Washington, D.C. – Alaska Congressman Don Young today announced his Committee assignments for the 115th Congress, which once again include senior positions on the House Natural Resources Committee and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
House Natural Resources Committee – Chairman Emeritus
After fulfilling a successful 6-year term as Chairman of the Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs Subcommittee, Congressman Young was named Chairman Emeritus of the full House Committee on Natural Resources. This new role, as the Committee’s second most senior member, allows Young to bring his years of experience and knowledge to all five of the panel’s Subcommittees:
- Subcommittee on Indian, Insular, and Alaska Native Affairs
- Subcommittee on Federal Lands
- Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans
- Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
- Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation
The appointment furthers Young’s ability to take lead on a number of vital Natural Resources related priorities, including the reauthorization of national fisheries legislation – the Magnuson-Stevens Act – and efforts to develop our nation’s many natural resources, particularly in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and the Arctic.
“As we move forward with an aggressive agenda to unleash our nation’s energy potential and begin streamlining a growing patchwork of federal policies, I look forward to my new role as Chairman Emeritus of the House Natural Resources Committee,” said Congressman Don Young. “Although I’ve reached my 6-year term limit as Chairman of the IIANA Subcommittee, I am confident this new role will give Alaskans an even stronger voice in Congress by allowing me a to shape policy on all five of our subcommittees. With willing partners in the White House and a unified Congress, I’m extremely optimistic about the progress we’ll make during the 115th Congress.”
Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee Rob Bishop (R-UT) offered the following statement:
“Congressman Young’s expertise will be absolutely critical in advancing Committee’s agenda in this new environment, and this new assignment will allow us to use his deep institutional knowledge in all subcommittees.”
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Congressman Young was once again selected to serve upon the House’s largest Congressional panel, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. As a former Chairman and the Committee’s most senior member, Young has consistently worked to provide Alaskans with robust investments to develop critical infrastructure and transportation systems. Young was named the following three subcommittees:
- Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
- Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
- Subcommittee on Aviation
“As we continue to fight for greater investments in the Arctic and throughout Alaska, I look forward to once again serving on these three subcommittees,” said Congressman Young. “Each subcommittee is critically important to Alaska, particularly as we move forward with efforts to rebuild our nation’s ice breaking fleet, update our nation’s aviation systems, and begin working on a robust infrastructure package. As a mariner, and a passionate advocate for the Arctic and infrastructure development, I look forward playing a powerful role in crafting new legislation to bring our nation’s roads, rails, bridges and maritime infrastructure into the 21st century.”
House Republican Policy Committee
In addition, Congressman Young was appointed by House Leadership to serve upon the Republican Policy Committee as the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee designee. This longstanding Committee serves as an advisory council to the House Republican Conference and serves as a forum to discuss important policy initiatives before the House. The RPC meets on a bi-weekly basis when the House is in session and on an ad-hoc basis, as appropriate, to discuss legislation before the House.
Congressman Young served as the Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee from January 2001 – January 2007; as the Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee from January 1995 – January 2001, and Ranking Member from 2007-2008. Young served as the Chairman of the Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs Committee from January 2011 – January 2017.
* In 1994, Republicans in the House and Senate self-imposed 6-year term limits for House Committee Chairs and leadership positions.
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