Our fellow Alaskans tracking the “Big, Beautiful Bill” may know that the U.S. Senate has been under significant pressure over the last few weeks to release their own reconciliation bill. Many hoped that the Senate version would temper drastic cuts to popular programs like Medicaid and energy tax credits, including many members of Congress who now regret voting for the House version. Unfortunately, the Senate released its own bill, which included a set of these highly controversial and anticipated provisions, which were met with widespread disappointment across advocacy communities.

To date, the bill would still sell off our public lands, repeal and rescind funds for important Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) programs like Solar for All and Community Change Grants, and stop proposed renewable buildouts across Alaska.

If you are feeling outraged you are not alone. In a recent poll, 42 percent of Americans are not in favor of the bill, and only 23 percent say they support it. According to data analyzed by George Washington University, these figures make the bill more unpopular than any other piece of legislation passed in over 35 years. If this bill is so widely unpopular, then exactly who is this bill for?

By and large, members of the House and Senate are working overtime against their constituents’ interests to pass the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” Some hardliners have been outspoken about the legislation, saying that despite its massive cuts, it still does not go far enough to address our national deficit, and promising to vote “no” once the legislation hits the floor. If you are looking for leaders who are willing to stand up for popular federal investments -like healthcare, food security, or environmental protections- however, they will need a much harder push. 

Tell your Representatives – the “Big, Beautiful Bill” is a bad deal for Alaskans, vote NO!

Early in the budget reconciliation process, Senator Murkowski, alongside a small handful of her colleagues, urged the Senate to preserve tax credits for clean energy. While some credits received protections, solar and wind face major setbacks in the latest bill draft, equating to what many are calling a backdoor repeal of the IRA. The president took to Truth Social over the weekend to make his feelings known on the controversial nature of tax credits, saying “I HATE “GREEN TAX CREDITS” IN THE GREAT, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL.” 

Energy tax credits, along with other cuts in the bill, should matter to our legislators because they matter to the American people. As many as 569 wind and solar initiatives nationwide will lose all or a part of federal funding support in the form of tax credits under the Senate’s current text. For Alaska, this means lost jobs, higher energy bills, and a greater reliance on volatile energy sources, like diesel.

It’s time for Alaskans to start asking themselves why their interests aren’t reflected in the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” Our priorities may be on the chopping block because at some point, when they started conflicting with Trump’s agenda, our representatives stopped representing us. Senator Dan Sullivan and Representative Nick Begich will be up for reelection next year. Representative Begich voted for the House version of the bill, and Senator Sullivan has expressed no form of public displeasure or opposition to the current text. It’s time to let them know — if we can’t count on them to defend Alaska, then we can’t count on them to represent Alaskans.

Our window to defend energy credits is closing fast: write your representatives today! A NO vote on the current budget is a step in the right direction.

Yours in protecting our home,
The Alaska Center