Mark Begich: “Thank you very much. We'll call this hearing to order, the first of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries…”

That is actually an old model. That is a model that we are trying to get rid of.

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?