U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski received a warm welcome from the crowd at the 60th Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Anchorage’s Dena’ina Center on Oct. 22.

“It’s always, always, always good to be here,” Murkowski said after taking the stage to whoops and a standing ovation.

In a wide-ranging speech touching on the history of the convention, the status of ex-Typhoon Halong recovery efforts in Western Alaska and various legislative efforts, the most passionate moment happened when the senator discussed rising prices for fuel and essential goods that are hitting rural Alaska especially hard.

“It is wrong. It is wrong that fuel prices are so high for six months now,” the senator said.

“For six months now, I have voted to end” military efforts against Iran, Murkowski said as she was drowned out by applause from the audience, many of whom rose to their feet, cheering.

She is one of just a few Republican senators to break with their party and vote with Democrats on unsuccessful measures to check the Trump administration’s military operations in Iran. Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Nick Begich, both Republicans, have sided with the Trump administration on those votes.

“We know that high fuel prices are a threat to everyone. Everyone: urban and rural alike, from Wasilla to Wrangell. I get it. It is hard to buy groceries. It is hard to fill up your fuel tank. It is hard to fill up your snowmachines or engage in subsistence hunts,” Murkowski said.

She added that she worries people will struggle to stay warm this winter as they decide whether to spend their money on heating fuel or food.

“And this is not right,” Murkowski said. “What is happening in your communities … is not right.”

Though Murkowski did not say President Donald Trump’s name during her speech, she later noted that she cannot support the administration’s SAVE Act, a package of legislation that would tighten voting and election requirements. Murkowski said the measures would be particularly onerous for rural Alaskans who have less access to government-issued identification. She encouraged people to vote in the ongoing midterm and state elections.

After her remarks, Murkowski gradually made her way offstage to greet well-wishers, friends and selfie-seekers as a swarm of journalists and aides hovered around her. In a hallway interview with members of the press, Murkowski addressed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, saying that while the world would not be safe with a nuclear-armed Iran, she has voted repeatedly to exercise more congressional authority to rein in the Trump administration’s military efforts.

“This is not something that Lisa Murkowski is going to determine. ... (Americans and Alaskans are) concerned about the fact that what was supposed to be a four-week effort in Iran is now approaching eight, nine, 10 months. The cost, not only in resources, but in personnel,” Murkowski said, “It is extraordinarily challenging. So there is a balancing to do.”