Topic: Mark Begich

Obama: Taxpayers shouldn't subsidize oil industry's record profits (+video)

Moments after Obama made his election-year appeal in the White House Rose Garden, the Senate failed to reach the threshold of votes needed to proceed to a measure that would have ended the subsidies.

Lieberman and Collins: Shipping industry must choose between Iran and the US

Iran thwarts economic sanctions through loopholes in international shipping regulations. 'Classification societies' give certifications (access to ports and international trade) to both Iranian and US vessels. These groups must end their conflicting role, which supports Iranian commerce.

Why Democrats proposed a 5% surtax on millionaires that won't pass

With Republicans against higher taxes, there's virtually no chance that a surtax on millionaires will pass Congress. But there are strong political reasons for Senate Democrats to put it on the table.

Bill to chop Big Oil's tax breaks falls short – but makes its point

Senate Republicans halt a bill that would take away multibillion-dollar tax breaks for oil companies. Wednesday, Democrats are expected stop a bill that would force Obama's hand on Gulf drilling permits. 'It’s summertime symbolic politics' in Washington.

Oil CEOs warn senators of downside to axing industry tax breaks

Five oil CEOs testified Thursday that a Senate bill to shrink their companies' tax breaks would mean less domestic oil production and higher gasoline prices. Democrats cite firms' big profits.

Behind closed doors, bipartisan bids to break budget impasse

The words of Republican and Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill suggest Congress is headed for a government shutdown over budget issues. But several bipartisan groups of rank-and-file senators are seeking to find a solution.

Alaska Senate race results: Lisa Murkowski poised for historic win

The latest Alaska Senate race results suggest Sen. Lisa Murkowski is set to win her write-in campaign. She would become the second US senator ever to be elected as a write-in candidate.

Ted Stevens buried at Arlington

Stevens was a World War II veteran and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He went into public service before Alaska became a state in 1959 and was appointed to the Senate in December 1968.

Alaska senate race: Will Joe Miller win mean less federal money for Alaska?

Alaska's Joe Miller is a fiscal conservative and front-runner for the senate seat now held by Republican Lisa Murkowski. Less seniority in the US Senate will likely mean fewer federal dollars for Alaska, say political observers.

Sarah Palin endorsement: Did her support for Lisa Murkowski's rival matter?

Sarah Palin endorsed Joe Miller, a 'tea party' candidate expected to lose by a wide margin, in Alaska's GOP Senate primary. But Miller has a slight lead as absentee ballots flow in. Just how influential is Sarah Palin?

Ted Stevens and eight others on board plane that crashed in Alaska

Ted Stevens, former US Senator from Alaska, was one of nine people on board the plane that went down in the southwest part of the 49th state.

A final lesson from the Gulf: keeping corporations accountable

If we want corporations to maintain accountability for tragedies like the Gulf oil spill, we have to force them to do so through laws that are fully enforced and penalties higher than the economic benefits of thwarting the laws.

Alaska delegation split on 'don't ask, don't tell'

The US House of Representatives is nearing a vote on whether to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell.'

Fact checking Rush and Rachel

When Mt. Redoubt erupts, these scientists are on the job

For them, 'volcano monitoring' is no punch line; it's an important part of keeping Alaska safe.

Etc.

USA

Will Stevens’s ouster be good for Alaska?

He delivered ‘the goods,’ but his successor aims to do things the senator couldn’t, like open ANWR to drilling.

Palin returns to a changed Alaska

Its oil-driven economy is less flush, for one. The governor’s harsh rhetoric while on the national stump, too, has eroded her support at home.

After conviction, Sen. Stevens faces his biggest political fight

The Alaska Republican faces an uphill battle to win a seventh full term.

Alaskans reap boom – and bust – from oil

High prices led to a $3,269 state payout for each resident. But rural areas slumped on $9.20-a-gallon gas.

'Outsiders’ guide to understanding Alaska's politics and peculiarities

With Gov. Sarah Palin’s sudden elevation to the GOP ticket, the world tries to fathom the 49th state – its sourdoughs and cheechakos, boomers and greenies. A moon at noon?

Alaska’s crowded campaign trail

Palin isn’t the only one running for federal office. All the activity muddies the line of succession.

Alaska's Ted Stevens gets primary win

Alaska's 'earmarks' king Stevens, now indicted

Some predict the charges may end the career of an Alaskan icon who has dominated the state's political scene since territorial days.