macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 5529. the "Accessing Higher Education Opportunities Act." which amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize additional grant activities for Hispanicserving institutions. At a time when American innovation and intellectual growth fundamentally depend on education. the accessibility of institutions of higher education is a critical concern in the struggle to maintain Americas role at the forefront of global innovation. As a lifelong advocate of equal education opportunities for all students. I know the importance of making higher education accessible across all demographics. and I know we can do better. Without an honest effort to even the playing field for all students by ensuring that all students have the opportunity to extend their education as long as they can. America. as a country. stands to lose out on the brightest economic. academic. and political leaders of the future. To that end. this measure emphasizes the importance of equality of opportunity for all students pursuing higher level education by urging the expansion of grant programs for Hispanicserving educational institutions. In particular. this measure amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to specifically: Support programs (which may include counseling. mentoring. and other support services) designed to facilitate the successful advancement of students from fouryear institutions to post baccalaureate doctoral degree granting programs. and Develop or expand access to dual or concurrent enrollment programs and early college high school programs. Without this concrete measure to bolster support for Hispanicserving institutions. institutions of higher education will fail to fulfill the American promise of equality of opportunity. In particular. I am proud to represent institutions such as the Lone Star College and the University of Houston Downtown. institutions that will directly benefit from increased efforts to further support Hispanicserving educational institutions.
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I include in the RECORD the Statement of Administration Policy. the Presidents veto threat on this bill. and also a letter from the Coalition for Sensible Safeguards.
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I welcome the opportunity to do everything we can to advance research in electricity storage. Advanced battery technologies can improve the stability of our electric grid and greatly enhance our ability to efficiently use the wide range of clean energy resources that our country is lucky enough to have at our disposal. This area of research could go a long way to addressing one of the most critical issues of our time: climate change. I appreciate the chairmans enthusiasm for moving as quickly as possible to combat this serious threat. However. I think we could have taken at least a little more time to make sure that we are doing this the right way before rushing this to the floor. Minority committee staff only saw early draft language of this bill a few weeks ago. and last Tuesday. the Department of Energy raised some significant concerns with the current bill. Of particular concern is the bills attempt to limit the initiative that it authorizes to basic research activities. As we heard from every single witness at a hearing that the Science. Space. and Technology Committee held on this topic just a month ago. as well as from DOE. there is no clear boundary that divides basic and applied research. It is not realistic. and certainly goes against our general understanding of the scientific discovery and innovation. to try to confine the activities of our top researchers in this way. Moreover. this cuts against OMBs definition of the difference between basic and applied research. which actually depends on what these researchers had in mind when they were making their discoveries. DOE noted that the activities ascribed in this bill would easily be considered applied research. So language attempting to restrict the initiative authorized in this bill to basic research activities could create an inherent conflict in its implementation. Mr. TAKANO offered an amendment in the committee to address the problem in our markup last week. but. unfortunately. it fell on deaf ears in the majority and was rejected. I do not believe that the issues the Department has raised are insurmountable. but I still believe that there was little reason to take this approach when there was ample opportunity to do this in a more bipartisan way. That said. I do not oppose passage of this bill today in the hope that we can turn it into something we can all support in partnership with our friends in the Senate. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 5640. the "Electricity Storage Innovation Act." which is designed to expand knowledge to control. store. and convert electrical energy into chemical energy. Energy is crucial to innovation and economic competitiveness in the global economy. As a former longtime member of the House Science Committee. I am wellaware of the challenges posed by electricity generation and storage. At present. there is no ability to store electricity generated by our nations power grid. H.R. 5640 requires that the Electricity Storage Basic Research Initiative include research specific to multivalent ion materials in electric energy storage systems and electrochemistry modeling. My preference for research legislation is to allow the science to lead and not place legislative mandates on what to research. The legislation encourages multilateral and multidisciplinary research efforts between National Laboratories. universities. and the private sector to achieve milestones in advancing and modernizing electricity storage innovation. H.R. 5640 specifically designates two subsections for innovation: (1) Electrochemistry Modeling and Simulation. and (2) Mesoscale Electrochemistry. I strongly support the $150 million in funding to expand theoretical and fundamental knowledge to control. store. and convert electrical energy into chemical energy. Through this funding. innovation and scientific milestones can be made to bring America to the cutting edge of technological advancement. H.R. 5640 is an important step in developing the technology needed to remain competitive in the global market of alternative energy. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5640.
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I support doing all we can to advance research in solar fuels. These technologies aim to produce fuels like hydrogen and hydrocarbons from a combination of sunlight. water. and carbon dioxide. and do this far more efficiently than natures photosynthetic process. If we can figure out a way to make these technologies cost competitive. solar fuels have the potential to make a major contribution to reducing our dependence on oil and other traditional fossil fuels. But as with the Electricity Storage Innovation Act. I believe we could have taken a little more time to do this in the right way. Last week. the Department of Energy raised many of the same concerns with this bill that it had with the last one. including its attempt to arbitrarily legislate a bright line between "basic" and "applied" research when this is neither realistic nor helpful. Further. I would note that there is absolutely nothing wrong with Federal support for socalled applied research. Indeed. my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have had no issue with supporting what would typically be called applied research and development when it dealt with nuclear technologies. oil and gas drilling technologies. or other fossil fuel technologies. Clean power technologies should be treated no differently. That said. I do not oppose the passage of this bill today in the hope that we can turn it into something we can all support in partnership with our friends in the Senate. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 5638. the "Solar Fuels Innovation Act." bipartisan legislation that establishes the Solar Fuels Basic Research Initiative at the Department of Energy. As a former longtime member of the House Science Committee. I am well aware of the challenges posed by solar power generation. In our diversified and globalized economy. it is critical to invest in innovative solar power research to ensure energy independence of the United States. According to the most recent report by the International Energy Agency in 2014. the United States was fifth in solar power production. The United States produced 18.317 megawatts of solar power in 2014. The United States has more land space to harness solar power than some of the countries currently surpassing us. which includes Italy. Japan. and Germany. H.R. 5638 authorizes the Secretary of Energy to implement the Solar Fuels Basic Research Initiative to expand the scientific knowledge of photochemistry. biochemistry. electrochemistry. and materials science needed to convert solar energy to chemical energy. The legislation encourages multilateral and multidisciplinary research efforts between National Laboratories. universities. and the private sector to achieve milestones in advancing and modernizing solar power research. H.R. 5638 specifically designates two subsections for innovation: (1) Artificial Photosynthesis. and (2) Biochemistry. Replication of Natural Photosynthesis and Related Processes. The bill authorizes $150 million for each subsection of fiscal years 2017 through 2020. H.R. 5638 also authorizes the same amount and division of funding amount to the "Biochemistry. Replication of Natural Photosynthesis and Related Processes" subcategory. Mr. Speaker. this innovative legislation will help ensure that America remains a leader on the cutting edge of technological advancement. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5638.
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chair. I thank the gentleman for claiming the time. but I do want the RECORD to reflect that this is a Jackson Lee amendment. However the RECORD can correct it. I desire for it to do so. This amendment is in keeping with Justice Scalia. who was an aggressively vocal supporter of the Chevron deference during his career. It is an indication of just how broad and mainstream the support is for maintaining such deference. and that is deference to the agencies and their reviews and their expertise. With the de novo scenario that this bill provides for. in spite of its alleged exemptions of national security issues. there is a vast level of responsibility of the Homeland Security Department. Frankly. all of its work comes under the context of regular order for protecting the American peoplefrom immigration issues. to policing issues. to Secret Serviceand many of these should not be tampered with by a de novo review of the regulatory scheme that they will be putting forward. I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment to secure the Nation.
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chair. am I able to request a unanimous consent to make that the amendment from Jackson Lee? The Acting CHAIR. The Chair would not entertain that request in the Committee of the Whole.
Date: 2016-07-12
Speaker: MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Speaker. there have been 231 mass shootings in 193 days so far in 2016. That is more than one per day. We are all directly affected by this gun violence epidemic in this country. In my own State and community. we have in fact seen a dramatic increase in this violence. We cannot passively accept that the epidemic of gun violence kills as many people as car accidents every year. And while the mass shootings in this country have in fact become commonplace. I cannot continue to bear witness to the totality of human suffering that this is causing: the mothers and fathers who have lost children. the children who have lost parents. thousands who have lost loved ones. and all those who will in fact endure a lifetime of pain and suffering. That is why. Mr. Speaker. I joined all my Democratic colleagues in an unprecedented sitin to urge Republican leadership to allow us to vote on legislation to close glaring problems in our Nations background check system. including a loophole that has allowed 2.000 individuals on the FBIs terrorist watch list to successfully purchase a firearm since 2004. Americans have a constitutional right to live without fear of gun violence in our communities.
Date: 2016-07-12
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Mr. Speaker. 1 month ago. 49 innocent individuals were mowed down and killed and 53 more were injured. Yet today. the Chambers business is still not focused on making our open spaces safer and passing safe gun measures to help protect our people. It has been 1 month after the worst killing in United States history since 9/ 11. and we still have not taken up commonsense gun safety measures to protect our citizens. Instead. it is business as usual: another bill to impede a womans right to choose. another appropriations bill that will undermine the Clean Water Act. As Members of Congress. we have to respond and answer to the American people that we representand they are asking for action. Enough is enough. The human rights and civil rights issue of our time is to protect our churches. our movie theaters. and our open spaces from mass murders by guns. Lets have a vote. Mr. Speaker. Lets take back our streets and make the Nation safer.
Date: 2016-07-12
Speaker: TED LIEU (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of the TALENT Act. I believe it will help our government continue to attract the best and the brightest to help some of our Nations largest challenges. This Act codifies Executive Order 13704. and ensures the continuation of the Presidential Innovation Fellows program. which helps bring privatesector information technology solutions to Federal agencies. Established by President Obama in 2012. this program has matched over 100 innovators with top civil servants at 25 different Federal departments and agencies. These partnerships harness new technology and tools to create a more effective and efficient government. During their tenure. fellows work to quickly deliver innovative products and services that help improve the way the Federal Government interacts with the American people. The fellows are as diverse as our country and come from every region. age. skill. race. and gender. They have experience at companies like Google and Facebook. degrees from some of our top universities. extensive experience in nonprofits and. most importantly. a desire to harness their skills for public service. Past projects include the Blue Button Initiative. which allows 150 million Americans access to their own health data so they can make informed decisions about their familys care. The GeoQ project provides FEMA with better ontheground knowledge in times of disaster. using crowdsourced pictures to better assess damages and needs. The NotAlone.gov project provides students and law enforcement personnel resources on responding and preventing sexual assault on college campuses. And as a veteran myself. I appreciate the Veterans Employment Center. which has created a central hub for those who served with resources and potential employers to help them make the transition to civilian life. This is a good bill that would make permanent a successful program. I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-07-12
Speaker: MICHAEL F. DOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Mr. Speaker. I thank my friend from Texas. All of us on this side of the aisle share the grief and the sadness we all feel about the lives lost in Dallas. in Louisiana. in Minnesota. and anywhere in this country where innocent victims lose their lives. Well. this is unfamiliar territory for me. I havent had a speech prepared for this one.
Date: 2016-07-12
Speaker: MICHAEL F. DOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Mr. Speaker. that trophy sure looks out of place on that side of the aisle. but I want to say congratulations to the Republican team. You guys played a good game. and you deserved to win. We make no excuses. It was a very exciting contest for the fans in the stands to watch. As always. Joe. as you and I both know. the big winners are the Boys and Girls Club of Washington. D.C.. the Washington Literacy Council. and the Dream Foundation. I believe we were able to raise $500.000 this year. And that is really what this is all about and why we play this game and the camaraderie that goes along with it. So I would say to my friend from Texas. enjoy that trophy in your office this year because it is coming back to a different location next year.
Date: 2016-07-12
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. today I missed the following votes: Motion to Adjourn. Had I been present. I would have voted "no" on this motion. Motion to Adjourn. Had I been present. I would have voted "no" on this motion. Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule providing consideration for H.R. 5538. Had I been present. I would have voted "no" on this motion. H. Res. 820. Rule providing consideration of H.R. 5338. Had I been present. I would have voted "no" on this rule. Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule providing consideration for H.R. 4992. H.R. 5119. and H.R. 5631. Had I been present I would have voted "no" on this motion. H. Res. 819. Rule providing for Consideration of H.R. 4992. Had I been present. I would have voted "no" on this rule. H.R. 5658. TALENT Act. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes" on this bill. Johnson (GA)/Conyers Amendment #1. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes" on this amendment. Meeks Amendment. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes" on this amendment. Johnson (GA) Amendment #4. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes" on this amendment. Johnson (GA)/Cicilline Amendment #5. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes" on this amendment. Democratic Motion to Recommit H.R. 4768. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes" on this motion. Final Passage of H.R. 4768. Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2016. Had I been present. I would have voted "no" on this bill.
Date: 2016-07-12
Speaker: BEN RAY LUJAN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Chairman. I thank the ranking member who has also encouraged us to find a way to work together. I also want to thank Chairman CALVERT and his staff for being accommodating so we can sit down and look at this very important issue that is specific to the State of New Mexico. I yield to the gentlewoman from Minnesota . the ranking member.
Date: 2016-07-12
Speaker: BEN RAY LUJAN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Chairman. I thank everyone. I thank all the staff. Mr. Chair. I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.
Date: 2016-07-12
Speaker: BEN RAY LUJAN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Chairman. this is an amendment that is related to the previous amendment that I offered. It was something that I uncovered as I was learning more and more about how to solve the egressingress issue pursuant to the 1924 Pueblo Lands Act. Chairman CALVERT. again. with your commitment. and that of Ranking Member MCCOLLUM. if you are able to work with me on this issue. I plan to withdraw this amendment. This amendment sought to reprogram $1 million in the Bureau of Indian Affairs funding to require the Bureau of Indian Affairs to update and digitize its inventory of rightsofway records and to make them publicly available in a commonly used mapping format. Unfortunately. the Bureau of Indian Affairs has long failed to adequately maintain rightsofway records. and the Bureau is often unable to provide requested documentation to tribes and other stakeholders in a timely manner. For example. when my office asked for information related to the rightsofway in New Mexico. the Bureau of Indian Affairs could not share it with my office in a timely fashion. And just today. Mr. Chairman. the Pueblo of Zia. a pueblo in the State of New Mexico. provided me documentation that the Pueblo of Zia has asked the Bureau of Indian Affairs for a request of specific rightsofway information this past February. February 24. 2016. to be exact. It is now July. The Pueblo of Zia tells me that none of this information has been provided to the pueblo. My argument is this. Mr. Chairman. If this information was made available to the public in a way that the Bureau of Indian Affairs. as I understand it. should already be making available. this information should be readily available. This is simply unacceptable that the information is not being provided. and especially with the trust responsibilities the Bureau of Indian Affairs has with tribes as well. Thankfully. I believe there is a commonsense solution. In February 2014. the Tribal Transportation Unity Caucus. the National Congress of American Indians. and the Intertribal Transportation Association. jointly developed recommendations for a highway reauthorization. including one to improve the Bureau of Indian Affairs rightsofway management. They suggested requiring the BIA to update and computerize rightsofway documentation and make them available in a commonly used mapping format. The National Congress of American Indians then passed a resolution endorsing these recommendations in April of 2014. Unfortunately. this commonsense provision didnt make it into the highway bill. which is why I am offering the amendment today. Too often. the BIAs mismanagement of these records disrupts and slows down projects that are important to tribes and surrounding communities while creating unnecessary conflict. Mr. Chairman. if we can map the human genome. then surely the BIA can map a few roads. manage its rightsofway records. and build an accessible. public database to provide certainty to tribes. local governments. and State governments. and other stakeholders. Mr. Chairman. I yield to the gentleman from California .
Date: 2016-07-12
Speaker: BEN RAY LUJAN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

I thank Chairman CALVERT again for his leadership and for his staff again. I appreciate the time to work together. And. again. Ranking Member MCCOLLUM. to you and the minority staff. thank you for all that you do. Mr. Chairman. I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.
Date: 2016-07-12
Speaker: BEN RAY LUJAN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Madam Chair. I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 76. line 18. after the dollar amount. insert "(increased by $6.000.000)(reduced by $6.000.000)". The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 820. the gentleman from New Mexico and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico.