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

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 5385. the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Technical Correction Act of 2016. It would require the Department of Homeland Security to improve the quadrennial homeland security review that is conducted every 4 years. Pursuant to the Implementing Recommendations of the 9111 Commission. the QHSR should be a unified. strategic framework for homeland security missions and goals. The review was intended to be modeled after the Quadrennial Defense Review that the Pentagon undertakes to review the Defense Departments strategy and priorities. To date. there have been two QHSRs issued by the Department. in 2010 and 2014. While. by all accounts. the 2014 QHSR was an improvement from the first QHSR. the Comptroller General found that the 2014 review fell short in several areas. I introduced H.R. 5385 to specifically address the Comptroller Generals findings about weaknesses with respect to stakeholder engagement. risk analysis. and documentation. To help improve the quality of future QHSRs. my legislation requires the DHS to utilize and document a risk assessment to help determine homeland security missions and threats. H.R. 5385 also requires more robust stakeholder engagement and better documentation of the factors that inform the reviews findings. H.R. 5385 places a major emphasis on stakeholder engagement by requiring documentation regarding communications with stakeholders and information on how feedback from stakeholders influences the review. It also seeks to enhance stakeholder engagement by specifying certain key stakeholders to be consulted. To ensure that the risk assessment undertaken to produce the QHSR is repeatable in future years. H.R. 5385 requires the DHS to retain all information regarding the risk assessment. including data used to generate the risk results and the sources of information to generate the risk assessment. As our Nation faces an everevolving threat. it is imperative that the Department of Homeland Security effectively analyzes and defines future threats facing the country. With the use of a defined. repeatable risk assessment. as required in H.R. 5385. the DHS will be better able to outline specific threats to the homeland and offer tactical strategies for handling these threats. The DHS will also be able to gain insight from the entire homeland security enterprise and valuable stakeholders through more documented communications. Improving stakeholder engagement is important not only for the quality of the QHSR. but for ensuring buyin from critical homeland security enterprise partners who operate outside the Department. The improvements provided in H.R. 5385 will make the QHSR the impactful document it was designed to be. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5385. which was approved unanimously by the Committee on Homeland Security. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

I rise in support of in support of H.R 5385. the "Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Technical Correction Act of 2016" and thank my good friend Congresswoman WATSON COLEMAN for her leadership on this important bill. This bill provides a simple but yet crucial purpose: to improve the quality and timeliness of the review that DHS carries out by including more stakeholder engagement. conducting a regular risk assessment. and maintaining all documents regarding the Quadrennial Review. In 2007. the Committee on Homeland Security passed Public Law 11053. the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act. Under this Act. the Department of Homeland Security is required to produce every four years a unified. strategic framework for homeland security missions and goals. known as the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR). The goal of the QHSR is to provide a comprehensive assessment and analysis of the threats facing the homeland. Thus far. the Department has produced two reviews. in 2010 and 2014. The Government Accountability Office assessed each review extensively and determined that stakeholder engagement and documentation were among the areas for improvement in future QHSRs. Among the key provisions are more specificity on outreach to stakeholders and requirements for supporting documentation on stakeholder engagement and risk assessments. In addition. this legislation enhances stakeholder engagement. by further specifying appropriate stakeholders to consult with during the preparation of the QHSR including the Homeland Security Advisory Council. the Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee. and the Aviation Security Advisory Committee. Additionally. this bill requires the Department to use a risk assessment when determining the homeland security missions and threats. When interacting with outside agencies to gather information on sources and strategies. the Department must do so to the extent practical for the Department to gather the information needed. Finally. the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Technical Correction Act of 2016 requires DHS to retain all written communications through technology. online communication. inperson discussions and the interagency process and all information on how the communications and feedback informed the development of the review. I urge support of this legislation to ensure that future Quadrennial Homeland Security Reviews provide homeland security decisionmakers inside Department of Homeland Security and across the country with the analysis they need to help protect the United States.
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 5056. the Airport Perimeter and Access Control Security Act of 2016. which amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to reform programs of the Transportation Security Administration. and streamline transportation security regulations. As a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee and the Former Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security. I believe that this bill is of the utmost importance in securing safe airports in our country. The objective of the bill is to establish a riskbased. intelligencedriven model for the screening of employees at airports based on level of access and employment positions at domestic airports. The purpose of H.R. 5056 is to modernize and enhance airport perimeter and access control security by requiring updated risk assessments and the development of security strategies. An important part of keeping our airports safe from attacks is to make sure that the perimeters and the security check points are safeguarded and secure. TSA has kept American citizens safe by conducting incredibly thorough airport searches. The same detailed precautions need to be taken for people commuting around and near airport perimeters. This legislation seeks to bolster perimeter security and access controls at domestic airports by requiring the Transportation Security Administration to update relevant risk assessments and leveraging systemwide incident reporting to analyze trends contributing to the threat environment. This bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to develop and conduct an exercise related to the terrorist and foreign fighter threat in order to enhance domestic preparedness for and the collective response to terrorism. promote the dissemination of homeland security information. and test the U.S. security posture. H.R. 5056 would also test the security posture of the United States and the Secretary of Homeland Security through appropriate offices and components of the Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security should immediately engage the local and state law enforcement agencies to ensure that city and state governments have the funds to increase the utilization of the local law enforcement to provide that added protection. Mr. Speaker. the state of access controls at domestic airports is in need of direct and thorough scrutiny in order to mitigate perimeter breaches and insider threats to aviation security. H.R. 5056 ensures that scrutiny will take place.
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 4404. the Terrorist and Fighter Travel Exercise Act of 2016. which requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop and conduct an exercise related to the terrorist and foreign fighter threat in order to enhance domestic preparedness for the collective response to terrorism. As a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime. Terrorism. Homeland Security. and Investigations. I understand that threats to homeland security are increasing and being prepared to defeat them is of the utmost importance. It is estimated that 250 U.S. citizens are among the number of foreign recruits who have traveled to Syria since the beginning of the conflict. In 2014. the total number of foreign fighters entering Syria was estimated to be 14.000. This disturbing news coupled with the massive migration of people seeking to flee from war torn Syria now entering Europe by the thousands raises important concerns regarding security. H.R. 4404 requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop and carry out national exercises to evaluate the nations preparedness against the threat of foreign fighters and terrorists. Under this legislation. FEMA would develop and conduct an exercise to test the ability to respond to the threat of persons leaving the United States to provide material or support to terrorist organizations or of foreign fighters attempting to enter the United States. I have on several prior occasions outlined several areas of particular concern regarding Worldwide Threats and Homeland Security Challenges. The United States has seen several instances of domestic terrorism at the hands of U.S. citizens within our borders. such as the tragedies in San Bernardino. Orlando. and most recently. Dallas. In response to these tragedies. it is our duty to address issues surrounding domestic violence at the hands of extremists and the availability of assault weapons. H.R. 4404 is a positive step in the right direction and I urge its support by all members.
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 5588. the "Veterans Compensation COLA Act of 2016." which authorizes for the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase the rates of compensation for veterans. As the friends. family. coworkers and neighbors to veterans. we have an obligation to ensure that they feel their service to this country is appreciated by their fellow Americans. These honorable men and women are major contributors to our military presence and many have given their lives to keep our nation safe. In the State of Texas we have 1.099.141 veterans under the age of 65 and 590.618 who are over the age of 65there are over 1.689.759 veterans living in our state. The 18th Congressional District has 20.607 under age 65 and 9.844 veterans over the age of 65. H.R. 5588 increases the rates of compensation for veterans with serviceconnected disabilities. Additionally. the bill provides for an increase in the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans and surviving spouses and children. The increase will be the same percentage as that provided under title II (Old Age. Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Mr. Speaker. I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this legislation.
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 3178. the "Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act." which streamlines and simplifies information regarding institutions of higher education. At a time when American innovation and intellectual growth is critical to maintaining our countrys global economic leadership. higher education is an indispensable means of ensuring the next generation can uphold the exceptionally high standards of American innovation. As the founder and chair of the Childrens Caucus. and a longtime advocate for education opportunities for students at every stage. I know this nation can do better. In order to ensure tomorrows economic. academic. and political leaders are the best our nation has to offer. higher education opportunities must be available and accessible to all. I support the "Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act" because it makes an important contribution in ensuring higher education remains accessible and possible for all students. In particular. H.R. 3178 simplifies available information on higher education opportunities by developing and making publicly available a website known as the "College Dashboard Website" that will streamline available information about participating institutions in a readilyaccessible manner. The information on this website will include: (1) A link to the website of the institution. as well as an identification of the type of institution. (2) Information about the institution including its attendance. studentfaculty ratio. and percentage of degreeseeking or certificateseeking undergraduate students enrolled at the institution who obtain their degree or certificate within a particular time frame. (3) Financial information including average net price per year and availability of financial aid. and (4) Data about campus safety. as well as regional and national data regarding starting salaries in all major occupations. The "College Dashboard Website." moreover. will include links to more exhaustive data regarding enrollment. completion. costs. financial aid. faculty. and institutional comparison. Finally. the "College Dashboard Website" will include links that provide net price calculators for participating institutions of higher education. These resources being made available to the education marketplace will provide important information to students and their families in their search for the best education value possible. As an effort to simplify the publics access to institutions of higher education. H.R. 3178 represents a crucial step in bolstering the accessibility of education in America.
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

I rise in support of H.R. 5530. "HBCU Capital Financing Improvement Act" and thank my good friend Congresswoman ADAMS for her leadership on this important bill. In particular. this bill strengthens and streamlines capital financing of historically Black colleges and universities. and bolsters the welfare of these institutions by providing financial counseling and technical assistance to qualified schools. This legislation will help lay the foundation needed to develop critical solutions to meet current and emerging needs. like student retention and improving graduation rates. As the founder and chair of the Childrens Caucus and Member of the Congressional Black Caucus. I am particularly concerned about the events of the last few days and weeks that highlight a national problem that involves the health and wellbeing of young African American boys and young men. One important solution must be access to affordable quality education for every person in this nation. HBCUs graduate far more than their share of African American professionals. While the 105 HBCUs represent just 3 percent of the nations institutions of higher learning. they graduate nearly one quarter of African Americans who earn undergraduate degrees. I am proud that Texas Southern University one of the nations great HBCU is a constituent in my home city of Houston. I routinely partner with Texas Southern University to promote education opportunities and collaborate on community projects routinely. H.R. 5530 will help facilitate my work with Texas Southern University and other HBCUs by expanding the financial opportunities they need. Americas HBCUs have a proud and solid tradition. Scattered throughout the nation. many of these institutions of higher learning have fostered the academic development of AfricanAmericans for over a century. Since their inception. HBCUs have furthered the development of African Americans who have become leaders in science. health. government. business. and education. the military. law. and world affairs including: Booker T. Washington. Founder of Tuskegee Institute Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. World renowned opera singer Leontyne Price. Media mogul Oprah Winfrey. And Congresswoman Barbara Jordan of Texas Mr. Speaker. we must continue to provide our strong support to HBCUs so that every citizen can enjoy a future of hope and opportunity. We commend these great institutions as they build on a foundation of continued success for every college student. Graduates of HBCUs have made great contributions to our society. and America. and they continue to serve as role models for all Americans. Most Americans agree that education provides the best chance of preparing todays youth to lead the Nation throughout the next century. Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the importance of National Historically Black Colleges and Universities and help strengthening them by continued funding these critical institutions and ensuring our nations youth have access to quality education.
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 3179. "Empowering Students through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act." which amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize $2 million allocated for activities related to student loan counseling. Financial literacy and consumer awareness is very crucial for all loan borrowers. especially for our youth. The loan will provide counseling of federal Pell Grant recipients with comprehensive information on the loan terms and conditions. as well as testing these students on their knowledge of this information before accepting the grant. Students receiving any Federal Loans would be notified of the loan conditions. informing them on the amount. eligibility. exhaustion. and consequences of borrowing the loan. An important aspect of this procedure includes a requirement for the borrowers to receive the contact information for the institutions financial aid office. I have college students interning in my office. who have taken out loans for their education and these are the largest sums they have borrowed in their lifetime. One student did not know that completing the FAFSA would automatically grant her a Federal Stafford Loan. and she did not find out about her loan until she received a job at her institutions financial aid office. Mr. Speaker. taking this example into account. educated students across the nation are not as familiar with the process and terms of Financial Aid and loans as they should be or as we ought to think they are. Through H.R. 3179. firsttime borrowers will receive statements with interest rates and repayment plan options. This legislation will educate the individuals seeking an education on how to finance their studies. This legislation will also create jobs in underserved areas as well. Mr. Speaker. I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this legislation.
Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 5528 the "Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act" which aims to strengthen. improve. and streamline student aid process. Access to quality education is a key factor in securing a successful and bright future. For many students and families. federal financial aid is the only means of making postsecondary education possible. In times of economic adversity and uncertainty across the United States. the Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act ensures that students and families are supported in realizing their education goals. A students application process starts when he or she submits the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who wish to enroll in fall classes are encouraged to begin applying for aid in January. However. the FAFSA relies on income tax data from the previous year that is not readily available at the time students should start filling out their applications. This flawed process results in significant delays in the submission of FAFSA forms. which leaves financial aid administrators little time to put together aid packages for incoming students. More importantly. students do not learn in a timely manner what their financial aid packages will ultimately be. which makes it more difficult to plan for the cost of their education. The current application runs 10 pages long and includes 108 questions on topics such as income. expenses. family size. and assets. As part of an effort to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. the bipartisan legislation will help students make timely financial decisions about their education. In addition this bill will allow students to use family income data from two years prior to the date of the FAFSA application. Establishes a link between the online FAFSA form and income tax data stored by the Internal Revenue Service to automatically input income data into the FAFSA form. reducing the need to manually input information that often prevents lowincome students from applying for aid. And most importantly. strengthens the integrity of federal financial aid by providing institutions more time to verify the income of their students. As the country continues to work through some of the most difficult economic conditions in a generation. it is imperative that we increase our investment in education. If we are truly going to compete against emerging nations like China and India. we must continue to invest in our education system. I am proud to represent Houston. Texas which is home to several prestigious universities and dozens of community and technical colleges. With such an emphasis on higher education. we have long been working to become a leader in producing workers for the 21st century economy. This crucial legislation will build on the infrastructure already available in Houston and make higher education more affordable and accessible for everyone.