Mark Begich

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

It should be a separate issue.

Do you think there's the political will to get beyond the debate of liability caps and torts?

I am hopeful, whatever we do here and on the floor of the Senate, that we do not have that same delay.

It just doesn't make sense.

I don't think that's about lawyers who represent primarily plaintiffs or lawyers who represent primarily defendants.

I sympathize with your loss, your two losses, but also the nine other families that need also be recognized.

Alaska and Hawaii are the only two states in the Nation that do not have approved state pipeline safety programs.

Do you think they have the authority to do whatever kind of reimbursable contracting or anything of that nature to bring those resources to bear as they need them for a project of that magnitude?

Because we estimate this is probably a 30, 40, 50, depending on what day it is, billion dollar project.

If I can just interrupt before someone else answers, based on obviously the larger issue, which is the blowout and the spill, which is a whole different set of circumstances, is this something you think we should accelerate, some more…

I think I'm coming at it with my same--because I'm an elected county council member, too.

Do you think PHMSA has the capacity, staffing, and authority to deal with these large projects in a timely manner?

I knew someone would take the bait.

People hate this when I bring this up at these meetings, but I used to be a mayor.

I think if we move forward with many of the recommendations in the National Broadband Plan, then we'll be doing just what you want us to be doing.

I appreciate your comment that, 'If we think there's a problem, we'll come to you.' But, keep moving forward.

I don't have a lot of faith yet that the transition from the Fund to the new Connect America Fund will ensure that places, like mine and others here, who have very, very rural communities, are going to get that investment, that connection.

What are you using to get these doctors to get on step with telemedicine? Because that is the future, when it comes to mental health services, especially in a State like mine...

I do believe this is a huge opportunity that both the DOD and the VA can really exploit in a positive way.

I mean, why people patent here--this is my assessment--is, we have some of the best patent laws.

Are there any types of ballistic missile defense (BMD) activities or policies the United States plans to avoid or delay to diminish the chances that the Russians will withdraw from the New START?

How will the joint missile defense assessment with Russia affect U.S. policy towards missile defense?

I believe in these kind of Committee meetings we can make all kinds of speeches or we can get some work done and I would like to get work done.

Ultimately, it is simply the ability for a highly rural veteran to receive quality care closer to home and it is a matter entirely within Congress's power to address!