Mark Begich

Let me again thank the witnesses on both panels for sharing their personal stories, their experience.

We have to have program flexibility that gives those local community providers the ability to stop veterans from ever becoming homeless.

Flexibility in the caps would be great because what works in HUD may not work in VA.

When I, as a former mayor and as a person, actually almost 30 years ago or 25 years ago, had to manage grants, we put artificial caps like that in there, and I say 'artificial' because they are based on some modeling that someone did in…

I want to make sure just any time we have these discussions they put on the record that I am requesting especially in rural areas that we have additional HUD and VASH vouchers.

The Committee will continue to do the oversight necessary and the conversation back and forth from providers and people who are experiencing homelessness.

It is clear we have more work to do. We all acknowledge that.

If they cannot get there, all the reports we do are just going to be reports.

I think it is an incredible model, and it was not a government-run model.

When I was mayor, we worked with a lot of faith-based groups and we put aside this whole debate over church and State because we had individuals and veterans that we needed to deal with and solve these problems.

I support the Coast Guard Authorization Act that increases Coast Guard end strength to 49,350.

I want to thank you and especially the investment or the start of investment in an ice breaker.

Put a lid on the total amount.

Fantastic. That, I think, is where we want to get to, to help plan for this potential.

We are concerned because these are long-terms jobs and economic impact to our respective communities here.

You know, at the rate we go in mapping our coastline, you know, they will be four generations dead before they are all redone.

I think it is important for us to understand that because I think that is the question that Senator Cantwell is getting to is, do you have the resources?

What happens in 2013 when these devastating reductions, if just the interim measure is put in place, what will happen where 90 percent of the fishermen essentially in my state will be killed.

Make no mistake: closing this lab will undermine NOAA's ability to carry out its mission to conserve and manage America's coastal and marine resources.

I am most glad to see the Coast Guard has a 5-year capital investment plan for $860 million to actually build this asset, which is vital for America to realize its full Arctic potential.

I would like to acknowledge my gracious Ranking Member, Olympia Snowe, for her many years of service.

A plan is as good as the money that goes along with it; otherwise, it is just another plan we revise next year.

I've written to President Obama and urged him to reconsider his decision.

So I think that is a huge move.

The brave men and women of the Coast Guard never let us down, and it's critical that we give them the resources they need to complete their missions.