U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young participated in a White House ceremony Monday as President Joe Biden signed into law H.R. 1318, the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act. The bill, which received strong support from Alaskans, provides cruise ships transporting passengers between Washington state and Alaska a temporary fix under the Passenger Vessel Services Act. Due to the Canadian prohibition on passenger vessels traveling through Canadian waters, large cruise ships sailing to Alaska would not have been able to sail this summer as the Passenger Vessel Services Act requires a stop in a foreign country. The return of large cruise ships to Alaska is critical to bolster the state’s economy in coastal communities of the state who rely on tourism.
In speaking to the media following the ceremony, Congressman Don Young said, “We had a good meeting. The President was jovial, signed the bill. It means a lot to the state of Alaska. About $3 billion and 23,000 jobs. The first time that the Passenger act has been touched in about 135 years. We feel great as a delegation that we got it done in ten days. it makes us feel quite good. I’m happy as a … nevermind.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski said, “It was a significant priority for the people of this state of Alaska. Politics aside, you got to figure out how you’re going to help the people that you serve. The administration saw that this was a priority. The president saw that this was a priority. We saw that translate today.”
Sen. Dan Sullivan said, “The overall issue, here, was a third country was essentially not being cooperative and was preventing American citizens from one state to visit another state. That’s kind of a precedent that no American, regardless of where you live should want.”
Gov. Mike Dunleavy posted to Twitter on Friday:
It was a team effort to get cruise ships back in #Alaska this summer! We are thrilled for their return & benefits this will have on our local economies. Thank you @alaskachamber! https://t.co/9AavXLqRdb@SenDanSullivan @SenLisaMurkowski @RepDonYoung #akgov
— Governor Mike Dunleavy (@GovDunleavy) May 21, 2021
