news

With Alaska Congressman Don Young’s support, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (NDAA). This legislation authorized $554 billion for the Department of Defense (DOD) and $11.1 billion for national security programs at the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY 2012. These figures are a significant cut from the original House-passed... Read more »

During today’s House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation hearing on the U.S. Coast Guard’s role in the Arctic region, Alaskan Congressman Don Young used his time to continue his push to expand America’s presence in the Arctic. The hearing’s objective was to review several recent reports regarding this country’s capabilities in the Arctic as well as the recently passed Coast Gua... Read more »

In response to the Defense Business Board (DBB) releasing a suggested plan to change the military retirement from the current 20 year vesting system to a to a defined benefit plan similar to a Thrift Savings Plan or 401k, Alaskan Congressman Don Young has introduced H.R. 3520, the Keeping Our Promises Act of 2011. This important legislation would allow any service member who signed up under the cu... Read more »

Alaskan Congressman Don Young has introduced H.R. 3113, the Polar Protection Act. This important legislation would authorize the Coast Guard to enter into long-term lease agreements for two new icebreakers. Specifically, H.R. 3113 requires the Coast Guard to enter into each lease within four years from enactment of the legislation and requires each lease to be at least ten years long. “The race f... Read more »

Alaskan Congressman Don Young voted in favor of H.R. 2219, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for 2012. H.R. 2219 contains $530.5 billion in non-emergency, discretionary budget authority for the Department of Defense (DoD). H.R. 2219 also includes $118 billion in emergency contingency spending for overseas operations to fight the global war on terrorism, especially in Afghanistan and Ira... Read more »

Alaskan Congressman Don Young voted yes today on H.R. 2055, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act. The bill includes $142 billion in budget authority for FY 2012 programs and activities. In addition, advance appropriations of $52.5 billion are provided for FY 2013 medical programs for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The total funding level for military construction ... Read more »

Alaskan Congressman Don Young voted today in favor of H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. H.R. 1540 authorizes $690 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense (DoD) and the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DoE). H.R. 1540 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 322-96. “America has the finest military in the world a... Read more »

Alaskan Congressman Don Young has released the following statement following confirmation of Osama Bin Laden's death: "This has been a long time coming. Terror mastermind Bin Laden and his followers have been terrorizing nations for years, and hiding like the cowards they are. Too many lives have been sacrificed in this search. The United States military is the strongest military in the world and ... Read more »

Alaskan Congressman Don Young voted yes today on H.R. 5822, making appropriations for military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill provides $141.1 billion in FY 2011 funding. The measure provides funding for Department of Defense activities, including $13.7 billion for military construction, $1.8 billion for family housing, and $1.3 billion in emergency funds for constru... Read more »

Alaskan Congressman Don Young released the following statement this morning following news that six new F-22’s will be stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base: “Today is a bittersweet day for Elmendorf Air Force Base (EAFB). The very tragic news of the C-17 crash was followed by a phone call this morning with very exciting news. I spoke with General Rand this morning (Legislative Liaison, Office of ... Read more »