http://www.mail.com/people/54776-mark-begich.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/people/54776-mark-begich.html http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2067846-gun-control-forces-struggle-to-issue-alive.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Gun control forces are targeting Sens. Kelly Ayotte, Max Baucus and others as they struggle to persuade five senators to switch their votes and revive the rejected effort to expand background checks to more firearms buyers. With Congress back from a weeklong recess, the bottom line remains familiar: Advocates of broadened checks lack the... Tue, 07 May 2013 14:15:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2067846-gun-control-forces-struggle-to-issue-alive.html 2013-05-07T14:15:17Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2037678-suburbs-playing-key-role-gun-legislation.html QUAKERTOWN, Pa. (AP) — In the emotional politics of gun control, the suburbs seem to be emerging as a new sphere of influence. The Senate's defeat last week of firearms restrictions underscored the nation's shifting demographics and a pronounced divide on the gun issue between Americans in rural areas and residents of suburban enclaves, like Quakertown, o... Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:35:43 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2037678-suburbs-playing-key-role-gun-legislation.html 2013-04-22T21:35:43Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2031620-gun-votes-carry-big-risks-dems-rural.html WASHINGTON (AP) — There is little mystery, from a campaign viewpoint, at least, about the eight senators who crossed party lines in Wednesday's showdown vote on background checks for gun buyers. The four Democrats who voted against broader background checks are from largely rural states that voted heavily against President Barack Obama last fall. Three of... Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:29:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2031620-gun-votes-carry-big-risks-dems-rural.html 2013-04-19T18:29:03Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2029532-obama-victims-families-overcome-gun-owners.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Four months ago, President Barack Obama promised a grieving nation he would do everything in his power to change gun laws after 26 students and staff were shot to death at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Turns out his power and the impassioned pleas of devastated families were no match for the force of gun rights advocates in Congress and across the nation. ... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:06:28 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2029532-obama-victims-families-overcome-gun-owners.html 2013-04-18T22:06:28Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2024990-gun-control-loses-expanded-background-checks.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans backed by a small band of rural-state Democrats scuttled the most far-reaching gun control legislation in two decades Wednesday, rejecting tighter background checks for buyers and a ban on assault weapons as they spurned pleas from families of victims of last winter's school massacre in Newtown, Conn. "This effort isn'... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:57:21 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2024990-gun-control-loses-expanded-background-checks.html 2013-04-18T03:57:21Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2022330-senate-plans-background-check-vote-wednesday.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate set a long-awaited vote for Wednesday on a bipartisan plan for expanding background checks to more firearms buyers, with supporters facing a steeply uphill path to victory. By scheduling the roll call, Senate leaders ensured a showdown over the cornerstone of an effort by gun control supporters to tighten firearms laws followi... Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:44:37 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2022330-senate-plans-background-check-vote-wednesday.html 2013-04-17T00:44:37Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2019928-gun-background-check-deal-jeopardy-senate.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan proposal to expand background checks to more gun buyers seemed in jeopardy Monday as a growing number of Republican senators expressed opposition to the proposal, perhaps enough to derail it. But there was plenty of time for lobbying and deal-making to affect the outcome, and the sponsors seemed willing to consider carving out at least one exem... Tue, 16 Apr 2013 01:48:43 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2019928-gun-background-check-deal-jeopardy-senate.html 2013-04-16T01:48:43Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2016564-gun-measures-moderate-senate-dems-bind.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's push for tougher gun measures and expanded background checks has placed several moderate Senate Democrats facing re-election next year in a bind, forcing them to take sides on a deeply personal issue for rural voters. The choice: Either they stick with Obama and gun control advocates — and give an opening to cam... Fri, 12 Apr 2013 23:42:11 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2016564-gun-measures-moderate-senate-dems-bind.html 2013-04-12T23:42:11Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2015090-gop-senator-would-broaden-gun-checks-records.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A conservative senator is proposing to greatly broaden the background check system for firearms purchasers but require no records of the transactions as the Senate braced for votes on amendments to gun control legislation next week. The plan by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., was one of several proposals Republicans were discussing in preparat... Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:57:14 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2015090-gop-senator-would-broaden-gun-checks-records.html 2013-04-12T21:57:14Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2012404-gun-control-bill-clears-hurdle-senate.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress' most serious gun-control effort in years cleared its first hurdle Thursday as the Senate pushed past conservatives' attempted blockade under the teary gaze of families of victims of December's Connecticut school shootings. The bipartisan 68-31 vote rebuffed an effort to keep debate from even starting, giving an early victory — ... Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:53:28 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2012404-gun-control-bill-clears-hurdle-senate.html 2013-04-11T23:53:28Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2007394-senate-showdown-vote-gun-curbs-set-thursday.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate's top Democrat has set Congress' first showdown vote for Thursday on President Barack Obama's gun control drive as a small but mounting number of Republicans appear willing to buck a conservative effort to prevent debate from even beginning. Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada announced his decision Tuesday as the White Hous... Wed, 10 Apr 2013 01:08:26 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2007394-senate-showdown-vote-gun-curbs-set-thursday.html 2013-04-10T01:08:26Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1996138-obama-to-return-5-percent-salary-to-treasury.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Sharing a bit of budget pain, President Barack Obama will return 5 percent of his salary to the Treasury in a show of solidarity with federal workers smarting from government-wide spending cuts. Obama's decision grew out of a desire to share in the sacrifice that government employees are making, a White House official said Wednesday. Hun... Thu, 04 Apr 2013 02:58:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1996138-obama-to-return-5-percent-salary-to-treasury.html 2013-04-04T02:58:03Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1986218-hasty-embrace-lawmakers-gay-marriage.html WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Supreme Court considered two landmark cases on gay marriage this week, the flood of activity across the street in the Capitol was not lost on Chief Justice John Roberts. "As far as I can tell, political leaders are falling all over themselves to endorse your side of the case," Roberts told lawyers urging the court to rule that mar... Fri, 29 Mar 2013 07:08:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1986218-hasty-embrace-lawmakers-gay-marriage.html 2013-03-29T07:08:03Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1985416-lawmakers-rush-to-catch-up-gay-marriage.html WASHINGTON (AP) — For years, American opinion on gay marriage has been shifting. Now lawmakers are in a mad dash to catch up. In less than two weeks, seven senators — all from moderate or Republican-leaning states — announced their support, dropping one by one like dominos. Taken together, their proclamations reflected a profound change in the American po... Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:55:57 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1985416-lawmakers-rush-to-catch-up-gay-marriage.html 2013-03-28T21:55:57Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1985408-obama-shame-us-congress-forgets-newtown.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama pressed Congress on Thursday not to forget the heartbreak of the Newtown elementary school massacre and "get squishy" on tightened gun laws, though some lawmakers in his own Democratic Party remain a tough sell on an approaching Senate vote to expand purchasers' background checks. "Shame on us if we've forgotten," ... Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:52:24 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1985408-obama-shame-us-congress-forgets-newtown.html 2013-03-28T21:52:24Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1983930-obama-shame-us-newtown-forgotten.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama urged lawmakers Thursday to remember the children gunned down in America and not "get squishy" in the face of powerful forces against gun control legislation, as supporters struggle to win over moderate Democrats before a Senate vote expected next month. Obama, flanked by grim-faced mothers who have lost their chil... Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:58:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1983930-obama-shame-us-newtown-forgotten.html 2013-03-28T16:58:13Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1975258-senate-democratic-budget-extends-standoff-with-gop.html WASHINGTON (AP) — An exhausted Senate gave pre-dawn approval Saturday to a Democratic $3.7 trillion budget for next year that embraces nearly $1 trillion in tax increases over the coming decade but shelters domestic programs targeted for cuts by House Republicans. While their victory was by a razor-thin 50-49 vote, it allowed Democrats to tout their prior... Sat, 23 Mar 2013 18:11:07 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1975258-senate-democratic-budget-extends-standoff-with-gop.html 2013-03-23T18:11:07Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1957310-conservatives-confident-gun-measures.html OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Conservatives are all but declaring victory on their defense of gun rights, exuding confidence as calls for aggressive controls in the wake of the Newtown elementary school massacre have given way to scaled-back expectations to firearm restrictions in Congress. "They can call me crazy and whatever else they want, but NRA's nearly 5 m... Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:55:30 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1957310-conservatives-confident-gun-measures.html 2013-03-15T20:55:30Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1943854-pro-gun-voters-heat-democratic-senators.html HELENA, Mont. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Max Baucus has been here before. Back during the Clinton era, the Democrat faced a choice: support an assault weapons ban urged by a president from his own party and risk angering constituents who cherish their gun rights, or buck his party. He chose the ban, and nearly lost his Senate seat. Now, as he be... Sun, 10 Mar 2013 00:28:09 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1943854-pro-gun-voters-heat-democratic-senators.html 2013-03-10T00:28:09Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1941878-democrats-face-challenging-senate-landscape.html WASHINGTON (AP) — After a surprising string of victories last fall, Democrats now face a challenging terrain as they look to hold onto their Senate majority in 2014 and prevent Republicans from gaining full control of Congress during President Barack Obama's final two years. His party must defend a hefty 21 seats, including seven in largely rural states that the president lo... Sat, 09 Mar 2013 09:26:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1941878-democrats-face-challenging-senate-landscape.html 2013-03-09T09:26:15Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1906378-management-plan-alaska-petroleum-reserve.html ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A new management plan for the vast National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska splits the Indiana-size area roughly in half between conservation areas and land available for petroleum development, and allows pipelines carrying oil or gas to be constructed through the federal reserve. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced Thursday he had ... Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:50:14 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1906378-management-plan-alaska-petroleum-reserve.html 2013-02-21T21:50:14Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1874302-saturday-mail-postal-service-plans-cuts.html WASHINGTON (AP) — We could soon be seeing the end of Saturday mail delivery. The Postal Service has announced plans to cut back to five-day-a-week deliveries for everything except packages to stem its financial losses in a world where the Internet has dramatically altered how we communicate and pay our bills. "Our financial condition i... Thu, 07 Feb 2013 07:06:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1874302-saturday-mail-postal-service-plans-cuts.html 2013-02-07T07:06:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1872072-obama-picks-outdoor-retail-exec-to-lead-interior.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's choice for interior secretary is a lifelong outdoors enthusiast who likes to bike, ski and climb mountains. As president and chief executive at Recreational Equipment Inc., Sally Jewell has applied her passion to her job, helping push REI to nearly $2 billion in annual revenues and a place on Fortune Magazine's l... Wed, 06 Feb 2013 23:16:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1872072-obama-picks-outdoor-retail-exec-to-lead-interior.html 2013-02-06T23:16:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1871972-goodbye-saturday-mail-postal-service-plans-cuts.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Saturday mail may soon go the way of the Pony Express and penny postcards. The Postal Service said Wednesday that it plans to cut back to five-day-a-week deliveries for everything except packages to stem its financial losses in a world radically re-ordered by the Internet. "Our financial condition is urgent," declared Postmaster General ... Wed, 06 Feb 2013 22:57:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1871972-goodbye-saturday-mail-postal-service-plans-cuts.html 2013-02-06T22:57:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1855650-giffords-pleads-gun-curbs-nra-fights.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Severely wounded and still recovering, former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords begged lawmakers at an emotional hearing Wednesday to act quickly to curb firearms because "Americans are counting on you." Not everyone agreed, underscoring the national political divide over gun control. Giffords' 80-word plea was the day's most riveting moment, deli... Wed, 30 Jan 2013 22:46:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1855650-giffords-pleads-gun-curbs-nra-fights.html 2013-01-30T22:46:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1851770-fact-check-stretched-case-chuck-hagel.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican-leaning groups opposing President Barack Obama's choice of Chuck Hagel to head the Defense Department have let loose a barrage of claims about the former GOP senator. They say he endorses automatic cuts to the defense budget, that he wants to decimate the nation's nuclear arsenal, that his membership on the board of a major co... Mon, 28 Jan 2013 20:38:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1851770-fact-check-stretched-case-chuck-hagel.html 2013-01-28T20:38:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1847728-democrats-stand-obamas-way-gun-measures.html WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Senate prepares to begin debating new gun control measures, some of President Barack Obama's fellow Democrats are poised to frustrate his efforts to enact the most sweeping limits on weapons in decades. These Democrats from largely rural states with strong gun cultures view Obama's proposals warily and have not committed to suppor... Sat, 26 Jan 2013 15:58:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1847728-democrats-stand-obamas-way-gun-measures.html 2013-01-26T15:58:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1838334-senate-chair-count-up-hagel-vote-hearing.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Top Senate Republicans said Tuesday they would reserve judgment on Chuck Hagel's nomination until after his confirmation hearing next week, a positive sign for President Barack Obama's choice to head the Defense Department. Hagel, who already has drawn strong opposition from six Senate Republicans, continued his outreach to lawmakers on ... Tue, 22 Jan 2013 23:41:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1838334-senate-chair-count-up-hagel-vote-hearing.html 2013-01-22T23:41:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1830948-obama-backers-aim-to-outflank-nra-gun-control.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Supporters of President Barack Obama's gun-control proposals are planning a methodical, state-by-state campaign to try to persuade key lawmakers that it's in their political interest to back his sweeping effort to crack down on firearms and ammunition sales and expand criminal background checks. To succeed will require overturning two de... Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:23:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1830948-obama-backers-aim-to-outflank-nra-gun-control.html 2013-01-18T21:23:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1807384-salazar-coast-guard-drill-vessel-reviews.html ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A day after Royal Dutch Shell PLC towed a damaged floating drill rig to shelter from a remote Alaska island, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the department will perform an "expedited, high-level assessment" of the 2012 Arctic offshore drilling season. Salazar said the review will pay special attention to challenges that S... Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:45:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1807384-salazar-coast-guard-drill-vessel-reviews.html 2013-01-08T21:45:00Z