Bruce Westerman: “I rise to support H.R. 410, the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025. Sponsored by…”

“I rise to support H.R. 410, the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025. Sponsored by Representative Begich, this legislation would extend the Alaska Native Vietnam era veterans land allotment program for an additional 5 years, to end on December 29, 2030. Alaska Natives have long experienced land-related hardships. Recognizing this, Congress passed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971 to settle the aboriginal land claims of Alaska Natives. Unfortunately, this congressional action coincided with the Vietnam war, meaning that many Alaska Natives who were serving overseas in the U.S. military at the time were unable to apply for a land allotment. Congress has attempted to fix this problem legislatively over the years, but many eligible Alaska Native veterans have yet to receive their allotment. Accordingly, the Alaska Native Vietnam era veterans land allotment program was established in the 116th Congress. Through this program, eligible Alaska Natives, or their heirs, can select an allotment of up to 160 acres of certain Federal land.”