House Passes FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act with Critical Alaska Provisions Championed by Congressman Don Young

Press Release

Last night, with the support of Alaska Congressman Don Young, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4350, National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 -- legislation to set the annual budget for the Department of Defense. This bill supplies needed funding for military expenditures, provides a 2.7% military pay raise, and enhances America's global shared security commitments. This legislation also includes several Alaskan Community Project Funding requests that Congressman Young pushed for inclusion in the final bill.

After House passage of the NDAA, Congressman Young issued the following statement:

"Every year, Congress passes the NDAA to authorize national defense spending for domestic and overseas operations. This year's bill is an important one, and I am very proud of what my House colleagues accomplished on behalf of our military. The FY 2022 NDAA takes critical steps to strengthen our national defense, provide a well-deserved pay raise for the brave men and women serving in our Armed Forces, and equip our troops with the necessary resources to keep our country safe. In Congress, relationships are crucial; this year, I successfully worked with my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee to include my Community Project Funding requests in the final bill. These requests, sometimes referred to as 'earmarks,' will help Alaska combat active-duty suicides, modernize our Permafrost Research Station in near Fairbanks, and help fund an Alaska-developed Tactically Responsive Deployable Spaceport.

It is vital that we, as a Congress, stand by our troops at every turn. In addition to a well-earned pay raise, this year's NDAA implements crucial benefits such as enhanced parental leave and a basic needs allowance to help fight military hunger. This is a good bill, and I am proud to see such broad bipartisan support for our nation's military. My commitment will always be to the men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to send an NDAA to the President's desk that does right by our troops and keeps our country safe and prosperous."

Initiatives Successfully Secured by Congressman Young:

* Combat Rescue Aircraft: Congressman Young successfully fought on the House Floor for his inclusion of an amendment requiring the Air Force to develop a strategy for the acquisition of combat rescue aircraft aligning with the National Defense and Arctic Strategy.

* JBER Runway: The FY 2022 NDAA authorizes $79 million in MILCON funding for JBER's runway extension, which was included following advocacy by Congressman Young.

* Arctic Ground Satellite Report: Congressman Young worked with Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Member of the Armed Services Committee, to include language directing the Chief of Space Operations to submit a report on the feasibility of deploying an Arctic satellite ground station.

* Firefighter Briefing: Congressman Young also worked with Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Member of the Armed Services Committee, on language requiring an Air Force briefing to outline the benefits and efficiencies resulting from the transfer of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) delivery to firefighters.

* Hmong Veterans: Congressman Young cosponsored a successful amendment that expands eligibility for burial in U.S. national cemeteries for Hmong and Lao veterans who fought alongside U.S. servicemembers in the Vietnam War.

Community Funding Requests Successfully Secured by Congressman Young:

* Suicide Prevention: The FY 2022 NDAA authorizes $2 million for the University of Alaska to conduct research to promote resilience and reduce suicide in active and active reserve military service members on rural, remote, and isolated installations.

* Permafrost Research Station: The NDAA authorizes $3 million to help complete the final phase of a multi-year modernization of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Permafrost Research Station, located near Fairbanks, Alaska.

* Aerospace: The bill authorizes $4 million continue the United States Space Force Rocket Systems Launch Program's ongoing SRP-4 contract for enhanced flight and logistic planning.

* Spaceport: Additionally, the FY 2022 NDAA authorizes $7 million for a Tactically Responsive Launch/Deployable Spaceport to be developed in Alaska.

* Alaska National Guard: The legislation authorizes $5 million for the Alaska National Guard to construct a National Guard Readiness Center in Camp Carroll on Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (JBER).

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