Congressman Young's Washington Report

Washington Update Dear Alaskans,We have just wrapped up another productive week in Washington, D.C.! I am very proud that this week, several pieces of my legislation passed the House of Representatives and will now be sent to the President to be signed into law. As the 116th Congress continues through the fall, I want you to know that I remain committed to standing up for Alaska and the families that call our great state home. As always, should you have any questions or concerns about legislation before Congress, do not hesitate to contact me.Sincerely,Don YoungCongressman for All AlaskaEmpowering Alaska Native CommunitiesMy bill to cut red tape and empower Alaska Native communities is headed to the President's desk to be signed into law! The PROGRESS for Indian Tribes Act is a critical piece of legislation that will allow tribes across the country to better tailor self-governance programs to suit their needs, thereby increasing their effectiveness and efficiency. Passage of this bill marks not only a great day for bipartisan governance, but represents a long-overdue victory for Alaska Natives and Indigenous people across the country. I want to thank Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-NM) for her steadfast support of this legislation, and I look forward to our continued work together on behalf of our First Peoples. Read more here.ComFish Alaska ConventionEvery year, the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce hosts ComFish Alaska, the largest and longest-running commercial fishing trade show in our state. Because of COVID-19, this year's ComFish looks a little different. Although we had to gather virtually via Zoom, I greatly appreciated hearing from fishermen, processors, nonprofits, industry leaders, and elected officials. Alaska's commercial fishing industry is one of the most critical sectors of our economy, and I appreciated this opportunity to update ComFish attendees on my work in Washington, D.C., on behalf of Alaska.Our fisheries have taken a hit from the pandemic, and I continue fighting to ensure that they can come out of these troubling times stronger than ever. COVID-19 isn't the only threat facing our seafood sector. Our fishing fleet is "graying," and we must start attracting more young people to maritime careers. My legislation, the Young Fishermen Development Act, will do just that. I'm pushing to get it across the finish line so that young Alaskans have access to the training and support needed to become fishermen themselves. Alaska is the gold standard in salmon, and we must work together to keep this delicious food source wild. My bill, the Keep Fin Fish Free Act, will help ensure that commercial fish farms, which could raise GMO salmon, are not permitted in Alaska.Finally, we must re-authorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which is one of our most essential tools to keep our fisheries healthy and sustainable. With the support and advocacy of our fishermen, I believe we can get it done. I want to thank the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce for hosting me for this virtual event, and I am very optimistic that next year, we will all be able to gather in-person to advocate for our fisheries. Watch our full session by clicking here.Standing Up for Alaska's VeteransI’m very proud to have helped move 11 pro-veterans bills through the House this week. Alaska is home to more veterans per capita than any other state, and as a veteran myself, ensuring that we continue standing by our heroes long after their service ends is crucially important.These bills take urgent action on behalf of our heroes. Tragically, veterans are diagnosed with prostate cancer at twice the rate of the general population. These heroic men require swift access to treatment, and the Veteran's Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act will help streamline a diagnosis, and expedite the delivery of health care. This package also includes legislation to ensure that our Alaska Native veterans – and Native American veterans across the country – receive the care they have rightfully earned; the Native American PACT Act is a critical bill that prohibits the VA from collecting copayments from our Alaska Native veterans. Finally, these bills help expand the use of telemedicine at the Department of Veterans Affairs and minimize the risk of COVID-19 by making necessary medical forms available online so that our veterans are not needlessly risking exposure in-person. Read more here.Supporting the Alaska Sealife CenterCongressman Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and I are leading 77 of our House colleagues on an effort to ensure that wildlife centers – such as the Alaska Sealife Center – receive support in any future COVID-19 relief legislation. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted businesses and organizations across the country. Sadly, this virus has not spared our nation's zoos, aquariums, and wildlife centers. In Alaska, we know that marine life is central to our culture, and the Alaska Sealife Center does important work protecting our vulnerable marine life and ecosystems, in addition to educating the public about ocean wildlife.This uniquely Alaskan institution typically welcomes over 160,000 visitors each year, but COVID-19 has deeply affected tourism and reduced the Sealife Center's revenue. We must ensure that the next COVID-19 relief package includes funding for the institutions working on behalf of wildlife. These institutions are invaluable to both conservation and education; in Congress, I will always be their outspoken advocate. Read more about our letter to House Leadership here.Combating the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women EpidemicThe House has sent two major pieces of legislation to combat the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) to the President’s desk to be signed into law.All too often, our Alaska Native communities have experienced the tragedy and heartbreak of the ongoing national MMIWG crisis. As the father of two strong Alaska Native daughters, combating this scourge has always been one of my highest priorities in Congress. I am very proud to have helped Savanna's Act and the Not Invisible Act get across the finish line.The bills passed this week are a significant step forward, but there is still much work to be done. It is my great hope that we can turn the tide in the fight against crimes perpetrated on 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 here.Creating the First National Suicide HotlineToo many families in Alaska and across the country have lost a loved one to suicide. Tragically, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for individuals aged 18-34, and suicides are on the rise across nearly every demographic group across the nation. We must be doing all that we can to turn the tide in the fight against suicide, and raise awareness of a tragedy that all too often goes unnoticed. I am very proud to have supported the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, and call on President Trump to swiftly sign it into law.The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on the need for mental health services. The isolation caused by this pandemic has intensified fear, anger, and grief, and without action, things will only get worse. The creation of a national suicide hotline is historic, and it is my great hope that the numbers 9-8-8 will one day become as easily utilized as 9-1-1. I know Alaska to be a place where we care for one another, and I encourage you to make an effort to check in on your friends and family, so that we can help stop a tragedy before it happens. I want to thank my friends in the House and Senate and on both sides of the aisle for supporting this critical legislation that will undoubtedly save many lives. Click here to read more.$4 Million for the Alaska RailroadI am pleased to share that the Department of Transportation has awarded $4 million to the Alaska Railroad. Whether it is by train, plane, or watercraft, ensuring that Alaska's infrastructure is strong and safe is critical to our economy and way of life. As former Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I have seen first-hand the need for reliable roads, bridges, and highways. I am very grateful to the Department of Transportation for making this funding available to the Alaska Railroad. From tourism to the movement of goods and services, the work of the Alaska Railroad is vital. This funding will go a long way toward keeping the wheels turning on our trains for years to come. Infrastructure has always been one of my highest priorities in Congress, and I will always fight to ensure that Alaskan families and businesses can safely and effectively travel around our state.Bringing the Arctic Energy Office to FairbanksAlaska’s climate is unlike any other in our nation, making our state a critical hub for research on sustainability in harsh environments. I have been a long-time supporter of Alaska’s Cold Climate Housing Research Center, and have seen their important work for resilient housing first-hand. I am very pleased that the Department of Energy has reestablished the Arctic Energy Office at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.Having lived around the Arctic Circle, I can tell you that innovation is key for survival in challenging areas. Continuing this work will be essential to developing new energy technologies and ensuring that Alaska leads the way in their deployment. I want to thank Secretary Brouillette, Deputy Secretary Menezes, and the Trump Administration for their commitment to these critical operations and recognizing the important role Alaskans play in this field. Click here for more information. Keeping Alaska's Airport Infrastructure StrongBig news for Alaska came this week from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)! Over $75 million is on its way to our state's airports. Alaska has one of the largest and most active aviation communities in the country. For many of our state’s communities, air travel is one of the only ways to remain connected to one another. As a pilot myself, I know just how important it is that Alaska has reliable and safe airport infrastructure. The FAA’s Airport Improvement Program is one of the nation’s most important funding sources for airport infrastructure, and I am a proud advocate for this program. The funding by the FAA is welcome news for Alaskans and the aviation sector they depend on. Whether it is the ability to access goods and services, medical care, or to simply earn a living, air travel will continue to be crucially important to our state. I will continue fighting in Congress to ensure that the people of Alaska can continue to be served by safe and reliable airports for years to come.

Washington Update

Dear Alaskans,

We have just wrapped up another productive week in Washington, D.C.! I am very proud that this week, several pieces of my legislation passed the House of Representatives and will now be sent to the President to be signed into law. As the 116th Congress continues through the fall, I want you to know that I remain committed to standing up for Alaska and the families that call our great state home. As always, should you have any questions or concerns about legislation before Congress, do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Don Young

Congressman for All Alaska

Empowering Alaska Native Communities

My bill to cut red tape and empower Alaska Native communities is headed to the President's desk to be signed into law! The PROGRESS for Indian Tribes Act is a critical piece of legislation that will allow tribes across the country to better tailor self-governance programs to suit their needs, thereby increasing their effectiveness and efficiency. Passage of this bill marks not only a great day for bipartisan governance, but represents a long-overdue victory for Alaska Natives and Indigenous people across the country. I want to thank Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-NM) for her steadfast support of this legislation, and I look forward to our continued work together on behalf of our First Peoples. Read more here.

ComFish Alaska Convention

Every year, the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce hosts ComFish Alaska, the largest and longest-running commercial fishing trade show in our state. Because of COVID-19, this year's ComFish looks a little different. Although we had to gather virtually via Zoom, I greatly appreciated hearing from fishermen, processors, nonprofits, industry leaders, and elected officials. Alaska's commercial fishing industry is one of the most critical sectors of our economy, and I appreciated this opportunity to update ComFish attendees on my work in Washington, D.C., on behalf of Alaska.

Our fisheries have taken a hit from the pandemic, and I continue fighting to ensure that they can come out of these troubling times stronger than ever. COVID-19 isn't the only threat facing our seafood sector. Our fishing fleet is "graying," and we must start attracting more young people to maritime careers. My legislation, the Young Fishermen Development Act, will do just that. I'm pushing to get it across the finish line so that young Alaskans have access to the training and support needed to become fishermen themselves. Alaska is the gold standard in salmon, and we must work together to keep this delicious food source wild. My bill, the Keep Fin Fish Free Act, will help ensure that commercial fish farms, which could raise GMO salmon, are not permitted in Alaska.

Finally, we must re-authorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which is one of our most essential tools to keep our fisheries healthy and sustainable. With the support and advocacy of our fishermen, I believe we can get it done. I want to thank the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce for hosting me for this virtual event, and I am very optimistic that next year, we will all be able to gather in-person to advocate for our fisheries. Watch our full session by clicking here.

Standing Up for Alaska's Veterans

I’m very proud to have helped move 11 pro-veterans bills through the House this week. Alaska is home to more veterans per capita than any other state, and as a veteran myself, ensuring that we continue standing by our heroes long after their service ends is crucially important.

These bills take urgent action on behalf of our heroes. Tragically, veterans are diagnosed with prostate cancer at twice the rate of the general population. These heroic men require swift access to treatment, and the Veteran's Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act will help streamline a diagnosis, and expedite the delivery of health care. This package also includes legislation to ensure that our Alaska Native veterans – and Native American veterans across the country – receive the care they have rightfully earned; the Native American PACT Act is a critical bill that prohibits the VA from collecting copayments from our Alaska Native veterans. Finally, these bills help expand the use of telemedicine at the Department of Veterans Affairs and minimize the risk of COVID-19 by making necessary medical forms available online so that our veterans are not needlessly risking exposure in-person. Read more here.

Supporting the Alaska Sealife Center

Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and I are leading 77 of our House colleagues on an effort to ensure that wildlife centers – such as the Alaska Sealife Center – receive support in any future COVID-19 relief legislation. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted businesses and organizations across the country. Sadly, this virus has not spared our nation's zoos, aquariums, and wildlife centers. In Alaska, we know that marine life is central to our culture, and the Alaska Sealife Center does important work protecting our vulnerable marine life and ecosystems, in addition to educating the public about ocean wildlife.

This uniquely Alaskan institution typically welcomes over 160,000 visitors each year, but COVID-19 has deeply affected tourism and reduced the Sealife Center's revenue. We must ensure that the next COVID-19 relief package includes funding for the institutions working on behalf of wildlife. These institutions are invaluable to both conservation and education; in Congress, I will always be their outspoken advocate. Read more about our letter to House Leadership here.

Combating the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Epidemic

The House has sent two major pieces of legislation to combat the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

All too often, our Alaska Native communities have experienced the tragedy and heartbreak of the ongoing national MMIWG crisis. As the father of two strong Alaska Native daughters, combating this scourge has always been one of my highest priorities in Congress. I am very proud to have helped Savanna's Act and the Not Invisible Act get across the finish line.

The bills passed this week are a significant step forward, but there is still much work to be done. It is my great hope that we can turn the tide in the fight against crimes perpetrated on 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 here.

Creating the First National Suicide Hotline

Too many families in Alaska and across the country have lost a loved one to suicide. Tragically, suicide is the 2^nd leading cause of death for individuals aged 18-34, and suicides are on the rise across nearly every demographic group across the nation. We must be doing all that we can to turn the tide in the fight against suicide, and raise awareness of a tragedy that all too often goes unnoticed. I am very proud to have supported the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, and call on President Trump to swiftly sign it into law.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on the need for mental health services. The isolation caused by this pandemic has intensified fear, anger, and grief, and without action, things will only get worse. The creation of a national suicide hotline is historic, and it is my great hope that the numbers 9-8-8 will one day become as easily utilized as 9-1-1. I know Alaska to be a place where we care for one another, and I encourage you to make an effort to check in on your friends and family, so that we can help stop a tragedy before it happens. I want to thank my friends in the House and Senate and on both sides of the aisle for supporting this critical legislation that will undoubtedly save many lives. Click here to read more.

$4 Million for the Alaska Railroad

I am pleased to share that the Department of Transportation has awarded $4 million to the Alaska Railroad. Whether it is by train, plane, or watercraft, ensuring that Alaska's infrastructure is strong and safe is critical to our economy and way of life. As former Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I have seen first-hand the need for reliable roads, bridges, and highways. I am very grateful to the Department of Transportation for making this funding available to the Alaska Railroad. From tourism to the movement of goods and services, the work of the Alaska Railroad is vital. This funding will go a long way toward keeping the wheels turning on our trains for years to come. Infrastructure has always been one of my highest priorities in Congress, and I will always fight to ensure that Alaskan families and businesses can safely and effectively travel around our state.

Bringing the Arctic Energy Office to Fairbanks

Alaska’s climate is unlike any other in our nation, making our state a critical hub for research on sustainability in harsh environments. I have been a long-time supporter of Alaska’s Cold Climate Housing Research Center, and have seen their important work for resilient housing first-hand. I am very pleased that the Department of Energy has reestablished the Arctic Energy Office at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Having lived around the Arctic Circle, I can tell you that innovation is key for survival in challenging areas. Continuing this work will be essential to developing new energy technologies and ensuring that Alaska leads the way in their deployment. I want to thank Secretary Brouillette, Deputy Secretary Menezes, and the Trump Administration for their commitment to these critical operations and recognizing the important role Alaskans play in this field. Click here for more information.

Keeping Alaska's Airport Infrastructure Strong

Big news for Alaska came this week from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)! Over $75 million is on its way to our state's airports. Alaska has one of the largest and most active aviation communities in the country. For many of our state’s communities, air travel is one of the only ways to remain connected to one another. As a pilot myself, I know just how important it is that Alaska has reliable and safe airport infrastructure. The FAA’s Airport Improvement Program is one of the nation’s most important funding sources for airport infrastructure, and I am a proud advocate for this program. The funding by the FAA is welcome news for Alaskans and the aviation sector they depend on. Whether it is the ability to access goods and services, medical care, or to simply earn a living, air travel will continue to be crucially important to our state. I will continue fighting in Congress to ensure that the people of Alaska can continue to be served by safe and reliable airports for years to come.