news

Alaskan Congressman Don Young introduced H.R. 6554 yesterday afternoon which will amend the tax code with regards to the birth of a stillborn child. This bill would mandate that the Internal Revenue Service allow a one time child tax deduction for a child who is stillborn. Currently, the law states that a child born alive qualifies for a full exemption on tax returns even if the child only lives ... Read more »

A week after the Alaskan delegation secured a permanent fix for the Medicare discrepancies in Alaska, the House Democratic Leadership voted to block a requirement that would require the House to consider legislation by July 30th in order to protect the solvency of the Medicare program. As per the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA), if Medicare expenses exceed 45% of the total amount of funding two ... Read more »

– The Alaska Congressional Delegation is pleased to announce the following grants, contracts, and loans awarded to communities in the State of Alaska: U.S. Department of Energy: $10,827,425 to the North Slope Borough to test methane hydrate technologies to expand energy options for communities around the Barrow area. $749,937 to the University of Alaska Fairbanks to study methane emissions and un... Read more »

Alaskan Congressman Don Young joined with Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) and Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) on Wednesday in introducing H.R. 6516, the Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2008 (or the Non-Foreign AREA Act of 2008). This bill will provide for retirement equity for Federal employees in nonforeign areas outside the Lower 48 and Washington, D.C. The U.S. Government pays a Cost... Read more »

Alaskan Congressman Don Young is pleased to announce that grant funds for two projects authorized in SAFETEA-LU (H.R. 3) will be released from the Department of Transportation this week for bus and bus facilities in Alaska. Funds being released are: $650,000 to the Tanana Chiefs Conference for an Intermodal Parking Facility at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center in Fairbanks. $682,11... Read more »

Alaskan Congressman Don Young voted today to override the President’s veto of H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, which has a permanent fix for Medicare in Alaska successfully secured by the Alaskan Delegation. This 35% permanent increase to the Medicare Geographic Practice Cost Index will go into effect January 1, 2009 and will encourage physicians to ser... Read more »

Alaskan Congressman Don Young issued the following statement today in response to House Republican Leader Boehner’s announcement that ten House Republicans will be embarking on an "Energy Tour" including a stop at ANWR: "This is a great opportunity for some of my colleagues to see the coastal desert of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge," said Rep. Young. "There is such an abundance of our God-g... Read more »

This week the U.S. House Appropriations Committee continued working on spending bills for Fiscal Year 2009. Alaskan Congressman Don Young has secured a total of $57.964 million in the appropriations bills for Energy and Water; Commerce, Justice, and Science; and Labor, Education and Health and Human Services. "I never take the ability to get funding for these projects for granted," said Rep. Youn... Read more »

Alaskan Congressman Don Young applauded the Supreme Court today for their decision to grant the State of Alaska and Coeur Alaska’s Petitions for a writ of certiorari to review the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision relating to permitting of Kensington mine. "This is a very exciting day for Kensington Mine, Juneau, and the State of Alaska," said Rep. Young. "On average, only seven percent of ... Read more »

Alaskan Congressman Don Young attended a reception last night where he received an award from each of the following groups: Americans for Tax Reform, American Shareholders Association, Alliance for Worker Freedom, and the 60 Plus Association. These awards are based off of various votes that fall in line with the ideals of the individual groups. “Commitment and dedication to taxpayer’s interests, ... Read more »