Dear Alaskans,
The August state work period is nearly over. With Labor Day right around the corner, I wanted to take a moment to give you on update on my activities in our state and in Washington, D.C. on behalf of all Alaskans. As our nation continues working to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, I want Alaskans to know that our work in Congress has not stopped. Many of our greatest victories for Alaska have been pieces of legislation written in partnership with Alaskans who have come to me with issues and have proposed solutions. As we head into the fall legislative session, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns about legislation before Congress.
Sincerely,
Don Young
Congressman for All Alaska
Protecting USPS and Bypass Mail in Alaska
Alaska is unlike any other state in the union, and our long-standing connection with the Postal Service has become an essential part of our state's economy and culture. For many of our rural communities, USPS is one of their only ties to the rest of the world. Reliable service is also critical for health care delivery; for the elderly and most vulnerable, access to mail can be a life-or-death issue.
Senator Ted Stevens and I pushed hard to create a program that would serve rural Alaskans and save the federal government money. Together, we created the bypass mail program, which has been vital in helping USPS meet their universal service requirement. Because of our state's rural nature, the bypass mail program is frequently misunderstood by those in the Lower 48. In our state, the bypass mail is the equivalent of postal roads in the sky, and very frankly, it saves the federal government millions of dollars every year. For decades following its creation, I have proudly fought alongside our Delegation to defend this crucial program, and that remains true in 2020.
I will always be an outspoken supporter of USPS, but there is broad agreement that without true reform, the Postal Service's long-term solvency is in jeopardy. Because of this, Postmaster General DeJoy is faced with a monumental task. I am grateful to him for partnering with Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan, and me, as we explained the importance of both the bypass mail program, and USPS in general. His assurances that the bypass mail program will be preserved is welcome news for Alaskans in our rural communities. Moving forward, I will keep working in Congress to ensure that USPS, one of our country's greatest institutions, can continue delivering for future generations of Americans. Please click here or on the image above to hear my video remarks immediately following the House vote on the Delivering for America Act. In the video, I discuss not only the long-term solvency of USPS, but also the importance of bypass mail.
Securing Alaska's Energy Future
Alaska received big news this month: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released its Record of Decision for an oil and gas program in the non-wilderness Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). This is great news, not only for the State of Alaska, but also for American energy independence. I have long fought to realize the original promise of ANILCA, which designated the 1002 Area of ANWR's Coastal Plain for responsible oil exploration. In Alaska, we have proven that protecting the environment, honoring our history, and developing our natural resources can go hand-in-hand.
Thousands of Alaskans are employed in our oil industry, and their livelihoods depend on the good-paying jobs created by our state's reserves. We are now one step closer to securing a bright future for these Alaskans and their families. As we approach the day where the first drilling rigs arrive and crude starts flowing, I will continue working with great excitement to ensure that Alaska is front and center as we blaze the trail toward American energy dominance. Click here to learn more about this important development.
Army Corps of Engineers Decision on Pebble Mine
The debate over Pebble Mine is not new, and through it all, I have been consistent in my position that we needed to allow the scientific process to determine what effect, if any, this mine would have on Bristol Bay. And that meant letting the science, not politicians, environmental activists, or bureaucrats make a determination about the future of the proposed Pebble project. This week's announcement by the Army Corps indicates a significant amount of compensatory mitigation is needed to offset the potential environmental impacts of the proposed mine at this present time. While not an outright veto of the project, this is a steep hill for the company to climb.
Very frankly, I am concerned we are talking about this at all because this is State land. I support our 10th Amendment, and I am a staunch defender of our right to manage our own lands. From day one, this project has been subject to the political whims, decisions, and opinions of federal agencies and bureaucrats who disagree with how we Alaskans choose to live and work. Alaskans know that developing our resources and protecting our environment can go hand-in-hand, which is why I have always defended our right to extract oil and minerals responsibly. If we allow this to continue, then the federal government has a moral and economic obligation to compensate our state for stifling Alaska's job growth potential.
This week, we are recommitting ourselves to Alaska’s future and moving forward. Alaskans can continue counting on me to stand up for our state, and working to ensure that activist forces from Outside do not lock away our lands forever.
Making Alaska Count in the 2020 Census
The deadline to take the Census is September 30th, and is fast approaching! A full and complete count is critical to helping ensure Alaska's success over the next decade. This week, I met with representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau in Anchorage for an update on Census efforts in our state. While our standing has improved, there is much more we need to do to ensure Alaska is well represented for the next decade. Click here or on the image above to watch my video message following my meeting with the Census Bureau in Anchorage. Taking the Census is quick, easy, and can be completed from home. Click here to take the Census.
Landmark Conservation Legislation Signed into Law
This month, It was my great honor to join President Trump and my colleagues from the House and Senate as the Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law. This bipartisan legislation is the single largest investment in conservation since the creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps 80 years ago, and I am proud to have supported it. I am especially pleased that it includes my long-time goal: permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. It is my sincere hope that the Great American Outdoors Act protects our environment so that future generations have the same opportunities to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors just as Americans have for hundreds of years. Click here to learn more.
Missing and Murdered Native Americans Cold Case Office
Alaska Native communities are home to some of the most remote population centers in our state. Because of the difficulty in travel and communication, the scourge of missing and murdered Alaska Natives, particularly women and girls, has tragically impacted far too many families. My children and grandchildren are Alaska Native; for them and for future generations of Indigenous children, we must take urgent action to combat this crisis.
On Wednesday, alongside our Congressional Delegation and Alaska's-own Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney, I was honored to help open the first Missing and Murdered Native Americans Cold Case office in Anchorage. This office is important news for the victims and families in our state who deserve nothing short of justice. Very frankly, I wish there was no need for this office, but the sad truth is that Alaska Natives are being targeted, and we must show zero tolerance for the violence being committed against them. I am grateful to the Trump Administration and Interior Secretary Bernhardt for their commitment to Alaska Natives and Indigenous people across our country. Our work must not stop. It is my great hope that we can turn the tide in the fight against crimes perpetrated in our Native communities, and it will continue to be one of my highest priorities to ensure that Alaska is a safe place for all. Read more about the work of cold case offices here.
Alaska Native Medical Center Tour with HHS Secretary Alex Azar
It was my great honor to welcome Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to Alaska as we toured the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) in Anchorage. ANMC has a strong record of offering high-quality, patient-centered healthcare to thousands of Alaska Natives. Their ability to combine cutting-edge technology with respect for Alaska Native culture and traditions is especially critical as we combat COVID-19. I want to thank Secretary Azar, Senator Murkowski, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum, and everyone who participated in this important visit and productive roundtable discussion. Alaska Natives, whether they live in remote corners of our state or in urban cities like Anchorage, are all too familiar with public health emergencies. I will continue working to empower our Native communities with the resources necessary not only to weather the storm of COVID-19, but to come out of these uncertain times stronger than ever.
Helping Homeless Veterans
Alaska is home to thousands of veterans who risked their lives on behalf of our country. Supporting these heroic men and women should be our top priority. State-level Veterans Homes are critical to ensuring our heroes' health and well-being, but federal bureaucracy is putting these veterans at risk. This month, I introduced legislation to prevent red tape at the VA from imposing onerous burdens on the Veterans Homes that many Alaskans depend on. Supporting my fellow veterans is one of my highest priorities, and I will keep working in Congress to ensure that our country always stands with those who served. Learn more about my bill by clicking here.
Celebrating an Incredible Alaskan Athlete
I was recently in Fairbanks, and while I was there, it was my great honor to present a Congressional Record statement to the parents of Ruthy Hebard at my office. Ruthy’s career in the WNBA began in April, when the Chicago Sky drafted her as their eighth overall pick. She is an incredible athletic talent. From her days playing forward at West Valley High School in Fairbanks to being selected for the First-team All-American at the University of Oregon, Ruthy has proven herself as an athlete with true Alaskan grit and determination. Please join me in congratulating Ruthy and her family on being drafted by the WNBA. Keep making Alaska proud, Ruthy!
Public Transit Funding
Over $10 million has been awarded to the Fairbanks North Star Borough and the Ketchikan Gateway Borough under the Buses and Bus Facilities Grant Program. The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted transit systems across the country, and Alaska is no different. Buses keep countless Alaskans connected, but this is a particularly difficult time for our transit operators. Reduced ridership has significantly lowered revenues, threatening budgets for bus drivers, maintenance, and other critical infrastructure. This funding is welcome news for those who depend on reliable public transit in Fairbanks and Ketchikan. Read more at this link.
Meeting with the Association of Alaska Housing Authorities
Alaskan families deserve access to safe and affordable housing. The Association of Alaska Housing Authorities (AAHA) does crucial work connecting affordable housing advocates with state and federal entities, and I am grateful for everything they do on behalf of our most vulnerable populations. I recently attended AAHA's virtual convention, which featured several representatives from Native housing authorities that receive federal funding created by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA). I have long supported NAHASDA funding, and I am very pleased that this year's appropriations bill included a $10 million increase over last year. This funding, in addition to resources created by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and the Indian Community Development Block Grant program, is essential to providing Alaska Natives with the support they need to bring safe, reliable housing to their communities. I want to thank AAHA for the important work they do for Alaska, and for inviting me to their virtual convention.
Leading the Way in Liquified Natural Gas
Alaska continues to lead the way on the road to American energy dominance! I'm very pleased that this month, the Department of Energy has issued a final and unconditional order authorizing the Alaska LNG project to export liquefied natural gas (LNG). This authorization is a critical step toward responsibly exporting LNG to help power America and to provide good-paying jobs right here in Alaska. Read more about this important announcement by clicking here.
Fighting Human and Sex Trafficking
$1 million in federal grant money is headed to Alaska to help fight human trafficking. I’m pleased to share that Covenant House Alaska and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) will be receiving this crucial funding to protect our most vulnerable. Over the years, I’ve been proud to partner with Covenant House Alaska and AHFC in their vital endeavors to serve the people of our state, including their efforts to provide compassionate care for homeless youth and survivors of human and sex trafficking. We can never fully repay these advocates for the necessary work they do every day, but I will continue fighting in Congress to ensure that our nation’s vulnerable are protected from human trafficking, sexual abuse, and exploitation. Hear from both of these great organizations by clicking here.
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