Mark Begich

November 16, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Mark Begich today issued the following statement regarding the resignation of Drue Pearce as the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Project Federal Coordinator:

"I commend and thank Drue for her many years of public service, both in the Alaska Legislature and as the first pipeline coordinator, and wish her the best in her next pursuits.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Senators Daniel Akaka, Jon Tester and Mark Begich held a press conference today 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. Among other things, the legislation will provide benefits to caregivers of severely injured veterans, expand health care services to women, improve mental care treatment, provide outreach to homeless veterans and enhance VA medical services.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Mark Begich released the following statement regarding the tragedy today at Fort Hood:

"No words can come close to expressing the shock we are all experiencing today following the deadly shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas.

"As Americans we are collectively stunned when a tragedy of this magnitude occurs in one of our communities. No life is ever more valuable than another, but knowing the victims were soldiers serving their country and preparing for deployment to Iraq perhaps makes it even more difficult to comprehend.    » read more »

Legislation also expands business tax credits, extends unemployment benefits

November 5, 2009 -- In an effort to help recharge Alaska's economy and hundreds of small businesses, U.S. Senator Mark Begich today supported legislation to extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit, and the expansion of a program allowing businesses to relieve their tax burden.

The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act passed the Senate by a vote of
98 to 0. The Act, co-sponsored by Sen. Begich, continues the $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit through April 30, 2010, allowing purchasers with a valid contract an additional 60 days to close after that date. It also provides a $6,500 credit to new purchasers who have lived in their current residence for five years or more.    » read more »

VA Secretary unveils plan at DC homeless summit

November 3, 2009 -- U.S. Senator 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.    » read more »

Award to Alaska Growth Capital will provide loans

October 30, 2009 -- Following an announcement by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, Senator Mark Begich commended the Department of the Treasury for allocating $50 million in tax credits to Alaska Growth Capital BIDCO, INC (AGC), of Anchorage. Funds will be used for loans to businesses, disadvantaged communities, and low income populations for expansion of real estate projects with "high community impacts."    » read more »

October 29, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Mark Begich released the following statement after learning the Department of Defense will not be putting any of the first 250-300 aircraft of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) at any of Alaska's military bases:

"Given Alaska's important geographic and strategic advantages for the overall defense of our country, I am disappointed to learn that none of Alaska's Air Force bases were chosen as one of the preferred locations to base a portion of the Air Force's first 250-300 aircraft in the F-35 JSF. This is particularly disappointing since the Air Force indicated last fall that Eielson was on the "short list."    » read more »

October 29, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Mark Begich today announced the award of over $15 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for development of geothermal fields and research into new geothermal technologies for three Alaska based entities.

"Alaska already leads the nation in producing electricity from the lowest temperature geothermal waters. However, our efforts to use this abundant energy source have barely broken the surface of potential energy production," Sen. Begich said. "The Department of Energy is right to look to our state when developing new clean energy technologies. Alaskans have as much to gain from the development of affordable and clean energy technology as anywhere in the United States."

The awards include:    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- In response to a decision by the Department of Defense, U.S. Senator Mark Begich commended Secretary of Defense Robert Gates for committing to finish silo construction at Fort Greely's Missile Field 2 over the next two years.

This decision follows a strong and continuing push from Begich to make necessary investments in the ground based mid-course missile defense (GMD) system modernization and infrastructure amidst increasing Iranian missile launches.    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - The Alaska Congressional Delegation is pleased to announce the following grants awarded to communities in the State of Alaska:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):
• $1,679,035.50 to the City of Emmonak. The project will restore the City of Emmonak's dock to pre-disaster condition, and includes embankment repair, and in-water work.
• $1,166,174.72 to the Alaska Railroad Corporation to provide both repairs and mitigation to damages to the Alaska Railroad which were sustained from record-breaking ice-jam and flooding.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):    » read more »

October 19, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Mark Begich issued the following statement today after learning The Department of Interior's Minerals Management Service (MMS) has approved, with conditions, Shell Offshore, Inc.'s Exploration Plan to explore two leases in the Beaufort Sea:

"I am pleased to hear that the MMS has approved Shell's Exploration Plan for the Beaufort Sea. Alaska has long been America's energy storehouse and this positive development demonstrates that our state's role in helping meet the nation's energy needs will continue.    » read more »

Begich Co-sponsors Act to Save Taxpayer Funds and Ensure Efficient Spending

October 8, 2009 -- In an effort to end irresponsible and illegal expenditures of taxpayer money by federal employees the U.S. Senate has passed the Government Charge Card Abuse Act S.942, co-sponsored by Senator Mark Begich. A bipartisan piece of legislation passed by unanimous consent, the law will work to increase levels of accountability for federal employees, create new policies to improve transparency, and provide training to federal employees.    » read more »

Bill moves to the Senate floor with ATG language, support for Locality Pay

October 7, 2009 -- Successfully making the case that members of Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG) who defended Alaska and the interests of the United States during World War II earned and deserve retirement pay, U.S. Senator Mark Begich today announced the language supporting the retirement benefits is part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 as it moves to the Senate floor for a final vote.

Working with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Begich succeeded in keeping language supporting the benefits in the bill after a Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) came out from the Obama administration late last month opposing the benefits.    » read more »

Legislation impacting Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories still active

October 2, 2009 -- Continuing the fight to ensure fair pay and retirement benefits for federal employees in Alaska, U.S. Senator Mark Begich continues to push to bring parity between federal workers' retirement in Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories with those in the continental U.S.

Begich joined Sen. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii in March in introducing The Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act, which allows for the gradual transition to locality pay from cost of living allowance (COLA) increases.    » read more »

Calls on DOD to review impact on GMD at Fort Greely

September 17, 2009 -- The Obama administration's decision to cancel deployment of a European-based missile defense system makes full deployment of Alaska's ground-based midcourse defense (GMD) system even more vital for the nation's defense, Senator Mark Begich said today.

A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Begich said America's defense against missiles launched by nations such as North Korea and Iran will now largely rely on the missile defense system at Fort Greely.    » read more »