Don Young#COVID-19

Donald Edwin Young was born on June 9, 1933, in Meridian, Sutter County, California, the second of three sons of Russell Lawhead "Cy" Young Sr. and Arlene Marcella Bucy.{{cite web |title=Obituary for Don Young |url=https://obituaries.adn.com/adportal/listingView.html?id=4242 |website=obituaries.adn.com |publisher=Anchorage Daily News |access-date=19 April 2022}}{{Cite news|last1=Kizzia|first1=Tom|title=Gruff, warm, combustible, shrewd: for 49 years, Don Young's ideology was 'Alaska'|url=https://www.adn.com/politics/2022/03/19/gruff-warm-combustible-shrewd-for-49-years-don-youngs-ideology-was-alaska|access-date=March 19, 2022|work=Anchorage Daily News|date=March 19, 2022}} He earned an associate's degree in education from Yuba College in 1952 and a bachelor's degree from Chico State College in 1958. He served in the Army from 1955 to 1957.{{cite web| title = Veterans in the US House of Representatives 109th Congress| work = Navy League| url = http://www.navyleague.org/legislative_affairs/HouseVets.pdf| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070626235918/http://www.navyleague.org/legislative_affairs/HouseVets.pdf| archive-date = June 26, 2007| access-date = December 9, 2006 }}

Young moved to Alaska in 1959, not long after it became a state. He settled in Fort Yukon, then a city of 700 on the Yukon River, seven miles above the Arctic Circle in Alaska's central interior region. He made a living in construction, fishing, trapping, and gold mining. He captained a tugboat and ran a barge operation to deliver products and supplies to villages along the Yukon River. At the time of his death, Young still held his mariner's license. During winters, he taught fifth grade at the local Bureau of Indian Affairs elementary school.{{cite web |title=Biography |url=https://donyoung.house.gov/biography/ |website=house.gov |access-date=February 8, 2020 |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505160518/https://donyoung.house.gov/biography/ |url-status=dead }}

Young's political career began in 1964, when he was elected mayor of Fort Yukon, serving until 1968. He ran for the Alaska House of Representatives in 1964, but finished tenth, with the top seven candidates being elected for the multi-member district.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=343160|title=AK State House 16 1964|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}}

He was elected to the State House in 1966 and reelected in 1968.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=343161|title=AK State House 16 1966|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=343162|title=AK State House 16 1968|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} Young served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1967 to 1971.

He said he "loved" the job before he "got ambitious" and ran for the Alaska Senate in 1970.{{cite web|url=http://ak-pipeline.com/?p=6826|title=Don Young, 81, files to run for re-election|publisher=Alaska Pipeline|date=February 19, 2015|access-date=April 18, 2015}} He served in the Alaska Senate from 1971 to 1973. He was elected to the two-member District I alongside long-serving Republican State Senator John Butrovich.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=340454|title=AK Senate I 1970|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} He said he "hated" the state senate. After encouragement from his first wife, he ran for Congress in 1972.

{{Unreliable sources|1=section|date=September 2023}}

File:Don Young speaking at Juneau-Douglas High School, 1972-1973 school year.jpg library during the 1972–1973 school year]]

In 1972, Young ran for Congress against incumbent Democrat Nick Begich. Weeks before the election, Begich and Representative Hale Boggs died in a plane crash, but Begich's name remained on the ballot and he won the election. Begich's body was never found, and he was declared legally dead in December 1972.

Young won the resulting special election to fill the seat in March 1973. He was reelected 24 times, usually without significant opposition, although he faced strong challenges in the 2008 primary election and in the 1974, 1990, and 1992 elections.

He won his 2016 primary with more than 70% of the vote, and defeated Democrat Steve Lindbeck and Libertarian Jim McDermott in the general election with 50% of the vote to win his 23rd term in office.{{cite news |title=Alaska U.S. House At-Large Results: Don Young Wins |work=The New York Times |date=August 2017 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/alaska-house-district-1-young-lindbeck |access-date=February 8, 2020}} Young won again in 2018, against candidate Alyse Galvin, whose party was undeclared, taking 52.6% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.alaska.gov/results/18GENR/Map/index.shtml|title=Election Results|access-date= July 5, 2020}}

Young was the most senior U.S. Representative and, after Jim Sensenbrenner retired, the last member who had been in office since the 1970s. He was the second-highest-ranking Republican on the Natural Resources and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. He chaired the former from 1995 to 2001 and the latter from 2001 to 2007.

Young was the subject of an extensive FBI investigation but was not charged with wrongdoing.{{cite web |last1=Bresnahan |first1=John |title=Young cleared in Alaska case |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2010/08/young-cleared-in-alaska-case-040682 |website=Politico |date=August 4, 2010 |access-date=February 8, 2020}} He was subsequently the subject of a House Ethics Committee probe.{{cite web |last1=Yager |first1=Jordy |title=Ethics Committee investigating Dem leader, Alaskan Republican |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/145174-ethics-committee-investigating-dem-leader-alaskan-republican/ |website=The Hill |date=March 19, 2013 |publisher=CAPITOL HILL PUBLISHING CORP. |access-date=February 8, 2020}}

{{See also|1972 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska}}

File:Richard Nixon with Don Young and Jack Coghill, March 15, 1973.jpeg and Jack Coghill in 1973]]

File:President Gerald Ford stands with Don Young and Ted Stevens.jpg and U.S. Senator Ted Stevens in 1975]]

Democratic State Senator Nick Begich was elected to the House of Representatives in 1970 to succeed Republican Howard Pollock, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for governor of Alaska. Young ran against Begich in 1972 and placed second in the August 22 open primary with 13,958 votes (25.60%) to Begich's 37,873 (69.45%).{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=345006|title=AK At-Large – Open Primary 1972|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} Begich was lost in a plane crash on October 16, 1972 (along with House Majority Leader Hale Boggs of Louisiana), 22 days before the general election. Although his body was never found, Begich won the general election with 53,651 votes (56.24%) to Young's 41,750 (43.76%).{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=31063|title=AK At-Large 1972|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} He was declared dead on December 29.

Young ran in the special election on March 6, 1973, and defeated Democrat Emil Notti, 35,044 votes (51.41%) to 33,123 (48.59%).{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=175892|title=AK At-Large- Special Election 1973|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} He won a full term in 1974 with 51,641 votes (53.84%) to Democratic State Senator Willie Hensley's 44,280 (46.16%).{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=30932|title=AK At-Large 1974|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} He was sworn into the House of Representatives on March 14, 1973.{{Cite web |date=2016-03-14 |title=Congressman Don Young Reflects on 43 Years of Service in the U.S. House of Representatives |url=https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398656 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626204557/http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398656 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 26, 2016 |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=Congressman Don Young |language=en}} He credited his victory to his leadership of the fight for the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System.{{cite web|url=http://donyoung.house.gov/bio.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513062822/http://donyoung.house.gov/bio.htm|url-status=dead|title=Congressman Don Young, Congressman For All Alaska: Biography|archive-date=May 13, 2009}}

{{See also|2006 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska}}

File:Reagan Contact Sheet BW 2894 (cropped).jpg in 1981]]

File:Bush Contact Sheet P19545 (cropped).jpg in 1991]]

File:President Bush Signs the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006.jpg signs the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006]]

File:President Donald J. Trump signs S.140 The Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018.jpg signs The Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018]]

Young was reelected with at least 55% of the vote in each of the next seven elections. He defeated former State Senator Eben Hopson with 71% of the vote in 1976,{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=30255|title=AK At-Large 1976|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} State Senator Patrick Rodey with 55.4% of the vote in 1978,{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=30928|title=AK At-Large 1978|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} Kevin "Pat" Parnell with 73.8% of the vote in 1980,{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=31064|title=AK At-Large 1978|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} and Dave Carlson with 70.8% of the vote in 1982.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=31065|title=AK At-Large 1982|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}}

In 1984 and 1986, Young defeated Nick Begich's widow, Pegge Begich, 113,582 votes (55.02%) to 86,052 (41.68%), and 101,799 votes (56.47%) to 74,053 (41.08%), respectively.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=31066|title=AK At-Large 1984|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} He defeated Peter Gruenstein with 62.5% of the vote in 1988{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=31068|title=AK At-Large 1988|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} and then faced John Devens, the mayor of Valdez, in 1990 and 1992. Young defeated him by 99,003 votes (51.66%) to 91,677 (47.84%) in 1990{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=31069|title=AK At-Large 1990|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} and then faced a serious challenge in 1992. He was challenged in the Republican primary by State Senator Virginia M. Collins and defeated her by 24,869 votes (52.98%) to 19,774 (42.12%).{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=361794|title= AK At-Large – R Primary 1992|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} In the general election, he defeated Devens, 111,849 votes (46.78%) to 102,378 (42.82%).{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27488|title=AK At-Large 1992|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} This was both the lowest winning percentage of his career and the only time he won without a majority of the vote.{{cite web |last1=Martinson |first1=Erica |title=Don Young may have a 2016 challenger |url=https://www.adn.com/politics/article/don-young-may-have-2016-challenger/2016/03/21/ |website=adn.com |publisher=ARC Publishing |access-date=February 8, 2020}}

Young defeated former Alaska Commissioner of Economic Development and 1992 Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Tony Smith with 56.92% of the vote in 1994,{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28703|title=AK At-Large 1994|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} State Senator Georgianna Lincoln with 59.41% of the vote in 1996,{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=21247|title=AK At-Large 1996|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} and State Senator and former Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives Jim Duncan with 62.55% of the vote in 1998.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3066|title=AK At-Large 1998|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} He defeated attorney Clifford Mark Greene with 69.56% of the vote in 2000{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=254|title=AK At-Large 2000|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} and with 74.66% of the vote in 2002, the largest winning percentage of his career.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=930|title=AK At-Large 2002|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} He received 213,216 votes (71.34%) against Thomas Higgins in 2004, the most votes he ever received in a single election.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3992|title=AK At-Large 2004|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}} In 2006, he defeated writer, dramatist, and video production consultant Diane E. Benson with 56.57% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=201449|title=AK At-Large 2006|publisher=OurCampaigns|access-date=April 19, 2015}}

{{main|2008 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska}}

Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell announced his candidacy in the August 26 Republican primary. Parnell was strongly supported by Governor Sarah Palin and the Club for Growth.{{cite web |last1=Kraushaar |first1=Josh |title=Club for Growth endorses challenger to Young |url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-now/2008/06/club-for-growth-endorses-challenger-to-young-009501 |website=Politico |date=June 6, 2008 |access-date=September 11, 2021}} Young was endorsed by Mike Huckabee's political action committee, Huck PAC, in June.Ben Pershing (July 1, 2008). [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2008/07/don_young_brings_out_the_big_g.html Don Young Brings Out the Big Guns] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523114700/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2008/07/don_young_brings_out_the_big_g.html |date=May 23, 2011 }} The Washington Post, retrieved on July 15, 2008.

Young won by 304 votes (0.28%), and Parnell declined to seek a recount.Anne Sutton, [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j_Jou0BRNSWPmplUuT8qwccyVvggD939B4HO1 "No recount in GOP race for Alaska's House seat"], Associated Press, September 18, 2008.{{dead link|date=November 2012|bot=Legobot}} Before the announcement of the unofficial results, both candidates had said that they would request a recount if they lost.Haplin, James. [http://www.adn.com/front/story/520347.html "GOP primary comes down to overseas ballots, likely recount"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920014557/http://www.adn.com/front/story/520347.html |date=September 20, 2008 }}. Anchorage Daily News. September 9, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2008. The state of Alaska pays the costs of recounts when the difference is within a half percent, as it was in this primary election.Sutton, Anne. [http://www.adn.com/front/story/529646.html "Young wins Alaska House primary by 304 votes"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921043957/http://www.adn.com/front/story/529646.html |date=September 21, 2008 }}. Anchorage Daily News. September 18, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2008.

Young faced a challenge from Democrat Ethan Berkowitz, the 46-year-old former minority leader in the Alaska House of Representatives. Don Wright, the Alaskan Independence Party nominee, also challenged Young.{{cite web |title=Don Young officially wins re-election |url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/1108/Don_Young_officially_wins_reelection.html |website=Politico |access-date=September 11, 2021}} Young was reelected with 50% of the vote to Berkowitz's 45% and Wright's 5%.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-alaska-house-111208-2008nov12-story.html|title=Young retains US House seat in Alaska|newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune|date=November 12, 2008|access-date=December 9, 2022|last=Pemberton|first=Mary|agency=Associated Press}}{{cite web|url=https://kfor.com/2013/07/12/story-of-hope/|title=Story of Hope|date=July 12, 2013}} Berkowitz conceded on November 18.[http://community.adn.com/adn/node/134635 "The other congressional race – Berkowitz concedes to Young"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516125823/http://community.adn.com/adn/node/134635 |date=May 16, 2013 }}, community.adn.com; accessed May 15, 2017.

In 2010, Young ran for a 20th term.{{cite web|author=Sean Cockerham |url=http://www.adn.com/house/story/847677.html|title=Young announces he'll seek 20th term in Congress: Politics|publisher=adn.com|access-date=August 22, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713203050/http://www.adn.com/house/story/847677.html|archive-date=July 13, 2009}} He was challenged in the Republican primary by John R. Cox and Sheldon Fisher, a former telecommunications executive, winning with 74,117 votes (70.36%). He defeated Democratic State Representative Harry Crawford{{cite web|author=Sean Cockerham|url=http://www.adn.com/house/story/929628.html|title=Halcro says he'll challenge Young in GOP House primary: Politics|publisher=adn.com|access-date=August 22, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914125943/http://www.adn.com/house/story/929628.html|archive-date=September 14, 2009}} in the general election, 175,384 votes (68.96%) to 77,606 (30.51%).[http://aprn.org/2010/11/03/election-night-2010-incumbents-parnell-and-young-re-elected-possibly-murkowski "Election Night 2010: Incumbents Parnell and Young Re-Elected, Possibly Murkowski"], aprn.org, November 3, 2010.

In 2012, Young drew two challengers in the Republican party, but defeated them with 58,789 votes (78.59%).{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=726823|title=AK At-Large – R Primary Race|date=August 28, 2012|publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=June 4, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Thiessen|first=Mark|title=Associated Press – Rep. Don Young wins GOP primary for US House seat|url=http://juneauempire.com/state/2012-08-28/rep-don-young-wins-gop-primary-us-house-seat#.UEPDqkT_LUQ|agency=Associated Press|access-date=September 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831184801/http://juneauempire.com/state/2012-08-28/rep-don-young-wins-gop-primary-us-house-seat#.UEPDqkT_LUQ|archive-date=August 31, 2012|url-status=dead}} In the general election, he defeated State Representative Sharon Cissna by 185,296 votes (63.94%) to 82,927 (28.62%).{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=702119|title=AK – At-Large Race|date=November 6, 2012|publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=June 4, 2013}}

In 2014, Young received 79,393 votes (74.29%) in the Republican primary against three challengers.{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.alaska.gov/results/14PRIM/data/results.htm |title=2014 Primary Elections August 19, 2014 Official Results |publisher=State of Alaska Division of Elections |access-date=September 8, 2014}} In the general election, he defeated Democrat Forrest Dunbar, 142,572 votes (50.97%) to 114,602 (40.97%).{{cite web|url=http://elect.alaska.net/|title=State of Alaska Division of Elections|website=elect.alaska.net|access-date=July 10, 2018}} Young was the only statewide incumbent in Alaska to win reelection that year,{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} as Republican Governor Sean Parnell was defeated by Independent Bill Walker, and Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Begich was defeated by Republican Dan Sullivan.

In 2016, Young received 38,998 votes (71.5%) in the Republican primary against three challengers. In the general election, he won with 50.32% of the vote against Democratic challenger Steve Lindbeck with 36.02% and Libertarian Jim McDermott with 10.31%.{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/rep-don-young-wins-rd-term-in-congress/article_55435a9c-a5c9-11e6-807d-8f135e07b2cf.html|title=Rep. Don Young wins 23rd term in Congress|agency=Associated Press|last=Thiessen|first=Mark |work=Fairbanks Daily News-Miner|access-date=July 10, 2018|language=en}}

In 2018, Young defeated Alyse Galvin, an Independent candidate who had won the combined Alaska Democratic Party, Alaska Libertarian Party and Alaskan Independence Party primary. He received 53.08% of the vote to Galvin's 46.5%.{{cite web |last1=Hopkins |first1=Kyle |title='I Never Head Doubts' Young Defeats Galvin in Alaska Congressional Race |url=https://www.adn.com/politics/2018/11/06/alaska-voters-wait-for-outcome-of-young-galvin-battle-for-alaskas-sole-u-s-house-seat/#8726 |website=adn.com |publisher=Anchorage Daily News |access-date=November 7, 2018}}

In 2020, Young ran for a 25th term.[https://www.adn.com/politics/2019/09/24/alaska-rep-don-young-calls-impeachment-inquiry-a-waste-of-time Alaska Rep. Don Young calls impeachment inquiry 'a waste of time'], Anchorage Daily News, James Brooks, September 24, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019. He won the Republican primary with 77% of the vote in a three-way race.{{cite web |last1=Greenwood |first1=Max |title=Young wins Alaska GOP House primary |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/512346-young-wins-alaska-gop-house-primary/ |website=The Hill |date=August 19, 2020 |publisher=Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc. |access-date=August 21, 2020}} In the general election, Young again defeated combined-ticket nominee Alyse Galvin with 54.4% of the vote.{{cite news |title=Alaska Election Results: At-Large Congressional District |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-alaska-house-district-at-large.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=January 27, 2021 |date=January 5, 2021}}

At the start of the 116th Congress, Young was the longest-serving current House member. Due to his long tenure in the House and that of former Senator Ted Stevens, Alaska was considered to have had clout in national politics far beyond its small population (it is the 4th smallest, ahead of only North Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming). He was often called "Alaska's third senator".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-ten-worst-members-of-the-worst-congress-ever-20120112?page=3|title=The 10 Worst Congressmen|access-date=September 18, 2015|last=Dickinson|first=Tim|date=October 17, 2006|magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116133716/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-ten-worst-members-of-the-worst-congress-ever-20120112?page=3 |archive-date=November 16, 2017 |url-status=dead}} On March 5, 2019, he became the longest-serving Republican in congressional history, surpassing Joe Cannon.[https://www.rollcall.com/news/don-young-makes-history-longest-serving-house-republican Don Young makes history as the longest-serving House Republican] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125195449/http://www.rollcall.com/news/don-young-makes-history-longest-serving-house-republican |date=November 25, 2019 }}, Roll Call, Katherine Tully-McManus, March 5, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.

1980s

Young voted against the Abandoned Shipwrecks Act of 1987.{{Cite web |title=TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS S 858, ABANDONED SHIPWRECK … -- House Vote #532 -- March 29, 1988 |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/100-1988/h532 |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=GovTrack.us |language=en}} The Act asserts United States title to certain abandoned shipwrecks located on or embedded in submerged lands under state jurisdiction, and transfers title to the respective state, thereby empowering states to manage these cultural and historical resources more efficiently, with the goal of preventing treasure hunters and salvagers from damaging them. Despite his vote against it, President Ronald Reagan signed it into law on April 28, 1988.{{Cite web |title=Laws - Division of Historical Resources - Florida Department of State |url=https://dos.fl.gov/historical/archaeology/underwater/laws/#:~:text=On%2028%20April%201988,%20President,authority%20over%20those%20abandoned%20shipwrecks. |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=dos.fl.gov}}

File:Don Young, official photo portrait, color.jpg

After the 1995 Republican takeover of the House, Young chaired the Committee on Natural Resources, which he renamed the Committee on Resources. The name was changed back by Democrats in 2006 and has since been retained by Republican chairs. He chaired the committee until 2001, then chairing the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure from 2001 to 2007.{{cite web |title=Committee Assignments |url=https://donyoung.house.gov/biography/committee-assignments.htm |website=donyoung.house.gov |access-date=February 8, 2020}}

During a 1994 House debate touching on the question of Alaska Natives' right to sell sex organs of endangered animals as aphrodisiacs, he pulled out an 18-inch penis bone of a walrus, better known as an "oosik", and brandished it like a sword on the House floor at the face of the head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.{{cite magazine |title= Waving an "Oosik" to Make a Point |magazine= New Republic |publisher= Tampa Bay Times |date= August 30, 2008 |first= Charles |last= Homans |url= http://www.tampabay.com/news/perspective/waving-an-oosik-to-make-a-point/789802 |access-date= March 29, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130406035622/http://www.tampabay.com/news/perspective/waving-an-oosik-to-make-a-point/789802 |archive-date= April 6, 2013 |url-status= dead }}{{cite news |title= Ex-aide to GOP's Don Young Goes to Work for Dems |work= Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date= August 31, 2011 |url= http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/08/31/ex-aide-to-gops-don-young-goes-to-work-with-dems/ }}

In March 1998, Young brought a bill to the House floor allowing voters in Puerto Rico to vote on continuing its commonwealth status or becoming either a state or independent. The legislation passed by a single vote.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/05/us/house-approves-measure-on-self-determination-for-puerto-rico.html|title=House Approves Measure on Self-Determination for Puerto Rico|date=March 5, 1998|work=The New York Times}}

File:Don Young, official photo portrait, color, 2006.jpg

In the 2005 Highway Bill, Young helped secure $941 million for 119 special projects, including a $231 million bridge in Anchorage named Don Young's Way.{{cite news|first=Shailagh|last=Murray|title=After 2-Year Wait, Passage Comes Easily|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/29/AR2005072900139.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|page=A09|date=July 30, 2005|access-date=June 7, 2007}}

In 2007, Young was investigated as a part of the Alaska political corruption probe for his ties to the oil and gas company VECO Corporation. He faced no charges.[http://www.adn.com/news/politics/fbi/story/9162143p-9077780c.html "Paper reports Young's Veco ties investigated"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203044451/http://www.adn.com/news/politics/fbi/story/9162143p-9077780c.html |date=December 3, 2007 }}, Associated Press, July 25, 2007.{{cite news |last1=Weiner |first1=Rachel |title=Don Young: No stranger to controversy |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2013/03/29/don-young-no-stranger-to-scandal/ |access-date=May 21, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 29, 2013}}

In July 2007, Representative Scott Garrett proposed an amendment to strike money in a spending bill for native Alaskan and Hawaiian educational programs.[http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0707/North_to_Alaska.html North to Alaska], Politico dated July 17, 2007. Young defended the funds on the House floor, saying, "You want my money, my money" and "Those who bite me will be bitten back." He also suggested that conservative Republicans such as Garrett lost the Republicans their majority in the 2006 election by challenging spending earmarks, and made several critical remarks about Garrett's state, New Jersey. Garrett did not ask for an official reprimand, but other conservative Republicans took exception to Young's claim that the funds in question were "his" money. Members of the conservative Republican Study Committee gave Garrett a standing ovation later in the day during the group's weekly meeting and Virginia Foxx of North Carolina compared Young's earmarks to "legal theft".

In 2008, the United States Department of Justice investigated Young's role in steering $10 million into a Florida transportation project. In 2010, the investigation concluded with no charges against Young. In 2011, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a lawsuit seeking information on the investigation. Some documents were subsequently released, and a judge ordered the federal government to pay CREW $86,000 in legal fees.{{cite news |last1=Hess |first1=Hannah |title=CREW Awarded $86K After Court Fight for Don Young Documents |url=https://www.rollcall.com/2014/10/24/crew-awarded-86k-after-court-fight-for-don-young-documents/ |access-date=May 21, 2021 |work=Roll Call |date=October 24, 2014 |language=en}}

In 2010, when Democrat Charles Rangel of New York was censured for ethical violations, Young and Representative Peter T. King were the only two Republicans voting against censure.{{cite news|author=Kocieniewski, David|title=Rangel Censured Over Violations of Ethics Rules|page=A1|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 3, 2010|access-date=November 29, 2021|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/03/nyregion/03rangel.html}}

In the 112th Congress, Young signed Americans for Tax Reform's Taxpayer Protection Pledge.{{cite web|title=The Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers 112th Congressional List|url=http://s3.amazonaws.com/atrfiles/files/files/091411-federalpledgesigners.pdf|publisher=Americans for Tax Reform|access-date=November 30, 2011}}

In 2012, Young endorsed then-Representative Mazie Hirono in the Democratic primary for the United States Senate.{{cite web|title=Republican Don Young endorses Democrat Mazie Hironi in Hawaii|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/republican-don-young-endorses-democrat-mazie-hironi-hawaii/story?id=16847614|access-date=February 27, 2021|website=ABC News|language=en}}

In March 2013, the House Ethics Committee created a special committee to investigate allegations that Young had improperly accepted gifts, used campaign funds for personal expenses, failed to report gifts in financial disclosure documents, and made false statements to federal officials.{{cite news|title= House Ethics Committee opens probes into Don Young, Rob Andrews|first=John|last=Bresnahan|work=Politico|date=March 19, 2013|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/03/house-ethics-committee-opens-probes-into-don-young-rob-andrews-89074.html}} Young said, "it will go forever. I've been under a cloud all my life. I'm sort of like living in Juneau. It rains on you all the time. You don't even notice it."{{cite news|title=Young Responds to New Ethics Investigation|date=March 28, 2013|first=Becky|last=Bohrer|work=Anchorage Daily News|url=http://www.adn.com/2013/03/28/2843697/young-responds-to-new-ethics-investigation.html#storylink=cpy|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403091356/http://www.adn.com/2013/03/28/2843697/young-responds-to-new-ethics-investigation.html#storylink=cpy|archive-date=April 3, 2013}} In 2014, the committee rebuked Young after finding he had failed to disclose gifts totaling over $60,000 between 2001 and 2013.{{cite web |last1=Mauer |first1=Richard |title=Alaska Rep. Don Young rebuked by Ethics Committee |url=https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/article/alaska-rep-don-young-rebuked-ethics-committee/2014/06/20/ |website=ADN.com |publisher=ARC Publishing |access-date=January 4, 2019}}[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/21/us/politics/don-young-cited-for-personal-use-of-campaign-money.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Aw Don Young Cited for Personal Use of Campaign Money], nytimes.com, June 30, 2014.

In March 2013, Young used the ethnic slur "wetbacks" during a radio interview to describe Latino migrants who worked at his father's ranch when he was growing up.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/29/don-young-wetbacks_n_2976351.html?ref=topbar|title=Don Young Uses 'Wetbacks' To Describe Latinos (AUDIO)|publisher=HuffPost|date=March 29, 2013|access-date=June 4, 2013}} He issued a statement later that day saying that he "meant no disrespect" and that he "used a term that was commonly used during my days growing up on a farm in central California".{{cite news|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_22900702/alaska-rep-don-young-meant-no-disrespect-by|title=Alaska Rep. Don Young 'meant no disrespect' by ethnic slur, but doesn't apologize|author=Jim Abrams|agency=Associated Press|date=March 29, 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/29/john-boehner-don-young_n_2979277.html|title=John Boehner On Don Young Racial Slur: 'There's No Excuse'|publisher=HuffPost|date=March 29, 2013|access-date=March 29, 2013}} Young later formally apologized for his remarks, saying, "I apologize for the insensitive term" and that "it was a poor choice of words."{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/03/29/don-young-migrant-slur-republican-reaction/2035161|title=GOP's Don Young apologizes for racial slur|work=USA Today|access-date=March 29, 2013|first1=Catalina|last1=Camia}}

File:Tulsi Gabbard Don Young NORML cannabis legalization.jpg speaking in support of the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act in 2019]]

In May 2016, Young wrote a letter to the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives stating that for 25 years he had failed to disclose his inherited interest in a family farm in California on which he and other family members had signed oil and gas leases; Young said the omissions to his financial reporting were accidental.Nathaniel Hertz, [http://www.adn.com/politics/2016/08/28/u-s-rep-don-youngs-ownership-in-his-familys-farm-with-gas-leases-wasnt-disclosed-for-years/ U.S. Rep. Don Young's ownership in his family's farm with gas leases wasn't disclosed for years], Alaska Dispatch News, August 28, 2016; retrieved August 29, 2016.

On May 4, 2017, though he had indicated two months earlier that he would oppose repeal of the Affordable Care Act, he voted for its repeal. Governor Bill Walker said Alaska "would be the most negatively affected if the proposed legislation is signed into law as is. Alaskans already pay the highest health care premiums in the country." U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski opposed the removal of the provision in the act that eliminated discrimination against those with preexisting conditions, saying it was not "what Alaskans are telling me they think is an acceptable response." It was estimated that annual policy costs for coverage under the state's exchange would rise by $12,599.Erica Martinson, "How Don Young went from 'no' to 'yes' on the House health care bill", Alaska Dispatch News, May 4, 2017; retrieved May 5, 2017.

In 2017, former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John Boehner told Politico that Young had once pinned him against a wall inside the House and held a 10-inch knife to his throat.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/357743-gop-lawmaker-once-held-a-knife-to-boehners-throat/|title=GOP lawmaker once held a knife to Boehner's throat|last=Thomsen|first=Jacqueline|date=October 29, 2017|website=The Hill|language=en|access-date=February 1, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://politi.co/2zhDZXN|title=John Boehner Unchained|last=Alberta|first=Tim|website=Politico|language=en|access-date=February 1, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/don-young-the-kodiak-bear-of-capitol-hill-video|title=Don Young: the Kodiak Bear of Capitol Hill (Video)|last1=Fuller|first1=Matt|date=October 16, 2014|website=Roll Call|language=en|access-date=February 1, 2020}}

In September 2017, during a House floor debate on an amendment to the 2018 government spending package for wildlife management and national preserves in Alaska, Young made critical comments about Representative Pramila Jayapal, including calling the 51-year old Jayapal "young lady" and saying that she "doesn't know a damn thing what she's talking about" and that her speech on the amendment "was really nonsense. It was written by an interest group". The exchange led to a temporary suspension of proceedings: upon their resumption, Young acknowledged in an address to the floor that his comments were "out of order" and apologized to Jayapal; she accepted.{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/09/08/politics/congressman-don-young-pramila-jayapal/index.html |title=Congressman: 'Young lady' colleague 'doesn't know a damn thing' |last=Gren |first=Miranda |date=September 8, 2017 |website=CNN |access-date=July 25, 2020}}

Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy rated Young among the most bipartisan members of Congress for the 115th and 116th Congresses.{{cite web |title=The Lugar Center – McCourt School Bipartisan Index |url=https://www.thelugarcenter.org/assets/htmldocuments/2019%20BPI%20House%20Scores.pdf |publisher=Georgetown University |access-date=May 21, 2021}}

On May 19, 2021, Young introduced H.R.3361, the United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs Act of 2021, which would create a presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs who would represent the U.S. in matters relating to the Arctic before international bodies of which the U.S. is a member, foreign nations, and multilateral negotiations. No votes have been held on the bill.{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3361/text?r=2&s=1 |title=H.R.3361 – United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs Act of 2021 |website=congress.gov |date=May 19, 2021 |publisher=United States Congress |access-date=July 21, 2021}}{{cite report |author=((O'Rourke et al.)) |date=July 16, 2021 |title=Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41153.pdf |publisher=Congressional Research Service |page=9 |access-date=July 21, 2021}} On November 5, 2021, Young was among the 13 House Republicans to break with their party and vote with a majority of Democrats for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.{{cite news|last=Grayer |first=Annie |title=These 6 House Democrats voted against the infrastructure bill. These 13 Republicans voted for it.|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/05/politics/infrastructure-bill-house-democrats-voted-no-republicans-voted-yes/index.html|date=November 6, 2021|access-date=January 19, 2022|website=CNN}} Former president Donald J. Trump castigated the 13 House Republicans who voted for the bill.[https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/05/politics/infrastructure-bill-house-democrats-voted-no-republicans-voted-yes/index.html Republicans who voted for Biden's infrastructure bill come under fire from Trump]. CNN, Alex Rogers and Manu Raju, November 5, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.

At the time of his death, he was the oldest and longest-tenured member of Congress.{{cite web |last1=Kizzia |first1=Tom |title=Gruff, warm, combustible, shrewd: For 49 years, Don Young's ideology was 'Alaska' |url=https://www.adn.com/politics/2022/03/19/gruff-warm-combustible-shrewd-for-49-years-don-youngs-ideology-was-alaska/ |website=adn.com |publisher=Anchorage Daily News |access-date=23 October 2022}}

• Committee on Natural Resources{{cite web|url=https://donyoung.house.gov/biography/committee-assignments.htm |title=Committee Assignments | Congressman Don Young |publisher=Donyoung.house.gov |date= |accessdate=March 19, 2022}}
• Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands
• Subcommittee on Indigenous Peoples of the United States (Ranking Member)
• Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
• Subcommittee on Aviation
• Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
• Subcommittee on Highways and Transit

• Arthritis Caucus{{cite web|url=https://donyoung.house.gov/biography/caucusmemberships.htm |title=Caucus Membership | Congressman Don Young |publisher=Donyoung.house.gov |date= |accessdate=March 19, 2022}}
• Congressional Cannabis Caucus{{cite web|url=https://www.adn.com/politics/2017/02/16/alaskas-don-young-is-a-founding-member-of-the-bipartisan-u-s-house-cannabis-caucus/|title=Alaska Rep. Young is a founding member of the U.S. House Cannabis Caucus|work=Alaska Dispatch News|date=February 16, 2017|access-date=February 18, 2017}}
• Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus{{cite web|url=https://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2015/07/23/industries-lawmakers-discuss-drones-washington/30565949/ |title=Drone caucus, industries talk business in Washington |publisher=Sctimes.com |date=July 23, 2015 |accessdate=March 19, 2022}}
• House Biomedical Research Caucus{{cite web|url=https://www.coalitionforlifesciences.org/learn/congressional-biomedical-research-caucus/caucus-members/ |title=Caucus Members |publisher=The Coalition for the Life Sciences |date= |accessdate=March 19, 2022}}
• House Diabetes Caucus
• United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus{{cite web|title=Our Members|url=https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus|access-date=August 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155201/https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|archive-date=August 1, 2018|url-status=dead}}
• Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus{{cite web|author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) |url=https://www.eesi.org/caucuses_reee |title=Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucuses |publisher=EESI |date= |accessdate=March 19, 2022}}
• Sportsmen's Caucus{{cite web|url=https://congressionalsportsmen.org/the-media-room/news/congressional-sportsmens-caucus-house-leadership-signs-bipartisan-letter-in |title=Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus House Leadership Signs Bipartisan Letter in Support of Our Nation's 11 Million Saltwater Anglers | Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation |publisher=Congressionalsportsmen.org |date=June 29, 2018 |accessdate=March 19, 2022}}
• Congressional Cement Caucus
• Afterschool Caucuses{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyCongressionalCaucuses.cfm|publisher=Afterschool Alliance|access-date=April 18, 2018}}
• Congressional Western Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://westerncaucus.house.gov/about/membership.htm|publisher=Congressional Western Caucus|access-date=June 25, 2018}}

File:U.S. Congressman Donald Young visits the installation for the F-35 community showcase at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.jpg community showcase at Eielson Air Force Base.]]

Young believed that abortion should be legal only when the pregnancy is a result of incest or rape or when a woman's life is endangered by her pregnancy.{{cite web |title=Don Young on Abortion |url=https://www.ontheissues.org/house/Don_Young_Abortion.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708021445/https://www.ontheissues.org/house/Don_Young_Abortion.htm |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |access-date=September 1, 2022 |website=OnTheIssues.org |publisher=On The Issues}} Young's views on abortion were largely anti-abortion during his congressional career: he voted for the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act while making exception for maternal endangerment and favored stripping federal funds from Planned Parenthood.{{Cite web |last=Bycoffe |first=Aaron |date=2017-01-30 |title=Tracking Congress In The Age Of Trump |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170130172116/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=2022-09-01 |website=FiveThirtyEight |language=en}} On the other hand, Young did not oppose using embryonic stem cells in scientific research.{{Cite web |title=Don Young on the Issues |url=https://www.ontheissues.org/house/don_young.htm |access-date=2022-09-01 |website=www.ontheissues.org}}

When then-U.S. president Donald Trump signed an executive order that rolled back Obama-era restrictions on Arctic oil drilling, Young commended Trump for "recognizing the importance of development in the Arctic OCS".{{Cite news|url=http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/The-Latest-Trump-signs-order-to-expand-ocean-oil-drilling-420744503.html|title=The Latest: Alaskans react to the executive order to expand ocean oil drilling|last=Sullivan|first=Associated Press / Leroy Polk / Sidney|access-date=May 14, 2017|language=en}}

The Arctic Refuge drilling controversy repeatedly brought Young into the national spotlight. He was a longstanding supporter of opening lands within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration. He included provisions to that effect in 12 bills that have passed the House,[http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=334674 Rep. Young Comments on Governor Parnell's Exploration Proposal for ANWR 1002 Area], donyoung.house.gov but environmentalists concerned with the impact of road-building, pipelines and other development on the Arctic tundra landscape blocked these efforts.[http://www.newsminer.com/amendment-to-open-anwr-fails-in-u-s-senate/article_c3ce9d67-939c-573f-96d6-aee2d0adcdcd.html Amendment to open ANWR fails in U.S. Senate], Matt Buxton, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, March 14, 2012.

Young questioned public funding of the arts,{{Cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/10/don-young-suicide-government-handouts-112131|title=Young: Gov't handouts cause suicide|work=Politico|access-date=May 15, 2017}} but in his later years supported legislation increasing funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).{{cite web|url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/federal-spending-bill-nea-neh-1251614|title=Trump Signs a New Spending Bill That Increases Funding for the NEA and NEH, Despite Threats to Veto|date=March 23, 2018|website=artnet News|language=en-US|access-date=January 18, 2019}}

At an assembly at Fairbanks' West Valley High School in 1995, Young was answering questions about cutting federal funding for the arts. He said that such funding had "photographs of people doing offensive things", and "things that are absolutely ridiculous." When asked for an example, Young quickly replied "buttfucking", in reference to Robert Mapplethorpe's photographic exhibition The Perfect Moment.{{cite news|url=http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130329/look-back-don-youngs-illustrious-history-pissing-americans|title=A look back at Don Young's illustrious history of pissing off Americans|last=Medred|first=Craig|date=March 29, 2013|work=Alaska Dispatch|access-date=March 31, 2013}} After receiving criticism for the use of that obscenity, Young explained his choice of words by saying he had tried "to educate" teens.[http://www.donyoungshistory.com/westvalleyassembly.html Young's Vulgarity Jars Teens] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026102315/http://www.donyoungshistory.com/westvalleyassembly.html |date=October 26, 2015 }}, Anchorage Daily News (AP), April 23, 1995. Retrieved August 27, 2016.

In 2005, Young and Stevens earmarked $223 million for building the Gravina Island Bridge from Ketchikan to Gravina Island, which also contains Ketchikan's airport. The bridge would be used for access by emergency vehicles, as well as passengers. There is a small ferry for cars and passengers that travels the {{convert|.25|mi|adj=on}} crossing in three to seven minutes and runs every half-hour. Critics assailed this as pork barrel spending at taxpayers' expense and The New York Times quoted Keith Ashdown, spokesman for the Taxpayers for Common Sense: "It's a gold-plated bridge to nowhere." "At a time when we have bridges and roads crumbling around the United States, and traffic congestion worse than ever, why build a $200 million project that will serve only a few hundred people?"[https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/10/us/built-with-steel-perhaps-but-greased-with-pork.html Built With Steel, Perhaps, but Greased With Pork], The New York Times, Timothy Egan, April 10, 2004. Retrieved October 24, 2020.[https://www.propublica.org/article/bridge-to-nowhere-timeline 'Bridge to Nowhere' Timeline by ProPublica ], ProPublica, September 24, 2008. Retrieved October 18, 2020. The Gravina Island Bridge was awarded a Golden Fleece Award by that organization in 2003.{{citation|title=Golden Fleece: $190 Million Bridge to Nowhere|date=June 9, 2003|url=http://www.taxpayer.net/user_uploads/file/Awards/GoldenFleece/gravina.pdf|access-date=June 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051548/http://www.taxpayer.net/user_uploads/file/Awards/GoldenFleece/gravina.pdf|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}} After criticism from citizens and others in Congress, lawmakers de-funded the bridge and instead funneled the money to the Alaska Department of Transportation, allowing the governor of Alaska to build the Gravina Island Highway after the Alaska legislature funded the project with the directed monies.{{cite news|url=http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/08/09/bridges/index_np.html|title=A bridge to nowhere|last=Clarren|first=Rebecca|date=August 9, 2005|work=Salon|access-date=June 7, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205092424/http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/08/09/bridges/index_np.html|archive-date=February 5, 2007}}

The Knik Arm Bridge was earmarked in the bill connects Anchorage to Point Mackenzie, a lightly populated area in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough that is less than four miles (6 km) across Cook Inlet from downtown Anchorage.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/22/us/22brfs-ENDSOUGHTFOR_BRF.html|title=Alaska: End Sought For 'bridge To Nowhere'|date=September 22, 2007|work=The New York Times}} Anchorage is accessible from Point Mackenzie only by an {{convert|80|mi|km|adj=on}} route around Knik Arm, much of which was an unimproved road. The demise of this second bridge project has been suggested for years.{{cite news|url=http://www.taxpayer.net/library/article/final-days-of-don-youngs-way|title=Final Days of Don Young's Way?|date=June 9, 2008|publisher=Taxpayers for Common Sense}}

Part of the concern about the bridge is that if it were built, it would significantly enhance the value of property in which Young's son-in-law owned an interest.{{cite news|url=http://dwb.adn.com/news/alaska/story/7296442p-7208142c.html|title=Bridge would help Young's son-in-law|last=Mauer|first=Richard|date=December 19, 2005|work=Anchorage Daily News|quote=To state Board of Fisheries chairman Art Nelson, Don Young's Way, the proposed Knik Arm crossing named after his father-in-law, is hardly a bridge to nowhere.
For Nelson and his well-connected partners in Point Bluff LLC, Rep. Don Young's span is in fact a bridge to somewhere: their 60 acres of unobstructed view property on the Point MacKenzie side of Cook Inlet.|access-date=October 31, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505134608/http://dwb.adn.com/news/alaska/story/7296442p-7208142c.html|archive-date=May 5, 2008}} Young was listed as the third-worst congressman by Rolling Stone, and dubbed "Mr. Pork" due to his involvement in the Gravina Island "Bridge to Nowhere".

File:Don Young with a pot plant.jpg

Young supported a number of efforts to reform cannabis laws in Congress. In 2019 he introduced the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act.{{cite news |last1=Rodrigo |first1=Chris Mills |title=Tulsi Gabbard, Don Young introduce marijuana reform bill |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/433116-gabbard-don-young-introduce-marijuana-reform-bill/ |access-date=December 23, 2020 |work=The Hill |date=March 7, 2019}}{{cite press release |date=March 8, 2019 |title=Representatives Don Young and Tulsi Gabbard Introduce Landmark Bipartisan Marijuana Reform |url=https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399291 |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=house.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105063914/https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399291 |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |url-status=dead}} Other legislation Young introduced includes the CARERS Act in 2015 (to reschedule cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act){{cite press release |last=Shuckerow |first=Matthew |date=March 24, 2015 |title=Congressmen Young Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Increase States' Rights to Regulate Medical Marijuana |url=https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398181 |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=house.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319195146/https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398181 |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |url-status=dead}} and the SAFE Banking Act in 2017 (to improve access to banking services for cannabis businesses).{{cite press release |last=Shuckerow |first=Matthew |date=April 27, 2017 |title=Bipartisan Group in U.S. House Introduce Marijuana-Related Banking Legislation |url=https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398930 |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=house.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911095404/https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398930 |archive-date=September 11, 2021 |url-status=dead}} In February 2017, Young launched the Congressional Cannabis Caucus with Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Dana Rohrabacher, and Jared Polis.{{cite news |last1=Martinson |first1=Erica |title=Alaska Rep. Young is a founding member of the U.S. House Cannabis Caucus |url=https://www.adn.com/politics/2017/02/16/alaskas-don-young-is-a-founding-member-of-the-bipartisan-u-s-house-cannabis-caucus/ |access-date=December 16, 2019 |work=Anchorage Daily News|date=February 16, 2017}}{{cite press release |last=Shuckerow |first=Matthew |date=February 16, 2017 |title=Bipartisan Group Launches Congressional Cannabis Caucus |url=https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398850 |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=house.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129123711/https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398850 |archive-date=November 29, 2021 |url-status=dead}} He toured several cannabis facilities in Alaska in October 2019.{{cite news |last1=Landfield |first1=Jeff |title=Congressman Don Young tours Alaska's budding marijuana joints |url=https://alaskalandmine.com/landmines/congressman-don-young-tours-alaskas-budding-marijuana-joints/ |access-date=December 16, 2019 |work=The Alaska Landmine |date=October 10, 2019}}

In 2020, Young was one of only five House Republicans to vote for the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act.{{cite news |title=Alaska Rep. Don Young among few House Republicans to join Democrats in vote to decriminalize marijuana at federal level |url=https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2020/12/04/house-votes-to-decriminalize-marijuana-at-federal-level-as-republicans-resist/ |access-date=December 23, 2020 |work=Anchorage Daily News |date=December 4, 2020}}{{cite news |title=Alaska's Young among 5 in GOP who voted to decriminalize pot |url=https://apnews.com/article/alaska-don-young-bills-marijuana-b8f0d6f860b8da4e3795bfc4e2438fdd |access-date=December 23, 2020 |work=Associated Press |date=December 7, 2020}} The act aimed to "correct the historical injustices of failed drug policies that have disproportionately impacted communities of color"; it included provisions to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, impose a federal tax on cannabis products, and use the proceeds of the tax to fund restorative justice programs.{{cite press release |date=December 4, 2020 |title=Chairman Nadler Applauds Historic House Passage of H.R. 3884, the MORE Act |url=https://nadler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394469 |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=house.gov}}

In 2021, Young introduced the Gun Rights and Marijuana (GRAM) Act to allow the ownership of firearms by people who use cannabis in accordance with state law.{{cite news |last1=Hersey |first1=Linda F. |title=Don Young bill aims to protect gun rights of cannabis users |url=https://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/don-young-bill-aims-to-protect-gun-rights-of-cannabis-users/article_b76c5164-a647-11eb-b103-dfc35992ca32.html |access-date=May 17, 2021 |work=Fairbanks Daily News-Miner |date=April 26, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Adlin |first1=Ben |title=GOP Congressman's Bill Would Protect Marijuana Consumers' 2nd Amendment Rights |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/gop-congressmans-bill-would-protect-marijuana-consumers-2nd-amendment-rights/ |access-date=May 17, 2021 |work=Marijuana Moment |date=April 23, 2021}} Also in 2021, Young introduced the Cannabis Reform for Veterans, Small Businesses, and Medical Professionals Act to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act and direct federal agencies to develop regulations for cannabis similar to alcohol.{{cite news |last1=Eaton |first1=Sabrina |title=Rep. Dave Joyce, former prosecutor, introduces bill to take marijuana off the federal controlled substances list |url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2021/05/rep-dave-joyce-former-prosecutor-introduces-bill-to-take-marijuana-off-the-federal-controlled-substances-list.html |access-date=May 17, 2021 |work=cleveland.com |date=May 15, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Jaeger |first1=Kyle |title=Congressional Bill To Federally Legalize Marijuana Filed By Republican Lawmakers |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/congressional-bill-to-federally-legalize-marijuana-filed-by-republican-lawmakers/ |access-date=May 17, 2021 |work=Marijuana Moment |date=May 12, 2021}} Later in 2021 he was one of four original cosponsors of the Republican-led States Reform Act to legalize cannabis federally.{{cite news |last1=Byrd |first1=Caitlin |title=SC Congresswoman Nancy Mace unveils GOP bill to legalize marijuana at federal level |url=https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article255830711.html |access-date=November 15, 2021 |work=The State |date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203003812/https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article255830711.html |archive-date=December 3, 2021}}

Young voted for the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided reparations for Japanese Americans imprisoned by the U.S. government during World War II. He attended Reagan's official signing ceremony for the bill.{{cite web |url=https://www.pacificcitizen.org/remembering-h-r-442-on-its-30th-anniversary/ |title=Remembering H.R. 442 on its 30th anniversary – Pacific Citizen |publisher=Pacificcitizen.org |date=August 10, 1988 |accessdate=March 19, 2022}} Young also voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1991, which clarified the 1964 civil rights act in response to several controversial U.S. Supreme Court cases.{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/102-1991/h386|title=S. 1745 (102nd): Civil Rights Act of 1991|website=govtrack.us|date=September 17, 1987|access-date=November 8, 2021}}

{{blockquote|October is National Energy Awareness Month, and the topic of energy production and its role in driving climate change — very rightfully — is as important a topic as ever. While the United States is leading the way in developing energy in significantly cleaner ways than countries like Russia, Venezuela and China, Democrats continue to promote a policy agenda that would cripple our economy and cause energy prices to skyrocket for American families.|Don Young, October 31, 2019 in The Hill}}

Young had previously said that he did not believe in anthropogenic climate change and that the idea of global warming is "the biggest scam since the Teapot Dome."{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-alaska-climate-change-20120918-photo.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721143245/http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-alaska-climate-change-20120918-photo.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 21, 2014|title=Alaska|agency=Associated Press|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 15, 2017}} Despite these public statements, Young signed a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy that recognized the urgency behind combating climate change, writing, "We are confronting multiple and intersecting crises—the COVID-19 pandemic, an economy in turmoil, societal injustice, and, above all, the climate crisis—all of which demand swift and bold action."{{cite web|last=Dingell, Fitzpatrick, Young, and Tonko|first=Debbie|date=|title=Letter to House Leadership on Energy Innovator|url=https://debbiedingell.house.gov/uploadedfiles/final_support_leadership_letter_on_cesa_20210601.pdf|website=U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell}} Young voted for the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, which identifies climate change as a national security threat.{{cite web |last1=Werrell |first1=Caitlin |last2=Femia |first2=Francesco |title=U.S. Congress Addresses Climate Change and Security in the Latest Defense Bill |url=https://climateandsecurity.org/2018/08/13/u-s-congress-addresses-climate-change-and-security-in-the-latest-defense-bill/ |website=The Center for Climate & Security |access-date=November 13, 2020 |date=August 13, 2018}} In a 2019 op-ed in The Hill, Young took a conciliatory position on climate change, and called for policy changes that could reduce carbon emissions.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-environment/468171-net-zero-emissions-the-math-doesnt-add-up/|title=Net zero emissions — the math doesn't add up|last=Jordan|first=Chuck|date=October 31, 2019|website=The Hill|language=en|access-date=February 9, 2020}}

Young voted for the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act,{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2019/roll095.xml|title=Final Vote Results For Roll Call 95|date=February 26, 2019|website=Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives}} which included permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.{{cite web|url=https://www.conservationfund.org/news/press-releases/2008-land-and-water-conservation-fund-permanently-reestablished|title=Land And Water Conservation Fund Permanently Reestablished|website=The Conservation Fund|language=en-gb|access-date=October 26, 2019}}

Young supported exempting the Tongass National Forest from the Roadless Rule, saying, "An exemption will not only bring great economic benefit to Alaska but will also help bolster the long-term health of the Tongass National Forest. The Tongass is an invaluable natural resource and it requires active management. Unfortunately, the Roadless Rule has only prevented Alaskans from responsibly utilizing our resources."{{cite web|url=https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401408|title=Congressman Don Young|date=August 28, 2019|website=Congressman Don Young|access-date=October 26, 2019}}

Young supported an increase in the federal gasoline tax to keep pace with the continued rise in gasoline efficiency of automobiles.{{cite web|url=http://www.alaskajournal.com/2016-04-06/young-speaks-out-gop-race-gas-taxes-drug-policy|title=Young speaks out on GOP race, gas taxes, drug policy|last=Jensen|first=Andrew|date=April 6, 2016|website=Alaska Journal|language=en|access-date=October 27, 2019}}

{{see also|COVID-19 misinformation|Corona (beer)#COVID-19 pandemic}}

At a town hall in Palmer, Alaska, on March 13, 2020,{{cite news |author1=Tim Rockey |title=Congressman speaks to Chambers of Commerce at Mat-Su Senior Center |url=https://www.frontiersman.com/news/coronavirus/congressman-speaks-to-chambers-of-commerce-at-mat-su-senior/article_aec3df7c-6832-11ea-aea0-f3dd1e60bb35.html |access-date=November 17, 2020 |work=Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman |date=March 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320094710/https://www.frontiersman.com/news/coronavirus/congressman-speaks-to-chambers-of-commerce-at-mat-su-senior/article_aec3df7c-6832-11ea-aea0-f3dd1e60bb35.html |archive-date=March 20, 2020 |language=en-US |url-status=live}} Young said of the pandemic, "This is blown out of proportion about how deadly this is. He continued, "It's deadly but it's not nearly as deadly as the other viruses we have ... I call it the hysteria concept", as well calling it the "beer virus" (referencing the similarly-named Corona beer). Young later clarified that he was attempting to urge calm.{{cite web|date=March 19, 2020|title=Rep. Don Young tells Alaska seniors 'beer virus' fears are overblown, skips vote on COVID-19 relief|url=https://www.adn.com/politics/2020/03/19/rep-don-young-tells-alaska-seniors-beer-virus-fears-are-overblown-skips-vote-on-covid-19-relief/|access-date=November 23, 2020|website=Anchorage Daily News|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319063214/https://www.adn.com/politics/2020/03/19/rep-don-young-tells-alaska-seniors-beer-virus-fears-are-overblown-skips-vote-on-covid-19-relief/|archive-date=March 19, 2020|url-status=live}} On March 17, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly in the U.S., he missed the vote on a $2 trillion bill to deal with pandemic, instead attending a National Rifle Association of America fundraiser.{{cite web|last=Hopkins |first=Kyle |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/a-congressman-skipped-the-coronavirus-relief-vote-instead-he-went-home-to-tell-senior-citizens-to-blame-mass-media |title=A Congressman Skipped the Coronavirus Relief Vote. Instead, He Went Home to Tell Senior Citizens to Blame Mass Media. — ProPublica |publisher=Propublica.org |date=March 19, 2020 |accessdate=March 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319222005/https://www.propublica.org/article/a-congressman-skipped-the-coronavirus-relief-vote-instead-he-went-home-to-tell-senior-citizens-to-blame-mass-media |archive-date=March 19, 2020 |url-status=live}} As public awareness of the pandemic's severity grew, Young walked back his comments. By March 25, in a video message, he said the impact of COVID-19 is "very real, growing", and was reshaping our daily lives. Urging Americans to stay home, he continued, "Weeks ago, I did not truly grasp the severity of this crisis, but clearly we are in the midst of an urgent public health emergency."[https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/03/27/coronavirus-apologies/ 'Arrogant' and 'ashamed': The coronavirus mea culpas from people who once thought it was no big deal], The Washington Post, Meagan Flynn, March 27, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2000.

On November 6, 2020, Young was photographed maskless at a birthday party for a staff member in an Anchorage restaurant. Numerous well-known political operatives who attended, including former Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell, soon tested positive for COVID-19.{{cite web |last1=Choi |first1=Joseph |title=Alaska Congressman Don Young tests positive for COVID-19 |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/525754-alaska-rep-don-young-positive-for-covid-19/ |website=The Hill |date=November 12, 2020 |publisher=Capitol Hill Publishing Corp. |access-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113030726/https://thehill.com/homenews/news/525754-alaska-rep-don-young-positive-for-covid-19 |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |url-status=live}} On November 12, Young was diagnosed with COVID-19. He was admitted to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage that day and released on November 15, writing, "Very frankly, I had not felt this sick in a very long time, and I am grateful to everyone who has kept me in their thoughts and prayers." He confirmed to a The Washington Post reporter that "many" of his campaign staff had been infected, as well as his wife, who he said was asymptomatic.[https://www.alaskapublic.org/2020/11/16/rep-young-released-from-hospital-recovering-from-covid-19/ Rep. Young released from hospital and recovering from COVID-19], Alaska Public Media, Liz Ruskin, November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.

During the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Young originally supported Jeb Bush, and later John Kasich.{{Cite news|url=https://www.adn.com/politics/article/don-young-opens-presidential-election-and-progressive-mind-control/2016/04/03/|title=Rep. Don Young reveals his choice for president|date=April 3, 2016|work=Alaska Dispatch News|access-date=May 14, 2017|language=en-US}} In April 2016, he said, "I'm not supporting Donald Trump", and when asked about Trump's success in the primaries, said that it was due to "a bunch of idiots following a pied piper over the edge of the cliff" and that he blamed the people who voted for Trump.{{cite web|url=http://www.alaskapublic.org/2016/04/06/rep-young-blames-bunch-of-idiots-for-choosing-trump|title=Rep. Young blames 'bunch of idiots' for Trump phenomenom|last=Media|first=Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public|website=Alaska Public Media|date=April 7, 2016|access-date=May 14, 2017}} By December 2016, he was more supportive of Trump's accomplishments and proposed policies.{{cite web|url=http://www.ktoo.org/2016/12/29/alaskas-don-young-changes-course-striking-trump-like-note-reflects-2016/|title=Alaska's Don Young strikes Trump-like note reflecting on 2016|first=Liz |last=Ruskin|date=December 29, 2016|website=KTOO|access-date=May 14, 2017}}

In September 2019, Young called the investigation and the Trump impeachment inquiry "a waste of time". He voted against the first{{cite web|last=O'Key |first=Sean |url=https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2019/12/politics/house-impeachment-vote/ |title=How each member of the House of Representatives voted on impeachment |publisher=CNN |date=December 18, 2019 |accessdate=March 19, 2022}} and second impeachments of Trump.{{cite web|last=Brooks |first=James |url=https://www.adn.com/politics/2021/01/13/alaska-rep-don-young-votes-against-president-trumps-second-impeachment/ |title=Alaska Rep. Don Young votes against President Trump's second impeachment |publisher=Adn.com |date= |accessdate=March 19, 2022}}

File:President Joe Biden signs the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act into law.jpg and Dan Sullivan in the Oval Office as he signs Young's Alaska Tourism Restoration Act into law.]]

On November 7, 2020, Young was one of the first Republicans to acknowledge and congratulate Joe Biden on his victory in the 2020 presidential election.{{cite web|url=https://www.adn.com/politics/2020/11/07/alaska-rep-young-biden-it-is-time-to-put-the-election-behind-us/|title=Alaska Rep. Don Young on Biden win: 'It is time to put the election behind us'|date=November 7, 2020|website=Anchorage Daily News}} On January 6, 2021, Young affirmed Biden's victory by voting against the objections to counting electoral votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania.{{cite web|url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202110|title=Roll Call 10 Roll Call 10, MOTION, 117th Congress, 1st Session|date=January 6, 2021|website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives}}{{cite web|url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202111|title=Roll Call 11 Roll Call 11, MOTION, 117th Congress, 1st Session|date=January 7, 2021|website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives}}

Young was a strong supporter of Biden's nominee for United States Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland. He called Haaland, a Democrat, a friend and said it was "a long time overdue" for the U.S. to have a Native American interior secretary.{{cite news |last1=Fears |first1=Darryl |title=Hearing for Haaland, first Native American pick to run Interior Dept., focuses on fossil fuels |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/02/23/deb-haaland-interior-secretary-hearing/ |access-date=February 24, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 24, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Noisecat|first=Julian Brave|title=What a Joe Biden Cabinet Pick Might Mean for Native Americans—and Democrats|url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/11/30/deb-haaland-native-americans-interior-biden-440916|access-date=February 27, 2021|website=Politico|date=November 30, 2020 |language=en}} Haaland asked Young to introduce her at her confirmation hearing before the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Senator Joe Manchin, a crucial swing vote, cited Young's support of Haaland as a reason for his support.{{cite web|date=February 24, 2021|title=Manchin Will Vote To Confirm Haaland|url=https://www.energy.senate.gov/2021/2/manchin-will-vote-to-confirm-haaland|access-date=February 27, 2021|website=U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources|language=en}}

As of October 2021, Young had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 30.6% of the time.{{cite web |last1=Bycoffe |first1=Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron |title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/don-young/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508014147/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/don-young/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 8, 2021|website=FiveThirtyEight |access-date=October 27, 2021 |language=en |date=October 22, 2021}}

Young said he believed the Environmental Protection Agency should not regulate greenhouse gases, and that it kills jobs.{{Cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2012/03/obamas-epa-is-a-jobs-killer-074072|title=Obama's EPA is a jobs killer|work=Politico|access-date=May 15, 2017}} He said, "Environmentalists are a self-centered bunch of waffle-stomping, Harvard-graduating, intellectual idiots" who "are not Americans, never have been Americans, never will be Americans." But Young supported omnibus spending bills that maintain current EPA funding levels despite calls from the Trump Administration to cut such funding.{{cite web|url=https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060077131|title=APPROPRIATIONS: Omnibus rejects big EPA cuts, hikes Energy and Interior funds|website=www.eenews.net|language=en|access-date=January 18, 2019}}

In 1988, Young voted against the Abandoned Shipwrecks Act of 1987.

In 2019, Young and Debbie Dingell introduced legislation providing for a long-term reauthorization of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.{{cite web|url=https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401438|title=Congressman Don Young|date=October 24, 2019|website=Congressman Don Young|access-date=October 27, 2019}}

Young said he wanted to see a clean repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA),{{Cite news|url=https://www.adn.com/politics/2017/03/24/don-young-canceling-the-health-care-vote-was-a-victory-for-alaska/|title=Don Young: Canceling the health care vote was a 'victory for Alaska'|date=March 25, 2017|work=Alaska Dispatch News|access-date=May 11, 2017|language=en-US}} but said in March 2017 that he would not vote on an earlier version of the AHCA (a healthcare plan to repeal and revise parts of the ACA) because it would have too negative an impact on health care costs in Alaska.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the AHCA would raise health care costs in Alaska more than in any other state, and by 2020, on average Alaskans would receive $10,243 less per year under the AHCA compared to the ACA for the same coverage, almost double the cost increase of any other state (the next being North Carolina with consumers receiving $5,360 less per year).{{Cite news|url=https://www.adn.com/politics/2017/03/10/what-the-new-house-healthcare-plan-means-for-alaska/|title=What the House health care plan means for Alaska|date=March 11, 2017|work=Alaska Dispatch News|access-date=May 11, 2017|language=en-US}} Young said, "Nothing in this new bill addressed the real problems of health care."

The AHCA would also stop the Medicaid expansion Obamacare provided, which gives health coverage to more than 27,000 of Young's constituents, about 3.7% of the Alaska population. For those reasons, Young was a key House member preventing the AHCA from going to a vote. When the AHCA did not pass, Young said it was a "victory for Alaska". But despite those statements, and being officially "undecided" because of the disproportionate impact on Alaskans, Young voted for the AHCA on May 4, 2017, without any significant changes to improving Alaska subsidies.{{Cite news|url=https://www.adn.com/politics/2017/05/04/don-young-votes-yes-as-house-passes-obamacare-replacement/|title=How Don Young went from no to yes on the House health care bill|date=May 4, 2017|work=Alaska Dispatch News|access-date=May 11, 2017|language=en-US}}

An organization called Save My Care spent $500,000 to release a series of attack ads against 24 House members who voted for the AHCA, including one about Young that decried his vote, claiming it would raise health care costs for Alaskans.{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/332352-liberal-group-funds-500k-in-attack-ads-after-healthcare-vote/|title=Liberal group funds $500K in attack ads after healthcare vote|last=Sommer|first=Will|date=May 8, 2017|work=The Hill|access-date=May 11, 2017}}{{Citation|last=Save My Care|title=Disastrous AK 01 Young Don|date=May 7, 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X48Sw2jv4_o |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/X48Sw2jv4_o| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=May 11, 2017}}{{cbignore}}

In 2007, Young voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (E.N.D.A.). In a 2014 debate, he said he would "probably" vote for E.N.D.A.{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/31/don-young-lgbt-enda_n_6079918.html|title=Don Young Says He'd 'Probably' Vote For ENDA|last=Sheppard|first=Kate|date=October 31, 2014|work=HuffPost|access-date=May 15, 2017|language=en-US}}

In 2015, Young was one of 60 Republicans voting to uphold President Barack Obama’s 2014 executive order banning federal contractors from making hiring decisions that discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.{{Cite web |title=Final Vote Results For Roll Call 326 |url=https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2015/roll326.xml |website=Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives}}

In 2015, Young issued a statement saying that while he believed marriage should be between a man and a woman, he recognizes that the law is settled on this issue, and stated that he accepts the Supreme Court decision ruling same-sex marriage bans as unconstitutional.{{cite web|date=June 26, 2015|title=Congressman Young Shares Thoughts on Supreme Court Decision on Marriage|url=https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398327|access-date=November 23, 2020|website=Congressman Don Young|language=en}}

In 2021, Young was one of 29 Republicans to vote to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.{{cite web|date=March 17, 2021|title=Roll Call 86 Roll Call 86, Bill Number: H. R. 1620, 117th Congress, 1st Session|url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202186|access-date=June 4, 2021|website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives|language=en}} This bill expanded legal protections for transgender people, and contained provisions allowing transgender women to use women's shelters and serve time in prisons matching their gender identity.{{cite web|title=House Renews Violence Against Women Act, But Senate Hurdles Remain|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/03/17/977842441/house-renews-violence-against-women-act-but-senate-hurdles-remain|access-date=June 4, 2021|website=NPR|date=March 17, 2021|language=en|last1=Davis|first1=Susan}}

In 2021, Young was one of 33 Republicans to vote for the LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act.{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/117-2021/h182|title = H.R. 1443: LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act – House Vote #182 – Jun 24, 2021}}

Young frequently earned the support of organized labor, and in the 116th Congress, voted in support of the pro-union PRO Act, which would make it easier for workers to certify unions, augment how employers classify laborers and prevent laborers from being denied rights on the basis of their immigration status.{{cite web |title=House approves pro-union labor bill |url=https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/business-a-lobbying/481967-house-approves-pro-union-labor-bill/ |website=The Hill|date=February 6, 2020 }}

Young voted to make lynching a federal crime and supported House passage of the First Step Act,{{Cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2018/roll215.xml|title=House Clerk}} which reforms sentencing laws to reduce recidivism and decrease the federal inmate population.

In the aftermath of the 2020 protests related to the murder of George Floyd, Young voted for{{cite web|date=July 21, 2020|title=Roll Call 152 Roll Call 152, Bill Number: H. R. 6395, 116th Congress, 2nd Session|url=http://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2020152|access-date=July 22, 2020|website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives|language=en}} the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, which would remove Confederate names from U.S. military installations.{{cite news|author=Haley Byrd|title=House passes $740 billion funding bill that would remove Confederate names from military bases|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/21/politics/house-to-vote-ndaa-confederate-names-military-bases/index.html|access-date=July 22, 2020|website=CNN}}

Young voted for legislation authorizing the creation of a Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys.{{cite web|date=July 27, 2020|title=Roll Call 167 Roll Call 167, Bill Number: S. 2163, 116th Congress, 2nd Session|url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2020167|access-date=August 22, 2020|website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives|language=en}} In 2020, the bill was signed into law. The commission is intended to examine societal disparities that black men and boys face at disproportionately high rates.

In 2021, Young cosponsored and voted for the EQUAL Act, which eliminates the federal sentencing disparity between crack cocaine and powdered cocaine.{{cite web|date=September 28, 2021|title=Congressman Don Young Helps House Pass Landmark Legislation Eliminating the Sentencing Disparity Between Crack and Powdered Cocaine|url=https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402050|access-date=October 2, 2021|website=Congressman Don Young|language=en}}

On August 22, 2020, Young was one of 26 Republicans to vote for a $25 billion relief package for the U.S. Post Office.{{cite web|last=Brooks |first=James |url=https://www.adn.com/politics/2020/08/22/rep-young-votes-in-favor-as-us-house-passes-postal-service-protection-bill/ |title=Rep. Young votes in favor as U.S. House passes Postal Service protection bill |publisher=Adn.com |date= |accessdate=March 19, 2022}}

When asked about the fact that Alaska has the highest per capita suicide rate in the U.S., Young said that he believed it is at least partially the result of government handouts, and that "this suicide problem didn't exist until we got largesse from the government." He believed Alaska needs to cut public assistance programs.

In response to an increase in suicides among active-duty service members at Fort Wainwright in 2019, Young called on the U.S. Army to investigate the cause of the increased suicide rate.{{cite web|url=https://www.ktva.com/story/40115837/young-asks-army-to-investigate-fort-wainwright-suicides|title=Young asks Army to investigate Fort Wainwright suicides|website=www.ktva.com|language=en|access-date=October 27, 2019}}

On October 21, 2014, Young addressed an assembly of students at Wasilla High School shortly after a student there committed suicide. During a question and answer session, he said a lack of support from family and friends had caused the student's suicide. During the assembly, Young also recalled a story about drinking alcohol in Paris, and used profanity several times, officials from the school reported.

When a student criticized Young for his comments on suicide, Young called him an "asshole". Young apologized for these comments on October 24, saying, "I am profoundly and genuinely sorry for the pain it has caused the Alaskan people."{{cite web|url=http://www.adn.com/article/20141023/murkowski-asks-young-apology-suicide-comments|title=Murkowski asks for Young apology on suicide comments|date=October 23, 2014|publisher=Alaska Dispatch News|access-date=October 26, 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2014/10/25/don-young-suicide-apology-alaska/|title=GOP Rep. Don Young apologizes for suicide comments|date=October 25, 2014|work=USA Today|access-date=October 26, 2014}}

In the 116th Congress, Young helped introduce the BADGES Act to help solve the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women.{{cite news |title=Bipartisan House Members Co-lead Solutions to MMIW Crisis |url=https://www.nativeknot.com/news/Native-American-News/Bipartisan-House-Members-Colead-Solutions-to-Missing-and-Murdere.html |access-date=November 13, 2020 |work=Native Knot |date=September 17, 2019 |language=en}} He was one of 33 Republicans to vote to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act,{{Cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2019/roll156.xml|title=Clerk of the House}} which included his amendment to help end violence against indigenous women.{{cite web|url=https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401338|title=Congressman Don Young Votes for Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act|date=April 4, 2019|website=Congressman Don Young}}

Young said he did not believe in conducting town halls (district meetings for officials to meet and speak with constituents in a town hall setting). When he was asked for a face-to-face meeting with his constituents in April 2017, an aide said, "The modern town hall has taken an unfortunate turn as a 'show' for the media and are [sic] unproductive for meaningful dialogue." Young's meetings in Alaska were primarily with elected officials, business groups, service clubs, and gatherings of Republicans. On April 20, 2017, residents started a town hall meeting by themselves, speaking to Young through a video camera with a color photo of Young to represent him.{{Cite news|url=https://www.adn.com/opinions/2017/04/20/don-young-in-absentia-at-fairbanks-town-hall-still-gets-an-earful/|title=Don Young, in absentia at Fairbanks town hall, still gets an earful|date=April 20, 2017|work=Alaska Dispatch News|access-date=May 15, 2017|language=en-US}}

In Juneau, while speaking to the Alaska Municipal League in 2018, Young asked the crowd, "How many millions of people were shot and killed because they were unarmed? Fifty million in Russia because their citizens were unarmed." Facing criticism, Young's office insisted that his comments were taken out of context, stating, "He was referencing the fact that when Hitler confiscated firearms from Jewish Germans, those communities were less able to defend themselves. He was not implying that an armed Jewish population would have been able to prevent the horrors of the Holocaust, but his intended message is that disarming citizens can have detrimental consequences."{{cite web|title=GOP lawmaker suggests armed Jews could have stopped Nazis|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/alaska-rep-don-young-suggests-jews-could-have-stopped-nazis-n851956|access-date=November 23, 2020|website=NBC News|date=February 28, 2018 |language=en}}

In 2019, Young was the sole Republican to vote for the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act, which set minimum standards for Customs and Border Patrol detention facilities, including requiring health screenings and ensuring that basic needs of detained migrants, such as access to food and water for detainees, are met.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/454646-house-passes-bill-requiring-cbp-to-enact-safety-hygiene-standards/ |title=House passes bill requiring CBP to enact safety, hygiene standards |work=The Hill |date= July 24, 2019|access-date=March 19, 2022}}

File:Don Young wedding.jpg was Young's best man.]]

In 1963, Young married Lula Fredson, who worked as a bookkeeper in Fort Yukon. She was a Gwich'in and the youngest child of early-20th-century Gwich'in leader John Fredson. She volunteered her time serving as the manager of Young's Washington, D.C. congressional office. They had two daughters and were members of the Episcopal Church. Lula died on August 1, 2009, at age 67.{{cite web |url=http://www.adn.com/3437/story/883606.html |title=Dyeing for a better Kenai salmon count: Alaska Newsreader |publisher=adn.com |access-date=August 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804050356/http://www.adn.com/3437/story/883606.html |archive-date=August 4, 2009 }}

On August 17, 2014, Young announced his engagement to Anne Garland Walton, a flight nurse from Fairbanks.{{cite news|title=Don Young Introduces Fiancee at Church Event |url=http://www.ktuu.com/news/news/don-young-introduces-fiancee-at-church-event/27566390 |access-date=August 18, 2014 |agency=Associated Press |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085545/http://www.ktuu.com/news/news/don-young-introduces-fiancee-at-church-event/27566390 |archive-date=August 19, 2014 }} They married on June 9, 2015. She was 76 years old at the time.{{cite news|title=Rep. Don Young, most senior House Republican, just got married|url=http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2015/06/09/rep-don-young-most-senior-house-member-just-got-married|access-date=June 9, 2015|work=USA Today}}[http://juneauempire.com/state/2015-06-09/us-rep-young-marries-his-82nd-birthday U.S. Representative Young marries on his 82nd birthday] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302163933/http://juneauempire.com/state/2015-06-09/us-rep-young-marries-his-82nd-birthday |date=March 2, 2018 }}, Juneau Empire, Becky Bohrer (AP), June 10, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2018.

On March 18, 2022, Young was on a flight from Los Angeles to Seattle while traveling to Alaska. Toward the end of the flight, he lost consciousness,{{cite news|url = https://www.adn.com/politics/2022/03/18/alaska-us-rep-don-young-has-died-according-to-former-aides/|title = Alaska U.S. Rep. Don Young dies at age 88|work = Anchorage Daily News|last = Herz|first = Nathaniel|date = March 18, 2022|accessdate = March 19, 2022}}{{cite news|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/don-young-death-congressman-alaska-b2039548.html|title = Alaska congressman Don Young dies on flight|last = Spocchia|first = Gino|newspaper = The Independent|date = March 19, 2022|accessdate = March 19, 2022}} and was declared dead, aged 88, after the plane landed at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.{{cite news|url = https://www.foxnews.com/politics/alaska-republican-congressman-don-young-dead-at-88-report|title = Alaska Republican Congressman Don Young dead at 88|work = Fox News|last = Miller|first = Andrew Mark|date = March 18, 2022|accessdate = March 18, 2022}}{{cite news|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/don-young-alaska-house-dead/2022/03/18/15e83c1e-28ec-11eb-8fa2-06e7cbb145c0_story.html|title = Don Young, dean of the House of Representatives, dies at 88|newspaper = The Washington Post|date = March 18, 2022|accessdate = March 19, 2022|last = Smith|first = Harrison|url-access = limited}} Also on the flight was his wife Anne Garland Walton{{Cite web |last=Hersey |first=Linda F. |title=Rep. Don Young, longest-serving member of Congress, dies at age 88 |url=https://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/rep-don-young-longest-serving-member-of-congress-dies-at-age-88/article_e876a604-a724-11ec-bd30-c33e98e01fcd.html |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Fairbanks Daily News-Miner |date=March 18, 2022 |language=en}} and communications director Zack Brown.{{Cite web |last1=Media |first1=Alaska Public |last2=Media |first2=Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public |date=2022-03-21 |title=Don Young: The man, the myth, the malapropisms |url=https://www.ktoo.org/2022/03/21/don-young-the-man-the-myth-the-malapropisms/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=KTOO |language=en-US}}

Young lay in state in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall on March 29, 2022, before his memorial service. He was the 43rd person to have this honor since 1852.{{cite news |last=Marcos |first=Christina |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/599054-rep-don-young-to-lie-in-state-at-the-capitol-next-week/ |title=Rep. Don Young to lie in state at the Capitol next week |work=The Hill |date=2022-03-21 |access-date=2022-03-21 }}

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (2000–)#2020s
• Don Young Day

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• [http://www.alaskareport.com/don-young.htm Don Young caught lying about debate over emissions bill] Alaska Report, May 20, 2006

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• {{CongLinks|congbio=Y000033|votesmart=26717|fec=H6AK00045 |congress=don-young/Y000033}}
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• whitehouse.gov: [https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/03/19/statement-by-president-joe-biden-on-the-passing-of-congressman-don-young/ Statement by President Joe Biden on the Passing of Congressman Don Young ]

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