Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, we are in uncharted territory. We are in uncharted territory because the previous administration took us here.

At the end of the day, we hear from voices across America, but we don't hear from the voices of the people of my home State. The people who I have spoken with, the landowners, the Alaska Natives, who were not consulted by the previous administration in the development and approval of this resource management plan, have stepped forward and said: We need to remove

this plan, and we need to make sure that something like this does not happen again in the future.

I rise today in strong support of H.J. Res. 106, a resolution to overturn the Bureau of Land Management's 2024 Central Yukon Resource Management Plan. This Biden-era management plan locks up more than 13 million acres of land in Alaska, part of a region that spans 56 million acres in my State.

The plan threatens economic opportunity and undermines national security while ignoring the needs of everyday Alaskans. The plan also designates more than 3.6 million acres as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern with little or no justification.

The Biden plan restricts access to Alaska Native lands, violating commitments made under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Sadly, the plan also continues outdated land withdrawals that block responsible access to our Nation's critical mineral resources.

Mr. Speaker, this is not balance. It is Federal overreach that is ensuring that Alaska's wealth stays in the ground, unavailable to the people of one of America's most impoverished regions.

The plan also obstructs projects vital to America's future, such as the Ambler Road, which will bring access to strategic and critical minerals; and the Alaska LNG project, which is projected to deliver 3.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day and create more than 10,000 jobs in Alaska.

These projects are essential to American energy security. They are essential to Alaska's economic growth, and they are essential to lowering costs for America's working families.

This resolution supports President Trump's commitment to unleashing Alaska's extraordinary energy and resource potential. It restores balance to public land policy, ensures that we meet our commitments to Alaska's Native communities, and allows for opportunity in an area of my State that is desperately in need.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.J. Res. 106 to strengthen America's energy and mineral dominance, to strengthen our economic and national security, and to keep our promises to the people of Alaska.

Mr. Speaker, fewer than 20 Alaska native Vietnam-era veterans have received their conveyances. A big part of the reason why so few of the more than 2,000 eligible Vietnam-era veterans or their heirs have received those lands is because they were delayed or outright blocked by the previous administration.

The previous administration blocked their ability to select and receive their lands. To hear my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, in this Chamber suggesting that somehow Republicans are standing in the way of Vietnam-era veteran land conveyances in my home State is ludicrous. It is simply not true.

In fact, my bill extends the available time for them to make those selections by 5 years, and there is nothing in this CRA that prevents them from making those selections. We hope that they do. In fact, we want more land to be available to those families. In fact, there are some communities in Alaska where Vietnam-era veterans who are eligible in this program have to select land hundreds of miles away from their own community.

We are trying to unlock the State of Alaska, Mr. Speaker. It is my colleagues on the other side of the aisle in this Chamber that have repeatedly blocked our ability to do so.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on H.R. 410, the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025.

This bill extends the application period for the Alaska Native Vietnam era veterans land allotment program by 5 years, ensuring that eligible veterans can claim the land that they were promised.

For decades, thousands of Alaska Native veterans who served in Vietnam were unfairly denied the ability to apply for land allotments due to their service overseas. While Congress took steps to correct this injustice, the executive branch, until recently, has been slow processing applications and conveyances, leaving many veterans in limbo.

As of January 2025, out of more than 2,000 eligible veterans, only 41 applications have been certified, and only 18 veterans have received their conveyances.

Fortunately, executive orders issued by the current administration have reinstated Federal land withdrawals that were previously revoked. This bill will give these veterans time to participate in the program, with ample land for viable selections.

These veterans served our country honorably, and we need to make sure that they are not denied what they were promised.

I thank the Speaker for consideration of H.R. 410, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak on H.R. 410, the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025.

This bill extends the application period for the Alaska Native Vietnam-era Veterans Land Allotment Program by 5 years, ensuring eligible veterans can claim the land that they were promised.

For decades, thousands of Alaska Native veterans who served in Vietnam were unfairly denied the ability to apply for land allotments due to their service overseas. While Congress took steps to correct this injustice, the executive branch until recently has been slowly processing eligibility applications and conveyances, leaving many veterans in limbo. As of January 2025, out of more than 2,000 eligible Alaska Native veterans, only 41 applications have been certified, and only 18 veterans have received their conveyances.

Fortunately, executive orders issued by the current administration have reinstated Federal land withdrawals previously revoked, returning lands to the State of Alaska and unlocking lands that had been closed. This expansion of available land increases opportunities for veterans to select and receive their rightful allotments. This bill will give these veterans time to participate in the program with ample land for viable selections.

These veterans served our country honorably, and we need to make sure that they are not denied what they were promised.

Thank you for your consideration of H.R. 410. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the many opportunities of Alaska.

As America's most Western State, most Eastern State, and most Northern State, Alaska is nearly 20 percent of the United States' landmass. We have more than half of the United States coastline, and it is estimated that we have more undiscovered estimated natural gas and oil resources than any other State in the country.

We have nearly every critical mineral on the critical minerals list in Alaska. We have base metals, precious metals, and of course we have rare earths in abundance. We have incredible timber resources, and we produce about 60 percent of America's seafood. Alaska is a crucial State, and I am proud to be a member of our House's Western Caucus.

I am the only Member from the State of Alaska. We have about 730,000 people who live in a State that is 2\1/2\ times the size of Texas. We are vast. We are independent, and we want to make sure that we have the ability to develop the resources that we have been blessed with.

Under President Trump's leadership, we have seen executive orders that specifically allow for development of our critical minerals, those rare earths that I spoke of, and of our natural resources, including tremendous energy resources in ANWR, NPR-A, and elsewhere. That is what Alaskans want. Alaskans want the ability to be independent, to develop their resources responsibly, and to stand on their own two feet.

I am thrilled to be a part of this body, a body that is focused on making sure that Alaska's resource potential is fully unlocked, that our mineral potential is fully unlocked, and that we restore domestic supply chains again.

As we restore those supply chains, we know that those supply chains begin with resources and begin with energy

to process those resources. Alaska is the cornerstone of this strategy, and we are excited to be a part of that conversation. I look forward to the opportunities that we will be bringing forward in the 119th Congress to advance Alaska's interests, our Nation's interests, and restore domestic manufacturing in this Nation again.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 1368, the Department of Energy and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act.

This legislation authorizes the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to carry out research and development activities focused on the advancement of shared DOE and NASA mission priorities. This includes R&D in critical technology areas like nuclear thermal propulsion systems, astrophysics, radiation health effects, machine learning, and more.

DOE and its predecessor, the Atomic Energy Commission, have a long and successful history of interagency collaboration with NASA. Over the last 60 years, this relationship has evolved from radioisotope power systems to new areas of research such as quantum information and environmental sciences.

This interagency relationship has greatly benefited my home State of

Alaska. The North Slope of Alaska is home to the Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement, or ARM, user facility, which gathers data pertaining to clouds and radiation processes in cold environments and high altitudes.

Given its strengths, NASA has partnered with this DOE facility to conduct research in areas such as aerosols. In addition, any atmospheric data from ARM stands to benefit the Pacific Spaceport Complex on Kodiak Island in my home State of Alaska, which supports commercial and government suborbital and orbital launch missions, as well.

Additionally, H.R. 1368 requires the Secretary and the Administrator to implement research security provisions consistent with the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Given the transformational nature of these emerging technologies and their impact on national security, this language is necessary to protect our investments and breakthroughs from hostile powers such as the Chinese Communist Party.

I thank my colleague, Mr. Whitesides of California, for working with me on this important legislation and continuing the bipartisan tradition of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1368 is a good governance and commonsense bill, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 60.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.J. Res. 35, which repeals the Biden administration's natural gas tax, a misguided policy that drives up costs, stifles investment, and weakens our energy security. This so-called waste emissions charge won't reduce methane emissions, but it will punish American producers, increase reliance on foreign energy, and make life more expensive for America's working families.

While some claim this tax does not directly impact my home State of Alaska, what is bad for American energy is bad for Alaskan energy. Alaska holds over 100 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and the Alaska LNG project is our best chance to bring it to market. Yet, burdensome Federal regulations discourage investment, keeping Alaska's energy potential locked away.

Meanwhile, Cook Inlet gas supplies are declining, threatening Alaskans in south central Alaska with higher heating and electricity costs. If we want long-term energy security, we must develop our resources.

Mr. Speaker, every job is an energy job because energy powers everything that we do. Supporting American energy production means creating good-paying jobs in oil and gas, construction, transportation, manufacturing, and small businesses that rely on affordable energy. The Alaska LNG project alone would generate thousands of jobs, strengthening our economy and supply chains. If we want to grow opportunity for working families, we must stand with American energy and repeal the natural gas tax.

Let's be clear: Opponents of this bill are spreading falsehoods. They claim this tax will cut emissions, but the U.S. already leads the world in methane reduction, cutting emissions intensity by 42 percent since 2015. They say this is about Big Oil, but 90 percent of U.S. natural gas comes from small and midsize producers. They claim only gas producers are affected, but the Biden administration designed this rule to also hit oil producers.

Mr. Speaker, they argue this tax protects energy security, yet it increases reliance on foreign adversaries.

If we are serious about energy security, affordability, and economic growth, we must repeal the natural gas tax. H.J. Res. 35 is a commonsense step toward a stronger energy future. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight an issue of national importance: Our commitment to space exploration and Alaska's vital role in securing America's presence in space.

Space exploration drives innovation, strengthens our economy, and enhances national security. The investments we make today will shape our future strength and prosperity as a Nation.

Alaska, the Last Frontier, is well positioned to play a key role in our Nation's space operations. Alaska's unique geographic position gives it a crucial edge in space surveillance, missile defense, satellite communications, and launch capabilities.

With a high-latitude polar launch capability and vast, remote terrain, my State offers unparalleled advantages for both government and commercial space initiatives. The Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska, or PSCA, on Kodiak Island is at the forefront of these efforts as a premier launch site that plays a critical role in America's space strategy.

Alaska's geostrategic location in the Arctic makes it an indispensable asset in America's national defense and global power projection. As the closest U.S. State to both Russia and China, Alaska provides unparalleled access to the Arctic, a region rapidly growing in economic and military significance.

With shifting ice patterns opening new maritime routes, control over Arctic air and sea lanes is critical to maintaining U.S. strategic interests. Alaska's military installations, missile defense systems, and space infrastructure collectively form a cornerstone of national security, ensuring America's readiness in this increasingly contested region.

The Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska is one of four of the country's few fully operational, federally licensed spaceports capable of delivering payloads to orbit. Managed by the Alaska Aerospace Corporation, its remote location provides a strategic advantage, reducing risks to populated areas and offering access to vital polar and Sun-synchronous orbits. This capability is essential for Earth observation, climate monitoring, missile defense, and reconnaissance missions.

Unlike other launch sites in the lower 48, Alaska's spaceport benefits from minimal air traffic congestion and robust launch windows, enabling greater efficiency and mission success.

This spaceport is designed to be highly adaptable and can accommodate a wide range of launch vehicles, from small satellites to larger payloads. Its infrastructure includes multiple launch pads, a state-of- the-art range control center, and cutting-edge telemetry capabilities. Furthermore, the PSCA is a key contributor to economic development in Alaska, creating jobs, fostering technological advancements, and attracting investment from domestic and international space companies.

The Alaska Aerospace Corporation was established in 1991 by the Alaska Legislature and has been instrumental in advancing the State's role in space operations. As the operator of the PSCA, Alaska Aerospace provides critical infrastructure and space launch capabilities that support both government and commercial launches, reinforcing our Nation's ability to remain at the forefront of space innovation.

Additionally, Clear Space Force Station near Fairbanks is pivotal in space situational awareness and missile defense. This facility is crucial for tracking objects in orbit, ensuring that America maintains a vigilant eye on potential threats and space debris that could endanger critical infrastructure. These efforts are vital to protecting our Nation's interests and maintaining a leading presence in space.

The potential benefits of Alaska's growing space sector align with our Nation's security and technological advancement initiatives. The Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska holds an incredible opportunity for dominance in space. The industry in my State has created many high- paying jobs in engineering, aerospace technology, and infrastructure.

These positions offer competitive salaries and career stability, attracting top talent and fostering a skilled workforce in Alaska. Moreover, the increased investment in space operations has generated economic ripple effects, benefiting local businesses, housing markets, and service industries.

Alaska's role in space operations is poised for even more significant expansion. The State's infrastructure is uniquely positioned to support the next wave of advancements in space travel, including reusable launch vehicles, hypersonic testing, and deep-space exploration.

As commercial companies like SpaceX continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, Alaska stands ready to provide essential launch services that will further our Nation's ambitions beyond Earth's orbit.

Reducing dependence on foreign space infrastructure is a matter of national security and economic sovereignty. For too long, the United States has relied on foreign launch

services and satellite capabilities, leaving critical assets vulnerable to geopolitical uncertainty. Increasing the use of Alaska's space infrastructure will ensure that our national security interests, commercial enterprises, and scientific missions remain independent and protected from foreign influence.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot discuss the future of space without acknowledging the transformative impact of private industry. Companies like SpaceX and other commercial aerospace pioneers have revolutionized space travel by making launches more affordable and frequent. With its strategic location and state-of-the-art infrastructure, Alaska offers an ideal partner for these enterprises. The Pacific Spaceport Complex- Alaska provides the logistical support, safety advantages, and launch capabilities to advance commercial expansion and national security objectives.

As global competition in space intensifies, our ability to support our Nation's space-based assets has never been more crucial. We must continue to invest in these capabilities, expand our launch infrastructure, and ensure that our space assets in Alaska remain at the cutting edge of technology. Whether it is weather forecasting, global communications, or national defense, our reliance on space assets grows every day. The work done in Alaska ensures that America remains a leader in this critical domain.

Mr. Speaker, space is the next great frontier, and America cannot afford to fall behind. We must continue to invest in our space infrastructure, foster private-sector innovation, and recognize Alaska's strategic significance in maintaining international leadership.

Let us, in this 119th Congress, reaffirm our commitment to space exploration, national security, and economic prosperity, ensuring that Alaska and the United States remain the undisputed leaders in this critical domain.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 42, the Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act. This legislation makes a simple but necessary fix to Federal law, ensuring that certain benefits distributed through Alaska Native corporation settlement trusts do not unreasonably disqualify vulnerable Alaskans from receiving assistance.

For decades, Alaska Native corporations have provided vital support to their shareholders, including through settlement trusts, an essential tool Congress authorized in 1988 to deliver benefits in a structured, perpetual way. However, due to an oversight in the law, payments from these trusts are counted as income when determining eligibility for Federal programs like Supplemental Security Income, SNAP, and housing assistance.

That means visually impaired and disabled Alaska Natives and elders are forced to make an impossible choice: accept the benefits from their settlement trusts or maintain their access to critical assistance.

By ensuring that these benefits are not counted as income, H.R. 42 aligns settlement trust distributions with other Alaska Native benefits already excluded from eligibility calculations. It upholds the original intent of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and protects the most vulnerable in need in our Alaska Native communities.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan, commonsense legislation. Let's ensure that no one has to choose between their critical assistance and their well-being.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 43, the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act. This bill corrects a decades-old oversight in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to ensure Alaska Native communities can fully use their own land.

In 1971, ANCSA granted fee simple land ownership to Alaska Natives, resolving historic land claims and enabling statehood land entitlements. However, section 14(c)(3) required Native Village Corporations to transfer land to the State of Alaska to be held in trust for future municipalities. More than 50 years later, only 8 of 101 affected villages have incorporated, leaving 11,500 acres in 83 villages frozen in bureaucratic limbo.

H.R. 43 eliminates this outdated requirement and returns these lands to Village Corporations, allowing for housing, economic development, and community expansion. This bill restores self-determination, ensuring Alaska Natives, not government bureaucracy, decide how to use their own land.

This legislation has broad support, as was mentioned, including from the Alaska Governor and State Legislature, and was unanimously passed by the Senate in the last Congress. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense fix and allow these lands to be used by their owners to support their own communities.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great reverence that I rise today to honor the life and memory of Andy Kriner, a longtime resident of Alaska, and a beloved member of the community. Mr. Kriner was the owner of

Kriner's Diner in Anchorage, which he founded in 2010. The diner became well-known for its great food and its warm, welcoming environment, rooted in the values of family, friendship, and community. It is an honor to stand before you today and pay tribute to the legacy he left behind.

Mr. Kriner embodied true American values and integrity through his commitment to advocating for small businesses in the face of adversity and standing firm in the face of government overreach. Andy was a man who deeply understood the importance of giving back. Every year, he distributed more than 400 Thanksgiving dinners to anyone who came by his diner, with no questions asked. This annual tradition demonstrated his dedication to service and his commitment to standing up for what was right, making him a pillar of our Alaskan community.

Mr. Kriner is survived by his wife, Norann, of 45 years, as well as his three children and six grandchildren. His legacy will live on through the business he built, the family he cherished, and the community he enriched.