House passes Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025

Freshman Congressman Nick Begich announced that his bill, “Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025,” passed the House of Representatives.

If passed by the Senate, this legislation would extend the Alaska Native Vietnam-era Veterans Land Allotment Program for five years, ensuring eligible veterans have until December 29, 2030, to apply for their rightful land allotments, under the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Program. Currently, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management may accept applications through December 29, 2025.

The program makes Alaska Native veterans who served in the Armed Forces in Vietnam between August 5, 1964, and December 31, 1971, or their heirs eligible to receive up to 160 acres of federal land in Alaska.

“The men and women who served our nation during the Vietnam War deserve the opportunity to secure the land they were promised. With the passage of H.R. 410, we can extend an important land allotment program and ensure that Alaska Native Vietnam-era veterans will have the time and resources they need to make their final land selections,” Begich wrote on social media.

“Our Alaska Native Vietnam War Era population is dwindling; it seems very rapidly. Because of this, there is some urgency in resolving this issue by Congress sooner than later. Many of us are in our seventies and some of us are even octogenarian.” said Nelson N. Angapak during remarks back in February before the House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs in support of the bill.

Angapak, Sr., Vice President Emeritus of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN), traveled from Alaska to testify in support of the bill. Angapak emphasized the importance of extending the program to allow eligible veterans to claim their long-overdue allotments.

The Alaska Native Vietnam-era Veterans Land Allotment Program was originally established to provide up to 160 acres of federal land to eligible veterans. Many were unable to apply due to military service as they were serving overseas during the eligibility period, lack of access to information, or bureaucratic delays. Begich’s legislation aims to rectify these past issues by ensuring that no eligible veteran is left behind, according to Begich staff reports.

As of early 2025, only 41applications have been certified out of more than 2,000 eligible veterans, and only 18 veterans have received their land conveyances, Begich staff said in a press release.

This is the second bill Begich has sponsored or co-sponsored to improve outcomes for Alaska’s veterans. Earlier this year, Begich introduced the Veterans ACCESS Act of 2025, which would ensures veterans would be able to seek private healthcare if the VA cannot provide care within 20 days (primary/mental health) or 28 days (specialty care), or if travel exceeds 30-60 minutes, according to Begich staff.

It would also strengthen Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment, Begich staff said, by mandating that the VA to approve residential mental health and addiction treatment admissions within 48 hours, ensuring veterans in crisis receive immediate care.

“Our heroes deserve the best possible care, without excessive wait times or bureaucratic barriers,” said Begich in a press release. “I’m proud to co-sponsor the Veterans ACCESS Act because Alaska’s veterans should never be forced to wait in line for care that is available in their own communities. This bill puts veterans first, strengthens private healthcare options and ensures that no veteran is forced to wait or travel extreme distances for care they should be able to receive closer to home.”

H.R. 740 was introduced By Chairman Bost on January 28, 2025, and referred to the House Committee on Veteran’s Affairs.