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Alaskan Congressman Don Young voted this evening in favor of the Continuing Resolution (CR) Appropriations Package, which will support funding for our troops, our veterans, and protect our homeland. This package was made necessary by the Majority’s inaction on this year’s appropriations bills and their subsequent failure to send to the President even one regular appropriations bill for fiscal year 2009, which begins a week from today. Defense, Homeland Security, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill are included in the CR package.

"This package is no way to run Congress," said Rep. Young. "I, in good conscience, could not vote against it due to all of the important funding included for our military and our veterans. But I am sick of this Majority continuously playing politics the way they do. The appropriations process has been stalled time and time again because the Majority didn’t like the amendments being introduced by the Republicans, mainly those having to do with energy production. Instead of allowing the Democratic process to play out, and having a fair vote, they have just pulled bills instead of dealing with perceived controversy. And now look where we are; we have to vote for a huge package introduced at the eleventh hour, instead of taking the time to look at things individually.

"Fortunately, I was able to secure many key projects for the State of Alaska in the three separate appropriations bills included in the package. I worked hard with my fellow colleagues to ensure that projects of importance to Alaska were included in those bills, and with the passing of this package, the funding will be allocated. Again, those bills included in this bigger package are incredibly important. It includes funding that will be used to procure needed equipment and new weapons, improve military health care, and support military families. Taking care of our military and our veterans and their families is very important to me, and so I’m pleased that this bill does that. Additionally, one very important provision in this bill is especially beneficial to Alaska. Rural veterans will now be able to use Native Health Care Centers. For a State as widespread as Alaska, that is incredibly helpful in seeing to the care of our rural veterans. But as pleased as I am with the outcome of these separate appropriations bills, I’m very upset with how this entire appropriations process has been handled."

Projects secured by Rep. Young:

$800,000 for Alaska Civil Air Patrol Strategic Upgrades and Training

$800,000 for Blast and Damage Assessment Risk Analysis and Mitigation Application – Enhancements

$1,200,000 for Command and Control, Communications and Computers (C4) module

$1,600,000 for Constant Look Operational Support Environment

$2,400,000 for the Eielson AF Base Alternative Energy Source Program

$16,000,000 to build a new Bethel Armory Readiness Center for the Alaska National Guard

Projects requested by the Administration that Rep. Young supported and assisted in securing:

$15,000,000 for a Child Development Center at Fort Richardson

$6,300,000 for a Dental Clinic Addition / Alteration at Fort Richardson

$63,000,000 for a Barracks Complex at Ft. Wainwright

$14,000,000 for an Organizational Vehicle Parking at Ft. Wainwright

$21,000,000 for a Tactical Vehicle Wash Facility at Ft. Wainwright

$12,400,000 for a Training Aids Support Center at Ft. Wainwright

$2,000,000 C-17 Restore Road at Elmendorf Air Force Base

$7,200,000 F-22 Aerospace Ground Equip Shop at Elmendorf Air Force Base

$22,400,000 F-22 Corrosion Ctrl/LoMX/Composite Repair Facility at Elmendorf Air Force Base

$16,400,000 F-22 Flight Simulator at Elmendorf Air Force Base

$20,400,000 F-22A 7 Bay Aircraft Shelter at Elmendorf Air Force Base

$22,200,000 F-22A 8 Bay Aircraft Shelter at Elmendorf Air Force Base

$6,600,000 F-22A Field Training Detachment at Elmendorf Air Force Base

$41,100,000 F-22A Squadron Ops AMU 6 Bay Hanger at Elmendorf Air Force Base