Congressman Young Supports Funding Package Highlighting Vital Alaskan Projects

Press Release

With the support of Alaskan Congressman Don Young, today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2014 Omnibus Appropriations Act by a vote of 359-67 to provide depth and detail to the bipartisan budget deal reached in December that set top-line discretionary spending for Fiscal Year 2014 at $1.012 trillion. The bill includes many Alaska specific provisions that highlight the work of Congressman Young to secure vital funding for the state.

"The bill we passed today highlights not only the important role Alaska plays to our national defense, but the vast need of a youthful state," said Congressman Don Young. "Through the work we accomplished this year in Congress on behalf of the state of Alaska, we were able to draft a productive appropriations bill that provides funding for projects both large and small. This means significant dollars for protecting and expanding Alaska's infrastructure, managing high energy costs, recovering from disasters affecting our waters and shores, and providing for our military."

The bill also includes language from H.R. 3798, a bipartisan bill supported by Congressman Young, which repeals the Cost of Living Allocation (COLA) provision included in the Ryan-Murray budget agreement for medically retired veterans receiving combat related special compensation and/or retirement and disability payments, as well as for surviving spouses who receive payments under the Survivor Benefits Program.

"I have always believed that asking our nation's veterans to shoulder a $6 billion burden of deficit reduction is entirely unfair, especially when this Administration continues its wasteful and irresponsible spending practices," said Congressman Young. "While the fix included in today's bill ensures that those who sacrificed the most in military service do not see any reduction in benefits, there is still much work to be done to guarantee our government honors its commitment to all veterans."

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