Tara Sweeney

Robust Economy

Building a Stronger Economy

As a small business owner and former corporate executive, I will champion policies that drive investment into our state. Alaska’s economy sits on the foundation supported by resource development, fishing and tourism. We have the opportunity to grow our economy in these sectors, with the potential to expand into new ones. We need leadership with Arctic economic experience to focus on stabilizing our economy and driving new investment into our state. I bring that experience.

Unleashing American Energy

We need to unleash our domestic energy potential, and that starts HERE IN ALASKA. Opportunities in ANWR, the NPRA and around the state will help fill the TAPS pipeline and create better-paying jobs. The Federal Government must be a willing partner in this endeavor, not an obstacle. I’ve spent my career fighting for responsible resource development in Alaska and will continue to do so in Congress. This is done by building allies to ensure Washington, DC understands the national security implications of domestic resource development – and Alaska’s role.

Renewable Energy

I support efforts to commercialize Alaska’s geothermal, hydro, wind, tidal and other renewable energy sources. I recognize that renewable energy is a growing part of Alaska’s and America’s energy portfolio. Although we will continue to depend on new oil and gas production to power our economy, I believe we should take an “all of the above” approach to our nation’s energy portfolio and look to ways to strengthen investment into renewable resources.

Less Government = More Economic Freedom

Simply put, less government and lower taxes equals more economic freedom for hardworking Alaskan families. In Congress, I will work to lower the tax burden on our Alaska small businesses and cut bureaucratic red tape that needlessly interferes in our ability to grow our economy. I’ll fight for policies that will make it easier for Alaska to grow and create jobs.

Tackling Runaway Inflation

As a free-market capitalist, I generally believe in less government regulation in all facets of our economy. However, this inflation crisis is the worst in 40 years, and it’s hitting Alaska families hard. This Administration is refusing to implement policies that to prevent hyper-inflation. Alaska is part of the solution. On the supply side, we can unleash our domestic energy supplies TODAY. We should also be looking to drive investment into our state that promotes domestic production of goods. Alaska’s economy is just too important to send inexperienced leadership to Washington, D.C. I bring that experience.

Alaska’s Federally Recognized Tribes- Economic Development

Alaska’s federally recognized tribes are critical to Alaska’s healthy economy. Their sovereignty empowers them to engage with the federal government on a level above all else, and they are eligible for programs that can potentially lift up our communities. Whether through the Office of Indian Economic Development or through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, opportunities exist for meaningful tribal partnerships are. I fully support efficient and effective policies that promote economic development opportunities for Alaska’s federally recognized tribes, and my experience as Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs has afforded me deeper understanding on how best to achieve results.

Addressing Alaska’s Infrastructure Needs

Alaska is a resource rich and infrastructure poor state. Our roads, bridges, ports, ferries, water treatment plants, and sewer systems are severely lacking. With passage of last year’s infrastructure package, billions of dollars of much needed investment are headed our way. We must work together to maximize this investment. I will continue to fight for Alaska’s fair share.

Strong Labor Force

NextGen Planning

As we look to reinvigorate our state’s economy, more jobs equal more opportunity for hardworking Alaskans and their families. I believe we need succession planning for our workforce, and I will be laser focused on programs that help train the next generation of Alaskans.

Creating Opportunity in Alaska

I am committed to building a strong workforce throughout our great state to ensure that Alaskans can stay in Alaska, and live where they want to live. With the passage of last year’s infrastructure package and billions of federal dollars headed our way, we need a trained Alaskan workforce ready to build the roads, bridges, ports, harbors, water and sewer systems, broadband infrastructure, and so much more. A home-grown workforce that will spend their hard-earned money in our communities and in our state.

Labor

I believe in the inherent right of employees to safely collectively bargain. I also recognize that Alaska’s union and non-union labor forces have built and served this state, and both sectors deserve equal opportunity to provide for their families. I will take a balanced approach to ensure that both sectors have opportunities to continue to build and serve Alaska.

Alaska’s Federally Recognized Tribes- 477 Program

Some of Alaska’s federally recognized tribes participate in a unique workforce development structure commonly referred to as the “477 Program”. This program is designed to remove bureaucratic red tape and empower Alaska’s tribes to establish workforce development programs aligned with their tribal structure, processes, and membership. I fully support this program for workforce development and using this model in other sectors of government.

Healthy Communities

FOOD SECURITY

Public Lands Access

Alaskans must NEVER take for granted the world-class opportunities we have to hunt and fish in the state we call home. In Congress, I will always fight against any policies that limit access to public lands for hunting and fishing.

Protecting Alaska’s Fisheries

For decades, Alaska has played an outsized role in the development and protection of healthy and sustainable fisheries management policies. I will work hard to ensure Alaska does not lose its voice within American fisheries policy. Working with stakeholders from across all Alaska user groups, I will always advocate for Alaska’s fishing interests, including addressing issues like salmon bycatch, ocean acidification, IUU fishing. Alaska has and continues to be the global leader in sustainable fisheries management and in Congress, I will work to ensure it remains that way.

Subsistence

I support a rural preference for subsistence. I support an Alaska constitutional amendment that conforms with P.L. 96-487, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA).

EDUCATION

A strong education structure is imperative for the future health of our great state. An investment into our education system is an investment into Alaska’s future. The federal government plays a vital role in ensuring student civil rights, equitable access for English language learners, and access for students with disabilities and special education needs. The federal government, through both the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of the Interior also carry out the federal trust responsibility to provide education to American Indian and Alaska Natives students. I support robust, consistent and timely investments in student learning, however, these taxpayer investments should include parental input and be targeted at students and their academic, social and emotional growth, not the growth of governmental bureaucracy.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Drug & Human Trafficking

I recognize the devastating impacts of human trafficking, fentanyl and other illegal narcotics are having on our communities. From urban centers to the most remote regions, our communities are being destroyed by the trafficking of our loved ones and these illicit drugs. We must take a wholistic approach to stopping this dark rampage. From securing our borders; to innovative partnerships with tribal, local, state and federal law enforcement authorities; to increased direct service delivery and wrap around services for victims. Our communities must thrive again and pooling the necessary resources together to create a united front is the only way we can make progress. I will fight for Alaskan families to stop the progression of drug and human trafficking.

Safe Communities

Too many of our communities lack law enforcement and public safety services. In those areas I am a proponent of innovative partnerships that involve the State of Alaska, our federally recognized tribes and credentialling through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. These types of partnerships have the potential to empower the State of Alaska to keep all of our communities safe with law enforcement and public safety services.

HEALTH CARE

Access to Services

I fully support increased access to mental health and substance abuse services across the state. Due to the vast distances and infrastructure challenges across our state, we need innovative approaches for service delivery and the necessary infrastructure to deliver these services. I will continue to fight for access to these types of services for Alaskans.

MILITARY COMMUNITY

Championing Our Military

As the infamous General Billy Mitchell once said about Alaska, it truly is “the most important strategic place in the world.” With Russia’s war in Ukraine, the rise of China, and North Korea’s continued provocation, Alaska is on the frontlines of freedom. In Congress, I will be a proud champion for our military and advocate for increased military presence in the state. A larger military footprint in Alaska is not only good for the country, but the good-paying jobs that come along with it.

Honoring our Veterans

Alaska has one of the most veterans per capita than any other state in the country. In Congress, I will work tirelessly to ensure that the federal government honors the commitment they made to our veterans when they answered the call to serve. I will also work to ensure that a one-size-fits-all decision made by bureaucrats thousands of miles away in Washington, D.C. does not negatively impact Alaska’s veterans.

ENVIRONMENT

A Changing Arctic

The United States is an Arctic nation because of Alaska, and as an Iñupiaq, the Arctic defines who we are as a people. Alaskans must adapt and thrive in the face of more ship traffic due to thinner and less ice, changing permafrost on which our infrastructure has been built, and changing wildlife habits and habitats for subsistence. We need a strong leader who will advocate for the Arctic as the sole representative of the Arctic in the House. I am that advocate.

Climate Change

In Alaska we see the impacts of a changing climate every day. Whether coastal erosion, the shrinking footprint of multi-year icefloes, changing in our hunting, gathering and fishing seasons and disruptive migration patterns of our land, air and sea animals and mammals, these effects are real. I believe in a voluntary approach for industries to offset their carbon footprint. I further believe we need to take an incentive vs. punitive approach for carbon sequestration and reduction technologies and innovation.

TRIBAL RELATIONS

Alaska’s Federally Recognized Tribes

There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States, and Alaska is home to 228, nearly half of the nation’s federally recognized tribes. As the former Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior, I support, respect and understand the importance of tribal sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship Alaska’s tribes have with the Federal Government. I believe in transparent and meaningful tribal consultation throughout the federal process. I strongly believe we have more work to do in Alaska to build bridges within, and outside of, the Alaska Native community.

Tribes are important partners that substantively contribute to all facets of a better Alaska, including a robust economy, developing a strong labor force, and promoting healthy communities.

I encourage those unfamiliar with the tribal structure in Alaska to learn more and explore meaningful partnerships with our tribal entities. Alaska will be better for it.

National Positions

Securing Our Southern Border

President Biden’s open border policies are not working. We need to be enforcing our immigration laws to stop illegal immigration, secure our border and end the humanitarian crisis that has come as a result of President Biden’s failed immigration policies. We also need to make sure law enforcement, and other agencies who are responsible for keeping our border secure, have the tools they need to do their job.

I believe in providing transparency and support for legal immigration, and I support DACA.

Justice for All

We all have a role in stopping domestic violence and sexual abuse throughout Alaska. As Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, I led the implementation of Operation Lady Justice – a task force to combat the crisis of missing & murdered Native Americans. To arrest these alarming trends, we must commit to education, partnership, advocacy, and intervention. It will take all of us working together. Just as I have done in the past, I will continue to work to stomp out this scourge while serving you in Washington, D.C.

Roe v. Wade

I support a straight codification of Roe v. Wade.

LGBTQ+

• Love wins. I believe that two adults who love each other should have the option to get married.
• I do not support biological males being able to compete in women’s sports. However, I do believe we should consider creating opportunities for transgender males or females to compete within their own designations.
• I strongly believe that as a society we should lead with compassion. We need to provide the necessary support networks for those either struggling with their own gender or sexual orientation, or those who are out & proud. I stand by my Iñupiaq value, Nagliktuutiqaġniq, Compassion. I will fight to preserve compassion towards the LGBTQ+ community- every day.^[1]