View source for Biography:Don Young

{{other people||Donald Young (disambiguation)}}
{{Short description|U.S. Representative from Alaska}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Don Young
| image = Don Young, official 115th Congress photo portrait.jpg
| office = 45th Dean of the United States House of Representatives
| term_start = December 5, 2017
| term_end = 
| predecessor = John Conyers
| successor = 
| state3 = [[Earth:Alaska|Alaska]]
| district3 = {{ushr|Alaska|AL|at-large}}
| term_start3 = March 6, 1973
| term_end3 = 
| predecessor3 = Nick Begich
| successor3 = 
| office1 = Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
| term_start1 = January 3, 2001
| term_end1 = January 3, 2007
| predecessor1 = Bud Shuster
| successor1 = Jim Oberstar
| office2 = Chair of the House Resources Committee
| term_start2 = January 3, 1995
| term_end2 = January 3, 2001
| predecessor2 = George Miller
| successor2 = James V. Hansen
| state_senate4 = Alaska
| district4 = I
| term_start4 = January 11, 1971
| term_end4 = March 6, 1973
| predecessor4 = Paul Haggland
| successor4 = George Silides
| state_house5 = Alaska
| district5 = 16th
| term_start5 = January 3, 1967
| term_end5 = January 3, 1971
| predecessor5 = ''Multi-member district''
| successor5 = ''Multi-member district''
| office6 = Mayor of Fort Yukon
| term_start6 = 1964
| term_end6 = 1967
| predecessor6 = Mardo Solomon
| successor6 = Robert Mott
| birth_name = Donald Edwin Young
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1933|6|9}}
| birth_place = Meridian, California, U.S.
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| party = Republican
| spouse = {{marriage|Lu Fredson|1963|2009|reason=died}}<br>{{marriage|Anne Garland Walton|2015}}
| children = 2
| education = Yuba College<br>[[Organization:California State University, Chico|California State University, Chico]] (BA)
| allegiance = {{flag|United States}}
| branch = {{army|United States}}
| serviceyears = 1955–1957
| unit = 41st Tank Battalion
}}
'''Donald Edwin Young''' (born June 9, 1933) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for {{ushr|AK|AL}}, currently serving in his 24th term in the House, having served since 1973. A member of the Republican Party, he is the longest-serving member of the United States House of Representatives from the Republican Party and from [[Earth:Alaska|State of Alaska]], the longest currently serving member of Congress, and the last remaining member of Congress who has been in office since the Nixon Administration. He is also the oldest current member of either chamber of the U.S. Congress. He became Dean of the House of Representatives on December 5, 2017, after the resignation of John Conyers from Michigan.

==Early life, education, and pre-political career==
Young was born in Meridian, Sutter County, California. He earned an associate's degree in education from Yuba College in 1952 and a bachelor's degree from [[Organization:California State University, Chico|Chico State College]] in 1958. He served in the Army from 1955 to 1957.<ref>{{cite web| title = Veterans in the US House of Representatives 109th Congress| work = Navy League| url = http://www.navyleague.org/legislative_affairs/HouseVets.pdf| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070626235918/http://www.navyleague.org/legislative_affairs/HouseVets.pdf| archivedate = June 26, 2007| accessdate = December 9, 2006 }}</ref>

Young moved to Alaska in 1959, not long after it became a state. He eventually settled in Fort Yukon, then a 700-person city 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 [[Engineering:Tugboat|tugboat]] and ran a barge operation to deliver products and supplies to villages along the Yukon River. He still holds his [[Engineering:Sailor|mariner's]] license. During the winter, he taught fifth grade at the local Bureau of Indian Affairs elementary school.

==Early political career==
Young began his political career in 1964 when he was elected mayor of Fort Yukon, serving from 1964 to 1968. He also ran for the Alaska House of Representatives in 1964, but finished tenth, with the top seven candidates being elected for the multi-member district.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=343160|title=AK State House 16 1964|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref> He was elected to the State House in 1966 and re-elected in 1968.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=343161|title=AK State House 16 1966|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=343162|title=AK State House 16 1968|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref>

Young served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1967 to 1971. He "loved" the job before he "got ambitious" and ran for the Alaska Senate in 1970.<ref name="81files">{{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|accessdate=April 18, 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=340454|title=AK Senate I 1970|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref> He "hated" the State Senate and, after encouragement from his wife, ran for Congress in 1972.<ref name="81files"/>

==U.S. House of Representatives==
===Elections===
Young first ran for Congress in 1972, but lost to incumbent Democrat Nick Begich, who disappeared in a plane crash days before the election. Begich was declared legally dead in December 1972 and Young won the resulting special election in March 1973. Young has been reelected 21 times, usually without significant opposition, although he did face strong challenges in the 2008 primary election and the 1974, 1990, 1992 and 2008 general elections. He won his 2016 primary with over 70% of the vote and faced Democrat Steve Lindbeck and Libertarian Jim McDermott in the general election, where he captured 50% of the vote to win his 23rd term in office.

Young is the most senior U.S. Representative and, along with Jim Sensenbrenner, one of only two members who have been in office since the 1970s. He is the second-highest ranking Republican on the Natural Resources and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. He chaired the former committee from 1995 to 2001 and the latter from 2001 to 2007. Young has twice faced federal investigations but never been charged with wrongdoing.
[[File:Don Young 1973.jpg|thumb|left|175px|Don Young at around the time he assumed his seat in the U.S. House]]

====1972–1974====
[[File:Richard Nixon with Don Young and Jack Coghill, March 15, 1973.png|thumb|right|Young with President Richard Nixon and Jack Coghill in 1973]]
[[File:President Gerald Ford stands with Don Young and Ted Stevens.jpg|thumb|right|Young with President Gerald Ford 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 Wallace 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%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=345006|title=AK At-Large – Open Primary 1972|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref> Begich disappeared in a plane crash on October 16, 1972, 22 days before the November 7 general election. Begich won the general election with 53,651 votes (56.24%) to Young's 41,750 (43.76%)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=31063|title=AK At-Large 1972|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref> but was declared dead on December 29.

Young ran in the special election on March 6, 1973, and defeated Democrat Emil Notti by 35,044 votes (51.41%) to 33,123 (48.59%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=175892|title=AK At-Large- Special Election 1973|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref> He won a full term in 1974 with 51,641 votes (53.84%) to Democratic State Senator Willie Hensley's 44,280 (46.16%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=30932|title=AK At-Large 1974|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref> He credits his victory to his leadership of the fight for the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System.<ref>[http://donyoung.house.gov/bio.htm Congressman Don Young, Congressman For All Alaska: Biography<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513062822/http://donyoung.house.gov/bio.htm |date=May 13, 2009 }}</ref>

====1976–2006====
[[File:Reagan Contact Sheet BW 2894 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Young greeting President Ronald Reagan in 1981]]
[[File:Bush Contact Sheet P19545 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Young greeting President George H. W. Bush in 1991]]
[[File:President Bush Signs the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006.jpg|thumb|right|Young watches as President George W. Bush 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|thumb|right|Young watches as President Donald Trump signs The Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018]]
Young was reelected with at least 55% of the vote in all of the subsequent seven elections. He defeated former State Senator Eben Hopson with 71% of the vote in 1976,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=30255|title=AK At-Large 1976|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref> State Senator Patrick Rodey with 55.41% of the vote in 1978,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=30928|title=AK At-Large 1978|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref> Kevin "Pat" Parnell with 73.79% of the vote in 1980<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=31064|title=AK At-Large 1978|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref> and Dave Carlson with 70.84% of the vote in 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=31065|title=AK At-Large 1982|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref>

In 1984 and 1986, he defeated Nick Begich's wife, Pegge Begich, by 113,582 votes (55.02%) to 86,052 (41.68%) and by 101,799 votes (56.47%) to 74,053 (41.08%), respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=31066|title=AK At-Large 1984|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref> He defeated Peter Gruenstein with 62.5% of the vote in 1988<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=31068|title=AK At-Large 1988|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref> 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<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=31069|title=AK At-Large 1990|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref> 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%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=361794|title= AK At-Large – R Primary 1992|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref> In the general election, he was reelected against Devens by 111,849 votes (46.78%) to 102,378 (42.82%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27488|title=AK At-Large 1992|publisher=OurCampaigns|accessdate=April 19, 2015}}</ref> This is both the lowest winning percentage of his career and the only time he has won without a majority of the vote.

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

====2008====
;Republican primary
In light of many of the controversies, incumbent Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell announced he would run against Young in the August 26, 2008, Republican primary. Parnell was strongly supported by Gov. Sarah Palin and the Club for Growth. Other organizations opposed Young because of what they considered his corrupt behavior. This was the first primary since he was first elected in which Young faced a strong challenge.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

Young received the endorsement of [[Biography:Mike Huckabee|Mike Huckabee]]'s political action committee, Huck PAC, in June 2008.<ref>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 2008-07-15.</ref> After a storm of negative reaction, Huckabee explained on the Huck PAC blog that the endorsement was due in part to Young's endorsement and steadfast support of Huckabee during the 2008 Republican presidential primaries.<ref>Mike Huckabee. [http://www.huckpac.com/?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=1698 Rep. Young (Updated)] ''Huck PAC Blog'', Retrieved on July 15, 2008.</ref>

Final results on show of September 18ed Young winning by 304 votes (0.28%), and Parnell announced that he would not seek a recount.<ref>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}}</ref> Prior to the announcement of the unofficial results, both candidates had said that they would request a recount if they lost.<ref>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.</ref> The state of Alaska pays the costs of recounts when the difference is within a half percent, as it was in this primary election.<ref>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.</ref>

;General election
Young faced a strong 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.

He won reelection with 50% of the vote to Berkowitz's 45% and Wright's 5%.<ref>[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j_Jou0BRNSWPmplUuT8qwccyVvggD94DT0F80 ap.google.com, Young retains US House seat in Alaska]{{dead link|date=November 2012|bot=Legobot}}</ref><ref>[http://www.kfor.com/Global/story.asp?S=278910&nav=menu99_10_5 kfor.com, Young retains US House seat in Alaska]</ref> Berkowitz conceded defeat on November 18, 2008.<ref>[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.</ref>

====2010–2016====
Young ran for a 20th term in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|author=SEAN COCKERHAM scockerham@adn.com|url=http://www.adn.com/house/story/847677.html|title=Young announces he'll seek 20th term in Congress: Politics|publisher=adn.com|accessdate=August 22, 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713203050/http://www.adn.com/house/story/847677.html|archivedate=July 13, 2009}}</ref> 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<ref>{{cite web|author=SEAN COCKERHAM scockerham@adn.com|url=http://www.adn.com/house/story/929628.html|title=Halcro says he'll challenge Young in GOP House primary: Politics|publisher=adn.com|accessdate=August 22, 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914125943/http://www.adn.com/house/story/929628.html|archivedate=September 14, 2009}}</ref> in the general election by 175,384 votes (68.96%) to 77,606 (30.51%).<ref>[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.</ref>

In 2012, Young drew two challengers in the Republican party, but easily defeated them with 58,789 votes (78.59%).<ref>{{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|accessdate=June 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Thiessen|first=Mark|title=The 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|accessdate=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#.UEPDqkT_LUQ|archive-date=August 31, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In the general election, he defeated State Representative Sharon Cissna by 185,296 votes (63.94%) to 82,927 (28.62%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=702119|title=AK – At-Large Race|date=November 6, 2012|publisher=Our Campaigns|accessdate=June 4, 2013}}</ref>

In 2014, Young received 79,393 votes (74.29%) in the Republican primary against three challengers.<ref>{{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 |accessdate=September 8, 2014}}</ref> In the general election, he defeated Democrat Forrest Dunbar by 142,572 votes (50.97%) to 114,602 (40.97%).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://elect.alaska.net/|title=State of Alaska Division of Elections|website=elect.alaska.net|access-date=July 10, 2018}}</ref> Young was the only statewide incumbent in Alaska to win reelection that year, as Republican Governor Sean Parnell was defeated by Independent Bill Walker, and Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Begich was defeated by Republican Dan Sullivan. Young won reelection in 2016 with 50% of the vote in a four-way race.<ref>{{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|last=Press|first=Mark Thiessen, Associated|work=Fairbanks Daily News-Miner|access-date=July 10, 2018|language=en}}</ref>

====2017–present====
Young ran for a 24th term in 2018, and defeated Alyse Galvin with 54% of the vote.<ref>{{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 |accessdate=November 7, 2018}}</ref> On January 26, 2019 Young announced he would run for a 25th term in 2020.<ref name=impeachment>[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.</ref>

===Tenure===
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 has been considered to have had clout in national politics far beyond its small population (it is the 47th smallest, ahead of only North Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming). He is often called "Alaska's third senator."<ref name="RS">{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-ten-worst-members-of-the-worst-congress-ever-20120112?page=3|title=The 10 Worst Congressmen|accessdate=September 18, 2015|last=Dickinson|first=Tim|date=October 17, 2006|work=Rolling Stone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116133716/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-ten-worst-members-of-the-worst-congress-ever-20120112?page=3 |archivedate=November 16, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On March 5, 2019, he became the longest-serving Republican in congressional history.<ref>[https://www.rollcall.com/news/don-young-makes-history-longest-serving-house-republican Don Young makes history as the longest-serving House Republican], ''Roll Call'', Katherine Tully-McManus, March 5, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.</ref>

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 chairmen. He chaired the Committee until 2001, then chairing the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure from 2001 to 2007.

He has a lifetime rating of 77 from the American Conservative Union.<ref>[http://www.acuratings.org/2006all.htm 2006 U. S. Congress Ratings<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070903043949/http://www.acuratings.org/2006all.htm |date=September 3, 2007 }}</ref>

During a 1994 House debate touching on the question of Alaska Natives' right to sell sex organs of endangered animals for the purpose of aphrodisiacs, he pulled out an 18-inch [[Biology:Baculum|penis bone]] of a [[Biology:Walrus|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.<ref name="RS"/><ref>{{cite news |title= Waving an "Oosik" to Make a Point |work= 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 }}</ref><ref>{{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/ }}</ref>

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 passing by a single vote.<ref>{{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=New York Times}}</ref>

In July 2007, fellow Republican Congressman Scott Garrett of New Jersey proposed an amendment to strike money in a spending bill for native Alaskan and Hawaiian educational programs.<ref name="young">[http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0707/North_to_Alaska.html North to Alaska], ''The Politico'' dated July 17, 2007.</ref> Young defended the funds on the floor of the House, saying, "You want my money, my money."<ref name="young"/> He also said, "Those who bite me will be bitten back."<ref name="young"/> Young went on to suggest 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 the state of New Jersey.<ref name="young"/> While Garrett did not ask for an official reprimand, other conservative Republicans took exception to Young's claim that the funds in question represented "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."<ref name="young"/>

Young is a signer of Americans for Tax Reform's Taxpayer Protection Pledge.<ref>{{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|accessdate=November 30, 2011}}</ref>

In the 2005 Highway Bill, Young helped secure $941 million for 119 "special projects," including a $231 million bridge in Anchorage that a rider in the bill named for Young himself.<ref>{{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|work=The Washington Post|page=A09|date=July 30, 2005|accessdate=June 7, 2007}}</ref>
[[File:Don Young, official photo portrait, color, 2006.jpg|thumb|347x347px|Young in 2006]]
On May 4, 2017, though he had indicated two months earlier that he would oppose repeal of the [[Finance:Affordable Care Act|Affordable Care Act]], he ultimately 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." His state delegation colleague, the senior U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, opposed the removal of the provision in the current Act that eliminated discrimination against those with pre-existing conditions, saying it wasn't "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.<ref>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.</ref>

====2007 federal investigation====

{{main|Social:Alaska political corruption probe}}
On July 24, 2007, the ''Wall Street Journal'' reported that Young was under federal investigation for possibly taking bribes, illegal gratuities or unreported gifts from [[Company:VECO Corporation|VECO Corporation]], an Anchorage-based company. The company's top two executives had already pleaded guilty to bribing members of the Alaska legislature.<ref name="AP-7-24-07">[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.</ref> The ''Journal'' said a VECO executive held fundraisers called "the Pig Roast" for Young every August for ten years. Between 1996 and 2006, Young received $157,000 from VECO employees and its political action committee. In the first half of 2007, he spent more than $250,000 of his campaign contributions on legal fees.<ref name="young"/>

A confession signed by Bill Allen, the former chief of VECO, was released in October 2009. Allen swore that from 1993 to August 2006, both he and his deputy at VECO, Rick Smith, "provided things of value to United States Representative A," a reference to Young. For example, in June 2006, Smith obtained a set of golf clubs, costing approximately $1,000, that Smith gave to Young. Although Young was obligated in 2006 to report gifts with a value of more than $335, he didn't report receiving any gifts on the personal financial disclosure form he filed with the House of Representatives for that year.<ref>Bribery, [http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation/AP/story/1295902.html "Bribery allegations surface against Alaska Rep. Young"], miamiherald.com, October 22, 2009.</ref>

In Bob Woodward's book ''Fear: Trump in the White House'', published in 2018, the author recounted an impromptu conversation FBI Director Robert Mueller, who led the agency from 2001 through 2013, had with attorney John Dowd, who represented Young in the ethics violation case and other matters. He asked Dowd, "What are you up to?" Dowd responded, "I'm representing Congressman Don Young." Mueller responded, "That crook? How could you do that?"<ref>[http://www.newsminer.com/news/dermot_cole/mueller-called-don-young-crook-according-to-woodward-s-book/article_369e21b2-c453-11e8-8fe9-6f6e44bda17d.html Mueller called Don Young ‘crook,’ according to Woodward’s book], ''News Miner'', Dermot Cole, September 30, 2018. Retrieved October 22, 2018.</ref>

In August 2010, following the reversal of the seven felony guilty verdicts in U.S. Senator Ted Stevens's case, the investigation launched by the FBI was closed. The Public Integrity Section (OPI) of the Department of Justice (DOJ) concluded it could not obtain a conviction, but forwarded the evidentiary findings of its investigation to the House Ethics Committee. The committee, composed of five Republicans and five Democrats, subsequently made no official findings.<ref name=CREW>[https://www.rollcall.com/news/watchdog-group-awarded-86k-after-court-fight-for-don-young-documents CREW Awarded $86K After Court Fight for Don Young Documents], ''Roll Call'', Hannah Hess, October 24, 2014.</ref> In 2011, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) tried to obtain documents pertaining to the investigation, but was rebuffed. CREW persisted, obtaining some documents and being awarded $86,000 for the DOJ's failure to produce those documents and the costs of litigation.<ref name=CREW/> In 2012, Federal Judge Gladys Kessler determined that Young had "diminished" his privacy interests by having made statements both to the press and on the House floor, regarding the investigation and accusations against him.<ref name=CREW/>

====2013 federal investigation====

In March 2013, the House Ethics Committee created another special committee to investigate allegations that Young improperly accepted gifts, used campaign funds for personal expenses, failed to report gifts in financial disclosure documents, and made false statements to federal officials.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{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|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403091356/http://www.adn.com/2013/03/28/2843697/young-responds-to-new-ethics-investigation.html#storylink=cpy|archivedate=April 3, 2013}}</ref>

The Ethics Committee formed a subcommittee charged with determining whether Young broke the law. In 2014, the Committee issued a rebuke to Young after finding he had failed to disclose gifts totaling over $60,000 between 2001 and 2013.<ref>{{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 |accessdate=January 4, 2019}}</ref><ref name=CREW/>

In 2016, Young was once again under scrutiny for failing to report inherited property assets for 25 years, as well as the value of oil and gas leases consummated only seven months after he left his six-year chairmanship of the United States House Committee on Natural Resources.<ref>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.</ref>

====Allegations of campaign fund misuse and earmark misuse====
For three years in a row, Young was included in the annual listing of the most corrupt members of Congress compiled by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. CREW said he had been investigated for using campaign funds for personal expenses and for a $10 million 2005 earmark to build the Coconut Road Interchange on the I-75 in southwest Florida, which benefitted a campaign donor. No charges have been brought for any criminal wrongdoing after investigations by the FBI. After protests, the funding was reallocated for the Bonita Beach Road interchange.<ref>[http://www.news-press.com/story/money/2014/10/13/coconut-road-wil-home-residences-interchange/17203657/ Coconut Road will be home to residences, not interchange], ''The News-Press'', Chris Umpierre, October 13, 2014; retrieved August 27, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/watchdog-targets-hills-most-corrupt-096980 Watchdog targets Hill's 'most corrupt'], ''Politico'', Rachael Bade, September 18, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/04/21/us/politics/20120421-ethics-doc.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Aw&_r=0 F.B.I. Investigation Into Representative Don Young], ''{{wipe|The New York Times}}'', April 20, 2012.</ref> The House Ethics Committee found he had improperly used campaign funds for personal expenses. They ordered the monies be repaid, and Young was fined and rebuked.<ref>[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.</ref>

====Use of a Latino slur on the radio====
On March 28, 2013, Young caused some controversy when he used the ethnic slur "wetbacks" during a radio interview to describe Latino migrant farm workers who worked at his father's ranch when he was growing up.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/29/don-young-wetbacks_n_2976351.html?ref=topbar|title=Don Young Uses 'Wetbacks' To Describe Latinos (AUDIO)|publisher=Huffingtonpost.com|date=March 29, 2013|accessdate=June 4, 2013}}</ref> Young 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".<ref name="YoungNoApology">{{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=The Associated Press|date=March 29, 2013}}</ref> The Associated Press said that while Young explained his statement, he "did not apologize". Prominent figures in the Republican Party, including House Speaker John Boehner and Senator John Cornyn, condemned the remarks as "offensive" and "derogatory".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://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=huffingtonpost.com|date=March 29, 2013|accessdate=March 29, 2013}}</ref>

On March 29, 2013, a Latino advocacy group, Presente.org, called for Young's resignation in reaction to his use of the slur.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Latino-group-calls-for-Young-s-resignation-4395108.php |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130411114425/http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Latino-group-calls-for-Young-s-resignation-4395108.php|url-status=dead|archivedate=April 11, 2013 |title=Latino group calls for Young's resignation|date=March 29, 2013 }}</ref> On March 29, 2013, Young issued a formal apology for his remarks, stating, "I apologize for the insensitive term", and that "it was a poor choice of words."<ref>{{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|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=March 29, 2013|first1=Catalina|last1=Camia}}</ref>

===Committee assignments===
[[File:U.S. Congressman Donald Young visits the installation for the F-35 community showcase at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.jpg|thumb|Congressman Donald Young visits the installation for the F-35 community showcase at {{wipe|Eielson Air Force Base}}]]
* '''Committee on Natural Resources'''
**Subcommittee on Federal Lands
** Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs 
** Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans
* '''Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure'''
** Subcommittee on Aviation
** Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
** Subcommittee on Highways and Transit

===Caucus memberships===
* Arthritis Caucus
* Congressional Cannabis Caucus<ref>{{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|accessdate=February 18, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Engineering:Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus|Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus]]
* House Biomedical Research Caucus
* House Diabetes Caucus
*United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Members|url=https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus|accessdate=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|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus
* Sportsmen's Caucus
* Congressional Cement Caucus
*Afterschool Caucuses<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|author=|url=http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyCongressionalCaucuses.cfm|format=|publisher=Afterschool Alliance|date=|accessdate=April 18, 2018}}</ref>
*Congressional Western Caucus<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|author=|url=https://westerncaucus.house.gov/about/membership.htm|publisher=Congressional Western Caucus|date=|accessdate=June 25, 2018}}</ref>

== Political positions ==

=== Abortion ===
Young believes that abortion should be legal only when the pregnancy is a result of incest or rape, or in the case that a woman's life is endangered by her pregnancy. He has addressed the issue of the time-period in which abortions should be legal, saying he does not think abortions should be limited to the first trimester of a pregnancy, and also disagrees with the idea of federal subsidies prohibiting abortions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/26717/don-young/|title=Don Young – Political Positions – Project Vote Smart|publisher=Votesmart.org|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609164722/http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/26717/don-young/|archivedate=June 9, 2013|url-status=dead|accessdate=June 4, 2013}}</ref>

=== Arctic oil drilling ===
When President 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."<ref>{{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}}</ref>

====Support for oil drilling in ANWR====
The Arctic Refuge drilling controversy has repeatedly brought Young into the national spotlight. Young has been a longstanding supporter of opening lands within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration. He has included provisions to that effect in 12 bills that have passed the House of Representatives,<ref name="YoungANWR">[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</ref> but environmentalists concerned with the impact of road-building, pipelines and other development on the Arctic tundra landscape have thus far successfully defeated such legislation in the Senate.<ref name="NewsMinerANWR">[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.</ref>

On November 18, 2011, Young got into an argument during a Congressional hearing with Douglas Brinkley, a historian who teaches at [[Organization:Rice University|Rice University]] in Texas, over the idea of drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge. During Brinkley's testimony Young was not present in the room,<ref name="Despots">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shawn-lawrence-otto/congressman-don-young_b_1102848.html?ref=politics|title=When Despots and Bullies Run The Government|date=November 19, 2011|work=Huffington Post|accessdate=|author=Otto, Shawn Lawrence}}</ref> yet still responded to the speech Brinkley had made. Young himself commented that his absence during Brinkley's testimony was attributable to a pre-scheduled vote on the House floor. Young not only referred to Brinkley's argument as "garbage", but also addressed Brinkley as "Mr. Rice," (rather than Dr. Brinkley).<ref name="Historian">{{cite news|url=http://newsminer.com/pages/full_story/push?blog-entry-Historian+gets+into+it+with+Don+Young+during+Congressional+hearing%20&id=16495266&instance=blogs_editors_desk|title=Historian gets into it with Don Young during Congressional hearing|date=November 19, 2011|work=Fairbanks Daily News-Miner|author=Cole, Dermot|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601173253/http://newsminer.com/pages/full_story/push?blog-entry-Historian+gets+into+it+with+Don+Young+during+Congressional+hearing%20&id=16495266&instance=blogs_editors_desk|archivedate=June 1, 2012}}</ref> Brinkley responded with remarks about Young's own education, stating, "I know you went to Yuba College and couldn't graduate." Young's reaction, "I'll say anything I want to say! You just be quiet!", was met with Brinkley's refusal, and response that Young, "didn't own [him]" and quipping that as a taxpayer, he pays Young's salary. The two continued arguing intermittently throughout the hearing, with the committee chairman ultimately threatening Brinkley with removal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/douglas-brinkley-and-rep-don-young-in-committee-hearing-smackdown/2011/11/18/gIQABxqVZN_blog.html|title=Douglas Brinkley and Rep. Don Young in committee hearing smackdown|date=November 18, 2011|work=The Washington Post|accessdate=November 18, 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302781-1 "Jobs and Drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge"] video transcript, C-Span Video Library, congressional hearing, November 18, 2011, 1 hour 9 minutes.</ref>

===Arts funding===
Young questions funding to the arts because it results in "photographs of people doing offensive things."<ref name=":0">{{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}}</ref> In recent years however, Young has supported legislation increasing funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gawker.com/5992859/republican-congressman-don-young-to-local-radio-station-we-used-to-have-50+60-wetbacks-to-pick-tomatoes|title=Republican Congressman Don Young to Local Radio Station: "We Used to Hire 50-60 Wetbacks to Pick Tomatoes"|date=March 28, 2013|publisher=Gawker.com|accessdate=June 4, 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604083551/http://gawker.com/5992859/republican-congressman-don-young-to-local-radio-station-we-used-to-have-50+60-wetbacks-to-pick-tomatoes|archivedate=June 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name="lookback">{{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|accessdate=March 31, 2013}}</ref> After receiving criticism for the use of that obscenity, Young explained his choice of words by saying he had tried 'to educate' teens.<ref>[http://www.donyoungshistory.com/westvalleyassembly.html Young's Vulgarity Jars Teens], ''Anchorage Daily News (AP)'', April 23, 1995. Retrieved August 27, 2016.</ref>

=== Bridges ===

===="Bridge to Nowhere" ====
In 2005, Young and Stevens earmarked $223 million for building the enormous 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. Currently there is a small car and passenger ferry that travels the 1/4 mile (400 m) crossing in 3 to 7 minutes and runs every half-hour. Critics assailed this as [[Social:Pork barrel|pork barrel]] spending at taxpayers' expense and dubbed it the "Bridge to Nowhere." The Gravinia Island Bridge was awarded a Golden Fleece by the federal budget watchdog organization Taxpayers for Common Sense in 2003.<ref>{{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|accessdate=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}}</ref> After criticism from citizens and others in Congress, lawmakers de-funded the bridge and instead funneled the money to Alaska's Department of Transportation, allowing the Governor of Alaska to start road construction after the Alaska Legislature funded the project with the directed monies.<ref>{{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|accessdate=June 7, 2007|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205092424/http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/08/09/bridges/index_np.html|archivedate=February 5, 2007}}</ref>

==== Knik Arm bridge ====
The Knik Arm Bridge was earmarked in the bill connects Anchorage to Pt. Mackenzie, a lightly populated area in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough that is situated less than four miles (6&nbsp;km) across Cook Inlet from downtown Anchorage.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Currently, Anchorage is accessible from Point Mackenzie only by an {{convert|80|mi|km|adj=on}} route around Knik Arm, much of which is an unimproved road.  The demise of this second bridge project has been suggested for years.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Part of the concern for the Bridge is that if it were built, it would significantly enhance the value of property in which Young's son-in-law owns an interest.<ref>{{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.<br />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.|accessdate=October 31, 2008|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505134608/http://dwb.adn.com/news/alaska/story/7296442p-7208142c.html|archivedate=May 5, 2008}}</ref>

He was listed as the third-worst congressman by the popular magazine ''Rolling Stone'', and dubbed "Mr. Pork" due to his involvement in the Gravina Island "Bridge to Nowhere" incident.<ref name="RS" />

=== Cannabis ===
Young supports legalizing cannabis at the federal level, having introduced the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act in 2019 (and also cosponsoring the 2017 version of the bill).<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=All Information (Except Text) for H.R.1227 - Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2017 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1227/all-info |website=congress.gov |accessdate=December 16, 2019}}</ref> Other legislation that Young has introduced includes the CARERS Act in 2015 (to legalize medical cannabis at the federal level)<ref>{{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}}</ref> and the SAFE Banking Act in 2017 (to improve access to banking services for cannabis businesses).<ref>{{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}}</ref> In February 2017, Young launched the Congressional Cannabis Caucus along with Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Dana Rohrabacher, and Jared Polis.<ref>{{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/ |accessdate=December 16, 2019 |work=Anchorage Daily News |date=February 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> Young toured several cannabis facilities in Alaska in October 2019.<ref>{{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/ |accessdate=December 16, 2019 |work=The Alaska Landmine |date=October 10, 2019}}</ref>

=== Climate change ===
Young has stated that he does not believe in climate changes and believes the idea of global warming is "the biggest scam since the Teapot Dome."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-alaska-climate-change-20120918-photo.html|title=Alaska|last=Press|first=Associated|website=latimes.com|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref> Despite these public statements, Young did however vote in support of the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act which identifies climate change as a national security threat.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://climateandsecurity.org/2018/08/13/u-s-congress-addresses-climate-change-and-security-in-the-latest-defense-bill/|access-date=August 15, 2018}}</ref>

Young voted in favor of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2019/roll095.xml|title=FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 95|last=|first=|date=February 26, 2019|website=Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives|url-status=live|archive-url=|archivedate=|accessdate=}}</ref> which included permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.<ref>{{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=2019-10-26}}</ref>

Young supports exempting the Tongass National Forest from the Roadless Rule, stating "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." <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401408|title=Congressman Don Young|date=2019-08-28|website=Congressman Don Young|access-date=2019-10-26}}</ref>

Young supports an increase in the federal gasoline tax to keep pace with the continued rise in gasoline efficiency of automobiles.<ref>{{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=2016-04-06|website=Alaska Journal|language=en|access-date=2019-10-27}}</ref>

=== Donald Trump ===
During the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Young originally supported Jeb Bush, and later John Kasich.<ref>{{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}}</ref> In April 2016 he said, "I'm not supporting Donald Trump," and when asked about Trump's success in the primaries, Young said that Trump's popularity 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.<ref>{{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|access-date=May 14, 2017}}</ref> However, by the December before the 2017 inauguration, he was more supportive of Trump's accomplishments and proposed policies.<ref>{{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|last=Media|first=Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public|date=December 29, 2016|website=KTOO|accessdate=May 14, 2017}}</ref> By September 2019, he called the investigation and the Trump impeachment inquiry, "...a waste of time."<ref name=impeachment/> On November 1, 2019, Young "head-butted a camera after people with the progressive group MoveOn trailed him down a congressional hallway to an elevator, persistently asking whether it was acceptable for a foreign government to interfere in a U.S. election".<ref name=butt>[https://thehill.com/homenews/house/468473-gop-lawmaker-appears-to-head-butt-camera-when-pressed-about-trump-election GOP lawmaker appears to head-butt camera when pressed about Trump election], ''The Hill'', November 1, 2019, Retrieved November 12, 2019.</ref>

=== Economy ===

Young voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.<ref name="Almukhtar122117">{{cite web|last1=Almukhtar|first1=Sarah|title=How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-house-live-vote.html?_r=0|website=The New York Times|accessdate=December 21, 2017|date=December 19, 2017}}</ref>

=== Environmental regulation ===
Young has stated he believes the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) should not regulate greenhouse gases, and that the EPA kills jobs.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Young has been quoted as saying that "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."<ref name="RS" /> However, Young has supported Omnibus spending bills that maintain current EPA funding levels despite calls from the Trump Administration to cut such funding.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

In 2019, Young and Debbie Dingell introduced legislation providing for a long-term reauthorization of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401438|title=Congressman Don Young|date=2019-10-24|website=Congressman Don Young|access-date=2019-10-27}}</ref>

====Comments on the Deepwater Horizon spill====
In late 2010, Obama administration officials stated that the ''Deepwater Horizon'' spill exceeded the Exxon Valdez spill, as they estimated that the gusher had spewed between {{convert|15|e6USgal|m3}} and {{convert|40|e6USgal|m3}} of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Young claimed that the oil pumping into the Gulf was not an "environmental disaster", stating that it was a "natural phenomena" as "oil has seeped into this ocean for centuries, will continue to do it. During World War II there was over ten million barrels of oil spilt from ships, and no natural catastrophe. We will lose some birds, we will lose some fixed sealife, but overall it will recover."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://climateprogress.org/2010/06/03/bp-oil-spill-don-young-tom-cole/|title=Rep. Don Young (R-AK) says BP oil gusher is 'not an environmental Disaster'|date=June 3, 2010|accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref> According to the Flow Rate Technical Group, the Deepwater Horizon blowout amounted to about {{convert|4.9|Moilbbl|MUSgal m3}} of oil, exceeding the 1989 ''Exxon Valdez'' oil spill as the largest ever to originate in U.S.-controlled waters and the 1979 ''Ixtoc I'' oil spill as the largest spill in the Gulf of Mexico.<ref name="hoch">{{cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2010/08/new-estimate-puts-oil-leak-at-49-million-barrels.html|title=New Estimate Puts Gulf Oil Leak at 205 Million Gallons|last=Hoch|first=Maureen|date=August 2, 2010|work=PBS NewsHour|publisher=MacNeil/Lehrer Productions|accessdate=August 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/03/us/03spill.html?_r=1&fta=y|title=Gulf Spill Is the Largest of Its Kind, Scientists Say|date=August 2, 2010|last2=Krauss|first2=Clifford|first1=Campbell|last1=Robertson|newspaper={{wipe|The New York Times}}|accessdate=August 27, 2016}}</ref>

===Healthcare legislation===
Young has said he wants to see a clean repeal of the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare.<ref name=":02">{{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}}</ref>

Although Young supports repealing the ACA, he said in March 2017 he wouldn't vote on an earlier version of the AHCA (a healthcare plan to repeal and revise parts of the ACA) because it would have too much of a negative impact on healthcare costs in Alaska.<ref name=":02" />

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the AHCA would raise healthcare costs for Alaska more than any other state, and by 2020, on average Alaskans would receive $10,243 less per year under the AHCA compared to Obamacare for the same coverage; almost double the healthcare cost increase of any other state (the next state being North Carolina with consumers receiving $5,360 less per year).<ref name=":12">{{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}}</ref> Young noted, "Nothing in this new bill addressed the real problems of health care."<ref name=":02" />

The AHCA would also stop the Medicaid expansion that was provided by Obamacare, which gives healthcare coverage to more than 27,000 of Young's constituents, or about 3.7% of the Alaska population.<ref name=":12" />

For those reasons, Young was a key House member preventing the AHCA from going to vote in March. When the AHCA didn't pass, Young said it was a "victory for Alaska."<ref name=":02" />

However, despite those statements, and being officially "undecided" because of the disproportionate impact on Alaskans, Young voted yes for the AHCA on May 4, 2017, without any significant changes to improving Alaska subsidies.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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 decries his vote claiming it will raise healthcare costs for Alaskans.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://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=TheHill|access-date=May 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Save My Care|title=Disastrous AK 01 Young Don|date=May 7, 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X48Sw2jv4_o|accessdate=May 11, 2017}}</ref>

=== LGBT issues ===
Young believes marriage should be between a man and a woman. He has compared gay relations to bulls having sex.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rawstory.com/2014/10/alaska-republican-stuns-high-school-crowd-comparing-gay-marriage-to-bulls-having-sex/|title=Alaska Republican stuns high school crowd by comparing gay marriage to bulls having sex|website=www.rawstory.com|language=en-US|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref> He voted against protections for gay and lesbian people in the workplace.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.opencongress.org/vote/2007/h/1057|title=House Roll Call #1057 Details - OpenCongress|date=July 4, 2010|access-date=May 15, 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704082925/http://www.opencongress.org/vote/2007/h/1057|archivedate=July 4, 2010}}</ref> He has stated that, "I've hired a person of a different orientation," continuing with, "That's personal. ... I do believe in the Bible. Always have and always will. But hiring is different."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://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=Huffington Post|access-date=May 15, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> He's voted for making gay adoptions illegal,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_1999-346.htm|title=House Votes on 1999-346|website=www.ontheissues.org|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref> and in 2009 voted against sexual orientation being enforced as a protected status against hate crimes.<ref name="OnTheIssues.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Don_Young.htm|title=Don Young on the Issues|last=OnTheIssues.org|website=www.ontheissues.org|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref>

Young has been given a 3% score on gay rights in the 115th Congress by the HRC.<ref>{{cite web |title=CONGRESSIONAL SCORECARD |url=http://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/115thCongressionalScorecard-Report.pdf?_ga=2.67231313.1397834311.1573947982-463924326.1573947982 |website=hrc.org |publisher=Human Rights Campaign |accessdate=16 November 2019}}</ref>

In the 116th Congress, Young became an original cosponsor of the ''Safe Schools Improvement Act,''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2653/cosponsors|title=Cosponsors - H.R.2653 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2019|last=Sanchez|first=Linda T.|date=2019-05-09|website=www.congress.gov|access-date=2019-10-26}}</ref> according to the text of the legislation, it would help prevent bullying in schools based on a student's actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2653/text|title=Text - H.R.2653 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2019|last=Sanchez|first=Linda T.|date=2019-05-09|website=www.congress.gov|access-date=2019-10-26}}</ref>

=== Suicide rate in Alaska ===
When asked about the fact that the state of Alaska has the highest suicide rate in America per capita, Young has stated that he believes the high suicide rates are at least partially the result of government handouts, and that "this suicide problem didn't exist until we got largesse from the government." He believes Alaska needs to cut public assistance programs.<ref name=":0" />

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.<ref>{{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=2019-10-27}}</ref>

====Comments to student assemblies====
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 that the student's suicide had been caused by a lack of support from family and friends. During the assembly, Young also recalled a story about drinking alcohol in Paris, and used profanity several times, officials from the school reported.<ref name=":0" />

When Young was criticized by a student for his comments on suicide, Young called him an "asshole." Young apologized for these comments on October 24, stating, "I am profoundly and genuinely sorry for the pain it has caused the Alaskan people."<ref>{{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|accessdate=October 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{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|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=October 26, 2014}}</ref>

=== Town halls ===
Young has stated he does not believe in conducting town halls (district meetings for officials to meet and speak with constituents in a town hall setting). When asked for a face-to-face meeting with his constituents in April 2017, in his refusal an aide stated, "The modern town hall has taken an unfortunate turn as a 'show' for the media and are unproductive for meaningful dialogue." Young's meetings in Alaska are primarily made 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 in person.<ref>{{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}}</ref> When speaking to the Alaska Municipal League in Juneau in February 2018, National Rifle Association Board member Young asked "How many millions of people were shot and killed because they were unarmed? Fifty million in Russia."<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/republican-congressman-jews-holocaust-gun-control-alaska-don-young-nazis-armed-a8232721.html Republican congressman suggests Jews could have saved themselves from Holocaust if they were armed], ''The Independent'', Lucy Pasha-Robinson, February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.alaskapublic.org/2018/02/26/rep-young-suggests-guns-couldve-saved-jews-during-holocaust/ Rep. Young suggests guns could’ve saved Jews during Holocaust], ''Alaska Public Media'', Liz Ruskin, February 26, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2018.</ref>

=== Net neutrality ===
In 2018 Young promised to sign the Congressional Review Act, but failed to do so, or sign the discharge petition.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/net-neutrality-alaska-don-young-cra/|title=Republican rep. goes dark after promising support of net neutrality petition|date=July 24, 2018|work=The Daily Dot|access-date=July 25, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Young was married to the former Lula Fredson, an indigenous Gwich'in. She volunteered her time serving as the manager of her husband's [[Place:Washington, D.C.|Washington, D.C.]] congressional office. They had two daughters and were members of the Episcopal Church. Lula died on August 1, 2009, at the age of 67.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adn.com/3437/story/883606.html |title=Dyeing for a better Kenai salmon count: Alaska Newsreader |publisher=adn.com |accessdate=August 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804050356/http://www.adn.com/3437/story/883606.html |archivedate=August 4, 2009 }}</ref>

On August 17, 2014, Young announced his engagement to Anne Garland Walton, a flight nurse from Fairbanks.<ref>{{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 |accessdate=August 18, 2014 |agency=Associated Press |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085545/http://www.ktuu.com/news/news/don-young-introduces-fiancee-at-church-event/27566390 |archivedate=August 19, 2014 }}</ref>  On June 9, 2015, Young and Walton married. She was 76 years old at the time.<ref>{{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|accessdate=June 9, 2015|work=USA Today}}</ref><ref>[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.</ref>

==Electoral history==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ Alaska's at-large congressional district: Results 1972–2018<ref name="clerkresults">{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html|title=Election Statistics|accessdate=August 8, 2007|work=Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226190314/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html|archivedate=December 26, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.alaska.gov/results/12GENR/data/results.htm|title= State of Alaska 2012 General Election|date=November 28, 2012|publisher=Alaska Division of Elections|accessdate=June 18, 2013}}</ref>
!|Year
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Democratic
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Third Party
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Third Party
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Third Party
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Write-in votes
!|Write-in %
|-
|1972
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|Don Young}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |41,750
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |43.76%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|'''Nick J. Begich*''' †{{efn|Went missing October 16, 1972 (before the election); declared dead December 29, 1972.}}}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |53,651
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |56.24%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1973
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |35,044
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |51.41%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Emil Notti}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |33,123
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |48.39%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1974
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |51,641
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |53.84%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|William L. Hensley}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |44,280
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |46.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1976
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |83,722
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |71.00%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Eben Hopson}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |34,194
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |29.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1978
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |68,811
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |55.41%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Patrick Rodey}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |55,176
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |44.43%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align:right;"|200
|0.16%
|-
|1980
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |114,089
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |73.79%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Kevin Parnell}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |39,922
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |25.82%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align:right;"|607
|0.39%
|-
|1982
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |128,274
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |70.84%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Dave Carlson}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |52,011
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |28.72%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align:right;"|799
|0.44%
|-
|1984
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |113,582
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |55.02%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Pegge Begich}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |86,052
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |41.68%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |{{nowrap|Betty Breck (I)}}
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |6,508
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |3.15%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align:right;"|295
|0.14%
|-
|1986
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |101,799
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |56.47%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Pegge Begich}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |74,053
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |41.08%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |{{nowrap|Betty Breck (L)}}
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |4,182
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |2.32%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align:right;"|243
|0.14%
|-
|1988
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |120,595
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |62.50%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Peter Gruenstein}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |71,881
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |37.25%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align:right;"|479
|0.25%
|-
|1990
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |99,003
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |51.66%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|John S. Devens}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |91,677
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |47.84%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align:right;"|967
|0.51%
|-
|1992
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |111,849
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |46.78%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|John S. Devens}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |102,378
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |42.82%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |{{nowrap|Michael States}} (AKI)
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |15,049
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |6.29%
|
|{{Party shading/Green}} |{{nowrap|Mike Milligan}} (G)
|{{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |9,529
|{{Party shading/Green}} |3.99%
|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align:right;"|311
|0.13%
|-
|1994
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |118,537
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |56.92%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Tony Smith}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |68,172
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |32.74%
|
|{{Party shading/Green}} |{{nowrap|Joni Whitmore}} (G)
|{{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |21,277
|{{Party shading/Green}} |10.22%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align:right;"|254
|0.12%
|-
|1996
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |138,834
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |59.41%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Georgianna Lincoln}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |85,114
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |36.42%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |{{nowrap|William J. Nemec II}} (AKI)
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |5,017
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |2.15%
|
|{{Party shading/Green}} |{{nowrap|John J. G. Grames}} (G)
|{{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |4,513
|{{Party shading/Green}} |1.93%
|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align:right;"|222
|0.10%
|-
|1998
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |139,676
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |62.55%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Jim Duncan}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |77,232
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |34.59%
|
|{{Party shading/Green}} |{{nowrap|John J. G. Grames}} (G)
|{{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |5,923
|{{Party shading/Green}} |2.65%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align:right;"|469
|0.21%
|-
|2000
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |190,862
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |69.56%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Clifford Mark Greene}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |45,372
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |16.54%
|
|{{Party shading/Green}} |{{nowrap|Anna C. Young}} (G)
|{{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |22,440
|{{Party shading/Green}} |8.18%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |{{nowrap|Jim Dore}} (AKI)
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |10,085
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |3.68%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |{{nowrap|Leonard J. Karpinski (L)}}
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |4,802
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |1.75%
|
| style="text-align:right;"|832
|0.30%
|-
|2002
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |169,685
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |74.66%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Clifford Mark Greene}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |39,357
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |17.32%
|
|{{Party shading/Green}} |{{nowrap|Russell deForest}} (G)
|{{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |14,435
|{{Party shading/Green}} |6.35%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |{{nowrap|Rob Clift (L)}}
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |3,797
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |1.67%
|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align:right;"|291
|0.00%
|-
|2004
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |213,216
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |71.34%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Thomas M. Higgins}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |67,074
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |22.44%
|
|{{Party shading/Green}} |{{nowrap|Timothy A. Feller}} (G)
|{{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |11,434
|{{Party shading/Green}} |3.83%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |{{nowrap|Alvin A. Anders (L)}}
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |7,157
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |2.40%
|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align:right;"|1,115
|-
|2006
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |132,743
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |56.57%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Diane E. Benson}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |93,879
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |40.01%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |{{nowrap|Alexander Crawford (L)}}
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |4,029
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |1.72%
|
|{{Party shading/Green}} |{{nowrap|Eva L. Ince}} (G)
|{{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |1,819
|{{Party shading/Green}} |0.78%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |{{nowrap|William W. Ratigan}} (I)
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |1,615
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |0.69%
|
| style="text-align:right;"|560
|0.24%
|-
|2008
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |158,939
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |50.14%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Ethan Berkowitz}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |142,560
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |44.98%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |{{nowrap|Don Wright (AKI)}}
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |14,274
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |4.50%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align:right;"|1,205
|0.38%
|-
|2010
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |175,384
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |68.87%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Harry Crawford}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |77,606
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |30.64%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|style="text-align:right;"|1,345
|0.49%
|-
|2012
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |185,296
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |63.94%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Sharon Cissna}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |82,927
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |28.61%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |{{nowrap|Jim McDermott (L)}}
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |15,028
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |5.19%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |{{nowrap|Ted Gianoutsos (I)}}
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |5,589
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |1.93%
|
|
|
|
|
|style="text-align:right;"|964
|0.33%
|-
|2014
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |142,572
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |50.97%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Forrest Dunbar}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |114,602
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |40.97%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |{{nowrap|Jim McDermott (L)}}
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |21,290
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |7.61%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|style="text-align:right;"|1,277
|0.46%
|-
|2016
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |155,088
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |50.32%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Steve Lindbeck}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |111,019
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |36.02%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |{{nowrap|Jim McDermott (L)}}
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |31,770
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |10.31%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |{{nowrap|Bernie Souphanavong (I)}}
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |9,093
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |2.95%
|
|
|
|
|
|style="text-align:right;"|1,228
|0.40%
|-
|2018
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Don Young*'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |149,779
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |53.08%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |{{nowrap|Alyse Galvin}}
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |131,199
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |46.50%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|style="text-align:right;"|1,188
|0.42%
|}

==References==
===Websites===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Notes===
{{notelist}}

==Further reading==
* [http://100years.akleg.gov/bio.php?id=1554 Donald Young] at ''100 Years of Alaska's Legislature''
* [http://www.alaskareport.com/don-young.htm Don Young caught lying about debate over emissions bill] ''Alaska Report'', May 20, 2006
* [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/don_young_gives_self_fictitiou.php Don Young Gives Self Fictitious "Hero of the Taxpayer" Award from Watchdog Group] July 25, 2008.

==External links==
* [http://donyoung.house.gov Congressman Don Young] official U.S. House site
* [http://www.alaskansfordonyoung.com Don Young for Congress]
* {{Curlie|Regional/North_America/United_States/Alaska/Government/Federal/US_House_of_Representatives}}
* {{C-SPAN|donaldyoung}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
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|district = AL
|before   = Nick Begich
|years    = 1973–present}}
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{{s-bef|before=George Miller}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee|years=1995–2001}}
{{s-aft|after=James V. Hansen}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Bud Shuster}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the House Transportation Committee|years=2001–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=Jim Oberstar}}
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{{s-inc|rows=2}}
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{{s-aft|after=Jim Sensenbrenner}}
{{s-end}}

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{{USCongRep/AK/92}}
{{USCongRep/AK/93}}
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{{USCongRep/AK/95}}
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{{USCongRep-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Young, Don}}
[[Category:Climate change skepticism and denial]]

{{Sourceattribution|Don Young|1}}