Alaska Congressman Don Young voted in support of the FY 2022 Appropriations Omnibus on Wednesday night, legislation that funds the federal government until Sept. 30. The bill passed with the support of 29 Republicans who voted in favor of it. The bill now moves to the Senate stripped of the Covid-19 response funds that were holding up passage in the House.
The bill includes $13.6 billion in emergency funding to support Ukraine in the country’s defense against Russia 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 successfully secured numerous earmarks for Alaska.
Young released the following statement:
“One of Congress’ most fundamental constitutional duties is to appropriate money to keep the government open. Last night, I voted in support of the FY 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Act. Very frankly, this legislation was a long time coming. We are now over five months into Fiscal Year 2022. Because the House Democrat majority lacks strong, decisive leadership, we have been funding our federal obligations through a patchwork of band-aid fixes and continuing resolutions. We cannot continue kicking the can down the road. I have worked hard to break through the partisanship and set us on a path of longer-term stability. I am pleased that the omnibus we passed last night will keep our government open, do right by the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, help our allies in Ukraine, reauthorize VAWA, and support vital projects across the great State of Alaska. Additionally, the omnibus provides the appropriations necessary to support the essential operations of the United States Coast Guard and fully funds the historic investments created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“Finally, I am proud to have secured ten earmarks for specific projects in Alaska. These earmarks provide support for initiatives relating to the Mendenhall Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Lowell Creek Flood Diversion project, the Kodiak fire station, Covenant House’s 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 is the truth: the decade-long ban on ‘earmarks’ served only to shift Congress’ rightful power to appropriate money to the Executive Branch while denying needed funds to local organizations. While earmarks have returned on a limited basis, I will continue to advocate for the full restoration of the Article I powers of Congress. This omnibus funds the government until September 30th, and it is crucially important that Congress steps up to govern on behalf of our constituents. Ahead of the next fiscal year, I will continue working hard to prevent government shutdowns and pass all individual appropriations bills through regular order. We owe it to the American people to provide fiscal certainty and get our nation on sound economic footing,” Young said.
Young’s office offered the highlights of the bill of interest to Alaska:
Community Project Funding Requests (Earmarks) Secured by Congressman Young:
· The Tongass Sewer Force Main Rehabilitation Phase II – Jefferson St to Pump Station 4: $1,250,000
· Mendenhall Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements: $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’s Fire Station: $7,000,000
· University of Alaska Fairbanks – Kuskokwim Health Sciences Facility Health Facilities Construction and Equipment: $2,000,000
· Aleutians East Borough, Cold Bay Clinic Replacement Project: $2,000,000
· Salmon and People: Engaging Diverse Communities in Stewardship of Wild Salmon in Cook Inlet: $750,000
Denali Commission:
- The bill provides $15.1 million for the Denali Commission. When combined with the $75 million secured for the Denali Commission in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the total funding level for FY 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, which is a $1.5 million increase from FY 2021.
- The omnibus includes $21.3 million for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, $2.3 million more than FY 2021.
- Native Housing Programs
- $1 billion for Native housing programs, an increase of $177 million from FY 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 FY 2021.
- Tribal Colleges and Universities Provisions
- Under the Higher Education Act, $44 million for Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, $6 million more than FY 2021.
- Under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- $5.5 million to Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, a $1 million increase from FY 2021.
- $4 million to Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions.
- $3.5 million for the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension 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 FY 2021.
- The bill also includes language for Alaskan Records. NARA is expected to complete the required consultations and report to Congress with 90 days of enactment.
- The omnibus features language regarding the Sand Point NARA facility. NARA is directed to complete its digitization initiative and to post content currently stored at Sand Point online in an easy-to-find navigable and searchable platform, starting with the records identified as priorities in earlier consultations with Alaska Native Tribes and Tribal Organizations.
Fisheries:
• $187.5 million for fisheries data collections, surveys, and assessments, $13.8 million increase from FY 2021.
• $65 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund.
• $63.1 million for salmon management activities, $3.5 million increase from FY 2021.
• $142.8 million for marine mammals, sea turtles, and other species, $14.9 million increase from FY 2021.
United States Coast Guard Provisions:
- $11.5 billion for the Coast Guard, $515.0 million above the FY 2021.
- $2.0 billion for significant new investments in the Coast Guard’s air and marine fleet, and facilities, including:
- Fast Response Cutters – $150 million
- MH-60 helicopters – $200 million
- Polar Security Cutter – $80 million
National Defense Provisions:
- The omnibus provides a 2.7% military pay raise.
- $50,000,000 is included to enhance Arctic Communications.
- Congressman Young pushed for and secured an additional $3,000,000 invested for suicide prevention with a focus on rural, remote, and isolated locations.
- Language advancing the creation of an Ambassador‐at‐Large for the Arctic Region or a U.S. Coordinator for the Arctic Region was included in the final bill.
- Congressman Young advocated for and secured $90 million for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP).
Alaska Water Infrastructure:
- $39 million for grants to address drinking water and wastewater infrastructure needs of rural Alaska Native Villages.
- $800,000 earmark for the City and Borough of Juneau for Mendenhall Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements.
- $26.2 million to the Bureau of Land Management for Alaska conveyance.
- $22 million for Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance.
Ports and Harbors:
- Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) Grants (formerly TIGER & BUILD Grants) – the bill provides $775 million for the program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $1.5 billion for the RAISE program for a total of $2.275 billion for FY 2022.
- Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) – the bill provides $234 million for port infrastructure project. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $450 million for the PIPD program, for a record total of $684 million for FY 2022.
- Nationally Significant Freight & Highway Projects (INFRA) Grants – the bill provides $1 billion for large infrastructure projects. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $3.2 billion in advanced appropriations for the program, resulting in a total of $1.64 billion for FY 2022.
Aviation:
- Essential Air Service – the bill provides $350 million for the program which is a $208 million increase over the FY 2021.
- Alaskan Aviation Safety – the bill provides $11.2 million for the FAA to assume ownership of Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS) within the FAA Alaska region.
Housing:
- $3.3 billion for Community Development Block Grants.
- $177 million for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation.
- $20 million for the Self-help Homeownership Opportunity Program.
- $3.2 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants.
