Last week was busy in Congress, with Alaska’s congressional delegation splitting and uniting in surprising ways.
Federal Government
The EPA is now one step away from a veto that would ban Pebble mine
Casey Sixkiller, the Region 10 administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, has sent a recommendation to EPA headquarters to protect the area by vetoing the proposed mine.
3 tribes dealing with the toll of climate change get $75 million to relocate
The Biden administration gave $75 million in aid to the three communities in Alaska and Washington. Eight other Tribal communities received an additional $40 million.
The US promised tribes they would always have fish, but the fish they have pose toxic risks
For decades, the U.S. government has failed to test for chemicals and metals in fish. ProPublica and Oregon Public Broadcasting did, and what they found was alarming for tribes.
Alaska would be insulated from a nationwide railroad strike, officials say
Rep. Peltola, citing lack of sick leave for workers, says she opposes strike-averting legislation in current form.
Murkowski, Sullivan support same-sex marriage bill, for different reasons
The Respect for Marriage bill says states can’t, on the bases of race or gender, reject a valid marriage license issued in another state.
Dillingham students celebrate name change for local creek
One year ago, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland issued a declaration to remove a slur against Indigenous women from place names on federal lands.
Peltola wins Alaska’s US House race by 10-point margin
As late as July, almost a third of Alaskans surveyed had never heard of Peltola. She championed a centrist message of “pro-fish, pro-family, pro-freedom.”
Murkowski wins Alaska’s US Senate race
The election outcome is a defeat for hardline Republicanism. Tshibaka allied herself with Trump and supported his election denialism.
With student loan relief tied up in court, Biden extends repayment pause into 2023
The president has extended the student loan repayment pause into 2023. Biden said he wants to give lawsuits against debt cancellation time to play out, and the Supreme Court time to weigh in.