Alaska’s new Congressman Nick Begich has gotten two bills passed by the House, and he’s only been in office for one month.
These are firsts for the Congress: Begich is the first new congressional representatives to get a bill passed this year.
Both of the bills are for Alaska Natives and are bills that his predecessor could never move and both of the bills were introduced by Begich the day he was sworn in as Alaska’s newest congressman, Jan. 3.
Although the Alaska Federation of Natives opposed Begich during his campaign and would not even allow him to speak as a candidate during the AFN convention in October, Begich did not allow that insult to stop him from serving up good legislation that gets more Alaska lands out of federal control and helps impoverished Native Alaskans with basic needs.
HR 42: The bill makes it so that any settlement trust payments to an Alaska Native who is blind, elderly, or disabled will not be used to calculate the actual income that determines that person’s eligibility for some federal programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps). The bill can be read at this link.
HR 43: To amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide that Village Corporations shall not be required to convey land in trust to the State of Alaska for the establishment of Municipal Corporations, and for other purposes. The bill can be read at this link.
Earlier in the day, Begich was chosen by Speaker Mike Johnson to be Speaker Pro Tempore for the House proceedings of Feb. 4.
Watch the video him serving as presiding officer:
Way to go Nick!
We are so blessed to have Nick Begich as Alaska’s representative. Keep up the great work Nick! Thank you!
Nick Begich is doing more in the first two weeks than Mary Peltola did in her entire term. (D)ems must be hiding behind the couch or in the closet hoping no one will notice. Any day now they’ll be calling him a racist, or claiming any one of another half-dozen atrocities that the (D)ems trot out when they cannot beat someone on substance. Just watch. They can’t help themselves.
He’s not a racist like peltola and some of her supporters he understands he works for ALL Alaskans.
These bills were introduced, not passed.
They were introduced Jan. 3. They passed on Feb. 4. – sd
Wow, impressive! Begich is the new DY!
I see the update now. House Rules suspended and both bills passed. Impressive!
Why does his crackpot father have so many DV related restraining orders pulled on him by other family members. What a creepy family
NBIII does not hold a grudge and has acted on behalf of some Alaskans that did not support him. Only a true representative of the people will work for all regardless of political affiliation.
Now all the morons that thought he was a Democrat are eating… Well what ever it is I’m sure it stinks
But…but, Mary was so ‘nice’.
That was the story propagated, but was not true.
So refreshing to have a representative who actually gets work done instead of grifting.
This is the action that I voted for!
We are witnessing the Representatives of the People dismantling the corruption!
Very refreshing. Normally our reps go to DC and you never hear from them again or they become corrupted.
I was not terribly keen on NBIII two years ago.
But, I am very happy to admit he has made all of my concerns moot. So far, I am pretty impressed with his work, and dedication to the State.
just because afn didnt support him does mean we dont. afn has been so disconnected more so since julie left under another similar cloud of the chairman. dont forget that more in rural ak supported the (R) or alt ticket than ever before and didn’t give Mary a pass. A sign of the times. SD, stop making it sound as we are one group against the machine. We are 229 or so…
Holly cow someone with dignity helping people that hate you because of your color. Here something AOC from New York has never had her name on a bill.