macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-10
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Chairman. I rise today in strong support of the SimmonsDavisDavis amendment in the defense authorization bill. This amendment will safeguard national security and ensure fiscal responsibility by preventing the security clearances of defense contractors from expiring until the Department of Defense resumes processing their requests for security clearance investigations and fully funds its personnel security clearance program for fiscal year 2007. I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment. On Friday. April 28. I discovered DODs security clearance processing arm. the Defense Security Service. was imposing a moratorium on all requests for private sector security clearance investigations. DSS reported that it experienced a massive spike in the number of clearance requests andthat it didnt have the resources to handle this spike. DSS. therefore. decided to just turn off the spigot. This is. frankly. unacceptable. It is an unacceptable solution to what should have been a very foreseeable problem. I will be chairing a Government Reform Committee hearing on May 17 to examine this issue in more detail. In the meantime we cannot put defense contractors that -need to -review employees clearances in the. position of having to choose between firing their employees or granting uncleared personnel access to classified materials and facilities. The government spends billions of dollars each year on defense contracts requiring workers with security clearances to do the work. If contractors are unable to find enough cleared personnel who have access to classified information. the cost of these contracts increases dramatically. Simply supply and demand. not enough people with the clearance. too much work to do. and the taxpayers are then forced to pick up the tab and our national security suffers. Therefore. I rise in strong support of the SimmonsDavisDavis amendment to prevent the Department of Defense from revoking expiring security clearances until DOD is able to get a handle on the current crisis and resume processing requests for security clearance investigations in a timely and efficient mainer. This amendment does not fix the problem. but it keeps. it from getting worse. It is an important issue for national security and fiscal responsibility. I urge my colleagues tosupport this important amendment.
Date: 2006-05-10
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Chairman. I rise today in strong support of this amendment that I am offering with my colleagues from Connecticut and Virginia. As we continue to fight the Global War on Terror. the Department of Defense must adapt to meet the challenges posed by this new kind of war. I believe that it is our responsibility in Congress to exercise proper oversight and direction of our military. and the recent developments regarding the processing of security clearances deserve the attention of this body. In our post 9/11 world. the need for precise and timely security clearance processing has never been more important. The demand for clearances of all types and levels continues to increase. yet our budgets and our processes are not up to date. I represent thousands of workers in my district who rely on their security clearance to perform their jobs. from the shipbuilders in Newport News to the thousands. of uniformed service members and contractors that are working to support our national defense. In fact. Ive heard. from a lot of them in the last few weeks. Our amendment will temporarily prohibit the Department of Defenses authority to expire clearances that have requested renewal until September 30. 2008. unless certain criteria are met. I firmly believe that we should not be penalizing our military and contracting community because the Department cannot adequately estimate or budget its future security clearance requirements. Additionally. Im pleased that a separate amendment offered by Congressman SIMMONS and myself was included in the underlying* legislation that is before the House today. The provision requires the Department to submit a series of reports on their progress in solving these problems. and I believe this is an important step in our congressional oversight of this extremely vital program for our national defense. I want to thank Chairman HUNTER for working with me on this issue. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of our amendment.
Date: 2006-05-11
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr.. Chairman. I rise to offer this amendment to help States all across the Nation deal with the dynamic affects of BRAC can have on their local communities. In my district alone we will incur the single largest loss and gain in the most recent round ofBRAC. We will have roughly 23.000 positions vacated out of DoD leased space in Arlington. Virginia and roughly the same number of jobs added to Fort Belvoir. Virginia. While we give warm welcome to the additional jobs coming to Fort Belvoir we must ensure that we are able to continue to observe our smart growth principles. The transportation infrastructure in the vicinity of Fort Belvoir/ Southern Alexandria sector is already overburdened -and inadequate. It is important that DoD has a wide array of tools at its disposal in order to. work with our local community to help absorb the affects of such a massive growth. The Defense Access Road (DAR) program currently allows DoD to pay for road projects made necessary by DoD actions. My amendment would simply allow DoD to consider transit projects as part of the Defense Access Road program as well. It does not force DoD to enforce a blanket policy because I know each community has its own specific needs and a one size fits all is simply not appropriate. Some communities could. use more roads and others could use buses. Mr. Chairman. I know my district was not the only one effected by BRAC. My amendment is important to every State across the Nation that was affected by BRAC or any other DoD action that will significantly impact their local communities. I have already received a call from the North Carolinas Governors office supporting this effort. Mr. Chairman. in closing I would like to thank Chairman HUNTER. Senator WARNER. and JIM MORAN for working with me to make this amendment a reality. I urge an "aye" vote.
Date: 2006-05-11
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Chairman. I rise to offer this amendment in an attempt to resolve deadlocked negotiations between the. State of Virginia and the Army. For years now. the completion of the Fairfax County Parkway. a major parkway in my district. has been held hostage to complications with building through the Engineering Proving Ground. The Engineering Proving Ground was a former milidary airfield which has environmental concerns that are inherent of its history. Empirical data has shown the Engineering Proving Ground is suitable for road construction. My amendment simply allows the State of Virginia and the Army the authority they need to negotiate a sensible and environmentally sound solution to complete the parkway. It allows the Army to enter into a special agreement with the State of Virginia. This agreement would authorize the State of Virginia to fund projects on the Engineering Proving Ground while allowing the Army to maintain control of the project. I was Chairman of the Fairfax County Board back when we completed the largest section of the Fairfax County Parkway and was proud to see the road come to near completion. However. a number of years have gone by since and it is truly frustrating to all northern Virginians not to have the small portion of the parkway through the Engineering Proving Ground completed at this time. In addition. due to the most recent round of BRAC. Northern Virginia will gain over 23.000 jobs in the Fort Belvoir area. This is equivalent to gaining four major baseswas the single largest BRAC addition in the country. Completing the Fairfax County Parkway is a critical step in setting the infrastructure we need to help assuage the welcome. but massive growth. In closing I would like to thank Chairman HUNTER. Senat6r WARNER. and JIM MORAN for working with me to make this amendment a reality. I urge an aye vote.
Date: 2006-05-16
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Madam Speaker. I am honored today to speak today in support of H.R. 3682. a bill to rename the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge after Elizabeth Hartwell. For almost 20 years. Mrs. Hartwell spearheaded efforts to protect the Mason Neck area. Her efforts led to the establishment of the 2.300acre Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge. the 1.800acre Mason Neck State Park. and the 1.000acre Pohick Bay Regional Park. Mrs. Hartwell began her environmental crusade in February 1965 when she learned about a rezoning application in Fairfax County for the development of a satellite city of 20.000 people on the most ecologically sensitive area of Mason Neck. She decided to lead an effort to stop this development and to preserve Mason Neck habitat for the endangered American bald eagle. During the ensuing weeks and months. she organized a watchdog group called the Conservation Committee For Mason Neck. She made films of the wildlife that thrived there to show other civic organizations around the region. Mrs. Hartwell even gave tours by boat along Mason Necks waterways and enlisted the support of several environmental organizations at the local. regional. State. and Federal levels. The Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1969 for the protection of nesting. feeding. and roosting habitat for bald eagles. It was the first Federal refuge established specifically for the thenendangered bald eagle. Today. there are multiple nests on the refuge and on neighboring public and private lands. I am. pleased to support the effort of several Mason Neck area homeowners associations to rename the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge in honor of Mrs. Hartwell. who passed away on December 14. 2000. She dedicated her life to nature and to helping the environment. and it would be a fitting tribute to rename the Mason Neck Refuge after the woman who fought so valiantly for its creation.
Date: 2006-05-16
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Madam Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 788) supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Date: 2006-05-16
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Madam Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
Date: 2006-05-16
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker. each day. law enforcement officers in this country face grave danger as they protect the rights and freedoms we enjoy as Americans. TheiT commitment and sacrifice make our streets safer. our neighborhoods stronger. and our families more secure. May 15 is set aside each year to honor the service and sacrifice of Americas law enforcement officers and their families. It also promotes increased public support for the law enforcement profession and helps to promote law enforcement safety. The more than 850.000 men and women who guard our communities do so at great risk. Each year. one in 15 officers is assaulted. one in 46 is injured. and one in 5.255 is killed in the line of duty. After the hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center in New York City on 9/11. 72 peace officers died while trying to ensure their fellow citizens got to safety. That act of terrorism resulted in the highest number of peace officers killed in a single incident in the history of this country. Just 8 days ago. the tragedy of an officer killed in the line of duty struck my cofnmunity in Fairfax County. Police officer Vicky Armel was killed and two officers were wounded after a gunman opened fire with highpowered weaponsjin the parking lot of a Chantilly police station during a shift change. These tragic events shook the community. and the Fairfax police force. to the core. It is important to recognize the sacrifices that these officers and their families make each day to ensure that we will have a safe environment in which to live. work. and raise our families. National Peace Officers Memorial Day will provide the people of the United States with an opportunity to honor the extraordinary service and sacrifice given year after year by our police forces. The annual ceremony. which was held the evening of May 13. featured several contributions from police officers all over the country. including the singing of the National Anthem by Fairfax County. Virginia. police officer Laura Zambron. Following the ceremony. prominent law enforcement leaders. survivors. and law enforcement supporters read the names of the 466 fallen officers whose names were officially added to the memorial. I urge all Members to come together to honor the dedication of these brave men and women. like Detective Armel. by adopting House Resolution 788. Madam Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2006-05-16
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Madam Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time. and urge Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 788.
Date: 2006-05-16
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 795. a resolution I introduced condemning the terrorist attacks in Dahab and northern Sinai in Egypt. On April 24 and 26. 2006. a series of explosions at Dahab and in northernSinai. Egypt. planned and carried out by terrorists. resulted in the deaths of scores of civilians and the injuries of many others. * Over the years. the relationship between the United States and Egypt has proven to be of critical importance to both countries. These relations have always been founded on mutual and deep understanding of each countrys interests and role. both at the regional and international levels. in creating a world that is more safe and secure. Like the United States. Egypt is a prime target of terrorism. President Sadat lost his life in 1981 as a price for signing the peace accords with Israel. Between 1990 and 1997. Egypt suffered from a series of terrorist attacks. mainly targeting the tourism sector that had long been the anchor of economic growth in the country. Since September 11. Egypt has been a crucialally to the United States in the global war on terror. Egypt. along with other Middle East allies such as Israel and Jordan. have paid a price for that too. Terrorist attacks rocked the Sinai Peninsula three times over 18 months. Moreover. last year. Egypt lost its Ambassador to Iraq. The bloody attacks that took innocent lives in Dahab earlier this month indicate that terrorism does not discriminate by race. ethnicity. or region. Instead. terrorists target those seeking to live a peaceful and free life. We must hunt the terrorists down and bring them to justice. There is no other way H2615-. to respond to those so committed to the destruction of life. We must also stand with the Egyptian people. in solidarity. This resolution does just that. making it clear that Congress and the American people are behind them during this difficult period. Mr. Speaker. let the House of Representatives speak in unison and with clarity on this issue: Terrorism has no place in this world and it will not be tolerated. I want to thank my colleagues. DARRELL ISSA. Mr. WEXLER and. Ms. RosLEHTINEN for their work on this resolution. It is only through their efforts that we were able to bring it to the floor so quickly. I also want to thank my colleague. Mr. MCCOTTER. for managing this so well. In addition. I thank the leadership on both sides for allowing this bill on the floor today. and I urge an "aye" vote.
Date: 2006-05-17
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Chairman. first I yield myself 15 seconds to clarify something. The gentleman just said that only the wealthy would pay. Here is a board that I showed. There arent enough wealthy people in the United States to pay this amount of new taxes. and if they cant pay for it. who is going to pay for it? The American people are going to pay for it. Mr. Chairman. I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California .
Date: 2006-05-17
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Chairman. I yield myself 30 seconds. We keep hearing from the gentlemen on the other side that they only want to raise taxes on those making over $200.000. Well. the numbers just dont add up. In order to raise the amount of taxes they are talking about. which is. again. larger than the budgets for 1 year for just about all the countries in the Western Hemisphere. they would have to let all the tax cuts expire. including the child tax credit. et cetera. et cetera. et cetera.- and they would still have to find another $63 billion in tax increases for everybody else as well. So that is what the numbers are. Mr. Chairman. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2006-05-17
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Chairman. I yield myself 30 seconds. Again. I just want to repeat that this amendment is such a huge tax increase that they would have to increase the child tax credit. the 10 percent bracket. the marriage penalty relief would go away. that tax cut. the education tax relief would disappear under their proposal. the pension reforms would disappear under their proposal. the AMT relief would disappear under their proposal. and they would even increase the death tax. Yes. even taxation with no respiration takes place in this amendment. It is a huge tax increase. And they cut defense while doing all those things. The numbers are there. Mr. Chairman. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2006-05-17
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Chairman. I yield myself 30 seconds. Mr. Chairman. this is very simple. If you think that we should eliminate the child tax credit and raise those taxes on child credit. support this amendment. If you believe that we should eliminate the 10 percent bracket. support this amendment. If you believe that the marriage penalty should be increased. that the tax on marriage should be increased. vote for this amendment. If you do not believe in the education tax relief. vote for this amendment. If you do not want the pension reforms that we have that have taken place. vote for this amendment. If you support not relieving the AMT. support this amendment. And if you believe that people should pay taxes even after they are dead. support this amendment.. If you believe also that we should cut defense. support this amendment. Mr. Chairman. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2006-05-17
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Chairman. I yield myself 15 seconds. For the record. our budget has no cuts in SCHIP or Medicaid whatsoever. Get the record straight. It is not there. We also have no cuts in defense. Their amendment does cut defense radically. Mr. Chairman. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2006-05-17
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Chairman. may I inquire as to how many speakers the sponsor of the amendment has lined up still?
Date: 2006-05-17
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Chairman. I thank the gentlemen for his answer. I will always try to accommodate him as much as possible to close.
Date: 2006-05-17
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. I am trying to see. Mr. Chairman. if we can work out to give the sponsor a little bit more time. So with the indulgence of the Chair. I just want to make sure. I believe we have 4 minutes on this side?
Date: 2006-05-17
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Chairman. what I would like to do. in an abundance of fairness. is cede 1 minutes to the sponsors of the amendment with the huge tax increases on all the American people.
Date: 2006-05-17
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Chairman. again there is a huge difference between our budget and this budget by the CBC. the prestigious Members of the Democratic Congress. They increase taxes on the American people by almost $1 trillion over 5 years while cutting defense spending in a time of war. To put it in perspective one more time. let us look at this. Look at all the countries south of Mexico. and excluding Florida. all the Caribbean. all of Central and South America. Their revenues. their expenditures over 1 year are smaller than the tax increases that this amendment proposes to impose on the hardworking American people over the next 5 years. That is the reality. The bottom line is if you believe in massive tax increases large enough to fund the expenditures of all the countries in Latin America. if you believe in that. you would support this amendment. If you believe that the American people are paying enough taxes. that we have got to use it more efficiently. and that we should not cut defense spending in a time of war. I would then urge my colleagues to respectfully oppose this wellintentioned but devastating amendment to the American taxpayer and to the American economy.
Date: 2006-05-18
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Chairman. first I want to thank the chairman for the incredible job that he has done on this bill. It is one of the toughest pieces of legislation that comes before us every year. and he has done an incredible job. His staff is always willing to listen to all of us and put up with all of us. I thank them as well. and they know who I am referring to. But I do need to say. Mr. Chairman. that there was an amendment put on during this process that I think would have. could have a devastating effect on the State of Florida. and that it would potentially allow for the drilling of natural gas. potentially up to just 3 miles off the coast of Florida. And I do not n6ed to remind everybody how important tourism is for the economy of Florida. $57 billion to the economy. We depend on that environment being pristine. There is a consensus in Florida. among the people in Florida and just about all of the elected officials of Florida. that this could be devastating for the State of Florida. There will be an amendment by Mr. PUTNAM and others to try to remedy that. I will support that. I want to thank the chairman and staff again for always listening to us. and we hope that this great bill could be improved by taking out that part that can be very devastating to Florida.