macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-09-25
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. although we have been debating for a long period of time. let me say to my colleagues to remind themand I see my good friend. Chairman GOODLATTE. on the floorthat this legislation amends the National Environmental Policy Act with good intentions. However. what this bill will do is actually strip out critical input from Federal. State. local agencies. and the public. jeopardizing both the environment and public safetylet me repeat thatjeopardizing the American people. environment. and public safety. The bill sets new. tight deadlines for environmental review. permitting. and licensing decisions and simply. as I said earlier. throws wisdom and good judgment to the wind. I serve as a senior member on the Homeland Security Committee. And so I rise today with my amendment that improves the bill and helps to protect the homeland by carving a limiting exception for construction projects that could be potential targets for terrorist acts. such as chemical facilities. nuclear power plants. and other critical infrastructure. Let me offer the comments of the Congressional Budget Office. They have no basis for estimating the number of construction projects that could be expedited or the savings that would be realized in this bill. Of course. those who support it use that as their main Rock of Gibraltar. if you will. their main point of argument that this is a good bill. A good bill in the face of terrorism? Director Comey has indicated that he has determined that there are ongoing investigations of suspected terrorist cells operating in all 50 States. Yet. we want to expedite this process when it is determining issues dealing with our national security to a certain extent. This issue deals with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. which the Circuit Court of Appeals of the Ninth Circuit said shall account for the potential environmental impacts of acts of terrorism in its environmental review process. Are you going to rush them along? The NRC has also imposed stringent antiterrorism requirements on its licenses through 10 CFR section 73. which outlines security requirements for the physical protection of nuclear plants and materials. The Jackson Lee amendment covers nuclear power plants and. as well. chemical facilities to not rush the process to protect the American people. Mr. Chairman. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-09-25
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman. quite the contrary to my good friend from Virginia. what this amendment does is protects the process of the NRC to fully review the potential impacts of terrorism on Federal construction projects involving nuclear facilities and chemical facilities as well. In addition. I think when we hear the names Chernobyl. Fukushima. and Three Mile Island. we understand the vast and devastating impact of such an incident that may be caused or driven by terrorism. I would not want to limit the NRC. which has been given court authority by law to investigate and provide an investigation. thorough investigation. on the impact on chemical and nuclear plants. and we have it restricted. It takes more than 4 years to build a nuclear facility. So are you suggesting that the facility. then. can go on and be built for 10. 20 years. and we shut off the NEPA that has the responsibilities for the American people? I dont think that is appropriate. Mr. Chairman. let me suggest that the American people from the Alaska Wilderness League. the Natural Resources Defense Council. and the Western Environmental Law Center are against this bill. I will place this into the RECORD. Mr. Chairman. the Executive Office of the President. Council on Environmental Quality is opposed to this bill. and I will insert this into the RECORD. I just want to mention that. of course. the President has issued a veto threat. Where this bill is going. I do not know. But the main thing I would like to say to my colleagues is: Cant we stand together united around the question of national security? My amendment specifically indicates that this issue of terrorism should be a simple carveout. and I would ask you to do so. Let me also bring in the comments of the Pope as indicated yesterday: If politics must truly be at the service of the human person. it follows that it cannot be a slave to the economy and finance. Politics is. instead. an expression of our compelling need to live as one in order to build. as one. the greatest common good: that of a community which sacrifices particular interests in order to share. in justice and peace. its goods. its interests. and its social life. The interest of the American people is to accept the Jackson Lee amendmentto carve out an exception in this bill that is opposed by the President and all other aspects of goodwill people here dealing with the environmentto deal with this issue. Might I remind you. Mr. Chairman. of the Volkswagen scandal. If a more robust process had been in mind. 11 million owners of Volkswagensand 400.000 in the United Statesmight be in a better place. This is a good amendment dealing with the safety and security of the American people. I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment.
Date: 2015-09-25
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank my good friend for yielding to me. Maybe we can work together on this amendment because it is a simple carveout. It should be narrow. It clarifies that the bills provision does not apply to environmental reviews or permitting on other agencies decisions that could deal with potential terrorist attack targets. such as chemical facilities and other critical infrastructure. I dont think that that is something that the gentleman and myself would disagree with and. particularly. the nuclear plants. which take a longer period of time.
Date: 2015-09-25
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. Members will leave this week behind physically but not mentally and not without a sense of joy and. certainly. questions. Many things have happened this week. and more will come in terms of further explanations about our leadership and about our direction. but one thing we know that occurred is a mighty statement of balanced injustice. I will paraphrase the words of Pope Francis. when he said to us that politics requires more than divisiveness. and he said "the greatest common good: that of a community which sacrifices particular interests in order to share. in justice and peace. its goods. its interests. its social life"-an instruction on the goodness of our Members. no matter what their party. So in these next couple of weeks. I would ask that we look collectively together about working to pass a budget that is fair and just and that helps the needy: comprehensive immigration reform. helping the homeless. and helping veterans who have suffered. Mr. Speaker. some hundreds of thousands who died waiting for hospital services. I think we can do better. Get rid of sequester. Pass a budget for America.
Date: 2015-09-28
Speaker: BRENDA LAWRENCE (democrat)
Chamber: H

also of Michigan. this month. This bill would require onetime reports from Federal agencies on expired grants. As noted earlier by Mr. WALBERG. in a report by the Government Accountability Office. Federal agencies do not always close out expired grants properly. In fact. GAO has found that in 2011. nearly $800 million in undisbursed balances remained in expired grant accounts. That money could be returned to the Treasury and spent on any number of pressing priorities here in the House and Senate. In particular. Mr. WALBERGs bill. H.R. 3089. would require agencies to report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and Congress on grants that have expired and whether they have undisbursed balances. The bill would also require agencies to make recommendations on which grants should be closed out immediately as well as explain why certain grants were not properly closed out to begin with. I commend the Representatives from Michigan. both Mr. WALBERG. our lead sponsor on this bill. and Mrs. LAWRENCE. for their work on this bipartisan bill. This is a commonsense. good government measure that every Member should support. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-09-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee. I rise in support of H.R. 2786. the "CrossBorder Rail Security Act of 2015." which directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to report to Congress on its inspection of highrisk shipments entering the United States by rail. Specifically. H.R. 2786 requires the CBP to report on the following matters related to homeland security: the number of highrisk rail shipments annually entering the country. the status of radiation detection units at each border rail crossing. and an assessment of whether additional radiation detection equipment is necessary. The bill also requires CBP to develop a plan for ensuring that all relevant CBP personnel receive adequate training and guidance on the proper use of CBPs Automated Targeting System for such shipments. and in the use of appropriate radiation detection equipment for shipment examination. and requirements for recording examination results. H.R. 2786 bill also requires the General Accountability Office to periodically audit CBP operations at rail crossings on borders to ensure rail shipments are targeted. examined. and the examination results are well documented. Mr. Speaker. this bill is good for our nation and for my congressional district. which is centered in Houston. Texas. Houston has been the hub of railroad hub of Texas since the 1880s and is known as the place "where 17 railroads meet the sea." It is also the "the energy capital of the world." Freight from the Houston area goes by railroad to destinations all over the United States. including Los Angeles. Long Beach. New York City. Charleston. and Savannah. Over 1 billion tons of freight travels through Houston area each year. no other state comes close to the level of trade the metropolitan Houston region experiences. One billion tons of freight leaves the Houston area each year. nearly two/ thirds of which (645 million tons) involve goods come from foreign sources. The top foreign freight origination point for the City of Houston is Mexico. Mexico supplies over 50% of all international freight in the Houston area. Europe and Canada are Houstons second largest foreign freight trading partners. accounting for over 27% of international freight in the Houston area. Mr. Speaker. I ask that my colleagues join me in supporting H.R. 2786 because the safety of rail transit is critical to the security of the homeland and strength of our economy.
Date: 2015-09-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee. and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security. I rise in strong support of H.R. 2835. "Border Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015." which would guarantee more jobs for our many deserving veterans. This bill requires the Homeland Security Department to prioritize the hiring of U.S. veterans as Custom and Border Protection (CBP) officers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the unemployment rate for our veterans is 7.2%. which is roughly 573.000 unemployed veterans nationally. A study commissioned by the Department of Commerces International Trade Administration found that in 2008. delays at POEs at the U.S.-Mexico border cost the U.S. economy 26.000 jobs. $600 million in lost tax revenue. and $5.8 billion in lost economic output. According to CBP. 2.000 additional CBPOs will lead to the creation of approximately 66.000 new jobs and increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the U.S. by up to $4 billion. The bill will ensure that: CBP officials will be at recruiting events and jobs fairs for armed service members. Partnerships are fostered between military bases in regions where CBP Officers work. Opportunities for the expedited hiring of certain service members with qualifications needed by CBP are prioritized. and Transfers of relevant background investigations and security clearances are streamlined to facilitate transitions from military life to employment at the CBP. Mr. Speaker. I introduced H.R. 76. the "Helping to Encourage Real Opportunity for Veterans Transitioning from Battlespace to Workplace Act of 2015." the HEROS Act. which is very similar to spirit to the bill before the House. Studies have shown that more than 80% of veterans transitioning from military service to the civilian sector regard employerprovided Veterans support programs as "critical" or "important" to their success. The "HERO Transitioning from Battlespace to Workplace Act of 2014" addressed these problems by providing strong incentives for employers to hire. retain. and employ veterans in positions that take maximum advantage of their skills and experience. Nearly 90% of veterans believe they have the general skills needed to land their ideal job such as problem solving. leadership. ethics. and time management and most believe they possess specific marketable skills. such as information technology. health care. mechanical. and aviation.
Date: 2015-09-28
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. due to unforeseen circumstances. I missed the following votes: H.R. 2835Border Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015. as amended. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes" on this bill. H.R. 2786Cross Border Rail Security Act of 2015. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes" on this bill.
Date: 2015-09-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. let me thank the gentleman for his very thoughtful statement and for leading us off today and setting the tone for the Congressional Black Caucus that we will never forget our icons. but we also know that to pay tribute is the highest honor for all of us because we are here because of all of them. I thank
Date: 2015-09-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

and members of the Congressional Black Caucus. it is really extraordinary how God has given us the opportunity to say thank you for the blessings that we have. and I do hope that maybe on both sides of the aisle people can talk about those who allowed this country to be so great. the sacrifices that so many people have made. and you just dont have to be a giant to appreciate the fact that God has blessed us all. I thank her for her effort at bringing us together. not just tonight. but on every committee. on every bill. and this floor. SHEILA JACKSON LEE is here to continue to inspire all of us. I thank her for that.
Date: 2015-09-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. we are so grateful for the special wisdom and insight that Mr. RANGEL brings to all of what we do. I know that the late Lou Stokes. the late Amelia Boynton Robinson. and the late Julian Bond are grateful that they knew him and that he is here to tell his story. Even if he considers it embarrassing. I think it is a wonderful testimony for anybody who has said. "I cant do it." We want him to keep telling us that wonderful statement over and over again. I thank him so very much for what he provides to the Congressional Black Caucus. I thank him for the kind words he mentioned of Representative TERRI SEWELL. I just say to Ms. SEWELL. I dont know what kind of phone message that she had to the Vatican. but I repeat now the words of Pope Francis. as I yield to her. This is Pope Francis. as he spoke just a few days ago at that very podium: Here. too. I think of the march which Martin Luther King led from Selma to Montgomery 50 years ago as part of the campaign to fulfill his dream of full civil rights and political rights for African Americans. Representative SEWELL. let me thank you for bringing and infusing life into the wonderful city of Selma. all the wonderful people there. including your dearly beloved mother and father. and having us walk with you every step of the way. As I yield to her. let me say that we should make a commitment right here today. as we make changes in leadership. that we commit ourselves to the restoration of section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. which she is leading on. It is my delight to yield to her at this time.
Date: 2015-09-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

I think we can leave this evening with the words that Congresswoman SEWELL has just said. and we thank her so very much. "do our own work." That message should carry for whether we are Republicans or Democrats or Independents. Congresswoman SEWELL. we look forward to doing our own work on the restoration of the Voting Rights Act. section 5. which you are leading and all of us have signed onto. We thank you so much for that eloquent statement and that statement of passion. Speaking of passion. it is my privilege to introduce a Member who has her own storied civil rights history. someone who has served as the Commissioner on the EEOC. the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. and someone who has been in the trenches in civil rights. dealing with voting rights cases. dealing with the right to vote in her own District of Columbia. I think she will be the Florence Nightingale. she will be the champion battler. because I believe that this Delegate. Congresswoman ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON. will be successful as we fight for the voting rights of the District through her leadership. I yield to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia .
Date: 2015-09-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Let me thank my good friend. Congresswoman ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON. for giving these three legends the vitality and vibrance of a personal story. And to just add to his coming to students at Howard University. I want you to know that. at the University of Virginia. where he was. he was the most popular professor with people standing in line because the students sensed his passion and commitment. but they sensed his realness. Thank you so very much for that very vibrant and informative presentation. Mr. Speaker. as I introduce this next gentleman. who has his own history. let me quote. again. as I indicated. Pope Francis from last week. which captures all of what we are saying tonight: to respond in a way which is always humane. just and fraternal. We need to avoid a common temptation nowadays to disregard whatever proves troublesome. Let us remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The gentleman that I am going to yield to. Mr. BoBBY SCOTT. is a former chairman of the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice. now the ranking member on the Committee on Education and the Workforce. and has led his professional. at least his Congressional life. as I have known it. to be a champion for criminal justice reform. but. more importantly. has been one who has said to us over and over again that: We must do unto others as we would like them to do unto us. We must change this criminal justice system to have it be a fair monitoring of how we inspire and restore peoples lives. I yield now to the gentleman from Virginia. Congressman BOBBY SCOTT.
Date: 2015-09-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentleman from Virginia for citing. in particular. the case law that Julian Bond particularly generated from the horrific denial of his right to be seated. Let me also indicate the importance of members of the Congressional Black Caucus sharing the history of these icons. which I hope my colleagues will appreciate these giants. for many times the history is not remembered or it is not understood. Certainly. it is my privilege to now yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio. who has firsthand knowledge because she can say that she comes from the State of which Lou Stokes and Carl Stokes were native sons. She is. of course. an inspirational leader for her district in Columbus. but. more importantly. someone who brings a wealth of experience from her previous service in the Ohio State Legislature and someone who has a passion for the improvement of lives of all people. I believe. as Lou Stokes has said. she understands the value and importance of improving the health of African Americans and all Americans. Mr. Speaker. it is my privilege to yield to the gentlewoman from Columbus. Ohio .
Date: 2015-09-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Congresswoman BEATTY. thank you for letting us know whose footsteps we walk in and for that celebratory statement. Mr. Speaker. it is certainly my pleasure to yield to the gentlewoman from the U.S. Virgin Islands . who has come with the expertise of a renowned and trained lawyer. one who is a collaborator.
Date: 2015-09-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Congresswoman PLASKETT. thank you so very much for laying the groundwork for those who now step into those footsteps. and you have done so with such leadership and certainly such passion. Thank you so very much. Mr. Speaker. what is my time remaining?
Date: 2015-09-29
Speaker: MAXINE WATERS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

I dont know what they are afraid of. They like shutting things down. You are going to shut down something in this country that is going to cause us to lose jobs.
Date: 2015-09-29
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

I thank my good friend for her leadership and for yielding. Madam Speaker. I stand in strong opposition to this ironically titled bill. Womens Public Health and Safety Act. Lets be honest. We all know that this bill in no way protects the health and safety of women. In fact. it does quite the opposite. This bill is aimed squarely at restricting a womans constitutionally protected freedom to make her own reproductive health choices. This bill is not based on facts. This bill is not based on the health needs of women. This bill is pure politics and ideologically driven. It is shameful that Congress is considering a bill that would leave vulnerable womens access to comprehensive health care at the mercy of the extreme fringe of the far right. This is another attempt to put politics between a woman and her doctor and a thinly veiled attempt to destroy a womans right to choose. This bill is so vaguely worded and so broadly written that it will have devastating and farreaching effects on womens health. States would be allowed to exclude any provider. any entity. that has ever provided an abortion or has ever had any sort of association or involvement with an abortion. This bill puts womens lives in danger. and it is a chilling and a most dangerous precedent. Madam Speaker. I urge a strong "no" vote. Instead. stand for a womens right to make her own personal health care choices. Planned Parenthood should be celebrated. not demonized. It is the largest healthcare provider for vulnerable women in this great country of ours.