Mark Begich topics and responses

Stimulus Spending to Beat Great Recession

PRO:

• 02/10/2009: Voted YES on additional $825 billion for economic recovery package
• 11/19/2013: Raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour by 2016
• 07/30/2009: Voted YES on $192B additional anti-recession stimulus spending
• 03/22/2012: Expand lending caps for credit unions to small business

  CON:

• 02/04/2013: Audit the Federal Reserve & its actions on mortgage loans
• 04/04/2008: As mayor: bond rating up; jobs increased; taxes down
• 08/19/2008: Extend tax cuts; and end the AMT

Acknowledging and Addressing Climate Change

PRO:

• 04/06/2011: Voted NO on barring EPA from regulating greenhouse gases
• 05/21/2008: Alaska is ground zero for global warming

  CON:

• 04/02/2009: Voted YES on protecting middle-income taxpayers from a national energy tax
• 04/01/2009: Voted YES on requiring full Senate debate and vote on cap-and-trade

Getting Money Out of Politics

PRO:

• 05/21/2008: Campaign transparency with sortable online database
• 07/10/2012: Require full disclosure of independent campaign expenditures
• 02/25/2009: Military spouses don't lose voting residency while abroad
• 05/21/2008: No campaign fundraising through private foundations
• 02/25/2013: Matching fund for small donors, with debate requirements
• 01/06/2009: Repeal automatic Congressional pay raises

Saving Elephants, Whales, Dolphins and Lions

PRO:

• 01/13/2012: Ranked by HSLF, indicating a pro-animal welfare voting record
• 05/08/2013: Voted YES on protecting ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems

  CON:

• 05/28/2007: Respect unique cultural role of subsistence whaling

Renewable Energy

CON:

• 09/09/2008: Long term: develop ANWR; build renewable energy plants
• 05/21/2008: Open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Making it Harder to Get a Gun

CON:

• 04/17/2013: Voted NO on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets
• 01/06/2009: National cross-state standard for concealed carry
• 02/03/2009: Apply concealed carry permit to all other states where legal
• 04/02/2009: Voted YES on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains
• 10/12/2011: Sponsored loosening restrictions on interstate gun purchases
• 04/12/2011: Allow veterans to register unlicensed guns acquired abroad
• 04/04/2008: Lifetime member of NRA
• 08/19/2008: Strongly supports Constitutional right to bear arms

GMOs and Food Labeling

PRO:

• 04/24/2013: Require labeling genetically engineered food
• 02/11/2013: Sponsored enforcing against illegal ocean fishing

Cutting the US Military Budget

CON:

• 05/21/2008: Pledges full support for the 21st Century GI Bill
• 04/04/2008: Increased Anchorage`s support for military personnel

Legalizing Marijuana and Industrial Hemp

CON:

• 07/28/2008: Prevent youth from trying the deadly drug methamphetamine

Abortion Rights

PRO:

• 07/16/2008: Accepts contributions from abortion-rights group NARAL
• 11/13/2013: Ban anti-abortion limitations on abortion services
• 12/15/2003: Mayor`s Charity Ball donated $25K to Planned Parenthood
• 06/16/2011: Let military perform abortions in cases of rape or incest
• 09/07/2013: No new regulations on women's access to medical care
• 03/05/2009: Voted NO on restricting UN funding for population control policies

Gay Rights and Gay Marriage

PRO:

• 06/24/2009: ENDA: prohibit employment discrimination for gays
• 03/10/2011: Prohibit sexual-identity discrimination at schools
• 11/18/2008: Added sexual orientation to Anchorage non-discrimination law
• 03/03/2010: Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, and reinstate discharged gays
• 06/04/2013: Enforce against anti-gay discrimination in public schools

Repealing ObamaCare

CON:

• 05/25/2011: Voted NO on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts
• 03/16/2009: Expand health services for women veterans
• 01/29/2009: Voted YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program
• 05/21/2008: Favors expanding Alaska`s Denali KidCare program
• 12/12/2013: AdWatch: Begich supports ObamaCare for Alaskans
• 05/21/2008: Increase Medicare reimbursements and affordable health care
• 04/11/2013: Merge Alzheimers diagnosis and care benefit
• 06/11/2009: Voted YES on regulating tobacco as a drug
• 03/04/2009: Expand the National Health Service Corps
• 01/07/2014: AdWatch: Promised we could keep our plans under ObamaCare

Addressing and Fighting Income Inequality

PRO:

• 03/22/2012: Minimum tax rate of 30% for those earning over $1 million

Building the Keystone XL Pipeline

PRO:

• 11/20/2008: Advocate for opening up ANWR to drilling
• 01/02/2014: Drill in the Arctic Ocean; drill in National Forests
• 02/27/2009: Allow horizontal drilling into Alaska's Coastal Plain