Mark Begich

The Coast Guard I think issued their Certificate of Inspection on the Arctic Challenger today or yesterday.

This is a timely hearing, and I'd echo what Deputy Secretary Hayes said, that there are a lot of lessons learned.

The value of our oil and gas reserves, and particularly our yet untapped reserves, is really a game-changer for the nation.

We need to proceed carefully, safely, and make sure local communities are fully prepared and engaged.

Such an office was proposed in legislation that Senator Begich and Senator Murkowski introduced recently.

I hope they do--the Law of the Sea treaty, Alaska's extended continental shelf could grow in area by twice the size of California.

President Obama supported my push to start utilizing Alaska resources to support America's energy needs.

I have to be frank with you. I think my colleagues back in Washington think I'm going to move the whole committee to Alaska because we have had so many hearings here.

It's not a question of if we're drilling, it's how we do it right.

I guess this year was kind of the beginning of what's ahead of us in the Arctic.

As a Senator of a rural state, I am truly amazed by the new opportunities Alaska businesses are able to enjoy through the use of the Internet.

I think there is a basic fairness issue here of how do you ensure that if you're a retailer... you're paying for the roads and everything else that goes along with it.

It's like my son just got--he's 10. I forget what it's called, but the little piece that you can hook up to your iPad and Visa.

Congress should not enact any legislation that would grant State governments the authority to impose any new burdensome or unfair tax collecting requirements on small online businesses and entrepreneurs, which would ultimately hurt the…

Great. And the reason I say this--when I was mayor, we changed the law, because we used to tax everybody's inventory.

I do not buy from a $7 product--and, again, this is one example--to $600.

So all your members are perfect.

Do you believe in that kind of tracking system?

As someone from Alaska, I understand shipping, you know.

Can you provide to me or to the Committee...anybody within your organization that has violated these types of issues?

I recognize that there is a need for some of these distributors in small amounts.

S. 3049, Sen. Mark Begich's bill to expand the definition of homeless veteran for purposes of benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

I am pleased to cosponsor this measure along with Senator Sherrod Brown as we seek to honor this Metal of Honor recipient from Vietnam who provided medical aid to his soldiers in Vietnam and died in doing so.

Those who gave their life in service to our country deserve an honorable burial, and this bill is a step toward ensuring that eligible veterans do receive that burial in a national cemetery given the respect that they rightly deserve.

I want to make it very clear that we are hopeful that there are no moves by EPA or FAA to phaseout avgas until there is truly an appropriate and economical drop-in substitute fuel.