macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-11-15
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to this bill. and I am sorry that I have to do that. I respect the gentleman from Michigan . We have worked on many things together. I believe he is a prime time player. but I disagree with his statement that this bill is ready for prime time. To just give one example. if you look at section 6 of this bill. section 6 of the bill differs with the way we handle minimization under current law by saying that if there is evidence of a crime. it cannot be disseminated to a criminal justice entity. Now. maybe there is a reason for that. but that has never been discussed whatsoever. Secondly. I would say that in the two 1hour Special Orders I gave. I raised the problem that exists in the underlying bill as we now see it. which is in the very beginning of the bill. and it deals with a section entitled "treatment of inadvertent interceptions." It deals with a situation where the intelligence community believes in good faith that they are dealing with foreigntoforeign. but inadvertently they capture communication that deals with foreigntodomestic. And what we say here is that you cannot use that information for any purpose. any purpose. It cannot be disclosed. It cannot be disseminated. It cannot be used for any purpose or retained for longer than 7 days. unless what? A court order is obtained or unless the Attorney General determines that the information indicates a threat of death or serious bodily harm to any person. that the information indicates that. I have stood on this floor on several occasions and said what that means is if we have a conversation or a communication involving Osama bin Laden. and everybody recognizes that might be the case. because in the managers amendment we talk about Osama bin Laden. if in fact that occurs and the communication deals with someone within the United States. and he doesnt in that communication have information indicating a threat of death or serious bodily harm to any person. but indicates where he happens to be. the exact cave where he is at. we cannot operate on that in a timely fashion. I would challenge any Member on the other side of the aisle to read the language in the underlying merged text. page 3. entitled "Treatment of Inadvertent Interceptions." and tell me that I am wrong. This is. whethdr it is by mistake or you intended it to happen. giving greater protection to a terrorist around the -world than you give to an American citizen charged with a crime. I have said it before and I will say it again: I dont believe you intended this. but it is in the bill. As a matter of fact. the gentleman from New York. the chairman. of the Constitutional Rights Subcommittee. came to me after we had an exchange on the floor on the issue and said. "You are right. We goofed up. We should get rid of it." Yet we are here with it on the floor. For that reason alone. we ought to defeat the bill.
Date: 2007-11-15
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Once again. I would ask my friends on the other side of the aisle: Can anyone explain why. on page 3. you give stronger rights to someone who is a suspected terrorist. even Osama bin Laden. if he has a communication we intercept believing it was going to be foreigntoforeign. now foreign to someone in the United States. and in that he reveals where he is. why we cannot use that information as we are able to with a legal wiretap in the United States on an American citizen charged with a crime who calls someone who is not a target of a crimeZ I do not understand it. Page3. Is there anybody on your side who can explain why you would have that? The silence has been deafening for a month now on this.
Date: 2007-11-15
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Reclaiming my time. because I asked you to specifically talk about the language in the bill. I have read it and read it and read it. and you have refused to respond to it. even though the chairman of the Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights told me that I was correct in my reading of the bill and that you folks were going to change it. You didnt change it. I expect that is because you forgot about it. I would invite the gentleman from New York to respond to me. because he intellectually honestly told me just 2V2 weeks ago that you folks were going to change it. Why havent you done it? Mr. Speaker. the silence I think speaks volumes. This is a bill that is not ready for prime time. It inadvertently protects Osama bin Laden with greater rights than an American citizen charged with a crime.
Date: 2007-11-15
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

nity monitor whoever Osama bin Laden We have to put this change in context befornia. Mr. Speaker. I ask the gentle- is talking with to protect the United cause the Department of Justice has not mans words be taken down with re- States. even if an attack is not immi- credibly refuted the allegations that some U.S. spect to the use of the word "deceit." nent. Attorneys were fired. because they failed to in-
Date: 2007-12-05
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 2517. the Protecting Our Children Comes First Act of 2007. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children does invaluable work for our Nation. and I was proud to
Date: 2007-12-05
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. I thank the gentleman for the time. Madam Speaker. I rise in support of the resolution. As one who grew up in the City of Long Beach and spent a great deal of time as a child being taken by parents down to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and having as a college student in the summertime worked in the Port of Los Angeles. I have had the opportunity to see that port grow. along with its sister port. the Port of Long Beach. The progress that has been made there. the advances that have been made there. the jobs that have been created there. the tremendous economic engine that that port is. is an example to not only California and the country but to the rest of the world how you can take a .natural resource and in some ways refine it and in some ways make it better than it was before so that it enhances the entire area or the entire region. The Port of Los Angeles has a distinguished record. It is one that is marked with achievement. It is one that is marked with advances in technology. and it is one that has always contributed to the health of the region that I used to represent in this body some 20 years ago. I congratulate the gentlewoman for bringing this forth. and I would suggest to my colleagues not only that -they support this. but if they ever have the opportunity to be in California and they wan t to see a magnificent engine of economic vitality. they ought to come by and see the Port of Los Angeles. It is a credit to the people of the region. It is a credit to those who had the foresight to develop it as a working port. And I join everyone else in congratulating those who now are responsible for its continued operation.
Date: 2007-12-05
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. this year I introduced H.R. 92. the Veterans Timely Access to Health Care. Act. H.R. 92 makes a responsible and reasonable commitment to veterans throughout this country. Under the bill. if a veteran cannot get an appointment with a primary care physician within 30 days. that veteran may see a private physician at no additional cost. Unfortunately. the Veterans Affairs Committee refuses to move my bill and allow the House of Representatives to vote on it. This year. I have witnessed the majority leadership use veterans as a political pawn. Theyve held the Military Construction and Veterans appropriations bill.hostage. I wont allow the same thing to happen with veterans access to health care. I ask my colleagues. regardless of their party affiliation. to stand up and protect veterans as they once stood up to protect you. And I ask the leadership to move H.R. 92.
Date: 2007-12-05
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. last night I was unable to be here when we had a tribute to our departed colleague. Henry Hyde. I just wanted to say this about Henry Hyde: It was a privilege and an honor to serve in this House with him. I recall a conversation I had with him a number of years ago at which time I talked to him about sometimes did he ever get tired about the fact that people beat him up on the issue of abortion. And Henry thought a minute and he said. You know. as I get older and I think of m- own mortality. I look forward to the time when I might be entering those gates into heaven and the voices of all those young children that we saved welcoming me there. Theyre giving you a great welcome right now. Henry. We miss you.
Date: 2007-12-06
Speaker: TIM MURPHY (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsylvania

Mr. Speaker. defective. unsafe products. toys with poisonous lead paint. American jobs going overseas lured by cheap labor and unfair trade practices. these issues concern every American. But all of us can take a stand this holiday season. One way is that instead of judging products by cheap prices. look for quality and safety that comes with American products. This holiday season shoppers will be buying gifts made from all over the world. but lets make an extra effort to look for American products. This Christmas check the label for "Made in the USA" and support jobs for hardworking Americans and American quality. "Made in the USA" may be the best gift ever this Christmas.
Date: 2007-12-06
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I would ask the gentleman. if he would be so kind. I have been reviewing the bill since it was made available to us last night. and I was" wondering. that earmark that he referred to. if he has any idea where it would be.
Date: 2007-12-06
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. if this were the serious effort .that our distinguished colleague has just mentioned. the majority would permit amendments. would permit discussion. would permit a conference on this critical issue. if it were the serious effort that has been described by the previous speaker. Instead. we see a process to shut out debate. to shut out amendments. to shut out ideas. That is not the serious effort just described. I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished colleague on the Rules Committee. Mr. HASTINGS of Washington.
Date: 2007-12-06
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. it is my privilege to yield 3 minutes to a distinguished leader on the issue of energy in this Congress. the gentleman from Pennsylvania .
Date: 2007-12-06
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from Texas . the distinguished ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.- - *
Date: 2007-12-06
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. With regard to the protests. really the outrage that is being heard from this side of the aisle. the origin of that is because of the unfairness of the process. the fact that the minority has been. as was very. I think. clearly explained by the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee when he just spoke. Mr. BARTON. the minority has been shut out. And this is an extremely important issue for the Nation. And if there is going to be a new energy policy. the new energy policy must be developed by the representatives of the American people in a way that represents. not only a strict numerical majority that controls the process of the House by virtue of the existence of the Rules Committee. et cetera. the ability to close out debate. but that it has to reflect genuine majority opinion. And that is reflected in the United States of America when there is dialogue. discussion. and agreement in a bipartisan fashion. So thats where the complaining. the outrage is coming from. And I would remind our friends on the other side of the aisle that this is too important an issue to have such an exclusivist process being used to develop it. Apparently. there is no genuine interest in passing a law. in having a law passed. become law. legislation become law. but. rather. there is interest in the exercise of press releases. of -passage by the House. perhaps like weve seen with much of the appropriations process where. certainly in the 15 years that Ive been here. I dont recall one bill having been sent and signed at this stage of the session. But anyway. I wanted to remind my colleagues as to the origin of the outrage. of the discontent felt by the minority side of the aisle. At this point. Mr. Speaker. I reserve.
Date: 2007-12-06
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I want to thank my friend again for yielding and all of those who participated in this debate on this rule that is so critical in the sense that it is bringing forth legislation of extraordinary importance to the Nation. Unfortunately. it has been brought forth in a process that has been most unfair and ultimately exclusivist. and that does not lead to good policy. I have a friend who always remarks that in government. personnel is policy. I have realized now how process becomes policy when it is so exclusivist. -not allowing the genuine will of the House to move forward. Mr. Speaker. I will be asking for a "no" -vote on the previous question so that we can amend this rule and move toward passing an AMT patch for the millions of American taxpayers who face the unintended consequences of that tax. The AMT was enacted in 1969 to prevent a small number of wealthy taxpayers from using legitimate deductions and credits to avoid paying taxes altogether. Back then. the tax affected only 155 people. the "super rich." The AMT was never adjusted to match inflation. therefore. the AMT is affecting more and more taxpayers. Without fixing the AMT problem. 25 million taxpayers will be hit by the AMT. costing the average taxpayer an additional $2.000. In Florida alone. it will affect over 1 million taxpayers. 6.5 times more than in 2005. The longer we wait to fix the AMT. the longer it will take for the IRS to make the necessary changes to tax forms and to process tax returns under any changes to the law. As of now. the majoritys failure to pass an AMT fix will force the IRS to delay processing tax refunds until mid March at the earliest. This is likely to delay returns for 21 million taxpayers who currently will be subject to the AMT but who. with the patch. would not have to pay the AMT. That comes out to about a $75 billion interestfree loan to the Federal Government paid for by the American taxpayer. We urgently need to fix the AMT so that American taxpayers will not have to waft to get their hardearned money back from the Federal Government. I urge my colleagues to help move this important legislation and oppose the previous question. Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment and extraneous materials immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.
Date: 2007-12-06
Speaker: TIM MURPHY (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsylvania

Mr.- Speaker. over the next 40 years. electricity demand in the United States will double. We have to conserve. We have to make strides in efficiency and renewable energy. but we cant depend on renewable power alone. It would" take 3.000 huge windmills or 11 square miles of solar collectors to equal the power output of one modern coal plant. Even if we quadrupled the share of renewable power by 2050. we will still need coal for half of our electricity. To meet Americas future energy needs. we will probably need to build 800 new coal plants over the next 40 years: 400 to replace the old. inefficient plants and 400 to meet the growth and demand. This translates to one coal plant every 2 to 3 weeks. even if we start in Solving the problem will require clean coal technologies with zero emissions. including greenhouse gases. Lets solve Americans energy problems by cleaning up Americas abundant energy resources. This bill. however. will tax Americas abundant supplies of coal. and that just doesnt make sense.
Date: 2007-12-11
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H.R. 1413. legislation sponsored by my good friend and fellow New Yorker. Nita Lowey. and me that seeks to close an important loophole in the airport security program. Since 9/11. Congress and the airline industry have taken strong affirmative actions to tighten security at our Nations airports. However. one of the few areas of security that has grown unchanged sincethe horrific events of 9/11 is airport workers screening. While airline passengers are searched from head to foot before we board a plane or reach the gate. most airports do not screen 100 percent of their employees when entering into secure areas. Earlier this year at the Orlando International Airport just outside my congressional district. airport employees were able to smuggle loaded weapons onto a plane bound for Puerto Rico. This significant breach in security could have been avoided with 100 percent screening of airport workers. Thankfully. no one was hurt. and the employees intent was not to incite terror. However. had those guns been used to hijack a plane to commit a larger terrorist act. I am confident that we would have 100 percent screening at all our airports and that would already be in place as we speak. Lets not wait for such an attack to occur before we take action. H.R. 1413 will create a pilot program for TSA to test the plausibility of screening of all airport workers at seven airports. While some have objected to the 100 percent worker screening in principle. they have no broad federally operated test case upon which to base this opinion. The value of this pilot project is that it allows TSA to evaluate thoroughly the strengths and weaknesses of 100 percent airport worker screening on a small scale. While no one wants more bureaucracy for bureaucracys sake. we do need to protect the traveling public. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2007-12-11
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I yield to the gentleman from Florida from the airport that. I might add. does have 100 percent screening.
Date: 2007-12-11
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I am delighted Mr. MICA does want to work with us. Certainly. the type of screening he is talking about. where we are able to determine or hopefully determine the intent of the workers coming in. is a very good one. But I think we also need to be very vigilant to make sure that they are not bringing in suitcase bombs in what may look like a workers toolbox. This situation was actually brought to my attention by TSA workers who. at one of the airports that I was at. said to me. You know. we have to screen -you. but would you believe people are coming in. the back door without any kind of screening at all. other than a swipe card? These are people who may work at the airport. they work at the concession stands. And certainly the TSA workers are screened. Members of Congress are screened. candidates for President are screened when they go through the airport. but imagine this. that individuals are coming in the back door with just a swipe card. We need to make sure that money is well spent. I agree with Mr. MICA. and I think that what we need is a variety of ways to deter any acts of terrorism. and that clearly is what this pilot program is all about. I look forward to working with Mr. MICA and being able to utilize his many years of experience on this.
Date: 2007-12-12
Speaker: KENNY HULSHOF (republican)
Chamber: S

and that was to create farm savings accounts that the farmer could use to take excess money in good years and put it. taxfree. into a savings account and save it for a time down the road where he knows hewas going to have a tough year and he would have that money available. That is exactly something along the lines of what Senator SESSIONS is talking about. I do think it is a great concept. The problem I have with the amendment right now is that we have had no hearings on it in the committee. and we are not sure of whether it can even be implemented as a part of this particular farm bill in conjunction with the crop insurance provisions that are in our bill. I have talked to my dear friend Senator SESSIONS. I have told him I regret I will have to vote against it. but a vote against it is not a vote against the concept or against the fact that he has now come in and has thought outside the box. and I think he has a very good concept that I would encourage the chairman to look at as we move in the next year into the implementation of this farm bill. Lets have some hearings. Lets get some economists. some crop insurance folks to think about it and see if we cant maybe even think about a standalone bill for it and not wait for the next farm bill. So I think it has merit. I just think trying to incorporate it into this bill presents complexities that I dont think we can accommodate.
Date: 2007-12-13
Speaker: TIM MURPHY (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsylvania

Madam Speaker. Greensburg. Pennsylvania. a town in my congressional district. is lucky to have had their fire chief for 55 years. John Edward Hutchinson. who prefers to be known just as Hutch. first took office in 1952. and he has no intention of slowing down. Were he standing with me. he would say that he simply wants to help. And help he has. From developing training programs and specialized teams in his department to establishing burn classes in local schools. Hutch has put in countless hours of service to the community. But its not just Southwestern Pennsylvania that has benefited from Hutchs time as fire chief. Hutch has organized his teams to assist the victims of natural disasters throughout the country from hurricanes to floods. Hutch always shies from attention. but he deserves our recognition for 55 years of tireless service to the community.