! You can now enjoy some peace and quiet; no more text messages, phone calls, door knocks, or emails...for now. The holidays are right around the corner, so political fundraising messages are about to be replaced with online flash sale emails from retailers. What does your author want for Christmas this year? More subscribers. Forward and share this newsletter!

Nationally, neither party has secured control of the House or Senate. Historically, the out-of-power party does quite well in a president's first midterm. But on Tuesday night, we learned this wasn't a conventional midterm. U.S. Senate races in Nevada and Arizona aren't yet called as of this writing. Democrats need to hold both to secure a majority ahead of the Georgia Senate runoff. If Democrats lose both, Republicans win the chamber; if each party wins one, then the Georgia runoff will determine control.

On the House side, Republicans continue working to secure the 218 seats needed for control of the chamber. Typically, House control is known on the night of the election. However, continued vote counting, in addition to Republicans losing seats that they initially thought they'd win, has caused significant disappointment for national Republicans. Inflation and President Biden's approval rating would normally make winning a House majority a slam dunk for Republicans, but flawed candidates, former President Trump's poorly-decided endorsements, and the continued shockwave from the overturning of Roe v. Wade galvanized much of the liberal base and encouraged many independents to break for Democratic congressional candidates at the last minute. 

Let's jump in for some quick updates on Alaska's election results!

The Race for U.S. Senate

As votes rolled in on Tuesday, Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka surprised many by ending the night in first place, though far below the 50% + 1 required to win outright. As of this writing, Tshibaka continues to lead by about 3,100 votes — 44% to incumbent Senator Lisa Murkowski's 42%. Good for Tshibaka and bad for Murkowski? Not so fast. Remember, these are first-round votes, and you'd need a little bit more than just a 2% lead to feel confident heading into the second tabulation. Lisa Murkowski, who made history by winning her 2010 re-election write-in campaign, has been steadily closing the gap. Thousands of absentee votes continue to be counted, and they appear to be from rural Alaska, which should favor Murkowski.

What's next? The Alaska Division of Elections will continue counting ballots until November 23rd, when they will release final tabulations and results. To be frank, I'd much rather be Lisa Murkowski than Kelly Tshibaka right now. The first candidate eliminated under ranked choice will be retired mechanic Buzz Kelley, who actually dropped out in September and endorsed Tshibaka. Apparently, he didn't communicate his endorsement far and wide enough because he still managed to get over 6,000 first-place votes. As a rock-ribbed conservative, his supporters almost certainly ranked Kelly Tshibaka second, so she will benefit from getting his votes reallocated. However, the race's lone Democrat, Pat Chesbro, earned over 14,000 more first-place votes than Buzz Kelley, and her supporters are inclined to rank Lisa Murkowski second. So, while Tshibaka will benefit from Buzz Kelley's votes getting reallocated, Murkowski will benefit far more from Chesbro's votes being reallocated. 

Murkowski supporters should feel good about where the Senator is as of this newsletter’s publishing. If Murkowski doesn't win outright when the second round is tabulated, she almost certainly will in the third round. Senator Murkowski herself seems to be feeling good about her chances and said as much to a group of her supporters on election night.

The Race for U.S. House

The Congresswoman for All Alaska, Mary Peltola, is arguably the most popular politician in the State (and she has many fans around the country). She made history in August by winning the special election to finish the late Congressman Don Young's term, becoming the first Alaska Native in Congress, the first woman elected to the House from the State of Alaska, and the first Democrat elected to the House from Alaska in a half-century. She's extremely popular and enjoys cross-partisan appeal, with Congressman Young's daughters, Senator Lisa Murkowski, and many of Congressman Young's former staff supporting her.

With over 217,000 ballots counted, Peltola has already won 47% of first-place votes. Her Republican opponents, Palin and Begich, are at 27% and 24%, respectively. Libertarian Chris Bye will be the first eliminated, earning only 2% of the vote. While Republicans state-wide were encouraging a "rank the red" strategy, where Palin and Begich voters make the other GOP candidate their second choice, it's clear that their constant intra-party bickering undercut their chances. Throughout the campaign, Peltola took a positive approach, trying to stay above the fray as her opponents took each other down. It's clear that Peltola's strategy worked; she's very close to meeting the 50% threshold, and it's nearly certain that she will win outright on November 23rd when votes are reallocated. At an event with supporters, she doubled down on the relentless positivity that propelled her to the House.

Finally, the House and Senate are shaping up to be closely divided. Murkowski and Peltola's power will be notable if both chambers have slim majorities. 

Spooky season is almost over; sad for some, but an exciting chance to buy discounted Halloween candy on November 1st for others. As you probably know, both chambers of Congress are still in recess until after the election. So, while I have nothing for you in terms of roll call votes, there is still a flurry of congressional action worth throwing together in this very newsletter. Let's jump in.

Welcome to THE SUNDAY DELEGATION!

Big $$$ for Alaska's Ports and Ferry Terminals

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, was a pretty big deal when Senators Murkowski and Sullivan, and the late Congressman Young, voted for it last year. The latest investment in Alaskan infrastructure underscores just how critical IIJA's funding streams are for the State of Alaska.

This week, the Alaska Congressional Delegation announced that four coastal communities in Alaska would receive a total of $112 million from the IIJA for improvements to port-related infrastructure and ferry terminals. Notably, these funding announcements are the first of their kind in Alaska directly attributable to the passage and enactment of the IIJA.

The Alaska Delegation was effusive in its praise for these IIJA port grants. Senator Lisa Murkowski, a key negotiator of the IIJA, was especially excited. In a statement from her news release, Murkowski made the case for her legislative prowess and its benefit for Alaska.

"In my work as an appropriator and as a key architect of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, I've secured funding to help build, expand, and improve ports and harbors across our state to ensure that key ports such as the Port of Alaska and the Alaska Marine Highway System has the necessary support. "These new Port Infrastructure Development Program grants will be the first of many additional opportunities to deliver vital port related infrastructure funding to our state that will bring benefits to Alaska for decades to come," Senator Murkowski said.

Senator Dan Sullivan also noted his work on infrastructure, touting previous successful pushes for infrastructure funding.

"Serving as Alaska's principal transportation hub for the vast majority of goods the U.S. military and Alaskans rely on, the port needs significant reconstruction to combat corrosion, something I've pressed repeatedly as a member of both the Senate EPW and Commerce Committees,” remarked Sullivan. “Working together with Senator Murkowski and Congressman Young, we've been able to secure roughly $120 million in federal grants for the Port of Alaska in the last three years.”

Congresswoman Mary Peltola, who on the campaign trail has praised the IIJA and the late Congressman Young's work on the bill, got a heads up from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg himself.

"I was thrilled to receive the call from Secretary Buttigieg this afternoon and learn about these major investments headed for Alaska," said Congresswoman Peltola. "Alaska's ports play a vital role in both our nation's national security and supply chain. These investments will ensure that long overdue repairs are made which in turn will benefit not only Alaskans but all Americans."

Curious about the specifics of this funding? Here's a breakdown, courtesy of the Office of Senator Lisa Murkowski.

• Port of Alaska: $68.7 million to reconfigure and realign the shoreline within the "North Extension" (the area north of the existing general cargo terminals) at the Port of Alaska, one of the nation's commercial strategic seaports. The Project includes the demolition of a sheet pile wall, removal of approximately 1.3 million cubic yards of material, and construction of a shoreline revetment of armor rock.

• Port of Adak: $10.1 million for repairs and updates to Pier Five, the primary supply pier for this remote Alaskan village. The grant will fund planning and permitting work, removal of the deteriorated timber pile fender system, repairs to damaged concrete piles and caps, installation of a high-energy absorbing fender system, and installation of new sewer, firefighting water, potable water, electrical and communications utilities, and LED lighting.

• Sand Point Floating Dock Project: $5.3 million for installing more than 1,000 feet of new floating dock and supporting access, utility, and safety infrastructure within the existing harbor. The Project will complete the Aleutians East Borough's long-term efforts to fully build out the community's harbor.

• Prince William Sound ferry terminals: $28.2 million for upgrades and modifications at three Prince William Sound ferry terminals— Cordova, Tatitlek, and Chenega—to accommodate Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) ferries. The Cordova improvements include removal of floating fenders and construction of fixed-fender mooring dolphins and catwalks and modifications to the stern berth to accommodate the ferries. The Tatitlek improvements include the provision of new end-loading ferry terminal structures, including a vehicle transfer bridge and bridge support float. The Chenega improvements include the construction of a new ferry terminal facility, including a pile-supported approach dock structure, vehicle transfer bridge, bridge support float, and two mooring dolphins.

Peltola's fight against fentanyl

Alaska Congresswoman Mary Peltola, who has already introduced and passed a bill despite only being a Member of Congress for a few weeks, has focused on consensus-building and bipartisanship on the campaign trail. This week, she introduced bipartisan legislation to combat the fentanyl crisis, reinforcing her reputation as a pragmatic lawmaker.

On Tuesday, Peltola, alongside Congressmen David Trone (D-MD), Hal Rogers (R-KY), and Doug Lamborn (R-CO), introduced "Bruce's Law," new legislation authorizing Community-Based Coalition Enhancement Grants to expand and support federal agencies working to raise awareness about fentanyl.

The Senate companion is being led by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).

According to the representatives' joint press release, 2021 saw a record-high 108,000 drug overdose deaths across the country, and adolescent fentanyl deaths jumped 350% between 2019 and 2021. In a statement, Peltola conveyed the seriousness of the fentanyl crisis.

"Alaska saw a 71% increase in fentanyl-related deaths from 2020 to 2021. This epidemic is not only an issue in my state but a serious issue nationwide” said Congresswoman Peltola. “There are very few families across our nation that have not had a loved one experience opioid addiction or death. This legislation is critical to ensuring our communities have the resources they need to educate the public on the dangers of fentanyl. I'm proud to join my colleagues in advocating for its passage."

Bruce's Law is named for Robert "Bruce" Snodgrass, a 22-year-old Alaskan who was among the 72,000 Americans who died from a synthetic opioid-related overdose in 2021. Read more about Bruce’s Law here, courtesy of the Office of Congressman David Tone.

Senator Dan Sullivan and Ambassador Rahm Emanuel collaborate on energy policy in Tokyo

In Tokyo this week, U.S. Ambassador to Japan and former chief of Staff to President Barack Obama, Rahm Emanuel, hosted Senator Dan Sullivan, members of the Biden Administration, Governor Mike Dunleavy, and various government and industry partners from the U.S. and Japan for a summit on Alaska Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). The summit was an opportunity for advocates to continue building support for the proposed Alaska LNG Project, which would build an 800-mile pipeline from the North Slope to the Cook Inlet. The summit comes amid Russia's continued illegal war on Ukraine, which has rattled global energy infrastructure and increased the price of energy virtually everywhere. Skeptics of the Alaska LNG project have been adamant that the Gulf Coast is a more appropriate location for LNG exports. Alaska, however, has better proximity to Asia, and Japanese officials are interested in Alaska LNG as an alternative to Russian energy.

Senator Sullivan has levied frequent criticism against the Biden Administration for its energy policies. One would be forgiven, then, for being surprised at the sight of Senator Sullivan with President Biden's Ambassador to Japan. However, this summit has a mutually beneficial political upside for both Sullivan and the Biden Administration. Sullivan, a long-time advocate for the project, bolsters his authority and public profile on the issue. The Biden Administration benefits as well. With nine days left until the midterms and rising energy costs top-of-mind for many voters, the Administration can point to the Tokyo summit as proof that they're taking action on the energy economy. 

“Over the last several months, my team and I have worked relentlessly on meeting with key stakeholders—investors, producers, engineering firms, Biden Administration and Japanese government officials—to educate them on this project. This action-oriented Alaska LNG Summit is an outgrowth of these meetings that we believe will advance the prospects of the Alaska LNG project. In particular, I want to thank Ambassador Emanuel for hosting this summit and for his tireless advocacy of Alaska LNG,” added Sullivan.

Social Media Corner

What I'm Reading

• E&E News: Biden admin backs contested Alaska LNG project

• Anchorage Daily News: Don Young’s legacy shapes Alaska’s U.S. House race

• IntraFish: 'Unfortunately, this is not a one-time event': Alaska legislator Mary Peltola asks Congress for $250 million in emergency aid for crab fishing industry

• The Hill: Five takeaways from the Alaska Senate debate

The big news out of Alaska this week was the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) 2022 Convention. This year was notable in that it was the first in-person AFN since COVID-19 first emerged, but, more importantly, it was the first AFN since the history-making election of Congresswoman Mary Peltola. The Convention’s theme this year was “Celebrating Our Unity".”

Alaskans know that AFN is a BIG DEAL. Every year, the Convention brings together Alaska Native communities to address challenges, participate in panels, and celebrate Native culture, history, and experiences. It also serves as the principal public policy forum for the Alaska Native community, which means the three members of Alaska's Congressional Delegation each get a chance to address attendees and meet with constituents. With that said, let's get down to business. 

Welcome to Mary's house away from the House.

Congresswoman Mary Peltola made history just a few weeks ago when she became the first Alaska Native — and the first woman — to serve Alaska in the U.S. House of Representatives. By all accounts, Peltola was greeted with a rockstar welcome by AFN's attendees. Cardboard cutouts of the Congresswoman's face were distributed to the excited crowd — now that's a party favor! Cheers and applause were constant, and even her opponent, Sarah Palin, admitted, "We are in Mary's house, and I know that."

In her keynote address to AFN, Peltola humbly thanked the crowd for their support, noting the great honor of serving in Congress. Consistent with her campaign messaging, she lamented the toxicity of partisan politics and decried a lack of unity. 

"This is what democracy is built on: Unity. Coming together. Compromising. Building consensus, building coalitions, working together. Seeing each other as humans," Peltola said in her address.

In a particularly emotional moment, Joni Nelson and Dawn Vallely, daughters of the late Congressman Don Young, presented Peltola with the late Congressman's iconic beaded bolo tie. Upon receiving the bolo tie, Peltola declared, "now I'm a real Congressman for all Alaska." Congressman Don Young's daughter, Dawn, told convention attendees that her dad would be "very, very happy with the results of the special election." She finished by encouraging AFN participants to get out and vote for Peltola.

The late Congressman's daughters aren't the only ones supporting Peltola. This week, a significant number of former staffers and long-time friends of Congressman Young announced a fundraiser for Peltola, with some others adding their names to an endorsement letter for the incumbent Congresswoman. An across-the-aisle endorsement isn't unheard of in "Youngland." The late Congressman himself cut an ad in support of Senator Maize Hirono, a Democrat from Hawaii.

Among their reasons for supporting Peltola's reelection, the letter's signatories noted her commitment to Congressman Young's legacy of bipartisanship, positive campaign style, and her "Alaska First" policy agenda. The full letter can be found below or at this link. As a matter of full disclosure, the author of THE DELEGATION (that's me), a former staffer for Congressman Young, signed onto the Peltola endorsement letter.

Murkowski highlights work on Alaska Native policy priorities.

Senator Lisa Murkowski, up for reelection herself, addressed AFN and highlighted her work on policy priorities important to Alaska Native communities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was also supported by Senator Sullivan and the late Congressman Young, provides significant investments in Alaska Native communities to bolster climate resiliency, expand broadband, provide safe water infrastructure, and much more. Murkowski was instrumental in drafting the infrastructure bill and continues highlighting its importance to the State of Alaska. 

Her speech registered her support for reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, which includes provisions to address the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). She also participated in a board meeting of the Indigenous People's Council for Marine Mammals (IPCoMM), a group working to maintain traditional subsistence practices while also focusing on sustainability. 

AFN brings together Alaska Native artists who sell traditional jewelry, art, and clothing. This showcase of craftsmanship is wonderfully Alaskan, and Murkowski made a point to visit Alaska's Indigenous artisans. If you're ever considering buying items from Alaska Native vendors, make sure you're buying authentic Native art. The Anchorage Museum has great tips for shopping for Alaska Native arts and crafts.

Sullivan emphasizes unity, highlights record on combating sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Senator Dan Sullivan's AFN remarks focused on unity and overcoming adversity — particularly in the aftermath of Typhoon Merbok. Sullivan, whose wife Julie is the daughter of late Athabascan leader Mary Jane Fate, spoke extensively about the benefits of the infrastructure bill for Alaska Native communities. Sullivan noted just how much funding was provided to expand broadband access in rural Alaska Native communities through the infrastructure bill. The MMIWG crisis deserves enormous attention. Sullivan's AFN remarks covered his work to prevent the disproportionate violence directed at Indigenous women and girls; he even name-checked Senator Murkowski and former AFN Co-Chair and Assistant Secretary of Interior for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney. His complete remarks can be read here.

"We have so much more work to do on this critical issue of sexual assault and domestic violence and in the related and heartbreaking and horrendous issue of missing and murdered indigenous women. But there's light on the horizon here, because these issues are finally starting to get the attention they deserve. Thanks to initiatives like Savannah's Act, which is led by Senator Murkowski, and Operation Lady Justice, led by former AFN Co-Chair and Assistant Secretary of Interior for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney. Both of them have done such great work on this important issue. We're going to continue to unify on it, but I ask for a round of applause for the great work that they've done on this issue," said Sullivan in his AFN remarks.

Before we dive in, are you watching Alaska Daily, which premiered recently on ABC? This new series stars Hilary Swank as Eileen Fitzgerald, a high-profile reporter in New York City who — and you'll never believe this — moves to Alaska for a new start and to find personal and professional redemption. While that trope from Lower 48 screenwriters has been played out, I still find the show fun.

Sure, there is some cheesy dialogue, but you can't go more than a few minutes without an aerial shot featuring a Don Young earmark. I also appreciate the focus on the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls; each episode ends with a call to action. Check it out on Hulu or ABC on Thursdays if you get the chance.

Senator Murkowski's federal funding roundup

The U.S. Federal Government administers a large number of grant programs, funding everything from broadband and environmental protection to assistance for veterans, infrastructure improvements, childcare, and more. For decades, the Alaska Delegation has earned its "small but mighty" reputation by bringing home federal investments through grant programs and earmarks. The latter has recently returned on a limited basis following a decade-long ban.

This week, Senator Lisa Murkowski, who holds a seat on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, released a list of federal grants headed to Alaska. Grant programs aren't funded on their own; after Congress creates grant programs, they must then have money appropriated so federal agencies can award the grants in the first place. Senator Murkowski and her colleagues on the Appropriations Committee are responsible for ensuring a grant program's bank account has money in it. 

Some notable grant funding announced by Murkowski:

Peltola picks up her predecessor's baton in the fight against military suicide 

This week, Congresswoman Mary Peltola and colleagues in both the House and Senate sent a letter to Armed Services Committee leadership in both chambers, urging the retention of the Don Young Arctic Warrior Act’s provisions in the annual Department of Defense budget bill. Tragically, active-duty servicemember suicide in Alaska doubled in 2021 compared to 2020. The factors contributing to this crisis range from the high cost of living, social isolation, extreme weather, and more. Following his passing in March, Senators Murkowski and Sullivan introduced the Don Young Arctic Warrior Act, legislation that builds on the late Congressman's push to fight military suicide in Alaska. The bill's tenets include basic necessity pay, expanded behavioral healthcare, counseling, scholarships, and other retention efforts. It is these pillars of the Don Young Arctic Warrior Act that Peltola is calling on Congress to preserve in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act.

"Don Young was committed to ensuring that Alaska's service members and their families had the support and resources necessary to do their jobs. I'm pleased to pick up the torch and continue where he left off," said Peltola. "Preserving the provisions of the Don Young Arctic Warrior Act in next year's NDAA is critical to easing many of the hardships that thousands of Alaskan service members face each year."

Congresswoman Peltola has been very vocal about pushing many of the late Congressman's priorities. Before the House gaveled out for fall recess, Peltola introduced and passed a bill designed to fight food insecurity for veterans, which was a long-time focus of Congressman Young’s.

The ROARing twenties

In November last year, Senator Dan Sullivan levied vocal criticism at the Biden Administration for tapping into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Now, following OPEC's production cut, the Biden Administration has opened the door to tapping the SPR again. On Wednesday, U.S. Deputy Energy Secretary David Turk said that the Administration will try to use the SPR responsibility and where it makes the most sense to stabilize markets.

With the potential for SPR releases back in the news, Senator Sullivan introduced the Replenishing Our American Reserves (ROAR) Act, legislation to require that the SPR only include petroleum produced in the United States. Additionally, his ROAR Act would mandate that only domestic buyers can purchase petroleum products from the SPR.

Upon introduction, Sullivan had sharp criticism for the President.

"But President Biden has not relented in his war on American energy, and now our country's strategic oil reserve is depleted to a level we haven't seen in 35 years. We need to refill the SPR, and every drop of that oil should be produced by the hard-working men and women of the American energy sector," said Sullivan.

For his part, President Biden has been critical of OPEC's move to cut production and has pledged to consult with Congress on ways to undermine OPEC's control over energy prices. The midterm elections are 24 days away, and you can count on continued sparring between congressional Republicans, their Democratic colleagues, and the Biden Administration over the ever-salient issue of energy costs. 

Fat Bear Week ends; Peltola victorious, Young vindicated, 747 full of salmon

Alaska's Katmai National Park breaks into the national media landscape every year with Fat Bear Week. This year was no different, although some fraud occurred while people from around the world were casting their votes for the bear they think will chow down on the most salmon.

"747," a brown bear identified by Katmai staff in 2004, was Fat Bear Week champion in 2020. He didn't fare as well in 2021, but he came roaring back this year to once again earn the Fat Bear Week crown.

As the knight guarding the Holy Grail in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade once said, Congresswoman Mary Peltola "chose wisely" when she landed on 747 as her pick for Fat Bear Week.

It wasn't just a victory for 747 and Peltola; the late Congressman Don Young was vindicated following 747's loss last year. In 2021, Young made a Fat Bear Week bet against Congressman Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ) and had to surrender some Alaskan salmon to the Arizona congressman. This year, Peltola also chose 747 in a bet against Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI), who now owes her Detroit-style pizza.

What I’m reading

Anchorage Daily News: In her few days in Congress before the election, Peltola enjoyed Democratic support even as she straddled party lines

Forbes: Opinion: The Arctic Climate Double Standard Which Lets Russia And China To Exploit Oil & LGN

News Nation: Alaska Dem Mary Peltola: No family’s untouched by drug abuse

KCAW Raven Radio: Murkowski honored for Native advocacy, and an unusual land deal that expanded wilderness

Alaska Public Media: Families, activists question why so many people in Alaska’s jails and prisons have died this year

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Two senators call for state probe into gas prices

Hello and happy Friday, loyal readers of THE DELEGATION! 

This was the first full week that both chambers of Congress were out of session to allow members to hit the campaign trail ahead of the midterms. With 2/3 of the Alaska Congressional Delegation up for re-election next month, there's been no shortage of political and policy-related news. Keep reading to catch up on what you may have missed.

Peltola's team grows, with a focus on fish and constituent services

Congresswoman Mary Peltola has been no stranger to making waves lately. Less than a month into her congressional career, she's already introduced and passed a bill, toured Alaska with an Administration official, and re-introduced a hefty slate of the late Congressman Don Young's legislation. Last week, her staff hires made national headlines. "She respects diverse voices in her office. She really carries that Alaska spirit of bipartisanship," Alex Ortiz, her Chief of Staff who previously served in the same role for Congressman Don Young, told Roll Call. Her pragmatic hiring decisions didn't stop with bringing former Don Young staffers aboard. 

This week, she continued assembling her team of Democrats, Republicans, and independents. In a news release, Peltola announced three hires:

• Sam Hiratsuka will serve as Peltola's Legislative Assistant for Native Affairs and rural issues. Hiratsuka (Yup'ik, Aleut, Winnemem Wintu, and Navajo) was born and raised in Anchorage. He's not new to the Alaska Congressional Delegation either; most recently, he served as Legislative Correspondent for Senator Dan Sullivan. He'll be based in Washington, D.C., where he'll advise Congresswoman Peltola on policy matters relating to Indigenous affairs, natural disasters, housing, small business, fisheries, oceans, tourism, postal, and immigration policy. Peltola made fisheries management policy part of the national conversation. With fisheries in his legislative portfolio, Hiratsuka will be a key staffer for the Congresswoman.

• Tyson Fick has been hired as a Special Assistant for fishing policy and in-state constituent services. Fick isn't a newcomer to Peltola world; he previously served as Peltola's Chief of Staff in the Alaska Legislature. Additionally, he served as Communications Director at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and Executive Director at Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers. He'll be based in Juneau, which means Peltola will have staffers covering fisheries-related issues in both D.C. and Alaska. Her commitment to fisheries policy shouldn't be a surprise, "Fish" is the first word in her campaign slogan: "Fish, Family, & Freedom."

• Logan Basner, born and raised in Palmer, will serve as the Congresswoman's Special Assistant focused on in-state constituent outreach. Basner is no stranger to Alaska politics. Most recently, he served as Chief of Staff to Alaska State Representative Tiffany Zulkosky. He also brings experience as Regional Navigator for the Alaska Federation of Natives' Navigator program. With a master's degree in public administration from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, Basner should be well-equipped to connect constituents with their sole member of the U.S. House.

• Emily Larsen will join Peltola's Washington, D.C. office as a staff assistant. Staff assistants are truly the glue that keep many congressional offices running. They answer phones, manage interns, and coordinate tours and meetings — among countless other duties. Larsen is a recent graduate of American University, where she studied justice and law with a concentration in terrorism and security. She joins Peltola's office after interning with Senator Angus King (I-ME) and is currently working on a master's degree in terrorism and homeland security policy. 

A well-staffed office is critical for ensuring constituents feel heard and engaged with their representative. Peltola's strategy of assembling a high-performing team with diverse political backgrounds and life experience isn't just good office policy; it's healthy for political discourse. Constituents like to know that they can call an office and speak with staffers who have experience across the political spectrum.

Russian nationals see Alaska from their house

On Thursday, two Russian nationals beached their boat on St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea. The Russians, who were spotted by a senior community member from the Bering Strait region, reported that they fled Russia in order to avoid compulsory military service. It's difficult to blame them — Putin's illegal war continues dragging on. Amid sustained heavy losses, he's issued a degree for routine conscription. 

Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Dan Sullivan issued a joint press release addressing the matter. Murkowski raised the fact that only local and state officials were available to respond immediately to the Russian nationals, while Customs and Border Protection had to dispatch the Coast Guard from over 750 miles away. Murkowski and Sullivan have been long-time advocates for the establishment of the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies, which is now operating on JBER. Both of their statements tied the arrival of Russian nationals in Alaska back to the need for a stronger security presence in the Arctic.

What's obvious is that not even Russians want to fight Putin's war, and Senator Sullivan said as much in the news release:

"This incident makes two things clear: First, the Russian people don't want to fight Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine. Second, given Alaska's proximity to Russia, our state has a vital role to play in securing America's national security. This is why Senator Murkowski and I have been pressing officials in Washington D.C. so hard on the need to prioritize capabilities in the Arctic -- including infrastructure, Coast Guard assets, ports, and strategic defense assets."

This isn't a new phenomenon, but it comes at a time of increased tensions between the United States and Russia. Entering through Alaska is, however, somewhat unorthodox. The Associated Press reports that in August alone, Russian nationals were stopped for unlawful entry through Canada 42 times, up from 15 times in July. Russians have also attempted entry through Mexico, which does not require visas. Spikes in asylum attempts at asylum will likely continue as long as Putin wages war. As of Murkowski and Sullivan's release, federal officials are working to determine if the two Russian nationals qualify for asylum in the United States.

Murkowski calls for increased domestic energy production following OPEC's production cut

On Wednesday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, agreed to slash production by 2 million barrels daily. This represents the biggest cut in oil production since the COVID-19 pandemic began. OPEC's move to cut production earned them criticism from around the globe and across the political spectrum. President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, and National Economic Council Director Brian Deese issued a joint statement critical of OPEC, citing President Biden's disappointment in what he calls a "shortsighted decision."

Alaska, of course, is a prominent oil-producing state. Following OPEC's announcement, Senator Lisa Murkowski had harsh words for OPEC member states. "The members of OPEC+ clearly have little regard for the consequences of their actions. While higher oil prices may be good for their coffers for a time, they will harm families and businesses around the world," Murkowski said. "Even if this agreement is predicated on a global recession, their actions today will only contribute to it." Murkowski's statement made her position clear that the U.S. must fill the void with increased domestic production.

Murkowski, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, wasn't alone in calling for increased domestic production. Her Alaska Delegation colleagues, Senator Dan Sullivan and Congresswoman Mary Peltola, took to social media to address the matter. 

Sullivan's statement was more pointed, criticizing President Biden for easing sanctions on Venezuela to allow Chevron to resume oil production in the South American country.

Fiber broadband expands to seven Tribal communities

On Thursday, Calista Corporation and Alaska Communications announced that 2,300 Alaskans in seven rural communities along the Kuskokwim River would benefit from a tribal broadband grant funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The communities include Lower Kalskag, Upper Kalskag, Tuluksak, Akiak, Akiachak, Kwethluk, and Napakiak. The digital divide in Alaska is stark and was made even more painful by the COVID-19 pandemic as education, commerce, and community functions went virtual.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, supported by Senators Murkowski and Sullivan, in addition to the late Congressman Young, added $1 billion to the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. The project is part of the Alaska FiberOptic Project, a collaboration between Calista Corporation, Doyon, Limited, Gana-A 'Yoo Limited, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and Alaska Communications. The Alaska FiberOptic Project's vision is to connect up to 20 communities along the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers with fiber-optic cable.

The Alaska Congressional Delegation applauded the broadband expansion:

"Alaska's geography, terrain, climate, and vast size have created significant obstacles to developing broadband infrastructure. But rural Alaska is no less deserving of connectivity. For the first time, some of Alaska's most underserved communities will receive high-speed internet access made possible by the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grant program," said Senator Lisa Murkowski.

"While Alaska villagers work hard at preserving their culture and traditions, they also need reliable, high-speed internet service to manage in today's world. It's essential to conduct business, keep in touch with family, receive medical care and communicate with public agencies. High-speed internet to these underserved communities is the perfect mix of new and old," said Congresswoman Mary Peltola 

Senator Sullivan added, "I’m glad to see the significant federal infrastructure dollars we secured being deployed to break down the digital divide and improve the lives and well-being of thousands of Alaskans across the Lower Kuskokwim region.”

Once completed, Alaska Communications will also offer a $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands through the Affordable Connectivity Program. Alaskans are encouraged to learn more at: acpbenefit.org.

Social corner

Take a moment to catch up on what the Alaska Congressional Delegation has been saying on social media.

Hello and greetings from our Nation's Capital! 

Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to fund the federal government and avert a shutdown. It had already passed the Senate and has since been signed into law by President Biden. Immediately after the vote, Congress hit the exits, recessing until after the election.

Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, and Congresswoman Mary Peltola all voted YEA on the government funding bill, which also included Ukraine funding and support for FEMA. The continuing resolution's funding for FEMA was especially notable given the Delegation's recent success in getting President Biden to cover 100% of the State of Alaska's cost-share for Typhoon Merbok recovery. This effort was a massive win for the Alaska Delegation and Governor Dunleavy. With the passage of the continuing resolution, western Alaska can at least breathe a small sigh of relief that FEMA is fully funded.

Let's jump into some news from the Alaska Delegation you may have missed this week.

Senator Murkowski has the Administration's ear, and they're listening

Senator Lisa Murkowski has long highlighted the platform her seniority gives her to advocate on behalf of Alaskans. This week, she flexed that influence to get the Department of Homeland Security to eliminate onerous bureaucracy and red tape, which has impacted many of her constituents. Countless sportsmen from Alaska (including members of my own family) have made their way to the Lower 48 or even other countries to hunt. Many of these hunters — especially those traveling to the Lower 48 through Canada — are familiar with U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Form 4457, the Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad. The form is meant to expedite a traveler's return to the U.S., but that has not been the experience of many legal gun owners. To the frustration of many sportsmen, CBP has been providing expired copies of Form 4457, making a return home that much more difficult.

Murkowski, for her part, has made a point of maintaining warm and productive relationships with Administration officials on both sides of the aisle. Following several direct conversations with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, this week, CBP agreed to eliminate the expiration date on the form entirely. An action as simple as removing a form's expiration date removes significant complications for Alaskan hunters traveling abroad with firearms.

John Sturgeon, the Alaskan moose hunter who in 2019 won unanimous support from the United States Supreme Court against the National Park Service and who now serves as the President of the Alaska Safari Club, applauded Senator Murkowski for securing this Administrative change.

Sullivan's bipartisan coalition for children's health care

Perhaps bipartisanship in D.C. isn't on life support like many national pundits say it is. This week, Senator Dan Sullivan made bipartisan, bicameral health policy news by teaming up with Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Congressman Michael Burgess (R-Texas). Together as a team, they introduced the Kickstarting Innovative Demonstrations Support (KIDS) Health Act in both the House and the Senate. The KIDS Act is a significant piece of legislation because it would establish a "whole health care" model for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligible individuals. This "whole health" model would be achieved by authorizing federal money for state Medicaid programs to improve coordination between mental health providers and other health care organizations that care for eligible children.

In addition to its bipartisan support in Congress, the bill has earned the backing of several organizations in Alaska. The Alaska Children's Trust, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Alaska Chapter, and the Alaska Primary Care Association are among the groups lending their names in approval. Ensuring children's health care includes mental health support has taken on a new urgency. In 2019, 13% of adolescents reported experiencing a major depressive episode, marking a 60% increase from 2007. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made this mental health crisis more dire, with many young people feeling isolated from their communities or grieving over the heartbreaking loss of a loved one.

Honoring her predecessor and long-time family friend, Congresswoman Peltola re-introduces eight of Congressman Don Young's bills

The Congresswoman for All Alaska, Mary Peltola, has long talked about and reflected upon her relationship with the late Congressman Don Young and his family. I didn't realize it then, but in November 2021, when I saw them together in the Congressman's office and at a hearing on the Magnuson-Stevens Act, I was really getting a glimpse at Alaska history. 

The Peltolas and the Youngs are long-time family friends. Her parents campaigned for Congressman Young when the future Congresswoman was still in the womb. Later, when Peltola attended college in Pennsylvania and had nowhere to go on Thanksgiving for the first time in her life, Congressman Young invited her to spend the holiday in Virginia with him, his late wife Lu, and their daughters. Now, as his successor in the House, Peltola continues working to honor his legacy and secure results for Alaskans.

This week — only her second week on the job — Peltola re-introduced eight pieces of legislation that Congressman Young was working on before he passed away in March. Among Young's bills that Peltola re-introduced is legislation creating an Ambassador At-Large for Arctic Affairs, an initiative to bolster the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and a bill to recognize the Alaska Native communities — commonly referred to as "Landless" — that were excluded from certain claims under ANCSA. Picking up the baton from Congressman Young isn't just a way for Peltola to honor her friend; it's a critical chance to prove just how much common ground she shared with a man who was re-elected by Alaskans 25 times. Smart governance and smart politics.

Read more about all eight bills here.

Alaska At-Large (but also in-brief)

Fish, Family, Freedom, Bipartisanship

• While it's usually the elected officials themselves who get attention from the press, it's not unheard of for staff to see their moment in the spotlight as well. This week, Roll Call covered Congresswoman Peltola's staffing practices in a detailed piece that shows just how seriously she's aking this new job, right down to who she hires. Congresswoman Peltola made waves by hiring Congressman Young's Chief of Staff, Alex Ortiz, as her own. I can attest to Alex's professionalism, dedication, and commitment to Alaska, but in Roll Call's piece, you can hear him in his own words. Peltola also kept Congressman Young's Scheduling Director Paula Conru on and hired Josh Wilson to handle communications. Like Alex and Paula, Josh also had a previous boss from team red: former Governor Terry Branstad (R-IA). 

• Peltola campaigned by staying above the partisan fray. Fostering a tremendously bipartisan staff is proof that she's willing to not only talk the talk, but she's walking the walk.

Senator Sullivan pushes back on Putin

• Senator Dan Sullivan, a U.S. Marine Reservist, had strong words for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who delivered a [bizarre] speech as he announced the annexation of four regions in western Ukraine. Sullivan has been a strong supporter of Ukraine and voted for the government funding bill that included support for the European nation this week.

Volcano news (yes, you read that right)

The late Congressman Don Young was a towering, influential, and revered figure, not just in my life but in the lives of dozens of former Young staffers. He'd also be the first to admit that he could sometimes tend to be loud and disruptive. This week, Senators Murkowski and Sullivan introduced the Don Young Recognition Act to honor his legacy and commitment to Alaska. I wish I could see the look on Congressman Young's face when he found out from the great beyond that a bill called the Don Young Recognition Act" exists. He'd probably find it hilarious; I certainly do. Among the bill's tenets is the designation of Mount Cerberus in the Aleutian Islands as "Mount Young." It's one of the island chain's most active volcanoes, and, as Senator Murkowski noted, just as unpredictable as my late boss. Read more here.

"Through this legislation, my goal is that we not only pay tribute to a great man who did so much for our state, but that it ensures that what he has done for Alaskans is not forgotten. Don Young moved mountains for Alaska, it’s only fitting we name one after him–even if it is a bit unpredictable.”

Congresswoman Mary Peltola had her work cut out for her. To get to the U.S. House of Representatives, she had to beat out 48 other opponents and win state-wide as a Democrat in Alaska. Winning was no small task, and arriving in Congress to replace Congressman Don Young, the Dean of the House who ranks exceptionally high as one of the institution's most effective legislators of all time, means expectations are sky high. In her second week on the job, Peltola has moved quickly, passing her first piece of legislation and proving she's up to the challenge of mirroring Congressman Young's legislative effectiveness.

This week, Congresswoman Peltola broke the mold for new Members of Congress by securing a major legislative victory less than two weeks in the making. After celebrations for Peltola's history-making election as the first Alaska Native to represent her state in the House — and the first Democrat elected to its sole seat in a half-century — Peltola wasted no time getting to work on what constituents sent her to D.C. to do: legislate. 

In her first week on the job, she introduced H.R. 8888, the Food Security for all Veterans Act. Importantly, Alaska has the highest rate of veterans in the nation. Among the many tragic challenges veterans often face is food insecurity. Peltola's bill would create the Office of Food Security within the Department of Veterans Affairs to help individuals with concerns over food security and provide assistance to veterans accessing nutrition programs. The office would also be required to collaborate with other government agencies to identify veterans at risk of fhunger. Efforts like these are vital to supporting veterans, who can be among the most vulnerable members of society.

Days after she introduced her bill, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs approved it for consideration before the full chamber. Such swift committee sign-off of a bill is a remarkable feat for any Member of Congress, let alone one who hadn't even been on the job for a full week at the time.

"Veterans are more likely than others in the general population to suffer from food insecurity, depression, and other psychological disorders. These men and women have sacrificed so much for our country. It is our responsibility to ensure that they are cared for in every way necessary after their service. I'm beyond excited that my bill has already been voted out of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and am optimistic it will come before the House for final consideration yet this year," said Peltola following committee approval of her bill. 

Today, less than a week after receiving committee approval, and less than two weeks since her bill was introduced, it passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 376-49. Ahead of the vote, Peltola spoke in support of her bill on the House Floor.

With so many veterans in Alaska and food insecurity frequently top of mind, THE DELEGATION reached out to the Food Bank of Alaska to weigh in on Peltola's legislative victory. "Food insecurity remains a big issue for too many of our veterans," Jim Baldwin, CEO of the Food Bank of Alaska, told THE DELEGATION. "This bill takes an important step in ensuring that those who have served our country bravely have easy access to any food assistance they may need."

Setting herself apart

While Peltola's Food Security for all Veterans Act is undoubtedly a positive development for Alaska's veterans, it's also a clear example of Peltola's early legislative effectiveness. Some House representatives can go their entire term without ever getting a bill passed on the House Floor, let alone moved out of committee.

Peltola has broken the mold not only for new Members of Congress, but for those who have arrived mid-way through a term following their special election victories. For context, Congressman Troy Carter (D-LA-02), Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Congresswoman Connie Conway (R-CA-22), Congresswoman Mayra Flores (R-TX-34), Congressman Brad Finstad (R-MN-01), and Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01) all share status with Peltola as special election winners, and yet none of them have passed a single standalone bill through the House. In just two weeks on the job, Congresswoman Peltola has already leapfrogged several colleagues when it comes to legislative accomplishments. 

On Tuesday, the Alaska Congressional Delegation and Governor Mike Dunleavy released a joint statement urging President Joe Biden to waive 100% of the State of Alaska's cost share responsibilities required for public assistance through FEMA following Typhoon Merbok. This request gained greater visibility as Puerto Rico worked to recover from Hurricane Fiona, which left countless American citizens without power, potable water, and emergency infrastructure. The response to Puerto Rico's hurricane recovery included a 100% cost-share waiver to help expedite efforts to bounce back and save lives.

In their Tuesday news release, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, Congresswoman Mary Peltola, and Governor Mike Dunleavy called on FEMA to do for Alaska what it was doing for Puerto Rico: a cost-share waiver for 30 days. The letter came on the heels of Senator Murkowski and Congresswoman Peltola's visit to areas ravaged by Typhoon Merbok. Their travels included FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, making the trip even more high-stakes.

The joint release from Alaska Delegation and Governor Dunleavy made a strong and emotional case for a waiver, citing visible damage and unseen damage yet to be discovered.

We recognize the cost that comes with the destruction to key infrastructure, but we must also consider the challenges that don't immediately meet the eye—slow moving disasters such as water damage and the loss of cultural and subsistence tools. The financial needs to replace such substantial loss is far too great without additional assistance," said Senator Murkowski. 

"Having just visited Nome and other communities impacted by Typhoon Merbok over the weekend, I've now had the chance to speak directly with state and local officials and see the destruction first-hand," said Representative Peltola. "I am extremely grateful that President Biden so quickly approved Governor Dunleavy's federal disaster declaration, however, I wish to strongly reiterate my call for FEMA to waive the State of Alaska's cost share for federal individual and public assistance for recovery efforts. This 100% federal cost share is essential to the timely cleanup efforts that are ongoing."

Senator Dan Sullivan took to the Senate Floor to address the subject directly. Sullivan noted that he absolutely supports Puerto Rico's cost-share waiver, but that Alaska deserved the same treatment.

Today, just two days after their joint appeal, President Biden released a statement announcing a revision to the federal disaster declaration for Alaska.

"Under the President's major disaster declaration issued for the State of Alaska on September 23, 2022, federal funding was made available for Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and Other Needs Assistance at 75 percent of the total eligible costs.         

Under the President's order today, the Federal share for emergency protective measures has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for the first 30 days of the incident period," the White House press release said.

There is a reason the Alaska Congressional Delegation has long been described as "small but mighty." Pushing President Biden and FEMA to revise their recovery plans within a 48-hour time frame is the latest proof of that reputation. Western Alaska continues working to rebuild. How the 49th State’s leaders respond to long-term investments in resilient infrastructure will be one of the topics we'll keep following here at THE DELEGATION.

Last week, Typhoon Merbok wreaked havoc on towns and villages in western Alaska. This historic event generated a devastating storm surge that inundated communities with flood waters. Unalakleet experienced peak water levels of roughly 12.5 feet, among the highest on record. Thankfully, despite the widespread devastation, no lives were lost. However, as is the case with natural disasters, families were uprooted, livelihoods have been lost, and local businesses are now faced with tough choices as they work to rebuild. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the primary agency responsible for federal disaster recovery efforts and public support. In the aftermath of the storm, Governor Dunleavy and the Alaska Delegation pushed hard to have a disaster declaration declared, initiating FEMA's formal disaster response. In this special edition of THE DELEGATION, we'll dive in and round up news on the federal response to Typhoon Merbok.

Working toward a disaster declaration

Last week, Governor Mike Dunleavy R-Alaska) issued a request for a federal disaster declaration to President Joe Biden. As noted in the last issue of THE DELEGATION, while these requests are vital, they sometimes need more muscle to move the ball forward. This is where Senators Murkowski and Sullivan and Congresswoman Peltola come in. 

In a letter following Governor Dunleavy's request, Senators Murkowski and Sullivan and Congresswoman Peltola echoed the urgency behind a disaster declaration, writing:

"Our State emergency response team members are working day and night to ensure that our communities are safe and that utilities, services, and major infrastructure are operational as soon as possible. Alaska's public servants are instrumental in mitigating the immediate impact of the storm in Western Alaska. However, much more needs to be done. Governor Dunleavy indicated in his request that the damage was of such severity and scale that additional federal assistance is necessary to supplement the actions of our State agencies."

The Delegation's letter was exactly what was needed to move the ball forward. Two days later, President Biden approved Governor Dunleavy's request, and a federal disaster was declared. The full Delegation applauded President Biden's approval in a joint news release. These pleasantries may seem to have little impact in the moment, but they go a long way as the Delegation and the Biden Administration collaborate amid western Alaska's recovery. 

On the ground and with the people

Reading Typhoon Merbok briefing materials and watching coverage from 4,000 miles away in D.C. is one thing, but there is something to be said about leaders getting boots on the ground and into Alaskan communities. The stakes of these visits increase exponentially if visits from high-level federal officials are involved. Step 1 for the Delegation was getting the federal government to declare a disaster in the first place; step 2 is bringing the federal government to the people.

This weekend, Senator Lisa Murkowski and Congresswoman Mary Peltola visited Nome to tour Typhoon-ravaged communities. This on-the-ground deployment is high stakes, requiring them to listen, empathize, and tell western Alaska's story to the country. With them was FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, a "big get" by any measure. For Congresswoman Peltola in particular, the Typhoon and its impacts represent a major test. She's only two weeks into her congressional career, but she's already flexed her leadership bona fides by being a voice for Alaska and bringing a high-profile official to the state. Devastation like this should by no means be seen as a way to bolster your public image, but it should be noted that Peltola's visit and appearance with the FEMA Administrator have undoubtedly bolstered her image and leadership skills. 

Murkowski, Peltola, and Administrator Criswell spoke with KNOM radio following their site visits. Peltola previewed what her office will be working on in the coming weeks:

"The Department of Interior announced yesterday that they're going to provide $2.6 million to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 45 communities that had been affected. That's really for essential items, food and water. The continuing resolution that Congress is working on right now, we're fortunate that we may be able to — we will be able to fit things in the process. There's they call it an anomaly. I think in in the state vernacular, it's a supplemental or a fast-track supplemental, but in the federal process, they call it an anomaly. So that's what my office will be working on and making sure that we are as helpful as we can be," Peltola told KNOM.

Senator Murkowski highlighted the community response she's experienced while inspecting the devastation up close:

"I was talking to a young man in Golovin yesterday who lives in Nome, but he's mucking out his dad's house and he's going to go help out his uncle, rip the insulation out and try to be there. What is happening is really heartwarming; I look at the devastation of the fire there at the Bering Sea (restaurant), and think about all this community has gone through in the past — literally like a week, and it is extraordinary how people have come together."

Disaster recovery cost sharing

Meanwhile, on the Senate Floor, Senator Dan Sullivan delivered a speech urging the federal government to waive the State of Alaska's cost share for disaster recovery. In his speech, he noted that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) requested a 100% cost-sharing waiver for Puerto Rico as they recover from Hurricane Fiona. Senate Floor charts have a reputation for sometimes being unnecessary or ridiculous, but Sullivan brought several enlarged photos of the Typhoon aftermath to further reinforce the need for Alaska to have its cost share waived.

This wasn't the end of the conversation, however.

Today, the full Alaska Delegation, joined by Governor Dunleavy, issued a joint press release formally calling on President Biden to mirror FEMA's arrangement with Puerto Rico by eliminating cost sharing for 30 days. The Delegation argued that the devastation was too great, and the financial burden of cost-sharing would delay the recovery and stifle the State of Alaska's ability to mitigate storm damage that is yet unseen or unknown.

"Having just visited Nome and other communities impacted by Typhoon Merbok over the weekend, I've now had the chance to speak directly with state and local officials and see the destruction first-hand," said Representative Peltola. "I am extremely grateful that President Biden so quickly approved Governor Dunleavy's federal disaster declaration, however, I wish to strongly reiterate my call for FEMA to waive the State of Alaska's cost share for federal individual and public assistance for recovery efforts. This 100% federal cost share is essential to the timely cleanup efforts that are ongoing." 

How you can help

Many have asked how they can help western Alaska recovery efforts. The good news is there are countless organizations working to bring safety and stability to the impacted communities. 

• The Alaska Community Foundation has set up a Western Alaska Disaster Recovery Fund at alaskacf.org. 

• The World Central Kitchen, founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, has already delivered a planeload of food. You can support them here.

If you're reading this and somehow forgot what exactly it is or why you're here, let me get you up to speed. You've reached THE DELEGATION — a newsletter focused on the work of Alaska's Congressional Delegation — and you're very likely here because you set aside 15 seconds of your day and subscribed. Thank you for signing up!

If you haven't caught on by now, I'm Zack Brown (that's my face up there in the newsletter banner — hi, mom!). I'm a thirty-something political hound based in Washington, D.C. I've worked on campaigns and Capitol Hill and continue to do some consulting on the side. You might be wondering why I'm launching a newsletter covering three individuals' work in a 535-member legislative body. For the last few years, I served as the late Congressman Don Young's communications director and was the final person to hold that position when he passed away. It was an incredible ride that introduced me to everything Alaska, including its political landscape. It was also a great opportunity for me to reconnect with my Alaskan family in Kenai and Chugiak.

There were many lessons to be learned at my desk in Congressman Young's office, but one frustration that constantly reared its head was the sheer amount of work that the Alaska Delegation and staff do that flies under the radar. I'll admit, not everything is worthy of a front-page headline, and certainly, members of the Alaska press corps only have a limited amount of bandwidth. Having moved on from Capitol Hill, I was left wondering how I could have an impact in a new and different way. I wracked my brain to land on a subject I had enough expertise in that I could turn into an actual newsletter, and it hit me: if there's one area of subject matter I know like the back of my hand, it's the Alaska Delegation and how they work in Congress. So that's how we got here, with me on one side of the screen writing this stuff, and you on the other side [hopefully] enjoying a good read and learning more about the goings on of Senators Murkowski and Sullivan and Congresswoman Peltola.

With that, let's jump in and see what the Alaska Delegation has been up to this week.

Willow they or won't they?

If there's one policy area that's long-guided the work of Alaska's Delegation over the decades, it's resource development. When we talk about energy exploration in Alaska, most people from the Lower 48 assume we're talking about ANWR. But it's another energy initiative — the Willow Project — that seems to be the real attention-grabber in many circles around the state. The Willow Project, announced in 2017, is estimated by ConocoPhillips to produce 180,000 barrels of oil a day from the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska (NPR-A). These projections and the potential for job creation have made its permitting a high-priority cause for the Alaska Delegation, particularly Senator Lisa Murkowski. 

In the past two years alone, the Alaska Delegation (much of it with Congressman Young) issued countless press releases, sent many letters to Trump and Biden Administration officials, and took plenty of opportunities to advocate for Willow. Now, with Congresswoman Mary Peltola on the team, the Delegation's support has officially become bipartisan. 

This week, Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, and Congresswoman Mary Peltola got the band back together, and full-delegation advocacy for the Willow Project resumed. On Tuesday, the Delegation sent a joint letter to Deb Haaland, Secretary of the Interior, urging the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to complete the permitting process for the Willow Project by year's end — in time for winter construction season.

Their piece hits all the important notes you'd expect from a letter like this: job creation, the benefit to the U.S. energy economy, and long-standing local support among them.

“The expeditious approval of this crucial project would greatly benefit Alaska, our nation, and the world, while demonstrating the Administration’s commitment to addressing inflation, high energy costs, the need for greater energy security, and environmental justice initiatives,” the Delegation wrote. “After years of study and review, both the Administration and Alaskans can feel confident that the Project will abide by the strictest environmental considerations in the world, while being constructed and operated by a company with an impressive record of safe and responsible development on the North Slope.”

Signing on is an interesting move for Congresswoman Peltola in particular. She campaigned as a different type of Democrat, a pragmatic leader who would always put Alaska first. The Willow letter was perhaps the first glimpse into how she'll thread the needle between her traditional Democratic constituency and the broadly popular Willow Project. The coalition in support of Willow is extensive; it has earned the public support of groups ranging from some Alaska Native leaders like Julie Kitka and those from the Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope to the Alaska AFL-CIO and local mayors and other elected officials. I would be remiss to mention the national groups which have opposed the Willow Project. Earth Justice, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, and the Center for Biological Diversity are just a few notables who have publicly opposed Willow. Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic and the Trustees for Alaska are some of the Alaskan groups in opposition.

Click here to read the Alaska Delegation's full letter.

Relief for western Alaska

Western Alaska has been absolutely devastated by Typhoon Merbok. You can't go far on Twitter without seeing heartbreaking images of the destruction left behind. Homes, schools, businesses, and countless other pieces of infrastructure have been lost, leaving vulnerable Alaskans in desperate need of help. Following the storm, Governor Michael Dunleavy (R-Alaska) issued a request for a federal disaster declaration to President Joe Biden. Sometimes in D.C., however, you need a little more muscle to move the needle in your favor. Enter the Alaska Delegation. In a letter on Tuesday, Senators Murkowski and Sullivan and Congresswoman Peltola echoed Dunleavy's request for a disaster declaration, writing:

"Our State emergency response team members are working day and night to ensure that our communities are safe and that utilities, services, and major infrastructure are operational as soon as possible. Alaska's public servants are instrumental in mitigating the immediate impact of the storm in Western Alaska. However, much more needs to be done. Governor Dunleavy indicated in his request that the damage was of such severity and scale that additional federal assistance is necessary to supplement the actions of our State agencies."

The Delegation's letter helped moved the ball forward. Two days later, President Biden officially approved Governor Dunleavy's request, and a federal disaster was declared. The full Delegation applauded President Biden's approval in a joint news release. "I appreciate the President for listening to us and recognizing the urgency of this situation. With winter weather looming, this federal assistance can't come soon enough," said Senator Murkowski. Senator Sullivan added, "I appreciate the quick response from the Biden Administration approving Governor Dunleavy's request for a Major Disaster declaration to support Alaska's recovery from the impacts of Typhoon Merbok on Alaska families, homes, businesses, schools, and infrastructure."

So often, when we think about Congress, our minds focus on "big ticket" items like legislation and committee hearings. But the bully pulpit entrusted to our elected leaders has great influence. Letters to Administration officials frequently go under the radar. But they really can get things across the finish line, which is especially important for the impacted Alaskans who desperately need federal support. 

Fish are friends (and food)

Congresswoman Mary Peltola, who was sworn in on September 13th to finish Congressman Don Young's term, has captured headlines across the country with her trademark positivity and real-life experience. Her campaign's famous "Fish, Family, & Freedom" platform is as popular as it is alliterative. Following her win, countless Twitter users from the Lower 48 questioned what "pro-fish policies" actually meant. That Peltola was able to put fisheries policy — a wonky and somewhat niche area for non-Alaskans on a good day — front-and-center speaks to her successful campaign and style.

This week, she made her committee markup debut as the House Natural Resources Committee marked up legislation to reauthorize the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). If you're uncertain about what exactly a "markup" is, I'm here for you. Simply put, a markup is a key step in a bill's lifespan. In its most simple terms, at a markup, all committee members can offer amendments to a bill, in this case, H.R. 4690, the Sustaining America's Fisheries for the Future Act. Once all amendments have been voted on, a final vote on the now-amended bill itself is held. If approved in the committee markup, a bill can be considered for passage by the full House.

While H.R. 4690 was the star of the show, Congresswoman Peltola's very presence as a new Member of Congress (and a history-making one at that) was undoubtedly the markup's co-star. MSA is the nation's premier fisheries management law which was co-written and passed by none other than the late Congressman Don Young himself. The connection to Congressman Young and the importance to Alaska's economy and way of life make reauthorizing MSA crucial. Peltola made reauthorization of MSA a major part of her campaign, and this hearing was the opening salvo in her cause.

In her opening remarks, Congresswoman Peltola shared her own fishing experience and sounded the alarm on the urgency behind reauthorizing MSA with a focus on healthy fisheries and stocks. She also gave several shoutouts to Congressman Young (whose portrait was hanging nearby). Just last year, Peltola appeared as a witness before this very committee, testifying to Congressman Young on MSA.

The Congresswoman is steeped in fisheries policy, no doubt in part of her own time spent fishing on the Kuskokwim River and her work to get more Alaska Native voices at the fisheries policymaking table. In her remarks, she stated, "Nothing is more important to me as a Member of Congress than to protect the fisheries and the sea life that are crucial to Alaskan survival." 

"Yesterday, I was honored to participate in the Committee on Natural Resources mark-up hearing on the reauthorization of Magnuson-Stevens. The last time the committee met on this matter, I was called as a bipartisan witness by Congressman Young and Chairman Huffman," said Congresswoman Peltola. "This time, I had a seat at the table and offered an amendment that was adopted by the committee which will strengthen this legislation. The amendment called for adding two additional Alaska Native tribal seats to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and ensuring qualified candidates are selected."

Congresswoman Peltola knows why she's here and what she wants to see in MSA reauthorization. My advice? Buckle up, because I think she's going to get this done.

Notable votables

There was quite a bit of legislative activity this week. Allow me to catch you up on some of the major votes taken in both the House and Senate.

First up, we have the nomination of Judge Florence Pan to be United States Circuit Judge for the D.C. Circuit. Judge Pan was nominated by President Biden to fill the vacancy on the D.C. Circuit Court left by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who, of course, is now serving on the U.S. Supreme Court. Unlike legislation, judicial nominations are not subject to the 60-vote threshold that has doomed countless other bills in recent years. However, a simple majority is still needed to end the debate on a nomination and move to a final vote (known as invoking cloture).

Five Republicans voted to invoke cloture on Judge Pan; Senator Lisa Murkowski was one of them, but Senator Dan Sullivan was not. Judge Pan's nomination received a final vote, securing confirmation by a vote of 56-40. Alaska's senators were once again divided, with Senator Murkowski voting AYE and Senator Sullivan voting NAY.

Time to jump over to the House, which held a vote on a series of four police funding bills. The four pieces of legislation are the VICTIM Act, the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, the Mental Health Justice Act, and the Invest and Protect Act. Now, there's more to a piece of legislation than the name, and while they all sound good, the bill titles don't really give us much of an idea of what they do. The Office of Congressman Brian Higgins offered some helpful explainers:

• The Invest to Protect Act authorizes $60M annually from FY 2023 through 2027 under the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) to support local police departments nationwide with fewer than 125 law officers.

• The Break the Cycle of Violence Act supports grants to establish & support effective, evidence-based community violence intervention programs. HHS & DOL will award $6.5B in grants over eight years to community-based nonprofit organizations and eligible local governments.

• The Mental Health Justice Act offers grants to hire, train, and dispatch mental health professionals to respond to emergencies involving people with a mental illness or an intellectual or developmental disability.

• The VICTIM Act provides grant funding to state, tribal, or local law enforcement agencies and prosecuting offices to help with investigator training, retention, and technology toward the goal of attaining justice for victims of rape, sexual assault, kidnappings, and shootings.

Congresswoman Peltola voted YEA on all four pieces of legislation. Each of them earned some degree of Republican support as well. The dividing lines within the Democratic Caucus were clear. While the majority of Members voted in support of the bills, more progressive ones like Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Mark Pocan, and others voted NAY on the Invest to Protect Act.

Let's jump back to the Senate and examine their ratification of the Montreal Protocol (known as the Kigali Amendment). This landmark 1987 treaty was designed to support the earth's ozone layer by reducing the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons.

Senator Dan Sullivan secured a victory when the Senate unanimously adopted his amendment requiring future updates to the Montreal Protocol to be conditioned on the U.S. making efforts to strip China of the "developing nation" status granted to it by the United Nations (UN). The Senator's bipartisan victory was coupled with an impassioned speech on the Senate floor. China, Sullivan argued, "is not a "developing nation," and should no longer be able to exploit UN concessions and aid–often funded by U.S. taxpayers."

Other items of interest

• Congresswoman Mary Peltola hasn't even hit the two-week mark in her congressional tenure, but she is wasting no time in assembling a strong team to serve Alaskans. Peltola frequently recalls her long-time family friendship with Congressman Young and expresses how much it means to have his office. It's clear she places a heavy value on institutional knowledge. Picking Congressman Young's Chief of Staff to be her own made headlines as a smart move, and this week, she did it again. In a news release, Peltola announced another hire from Congressman Young's office: his director of scheduling. Paula Conru comes aboard following positions with the Alaska Legislature, Alaska Governor's Office, and most recently as Congressman Don Young's Scheduler and Office Manager. I may be biased, having worked with her for so long, but she's the best of the best, and Congresswoman Peltola is lucky to have her.

“Paula’s deep understanding of Capitol Hill and years of service to Alaskans make her the perfect addition to my team," Peltola said. “I’m extremely grateful that she’s agreed to help me transition into my new role.”

• The late Congressman Young was a long-time supporter of Special Olympics Alaska. He'd frequently host athletes in his office and let them take turns sitting in the Congressman for All Alaska's giant desk chair. This week in Anchorage, Special Olympics Alaska awarded the Jim Balamaci Award to Congressman Young in recognition of his support at the annual Breakfast with Champions event. His widow, Anne Garland Young, was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the late Congressman.

So what is The Delegation anyway?

I’m Zack Brown, former Communications Director for the late Congressman Don Young (AK).

If you’ve made it this far, you’ve likely already figured out that The Delegation is a newsletter about Alaska’s Congressional Delegation. Too often, there simply isn’t enough media bandwidth to cover every piece of legislation the Alaska Delegation is working on. Whether it’s introducing a bill, helping to secure grant funding, signing onto letters, offering legislative amendments, or any other congressional policy matter, The Delegation newsletter gives you a front row seat to the work of Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, and Congresswoman Mary Peltola.

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