Mark Begich

The Coast Guard was ready for operations in the Arctic with Operation Arctic Shield.

Thank you very much for your testimony.

The question is whether the U.S. will set the bar for doing it right by using strong science and data.

This amendment deals with labeling genetically engineered fish, the first hybrid animal being proposed for human consumption. The FDA is reviewing this precedent-setting action not as a food but as a drug. They haven't studied the…

I believe it's an important step toward better understanding and addressing mental illness in our greater communities.

One of the things that Congress did in this supplemental that was terrific was give FEMA more authority to say do not just rebuild exactly what was there before----

Let me end on that to say, Ms. Darcy, see that, you did not have to answer the question. That is not bad.

I am not sure who mentioned it in their opening statement, but the issue we always hear about FEMA dollars replacing in the current location after something is destroyed, but the Corps--

I would like to get some additional information from you on those relationships and how they are doing.

Fantastic. Thank you for that.

I will be very anxious--and maybe, Mr. Chairman, as we move forward on these issues, as you finish your work there, at least start preparing some of these recommendations...

Will you also look at--and I think Senator Coburn was talking a little bit about it, but to expand on this--one of the issues you always hear is how long it takes from one point of entry into the system for an individual and then how they…

Out of that, will you derive ideas that will say here is the list of structural changes we need, maybe in FEMA or whatever other agency?

Thank you for having that in the package.

I think this is a smart recommendation, and it is essential we put it on our to-do list as a Congress.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and I do look forward to the opportunity to continue to work on these issues around emergency preparedness.

Recently, I introduced legislation--S. 520--that is aimed at improving the safety of imported seafood, as well as promoting seafood traceability and preventing seafood fraud.

Wild caught is always better

What I say is there's a changing temperature pattern, water and onshore, so what do we do, how do we manage this for the economic losses that could be accumulating at a rapid pace if we're not careful.

We need technology to replace some of the things we're doing.

I appreciate each one of you who did give recommendations and some ideas as we get ready to deal with some of these reauthorizations, especially the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which will be significant.

Yes, it's an important part and we should be looking at it, but it's something that's got to be done carefully.

Is that a fair statement----

Will you be specific, and that's what I want to know, and will the commissions take the bold political step and say, yes, we need to help craft in the future?

Thank you very much. We'll call this hearing to order, the first of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard in the 113th Congress.