Congressman Begich: Alaska’s Story at the State of the Union

By CONGRESSMAN NICK BEGICH III

Feb. 24, 2026 – Just a little over a year ago, President Donald Trump returned to office with a resounding mandate from the American people to restore prosperity, secure the border, rebuild American strength, and put the American people first.

Tonight, the American people will hear directly from the President about Republicans’ transformative results.

Here in Alaska, that progress started with unlocking our state’s extraordinary potential. On day one, this Administration took decisive action to reverse the Biden Administration’s punitive restrictions on Alaska and issued an executive order to fully unleash our state’s abundant natural resources. The President’s executive order to unlock Alaska reversed the Biden administration’s targeted assault on our resource economy and made clear that Alaska would once again be central to America’s energy future.

We reinforced that momentum through the Working Families Tax Cuts, which included transformative energy provisions for Alaska.

This transformative legislation mandated lease sales of at least 1.6 million acres in the 1002 Area of the North Slope, 20 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska, and no fewer than 6 million acres in Cook Inlet. It increased Alaska’s royalty share on these federal lands to 70 percent, moving us closer to the promise made at Statehood that our resources would benefit our people.

These provisions will unlock tens of billions of dollars in investment, generate thousands of high-paying jobs, and restore long-term production certainty across our energy sector. This is generational work; work that creates opportunity for our children and grandchildren and ensures Alaska can power not only our state but our nation.

But energy dominance is only part of the story.

We also delivered the largest tax relief package for working Americans in modern history.

No Tax on Tips.

No Tax on Overtime.

Expanded relief for families navigating childcare and household costs.

You don’t have to look far in Alaska to see the impact.

Norann Kriner, the owner of Kriner’s Diner in Anchorage, is a perfect example. Norann built her small business alongside her husband of 45 years. After his unexpected passing in December 2024, she made the decision to carry on their life’s work and continue serving her community with generosity. For more than a decade, Kriner’s Diner has offered free Thanksgiving meals to Anchorage families.

Because of the Working Families Tax Cuts, Norann’s employees are keeping more of what they earn. One of her waitresses recently saved $3,300 on her tax return thanks to No Tax on Tips. That isn’t a statistic. That’s heating fuel in the winter. That’s groceries for a family. That’s real relief in a state where every dollar matters.

Norann will be my guest at tonight’s State of the Union because she represents what Alaska is all about: dedicated to serving fellow Alaskans, faith in hard work, and a belief that opportunity should belong to those willing to show up and earn it.

From unlocking our vast natural resources to delivering meaningful tax relief for working families, this past year has been about restoring common sense and putting Americans and Alaskans – First.

We’re securing the border. We’re rebuilding our economy. We’re strengthening our energy future. And we’re proving that when Alaska has a seat at the table, the entire nation benefits.

The State of our Union is strong, and Alaska is helping lead the way. North to the Future.

Congressman Nick Begich, born in Alaska, represents the state  of Alaska in the 119th United States Congress.

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