macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-09-15
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker. Mr. Ball served as Commissioner of Social Security during the Kennedy. Johnson and Nixon administrations. and even in 1981. he served on the Greenspan Commission that was created by President Reagan to examine the Social Security system. So I think it speaks obviously very well for him. his expertise was tapped by both Republicans and Democratic administrations. It seems fitting. Madam Speaker. that we name a Social Security building after him in recognition for his dedication to that agency. Madam Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-09-15
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. I yield myself such time as I may consume. This resolution recognizes the fifth anniversary of the devastation caused by Rita. Madam Speaker. as a Floridian. I understand the impact that storms like Rita have on individuals and families and on communities. Its so important that we do remember. that we do not forget. This resolution was introduced by Representative BOUSTANY of Louisiana and is cosponsored by the entire Louisiana delegation. I want to thank the gentleman from Louisiana for his work on this resolution and. frankly. on all issues related to Louisianas recovery from this disaster. He has been a great leader on issues for his State. and this is one more example of that. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-09-15
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Madam Speaker. at this time I would like to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana . the sponsor of this resolution and a leader on these issues.
Date: 2010-09-15
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Madam Speaker. in the subcommittee that I am ranking member of. Ive had the privilege of working with this next gentleman from Louisiana. He is. frankly. almost singlehandedly responsible for releasing billions of dollars that were stuck in the Federal bureaucracy that should have gone. and now are moving because of his efforts. to rebuild parts of Louisiana. And so at this moment. it is a privilege to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana .
Date: 2010-09-22
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I stand to voice my support for protecting small business on Main Street from the Obama tax hikes that start January 1. To create jobs. we need lower tax rates for everyone. Most small businesses pay taxes based on the individual tax rate. Increasing the individual tax rate means momandpop business owners will have less money for business investment and job creation. Its not smart to raise taxes ever and certainly not in the wake of Americas longest recession. How will raising taxes put people back to work? As a former small business owner. I know that the very threat of tax hikes. combined with the new health care law and the countless new rules and mandates coming from the Democrats. are impacting the ability and willingness of small businesses to create jobs. We need an upordown vote on freezing tax rates for everyone before election day so the American people can see for themselves who supports or opposes small business and free enterprise.
Date: 2010-09-22
Speaker: JOE BARTON (republican)
Chamber: H

along with our ranking member on our subcommittee. Congressman SHIMKUS from Illinois. for the support of this bill. and all of the Members on the Energy and Commerce Committee. I rise in strong support of H.R. 1745. the Family Health Care Accessibility Act. H.R. 1745 will extend Federal Tort Claim coverage for licensed volunteer practitioners for section 330 services provided under the Public Health Service Act in community health centers. This legislation will allow licensed practitioners to volunteer and provide them adequate tort claims protection equal to employees of the community health centers. A March 2006 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found community health centers had a 13 percent vacancy rate for family physicians. 9 percent for internists. a 20 percent vacancy rate for OBGYNs. an 8 percent vacancy rate for podiatrists. a 22 percent vacancy rate for psychiatrists. and an 18 percent vacancy rate for dentists. If we rely on community health centers as medical homes. we need to increase the number of health care providersincluding volunteer practitioners. So many qualified individuals want to volunteer their time but are afraid to do so because they do not have Federal Tort Claim protection and the Government Accountability Office has found that doctors and nurses choose not to volunteer their skills at community health centers because medical liability insurance is too costly for individuals to purchase on their own. We can address the workforce shortage in health centers by clarifying that medical malpractice coverage is provided to clinicians who wish to volunteer their time working at the community health center. I want to thank Congressman MURPHY from Pennsylvania for sponsoring the legislation. Again. this will mark the third time weve worked together to pass this legislation in the House. It was in the health care reform bill. but the Senate did not include it in their version. Again. Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the House. and hopefully well pass this bill today again and give the Senate another opportunity.
Date: 2010-09-23
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. again I thank my friend from Maine for her courtesy and her management of this rule. I will be asking for a "no" vote on the previous question so that we can amend the rule and allow a vote on the legislation introduced by Congresswoman LUMMIS. In this debate. when the underlying legislation is adding another $30 billion to our Nations debt. I think its fitting that the minority is bringing forward another YouCut proposal. The American people are sounding the alarm that we have to change course. We have to focus on reducing the size of government. not create new programs that dig our fiscal hole deeper and deeper. That is going to require bipartisanship. which I hope to see soon. but were not seeing it yet. And really. thats worrisome. Over the last week. participants in the minority whips YouCut initiative voted on programs for us to bring to this floor for cutting. To date. participants in that program have voted to cut over $120 billion in spending. This week. the participants in that program voted to cut Federal staffing levels to 2008. The legislation that we would be able to vote on if the previous question is defeated would exempt agencies that are critical to national security. Its no coincidence that while the administration and this Congress increase Federal spending by trillions of dollars. we see Washington. D.C. thrive. but the people in the congressional district that Ive been honored to represent for 18 years continue to hurt as Americans throughout the Nation are hurting. We believe that we have to return the function of job creation to the private sector. So I will be asking Members to vote "no" on the previous question so that we can have a vote on Congresswoman LUMMISs bill on cutting Federal staffing. And again. I remind Members that a "no" vote on the previous question will not preclude consideration of the underlying legislation before us today. I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment and extraneous materials immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.
Date: 2010-09-23
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. its my pleasure to yield 4 minutes to the author of the legislation that we would be able to consider if the previous question is defeated. the gentlewoman from Wyoming .
Date: 2010-09-23
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I thank my friend from Maine and all who have participated in this debate. I again seek a "no" vote. and I seek a "no" vote on the previous question. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-09-28
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of the passage of this legislation. and I think the Supplemental Security Income and Social Security disability benefit programs provide an essential income safety net for people with disabilities. Yet these programs face a real fiscal challenge. Waste. fraud and abuse continues to threaten public confidence. Most importantly the disability program will not be able to pay full benefits beginning just eight years from now in 2018. Those who depend on these critical benefits are counting on us to act. They want answers and we must turn to these issues without delay. With respect to the legislation we are considering today. just over 10 years ago Congress passed The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act to help those with disabilities get back to work. The two grant programs we would reauthorize today were created as part of that landmark legislation. One of the grant programs. The Work Incentives Planning Assistance Program funds communitybased organizations to assist those receiving benefits to find work as well as understand Social Securitys complex rules and the effect of working on their benefits. their health care and on other public benefits they may receive. Today there are a total of 103 communitybased cooperative agreements in all 50 States. Last year these programs served over 37.000 people. One example is The Work Incentive Planning Assistance Program of Easter Seals North Texas which serves 19 counties in the north Texas area. including my district. Thanks to their hard work. so far this year over 20 percent of their caseload has jobs. The other grant program. The Protection and Advocacy Program for Beneficiaries of Social Security Program funds 57 grant programs covering all 50 States. These programs served almost 9.000 people last year. helping those working or trying to work by assisting in the resolution of potential disputes. including those with their employer. The authorized funding level included in the bill for these two programs is $30 million. This funding level has remained constant since these programs were created. While I support a oneyear extension of these two important programs. I am disappointed that our Subcommittee has not continued the work it began in May of last year when we learned that Social Securitys Ticket to Work Program wasnt working as we would like. Despite some signs of improvement since new rules were issued. now more than ever. we need to look at how every taxpayer dollar is spent. No matter how well intended these programs are. at the end of the day taxpayers deserve to know if they are getting their moneys worth. Programs that dont work must be changed or must end. I urge all my colleagues to vote yes. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-09-28
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor the National Waterways Conference on their 50th anniversary. The United States Army Corps of Engineers operates and maintains more than 12.000 miles of commercial inland channels12.000 miles. The Corps of Engineers maintains waterways leading to 926 coastal. Great Lakes and inland harbors. which are things that we take for granted every single day regarding our economy. So I am actually pleased to be here today. speaking on behalf of this recognition and. again. of this 50th anniversary.
Date: 2010-09-28
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Congressman MILLER of Florida for his leadership and hard work on this bill to correct the designation of this building. which was named after Judge Arnow. Now. we could say so much about the judge. but Mr. Speaker. I would just like to highlight one part of his career. which is something I try to do whenever possible whenever anybody serves in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. I think. as much as his record is meritorious. it is something I always like to highlight. Judge Arnow was in the private practice of law. but he also served as a U.S. Army major in the JAG Corps during World War II and served as a municipal judge in Gainesville. Florida. Again. I could go on and on. but I always try to highlight when someone has a military career in order to make sure that it is something we will never forget.
Date: 2010-09-28
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I also rise in support of H.R. 5591. introduced by my colleague from Washington. Representative MCMORRIS RODGERS. which. as the gentleman has just said. designates the airport traffic control tower located at Spokane International Airport as the Ray Daves Air Traffic Control Tower. Again. I urge all our colleagues to also support it.
Date: 2010-09-28
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H. Res. 1646. I was privileged to be the main sponsor of this. but this is one of those unique bills where every single member of the committee. Democrat and Republican. sponsored it. That is not unusual in the sense that the goal of this bill is to celebrate one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children. that is. the gift of reading. The first Library of Congress National Book Festival was held on September 8. 2001. so this year it celebrates its 10th anniversary with another highly attended. allday event and remarkable panoply of authors. The National Book Festival has only grown in popularity over this last decade. and this years estimate is that over 150.000 individuals attended the 2010 festival this past Saturday. The festival highlights and demonstrates the importance of literacy. creativity. and imagination in our schools. our young people. and throughout our society. The festival vividly brings to life the richness of books and fosters a lifelong love of reading. So we congratulate the Library of Congress for its achievements in hosting the festival and wish them continued success. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Date: 2010-09-28
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. it is a pleasure to rise in support of H.R. 5717. Once again. we are back in a bipartisan state supporting this bill. Mr. Speaker. the Smithsonian Institution is an invaluable part of our national heritage and our ongoing commitment to historical preservation and scientific advancement. I am pleased to support this legislation sponsored by our friend and colleague. Congressman SAM JOHNSON. and the congressional members of the Smithsonian Board of Regents. This legislation will help further the institutions founding mission. which is to support and increase the diffusion of knowledge. This authorizing legislation supports the Smithsonians important biological conservation work conducted at the National Zoological Park located in Front Royal. Virginia. and strengthens their collaborative partnership with George Mason University in these efforts. The planned renovation and construction. which leverages a very modest Federal investment with significant nonFederal funds. will enhance the education and professional training programs currently underway. The Smithsonian is truly a unique part of our American culture. I am pleased to support this authorization which helps the Smithsonian maintain its welldeserved international reputation for excellence in scientific discovery and advancement and its continued commitment to the environment that we must steward. Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5717.
Date: 2010-09-29
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished Republican whip. the gentleman from Virginia .
Date: 2010-09-29
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. on the heels of consideration of legislation last week that I referred to as "Junior TARP." where the majority added another $30 billion to the Nations debt. I think it seems fitting that we. Republicans. are bringing forward another YouCut proposal. voted on and recommended to this House by the American people. The people really are sounding an alarm. and we have to change course. We must focus on reducing the size of government and not continuing programs that dig our fiscal hole deeper and deeper. and this process is going to require bipartisanship. Certainly I hope that the Nation can witness bipartisanship soon. but were not seeing it yet. and thats worrisome. Over the last week. participants in Republican Whip Cantors YouCut initiative voted on programs for us to bring to this floor for cutting spending. To date. participants in that program have voted to cut over $150 billion in spending. This week. the participants in that program voted to end the TARP program. I was surprised to learn that TARP is still scheduled to spend billions of dollars in the next years. We must take action to end TARP now. I will be asking Members to vote "no" on the previous question so that we can have a vote on Congressman PAULSENS bill on ending TARP. I would like to remind the membership that a "no" vote on the previous question will not preclude consideration on the underlying legislation before us today. Let me take a minute. at this point. if I may. Mr. Speaker. to a point of personal privilege. This may be the last rule that I come to the floor to debate because. in January. as you know. I will be leaving Congress. And it has been an extraordinary honor to be a Member of the United States Congress for 18 years. to represent an honorable and hardworking constituency. I will leave Congress in January with a sense of duty fulfilled. Mr. Speaker. with infinite love and admiration for the most generous and noble Nation in history. the United States of America. and with profound gratitude to my wonderful staff for their hard work and their loyalty in representing our constituents and the Nation. and of gratitude to all of my colleagues for the honor of having been able to serve with them. At this point. I reserve the balance of my time. as I ask my friend Mr. ARCURI if he has any other speakers.
Date: 2010-09-29
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

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: 2010-11-16
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I will leave Congress at the end of this session with a sense of duty fulfilled. having given my all to the people of the 21st District of Florida. who have honored me by electing me and reelecting me to nine terms in Congress. I feel deep satisfaction not only in the achievements of my term of service. such as the codification into law of the U.S. embargo on the Cuban tyranny. requiring the liberation of all political prisoners without exceptions. and the scheduling of free and fair multiparty elections in Cuba before the President of the United States can lift U.S. sanctions. or the Nicaraguan adjustment and Central American Relief Act. which granted legal residency in the United States to hundreds of thousands of our Central American brothers and sisters who were previously facing deportation. My most profound satisfaction comes from having given my all. each and every day. to my constituents. I. as a private citizen. will work to help the freedom fighters inside Cuba who are resisting the brutality of the Castro tyranny with ultimate courage and patriotism. They are my heroes. As Cuban political prisoner Angel Moya wrote from his dungeon in the CastroCuban gulag a few days ago: "My spirit is the same. it is full of joy because I am in prison for fighting for the dignity and rights of the Cuban people. I am ready to continue resistingphysically. morally. and spiritually." Mr. Speaker. I will continue to do all in my power to help in the struggle for the freedom of Cuba. This country. the United States of America. is a miraclea miracle of generosity of spirit. a miracle of freedom. of human dignity. and opportunity. May God forever preserve and protect this great land and people. For the rest of my days I will feel deeply honored to have been a Member of the Congress of the United States of America. To all of my colleagues. those who have helped me and those who have opposed me. thank you. Thank you for the honor of having been able to serve along with you.
Date: 2010-11-17
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I have no more Members who wish to speak on this. but Id just like to close by saying I think that this House Resolution 1648 is a very good one. I urge my colleagues to support it but also to keep up the pressure on the current Speaker to release the Haiti adoption bill. With that. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-11-17
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. the gentleman on the other side very aptly summarized what this bill does so I will not repeat that. In my home State of Florida. according to State officials. more time for this appropriation is absolutely vital but were not alone. The latest HHS data suggests another 15 States had unexpended funds. Just like in Florida. residents of those States affected by the 2008 natural disasters stand to benefit from the additional flexibility resulting from this legislation. Significantly. the Congressional Budget Office says that the bill will not add to the deficit. It would simply change the timing for the spending already approved of these funds. It is also important to note that this same sort of flexibility had previously been granted for recovery funds in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. So it makes sense to provide similar treatment for funds provided in the wake of the 2008 natural disasters. and Im very pleased to support this legislation that will accomplish that. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-11-17
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas who was forwardthinking enough to introduce this legislation to begin with.
Date: 2010-11-17
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I have no further requests for time. And with that. I would ask for support of this bill. and I yield back the balance of my time.