macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-07-22
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I do just want to take a break from the GMO debate to talk about a huge problem confronting our country. and that is the infrastructure that is in disrepair. from roads to bridges to transit ways around this country. The American people know it. and they are backed up in what they can see in front of them by a report from the American Society of Civil Engineers. They are the nonpartisan pros. they are the experts. They have looked at the state of American infrastructure and given us a grade of a DplusDplus. Nobody should be happy with a Dplus. The sad thing is that this Congress should get an F grade for failing to respond to the bad grade with respect to our failing infrastructure. In the face of this big problem. what did the House do? Well. we are about to run out of money in 8 days. We are about to see the end of the authorization in 8 days. so the House of Representatives. instead of coming up with a longterm plan to address this issue. which is what we should do. came up with another kickthecandowntheroad BandAid approach. They said. we are going to provide an extension of the inadequate funding for just 5 more months. just to December of this year. Now. we are a great country. and I think everybody knows that if you are planning to make major investments in infrastructure. whether it is our roads or our bridges or transit ways. you need a little more certainty and stability than that. Certainly. the private sector couldnt plan on 5month intervals. and we are asking these companies and these workers and these States to come up with longterm plans for our States and for our country on infrastructure. but we are only going to give them 5 months of certainty going forward. We think that is a bad idea. Guess what. Senate Republicans also think that is a bad idea. They came up with a 6year plan. Now. what we are providing this House today is the opportunity on the very next vote to vote for the opportunity to vote on a robust 6year transportation infrastructure plan that is fully funded for the first 2 years. How do we pay for that 2year installment? We pay for it. Mr. Speaker. by getting rid of this egregious tax loophole that many multinational corporations are using to escape their responsibilities to the American taxpayer. Here is how it works. You have an American company. Their headquarters are here. their people are here. everything they do is here. Then they go and they purchase a small company. a small foreign company. and they move their mailing address overseas to that small company. and then that American company benefits from the educational system we have here in the United States.
Date: 2015-07-22
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. they purchase a small foreign company. and then they move their mailing address overseas to that small company. They then say to the American taxpayer: Guess what. We dont have to pay any more taxes in the United States. We dont have to pay taxes for the infrastructure that we have that does support us. We dont have to pay for the education system that supports us. We want a free ride. Now. we need to close down this tax break. More and more companies every day are taking advantage of it. If you close that loophole. you generate $40 billion. And you use that money that otherwise would go to the bottom line of these corporations that are trying to escape their responsibility to the American people and you invest it in infrastructure right here at home. You help modernize your infrastructure. and you put more people to work. We have introduced a piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker. to do that. The bill is H.R. 3064. And if we defeat the previous question. we as a House will have an opportunity to vote on a 6year. robust transportation plan that is funded for 2 years by closing this egregious tax loophole that is being exploited by corporations. Lets defeat the previous question. Lets do the right thing for American workers and American infrastructure.
Date: 2015-07-22
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chair. I rise in support of H.R. 1734. the Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act. The Energy and Commerce Committee has looked at the issue of coal ash for the past several Congresses. I have and continue to advocate for coal ash to be regulated under Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). which would ensure that the recycling of coal ash continues without disruption. The beneficial reuse of coal ash is responsible for tens of thousands of jobs around the countryhelping our economy and our environment. I appreciate EPAs decision to regulate coal ash as a nonhazardous waste in its April final rule. However. I do have concerns with the other parts of EPAs new regulations. In particular. the rule is selfimplementing. meaning that it does not require permits to be issued and the federal government will have no authority to enforce EPAs standards. The best way forward is to create a statebased permitting program with minimum federal standards. This legislation does just that. taking many of EPAs requirements and folding them into state permitting programs. The program created by this bill would give states the flexibility to meet their unique conditions and empower state agencies to enforce environmental and safety requirements that will protect communities and the environment. EPA will be authorized to stepin for states that do not create their own programs. This chamber passed coal ash legislation with bipartisan support in 2011 and 2013. The legislation before us today is an improvement on those bills and provides stronger protections for human health and the environment. Mr. Chair. I ask for colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together and vote in support of this commonsense. bipartisan legislation.
Date: 2015-07-22
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today with great pleasure to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the former Speaker of the House. James "Jim" Wright. who passed away on Wednesday. May 6. at age 92 of this year. Speaker Wright served in Congress for more than three decades and left an indelible legacy as chairman of the House Public Works Committee that is now named the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He was elected by his peers as Speaker in 1987. He was born in Fort Worth. Texas. the son of a traveling salesman. He was educated at Weatherford College and the University of Texas at Austin. He dedicated his life to serving the public. He bravely served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for flying combat missions in the South Pacific. Subsequently. he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1946. He served as mayor of Weatherford. Texas. from 1950 to 1954. and he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1954. He was reelected 16 times. Speaker Wright was a visionary who served the people of Fort Worth and this Nation well. He is deserving of this tribute. Because of his leadership. the House experienced one of the most prolific periods. Speaker Wright demonstrated his skill as a political leader and a master legislator by shepherding extraordinarily complex legislation through the House. He understood that the business of legislating and good politics required good skill in the art of compromise. Speaker Wright never backed down from a challenge. Even after leaving office. he continued to serve the public diligently. I was always able to consult with Speaker Wright. and I will always cherish those memories. He was the author of the Wright amendment at the time the Dallas/Fort Worth airport was built. When it came time for it to change. only Speaker Wright. even in retirement. was able to get it loose in the Senate so that we could get it passed in the House as well. Our country has lost one of its finest statesman. and I have lost a very close personal friend whose wisdom. dignity. and knowledge of the legislative process was unquestionably enviable. He is among the most influential speakers in the history of the House of Representatives. Jim Wright is really an unforgettable public servant and leader. A man fueled by passion and concern for others. he set the bar high for his successors. At the time of his death. he was survived by his wife. Betty. who was deceased just recently. and four children. I stand today to honor former Speaker of the House Jim Wright and thank him for his work in the service of the people of Texas and throughout the Nation. He has left a powerful legacy that will live for generations. I want to thank my colleague. Congressman VEASEY. for having the leadership and the vision for waiting for a while to be able to sponsor this hour in tribute to Speaker Wright.
Date: 2015-07-22
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a great American and a great Texan. former Speaker of the House Jim Wright. Speaker Wright served our nation over five decades. first as a B24 bombardier in the Pacific during World War II. where he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. Returning home to Texas. Speaker Wright was elected to the Texas State Legislature and then as Mayor of Weatherford. In 1954. Jim Wright would be elected to Congress. where he would serve for the next 34 years. 10 years as Majority Leader. and Speaker of the House from 1987 to 1989. In Congress. Jim Wright was known for his hard work on behalf of the 12th District. centered in Fort Worth. Texas. Through his work on the House Public Works Committee. thenRep. Wright secured important improvements to the Trinity River flood control and the revival of the Fort Worth stockyards area and become an important advocate for the local defense industry. As Speaker. Jim Wright guided the passage of significant legislation. including amendments to the Clean Water Act. the 1987 highway bill and expanded education benefits for military personnel. After leaving Congress. Speaker Wright said that his biggest achievement was sponsoring the bipartisan peace accord between the Sandinista government and the contras in Nicaragua. which had been fighting for a decade. Speaker Wright passed away on May 6. 2015. in his hometown of Fort Worth. at the age of 92. The passing of Speaker Wright is the end of an era in Texas politics. He was among the last of our great states legislative giants. who learned his trade from fellow Texans. Lyndon Johnson and Sam Rayburn. Speaker Wright was a leader dedicated to bettering our country. and he will be sorely and dearly missed by his family. friends. and this Congress.
Date: 2015-07-22
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of the strong relationship between the United States and Ethiopia. As a member of the Ethiopian American Caucus. I am proud to see our bilateral relationship grow. As the United States continues to provide economic. humanitarian. and developmental assistance. Ethiopia continues to struggle with human rights issues and food insecurity. Next week. I will visit Ethiopia with President Barack Obama to highlight Americas commitment to investing in Africa. I hope that with this visit. we can reinforce our commitment to improving public health. food security. and human rights in Ethiopia. It is my hope that in Congress. we can follow the lead of the late former Congressman Mickey Leland. whose work to end hunger and poverty was worldchanging. Congressman Leland helped to form the House Select Committee on World Hunger in 1984 which generated awareness within Congress regarding national and international hunger and prompted a bipartisan effort to find solutions to end hunger in the U.S. and around the world. particularly in Ethiopia and Sudan. Congressman Leland wag killed in a plane crash in Ethiopia during a mission. Since the African Growth and Opportunities Act was reauthorized earlier this summer. Ethiopia is eligible for preferential trade benefits. I hope to see our trade relationship grow as we work with Ethiopia to improve humanitarian conditions. I am proud to be a member of the Ethiopian American Caucus and I ask my colleagues to support the relationship between the U.S. and Ethiopia.
Date: 2015-07-23
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. on August 6. just a few days from now. America will have the privilege of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. with the sadness to know that that Voting Rights Act has been gutted by the United States Supreme Court with instructions for this Congress to respond to the rights of Americans to vote. I am very proud of the words that Justice Ginsburg said: It is common sense that. if polio is on the demise. why get rid of the polio vaccination. Voting prohibitions and prohibiting people from voting has decreased over the decades. but it has because of the Voting Rights Act. Frankly. we are doing a great disservice. When there are rebel flags being flown to show racial divide or monuments that represent very dire comments about those who are slaves. it looks as if this Congress could bring a voting rights legislation to be voted on for all Americans to be able to vote. What a sad state of affairs when we cannot have a real vote on the floor of the House to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act. which many of us have worked on even from the last Congress. I finally conclude by saying on this floor will be a bill dealing with what we call sanctuary cities. taking advantage of an enormous tragedy of which I offer my deepest sympathy. The National League of Cities. the Fraternal Order of Police. and the national Major County Sheriffs Association are saying that the bill dealing with sanctuary cities is misguided. It penalizes law enforcement. and it doesnt allow the common sense that should have been issued in San Francisco. pick up the phone and communicate. I think we should do the right kind of law in this body. not laws that will undermine the very principles of democracy. equality. and justice. Pass a Voting Rights Act now.
Date: 2015-07-23
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chair. I rise in opposition to this legislation. which would preempt the ability of states to require GMO labeling laws. Numerous studies have shown that Americans want to know whats in their food. As states respond to this trend. we should not restrict their ability to keep consumers informed about the food they eat. GMO labeling laws are widely supported by consumers in over 60 countries including China. Russia and the European Union. We should not deny states the ability to make this decision for their residents. While I understand the concerns about the potential for a patchwork of state labeling laws. companies. can. of course. voluntarily choose to provide GMO information on their labeling. In fact. many of those opposing this legislation provide information on GMO products in Europe and other countries. Mr. Chair. this bill was rushed through the Agriculture Committee and came too quickly to the House floor before we could have a serious discussion about GMO labeling and consumer rights. We must closely study the merits of the bill and find common ground between labeling and a consumers right to know before we vote on this farreaching legislation.
Date: 2015-07-23
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3009. the socalled "Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act." This misguided legislation is purportedly a response to the heartbreaking and tragic shooting of Kathryn Steinle earlier this month. However. the reality is that this legislation cynically uses this isolated incident to scapegoat all undocumented immigrants and undermine community policing. Specifically. H.R. 3009 would withhold critical funding for State and local law enforcement agencies as well as victims of crimes unless these jurisdictions bear the burden of enforcing Federal immigration statutes. If passed. this bill would tie the hands of local law enforcement agencies who are working to promote safety and build community trust. Requiring local police to enforce Federal immigration laws often times dissuades undocumented individuals from reporting crimes. offering testimony. and serving as witnesses in court proceedings. For example. the evidence shows that victims of domestic violence will be afraid to report these crimes to police for fear of deportation. A survey conducted by the National Domestic Violence Hotline in 2013 found that nearly 50percent of foreign born individuals were afraid to seek help because of their immigrant status. As Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson testified earlier this month. "mandating through legislation the conduct of sheriffs and police chiefs" is not the way to go. Instead of pushing these failed policies. we need to come together and pass bipartisan legislation to address our broken immigration system. I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.
Date: 2015-07-23
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize Indian Independence Day and the llth Annual New Jersey India Day Parade. organized by the Indian Business Association. On August 15. 1947. India won its freedom from the British Empire. raising the Indian national flag at the Red Fort in Delhi. On August 9 of this year. New Jerseys vibrant Indian American community will celebrate that milestone with one of the largest events in the world. drawing more than 35.000 attendees. Oak Tree Road. between Edison and Iselin. will be filled with dozens of floats. marching bands. musicians. and dignitaries. concluding with a cultural program that will offer everyone present the opportunity to see the beautiful traditions of India in addition to modern culture. New Jersey is home to one of the largest Asian Indian populations in the United States. behind California and New York in number. but second to none as a percent of our overall population. They are a thriving group that contributes to our States economic growth and strength in diversity. I wish everyone well as they prepare for the August festivities and send early Indian Independence Day greetings to all those celebrating in my district.
Date: 2015-07-27
Speaker: JOHN GARAMENDI (democrat)
Chamber: H

respectively Chair and Ranking Member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. Mr. ED ROYCE. Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. and Mr. MICHAEL MCCAUL. Chair of the Homeland Security Committee. I also acknowledge and thank the leadership of Chairman ROB BISHOP and Ranking Member RAUL GRIJALVA of the Natural Resources Committee. H.R. 774 passed the Natural Resources Committee by unanimous consent on April 30. 2015. I would also like to thank the International Conservation Caucus Foundation. the Gulf Coast Leadership Conference. and the countless recreational and commercial fishing businesses across the country for their fullfledged support of this bill. It will continue to take a collective effort to prevent IUU fishing. from stakeholders. the White House. and Congress. so I urge my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 774. so that the U.S. remains a leader in ensuring the economic security of our nation and our allies.
Date: 2015-07-27
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 2750. the Improved Security Vetting for Aviation Workers Act. which directs the Transportation Security Administrator to annually review airport badging office procedures for applicants seeking access to sensitive areas of airports. I commend the bipartisan work of Chairman MCSALLY and Ranking Member PAYNE for their work on this bill. The bill would direct the Transportation Security Administrator to coordinate with the Secretary of Homeland Security and consult with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct a pilot program of the Rap Back Service in preparation for possible full implementation. The Administrator is further directed to determine the lawful status of aviation workers in order to identify airports with specific weaknesses. The Administrator will brief the House Committees on Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure as well as the Senate Committees on Homeland Security and Government Affairs and Commerce. Science. and Transportation on the results of the determinations and reviews. This is a good step forward in support of security at our nations airports. As the Committee charged with the responsibility of improving security at our nations airports this forward looking bill will allow a pilot program to determine if there are better resources for assuring the security of the traveling public. I ask my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of H.R. 2750.
Date: 2015-07-27
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support to H.R. 2770. the "Keeping Our Travelers Safe and Secure Act of 2015". which would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require improvements in the maintenance of securityrelated technology located at airports. I commend my colleagues bill. which would outline specific requirements and procedures that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) must follow in maintaining securityrelated technology deployed at airports. I strongly support the measures that would be implemented in this bill in light of the Homeland Security Departments Inspector General Examination of the Transportation Security Administrations (TSAs) airport screening equipment maintenance program. which determined that adequate policies and procedures had not been implemented. Mr. Speaker. as a senior Member of the Homeland Security Committee and former chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security. I strongly support measures to improve aviation security. The Inspector General. report focused on concerns in the security technologies maintenance processes of our airports. The report said that TSA did not have sufficient policies to oversee whether routine preventative maintenance was accomplished. Mr. Speaker. in my hometown of Houston. nearly 40 million passengers traveled through Bush International Airport (IAH) and an additional 10 million traveled through William P. Hobby (HOU). This makes my city one of the busiest traveled cities in the country. and as TSA is the first line of defense in safeguarding transportation throughout the nation. we as a Congress should make sure we do all we can to support their needs. This bill will ensure that these imperative steps in the upkeep of TSA equipment are not overlooked any more. as the agency must provide a monthly preventive maintenance schedule to appropriate airport personnel. streamlining the communication process amongst contractors and the airports themselves. Also. this bill requires that the TSA must impose penalties for noncompliance when preventative and/or corrective maintenance does not meet contractual requirements or manufacturer specifications. Mr. Speaker. we must provide the guidance and tools needed by the TSA to ensure the safety of the millions that travel through our nations airports. H.R. 2770. the "Keeping Our Travelers Safe and Secure Act of 2015" is a positive step forward in handling the issues raised by the Inspector Generals report on our countrys airports security systems. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in support of H.R. 2770.
Date: 2015-07-27
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. today I missed the following votes: S. 1482NeedBased Educational Aid Act of 2015. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes" on this bill. H.R. 1656Secret Service Improvements Act of 2015. as amended. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes" on this bill. and H.R. 2770Keeping our Travelers Safe and Secure Act. as amended. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes" on this bill.