Mark Begich: “We need a deepwater port up there--not only for the industry, but for the Coast Guard, and oil spill technology.”

Just assuming the private sector is going to absorb all this is not realistic.

We specifically extend our appreciation to Senator Murkowski and Senator Begich for their support and efforts to repeal the Alaska exception of the Violence Against Women Act.

We have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us.

I want to make sure my colleagues hear exactly what you are saying, so a couple years from now, we do not hear complaints that, geez, why did you not do it?