Senate Passes 5-Year Extension for Alaska Native Vietnam-era Veterans Land Allotment Program

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, and Congressman Nick Begich (all R-Alaska), thanked their Senate colleagues today for passing legislation to extend the Alaska Native Vietnam Veteran Land Allotment Program for an additional five years just days before the application period for the program was set to expire. The legislation,shepherded through the Houseby Congressman Begich in July, now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.

“Tonight, the Senate was able to deliver a Christmas gift for some great American heroes—our Alaska Native Vietnam-era veterans,”said Sen. Sullivan. “Just days before the application period for this program was set to expire, my colleagues and I came together this evening to pass a five-year extension that grants these incredible veterans a renewed opportunity to apply for their congressionally mandated land allotments that many missed due to their service to our country overseas. We’ve faced many hurdles since we got my provision into law in 2019, especially the Biden administration’s four years of delays and red tape that led to just roughly 40 veterans receiving their allotments out of several thousand eligible. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for working with me and my delegation colleagues to get this done right at the buzzer. Now, our work continues to get these heroes, or their heirs, the land allotments that they deserve.”
“For decades, Alaska Native veterans who served our nation during the Vietnam era have sought their rightful land allotments. When we re-established this program in 2019 through the Dingell Act, we hoped that thousands of eligible individuals and heirs would finally receive the lands they are owed in short order. Unfortunately, BLM has certificated just six percent of the applications it has received, and hundreds more veterans have not yet applied, compelling us to extend this program for another five years,”Sen.Murkowski said.“Thankfully, as a result of the bill we passed today, there should be no lapse in these veterans’ ability to apply for allotments. I also want to recognize that this measure didn’t just move on its own—Senator Sullivan has worked tirelessly for months to address concerns and clear holds so that it could pass before the application deadline arrives.”
“The passage of the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act marks an important milestone for the brave veterans who served our nation during the Vietnam War,”said Congressman Begich.“Extending this important program honors their service and upholds our promise to those who selflessly served. I want to sincerely thank Senators Sullivan and Murkowski for their leadership in the Senate to get this bill across the finish line and to the President’s desk. Today is a good day for Alaska and a great day for our veterans.”
Today, several Alaska Native and veterans leaderssent a letterto Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) stressing the importance of passing this legislation and renewing the application period for the allotment program before the end of the year.
Below is a timeline of Senator Sullivan and the Alaska congressional delegation’s work on the Alaska Native veteran land allotment issue.
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