Senate passes 5-year extension for Alaska Native Vietnam-era Veterans Land Allotment Program

On December 16, the Senate passed legislation extending the Alaska Native Vietnam Veteran Land Allotment Program for an additional five years. The extension comes just days before the program was set to expire.

Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, who have long championed the program, and Congressman Nick Begich, thanked their Senate colleagues today for passing the legislation.

“Tonight, the Senate was able to deliver a Christmas gift for some great American heroes—our Alaska Native Vietnam-era veterans,” said Senator Sullivan. “Just days before the application period for this program was set to expire, my colleagues and I came together this evening to pass a five-year extension that grants these incredible veterans a renewed opportunity to apply for their congressionally mandated land allotments that many missed due to their service to our country overseas.”

“For decades, Alaska Native veterans who served our nation during the Vietnam era have sought their rightful land allotments. When we re-established this program in 2019 through the Dingell Act, we hoped that thousands of eligible individuals and heirs would finally receive the lands they are owed in short order.”

Sen. Murkowski said. “Thankfully, as a result of the bill we passed today, there should be no lapse in these veterans’ ability to apply for allotments. I also want to recognize that this measure didn’t just move on its own—Senator Sullivan has worked tirelessly for months to address concerns and clear holds so that it could pass before the application deadline arrives.”

The legislation, shepherded through the House by Congressman Begich in July, now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.

“The passage of the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act marks an important milestone for the brave veterans who served our nation during the Vietnam War,” said Congressman Begich. “Extending this important program honors their service and upholds our promise to those who selflessly served. I want to sincerely thank Senators Sullivan and Murkowski for their leadership in the Senate to get this bill across the finish line and to the President’s desk. Today is a good day for Alaska and a great day for our veterans.”

The program, initially passed in 2019, was part of Senator Murkowski’s ‘National Resources Management Act,’ and included Senator Sullivan’s provision to establish the Alaska Native Vietnam Veteran Land Allotment Program. The late Congressman Don Young spearheaded the legislation through the House. Later President Donald Trump signed the bill.

The program faced several hurdles as it was later put on hold over public land orders, delaying implementation and certificating just six percent of the applications it has received, with hundreds more eligible veterans having not yet applied, compelling the Senators to extend this program for five more years.

Last year, Senators Sullivan and Murkowski introduced legislation, which would extend the program’s application period for another five years before its expiration this December, and while it unanimously passed the Senate, it did not clear the House of Representatives.

In March of 2025, the legislation was reintroduced to extend the application period.

During the summer, the House passed Congressman Begich’s version of the extension legislation. Senator Sullivan twice attempted to pass the extension legislation on the Senate floor, but it was blocked by Senate Democrats.

“We’ve faced many hurdles since we got my provision into law in 2019,” said Senator Sullivan. “I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for working with me and my delegation colleagues to get this done right at the buzzer. Now, our work continues to get these heroes, or their heirs, the land allotments that they deserve.”