U.S. Senate

Party peers in Senate vote Murkowski to leadership role

For Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, the past year has been a whirlwind: the top GOP spot on the Senate Energy committee, a slot on the Senate's powerful Appropriations Committee, and now, a seat at the Senate Republican leadership table.

Begich says he's comfortable with Sotomayor's gun-rights views

Sen. Mark Begich said he has not yet made up his mind how to vote on President Barack Obama's first Supreme Court nominee, but did say Wednesday he was satisfied with Judge Sonia Sotomayor's answers to his questions on gun rights.

Alaskans urge health care changes

Alaskans who crowded the Wilda Marston Theatre on Saturday told Sen. Mark Begich overwhelmingly they wanted Congress to create a "public option" for health care as an alternative to the nation's existing system based on private insurance.

Murkowski presses Sotomayor about past remarks

Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Thursday she was pleased to hear Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor say she "looks to the law first" when making legal decisions, but the Alaska Republican also said she remains undecided on whether she will vote to confirm President Barack Obama's first high court pick.

Native corporation contracts get a close look in US Senate

A senator from Missouri is launching a new investigation into the billions of contracting dollars awarded to Alaska Native corporations by the federal government in recent years.

Two-tug tanker escort could become federal law

The Alaska congressional delegation said it is pushing legislation that would require loaded oil tankers to be escorted by at least two vessels that can tow them away from trouble as they sail through Prince William Sound.

Obama's proposed budget cuts would sting Alaska

Alaska's Denali Commission, one of the untouchable programs championed in former Sen. Ted Stevens' era, took a hit in the federal budget cuts suggested Thursday by President Barack Obama.

Lawmakers urge more spending on ferries

Lawmakers from Washington state and Alaska are teaming up to push for a dramatic increase in federal spending on ferry systems nationwide.

Senate OKs bill to expand wilderness on its second try

For the second time this year, the Senate has passed a long-delayed bill to set aside more than 2 million acres in nine states as protected wilderness, from a California mountain range to a forest in Virginia.

Murkowski hurt skiing

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski suffered a serious knee injury while skiing and will be confined to a wheelchair for several days, her aide said Tuesday. The Alaska Republican tumbled as much as 300 feet at the Alyeska Ski Resort south of Anchorage, according to the ski patrol.

Murkowski moves into leadership role

Until she was asked to deliver it herself last month, Sen. Lisa Murkowski thought the Republican response to the president's weekly radio address was just that -- an after-the-fact response.

Begich notifies White House that he'd oppose new gun restrictions

Alaska Sen. Mark Begich has told the Obama administration he will oppose any gun restrictions officials may be considering.

D.C. residents pursue voting rights in Congress

They may not have her vote, but the people of Washington, D.C., seemed at least to have the sympathies of Alaska's senior senator as they pushed this week for representation in Congress.

Murkowski, Begich put partisanship on back burner

The partisan flare-up in Congress over the $787 billion economic stimulus bill doesn't necessarily foreshadow a new wave of ferocious inter-party bickering in Washington, Alaska's two senators said Friday.

Murkowski proposes directional drilling in ANWR

Environmental groups said they would fight any legislation that would let oil companies drill sideways from outside the boundaries of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge into its oil and gas reserves, predicting it would be "dead in the water" under the Obama administration.

Alaska Politics blog: Read Murkowski's speech

Begich, 6 other senators report paying back taxes

When political Web site and newspaper Politico surveyed all 99 sitting U.S. senators about their taxes, Alaska Democrat Mark Begich was one of just seven who reported mistakes that resulted in the payment of back taxes.

Read the Politico.com article

Stimulus vote puts Young on offensive

Rep. Don Young was gnashing his teeth after the stimulus bill passed the U.S. House, and Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich were split on it in the Senate, where it also won a favorable vote late Friday night.

Video: Murkowski calls package "a random dollar amount."

ALASKA POLITICS BLOG

Congress passes stimulus bill; Alaska delegation split

Rep. Don Young was gnashing his teeth today after the stimulus bill passed the U.S. House, saying "I think it's an unfortunate day for America." The Senate passed the bill tonight, with Sen. Mark Begich voting yes and Sen. Lisa Murkowski no.

Divided Congress sends $787 billion stimulus to Obama's desk

Alaska's senators attempt to cut extra from stimulus

WASHINGTON -- They're coming at it from very different approaches, but both of Alaska's senators are in the midst of efforts to broker a deal on the $920 billion economic stimulus bill that's being amended in the Senate.

Alaska delegation has new look

For so many years, the opening of a new Congress meant a little more seniority -- and a little more power along with it -- for Alaska's unchanging delegation. But in Washington, D.C., last week, the new congressional session brought a whole new look for Alaska.

Cuddy says he'll challenge Stevens

Anchorage developer Dave Cuddy joined the U.S. Senate race Wednesday, hoping to win a Republican primary election upset over incumbent Sen. Ted Stevens.

Rural reconnaissance

It started as soon as Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens stepped off the Blackhawk helicopter that brought him to Quinhagak near the Bering Sea, just a speck in an endless flat landscape of sodden tundra and lakes with no names.

Mayor says he'll balance campaign, city business

Running the state's largest city is a big job. So is running for the U.S. Senate against one of the most famous names in Alaska.

Senate race: Begich launches campaign

Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, launching his challenge to U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, declared Alaska needs a senator who doesn't answer to special interests.

Mayor says he'll balance campaign, city business

Begich formally enters race for US Senate

Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich formally declared his candidacy today for the U.S. Senate seat held by Ted Stevens since 1968.

Begich officially declares run for Senate

Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich formally declared his candidacy today for the U.S. Senate seat held by Ted Stevens since 1968.

Begich to announce decision by May

JUNEAU -- Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich says he's not a candidate for a Senate seat that has belonged to U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens since 1968 -- not yet anyway.

Bill targets VA health care for women

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski joined other women in the Senate on Wednesday in filing legislation that would improve health care for female soldiers returning from duty in Iraq.

Sen. Murkowski asks for faster track to gas pipeline

JUNEAU -- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Tuesday that time is running short on Alaska to get a natural gas line project moving -- while competing natural gas projects are gaining ground.

Pundits say Stevens is vulnerable this time

U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens hasn't had a close election contest since The Beatles released the White Album and Vince Lombardi was the winning coach in Super Bowl II.