Press Release Says, Begich Supports Debating Health Reform; Cloture vote allows discussion, debate to occur on legislation

In an effort to move forward on landmark legislation to reform America’s health insurance industry and provide affordable, accessible insurance to Alaskans and all Americans, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich tonight voted in favor of moving the bill under consideration to the Senate floor. The cloture vote on the Patience Protection and Affordability Act is procedural and moves
the legislation to the floor so it can be debated, discussed and amended. It is not a vote on the final legislation.

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Press Release Says, Begich Thanks Postal Service for Santa Letter Reconsideration; Letters to Santa at North Pole will continue to be answered

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today praised the U.S. Postal Service for deciding it will permit a program to continue in Alaska that allows volunteers to answer “Dear Santa” letters that come from across the country each year to the post
office at North Pole, Alaska.

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Press Release Says, Begich Applauds Final Passage of Landmark Veterans Legislation; Begich’s support helps spur passage after months of delay

Continuing his advocacy and support for military veterans and their families, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today applauded passage of overdue legislation which thoroughly overhauls many issues related to veteran’s health care.

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Press Release Says, Begich Talks Health Reform With Alaska Seniors; Telephone Town Hall puts thousands in the conversation

In an effort to continue to relay factual information and stay connected with Alaskans on the subject of health reform. U.S. Sen. Mark Begich joined more than 2,300 Alaska seniors last night to discuss health reform through a telephone town hall sponsored by AARP.

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Press Release Says, Begich Pushes Alaska Oil and Gas Development with Top Obama Officials; Calls for Aggressive OCS Development, Gasline Construction

Oil and gas development off Alaska’s coast and construction of an Alaska natural gas pipeline are vital for the nation’s energy security and energy supply, Sen. Mark Begich told two of the Obama administration’s top energy and environment officials today.

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Press Release Says, Alaska Military Projects, Veterans Benefit in Appropriations Bill Military Construction & Veterans Affairs brings millions to state

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today announced more than $330 million is targeted for Alaska’s military bases and for veterans programs and care in the $133.9 billion Fiscal Year 2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill that passed the Senate. The bill, which is $439 million more than the President’s Budget Request, now goes to a joint House-Senate conference committee to work out the differences in the House and Senate
legislation.

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Sen. Begich Comment on Resignation of Drue Pearce as Federal Pipeline Coordinator

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today issued the following statement regarding the resignation of Drue Pearce as the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Project Federal Coordinator:

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Begich Highlights Success of Alaska Health Program “Nuka Model of Care” touted in Senate floor speech

Highlighting the success of a health care program developed by Alaska Native leaders more than a decade ago, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today joined his freshmen Democratic senators for their weekly series of speeches about the need for health reform.

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Press Release Says, Begich Joins Akaka, Tester to Discuss Obstruction of Veterans Bill

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today joined Sen. Daniel Akaka and Sen. Jon Tester at a news conference to discuss legislation to improve health care services to America’s veterans. A single Republican Senator is obstructing efforts to pass the bipartisan Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009.

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Press Release Says, Alaskans Accepted to Library of Congress Veterans Project Veterans History Project features Alaska stories

Marking Veterans Day and recognizing the service of distinguished Alaska service members, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today announced the inclusion of video accounts from three more Alaska veterans to the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project (VHP). The Veterans History Project currently houses accounts from 92 veterans who claim Alaska as their home state with periods of service dating back to World War II.

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News From Senator Begich, November 9, 2009:

November 9, 2009

Upcoming Veterans Day Holiday:
What an exciting week this will be in Alaska as we honor our nation’s veterans Wednesday and President Obama visits with troops at Elmendorf Air Force Base Thursday. With the tragic shooting at Fort Hood last week, the schedule for the president’s visit had to be changed so he can take part in a ceremony at Fort Hood tomorrow. In any event, any day is a perfect day to honor our military men and women and to welcome President Obama on his first trip to Alaska. As part of the event’s this week, I will present a speech on the Senate floor Tuesday honoring our veterans, our military and the military’s history and importance in Alaska. The other major topic on our agenda continues to be the ongoing discussion of health reform. The House passed an historic bill over the weekend and now it is the Senate’s turn to take action on this legislation. I will continue to push for a bill that insures more Alaskans, ends denial of pre-existing conditions, and protects seniors and Medicare. There is much work to be done still on this important piece of legislation, and I will continue to provide you updates through this newsletter and other venues.

Sincerely,
Senator Mark Begich

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Press Release Says, Economic Value of Alaska Waters Stressed by Begich during Oceans Subcommittee Hearing

Probes Oceans Zoning Effort Considered by Administration

While welcoming increased attention to the health of America’s oceans, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today expressed concerns about whether limited federal resources currently used to manage fisheries and other economic activities from the nation’s oceans could be at risk from changing national priorities.

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Press Release Says, Begich Calls on Coburn to Release Hold on Veterans Bill Those who have served country deserve better, Begich says

Just a few days before the country honors Veterans Day, recognizing veterans have paid their dues to this country and it is our duty and obligation to take care of them, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today called on Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) to release his hold on the Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009 (S.1963).

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Statement from Sen. Begich on Fort Hood Tragedy

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich released the following statement regarding the tragedy today at Fort Hood:

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Press Release Says, Begich Praises Shinseki Pledge to End Homelessness for Veterans VA Secretary unveils plan at DC homeless summit

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today praised a plan released by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Erik Shinseki to end homelessness among veterans by marshalling the resources of the government, business and the private sector. According to the VA, the comprehensive plan includes preventive measures like discharge planning for incarcerated veterans re-entering society, supportive services for low-income veterans and their families, and a national referral center to link veterans to local service providers.

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