| Updates from Alaska and Washington, D.C. |
Dear Alaskans,
Summer is officially here, and it has been a busy few weeks in both Alaska and Washington, D.C. I recently traveled back home and greatly enjoyed listening to Alaskans' concerns and updating them on legislation and events in Washington, D.C. I hope you'll take a moment to read my newsletter so that you too can get up-to-speed on legislation I've introduced and the various issued facing Congress. As always, if you need help with a Federal agency or believe I can be of assistance to you, don't hesitate to reach out to my office.
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| Preserving the History of Alaska's Veterans |
I’m proud to announce the Veterans History Project – a partnership between my office and the Library of Congress to permanently preserve the oral histories of Alaska’s veterans. The Veterans History Project collects first-hand accounts of veterans through audio and video recordings and with collections of original photographs, letters, and diaries. In the coming months, my office will be conducting interviews with veterans interested in preserving their stories and history for future generations of Americans to learn from at the Library of Congress.
To learn more about this project and to sign up to participate, click here.
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| Welcoming Senator Joe Manchin to Alaska |
I was proud to be with my Alaska Delegation colleagues to help welcome Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia to the Great State of Alaska! As part of my recent travels throughout the state, I joined Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, and Senator Manchin at a roundtable in King Salmon to discuss the issues facing Alaska’s fisheries. Alaska’s seafood industry is one of the most important economic drivers for our state, and the Alaska Delegation is united in advocating for the needs of fishermen, processors and their families. I’m grateful to the industry leaders for sharing their concerns, and look forward to continuing to partner with them on behalf of Alaska’s fisheries.
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| Making Health Care More Affordable for Middle Class Families |
I proudly helped the House pass legislation to permanently repeal the 40% tax on employer-based health insurance plans. For years, Alaskans and citizens across our country have experienced the detrimental effects of Obamacare, and the fact that even the Democrats in Congress agreed to repeal one of the law’s harmful taxes is proof that the law was flawed from the start.
Previously, I have supported measures to repeal Obamacare’s individual mandate, delayed it’s onerous tax on medical devices, and have now voted to eliminate its 40% tax on middle-class families. I will keep working in Congress to empower Alaskans to make their own health care decisions, and to lower costs through commonsense, patient-centered reforms. To read more about this important vote, click here.
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| Visiting the University of Alaska Fairbanks |
From improving the navigability of our waters to assisting in search and rescue operations, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) play an important role in executing these important missions. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is helping to raise Alaska's profile in the field of UAVs, and I greatly appreciated my tour of their facilities. I look forward to seeing what these dedicated scientists accomplish in the years to come!
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| Combating Hunger in Alaska and Across the Country |
Hunger affects every community, and the fact of the matter is that food insecurity all too often goes unrecognized, with families suffering silently without access to the nutrition they need. As a father and a grandfather, I strongly believe that no family – and certainly no child – should go hungry, and tackling this issue has always been one of my highest priorities in Congress.
This year I have introduced and cosponsored several pieces of legislation to help ensure that the most vulnerable among us have access to the nutrition and support systems they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Alaskans have my promise that I will work hard to see my legislation to the finish line, and I call on my friends on both sides of the aisle to support my bills to help turn the tide in the fight against hunger.
Click here to learn more about my legislative initiatives to combat hunger. |
| Independence Day in Alaska |
On July 4th, I joined the Fortymile Miners Association in Chicken to deliver a Washington update to its members. These great Alaskans are important advocates for responsible resource development, and I appreciated speaking with them. We also took some time to celebrate the recent decision by the Department of the Interior to lift the Fortymile plan and making our lands available for mining claims. After we discussed the issues facing Congress, it was time to celebrate American freedom, liberty, and independence. I am grateful to the 40 Mile Miners for inviting me to celebrate Independence Day with them, I had a great time. Thank you for your patriotism and dedication to our state!
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| Throwing Out the First Pitch at the Mat-Su Miners Baseball Game |
I was happy to be invited to Hermon Brothers Field to throw out the first pitch at the Mat-Su Miners baseball game! Afterwards, I spoke with the Mat-Su Frontiersman about my love of baseball and my recent travels across our great state. Thank you to everyone who came out to watch the game, and thank you to the Mat-Su Miners for having me! Be sure to read my full interview by clicking here.
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| Reauthorizing the United States Coast Guard |
The House passed Coast Guard reauthorization legislation containing provisions critical to Alaska. With more coastline than any other state in the Union, Alaskans know how essential the Coast Guard is for protecting our waters, defending our borders, and frequently, serving as first responders to maritime emergencies. The bipartisan legislation ensures that the dedicated men and women of the United States Coast Guard have the resources necessary to fulfill their critical mission.
As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I was able to secure several provisions to help better support Alaska’s tourism industry, improve the navigation of Alaska’s waters, and help ensure that the Arctic remains safe for commercial exploration. I look forward to working with the Alaska Delegation to ensure that we send a bill to the President’s desk that strengthens our Coast Guard and benefits our great state. Click here to read more.
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| Strengthening Alaskan Fisheries |
I’m proud to once again introduce my bipartisan legislation with Congressman Jeff Van Drew (D-NJ) to promote and protect sustainable fishing across the country. Alaska’s seafood industry is one of the primary drivers of our state economy, and for over forty years the Magnuson-Stevens Act has allowed our fishermen, processors, and coastal communities to thrive. As the nature of our ecosystem and fishing industry changes, we must ensure our laws are updated to keep pace in an evolving world.
Future generations must have access to our ocean’s renewable resources. Our reauthorization takes important steps to protect our marine ecosystems, and ensures that generations of fishermen to come can earn a living by putting sustainable seafood on the tables of families across the country. Click here to read more about my efforts to reauthorize Magnuson-Stevens.
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| Meeting with Ahtna in Glenallen |
My work on issues of importance to Alaska Native communities has continued in the 116th Congress. I met with representatives of Ahtna in Glenallen to provide an update on various Alaska Native issues in Congress. I greatly appreciated the thoughtful questions and look forward to continuing my work in Congress to ensure our Native communities have the resources necessary to succeed.
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| Protecting Native American Seeds and Foods |
Alaska Native seeds and food products are a central component of Alaska culture, and it is critical these traditional ways of life are preserved. I'm proud to join a bipartisan and bicameral group of advocates on this important legislation to ensure that future generations of Alaskans can fully appreciate the history and culture of our state. Protecting the culture of our Alaska Native communities is an important part of my work in Congress, and I will keep working as a member of the Subcommittee on Indigenous Peoples toward this very important goal. Click here to learn more about the Native American Seeds Protection Act.
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| Protecting Individuals with Disabilities |
The United States helps lead the world in promoting the rights of the disabled, and the Office of International Disability Rights at the State Department is one of the most important tools we have in this global fight. I am proud to join Congresswoman Dina Titus on legislation to codify the office into law. It is my hope that the work done by the State Department will continue to promote inclusion for people with disabilities in communities across the world. Read more about our important bipartisan legislation by clicking here.
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| Washington, D.C. Tours for Alaskans |
Summer tour season in Washington, D.C. is here! Did you know that my office is able to arrange tours of Washington, D.C.'s most popular attractions and historical landmarks for Alaskans? If you or your family will be visiting Washington, D.C. be sure to click here to learn what tours are available and how to arrange them through my office. Safe travels!
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