Editor’s note: On Feb. 20, Alaska’s U.S. Congressman Nick Begich delivered his first annual address to the Alaska State Legislature, affirming a commitment to Alaska’s prosperity and self-determination. He outlined a vision for advancing policies that unlock Alaska’s full potential for energy dominance, and highlighted his legislative agenda to strengthen the state’s infrastructure, fisheries and economy.

Below are key excerpts from his speech.

Alaska’s Moment

We all know the challenges we’re up against: rising costs, federal overreach, an economy that isn’t firing on all cylinders. But we also know the opportunities in front of us … One of the biggest developments for our state this year was President Trump’s executive order focused on unleashing Alaska’s resource potential.

It’s refreshing to have an administration that not only values Alaska but understands our role in America’s energy future. This order lays out a bold vision – opening up development, streamlining permitting, and prioritizing Alaska’s energy production.

But we all know – the devil is in the details. A lot depends on who gets put in charge of these policies. And that’s where we come in.

No one understands Alaska better than Alaskans. We are the experts on how to get things done here. I’ll be working closely with all of you, as well as industry leaders and stakeholders, to make sure our voices are heard. We will watch the process closely and make sure that practical, pro-development Americans – not Washington bureaucrats – are leading the way.

Trump has singled out Alaska LNG as a key piece of America’s national energy strategy. That’s a strong signal about where this administration is headed – toward real, sustained energy development with Alaska at the forefront.

Energy Dominance Starts in Alaska

Alaska should be the powerhouse of American energy. We have the resources, the expertise, and the workforce to meet our energy needs and strengthen America’s energy security.
And right now, we’re seeing some very encouraging news about the Alaska LNG pipeline project – momentum that we haven’t seen in a long time.

]First, we have a new, solid partner on board. AGDC has teamed up with Glenfarne LLC to lead the project, and that’s a huge step forward. Glenfarne is a serious player in the LNG industry, with the experience and resources to help bring this across the finish line.

Second, President Trump has singled out Alaska LNG as a key piece of America’s national energy strategy. That’s a strong signal about where this administration is headed – toward real, sustained energy development with Alaska at the forefront.

And even more exciting, Japan has been announced as a key potential purchaser of Alaska LNG exports. That’s a critical piece of the puzzle – because for this project to move forward, we need both an LNG pipeline and the ability to export LNG.

These are huge, positive steps, but as always, the devil is in the details. That’s why I’m working closely with our state, federal, and industry partners to identify and eliminate potential obstacles before they slow us down.

One major piece of the equation is securing the necessary loan guarantees – because a project of this scale needs financing that reflects its importance to both Alaska and the nation. That’s something I’m pushing for in Washington, and I’ll keep working to ensure that every necessary component is in place.

Delivering for Alaska in Congress

Since taking office, I’ve been focused on cutting through the noise and making sure Alaska gets results. That means ensuring Washington keeps its promises – especially to our Alaska Native communities.

From unprecedented closures in the Bering Sea for our snow crab fisheries, to a shocking decline among certain salmon species, our Alaskan fishermen need a lifeline.

That’s why I introduced House Resolution 42, the Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act, which fixes an unfair flaw in federal law that was forcing blind, disabled, and elderly Alaska Natives to choose between receiving their settlement trust benefits or staying eligible for federal assistance programs like supplemental security income, SNAP, and housing aid. These trusts were set up to support Alaska Native shareholders, but an oversight in the law counted payments as income – hurting the very people they were meant to help. H.R. 42 ensures they don’t lose critical assistance just for accepting what’s rightfully theirs.

I also introduced House Resolution 43, the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act, which returns more than 11,500 acres of land to Alaska Native Village Corporations – land that’s been locked in bureaucratic limbo for decades. ANCSA required villages to set aside land for potential municipalities, but after 50 years, only 8 out of 101 villages have incorporated. That land should be used for housing, development, and community expansion – not tied up in red tape.

Both bills passed the House with bipartisan support, and I was honored to be the first freshman in this Congress to pass legislation out of the House. These bills were bipartisan, and I’d like to thank Representative Peltola for her work on them in the 118th Congress.

Fighting for Our Alaskan Fisheries

To say that fishing is a “way of life” would be an understatement – our fisheries are what so many Alaskans live and breathe every single day.

Alaska’s fisheries are an inseparable component of our economy and a resounding symbol of identity for our coastal communities.

As the industry that employs more Alaskans than any other, our fisheries are Alaska’s primary source of food security while also serving as a critical economic driver, generating billions in revenue and providing a stable source of employment for Alaskans from Southeast to the Bering Sea.

Beyond our ports, Alaska needs better connections to the Lower-48, and that means finally establishing a rail-to-rail connection through Canada.

Unfortunately, the fishing industry has faced many unforeseen challenges in recent years and hard-working Alaskan families have carried the weight of those challenges with a diminished sense of hope for the future.
From unprecedented closures in the Bering Sea for our snow crab fisheries, to a shocking decline among certain salmon species, our Alaskan fishermen need a lifeline.

Our Alaskan fisheries face increasing challenges from regulatory overreach, foreign competition, bycatch, and certain practices that may be contributing to the systemic collapse of early-stage ecosystems upon which downstream species rely. We must address the issues within the fishing industry with science-based, factual research.

As a resource rich state, we cannot afford to exercise selective oversight of our endowed perpetual resources. This is true across all industries, but particularly within our fisheries.

Congress must continue its work to ensure a streamlined and efficient approach to distributing disaster relief funds. I will continue pushing for a more responsive federal relief process for affected communities. We must make sure that communities receive the support they need without unnecessary delays.

Protecting Alaska’s fisheries means protecting our economic future, our recreational fishing heritage, and our subsistence way of life.

Building Infrastructure Alaska Needs

Alaska’s economy – and our future – depend on strong, reliable infrastructure. Whether it’s ports, rail, roads, or energy, we need modern, resilient systems that support growth and keep costs down…

One priority is developing Port MacKenzie to provide critical redundancy for the Don Young Port of Alaska … Having a fully functional alternative port in Cook Inlet strengthens our supply chain and ensures we’re not overly reliant on a single point of failure.

At the same time, I’m pushing to secure the funding needed to fully repair and modernize the Port of Alaska – because we can’t afford to let our state’s most vital shipping hub deteriorate any further.

Beyond our ports, Alaska needs better connections to the Lower-48, and that means finally establishing a rail-to-rail connection through Canada. This project has enormous potential to lower shipping costs, improve supply chain reliability, and create new trade opportunities. I’m committed to working with stakeholders at the state and federal levels to move this vision forward.

We also need to preserve and strengthen the Alaska Marine Highway System, which is a lifeline for so many coastal communities. I’m working to ensure federal transportation policies recognize and support this critical service.

And, of course, affordable, reliable energy is the backbone of everything. I’m focused on expanding power generation to lower energy costs and making sure our power transmission infrastructure is resilient enough to handle our extreme conditions. Whether it’s securing investments for microgrids in rural Alaska or pushing for better interconnection between regions, this is a priority that affects every Alaskan – families and businesses alike.

Infrastructure isn’t only about moving goods – it’s about keeping our economy strong, our communities connected, and our cost of living manageable.

To watch Begich’s entire speech, click here.

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