Sen. Mark Begich said he will oppose legislation that would prohibit oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Senator Begich called it a "knee-jerk reaction," and is gearing up for what could be his first major battle in the Senate.

"I said I'd fight strong against my own party if they're wrong and in my view they are wrong on the issue of ANWR," Begich said. "I'll work very hard to educate them on what's important."