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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Alaska Congressman Don Young issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 4667, a supplemental appropriations bill for disaster relief and H.R. 1370, a continuing resolution for funding government operations:

“Today, the House approved legislation that will continue to fund the government, deliver relief to disaster victims and enhance Alaska’s military preparedness,” said Congressman Young. “Ensuring that our government can operate and serve the American public is one of the most important responsibilities of Congress. In addition to avoiding a potential shutdown, there are many good provisions in these bills that will benefit Alaskans. I am particularly pleased to see additional funding for missile defense military construction at Fort Greely and what this means for our country’s ability to respond to emerging threats from overseas. There is also renewed support for a number of health-related programs that serve thousands of Alaskans, particularly those who live in rural areas.”

Notable provisions in these bills include: 

Military and Veterans funding:

• Provides for the necessary costs to detect, defeat and defend against the use of ballistic missiles as requested by DOD.
• Allocates $200 million for a new missile field in Fort Greely as requested by the Administration.
• Provides $2.1 billion in mandatory funding for the Veterans Choice program.

Health-related funding:

• Authorizes $550 million for Community Health Centers, $65 million for the National Health Service Corps, and an additional $15 million for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program.
• Authorizes $37.5 million for the Special Diabetes Program for the first and second quarters of FY 2018 and $37.5 million for the Special Diabetes Program for Indians for the second quarter.
• Provides $2.85 billion for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as Denali KidCare in Alaska, through March 31, 2018.

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