Senate Appropriators Advance Bill with Alaska Priorities for Transportation, Infrastructure, and Housing

Washington, DC –Last week,U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to advance the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development bill for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) that contains significant Alaska priorities. The bill was approved in committee and will now advance to the Senate floor for consideration.
“This funding meets some of Alaska’s most critical needs, ranging from affordable housing to infrastructure improvements,”said Senator Murkowski. “I look forward to continuing to advocate for these wide-ranging investments that will benefit all Americans and provide stability for those who need some help getting back on their feet.”

Highlights from the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Bill

Investments in Aviation Safety
Air travel is a way of life in Alaska, and oftentimes pilots are flying without guidance or accurate weather assessments. In recognition of these life-threatening conditions, Senator Murkowski is focused on bolstering aviation safety in Alaska and around the country. To that end, the THUD appropriations bill invests $20 million for the Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative (DYAASI), and $687.5 million for Essential Air Service.

Bolstering Infrastructure
Senator Murkowski understands the diverse infrastructure needs in Alaska and around the country. Ensuring America’s roads, railroads, and maritime transport routes remain safe and efficient is essential. This bill provides for $63 billion for the Federal Highway Administration, $2.9 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration, and $874 million for the Maritime Administration, including $30 million for Assistance to Small Shipyards Grants and $75 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program.

Supporting Community Development Initiatives
Senator Murkowski recognizes the importance of having a safe place to call home for people of all ages, and how difficult it is to secure it. She advocated for significant funding for initiatives that aim to make housing more accessible in communities around the country.
Senator Murkowski ensured a continued investment of $107 million in funding for the Youth Homeless Demonstration Program, which takes a comprehensive, community-based approach to reduce the number of young people experiencing homelessness. She also secured $1.25 billion for the HOME Investment Partnership Program, which provides the Department of Housing and Urban Development funding for grants used by states, local governments, and nonprofits to buy, build, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing options for low-income Americans. She also successfully fought for $52 million to rehouse survivors of domestic violence. Additionally, Senator Murkowski advocated for significant investments in Tribal Housing programs, $1.11 billion for Indian Housing Block Grants, and $10 million for Tribal Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers.

In addition to programmatic funding to help Alaskans, Senator Murkowski was able to secure investments specific to 27 Alaska communities, projects that have been requested and prioritized by local governments and organizations in this bill:

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