Alaska Congressman Don Young voted Wednesday night in favor of the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriation Omnibus, legislation that funds the federal government through September 30. The bill passed with the support of 29 Republicans who voted in favor. The bill is now moving to the Senate stripped of Covid-19 response funds that were blocking passage through the House.

The bill includes $13.6 billion in emergency funding to support Ukraine in defending the country against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion. The bill reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act and implements a new provision based on Congressman Young’s successful Tribal Justice Demonstration Program. Congressman Young has successfully secured numerous assignments for Alaska.

Young released the following statement:

“One of the most basic constitutional duties of Congress is to appropriate funds to keep government open. Last night I voted in favor of the Omnibus Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2022. Quite frankly, this bill was long overdue. We are now more than five months into fiscal year 2022. Because the House Democratic majority lacks strong and decisive leadership, we have funded our federal obligations through a patchwork of band-aid solutions and ongoing resolutions. We can’t keep kicking the road. I have worked hard to break the partisanship and put us on the path to longer term stability. I’m glad the omnibus we passed last night is keeping our government open, honoring the brave men and women of our armed forces, helping our allies in Ukraine, reauthorizing VAWA, and supporting vital projects in the great state of Alaska. Additionally, the omnibus provides appropriations to support essential United States Coast Guard operations and fully funds historic investments created by the bipartisan Infrastructure Act.

“Finally, I am proud to have obtained ten credits for specific projects in Alaska. These assignments support initiatives related to the Mendenhall Wastewater Treatment Plant, Lowell Creek Flood Diversion Project, Kodiak Fire Station, Covenant House Bridge to Success program, and more. For too long, my colleagues and I have been unable to directly request funding for specific projects in our districts. Here’s the truth: The decade-long ban on “earmarkings” has only served to shift the legitimate power of Congress to appropriate funds to the executive branch while denying needed funds to local organizations. Although assignments have returned on a limited basis, I will continue to advocate for the full restoration of Congress’s Article I powers. This omnibus funds the government until September 30, and it is critically important that Congress step in to govern on behalf of our constituents. Before the next fiscal year, I will continue to work hard to prevent government shutdowns and pass all individual appropriation bills in regular order. We owe it to the American people to provide fiscal security and put our nation on a sound economic footing,” Young said.

Young’s office provided highlights of the bill relevant to Alaska:

Community Project Funding Requests (Assignments) Secured by Congressman Young:

Phase II of Tongass – Jefferson St Sewer Force Rehabilitation at Pump Station 4: $1,250,000

Mendenhall Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades: $800,000

Lowell Creek Tunnel Flood Diversion, Army Corps of Engineers: $3,000,000

Covenant House Bridge to Success Program: $500,000

Village within a City, North Pacific Rim Housing Authority and Chugach Heritage Foundation: $3,000,000

Kiana Fire Emergency Response and Equipment Building: $3,350,000

City of Kodiak Fire Station: $7,000,000

University of Alaska Fairbanks – Kuskokwim Health Sciences Facility Construction and equipping of health facilities: $2,000,000

Aleutians East Borough, Cold Bay Clinic Replacement Project: $2,000,000

Salmon and People: Engaging Diverse Communities in Wild Salmon Stewardship in Cook Inlet: $750,000

Denali Commission:

• The bill provides $15.1 million for the Denali commission. Combined with the $75 million guaranteed for the Denali Commission in the bipartisan infrastructure act, the total funding level for fiscal year 2022 is $80.1 million.

Stevens Center:

• $10 million for the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies.

Alaska Native Provisions Secured by Congressman Young:

• Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Education Funding

• The omnibus includes $38 million for the Alaska Native Education Equity Program, an increase of $1.5 million from fiscal year 2021.

• The omnibus includes $21.3 million for institutions serving Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, up $2.3 million from fiscal 2021.

• $1 billion for Indigenous housing programs, an increase of $177 million from fiscal year 2021, including:

• $772 million for the Native American Housing Block Grant.

• $150 million for the competitive Native American Housing Block Grant program.

• $3 million for the Indian Housing Loan Guarantee program, an increase of $1 million from fiscal year 2021.

• Arrangements for Tribal Colleges and Universities

• Under the Higher Education Act, $44 million for tribal-controlled colleges and universities, $6 million more than fiscal year 2021.

• As part of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture

• $5.5 million to tribally controlled colleges and universities, an increase of $1 million from fiscal year 2021.

• $4 million to institutions serving Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.

• $3.5 million for the Federally Recognized Tribes Outreach Program.

• $21.5 million for the Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) program.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA):

• The bill includes $476.5 million, an increase of $78.7 million from fiscal year 2021.

• The bill also includes language for Alaskan Records. NARA should complete the required consultations and report to Congress within 90 days of enactment.

• The omnibus includes language regarding the Sand Point NARA facility. NARA is tasked with completing its digitization initiative and releasing content currently stored at Sand Point online in an easy-to-find, navigable and searchable platform, beginning with materials identified as priorities through previous consultations with Indigenous tribes. and Alaska Tribal Organizations.

Peach :

• $187.5 million for fisheries data collection, surveys and assessments, an increase of $13.8 million from fiscal year 2021.

• $65 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund.

• $63.1 million for salmon management activities, an increase of $3.5 million from fiscal year 2021.

• $142.8 million for marine mammals, sea turtles and other species, an increase of $14.9 million from fiscal year 2021.

United States Coast Guard Provisions:

• $11.5 billion for the Coast Guard, $515.0 million over fiscal year 2021.

• $2.0 billion for significant new investments in the Coast Guard’s fleet, air and marine facilities, including:

• Rapid Response Cutters – $150 million

• MH-60 helicopters – $200 million

• Polar Security Cutter – $80 million

Provisions relating to national defense:

• The omnibus calls for a military salary increase of 2.7%.

• $50,000,000 is included to improve communications in the Arctic.

• Congressman Young requested and received an additional investment of $3,000,000 for suicide prevention with a focus on rural, remote and isolated areas.

• Language promoting the creation of an Arctic Region Goodwill Ambassador or a US Arctic Region Coordinator was included in the final bill.

• Congressman Young advocated and won $90 million for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP).

Alaska Water Infrastructure:

• $39 million for grants to address drinking water and wastewater infrastructure needs in rural Alaska Native villages.

• Allocation of $800,000 to the City and Borough of Juneau for the improvement of the Mendenhall Wastewater Treatment Plant.

• $26.2 million to the Bureau of Land Management for transportation in Alaska.

• $22 million to support rural and small community water systems.

Ports and harbours:

• Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) Grants (formerly TIGER & BUILD Grants) – the bill provides $775 million for the program. The bipartisan Infrastructure Act provided $1.5 billion for the RAISE program for a total of $2.275 billion for fiscal year 2022.

• Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) – the bill provides $234 million for the port infrastructure project. The bipartisan Infrastructure Act provided $450 million for the PIPD program, for a record total of $684 million for fiscal year 2022.

• Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects (INFRA) Subsidies – the bill provides $1 billion for major infrastructure projects. The bipartisan Infrastructure Act provided $3.2 billion in advanced appropriations for the program, for a total of $1.64 billion for fiscal year 2022.

Aviation:

• Essential Air Service – the bill provides $350 million for the program, an increase of $208 million from fiscal year 2021.

• Alaskan Aviation Safety – the bill provides $11.2 million for the FAA to assume ownership of Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS) in the FAA’s Alaska Region.

Lodging:

• $3.3 billion for Community Development Block Grants.

• $177 million for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation.

• $20 million for the Home Ownership Assistance Program.

• $3.2 billion for homelessness assistance grants.