Mark Begich

Is this an area you would look into and help us try to figure out a resolution?

Their number-one goal is to keep the public safe.

I want to reiterate the point, but also make sure you and I are on the same page...

I will stack the police department that I had against any public safety team in this country.

Will you do everything possible to make sure that whatever rules, regulations, procedures--everything you do will ensure the safety of traveler as well as the highest quality of workers in TSA?

I look forward, again, to working with you and the Committee as to those issues...

People don't go into these jobs and say, 'Geez, you know, if the union doesn't do this, I'm not going to keep the public safe.'

With my last few seconds, Ray, I just want to say the piece of legislation that Senator Murray is the primary sponsor on, I think some of that, as you read through it, I know you will see some of our efforts from field hearings that we had…

I think we are in a unique situation in Alaska because telecommunications is a critical piece and literally life-and-death linkage.

Obviously, there is a reason why we have introduced it. In Alaska, we see more and more individuals--not only veterans but in other areas--utilizing telemedicine and telehealth as a way to do prevention as well as kind of maintenance on…

I know Senator Murray would love to know how those kick off, and for me personally how we can be supportive of those efforts at reaching out to the unemployed veterans of our country.

You have just given the reason why the VA should support our legislation, because less co-pays or no co-pays mean people utilize it, which ultimately saves on the bottom line.

I just am anxious, and I know Senator Murray is as a prime sponsor of that legislation, to be working with your office on seeing how to accelerate that.

Support the Prohibit the collection of copayments for telehealth visits.

IAVA supports this bill, which would prohibit the VA from collecting copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits.

As a Senator from Alaska, you know, we have experienced a spill of incredible magnitude before.

If our students aren't STEM-capable, it's not just jobs, it's making basic fundamental decisions in our democracy.

I'm a big supporter of the reauthorization and the resources.

STEM is an incredible program.

I don't like the legislation, never have, for a variety of reasons. It's a disincentive- versus incentive-driven.

The best economic stimulus or economic recovery is education.

They actually said they should rename it to STEAM and put 'Arts' in the middle of it.

There was a provision there called the Alaska Federal Interagency Task Force to look at improved services throughout Alaska on health care.

How do you see TBI, if at all, used in telemedicine? And are you using it now? And what is your kind of analysis of that?

I think we want to help you in this area because we think the social workers are an important component.