Murkowski Secures Key Alaska Priorities in Appropriations Package

Washington, DC —U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today highlighted major Alaska priorities secured in an appropriations “minibus” bill that moves Congress closer to avoiding a January 30 funding lapse for key federal agencies.H.R. 6938includes the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS), Energy and Water Development (EWD), and the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) bills. With this package of appropriations bills, Murkowski helped to ensure core investments critical to Alaska’s economy, public safety, infrastructure, and scientific leadership.
“While tough choices were made, we protected the priorities that matter most to Alaskans: our fisheries, public safety, energy security, Arctic research, and coastal infrastructure,”Senator Murkowski said.“This is exactly why the regular order appropriations process matters—it allows us to come together and build a product through compromise that meets the needs of our people and communities. With passage of these three bills, we have completed half of the appropriations for FY26, and we are pressing hard to complete the remaining bills before the end of January.”

FY26 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Highlights

Protecting Alaska Fisheries and Coastal Communities
Alaska’s seafood industry continues to endure a variety of challenges, including competitive markets that are manipulated by Russia, rising costs, and declining stocks. Senator Murkowski focused on using the CJS bill to strengthen Alaska fisheries and coastal communities through targeted and measured increases.
Key wins include:

Strengthening Weather, Tsunami, and Ocean Monitoring
Alaska is the most seismically active state in the nation and faces additional threats from hazards such as volcanoes, landslides, and tsunamis. Alaska’s often-severe climate also demands robust infrastructure to monitor weather and ensure the safety of our people.
Senator Murkowski ensured that relevant federal programs were fully funded. The bill also includes a $5 million increase for the National Data Buoy Center to enhance real-time maritime safety in Alaska, as well as a $5 million increase for the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), which provides tools and forecasts to improve safety, protect the environment, and support fishermen.

Investing in Arctic Science and Research
Senator Murkowski is a leading voice on Arctic policy and has relentlessly pushed for investments critical to a comprehensive U.S. Arctic strategy. The bill preserves strong support for Arctic and polar research, including $250 million for the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) EPSCoR program, which builds local STEM capacity.
The bill also reinforces NSF support for Arctic research and Tribal engagement, while maintaining congressional intent for NASA cryospheric science and polar observation missions to better understand Alaska’s rapidly changing environment.

Advancing Public Safety and Justice in Alaska
Alaska’s vast, remote terrain and rural population present unique public safety challenges. Senator Murkowski again focused on addressing these needs by securing funding and oversight provisions across the Department of Justice.

In addition to broader programmatic funding to help Alaskans, Murkowski was able to secure investments in the CJS bill that are specific to 17 Alaska communities or entities—projects that were requested and prioritized by local governments, Tribal organizations, and Alaska-based institutions:

FY26 Energy and Water Development (EWD) Appropriations Highlights

Sustaining Alaska Energy Security and Innovation
Senator Murkowski ensured that her core energy priorities were preserved in the EWD bill while rejecting several proposed Administration cuts.
Key Department of Energy highlights include:

Supporting the Denali Commission and Rural Infrastructure
The Denali Commission delivers some of the most cost-effective investments and services of the federal government by reducing administrative and overhead costs while providing on-the-ground knowledge and experience in the communities they serve. The agreement provides $18 million for the Denali Commission, including a $2.5 million bulk fuel set-aside, reinforcing its role in addressing energy security and safety in rural Alaska Native villages.

Advancing Alaska Ports, Navigation, and Coastal Mapping
Senator Murkowski ensured continued support for Alaska’s maritime infrastructure, including $18 million for the National Coastal Mapping Program, with no less than $6 million dedicated to Arctic coastal mapping, and $11.8 million for Inland Waterways Navigation Charts. The bill also strengthens reporting requirements to ensure equitable funding for remote and subsistence harbors across Alaska.

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

The FY26 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Highlights will be covered in a separate press release.
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