macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak on the conference report. H.R. 1. I did not sign the conference report. but I will vote for the bill today. The bill promises security and offers the hope of closing remaining loopholes in our laws by enacting the remaining 9/11 Commission recommendations. But while on. one hand it increases security. on the other it undermines it through a dangerous expansion of the Visa Waiver Program. Whenever we allow a country to participate in the Visa Waiver Program. we take a fisk of admitting foreign citizens without any State Department screening. I realize that the United States should be working toward close relationships with our allies in the war on terror. but it doesnt follow that we should turn a blind eye to those security risks involved with free access to those countries citizens. Richard Reid. the shoe bomber. and Zacharias Moussaoui. the 9/11 conspirator. both used this program to slip into our country without close scrutiny. And this bill continues that very troubling program. Currently. countries must undergo strict evaluation before being admitted into the program. The U.S. does not admit countries whose citizens have a H8800 " July 27. 200 CC high percentage of overstaying. tleir visas. However. this bill gives the Secretary of Homeland Security the choice to ignore a countrys visa overstay. The president of 9/11 Families for a Secure America. Peter Gadiel. has said that 9/11 families have grave concerns about Congress expanding the Visa Waiver Program. As part of the Homeland Security Appropriations Act this year. I voted with 76 of my colleagues to eliminate that program altogether. Reluctantly. I will vote for the conference report today. and I urge my colleagues to pressure the Speaker to adopt a separate bill on the Visa Waivler Program so Americans can be better protected.
Date: 2007-07-30
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 121. I want to thank Mr. HONDA. the chief sponsor for this legislation. Chairman LANTOS. Ms. RosLEHTINEN. Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA and others who have helped bring this to the floor. This resolution is long overdue. Im a proud cosponsor of this resolution because it is time for these women to tell their story to the world. It is time for the world to know -how horribly humans can treat other humans in times of war and conflict. and it is time for. the Government of Japan to own up to the wrongs that it committed toward these women. During World War II. between 100.000 and 200.000 women were abducted from their homes in Japan and occupied lands. including Korea and China and the Philippines. and forced into the sex trade for the benefit of the Japanese Army. To deny this tragedy is to allow it to happen again. We prevent history from repeating itself only when we actually learn from history. not when we try to deny and obfuscate the truth. When U.S. Government placed Americans of Japanese descent into internment camps in World War I. we were wrong. and we have since apologized to the families of those victims. This is the measure of responsible leadership. When we implore our friends across the Pacific to apologizefor their many mistakes. we ask for no more than what we as Americans are willing to do ourselves. Japan has been a strong ally of the United States for years. and Ibelieve b6th countries. haiie benefited -greatly from that relationghip. However. it is a true friend that will tell another when it is wrong. and I believe the United States has an obligation as an ally to Japan to stand up against this atrocity and to reveal to the world in appropriate fashion. - It is. time for the stories of the "comfort women" to be told. It is because these courageous women are speaking out and refusing to be silenced that the United States and the world can finally. learn why this issue is so important and why we must never allow it to be repeated ever again on this planet. I urge support for this resolution.
Date: 2007-07-31
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express my strong support for enacting the free trade agreements with our allies. democracies in Latin America like Colombia. Peru and Panama. I am disappointed. frankly. that the Democratic leadership has broken the agreement they made with the administration in May to bring these vital trade agreements to the floor. We have not seen them yet. Enactment of these important agreements will strengthen the economies of our democratic allies in the region. as well as our own. I am a strong supporter of free trade with these free nations. and I will continue to work with my colleagues to enact free trade agreements this year and to hold the Democratic leaderships feet to the fire to make sure that they do not break their agreement that they entered into in May.
Date: 2007-08-01
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I rise today on behalf of the 43.000 senior citizens living in my congressional district who will lose their Medicare benefits if the bill before us today becomes law. Everyone in this Chamber wants to extend SCHIP because it has helped many children. but not at the expense of their grandparents. Let me repeat: 43.000 of my constituents. 693.000 Floridians. and 8.3 million seniors nationwide will be pushed off of Medicare plans in favor of other priorities. Today we are seeing the biggest raid on the Medicare trust fund seniors have ever seen. with no regard to those who rely on Medicare Advantage for their only access in many rural areas to health care benefits. Some of the specific cuts that are in this bill are a 43 percent cut to patients who rent lifesaving oxygen equipment. a $7.2 billion cut for home health services. a $6.5 billion cut for skilled nursing facilities. Mr. Speaker. cutting the only health care program many of my constituents use would be unconscionable.
Date: 2007-08-02
Speaker: TIM MURPHY (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsylvania

changed lis vote from "no" to "present." So the bill was passed. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Date: 2007-08-02
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Chairman. I rise to speak on H.R. 3161. the Agriculture. Rural Development. Food and Drug Administration. and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. 2008. and discuss the great need for cattle research in this bill. . The Southeast. particularly the gulf coast. is home to almost 40 percent of the Nations beef cow herd. Cattle production in this region has unique problems that come from heat. humidity. disease. and the environment. The USDA is currently conducting research on major issues affecting beef cattle at the Subtropical Agricultural Research Station in Florida. However. to keep our cattle supply abundant and healthy. there is a growing need to increase the scope of the research and find creative solutions to the unique subtropical environment stressors that are affecting herd production. I recognize that there are many important programs like this one throughout the Nation. but I urge the Appropriations Committee to work with me to ensure adequate funding for this vital program in the future.
Date: 2007-08-03
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker. I am dismayed to hear some suggest that Admiral McConnell would somehow yield to political pressure. This is the gentleman who was the NSA Director under President Clinton. I never heard that argument on that side of the aisle or this side of the aisle. Many of us relied on the intelligence that came through his activity at that point in time. I see nothing in his record. I see nothing in his performance that would suggest that he would yield to politics. He has come before us and said. We have tried to work under what is the legal construct that you are repeating in this bill. and it doesnt work. He has said it has denied him the opportunity to do that kind of foreigntoforeign intelligence gathering because of the way the law is applied and because of the way the judge has interpreted it. And he even toloi us the judge said. Go to the Congress to change it. You dont have to be against civil liberties to suggest that we listen to what he has to say. When he talks about the minimization procedure. it is a timehonored procedure we have used for 28 years in this context and for over 50 years in the criminal justice context. If people will recall. when FISA was first written. it was specifically written to exclude international signals. intelligence activities. and electronic surveillance conducted outside the United States. What we used to grasp technologically then was never under FISA. he has said. because we take it technologically now in a different way. We shouldnt change it. because if we do that. it does not allow us to respond. And why are we here? He has said openly. and it has appeared in print. because the chatter has increased to levels that are so serious. we need to act now. Please. please dont deny what he has suggested to us. Let us pass a proper bill that can be effective.
Date: 2007-08-04
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. at this time it is my privilege to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas . the distinguished ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Date: 2007-08-04
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I will be asking Members to defeat the previous qiiestion so that I may amend the rule to provide for the adoption of H. Res. 622. a resolution introduced by Mr. BLUNT to correct the injustice done to all Members of this House on August 2. As my colleagues know. the majority engaged in a manipulation of the vote on the motion to recommit the Agriculture appropriations bill to reverse the outcome. If we defeat the previous question. the resolution will direct the Clerk to retrieve the Agriculture appropriations bill from the Senate. add in the amendments that should have been included in the bill. and return the bill to the Senate. While we took the important step yesterday to establish a select committee to investigate the reasons why this injustice occurred. the Agriculture appropriations bill Will . continue through the legislative process well before the select committees final report is complete. meaning that we must act now to correct this injustice. I ask my colleagues to support me in defeating the previous - question. and righting this wrong. Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the amendment be printed just prior to the vote on the previous question.
Date: 2007-08-04
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I urge all of our colleagues in a responsible manner. realizing the historic importance of what has transpired this week. to defeat the previous question. allow this wrong to be righted. to defeat the previous question and defeat also this unfair rule. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2007-08-04
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Chairman. our concern is that Mr. ISSA would have liked to have put this to the floor and at least have given the floor an opportunity to haye addressed these issues for the whole House. We very much appreciate the chairmans concern.
Date: 2007-08-04
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Chairman. I was unavoidably detained and missed the vote on the Udall.amendment of H.R. 3221. the New Direction for Energy Independence. National Security. and Consumer Protection - Act. Had I been present. I would have voted "aye." Stated against:
Date: 2007-09-05
Speaker: PAUL GILLMOR (republican)
Chamber: H

with whom I served over 20 years in this body. we just happened to be flying over Ohio this past week to assess the flood damage in his district. My last memory of him is actually climbing out of the Apache helicopter we were both in. There were just the two of us with the Ohio National Guard. and he extended his hand to me to help me get out of the helicopter after a very long day in many communities. including Bucyrus and Findlay. I have many memories. but I shall never forget that. He was a gentleman of this House. I thank my colleagues very much.
Date: 2007-09-05
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. I thank the gentleman from South Carolina. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 181. a resolution to honor the efforts of those volunteers that support military families when a servicemember is deployed. It is a sperhuman task to fight for your country and take care of your family from thousands of miles away. Thanks to the efforts of volunteers and notforprofit organizations across the country. deployments are made somewhat easier. Volunteers give their time. energy. and. most importantly. their prayers. Some offer their time at after school programs. others may help around -the house. However. no matter what they give. .the difference they make in the lives of our military families is immeasurable. Many nonprofit groups go beyond and provide backpacks. clothes and emergency funds to help military families. Beyond helping families in time of emergency. these organizations help with the problems associated with everyday life. In particular. Id like to recognize Hernando Home Front for their work with the families of the National Guard member who were activated from Brooksville. Florida. Whether they were builders. who helped in case the spouse had a problem. either a leaking roof or perhaps a plumbing problem that needed fixing. or just plain simple carpentry. this group was there. The home builders. various people throughout the community pitched in to help the family members of those National Guard units that were called up. Mr. Speaker. our men and women in uniform give everything for their country. and it gives me great pleasure to recognize those who care enough to give back to them.
Date: 2007-09-05
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H. Con. Res..181. a resolution I was proud to cosponsor with my colleague Congressman ORTIZ. which recognizes and commends the many thousands of volunteers who provide support to the families of deployed military personnel. including those serving in the National Guard and Reserve. We make significant resources available to families and children of members of the Armed Forces who reside on or near military installations. But resources for families and children of National Guard and Reserve members are often difficult to access. Of the 1.2 million young sons and daughters of members of the Armed ForceS. approximately 153.000 are children of those serving in the National Guard and Reserve. These children also need help when parents deploy. The heroic work of these volunteers stresses the importance of maintaining childhood routines during times of stress and sacrifice. Grants supporting extracurricular activities. including tutoring. sports. art. camping and other educational opportunities that might be missing when a parent is gone. keep families active and linked to their communities. The help and support provided by these organizations tells military families. particularly the children. that they have not been left behind. but that we all recognize the personal. sacrifices they are making when their family serves in the military. Its gratifying that many private nonprofit organizations have been created by caring and thoughtful Americans to help fill this gap for Guard and Reserve children. This resolution recognizes and honors their work. One outstanding example is an organization called Our Military Kids. Inc. created by Linda Davidson and Gail Krusel of McLean. Virginia. It is a small corporation that has continued to expand nationally. providing assistance and grants to the children of deployed or severelyinjured parents in over 35 states this year. The positive effect they have had on children of the National Guard and Reserve -cannot be -overstated. I salute the people behind Our Military Kids. Inc.. and other organizations that have dedicated time. effort and money to assist our nations military children. I ask my colleagues to. stand up and join us in this resolution honoring their commitment and patriotic service.
Date: 2007-09-07
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. at this time. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California . the distinguished ranking member of the Rules Committee.
Date: 2007-09-07
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: should

throw in the towel or simply Florida. Mr. Speaker. I yield 4 minutes lower a shoulder and plow forward. to the distinguished gentleman from I prevented my Courts and IntellecWisconsin . tual Property Subcommittee Chair
Date: 2007-09-07
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I want to thank all of our colleagues who have participated in this debate. thank Chairman CONYERS for his kind words. This obviously is very important legislation. And even though my very good friend. Mr. ISSA. just stated that most of the amendments had been made in order by the Rules Committee. thats not the case. Five amendments were made in order. and nine. nine were denied.
Date: 2007-09-07
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Reclaiming my time. A number of important amendments have not been made in order. And on legislation this important. we think that it should have been brought forth with an open rule. And so thats why we oppose the rule. and would urge that the majority of the Rules Committee bring forth this legislation again with the opportunity of all Members of the House to offer all amepldments based on their work product for consideration by all of our colleagues. And so with that. I urge the defeat of this unfair rule. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2007-09-07
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I thank my friend. the gentlewoman from Ohio. for the time. and I yield myself such time as I may consume. This rule that the majority brings forth today. Mr. Speaker. is a standard Hib6255 rule for a conference report. But yesterday the minority on the Rules Committee voted against this rule because of the unsatisfactory manner in which the conference report was put together. In his submitted testimony to the Rules Committee yesterday. Education and Labor Committee Ranking Member BUCK McKeon expressed concern with the process the majority used of the conference committee. The minority was informed at 9:30 p.m. that the conference committee would meet at 11:30 a.m. the following morning. However. the majority did not provide the minority with the text of the conference report at the time the meeting was announced and even kept the text away from Republicans at the meeting itself. Republican conferees were. in effect. left in the dark. They had no way to know what was in the report. As such. it was impossible for members of the minority to propose amendments to the report and thus play any meaningful t)art in the conference. Democrats did not even allow Republicans to see the conference report at the end of the meeting. Instead. Republicans had to wait until later .in the evening hours after the conference committee had ended. Mr. Speaker. our friends on the other side of the aisle campaigned. and they did so repeatedly. on an open. fair. and bipartisan process. including a promise to provide members of conference committees with texts of conference reports. They also said that they will allow members of the conference committee to vote on all amendments. During consideration of the rulespackage for this new Congress. the distinguished chairwoman of the Rules Committee said. "Neter again will any Member of the Congress have to fight to find out where the conference to which he or she has been appointed is meeting." Well. in this instance. Members did not have to fight to find the conference committee location. but they certainly did have to fight to get the text of the conference report. and even after fighting. they did not get to see it. By keeping the text of the conference report away from the minority. Democrats were essentially locking out Republican Members from the conference committee. which is exactly what the Democrats said they would not do. So. Mr. Speaker. because of the manner. the way the majority kept the text of the conference report from Republicans and thus committed. if you will. a process foul. we oppose this rule. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2007-09-07
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. it is my privilegeto yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from California. the ranking member of the committee. Mr. MCKEON.
Date: 2007-09-10
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. they were 6 years ago. as everybody of Speaker. I yield the balance of my time my generation knows where they were when President Kennedy died and everybody of the previous generation knows where they were on December 7. 1941. a day that will live in infamy. September 11. 2001. is a day that will live in infamy. We survived that as a country. We are together in fighting terrorism. and we are together in support for this great country and democracy. We have differences of opinion on how best to go about preserving our great country. our homeland security and defeating the terrorists..but people on both sides of the aisle are Americans. People in this Hall are patriotic. Although we have differences in how we analyze data and information given us by different officials and see events in different ways. we all see them with the same eventual outcome. and that is to hope that we have peace and prosperity here in this country and throughout the world. In conclusion. I take a moment to honor the people who were so heroic in Pennsylvania and remember their words: Lets roll.
Date: 2007-09-10
Speaker: GARY G. MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H

of California): H. Con. Res. 208. Concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress regardingraising awareness of and opposition to global terrorism. to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By Mr. HOYER (for himself knd Mr..
Date: 2007-09-18
Speaker: GARY G. MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Madam Chairman. I want to thank MAXINE WATERS for her kind comments. I remember when we were debating the American Dream Down Payment Assistance Act. and we used the private sector down payment assistance program as the tool and the argument to expand upon and have government also get involved. These private sector groups have put over 1 million people in homes that could not otherwise be in homes. This continues a program that has worked very well and eliminates the bad actors that HUD is talking about. I think if this is implemented. this bill will be a very strong bill. and I ask for an "aye" vote. Madam Chairman. I yield back the balance of my time.