Murkowski Highlights Wide-Ranging Wins for Alaska in Appropriations Package

Washington, DC —Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) celebrated major Alaska priorities she successfully secured in the final appropriations “minibus” bill that completes five of the final six spending bills to fully fund the government.H.R. 7148includes the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) appropriations bill; the FY26 Defense appropriations bill; the FY26 Transportation, Housing, Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill; the FY26 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill; and the FY26 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations bill.
“I’m very proud of the hard, bipartisan work that went into the package that will help Alaska and Americans across the country— everything from aviation safety and workforce development to addressing substance abuse, rural suicide prevention, and support for our military,”said Murkowski.“We tackled a wide range of issues that will make a real impact in the everyday lives of Alaskans.”
The Senate could not reach consensus on the final appropriations bill of FY26, Homeland Security (DHS), which funds various agencies including Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Coast Guard, and FEMA. Instead, these and related agencies are included in H.R. 7148, a short-term continuing resolution for DHS. The continuing resolution funds these agencies and departments through February 13, 2026, while Congress deliberates on a path forward.

FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) Appropriations Highlights
Senator Murkowski secured strong investments for Alaska and the nation in the FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The final conference agreement reflected bipartisan compromise and protected many of Murkowski’s long-standing priorities across health care, workforce development, education, and family services.
The bill safeguards or increases funding for critical programs serving Alaska’s rural, Tribal, and underserved communities, including medical research; mental health and substance use treatment; funding for schools, childcare and afterschool care; heating assistance; Native programs; and veterans’ services.
Advancing Medical Research and Public HealthThe FY26 LHHS bill makes significant investments in medical research and public health, with particular attention to conditions that disproportionately impact servicemembers, rural populations, and Alaska Native communities.
Key investments include:
Strengthening Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicide Prevention ServicesSenator Murkowski prioritized investments to address Alaska’s mental health crisis, substance use disorders, and suicide rates—especially in rural and Tribal communities.
The bill provides $7.4 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), including:
Supporting Families, Children, and Rural CommunitiesThe bill strengthens the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), which delivers essential services to Alaska families facing high costs, energy insecurity, and limited access to care.
Notable provisions include:
The accompanying report language directs additional oversight of LIHEAP staffing and administration to ensure timely and accurate delivery of assistance to states like Alaska.
Investing in Workforce Development and Economic OpportunityIn order for Alaska to reach its full potential, a strong local workforce is essential to meeting growing job demands. This bill continues robust support for workforce development programs, including:
Strengthening Education and Alaska Native Student ProgramsIt was a priority for Senator Murkowski that the Department of Education portion of the bill preserved funding for programs that support students, educators, and schools—particularly in rural and federally impacted areas.
Key highlights include:
Preserving Cultural and Community InstitutionsThe bill provides $291.8 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, supporting access to educational and cultural resources nationwide.
The conference agreement did not include funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) or Public Broadcasting Interconnection, despite Murkowski’s advocacy to maintain enacted funding levels—posing challenges for public media access in rural and remote Alaska communities. She will continue to look for other opportunities to support Alaska’s public media.
In addition to programmatic funding to help Alaskans, Murkowski was able to secure investments for projects that have been requested and prioritized by local governments and organizations:

FY26 Defense Appropriations Highlights
Senator Murkowski prioritized the allocation of resources that directly support servicemembers stationed in Alaska, where distance, cost of travel, and harsh conditions place unique burdens on military families. As a longtime champion of the program, first introducing it through her Arctic Warrior Act in 202, she ensured that the FY26 Defense bill included significant increases for the Alaska Flyback Program across every service branch, which helps offset the high cost of travel for servicemembers assigned to Alaska duty stations.The bill provides:
• $10.5 million for the Army Alaska Flyback Program• $9 million for the Air Force Alaska Flyback Program• $2 million for the Coast Guard Alaska Flyback Program• $75,000 for the Navy Alaska Flyback Program• $20,000 for the Marine Corps Alaska Flyback Program• $15,000 for the Space Force Alaska Flyback Program
These investments ensure greater parity for Alaska-based servicemembers and strengthen morale, readiness, and retention.
Strengthening Arctic Readiness and Cold Weather OperationsAs the United States faces increasing strategic competition in the Arctic, Senator Murkowski worked to secure robust investments that ensure U.S. forces are equipped to operate effectively in extreme cold-weather environments.Key Arctic and cold-weather priorities include:
Advancing Alaska’s Role in Space and Missile DefenseAlaska remains pivotal to U.S. missile defense, space launch, and testing infrastructure. Senator Murkowski secured major investments to maintain and modernize these strategic assets.
Highlights include:
Enhancing Cybersecurity and Installation ResilienceRecognizing the growing cyber threat landscape, Senator Murkowski ensured increased funding for cyber resiliency and base infrastructure protection.
The bill includes:
Investing in Military Energy Security and InnovationTo bolster energy resilience and reduce vulnerabilities at military installations, the bill advances next-generation energy technologies critical to Arctic and remote operations.
Key investments include:
Supporting Medical Research, Public Safety, and National Guard MissionsSenator Murkowski secured strong funding for medical research, emergency response, and National Guard operations that benefit both servicemembers and civilian communities.
Notable provisions include:
Strengthening Partnerships, Workforce, and Environmental ReadinessThe bill reinforces Senator Murkowski’s long-standing commitments to Tribal engagement, workforce development, and environmental compatibility around military installations.
These efforts include:
FY26 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Highlights
Senator Murkowski helped advance a bipartisan FY26 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) funding bill that supports Alaska’s unique transportation needs, strengthens maritime and aviation safety, and expands access to affordable housing and homelessness services—particularly in rural and Tribal communities.
The bill also includes safeguards to prevent gaps in grant funding by authorizing automatic renewals if new awards are delayed—an important protection for Alaska communities that rely on consistent federal support.
Ensuring Reliable Air Service and Aviation Safety in AlaskaWith 82% of our communities off the road system, no state relies on a strong aviation system more than Alaska.Senator Murkowski prioritized funding for essential air connectivity and aviation safety programs that keep rural communities connected year-round.
Key aviation investments include:
Supporting Maritime Infrastructure and Alaska’s Coastal EconomyThe THUD bill strengthens Alaska’s maritime economy by investing in ports, shipyards, and national maritime readiness—critical to supply chains, fisheries, and national security.
The bill includes:
Advancing Rural Infrastructure Through the Denali CommissionSenator Murkowski protected funding and secured flexible bill language for the Denali Commission, ensuring continued investment in rural transportation and infrastructure projects across Alaska.
Key Denali Commission provisions include:
Expanding Housing Access and Preventing HomelessnessThe bill strengthens core housing and homelessness programs that are especially critical for Alaska’s high-cost and remote communities.
Key housing investments include:
Supporting Tribal Housing and Capacity BuildingRecognizing capacity challenges in rural and Tribal communities, Senator Murkowski secured report language directing HUD to streamline environmental reviews and expand technical assistance for Tribal housing programs.
The bill includes:

In addition to programmatic funding to help Alaskans, Murkowski was able to secure investments for projects that have been requested and prioritized by local governments and organizations:

FY26 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Highlights
Senator Murkowski helped advance the bipartisan FY26 Financial Services and General Government funding bill, which supports essential government operations at agencies such as the Small Business Administration, General Services Administration, IRS, National Archives and Records Administration, federal courts, and more. The bill includes programmatic funding and report language that advance Alaska priorities—from Native community development to election security and public records access.
Promoting American Agriculture and Alaska SeafoodSenator Murkowski secured report language encouraging the White House to adopt policies that highlight domestic products.
Key provisions include:
Combatting Substance Use and Protecting CommunitiesRecognizing the ongoing challenges posed by addiction and fentanyl, the bill provides robust support for federal drug prevention and recovery programs, including:
Supporting Alaska Native and Tribal CommunitiesThe FSGG bill invests in Native communities and ensures ongoing access to federal programs and technical assistance.
Murkowski was key in including:
Protecting Public Records and ArchivesSenator Murkowski successfully secured protections and funding for Alaska records and archival projects.
These include:
Ensuring Taxpayer Services and OversightSenator Murkowski prioritized funding to strengthen IRS taxpayer services while restraining aggressive enforcement.
Key investments include:
Supporting Small Businesses and Economic DevelopmentThe bill advances Alaska’s small business and economic priorities, particularly for Native-owned and minority-owned enterprises.
These include:
Securing Election Integrity and Federal Defender ResourcesSenator Murkowski was insistent on ensuring that this bill enhanced public confidence in our elections while ensuring Alaska’s federal public defenders have the resources to provide justice.
Highlights include:

In addition to programmatic funding to help Alaskans, Murkowski was able to secure investments for projects that have been requested and prioritized by local governments and organizations:

FY26 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Appropriations Highlights
Senator Murkowski helped advance the FY26 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs funding bill, which prioritizes core national security functions, supports key foreign policy initiatives, sustains critical global health programs, and advances multilateral commitments.
Supporting Arctic Diplomacy and Indigenous EngagementRecognizing Alaska’s strategic role in the Arctic, Senator Murkowski was key in helping sustain core Arctic programs and international collaboration.
Key highlights include:
Advancing Global Health and Humanitarian AssistanceAt a time when the federal government has been slashing global health programs, Senator Murkowski used the SFOPS bill to help sustain funding for these essential programs that protect global health, strengthen public health systems, and respond to international crises.
Provisions in the bill include:
Supporting International Security and Counter-Narcotics EffortsSenator Murkowski prioritized funding for international security programs and multilateral cooperation, which will protect Americans at home by stemming the trafficking of narcotics into the country, disrupt human trafficking efforts, and protect key allies abroad.
Notable provisions include:
Maintaining Multilateral Commitments and Sustainable FisheriesThe bill provides robust funding for multilateral institutions and international fisheries management.
Included in the bill:
Protecting Accountability and Transparency in Federal Programs AbroadThe SFOPS appropriations bill includes oversight measures to safeguard federal investments and program integrity.
Key highlights include:
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