Rep. Don Young, has been touted as having pulled a dramatic save for Native education programs in Alaska when he was able to insert an amendment into a bill known as the Student Success Act which protected Indian programs. According to Young's office, the Alaska Native Equity program alone was set to lose some $32 million in grant funding. The programs fund culturally-based learning and meaningful... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After unrelenting pressure by the Alaska Congressional Delegation, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today announced it will be suspending cuts to small rural Alaska telecommunication companies for nearly two years. This suspension will finally force the FCC to reexamine how its new Universal Service Fund (USF) reforms will impact residents of Alaska. For the last two ... Read more »
U.S. Rep. Don Young voted to limit the National Security Agency's ability to collect Americans' phone records and other data. The proposed amendment to a defense spending bill was narrowly defeated by the House on Wednesday. Young, in a statement, says he will continue to work with his colleagues to protect the freedoms of "every day Americans," and ensure proper oversight of government agencies. ... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier this year, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell announced a proposal by the state of Alaska to conduct 3D seismic to assess the oil and gas potential of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) coastal plain. In his announcement, Gov. Parnell pledged up to $50 million dollars from the state to aid the Department of Interior in financing the study. In support of Governor Parnel... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Natural Resources Committee today marked up a number of energy and public lands bills, including H.R. 586, the Denali National Park Improvement Act, introduced earlier this year by Alaskan Congressman Don Young, and S. 157, the Senate’s version of the bill sponsored by Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski. S.157 passed the Senate earlier this year. “I am glad to see these bi... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Alaska’s Congressional Delegation is reaching out to the United States Air Force and highlighting several additional concerns that need to be addressed as they conduct their Draft Environmental Impact Statement Review surrounding the proposed transfer of the F-16 Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. In a letter (attached) to the Acti... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Alaskan Congressman Don Young today voted in support of H.R. 2397, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for 2014, which passed the House of Representatives on a vote of 315-109. In total, H.R. 2397 contains $512.5 billion in non-emergency, discretionary budgetary authority for the Department of Defense, includes $175 billion for operations and maintenance, and $85.8 bill... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands held a legislative hearing on H.R. 587, the Niblack and Bokan Mountain Mining Area Roads Authorization Act, introduced earlier this year by Alaskan Congressman Don Young. The legislation would require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish two road corridors to connect the Prince of Wales Island road system with t... Read more »
WASHINGTON—Student veterans and their families will be able to better use their GI Bill educational benefits under the bipartisan Veterans Education Transparency (VET) Act introduced today by Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., and Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. The VET Act will allow colleges to access information about veterans’ educational benefits so they can provide better counseling to veterans. “Veterans... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5, the Student Success Act, on a vote of 221 – 207, with Alaskan Congressman Don Young’s support. The Student Success Act is the first major legislative effort to reform the Elementary and Secondary Education Act since the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001, and made much needed changes to the K-12 education law. “Most educators ... Read more »
