macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-06-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chair. I rise today to debate my amendment No. 27 to H.R. 4480. the "Strategic Energy Production Act of 2012." which would establish an Office of Energy Employment and Training. as well as. an Office of Minority and Women Inclusion that would be responsible for all matters relating to diversity in management. employment. and business activities. As well as establishing an Office of Minority and Women Inclusion for the purpose of addressing the need for diversity within the DOI and within the pool of businesses that the DOI engages. Texas serves as proof that the energy industry offers tremendous potential to provide jobs and foster economic growth. As a matter of fact. in 2008. Texas was one of the few States that saw its economy grow. grossing the second highest revenue of all States at $1.2 trillion. As the Representative of the 18th Congressional District of Houston. Texas. I can attest to the importance of a healthy energy industry. My district is the energy hub of Texas and is recognized worldwide for its energy industry. particularly for oil and natural gas. as well as biomedical research and aeronautics. Renewable energy sourceswind and solarare also growing economic bases in Houston. The energy industry and its supporting businesses provide my fellow Texans with tens of thousands of jobs. and have helped keep the State of Texas significantly below the national unemployment rate. This prosperity can expand well beyond Texas. if the Federal and State governments will act decisively and responsibly to expand domestic energy productions in an environmentally conscious manner. and keep billions of dollars and countless jobs here at home. However I must place emphasis on the need to act both decisively and responsibly. It remains to be seen whether this bill truly accomplishes those goals. My amendment is designed to address the need for training and diversity in the Energy sector.
Date: 2012-06-21
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Well. I wish I were standing before you this morning to announce the Congressional Womens Softball teams second big victory. Unfortunately. I cant share that good news with you. but I can share the news with you that our bipartisan team. with the Bad News Babes. the women members of the press corps. raised over $50.000 for the Young Survival Coalition. Were very proud of that. We are proud. as congressional women. that we play in a bipartisan spirit. that we have built a bipartisan Israel Johnson (GA) Johnson. E. B. Kaptur Keating Kildee Kind Kucinich Langevin Larsen (WA) Larson (CT) Lee (CA) Levin Lipinski Loebsack Lofgren. Zoe Lowey Lujam Lynch Maloney Markey Matsui McCarthy (NY) McCollum McDermott McGovern McIntyre McNerney Meeks Michaud Miller (NC) Miller. George Moore Moran Murphy (CT) Nadler Napolitano Neal Olver Pallone Pascrell Pastor (AZ) Pelosi Perlmutter Peters Pingree (ME) Polls Price (NC) Quigley Rahall Rangel Reyes Richardson Richmond Rothman (NJ) RoybalAllard Ruppersberger Rush Ryan (OH) Sanchez. Loretta Sarbanes Schakowsky Schiff Schrader Schwartz Scott (VA) Scott. David Serrano Sewell Sherman Shuler Sires Slaughter Smith (WA) Speier Stark Sutton Thompson (CA) Thompson (MS) Tierney Tonko Towns Tsongas Van Hollen Vislosky Walz (MN) Wasserman Schultz Waters Watt Waxman Welch Wilson (FL) Woolsey Yarmuth and bicameral camaraderie and a team spirit and friendship that we would never have had an opportunity to build if not for playing this game. I know we all feel strongly. hopefully. that we use the friendships that we build on the field and take those into the Chamber here so we can work together on the problems facing our country. Thats such a tough and important priority for all of us. We do want to congratulate. although not too enthusiastically. the Bad News Babes for their victory this year in the game. 1310. It was heartbreaking. We kept it close. We were coming back in the last inning. We had a real opportunity but came up short. We all. as women Members. want to thank the fabulous. indomitable Natalie Buchanan. who is on the leadership staff of KEVIN MCCARTHY. for coming out there with us every morning at 7 a.m. Natalie. stand up. She is on the floor with KEVIN MCCARTHY every day here. We love Natalie. Tori Barnes. my cocaptains daughter. is our coach year in and year out. I also want to recognize. on my staff. Mackenzie Smith and Kate Houghton. who is on my staff but is battling leukemia right now and who we all played for on both teams. Shes coming through and getting healthy. Madam Chair. thank you for your friendship. Thank you to all the women. and thank you all. as a breast cancer survivor. Both the House leadership teams came out to the game. continued to support us. and it means so much to me personally. I wish everybody a wonderful summer. and we will be back next year so we can take that trophy back.
Date: 2012-06-21
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I rise in support of Democratic Whip HOYERS motion to instruct the conferees. which directs the conferees to agree to the Senatepassed transportation bill. MAP21. MAP21 passed the Senate by a strong bipartisan vote of 7422. and it is critical that the House pass this legislation. We have been waiting a very. very long time. Im from the State of Texas. Theres no State in the Union that this bill is more important for. Our season is now to get highways started. And we have massive infrastructure needs. just like the rest of the country. Tomorrow does mark the 100th day since the Senate passed the bill. and the current reauthorization will expire next week. And while Im encouraged by the progress being made in the conference negotiations. we simply cannot afford to delay any longer for individual pleas. for individual needs. We all have needs. This bill is not perfect. No bill we pass is perfect. But this bill is certainly needed to plan and to develop. We have to have time for the States to look at what they have available and plan for it. We cannot do this like any other bill. This is a transportation bill. infrastructure planning bill. and we simply must do something now. In addition to it saving 1.9 million jobs. it creates a million jobs. Its a jobs bill. Weve been talking about passing a jobs bill for the last almost 2 years. and nothing has passed yet. I am pleading that we all support this motion to instruct. and I encourage my colleagues to support it and lets get this bill done.
Date: 2012-06-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 5889. "The Nuclear Terrorism Conventions. Safety of Maritime Navigation Act." As the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee. Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure. I am wellaware of the gravity of nuclear terrorism conventions. It must be noted that Americans may disagree on a lot of thingssomething that is reflected in this body every daybut when it comes to securing our Homelandwe generally have come together. By imposing fines and punishment on onerous acts. this bill will hopefully serve as a deterrent to those who seek to commit such acts. It also prevents the transport of certain materials which. in their ordinary course are not those which would be transported outside of certain commercially permitted uses. H.R. 5889 would implement four multilateral counterterrorism treaties. The bill was introduced on June 5. 2012 by Representative LAMAR SMITH. Committee Chairman. with Representatives JOHN CONYERS. JR. Committee Ranking Member. BOBBY SCOn Crime Subcommittee Ranking Member. and F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER. JR.. Crime Subcommittee Chairman. as original cosponsors. H.R. 5889 has bipartisan support and is the result of extensive negotiations with the Administration. the State Department. and the Department of Justice. I appreciate the work of my colleagues on this legislation and look forward to the enactment of more bipartisan legislation in the near future. The Subcommittee on Crime. Terrorism. and Homeland Security held a hearing on this proposal on October 4. 2011. As I recall. witnesses included representatives from the Department of Justice and the Department of State.
Date: 2012-06-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to support H.R. 4005. the "Gauging American Port Security" or GAPS Act. This act will direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a study and report to Congress on gaps in port security in the United States as well as provide plans to address them. As a senior Member of the Homeland Security Committee. I know that the threats against the nation are constantly changing and ever present. Ensuring the safety and security of our ports is a measure that will directly address some of these threats and maintain the economic wellbeing of our port system. Over 11 million cargo containers arrive in our ports each year. bringing in imports from across the world. By placing these additional measures on the Department of Homeland Security. we are enabling ports to conduct business without fear that these daily imports are a threat to national security. As a representative from the 18th Congressional District of Houston. I represent one of the worlds busiest ports. Houston is linked to 1.053 ports in 203 countries through about 100 steamship lines. The ship channel is a part of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. which is a very busy barge traffic lane. Houston is also one of only eight U.S. cities to have a regional office of the U.S. ExportImport Bank. The Port of Houston is essential to regional economic stability. A 2012 study by Martin Associates reports the port helps provide 1.026.820 jobs throughout Texas. which is an increase of 785.000 jobs in its 2007 study. The port brings in more than $178.5 billion a year. including over $4.5 billion in state and local tax revenues. In addition. the Port of Houston also boasts the nations largest petrochemical complex. Houston is known as a gateway for cargo traveling to the West and Midwest regions of our nation. Although the Port is integral to Houstons development. as well as to the nations economic development. its financial strength is not possible without strong security measures in place. The heavy traffic flow of imports and exports that come through the port each day can leave room for drug trafficking and terrorists activities to take place. Although the Port of Houston. and ports across the U.S. boasts that they are secure and in line with nationally mandated security measures. it is my hope that the GAPS act will address any and all individual security shortcoming that each port may face that make them vulnerable to attacks against the Homeland. The Port of Houston and the majority of ports across the nation have a remarkable track record of accomplishments that I hope to see continue. But their economic success and efficiency will only be hindered without additional security measures in place. This is why I urge my colleagues to support the provisions of H.R. 4005.
Date: 2012-06-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 1447. "Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act of 2011." Currently the Transportation Security Administrations (TSAs) Aviation Security Advisory Committee advises the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security on issues related to aviation security. This bill: (1) authorizes the existence of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee. (2) ensures key stakeholders with first knowledge of the security challenges our aviation system faces have a voice when TSA is considering implementing security policies and (3) establishes specific working groups to address cargo. perimeter and general aviation. I firmly believe that more can be done to protect and improve upon the security of our Nations airways which is why I have consistently introduced legislation to improve our Nations defense against security threats. The District I represent in Houston. Texas is home to two of the worlds busiest airports. and the Johnson Space Center. Air transportation in the Houston metro area is about 30% above the national average and in Texas. the aviation industry employs nearly 200.000 people. We need to ensure that all cargo flight operations are secure. protect aircraft from laser attacks. and implement a threatbased security system. Because of the necessity of H.R. 1447s implications. it already has the support of the U.S. Travel Association. Cargo Airline Association and the Airports Council InternationalNorth America. In addition it has received the unanimous support of the Committee on Homeland Security. Mr. Speaker. these entities and the Homeland Security Committee recognize it is imperative to continue to ensure to strengthen the aviation industrys effort to make sure all travelers and cargo are safe traveling within and through the United States. Enhanced security protects our economic interests: air cargo is over a $60 billion industry. and according to the International Air Transport Association. transports 35% of the value of goods traded globally. More importantly. implementing this bill will protect our citizens. Well trained employees and representatives are essential in recognizing suspicious activity and people that want to endanger our travelers.
Date: 2012-06-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3173. "to reform the process for enrollment. activation. issuance. and renewal of a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) to require not more than one inperson visit to a designated enrollment center." This legislation removes economic tensions placed on workers due to unnecessary commutes to an enrollment center. The TWIC serves as a vital security measure that ensures that individuals who pose a threat do not gain unescorted access to secure areas of the nations maritime transportation system. Without a doubt. it is a necessary precaution for the protection of the Americas assets. However. the current system for the acquirement of a TWIC is inefficient. superfluous. and costly for American transportations workers. In addition to the $129.75 that transportation employees must pay every 5 years to obtain the TWIC. they must also make two or more trips to an enrollment center to obtain it. In most cases. the nearest enrollment center is hundreds of miles away from the workers home. With national gas prices averaging nearly $4 a gallon. any mode of transportation chosen by the worker can quickly become pricey. This bill seeks to eliminate the pointless redtape in the attainment of a TWIC. in which millions of Americans are subject to hefty transportation costs to travel back and forth to the enrollment centers to obtain their TWIC. Mr. Speaker. as you are aware. many of our fellow Americans face tough economic situations. It truly is imperative to remove this excess and unnecessary burden placed on the American workers. As a Member of the Committee of Homeland Security. ensuring the protection of our interests from domestic threats is one of my top priorities. Although TWIC does just that. I feel that we must also endeavor to protect the interest of our own citizens. It simply just is not an economically viable option to expect our transportation workers to pay for two or more round trip journeys for the TWIC. To avoid imposing these unnecessary burdens on United States workers. it is imperative that Congress enact this legislation. This bill passed unanimously out of the Homeland Security Committee with broad bipartisan support. I believe this is because H.R. 3173 is the textbook example of a winwin situation. there are no foreseen negative consequences to the enactment of this bill. It will simply allow our American transportation workers to breathe a little easier. This reform of the TWIC Application system will make a huge impact on transportation workers and their families. Because of it. millions of people will not lose money and precious time with loved ones by making unnecessary trips to TWIC enrollment centers. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3173. The TWIC Application Reform.
Date: 2012-06-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the ranking member. and I thank the chairman of the full committee. of the subcommittee. both chair and ranking member. I do too want to take a moment to thank the ranking member for his long service to this Nation. As he has been a member of the Appropriations Committee. we can count his work inside this House. But I really think the American people. Mr. OLVER. owe you a moment of gratitude for the work and commitments that youve shown in making sure that those who need help can get help. and I want to pay tribute to you this evening. I also want to indicate that we understand that we are living in difficult times. But I raise concerns about funding. living in the fourth largest city in the Nation. where we see enormous congestion. and the importance of transit dollars. $900 million. fortunately. came to Houston after a long. long wait to build a lightrail system. Those dollars need to continue. Housing plays a very important role. In the city of Galveston. for example. they have been the recipient of $700 million after Hurricane Ike to use for the restoration of private housing. infrastructure and. of course. public housing. To cut those lines of funding will. in essence. impact communities around the Nation that are impacted by disaster. Losing the full funding of the TIGER grantand I support the gentlelady from California. Ms. WATERS amendment to restore those dollarsthey create jobs. So it is important. as we look at this bill. that we look at it from the perspective of solving the hurt of Americans whove been impacted by disaster. of improving mobility. ensuring that we put Americans back to work with funding for transportation and the infrastructure. I cite Galveston in particular because there is a conflict going on with respect to the importance of public and private housing.
Date: 2012-06-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

The situation in Galveston resulted from a unique impact of Hurricane Ike. Mr. Chairman. most think that the surge would come from the larger body of water. but the surge came from the bay and really impacted lowincome individuals who didnt have any flood insurance or had already paid for their house. it had been in their families for years. And through the largesse of the Congress and HUD. a $700 million package was presented to restore that area and those houses and those families. many of whom I visited in tents. We have a situation where theres a misunderstanding of the value of those Federal funds. but we do have those Federal funds. and it is in tribute to this Congress. and I want to see funds for public housing. for affordable housing continue. With that. I would hope that we have an opportunity in the conference or have an opportunity to restore the funds that have had to be cut. because they create jobs. they provide a lifeline for those impacted by disaster. and they create the mobility and infrastructure rebuild that America needs.
Date: 2012-06-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentleman for yielding. My good friend from Georgia knows weve had a lot of opportunities to work together on many different issues. It seems as if he is raising an issue that would have a sense of agreement. but I have to reluctantly and vigorously oppose the gentlemans amendment. The Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Transportation losing the amount of money that he has suggested will deprive that office of viable and important staff and resources for compliance. Frankly. this agency governs billions of dollars of Federal dollars. In addition. it governs actions that deal with accommodations. the utilization of dollars for small. minority. and disadvantaged businesses. The civil rights section has been a section that has ensured that the Federal dollars in transportation are used in a way that is not discriminatory. I dont believe. in 2012. we need to be rising to eliminate opportunity. We need to expand opportunity. The civil rights section of the Department of Transportation has always been a consistent and efficient subsection of the agency that has been the guidepost of ensuring that our Federal dollars are used appropriately as it relates to Native Americans. used appropriately as it relates to Latinos. African Americans. Caucasians. It is a civil rights office that balances and ensures nondiscrimination. including nondiscrimination against the disabled. And. frankly. I believe that because of the massiveness of that responsibilityparticularly as we look at the needs of the disabled in transportation resources or transportation utilizationthat it is crucial that we do not cut to the existing amount of dollars. This is not a lot. So the impact is greater than what the gentleman believes he will have because he suggests that it is a small amount. It is a great impact. And I would ask the gentleman to consider this amendment as one that has a farreaching impact and that at this point we do not want to make a statement that civil rights and the equal accommodations that are necessary and the utilization of Federal dollars is acceptable. meaning discrimination is acceptable. Nondiscrimination being. if you will. limited by the funding that has been cut through this amendment. I would ask that our colleagues oppose the amendment.
Date: 2012-06-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

First of all. I want to congratulate the gentlelady from California for an insightful amendment. and I understand the dilemma that the chairman of the subcommittee is in. But what I would suggest is that we are in such a crisis as relates to both jobs and the needs of urban America. rural America. that the point of order should be waived. And it can be waived. We have waived points of order on a number of occasions. In this instance. I think we have a moment when you have zeroed out for whatever the purposes or reasons for zeroing out. and theres not even minimal amounts of money in the TIGER funding. None at all. Having just left my district on this past Friday. receiving $15 million in TIGER grants. the first that the city of Houston. the fourthlargest city in the Nation. has ever received. but in that granting there were urban and rural grantees that were able to create jobs.
Date: 2012-06-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Thank you. Mr. Chairman. And so my argument would be that because of the economic crisis. this is warranting a waiver of the point of order so the gentleladys amendment can go forward: $500 million that will be utilized to create jobs to rebuild urban and rural America. I would ask that the point of order be waived.
Date: 2012-06-28
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I want to say that Im proud of the decision of the United States Supreme Court today. I was proud to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee that actually drafted this bill. I read it many times. and I actually had a lot of amendments. The Affordable Care Act has already benefited millions of Americans and will continue to help those who are in the greatest of needchildren. young adults. people with preexisting conditions. and our seniors. In my own congressional district in Texas. this is particularly important because we have one of the highest rates of uninsured individuals in the country. Our Constitution gives the U.S. Supreme Court the job to be the decider on what is constitutional. The Affordable Care Act is constitutional. Just like Social Security and Medicare. now its the law of this great Nation.