Senator Lisa Murkowski told the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Anchorage that high energy prices are this year's crisis and blamed the war with Iran for driving them up, KTOO reports.
The Republican senator said she had voted for six months to end the war responsibly, drawing a standing ovation. She said she and other senators were pushing for early release of money from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Her stance puts her at odds with fellow Alaska senator Dan Sullivan, whom she has endorsed. Sullivan faces a tough re-election contest against former congresswoman Mary Peltola, who has criticised him for voting repeatedly against war powers resolutions. Murkowski declined to discuss their differences, while Sullivan told the convention that developing Alaska's natural resources was the way to cut energy costs.
Source: KTOO (Juneau)
