Dan Sullivan Missed Half of Fisheries Hearings, Ranks 14th Most Absent

Senator Dan Sullivan’s Attendance Record Under Scrutiny

Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, representing Alaska, has been noted for his frequent absences in Senate subcommittee meetings that are crucial to the state’s interests. He ranks among the top 25% of senators with the highest absence rates.

Sullivan has been a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) since his Senate tenure began in 2015. He also participates in the Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife Subcommittee. This subcommittee is instrumental in shaping policies affecting the fishing industry and water conservation efforts.

The fishing and seafood sector is a significant contributor to Alaska’s economy, generating approximately $5.3 billion annually. On his website, Sullivan emphasizes the importance of EPW’s work to Alaska.

Despite this, Sullivan was absent from four out of eight subcommittee hearings between 2021 and 2026, marking a decline from his attendance record from 2015 to 2020, where he missed only one hearing. Notably, he missed the only subcommittee hearing held in 2026.

In 2023, Sullivan missed a significant hearing focused on water affordability and infrastructure. A 2021 study by McGill University highlighted that rural Alaskans face water costs ten times higher than those in Anchorage. Water rates are projected to rise by 5% in the coming year.

According to GovTrack, a nonpartisan watchdog monitoring congressional activities, Sullivan ranks as the 14th most absent senator from 2015 to 2025. His attendance record matches that of Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, who is 84 years old.

His absences have led to missing several key votes, including the 2025 confirmation of Howard Lutnik as Commerce Secretary and the 2024 confirmation of Michael Sfraga as the inaugural U.S. ambassador-at-large for Arctic Affairs, a role closely tied to Alaska’s Indigenous communities.

Back in 2018, Sullivan missed a critical cloture vote on a farm bill he had actively promoted. Nonetheless, he celebrated the bill’s eventual passage, releasing a statement titled “Sullivan Secures Important Provisions For Alaska Fishermen And Farmers In Farm Bill.”

Sullivan is currently campaigning for a third Senate term, with former U.S. Representative Mary Peltola as his Democratic opponent. An August poll by Alaska Survey Research shows Peltola leading Sullivan by a narrow margin of one point.

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