macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-17
Speaker: BRENDAN F. BOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. I thank the ranking member and also the chair of our committee. I also want to thank the sponsor and author of this resolution. Mr. McGOVERN. Thanks to him. we finally have a chance to discuss and debate this issue right here on the House floor. Mr. Speaker. before I entered this body. when I was a State legislator and a candidate. I noticed back last AugustSeptember. as the ISIS/Daesh movement was growing in Iraq and Syria and other parts of the Middle East. the British Parliament rushed back to London to debate a war resolution. I was deeply disappointed. as an American citizen. and. quite frankly. shocked that the United States Congress did not do exactly the same thing. to come here and outline and debate the parameters by which we would authorize the President to wage war against this evil and barbaric threat. Unfortunately. that did not happen. Several months agoI think it might have been back in JanuaryPresident Obama did submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. of which I am proudly a member. an Authorization for Use of Military Force. Unfortunately. that AUMF. somewhat predictably. got attacked by some on the right as insufficient in some areas. and. frankly. got attacked by some on the left as insufficient in other areas. Both sides had legitimate discussions and concerns. What went wrong after that is that we didnt actually have that discussion or debate right here on the House floor. It was too easy for Members of this body to just say: This is too difficult. we are going to let the President handle it. and we are going to shirk our responsibility. That is wrong. Mr. Speaker. let me be clear. I do not support the resolution that is in front of us and will not be voting for it. I think an outright withdrawal of troops within the next 6 weeks would be a terrible mistake and is not the approach that we should take. but I do believe it is about time we do our duty and responsibility and have this discussion and debate. It is about time we. the Congress of the United States. on a bipartisan basis. come up with an actionable plan to fight and defeat ISIS. one that is consistent with our values and at the same time one that does not inadvertently commit us to 5 and 10 years down the road responsibilities that we do not envision today.
Date: 2015-06-18
Speaker: DANNY K. DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I was thinking what a difference a week does not make. The vast majority of the people in my congressional district were opposed to fast track last week. and they are even more opposed to fast track this week. We have seen fast track before. We have seen the jobs leave our community. our district. our State. and our Nation fast enough. They dont need our help. They dont need anybody elses help. We need to create jobs here in America. not have them flee. I agree with my colleagues who have said vote "no." I agree with the people of my congressional district. and I shall vote "no."
Date: 2015-06-18
Speaker: DAVID SCOTT (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. the people of this great Nation are watching us today. and they are begging and pleading with us to please vote down this bill. Who knows better than the American people who live in the towns and the cities where they have seen their manufacturing plants close and they have seen their jobs shipped overseas? Every trade deal has done it. Lets look at the China deal. As a result of the China deal. 2 million manufacturing jobs have been shipped from America over to China. Look at NAFTA. Yes. it created jobs. but where did they create jobs? They are in Mexico. Where did the manufacturing plants go? They went to Mexico. That is why the American people are ringing everybodys office and urging them: Please let us not lose any more jobs. Those of you who are concerned about income equality. the reason we have that as a burning issue in the heart and soul. particularly of middle class America. is because we are seeing the middle class vanish. These are the jobs. These manufacturing jobs. ladies and gentlemen. are not where the big corporate presidents make millions of dollars. Yes. they are going to make plenty of millions of dollars. but these jobs go into the middle section of our economic stream and the lower income. Look at Akron. Ohio. look at Atlanta. Georgia. look at Chicago. look at Detroit. They were once vibrant cities. The backbone of America is manufacturing. and we are shipping it out to the world. You know what else we are shipping out there? We are shipping these jobsnot only that. the profits of these companies. Last year. $2 trillion of profits were held in these overseas accounts. away from our taxing structure. Cant you see America is getting weaker because of these trade policies? I urge you to vote "no" and stand up for the American people for a change.
Date: 2015-06-18
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise to speak about H.R. 1190. the Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act. I am the Democratic lead. along with Congressman PHIL ROE. and I am proud of the bipartisan work we have done to repeal the unelected bureaucracy known as the Independent Payment Advisory Board. or IPAB. I proudly voted for the ACA. and I think time has shown that the law works. The ACA has reduced the number of uninsured Americans. lowered healthcare costs. prevented disease. and increased access to cures. Despite the success of the law. no bill is perfect. I believe that there are certain areas for improvement in the ACA. and I am committed to working in a bipartisan manner to solve these issues and provide our constituents with the worldclass health care that they deserve. The ACA is a good law and a few small tweaks can make it stronger. and that is why I decided to reach across the aisle to work with Congressman ROE on this legislation. Repealing IPAB is not the exclusive purview of the Republican Party. and it is a bipartisan effort. Unfortunately. much like the last time Congress considered IPAB repeal in 2012. an unpalatable payfor undermined the bipartisan support for a deal. I know Congressman ROE has worked tirelessly to avoid repeating the payfor battle that we had back in 2012 in order to retain Democratic support. Despite these efforts. Republican leadership has chosen to draw from the prevention and public health fund to pay for H.R. 1190. This is something that I simply cannot support. and it is with great disappointment that I must cast my vote against H.R. 1190. I truly believe that repealing IPAB is the right thing to do. but I cannot support gutting a great provision in the ACA to get rid of a bad one. The prevention and public health fund is an unprecedented investment in public health to prevent costly and life- threatening diseases. The fund has invested nearly $5.25 billion in States. cities. and communities to keep our constituents healthy and safe before they need costly. longterm care to manage their illnesses. The fund also exists to prevent stroke. cancer. tobacco use. and obesity. while also funding vital childhood immunization programs. and invests in detecting. tracking. and responding to infectious diseases. County public health departments rely on this fund to serve their constituents. and I know my home State of California has received over $195 million thus far. Despite all this. the Republican leadership has decided to take approximately $8.85 billion from the fund which actually helps lower the cost of health care through prevention. eliminating the need. ironically. for IPAB in the first place. In closing. I again want to thank Congressman ROE and the 235 bipartisan cosponsors for their hard work. I am disappointed that I must vote against my own bill. because I know the underlying policy is good policy. but I cannot vote for something that drains an essential fund from the ACA.
Date: 2015-06-18
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to H.R. 1190. the Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act. While I support repealing the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). I oppose offsetting the cost of repeal with funds from the Prevention and Public Health Fund. The Prevention and Public Health Fund is the nations single largest investment in prevention programs. Established under the Affordable Care Act. the Fund represents an unprecedented investment in preventing disease. promoting wellness. and protecting our communities against public health emergencies. Since its creation. the Fund has invested in a broad range of evidencebased initiatives. These include community prevention programs. research. surveillance and tracking efforts. increased access to immunizations. and tobacco prevention programs. Much of this work is done through partnerships with state and local governments. which leverage Prevention Fund dollars to best meet the local need. These monies have been used for important work. such as controlling the obesity epidemic. detecting and responding to outbreaks. and reducing health disparities. Congress has a distinct responsibility to formulate and fund programs and initiatives that promote public health and wellness. The Prevention and Public Health Fund is one means by which Congress fulfils this obligation. While I opposed the creation of the IPAB and support its repeal. gutting the Fund would be a significant step backwards on the path towards improving our nations health. Rescinding $8.85 billion to offset the costs of H.R. 1190 will have a devastating effect on our nations health. It is not an acceptable trade off. We spend billions of dollars on treating disease once people become sick. This investment in prevention is a key component of efforts to improve health and bend the health care cost curve. Using this money to pay for other priorities will only damage the longterm health of our nation. I urge my colleagues to protect the federal governments only dedicated investment in prevention and vote against H.R. 1190.
Date: 2015-06-23
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 2576. the TSCA Modernization Act. I am a proud cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation that will update the Toxic Substances Control Act. our Nations primary statute regulating the use and safety of commercial chemicals for the first time since it was enacted in 1976. This legislation will directly address many of current TSCAs biggest flaws. including eliminating the "least burdensome" requirement and explicitly clarifying the laws safety standard excludes any consideration of costs. This bill would require EPA to consider the risks to vulnerable subpopulations. like children. pregnant women. workers. and set restrictions if necessary to protect them.
Date: 2015-06-23
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 893. the Boys Town Centennial Commemorative Coin Act. I was pleased to be an original sponsor in the last Congress and a cosponsor in this one. This bill appropriately recognizes the outstanding work done by Boys Town. a nonprofit organization headquartered in the village of Boys Town. Nebraska. that selflessly promotes the interest of children and their families across this Nation. Boys Town. which takes its name from Father Flanagans Boys Home. impacts the lives of more than 2 million families across America each year through its counseling services. outreach. and education. I am also pleased to report that each year. Boys Town directly touches the lives of thousands of New Yorkers through its community support services and homes for troubled youth. Father Flanagan. the founder of Boys Town. focused on the inherent good in children and built a world class organization that emphasized the rehabilitation of troubled youth. rather than punishment. President Franklin Roosevelt once said that America needs 49 more Father Flanagans. It is this compassionate approach and commitment to love. training. and guidance. regardless of race or religion. that has made Boys Town such a success story and a lifeline for countless children and their families. In commemoration of their centennial anniversary. the bill before us today will require the U.S. Treasury Department to mint and issue $5 gold. $1 silver. and halfdollar clad commemorative coins. Surcharges from the sale of the coins will allow Boys Town to raise needed funds that will be dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of children and families from underserved communities across America. It is also important to note that the passage of this bill comes at absolutely no cost to the taxpayer. I would urge my colleagues to join me in passing this commonsense bipartisan bill without further delay. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-06-23
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Mr. Speaker. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nebraska . whose father and grandfather served on the board of Boys Town.
Date: 2015-06-23
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself the balance of my time. I thank Mr. THORN3ERRY for his beautiful statement. as well as Mr. ASHFORD. from the great State of Nebraska. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-06-23
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of this costsaving legislation. which I was proud to cosponsor with my friend from Michigan. People who see the big things that Congress does. they often forget that we have to pay attention to the little things. too. and these little things are important. This is a very good example of that. This is a small bill which makes the government better. saves some taxpayers money. and makes our coin programs better for collectors and for investors. For years. the laws that specify the production of silver coins made by the Mint have required them to be 90 percent silver. Today. the standard silver used in coins is 91 percent silver. So the Mint has had to pay extra for custom coin blanks. This legislation fixes that problem. It also allows the Mint to make a special collectible version of the American Eagle silver bullion coin. noting the popularity of the program over the past 30 years. The bill also allows the sale of American Buffalo gold coins in bulk rather than in individual packages. making handling easier for the Mint and for investors and clears the final hurdle for the Mint finally to produce investor coins made of palladium. an idea from a 2010 bill from my former colleague and very good friend. Mr. Watt. Mr. Speaker. this bill saves money and makes coin programs more attractive to collectors and investors. I ask for its immediate passage. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-06-23
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. and I rise in strong support of H.R. 1640. the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters Consolidation Accountability Act of 2015. Mr. Speaker. in 2006. 3 years into the Department of Homeland Securitys existence. President Bush proposed consolidating the headquarters functions of the Department and its components from the more than 50 locations to the St. Elizabeths campus in southeast Washington. D.C. Construction began in 2009. but between sequestration and tightening budgets. appropriations for the project have been $1.2 billion less than President Bush and President Obama requested. Naturally. Congress failure to consistently and adequately fund the project has greatly slowed construction and led to increased costs. It has also forced DHS to revisit its master plan and reduce the scope of the project. At this juncture. it is important that the Department have a realistic and achievable plan. The legislation under consideration seeks to do just that. If enacted. this legislation would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit to Congress an updated plan for St. Elizabeths to inform future funding decisions. Importantly. H.R. 1640 requires the submission of a proposed occupancy plan for St. Elizabeths that includes a list of components and offices to be housed there. A key consequence of the Department having to scale down the breadth of its consolidation plans is the reality that its portfolio of leased space will need to remain large. In fact. with up to 69 percent of DHS commercial leases in the national capital region expiring between fiscal years 2016 to 2020. we should all be aware that DHS will be forced to embark on the expensive process of recompeting and possibly relocating its operations and personnel. Before I reserve the balance of my time. I would like to acknowledge that I am pleased that the bill includes an amendment I offered to give the Department adequate time to engage the General Services Administration. the construction manager for the project. in preparing the updated plans. assessments. and estimates. GSAs participation in the development of these key materials is essential to ensuring that what is transmitted to Congress is realistic and achievable. As a supporter of the St. Elizabeths project and DHS Unity of Effort initiative. I urge passage of H.R. 1640. Colocation of DHS personnel in one headquarters has the potential of not only achieving cost savings. but fostering an environment where integration and collaboration drives more effective and efficient operations. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-06-23
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself the balance of my time. I appreciate the bipartisan approach taken on this legislation. The St. Elizabeths project is about more than real estate. it is about ensuring the Department of Homeland Security has a home where diverse components can come together. That is the thinking behind the Secretarys Unity of Effort initiative. Enactment of this legislation will help to ensure that DHS has a realistic plan for St. Elizabeths. Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank Chairman MCCAUL and the gentleman from North Carolina for their work on this legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-06-23
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee. I rise in strong support of H.R. 1640. the "Department of Homeland Security Headquarters Consolidation Accountability Act of 2015." I support this bipartisan legislation which directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit to Congress a report on the Department of Homeland Security headquarters consolidation project in the National Capital Region. Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee for unanimously supporting the inclusion of my amendments to H.R. 1640. Together. the Jackson Lee amendments offered a comprehensive look at the Departments real estate obligations related to its headquarters consolidation project at St. Elizabeths. as well as its leased portfolio in the National Capital Region. Further. the Jackson Lee amendments help clarify how DHS will relocate its personnel and operations at the headquarters level and across its components at St. Elizabeths as construction continues on the headquarters consolidation project. Mr. Speaker. since DHS initiated its headquarters consolidation in 2006. it has progressed despite changes in senior leadership and waning funding support from Congress. As a result. in April 2015. DHS and GSA announced that the construction sequence and timetable for the headquarters consolidation would be adjusted to reflect reduced funding by Congress. DHS must now recompete up to 69 percent of its commercial leases in the National Capital Region as they are scheduled to expire between 2016 and 2020. My first amendment directs DHS to provide information related to the expected timing and terms of any lease renewals in the National Capital Region. My second amendment requires the Department to report on the numbers of its fulltime equivalents who are expected to occupy each DHSleased or owned property. which will guide the Department in adjusting its expenditures on the headquarters consolidation project. Together. they will ensure that DHS and GSA develop a comprehensive picture of which employees and operations will migrate to St. Elizabeths and which will not. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in strong support of the suspension bill. H.R. 1640. the "Department of Homeland Security Headquarters Consolidation Accountability Act of 2015."
Date: 2015-06-23
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. and rise in strong support of H.R. 1633. the DHS Paid Administrative Leave Accountability Act of Mr. Speaker. this measure which was unanimously approved in committee. seeks to enhance how certain paid administrative leave is tracked and managed by the Department of Homeland Security. H.R. 1633 was introduced in response to a 2014 Government Accountability Office report that looked at paid administrative leave expenditures across government between fiscal years 2011 and 2014. In that report. GAO found that. overall. agencies spent $3.1 billion on paid administrative leave. Of that amount. the Department of Homeland Security spent $380 million on this category of leave. Agencies approve administrative leave for a variety of reasons. from severe weather events. to jury duty. to voting. to disciplinary matters subject to investigation. H.R. 1633 focuses on helping to improve DHS management of just one segment of paid administrative leave expenditures. leave that is paid for 6 or more consecutive months to an employee that is under investigation by the Department for a conduct or criminal matter. This legislation directs the Departments Chief Human Capital Officer to maintain records from throughout the Department on the number of employees who are paid leave for 6 or more consecutive months during a DHS personnel investigation. the total costs. including salaries and benefits associated with this leave. and the average length of time that an employee in these circumstances is on paid administrative leave. H.R. 1633 also directs the Departments Chief Human Capital Officer to develop and implement departmentwide policy on how components can comply with this recordkeeping requirement and guidance and on how components can expedite the resolution of personnel matters for an employee in these circumstances. In committee. language I authored was accepted to ensure that when a component expeditiously works to resolve personnel matters. as directed by this bill. that component must do so in a way that is objective and fair. The addition of this language is important because we do not want to create the impression that Congress values expediency and costcutting over fairness. Even as we look to foster greater accountability. we must not lose sight of the fact that we are talking about peoples careers here. Before I close. I would add that this legislation does nothing to disturb the discretion that the Department has to make leave decisions. and this bill should not impact the availability of paid administrative leave to the DHS workforce. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-06-23
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. as I mentioned before. this legislation would do nothing to disturb the availability of paid administrative leave for DHS workers who need it to vote or to serve on a jury. It is narrowly focused on getting a handle on how much the Department is spending on paid administrative leave for individuals under investigation for 6 or more months. These circumstances are often tough for all involved. The sooner there is an appropriate resolution. the better it is for everyone involved. If enacted. H.R. 1633 would help to ensure that such matters are resolved in a timely and appropriate manner. Mr. Speaker. I urge passage. and I yield back the balance of my time.