Mark Begich

I think some people say it's just a bunch of government workers we're affecting. Not true. It's a combo.

It's not just the government. It is private-sector contractors that do an enormous amount of work on behalf of the Federal Government.

I agree on the last part.

I will probably have a lot to say, especially to OMB, because I think they are sometimes confused on what Alaska is about.

They do not necessarily like who you worked for. They do not like the policies of the OMB Director. They do not like the President.

I am particularly concerned about the pervasive nature of tracking on children's websites.

The United States Constitution clearly protects Americans from unreasonable searches of their private information without a compelling reason.

Alaskans value their privacy so much there is a right to privacy spelled out in the Alaska State Constitution.

Thank you to Chairman Rockefeller and Senators Kerry and Pryor for their work on this vital issue for Americans.

Let me ask you, because my time is up, as an Attorney, what is your confidence level on the way this is drafted now, that it will withstand constitutional challenge?

I would be all fine with line item because it keeps legislative bodies in check.

I am a supporter of earmarks. I think legislative power is--part of what we do is represent our constituency.

If not, it is sucked back in or rescinded back in.

They are much more closely related to spending programs, then it is much easier to apply the same levels.

The McCain-Carper bill demonstrates that common ground does exist for meaningful action and it needs to be taken now.

It is up to the Congress to take, obviously, responsibility to control spending more seriously.

$1.6 trillion is what we face for a deficit for this fiscal year (FY), and it is the highest ever.

The level of our spending is just--there is no end in sight, unfortunately, and it is out of control.

I think this Committee has a huge opportunity for oversight and what we can do to help the Federal Government operate in a much better way.

It was actually--we got it unanimous consent.

Executive power is much more stronger than legislative power, at the end of the day, is my own personal view.

I am hopeful that he will, in fact, move forward and work with us on this issue.

And that means making sure the stakeholders are at the table, right?

I'm assuming you would--that getting that kind of data would be helpful in analyzing the future. Correct?

No matter what the data says. It could say that there's going to be a lot of fish and they say, 'Well, that's not enough.'