I think you recognize that we don't have much of a contingency plan there in Alaska. This is it.

How does this budget request empower the VA and its Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinators to seek out worthwhile organizations to form coalitions that support these kinds of initiatives?

We are not going to leave them.

We have heard from a lot of vets who are hearing about this. They are really concerned because, again, coming from Bethel, you have got to have an air medivac.

There is no reason why we should not. So, I am with you in supporting your urging to the Agency, to the Department to advance.

I find it inexcusable and astonishing that Hawaii and Alaska would not be included, particularly, in a study for geothermal.

I have proposed the creation of an Off-Road Veterans Outreach Program, some support funding to get out, and then get those vets who can't drive, to a facility, so that they can get their questions answered.

I think we would agree that that is not right, that is not reasonable.

I am not trying to cut anybody's corner here, but we are trying to run this in a more sustainable, defensible way.

I appreciated the fact that you followed through on your commitment from this last budget hearing, that you were going to come to Alaska.

Oftentimes, we are looking at an air medivac that is costing $60,000 to $80,000, you know.

I really appreciate you recognizing that Alaska is not going to be at a disadvantage when it comes to Federal funding.

How does this budget request empower the VA and its Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinators to seek out worthwhile organizations to form coalitions that support these kinds of initiatives?

There is one facility there with limited numbers of beds, and you just don't, literally, need the roof falling in.

I think you recognize that we don't have much of a contingency plan there in Alaska. This is it.

I expressed my disappointment that there was a DOE loan guarantee for a processing plant in Louisiana.

And that is exciting and it is good news and that was in a year--the promise that we are going to see this activity in the country is exactly what we had all hoped for.

And that is exciting and it is good news and that was in a year--the promise that we are going to see this activity in the country is exactly what we had all hoped for.

I expressed my disappointment that there was a DOE loan guarantee for a processing plant in Louisiana.

And again, we have been placing a lot of priority on that. And just want to make sure, again, that we are all leaning in.

I will be submitting a question for the record to you, Secretary Owens.

We certainly, certainly concur with that.

we are very focused on the suicide issues that we have seen up north, everything that we can do to help address that.

I am very pleased with the Air Force's 2021 decision to base four additional KC-135s at Eielson Air Force Base with the Alaska National Guard.

We certainly, certainly concur with that.