Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. BEGICH. 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.

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