U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has again been chosen as chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee for the Department of Interior’s budget, a role she gained in 2015.
The subcommittee is critical to Alaska, as it controls funding for a federal agency with multiple subdivisions that have a huge footprint in the state.
“As Chairman, I have the ability to directly influence how these agencies operate, whether that’s blocking excessive regulations or directing federal resources to where they are needed,” Murkowski said. “I will continue to be a tireless advocate for our state and look forward to providing greater opportunities for Alaskans to build the economy and create healthy communities.”
The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee controls funding levels for federal agencies and the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Indian Health Service. Murkowski, as Chairman, is able to write the Senate’s annual appropriations bill for the subcommittee.