macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-02-02
Speaker: TOM PRICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I think this is the chart that gets to the issue that is before us today the most. and that is what is our responsibility to our constituents. As I mentioned earlier. when this bill passed on the floor of the House in March of 2010 in a hyperpartisan vote. the American people opposed it. The fact of the matter is the American people oppose it by greater numbers now than they did back then. It is because they have seen its implementation. They know that their premiums have gone up. They know that their healthcare costs more. They know that they cant see the doctor that they want to see. They know that they cant go to the hospital or the clinic that they want to go to. They know that the quality of their health care is actually decreasing if they talk to their doctor. and they know that their choices have been harmed in so many ways. So this is a little chart here that demonstrates that 52 percent. according to Gallup in November of last year. oppose this bill. According to Fox. in August of last year. 54 percent opposed this bill. According to Quinnipiac. in July of last year. 52 percent opposed this bill. Those numbers only increase. Our responsibility. as Representatives of the people. is to represent them. That is what we are doing today. The President is standing in the way of the peoples wishes on this piece of legislation. The President is standing in the way of patientcentered health care. It is our job and our responsibility to stand up for the American people and the will of the American people. We will vote today to override this veto. I urge my colleagues to join in that activity. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-02-02
Speaker: TOM PRICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time. and I move the previous question. The previous question was ordered.
Date: 2016-02-10
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. new reports from the Department of Homeland Security show a surge in illegal immigration. 30 percent. actually. Last Friday I returned to McAllen. Texas. to tour the Rio Grande River by boat and see our security challenges firsthand. something President Obama has refused to do. Let me be clear. Our border is not secure. Obamas amnesty is devastating for Texas. particularly its border cities. but the problems far exceed our border. This affects the whole country. It undermines the safety of all Americans and hurts lawabiding taxpayers. My most sacred duty is to protect our homeland and every citizen in it. I spent 29 years as a fighter pilot and 7 as a POW doing just that. Rest assured. I will continue to fight to keep America safe.
Date: 2016-02-11
Speaker: TOM PRICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Chairman. I thank Mr. MARCHANT. my good friend. for introducing this legislation. Before I address the legislation. I want to talk very briefly about the Presidents budget. The President has. indeed. introduced a budget. It raises over $3 trillion over a 10year period of time. It increases spending. It increases the interest payments on the debt so that they approach $1 trillion at the end of 10 years. We thought it was appropriate to save the President the embarrassment of bringing him before our committee. because when you put that budget on the floor. which we have done in the past. the President gets two votes from his own party. Just two. So we thought it was appropriate to save the President that embarrassment. I want to commend my friend. Mr. MARCHANT from Texas. for introducing this legislation. H.R. 3442. today. This is really a simple and straightforward piece of legislation. The bill enhances accountability. reduces potentially disruptive risks to our economy. and would help Congress reach real debt reduction solutions that the American people so clearly desire and deserve. Under this act. as we approach any debt limit. the administration would have to appear before Congress and provide testimony on what is driving that national debt so that we know that they actually appreciate the drivers of that debt. relate a clear. unambiguous series of proposals on deficit and debt reduction. which they dont doby the way. the Presidents budget never balancesand update Congress on progress being made toward debt reduction. which is a principle that we believe and the American people believe is important. but. apparently. this administration does not. As Budget chairman. I can tell you there is nothing more troubling than the everincreasing spending that happens around here. especially in the automatic programs. That is why I am heartened that this bill would require the administration to project the fiscal health and the longterm sustainability of major programs like Medicare and Social Security. that. by the way. are going broke unless something is done. This bill will help further educate the American people on the dire need to save and strengthen and secure these programs. Our budgetthe proposal that we put forwardhas proposed positive solutions. We need the administration to be a cooperative partner in getting solutions enacted. Forcing them to confront these challenges will be helpful. This bill will do that. It is pretty simple. Mr. Chairman. House Republicans have been proposing action our Nation needs to take in order to get spending under control and reduce our debt. It seems only fitting and proper that the administration should have to do the same. That is why I am urging a "yes" vote on this bill.
Date: 2016-02-12
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in honor of June Jessee. the daughter of Matt and Genny Jessee who passed away earlier this month at the age of three. Soon after June was born. she was diagnosed with a catastrophic form of epilepsy E178 found in babies. causing her to have dozens of seizures a day and severely stunting her cognitive development. After learning of a promising new treatment therapy. that uses cannabidiol derived from marijuana. Matt and Genny became hopeful. The treatment. however. was not legal in their home state of Missouri and the Jessee family moved to Colorado. In the meantime. Matt took their familys story to state lawmakers and last fall the state legalized cannabidiol for seizure patients and the family was able to move back home to Missouri. Currently. federal law prohibits the medical use of this treatment. I am supportive of federal legislation like the Charlottes Web Medical Hemp Act. that would allow for cannabidiol therapy to become more accessible for children like June. Junes story has brought to light the lack of treatment options for children who suffer from epileptic seizures. and she will be missed by many. I continue to keep the Jessee family in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to advocate for research into this important area.
Date: 2016-02-23
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Madam Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of House Concurrent Resolution 113. and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
Date: 2016-02-24
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. yesterday President Obama announced his plan to close Guantanamo. As a 29year Air Force veteran and POW. I speak from experience when I say that the Presidents decision is wrong and it will endanger our homeland. As a Congressman who helped pass the law to protect American citizens by ensuring Obama doesnt release terrorists from GTMO. I would like to remind the President that his decision goes against the will of the American people. Furthermore. it is illegal. Radical Islamic terrorists who are hellbent on the destruction of our democracy and way of life belong in only one place. Guantanamo. The President is clearly in denial about these terrorists. but Americans can rest assured we will do everything in our power to keep our country safe.
Date: 2016-02-24
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker. I would like to start off by thanking my fellow Korean war veterans. Congressman CHARLIE RANGEL and Congressman JOHN CONYERS. for their support. I also want to thank Chairman ROn BISHOP. the Natural Resources Committee. and the House leadership for bringing the bill to the floor. Additionally. I want to thank my fellow Korean war veterans who have tirelessly advocated for this bill. It has been a long time coming. Mr. Speaker. sadly. the Korean war is often referred to as the forgotten war. yet. the magnitude of sacrifice made by Americans during this conflict was enormous. More than 36.000 Americans gave their lives. My fellow Korean war veterans and I believe that the magnitude of this enormous sacrifice is not yet fully conveyed by the memorial in Washington. D.C. That is where this bill. H.R. 1475. the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance Act. comes into play. This bill. which already has the support of over 300 of my colleagues. would allow for the creation of a Wall of Remembrance at the site of the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the National Mall. Similar to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance would eternally honor the brave Americans who gave their lives in defense of freedom during the Korean war. It would list their names as a visual record of their sacrifice. Furthermore. the Wall would also list the total number of all of Americas wounded. missing in action. and prisoners of war. As a veteran and POW. I can tell you that these memorials are a special place for servicemembers and their families to pay their respect to fallen comrades and loved ones. As a constitutional conservative who values our great Nations history. I believe these memorials also serve as a unique and physical reminder that freedom is not free. Future generations need to know and appreciate the sacrifices made by the servicemembers who fought and died to protect freedom. These memorials can physically convey what oftentimes our words fail to do. Lastly. Mr. Speaker. as a fiscal conservative. I am proud to say this project will not cost taxpayers one dime. In fact. the cost has been 100 percent privately fundraised. and this bill prohibits any Federal funding for this project. Mr. Speaker. as we remember the service and sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the Korean war. we can only humbly acknowledge that we are the land of the free because of our brave men and women. These heroes are shining examples of everything great that America stands for. I cant think of a better way to individually honor each man and woman who gave their life in Korea than through this Wall of Remembrance. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.
Date: 2016-02-24
Speaker: JODY B. HICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman from Nebraska and the gentlewoman from California for bringing attention to this incredibly important issue and the absolute carnage that is occurring in the Middle East against Christians. Yazidis. and people of other religious faiths and minorities. You know. the right to practice a chosen religion is a right that Iand I believe all of usbelieve should be universal. Yet. the religious persecution. especially by such violent means that is occurring now. is absolutely deplorable. ISIS has shown its true nature in the treatment of these religious minorities. We have all witnessed in recent months the violent expansion of ISIS in the Middle East as they have singlemindedly persecuted those who adhere to different faiths. In fact. those who refuse to convert have been driven from their homes. brutally tortured. crucified. raped. murdered. enslaved. and not by just few in number. We are talking thousands that fall under this horrific scenario. The systematic violence of ISIS toward communities of Yazidis. Christians. Kurds. Turkmen. whatever it may be. as you have well mentioned. goes far beyond war crimes. We are talking absolute genocide. In looking at all this. it was interesting to me that. when the world came together after the atrocities of the Second World War in an effort to define genocide. they actually defined it as an actor committing certain acts against a designated group with an intent to destroy the group in whole or in part. ISIS has. They absolutely have the intent to destroy. in whole. Christians. Yazidis. and all religious groups throughout the Middle East. In fact. their entire propaganda even brags about the abhorrent crimes that they are committing. and they show absolutely no signs of willingness to stop these atrocities. It is clear to me that we have an obligationnot only a moral one. but a legal obligationto prevent these atrocities from occurring. In fact. 3 weeks from now this administration must fulfill its own legal obligation to make a determination on whether it will name ISIS crimes as acts of genocide or not. The time has come. In fact. the time is long past for our Nation and our world to officially recognize these crimes by ISIS for what they truly are and to commit fully to defeating ISIS. We simply cannot ignore this any longer. and we must bring H. Con. Res. 75 to the House floor as soon as possible. Again. I thank you for yielding this time and thank you for your leadership in this regard.
Date: 2016-02-29
Speaker: JODY B. HICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to improve the process of presidential transition. as amended.
Date: 2016-02-29
Speaker: JODY B. HICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
Date: 2016-02-29
Speaker: JODY B. HICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of S. 1172. the Edward "Ted" Kaufman and Michael Leavitt Presidential Transitions Improvements Act of 2015. introduced by Senator THOMAS CARPER of Delaware. By building on the PrePresidential Transaction Act of 2010. S. 1172 improves the process of Presidential transition by mandating several processes that have been effective in past Presidential transitions. The bill promotes early planning and supports communication by codifying the working groups put in place for the 2010 transition. which was one of the smoothest in our Nations history. S. 1172 directs the White House to establish a transition council. It requires the General Services Administration to designate a Federal transition coordinator. and it ensures agencies designate staff to manage their internal transition activities needed to support the process of transitioning from one Presidential administration to another. The bill requires that the transition teams be in place no later than 6 months before election day. and it authorizes GSA to provide services for the incoming administration up to 6 months after inauguration. [ 1800 S. 1172 also requires a report to Congress on national security threats related to terrorism and border security during a transition. The bill further requires the Office of Personnel Management to provide quarterly reports to Congress detailing requests by agencies to appoint political appointees and former political appointees to nonpolitical civil service positions. Mr. Speaker. S. 1172 will help ensure the incoming President has the information necessary to oversee our complex government. Together. these commonsense steps will support future Presidents as they prepare to govern immediately after inauguration. Regardless of party. key management actions must be taken during transitions to support the smooth operation of government. Mr. Speaker. this bill was also referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. and we deeply appreciate their cooperation in getting this bill to the floor. I also would like to thank Senators JOHNSON and CARPER for their work to ensure the upcoming transition remains nonpartisan and supports the continuance of essential government operations. Mr. Speaker. as we prepare for an upcoming Presidential transition. I urge my colleagues to support this important bipartisan legislation. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-02-29
Speaker: JODY B. HICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to allow additional appointing authorities to select individuals from competitive service certificates. as amended.
Date: 2016-02-29
Speaker: JODY B. HICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of S. 1580. the Competitive Service Act of 2015. introduced by Senator JON TESTER of Montana. This bill will allow Federal agencies to share their lists of best qualified candidates with other agencies needing to hire for similar positions. Mr. Speaker. many applicants are reluctant to apply for jobs with the Federal Government due to the length of time it takes for some agencies to fill job announcements. This bill will expedite the Federal hiring process by allowing agencies to share their assessments of job applicants for competitive service positions. S. 1580 allows an agency to hire from another agencys certified list of eligible candidates as long as the original job announcement provided notice that the list of eligible candidates may be used by another agency. that the position is in the same occupational category. and that the position is at a similar grade level. However. before an agency can hire from another agencys certified list of eligible candidates. that agency must provide notice of the available position to its internal employees. give up to 10 business days for its employees to submit applications. and then consider those applications. S. 1580 provides that as long as all of these requirements are met. an agency does not need to make any additional postings and may hire from the list of certified eligible candidates. In an April 2014 report. titled. "A New Civil Service Framework." the Partnership for Public Service discussed allowing agencies to share those best qualified candidates with other agencies. PPS notes that creating crossagency best qualified applicant pools is "another commonsense opportunity to create enterprisewide efficiencies for the Federal Government." With the Federal Government looking to fill critical vacancies. this bill will assist agencies with recruiting and hiring muchneeded talent in areas such as cybersecurity and information technology. Mr. Speaker. the committee received letters of support for this legislation from the Professional Managers Association and the Partnership for Public Service. The Federal Managers Association also supports this bill. calling it commonsense legislation. I want to thank Senator TESTER for this legislation. The House has a similar bill that was introduced by Representatives CONNOLLY and WITTMAN. and I want to thank them also for bringing this matter to the attention of the committee as well. Mr. Speaker. as we move forward with legislation to make the Federal Government more effective and efficient. I urge my colleagues to support this important. bipartisan legislation. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-02-29
Speaker: JODY B. HICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia . He has been a major player in this legislation.
Date: 2016-02-29
Speaker: JODY B. HICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I have no further speakers. and I am prepared to close. I urge adoption of this bill. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-03-16
Speaker: JODY B. HICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize Colonel Frederick Earl Van Horn for more than 20 years of dedicated service at Georgia Military College. an outstanding educational institution in Milledgeville. Georgia. Prior to his tenure at GMC. Colonel Van Horn honorably served our Nation in the U.S. Army. where he completed three tours of duty in Germany. one in Italy. and a 2year combat tour in Vietnam. His military achievements and medals include a Purple Heart. Colonel Van Horn wore many hats at GMC. including commander of cadets. dean of students. adjunct professor of ethics. director of character education. executive vice president. and interim president. But I commend him most for instilling the core values of honor. duty. and country into our students. and preparing the next generation for the challenges of the upcoming decades. He has distinguished himself as a servantleader of the highest character and integrity. Mr. Speaker. it is my honor to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Colonel Fred Van Horn on his retirement. and for his diligent. effective. and ardent leadership to GMC and our Nation. I am grateful to have him in the Tenth District of Georgia. I sincerely thank him for his service and unyielding commitment to our State. and I wish Fred and his family the best on his retirement.
Date: 2016-03-21
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

I thank the chairwoman for her willingness to put such a wonderful piece of legislation forward. something that truly should be unanimous in its bipartisan support. Mr. Speaker. I also rise in strong support of H.R. 1670. the National POW/ MIA Remembrance Act. This bipartisan bill. as many of those who have spoken before me have said. authorizes the placement of a commemorative chair on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol that is going to be a reminder to all of us of the great sacrifice that our brave men and women in uniform have made to keep our country safe and promote our values around the globe. These commemorative chairs. which carry the POW/MIA insignia and are purchased with privately raised funds. remain perpetually unoccupied as a solemn reminder of the 91.000 brave servicemembers still waiting to be brought home. Mr. Speaker. it is truly an honor for me to be able to serve with some in this institution who were POWs and made it home. They need to be commended for their service. like Congressman SAM JOHNSON from Texas. who spent way too many months48. I believe. to be exactas a guest at the Hanoi Hilton. He was able to make it home. But so many moreso many morefamilies experience tragic losses because they never know what happened to their family members. Mr. Speaker. ensuring that our veterans are properly cared for is one of my top priorities as a Member of this great institution. And while the Veterans Administration continues to require significant reforms. having a commemorative chair in the Capitol will remind all Membersall Membersof this great institution of the commitments we have made to those who have fought so hard and ensure that we hold the VA accountable for their actions. too. Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1670 so that families of POW/MIA servicemembers know also that the United States will never forget the sacrifices their loved ones who served this country with such valor and honor made.