Mark Begich

We just need to get after it and deal with it, and it is going to take years to change it.

I have a bill which Senator Murray talked about, and that is reimbursements for doctors in the sense of serving our VA system.

It just aggravates me when people tell me it is suddenly a new-found problem.

What we are doing in Alaska... we said, 'What are we doing?'

This is not new. It is just they did not get the funding years ago, and now we are playing catch-up.

What is our wait time in Alaska in the Northwest Region? It is one of the lowest in the country.

What steps is the State Department taking to fix the root causes of bringing migrant children to the U.S. from Central America?

They would like to measure that wind, and they have been struggling with the FAA for years--years--to get this one piece of equipment that could literally protect and ensure that life safety is there.

What is the plan to install more potential ground stations to improve ADS-B for general aviation in Alaska?

Are you considering satellite coverage?

I will pursue a Senate floor amendment to the FY 2015 Commerce Appropriations measure.

The National Center thanks Senator Mark Begich for pursuing a Senate Floor amendment to the fiscal year 2015 Commerce appropriations in order to make existing funds available to provide for this office of Commerce its own budget.

Is the right subcommittee conversation you are having in Appropriations leaving you to believe that on the Senate side, that amount would be added?

Have we reached the levels that you need or are there requests you have made that we have not fulfilled?

I am a big supporter of the program, I think it is an important program.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for being here today.

Economic development in Indian Country is critical for the future of our tribes.

It seems they are chasing a problem that does not exist.

I think the intent of Congress is not what I think now the regulation is attempting to do.

I come from a State that understands energy, not only from an oil and gas perspective, but we also will be 50 percent renewable energy for State consumption by 2025.

I really do not see any other entity, aside from the Federal Government, that can really force people to the table to have that conversation.

For Alaska to have a fire of that magnitude in May is unheard of.

I can tell you, when I said that--and I know Mayor Navarre was there when we were doing an incident press conference, and I said that.

Does it need more? I am giving you a softball there.

This is our effort to move the Senate into the 21st Century as we do this testimony.