Press Releases
Currently showing results in the 114th Congress
ICYMI: Sullivan Highlights Obama Administration’s Contradictory Policies in South China Sea
WASHINGTON, DC - During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing yesterday, Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) continued to highlight the Obama administration's conflicting and confused policies in the South China Sea, where China has been feverishly building islands by piling sand onto reefs in disputed territory. According to Ambassador David Shear, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, "China has now reclaimed more than 2,900 acres, amounting to 17 times more land i… Continue Reading
09.17.15
Alaska Senators Co-Sponsor Legislation to Repeal “Cadillac Tax”
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Alaska Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski joined Senators Dean Heller (R-NV) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) in introducing S. 2045, the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2015. This bipartisan legislation will fully repeal tax provisions on high-cost insurance plans in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) known as the "Cadillac Tax". Beginning in 2018, the "Cadillac Tax" would tax employers whose health insurance plans cost more than $10,200 a year for individual… Continue Reading
08.31.15
Sullivan brings Washington to vets
An idea that started in Alaska to provide better care by the Veterans Administration for vets known as the Veterans Access, Choice & Accountability Act seems to have backfired for Alaskan vets according to freshman U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R) Alaska. "Ultimately this was about bringing Washington D.C. to Alaska," Sullivan told the Dispatch in an interview before the Kenai hearing. "To have some of the senior VA officials here in Alaska. The Secretary of the VA was here two weeks ago and to… Continue Reading
08.27.15
President must experience 'real' Alaska through its people
by Sen. Dan Sullivan
Alaska has benefited from many Presidential visits, and it's always good to have the national spotlight shine on us. President Ronald Reagan's visits were particularly memorable, given his keen appreciation for Alaska's vast natural resources and understanding of the federal government's history of locking up those resources by taking Alaska lands. "It's absolutely ridiculous," President Reagan said in a 1979 campaign stop, bemoaning federal land-grabs. "It's gotten to the point where a tourist… Continue Reading
08.27.15
Fixing Alaska's model VA system: Used to reform national veterans' care, state system now needs help
by Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Editorial Board
News-Miner opinion: A year and a half ago, the national Veterans Affairs health system was in disarray. At clinics across the Lower 48, veterans waited for care for weeks and months, in some cases dying before receiving treatment. But the Alaska system was a different story. Thanks to reforms pushed by the state's congressional delegation, the Last Frontier's veterans had shorter waits and better access to care. So Congress developed a national system akin to Alaska's - only to have its rollout … Continue Reading
08.17.15
Sullivan: Russian moves highlight Arctic concerns
by Becky Bohrer
JUNEAU, Alaska - U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan said the Russians are looking to militarize the Arctic, making it all the more important for the U.S. to have a broad Arctic strategy that includes having sufficient troops based in Alaska. Sullivan said Monday that's why he has been critical of proposed troop reductions in Alaska as part of a cost-saving plan announced by the Army this summer. His office said Sullivan got included in the Senate version of a defense spending bill a provision to r… Continue Reading
08.07.15
Sullivan says August is Opportunity for Vets to be Heard, Announces VA Listening Sessions & Field Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Given the importance of Alaska veterans to the state and to the country, the month of August will be a great opportunity for Alaskans to directly engage with VA officials in the state, including with VA Secretary Bob McDonald, and David Shulkin, the VA Undersecretary of Health. At U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan's request, Dr. Shulkin, along with other state officials, will attend two listening sessions and an official field hearing on August 24 and 25, focusing on problems with the… Continue Reading
08.05.15
Sullivan Introduces the RED (Regulations Endanger Democracy) Tape Act
WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced S. 1944, The RED (Regulations Endanger Democracy) Tape Act to help grow our country's economy by freezing the growing number of federal regulations promulgated each year. If the legislation is enacted, a federal agency will be required to remove a regulation from the Federal Register for every new one promulgated. If they refuse to do so, the cost of living adjustment for agency personnel will be withheld until the agency abid… Continue Reading
08.05.15
Alaska Delegation Seeks Answers on Reductions in U.S. Army Alaska Force Structure
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a letter to Secretary of the Army John McHugh, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young this week requested additional information and documentation relating to the Army's recent decision to reduce Alaska force structure by 2,600 troops. "In accordance with our Congressional responsibility to provide oversight, we request the documentation used by senior U.S. Army leadership to make this strategically short-sighted decision," the delegation wrote… Continue Reading
07.30.15
Alaska Priorities Included in Long-Term Highway Reauthorization Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) voted in support of the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act, a bipartisan six-year highway reauthorization bill, which passed the U.S. Senate on a vote of 65-34. "Our nation's roads and bridges are critical to this country's economic growth and our way of life," said Senator Sullivan. "Today's passage of the DRIVE Act will provide fiscal certainty and a funding structure for our country's roads and inf… Continue Reading
07.17.15
Sullivan Urges Secretary Kerry Against Introducing UN Resolution to Lift Iranian Sanctions
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) wrote a letter today to Secretary of State John Kerry, urging him not to introduce a resolution to the United Nations that would void sanctions on Iran prior to Congress debating and voting on the nuclear agreement finalized earlier this week. Secretary Kerry is expected to introduce the UN resolution as early as Monday as part of the United States' negotiated commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Congress passed the Iran Nuclear … Continue Reading
07.14.15
Senator Sullivan Statement on Iran Nuclear Deal
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) issued the following statement today regarding the Obama Administration’s nuclear agreement with Iran: “The principal objective of entering into negotiations with Iran from the beginning was to keep that country—the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism—from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” Senator Sullivan said. “However, we have moved from the clear objective of dismantling Iran’s nuclear weapons capability to managing the proliferation of… Continue Reading
07.08.15
AK Congressional Delegation Speaks Out Against Troop Cuts at Fort Richardson
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Alaska’s Congressional Delegation today is responding to the news of continued significant reductions in the size and capability of the U.S. Army. In addition to cuts in Georgia and Hawaii, the Army told the delegation it will be downsizing its operations in Alaska at Fort Richardson by cutting 2,600 soldiers there and 75 soldiers at Fort Wainwright. “Along with thousands of Alaskans, I find this decision devastating, far beyond what it means to our state economy, but what… Continue Reading
06.25.15
Sullivan Supports Long-Term Highway Reauthorization Bill out of EPW Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) joined his Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee colleagues in unanimously passing S. 1647, the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act out of committee. This bipartisan six-year highway reauthorization bill, will now await action by the three other U.S. Senate committees of jurisdiction - Banking, Commerce and Finance - to pass their respective parts of the overall highway reauthorization … Continue Reading
06.25.15
Sullivan Statement on King v. Burwell Decision
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement today after the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in the King v. Burwell case, upholding ObamaCare’s subsidies: “From its inception, ObamaCare has been a catastrophe. It has failed to deliver on the promises made by its supporters, particularly in Alaska. Premiums for Alaskans are skyrocketing. Many are facing insurance rate-increases of up to 38 percent next year. Thousands have lost their plans and … Continue Reading
06.24.15
Sullivan presses official on fixing ‘five-alarm fire’ in VA healthcare system in Alaska
WASHINGTON, DC - During a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing today to discuss pending legislation, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) pressed a senior VA official on fixing the emerging crisis in Alaska's unique VA system. Senator Sullivan has heard complaints from numerous Alaska veterans since the "Choice Act" began to be implemented in Alaska. Additionally, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-GA) committed to Senator Sullivan's request to hold a field hearing … Continue Reading
06.18.15
Sullivan Applauds Passage of NDAA Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Today Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) joined 70 of his colleagues to pass legislation to authorize $612 billion in critical defense spending for Fiscal Year 2016. “Our most important job is to protect the country,” Senator Sullivan said. “That’s what this National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) does. It also makes important modernization investments, cuts bureaucratic red tape at the Pentagon, and ensures our Armed Forces remain the most agile and lethal in the world.” In hi… Continue Reading
06.16.15
Sullivan Requests VA Oversight Hearing on Issues Facing Alaska Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - In response to growing concerns over the implementation of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Choice Act program in Alaska, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) wrote the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), asking for an oversight hearing of the U.S. Veterans Administration to help identify the breakdown in implementation of the Choice Act program in Alaska. As a response to the … Continue Reading
06.10.15
Sullivan Blasts EPA’s Proposal to Regulate Aircraft Emissions
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan released the following statement today regarding the Obama Administration’s preliminary proposal to regulate aircraft emissions. “It’s official: The Obama Administration’s EPA will stop at nothing to take control over our country’s land, water and air and to threaten the industries that employ millions of American workers,” Senator Sullivan said. “Today’s misguided actions by the Environmental Protection Agency highlight just how far this Administra… Continue Reading
06.04.15
Sullivan Fights for Increased Benefits for Alaska’s Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, released the following statement after signing on as an original cosponsor to S. 1493, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015. The legislation allows for an increase in rates for VA disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, and clothing allowance by the same amount as the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) provided to Social Security recipien… Continue Reading