macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1999-11-02
Speaker: GARY MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Madam Speaker. I rise in strong support for the Financial Literacy Training Act. This resolution encourages State and local educational agencies to incorporate personal financial management curricula into their educational program system. Prior to being in politics. I was in the development industry for about 30 years. The old statement that it is easier to earn money than it is to keep it is a true statement and this goes a long way to basically giving young people the financial training that they need. When you get *money. what do you do with it? It is like giving a young person $10. What does a young person do with it? Do they have any concept of what they should do with their finances. any concept of where that money should be placed. or should the money just be spent? We need to teach our young people how to invest money and what to do with money once they earn it. In the building industry. we watch many. many builders go broke because they succeeded in a given project and they failed in the future because they did not understand financial planning. did not understand what they should do in the future. The best way to resolve this is to be involved with the young people. to give them the financial training and financial literacy that they need when they are young: I would like to commend the gentleman from California . he represents a neighboring district in California. for his hard work and effort in drafting this important piece of legislation. If we are going to invest anywhere. let us invest in our children. If we are going to invest in our children. let us teach them how to invest the assets that they acquire. teach them how to invest in their future and plan for their future.
Date: 1999-11-04
Speaker: GARY MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. is there any reason or wonder that the American people are confused? I wish. prior to us being allowed to come here and talk to the American people. that we had to raise our hand and say. I swear to tell the truth. the whole truth. and nothing but the truth. so help me God. All we have heard today and past days is the Republicans are spending Social Security monies. But actions speak louder than words. My friends on the other side of the aisle continue to vote no on appropriations bills. The President continues to veto appropriations bills. Why? Because we are not spending enough money that. has to come from Social Security Trust Fund. Why do we not do what we say we are trying to do? Let us not spend the money which we do not want to spend. We use great words like let us invest. We are not appropriating enough resources. What they are saying is we are not spending enough Social. Security money. We are saying. let us not spend Social Security money. Let us keep our promise to the American people. Let us stop being disingenuous. When one hears people come before one and say something. watch what they do. When they accuse Republicans of spending Social Security money. watch how they vote.
Date: 1999-11-19
Speaker: TED STEVENS (republican)
Chamber: S

who chairs the overall Appropriations Committee. What a job he had. and what a job he did. And Senator ROBERT BYRD. ranking member. what a difficult job he had. We are here with a bipartisan budget agreement this afternoon because he and other Democrats worked with Republicans to get it done. Last but not least. I thank the majority leader. who tried very hard to understand what we were doing. and worked with us. He now is a budget expert. That is good. From time to time. I am very glad we can take matters into his office and he understands it thoroughly. With that. I yield the floor.
Date: 2000-02-09
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. tomorrow the House is going to vote to end the marriage penalty. Right now married couples pay more in taxes than two single taxpayers living together. That is not right. It is just not right. Washington must stop penalizing the cornerstone of our society. the Amer-
Date: 2000-02-10
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. we are talking over here on this side about delaying any relief for married families for up to 10 years. Marriage is a cherished institution in America. and we should promote it. not discourage it. Today we are going to do just that. Right now married couples pay more in taxes than two single people living together. and that is just not right. Washington has got to stop it. penalizing the cornerstone of our society. the American family. We should encourage marriage. not penalize it. Do my colleagues know what we are doing? We are really restoring family. children. and the American dream. Democrat allies labeled marriage penalty relief as risky last year. and the President vetoed it. Last week. all the Democrats voted against it in the Committee on Ways and Means. Today. they are trying to fool us and the American people into thinking that they are for marriage penalty relief. Do not believe them. They do not have a plan that provides for even $1 of guaranteed marriage penalty relief. and this is a shame. In my district alone. this bill will end the marriage penalty for over 150.000 Americans. The President and his Democrat friends should stop playing electionyear politics. A vote for this bill is a vote for America. It is a vote for American families.
Date: 2000-03-01
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the gentleman yielding time to me. I appreciate what he has been doing on this bill. I know he has been working on it for many. many years. We truly appreciate it coming up today. Mr. Speaker. 1 year ago I introduced H.R. 5. the Freedom to Work Act. Yesterday. every member of the Committee on Ways and Means voted to send the bill to the floor to repeal the social security earnings penalty. Under current law. our seniors age 65 to 69 can earn only $17.000 before they lose $1 in social security benefits for every $3 they earn. This limit is unfair. outdated. and bad for the economy. This obsolete social security earnings penalty must be eliminated. As we all know. our seniors have earned social security benefits through a lifetime of contributions. They have worked for them. and they are entitled to their full benefits. It is their money. it is not Washingtons money. It should not be taken away from them just because they choose to work after they reach normal retirement age. The earnings penalty adversely affects 800.000 seniors who reach the normal retirement age. It discriminates against our senior citizens who must work in order to supplement their benefits. That is just not right. The earnings penalty is a Depressionera law whose. time has long since come and gone. Today. with unemnployment at record lows. seniors are needed in the work force. so the last thing we ought to do is discourage them from working. Senior citizens who work not only lose a large percentage of their social security benefits today due to the earnings penalty. but they pay social security taxes. Medicare taxes. Federal taxes. and probably State income taxes. as well. Combined with the earnings penalty and these other taxes. our seniors may face a marginal tax rate as high as 80 percent. The earnings penalty is complicated and difficult to understand. In addition. the earnings penalty is complex and costly to the Federal government to administer. For example. the earnings penalty is responsible for more than half of the social security overpayments. The Social Security Administration estimates that administering the earnings penalty takes 1.200 people and costs $150 million a year. Repeal of the earnings penalty would allow our senior citizens to work more. the American economy would benefit from their experience and skills. and it does not cost anything. According to the Social Security Administration actuaries. a repeal of the earnings penalty will not affect the social security trust fund. Two weeks ago. the President finally agreed to sign the bill. I am pleased that he has decided to help us fix this unfair penalty. Mr. Speaker. I fought for freedom in two wars. Korea and Vietnam. I believe that freedom entitles our seniors the ability to work without penalty. Americas seniors want. need. and deserve a repeal of this penalty.
Date: 2000-03-01
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to stand here with my fellow Republican. the gentleman from Florida . who was instrumental in helping us get the Social Security earnings limit off today. I introduced this bill 1 year ago. after hearing from many folks around the Dallas area and surrounding cities who are over 65 who want to continue to work. One of them is named Tony Santos. That is his picture right there. Tony is a parttime operator of a television camera now at Channel 4 in Dallas. He started there in 1951. when he was just 18 years old. and he retired in 1992. I first met him when I got back from being a POW in Vietnam. and he helped cover that return back to Dallas. which was really emotional for me. Not just anyone can operate a television camera. It is a technical job and it requires specialized skills. So when folks take a vacation or get sick. Channel 4 finds itself in a bind and they call on Tony. Tony is over 65 and. after all. has a lot of experience. and he is happy to fill in. But the station needs him more than he is able to work due to the Social Security earnings penalty. which says that if he works more and earns more than $17.000 in this year he
Date: 2000-03-01
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. let me add if I might what Roosevelt did in that first bill. He created a Social Security program. and if they worked. they could not have any Social Security. And then it kind of reformed throughout the years. and we finally got the penalty up. I see the gentleman from Florida
Date: 2000-03-01
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. and- that is great. Absolutely no cost. according to the actuaries. to the Social Security Trust Fund. So we are not invading the Social Security Trust fund at all.
Date: 2000-03-01
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I thought it was amazing that one of the ladies that testified before our committee. and I do not think the gentleman from Florida heard it. or maybe he did. it was the full committee. because she said. they are stealing that from me. That is my Social Security earnings that I am supposed to be receiving. and you are taking it away from me. You are stealing it from me. And guess what. you get it back later. but not with interest. So the Government is kind of. putting it to you when you have a penalty like that. Mr. Speaker. I ask my colleague. what does he think?
Date: 2000-03-01
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. and guess what? They pay taxes on that money. too. This is a letter from AARP. which has given their support to this project. which says. "Older workers have the skills. expertise. and enthusiasm that employers value." They support reducing or eliminating this penalty totally. and that is what we have done. As the gentleman from Florida said. it is a good first step toward getting Social Security reform totally. At least we are looking at it. As chairman of the committee. my colleague is going to have hearings to talk to this issue and others that have come up during the debate. I see we are joined by the gentleman from Michigan .
Date: 2000-03-01
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. the fact of the matter is the Democrats controlled the Congress for such a long time over 40 years. and they did not brother to introduce this bill or make it go. And now they realize that this is an important issue. and they are with us on it for a change. That is good. I think it is time for a little bit of partisanship.
Date: 2000-03-01
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. did my colleagues know that by 2030. onefifth of the entire population will be age 65 or older? According to a Manpower Inc. study released this week. nearly one in three U.S. companies will hire more workers in the upcoming second quarter. of this year. Tight labor conditions are going to continue to persist and demand for workers is at the highest level in 20 years. Those seniors that we have taken the earnings limit off of now have an incentive to go back to work. and I think that these companies will hire them.
Date: 2000-03-01
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I have never seen a faster subcommittee than this guy ran. It was bang. bang and it was out. with a unanimous vote.
Date: 2000-03-01
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Most people do not realize that that tax was 2 percent to start with. It is up to 13 percent now. It has been raised eight times since 1939. That is atrocious. You are absolutely right that we should never ever increase that. In fact. we ought to start decreasing it. Most of the options show the way to do that.
Date: 2000-03-01
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Our seniors are paying a penalty. a severe penalty today. where they are paying a 33 percent tax really on their earnings. Some of them because of the situation are as high as 80 percent tax bracket. marginal tax bracket. So they are really getting penalized. I think it is a credit to the gentleman from Florida
Date: 2000-03-01
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I appreciate the support of the gentleman from Michigan . I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. S Wr).
Date: 2000-03-01
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I appreciate those comments. Do you want to tell people what the percentage is right now. because you are not raising it very much.
Date: 2000-03-01
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Well. I thank the gentleman for joining us today. I would just like to say that I want to repeat that this legislation will take effect retroactively. from January 1 of this year. which is important to a lot of seniors. That means you can go to work right now. Republicans agree. we have got to set in motion steps to reform Social Security overall. I think the gentleman is involved in some issues like that. I can think of no better way than by repealing the Social Security earnings limit as a start. I always tell people. you know. I fought in two wars. Korea and Vietnam. for freedom. and I think that that entitles our seniors the freedom to earn the savings they have been putting away and paying for during their years of employment. year after year. I think Nick probably agrees with me. Americas seniors need. want. and deserve a penalty elimination. No more penalties. This is a day of freedom. I salute the gentleman and all America. Thank you.
Date: 2000-03-08
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman from New York for his remarks. Mr. Speaker. some people know I served in Vietnam and was a POW there. but I think there are not too many who know that I also -flew in Korea 62 combat missions. and we are here because the Korean War is referred to as the forgotten war. but we have not forgotten it. Frankly. I was lucky enough to fly with Johnny Glenn and Buzz Aldrin in the same outfit. and I remember one day we went out on the revetments and watched Ted Williams land a shotup airplane. He sacrificed his career to fight for America in that war. I think oftentimes we forget there are 8.100 MIA still over there. that we are still searching for their remains. We have not given up. I also have a lot of friends from Australia. South Africa. England. and other countries. That was one of those wars where one made friends from all over the world. This resolution shows our strong support for all of those who fought and the many who died. Today there are millions of Korean War veterans who still remember the horrors of their experiences but would gladly fight again if this country called. They are individuals of honor and integrity. and they deserve to be recognized for their sacrifices to this country. including the gentleman from New York . I salute them. Our Korean War era Veterans have never forgotten America. and we are here to say today. we will never forget them. God bless America.
Date: 2000-03-09
Speaker: GARY MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. this bill is about cleaning up neighborhoods and helping people afford housing. It would increase the State authority for the lowincome housing tax credit from $1.25 per person to $1.65 per person. and it will index that cap to inflation. What does that mean to people in your district and mine struggling to afford housing? Here are some statistics: the current credit on caps is $1.25 per person. It has not been changed since 1986. which means that while housing is currently affordable and the buying power of taxpayers has been decreased by almost 50 percent. it is not what it used to be. Mr. Speaker. 12 million Americans who are eligible for this program are not benefiting. which means that they are paying a very high portion of their income for rent or they are living in substandard housing. _ Also. this legislation helps distressed areas by creating renewal communities with progrowth tax initiatives to create jobs. encourage personal savings. and clean up neighborhoods on former industrial sites so new businesses can grow. Some people have said this tax cut is for the rich. but obviously that is not true. The truth is that those who argue against this kind of a tax cut are simply against any kiind of a tax cut. They are terrified about letting any money get away from the Government because they honestly believe government is a solution to all of our problems. Mr. Speaker. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill that will help people improve their communities and afford housing.
Date: 2000-03-14
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. due to the primary election in my state of Texas today. I was unavoidably detained and missed the following votes. Had I been present. I would have voted: "Yea" on H.R. 3699 designating the Joel T. Broyhill Post Office. "Yea" on H.R. 3701 designating the Joseph L. Fisher Post Office
Date: 2000-03-15
Speaker: GARY MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of House Resolution 1000. Like many Members of this House. each Friday I board an airplane and travel to my district. My expectations for this weekly commute are similar to my constituents who regularly.travel for business. I want to take off in a timely manner and be assured that all safety features are working accordingly. This bill will help to create this peace of mind for all travelers. First of all. safety equipment such as windshear detection apparatus. runway incursion prevention devices and enhanced vision technologies will be eligible for airport improvement funding. This type of comprehensive approach to airline safety is crucial for both improved safety and better spending practices. Last year. $15 million was appropriated to purchase new approach lighting systems for airports whose systems were 20 years old and older. However. no money was appropriated for the installation of these lighting systems. As a result. we have airports which need these runway lights. but will be forced to continue to wait for them until funds can be appropriated. In addition to serving on the Aviation Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. I also am a member of the House Science Committee. On behalf of Science Committee Chairman SENSENBRENNER and Technology Subcommittee Chairwoman MORELLA. I wish to thank Chairman SHUSTER. Ranking Member OBERSTAR. Aviation Subcommittee Chairman DUNCAN and Ranking Member LIPINSKI. for their cooperation to incorporate many of the provisions of H.R. 1551. the Civil Aviation Research and Development Authorization Act of 1999 into Title IX of the Conference Report that we are considering today. Overall. Title IX authorizes $237 million in Fiscal Year 2001 and $249 million in FY 2002 for the projects and activities of the FAAs Research. Engineering and Development account. This represents an increase of roughly 35% over the FY2000 enacted level. Investing in aviation research and technology today is important to ensure that our aviation system meets the growing demands of the future. while enhancing safety. I also wish to point out that during the Science Committees consideration of H.R. 1551 last spring. I successfully offered an amendment to direct the FAA to place a greater priority on the nonstructural components of its current aging aircraft research and development portfolio. The nonstructural components of aging aircraft include electrical wiring. hydraulic lines and certain other electromechanical systems. Of the funding for projects and activities that comprise FAAs aging aircraft research and development portfolio. less than ten percent is targeted to address nonstructural issues. I am very pleased that todays Conference Report includes my amendment to H.R. 1551 and I wish to thank the House and Senate Conferees for their support of my efforts in this area.
Date: 2000-03-23
Speaker: GARY MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Chairman. I rise to speak in support of the House budget resolution. The American people need to know what we are really talking about here. $1.8 trillion of your money. The money does not belong to government. It is the money we took from you and you have asked us to spend wisely or allow you to keep it. in many cases. What we are talking about today and what the other side is arguing against is allowing you to keep a little of your hardearned money. What we happen to think does not matter. It is what the American people happen to think and what they say. I would like to read part of a letter written to me by Mr. Todd Kolber of Upland. California. His dad was a physician. his dad was raised poor and worked his way through college. He specialized in chemotherapy to help people with cancer. His father passed away. He wrote me: "I am the son and executor of the estate that he worked so hard saving for and didnt get to enjoy. Today I anl going to have the pleasure of writing two checks totaling nearly $1 million divided between the State and Federal Government. This is the most revolting and disgusting thing that I have ever had to do. When the CPA told me how much money the death penalty imposed on my dads estate. I literally almost threw up. I was sick to my stomach." Mr. Kolber closes with the following question: "Can you write me back with even one good reason that validates the usurpation of $1 million that was left by my dad to my family?" I cannot justify this tax of 50 percent on this family. I cannot justify this tax on any American citizen. For this reason I urge my colleagues to do what is right. the right thing for Mr. Kolber and his family and the right thing for you and the constituents of my district who will undoubtedly find themselves in the same situation at some time. I urge my colleagues to vote for the budget resolution that begins to dismantle this unfair tax that does nothing for grieving families. It is wrong. We need to change it. The debate here should be focusing on the fact that this is your money. It is not our money. We got this money because we took this money from you. We are saving Social Security. We are saving Medicare and Medicaid. It is time for you to save a little bit for your family. If you want to buy shoes or clothes or whatever you want to do. you should have your money to do that. Mr. Chairman. I include the following letter for the RECORD.