macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-01-04
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. today I rise in support of H.R. 41. to temporarily increase the borrowing authority of FEMA for carrying out the National Flood Insurance Program. This bill would provide FEMA with an additional $9.7 billion in emergency funding to immediately assist those affected by the storm. In late October 2012. Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast of the United States. affecting millions of Americans and killing over The economic cost of the storm is still being assessed. but it has been estimated to be in excess of $60 billion. which would make it the secondcostliest storm in history. after Hurricane Katrina. Our nation has a responsibility to rebuild the areas that were devastated by this terrible tragedy and I am committed to making sure that Congress helps provide the necessary resources to help those individuals and communities which were harmed by this disaster. It is important to recall that four years ago. Congress. with my strong support. provided nearly $23 billion in disaster relief for communities like our own due to the devastation from Hurricane Ike. I stand with my colleagues from the East Coast. especially from New York. New Jersey. and Connecticut to get the funding necessary to aid the recovery from Hurricane Sandy. As Americans. we all have a responsibility to help each other during times of need.
Date: 2013-01-04
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

H.R. 218. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I. Section 8. Clause 4 of the U.S. Constitution By Ms. KAPTUR: H.J. Res. 12. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article V By Ms. KAPTUR: H.J. Res. 13. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article V By Ms. KAPTUR: H.J. Res. 14. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article V By Mr. SERRANO: H.J. Res. 15. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This proposed constitutional amendment is introduced pursuant to Article V of the Constitution. and seeks to repeal the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution. By Mr. KING of Iowa: H.J. Res. 16. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This joint resolution is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress to propose amendments to the Constitution under Article V of the United States Constitution.
Date: 2013-01-04
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to introduce the sense of the House of Representatives that the Senate should ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). I am proud to be joined in this effort by my friend and colleague Congresswoman JAN SCHAKOWSKY. This bipartisan House Resolution urges the Senate to vote to ratify CEDAW. a landmark international agreement that mandates governments to take positive steps to ensure the full development and advancement of women. and their equal enjoyment of human rights. and that they change or eradicate discriminatory laws. customs. and practices. Despite 187 countries ratifying CEDAW. we are the only western country in the world that has not ratified the treaty. although its fundamental principles of equality and nondiscrimination are central to our constitutions. Other nations that have not ratified CEDAW include Somalia and Iran. Most importantly. CEDAW is nonself executing. meaning that any legislation the United States might adopt to comply with the treaty would have to go through the normal congressional process. Ratification of CEDAW would continue our nations proud bipartisan tradition of promoting and protecting human rights. The Senates ratification of CEDAW would strengthen our standing as a global leader for the rights of women and girls.
Date: 2013-01-14
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I thank very much the gentlelady from the District of Columbia for her clarification. and I. frankly. thank you for having the wisdom in months and years back to have these corrections and these improvements in FEMA. and I know they welcome it. I am a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee and served as the ranking member on Transportation Security. but know firsthand. as the committee that shares jurisdiction over FEMA. firsthand. in living color. the catastrophe and tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. both in my visits and almost living in New Orleans. as many of our Members did. and then in welcoming over a quarter of a millionplus of New Orleanians into Houston. Texas. being there inside the Astrodome. and seeing eons and eons and layers of beds of people who are Americans and who were Americans who. one could not call them broken. those survivors. if you will. from Hurricane Katrina were not broken. They were people who had worked and had homes and paid taxes. And so today. Madam Speaker. those who are survivors of Hurricane Sandy are not broken. They are not the cornerstone of the fault of bureaucracy or misuse. They are. in fact. survivors. They are Americans who need our help. And Id like to add to this discussion. certainly. I join and want to comment on one or two of the changes here. In particular. the individual assistance factors. I think. will be very helpful to expedite the declaration process for individuals. Im very grateful that one of the changes they made. thank goodness. and this is what happened to our seniors. fixing their homes instead of putting them in FEMA trailers. What a celebration. How many had to stay in FEMA trailers down in the gulf forever and ever and ever while they watched their homes deteriorate because a few simple repairs could not be made. That is a muchneeded step. But I join my colleague from New Jersey and say. how can people who are broken and who are in need come up with 35 percent? And I hope that this will be one that is reconsidered. Let me quickly suggest that I am in support of the $5.4 billion for FEMA disaster relief. Im in support for the $5.4 billion for the Department of Transportation. Anybody whos been on the east coast and seen the transportation corridor and the congestion and the synergism between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Connecticut and New York realizes that this is crucial. The $3.9 billion for community block grant. I am told that there are Hurricane Sandy islanders. people on Staten Island. people on Coney Island. who are living in New York downtown hotels. Im sure in a better day they would enjoy living in highrise. highclass hotels. but they are people that want to go back to their home. and Im delighted that well have that. And then I want to support the additional amendment that calls for. the gentleman from New Jersey. $33 billion unfettered dollars that will help additional resources.
Date: 2013-01-14
Speaker: DANNY K. DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. yesterday. I had the opportunity to experience a great event in the community where I live and work. People had a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King. who happened to have lived in that community of Chicago for a period of time. We went to all of the places that he used to eat and where all the meetings were held. It was quite an emotional experience. especially for those who were there and who got a chance to know him. to meet him. to shake his hand. So I simply commend those residents. friends. neighbors of mine for making sure that the King dream lives Onl.
Date: 2013-01-14
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Thank you. Madam Chair. And I thank the Speaker for the time. I congratulate you. Madam Chair. on being the newly elected chairperson of the CBC. and I pledge to work with you to do all that I can to assist you. not only with the many programs that we have. but also with ending this culture of violence. Madam Chair. on this. the eve of the birthday of Dr. King. it is appropriate to quote him. He reminded us that the truest measure of the person is not where you stand in times of comfort and convenience. when all is right with the world. your health is good. your bills are paid. friends are all around. The truest measure of the person is where do you stand in times of challenge and controversy. Challenge and controversy. when young people are dying in the street. when domestic violence is claiming the lives of spouses and paramours and lovers and friends. when churches are being shot up. where do you stand? Lets talk for just a moment about some of these circumstances. I attended a funeral just recently. It was the funeral of Ms. Latasha Jones. Ms. Jones was killed on Christmas Eve. December 2012. She lost her life in the presence of her son. Her daughter lost her life as well. victim of domestic violence. Its one thing to know and use the term "victim." another thing to attend the funeral of a victim. It was a sad occasion. Mother and daughter. son there to only suffer heartache knowing that he will never see his mother or his sister again. I have the program from that funeral. and I have the obituary. I shall place this in the RECORD.
Date: 2013-01-14
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express my serious concerns about the recent acts of violence throughout the United States. The tragedy that struck the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. Connecticut. last month was a devastating loss for the families and friends of the students and educators who were killed. As the second deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. the Newtown tragedy has underscored the fundamental need to reevaluate our approach to gun violence and mental illness. Any strategy to reduce gun violence must be inclusive in its approach to finding a solution. Every viable consideration must be on the table as we look to enact comprehensive legislation at the federal level. With the total number of privately owned firearms in circulation estimated to be more than 270 million. we must take reasonable steps to ensure that these firearms do not fall into the wrong hands. while also protecting the Second Amendment rights of responsible gun owners. The topic of mental illness is one that is neglected. particularly in regard to its connection to gun violence. In 2009. approximately 11 million adults in the United States had a serious mental illness. Forty percent of those adults did not receive any type of treatment for that illness. We now know that each of the shooters in the most recent incidents suffered from mental illness. Addressing mental illness can be a critical component of a comprehensive approach to reducing violence in our schools and other public places. Mr. Speaker. we must take deliberate steps going forward to prevent another tragedy from occurring. There is absolutely no place for violence in our schools. and we are compelled to do everything within our power to avert future catastrophe. There is a large mental health component to this debate that needs greater consideration. and I hope that my colleagues will continue to take a holistic approach during this process.
Date: 2013-01-15
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

. . to borrow money on the credit of the United States. to regulate commerce with foreign nations. and among the several States. and with the Indian Tribes. to establish an uniform rule of naturalization. and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States. . . ."
Date: 2013-01-15
Speaker: DANNY K. DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Article I. section 10: "No State shall enter into any treaty. alliance. or confederation. grant letters of marque and reprisal. coin money. emit bills of credit. make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts. pass any bill of attainder. ex post facto law. or law impairing the obligation of contracts. or grant any title of nobility. "No State shall. without the consent of the Congress. lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports. except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its inspection laws. And the net produce of all duties and imposts. laid by any State on imports or exports. shall be for the use of the Treasury of the United States. and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the Congress."
Date: 2013-01-15
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. the 113th Congress will not only need to work to further strengthen our countrys economic wellbeing. we will also need to find solutions to make sure that all Americans are treated fairly and equally. Thats why it is critical that Congress pass the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization. Since its inception. this act has always been bipartisan. Last April. the Senate passed a strong bipartisan reauthorization bill. Unfortunately. the measure failed in the House. but it must pass in the 113th Congress. The safety and security of American women should never be politicized and never has been so in the past. It is my hope that we can put the politics of the last election aside and get down to the business of legislating sensible policy for the American people. We must reaffirm our commitment that women in the United States are offered all necessary legal protections.
Date: 2013-01-15
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

I thank my colleague and good friend from New York for yielding and for her extraordinary leadership in this body. I rise in support of the rule and the two underlying bills. As a region. the Northeast should not be held to a different standard. The Northeast was there when other States were struck with disasters. We were there with the aid. We didnt delay. We didnt put roadblocks. We didnt put forward all types of requirements to be met. We voice voted. We moved swiftly. The Northeast. which is suffering from the second worst natural disaster in the history of our great country. the residents there have been suffering for 21/2 months. Over 21/2 million people lost all their electricity. some still dont have it. We need the aid and we need it now so that we can start rebuilding. The Northeast is important. These amendments are important. not only for this region. but for the entire country. The New York metropolitan area produces an estimated 11 percent of our gross domestic product. The country is better off when our Nations economic engine is working at 100 percent. These three States pay 16 percent of the taxes of our great country. but they cant produce if their subways are broken. if their schools are flooded. if the hospitals have been evacuated and the money is not there to help them rebuild. They cant produce. They cant be part of the great economic engine of this country. I just plead with my colleagues not to have a double standard. not to vote tornado relief to Alabama. to Louisiana. to Mississippi. Missouri. with Ike. Gustav. Katrina. Rita. but when it comes to the Northeast with the second worst storm in the history of our country. to delay. delay. delay. We need the aid. We need it now. We need the entire package. You cant rebuild a subway station with one brick. you have to do the whole thing.
Date: 2013-01-15
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise to engage the chairman of the Appropriations Committee. the gentleman from Kentucky. in a colloquy. As the chairman knows. Superstorm Sandy displaced thousands of children from their homes. leaving them homeless and struggling to regain stability in their lives. Many of these children were forced to move out of their school districts. while others could not return to their schools because of stormrelated damage. These children face the prospect of educational disruption. compounding the upheaval and trauma theyve already experienced. Fortunately. under the current law. the McKinneyVento Homeless Assistance Act. homeless students. including those displaced by disasters. are entitled to important educational protections and services. including transportation to stay in the same school. Public schools in New York. New Jersey. and Connecticut are working tirelessly to support uninterrupted education of displaced children through the McKinneyVento program. yet these schools face significant unexpected costs associated with the increased number of homeless students. Congress has appropriated supplemental funds. to help defer the costs associated with these increases. from past disasters. Mr. Chairman. if I might. given that the bill before us today does not contain direct funding for McKinneyVento. is it your understanding and intention that the Department of Health and Human Services and that the Department of Education work with the States of New York. New Jersey. and Connecticut to assist the school districts affected by Superstorm Sandy to access funds under the social services block grant to support the education of students displaced by the storm. including transportation. counseling. and supplies?
Date: 2013-01-15
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

I thank the gentleman very much. I also want to thank you and the staff of the majority and the minority for helping to work out this solution. Thank you very much.
Date: 2013-01-15
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Chair. today we meet to consider the second and third tranches of disaster assistance for the families suffering from the effects of Hurricane Sandy. In the dying days of the 112th Congress. we passed legislation granting FEMA the authority to increase by up to $9.7 billion its borrowing so that the agency could continue paying homeowners insurance claims associated with the hurricane. Then. rather than address the remaining pressing concerns of the families suffering because of Sandy. the Republican Leadership gaveled the House into adjournment. We return today. months after Sandy struck to finish the job. Today the House considers two pieces of legislation that when combined will provide more than $50 billion in assistance to those areas hit by Sandy. I stand in support of H.R. 152 and the amendment offered by
Date: 2013-01-15
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Chair. I rise today to support H.R. 152 "the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013." which will provide relief to citizens devastated by the impact of Superstorm Sandy. Last month. the Administration requested $60.4 billion in federal aid to provide financial assistance to homeowners and businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy. Back on December 28. 2012. the Senate passed a $61 billion comprehensive aid package for the victims and communities by a vote of 6232. I am pleased that this body was able to pass H.R. 41. a $9.7 billion dollar bill which temporarily increased the borrowing authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for carrying out the National Flood Insurance Program. Now that the President has signed H.R. 41. victims of Superstorm Sandy are finally able to receive some muchneeded relief from the federal government. The issue before us is that in no other time in the last 2 decades have victims had to wait this long for relief.
Date: 2013-01-15
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his really extraordinary bipartisan leadership on this issue with NITA LOWEY and so many others from the Northeast region. This is truly a bipartisan amendment with bipartisan devotion and commitment. The chairman has worked his heart out on this. and he has given his all to make this happen with great intelligence and commitment. to address the real need and the suffering of the people. Struck by the second most economically devastating natural disaster in our Nations history. people lost their homes. their cars. their jobs. in some cases their entire neighborhoods. and there should not be different standards for different storms or for different regions. We are all one country. We were there when other States and regions suffered hurricanes. tornadoes. We need you to be there with the Northeast region today. This is a bipartisan effort. The standards should not be different. We were there for you. We need you to be there for the Northeast.
Date: 2013-01-15
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise regarding my excused absence from rollcall votes 1123 on Tuesday. January 15. 2013. I was unavoidably delayed on my return to Washington due to official business in my district. I would have voted "aye" for my following rollcall votes: 12. 15. 22. 23. I would have voted "no" for my following rollcall votes: 11. 13. 14. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21.
Date: 2013-01-22
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Mr. Speaker. today. we mark the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. the landmark decision which enshrined a realm of personal privacy that is deeply connected to the personal freedoms that we hold dear in this country. As one Justice put it. its the simple right to be left alone. The right to choose is meaningless without access to choose. Yet the Republicanled Congress has chipped away at access. voting 10 times to limit access in the last Congress to a womans basic right. Last year. there were 43 laws that were passed in 19 States that would restrict access to a womans right to choose. This past election. women made it loud and clear that the right to choose is one that they believe in. and that is a basic right that the majority of Americans hold dear and will uphold with their votes in every election.
Date: 2013-01-22
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. yesterday was a magnificent day: the coming together for the second inauguration of Barack Obama and the honoring of Dr. Martin Luther King. In his speech. President Obama said something potent and powerful. and that is that freedom is a gift from God. but it is one that is not selfexecuting. A gentleman that I know very well. Dr. Reverend Samuel Smith of the Mount Horeb Baptist Church. knows about fighting for freedom. Today. I rise to again affirm Roe v. Wade. which speaks about individual freedom. and to indicate that even as we discuss budget talks and the debt ceiling. we must recognize the freedom of the vulnerable to be safe and secure and to have the support to be able to have food and clothing and a home. That is freedom as well. my friends. And so as we debate the questions of the debt ceiling and whether we have a budget. let us be reminded that freedom is a gift of God and that it should not be denied to those who are most vulnerable. those who are the weak. those who cannot stand for themselves. And the President made it very clear that freedom is not to the powerful. It is for all of us. We all are created equal. with certain unalienable rights of life. liberty. and the pursuit of happiness.