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Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives and Alaskan Congressman Don Young today passed H.J. Res. 124, the Continuing Appropriations Resolution of 2015, a stopgap spending measure to avoid a repeat of last year’s government shutdown and fund the federal government through December 11, 2014. The legislation, which is expected to be addressed by the Senate in the coming days, provides $1.01 trillion in discretionary spending, authorizes the training and arming of vetted Syrian rebels to “degrade and destroy” ISIL, extends the moratorium on Internet access taxes, and reauthorizes the charter of the Export-Import Bank of the United States through June 2015. H.J. Res 124 passed by a vote of 319 to 108.

“Alaskans have sent me to Congress to make tough decisions and that is exactly what I had to do today,” said Congressman Don Young. “This short-term spending measure is not what the America people deserve, but at this time it would have been both irresponsible and negligent to let the government shut down and ignore the growing threat of international terrorists. While my House colleagues and I share many differences, today we put those aside in order to fulfill our obligations to this nation and protect the safety and security of our people.”

Included in H.J. Res 124, was an amendment offered by Armed Services Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA), to authorize U.S. military action to combat and deter the growth of ISIL. The provision, which passed 273 to 156, would require Pentagon officials to update Congress every 90 days on the vetting process of rebel groups and procedures for providing training and equipment.

“Today, I voted for an amendment in the hopes of reducing or eliminating the need for another war where a large number of U.S. forces would need to be sent into Iraq and Syria to prevent a terrorist attack on American soil,” said Congressman Young. “Congress was given no easy option today; however, short of putting U.S. servicemen and women back on the ground, which I oppose, this was the only option we had.”

“In making this difficult decision, I heavily weighed two aspects,” Young said. “First and foremost, I thought of our brave service members who have already sacrificed so much to keep America free and our interests safe. Second, I fundamentally believe that ISIL is a determined and serious threat to the United States and the freedoms we often take for granted.  They are unlike most terrorist organizations in the region and have the most funding, best training, and most capable equipment of any threat we've previously seen.  More importantly, there are numerous ISIL fighters that hold Western passports, including more than 100 American citizens.  These people and the extremists they fight for pose a direct threat to our nation’s security and we must decisively act to protect our nation.” 

“Ultimately, I supported this amendment because I believe we cannot turn a blind eye to the atrocities against humanity currently going on in Iraq and Syria,” said Young. “We cannot put our head in the sand and ignore the serious threat that ISIL poses to Americans everywhere.  We cannot risk inaction and just hope that this situation works itself out.”

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