macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-02-04
Speaker: JODY B. HICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

I thank the gentleman for yielding his time. Mr. Chairman. I rise in strong support of H.R. 50. the Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act. The alarming growth of our Federal Government in the last several decades has come at an incredible cost. This is largely due to lax reporting requirements. and as a result. the American people have largely been left in the dark as to the true cost of this unprecedented growth. For example. we all know that. often. the Federal Government imposes mandates. be it upon the private sector or local or State governments. and. oftentimes. this is without any clearly disclosed cost or impact of those mandates. Mr. Chairman. H.R. 50 will make significant strides to address this looming problem by enacting more strict and clearly defined requirements about how and when agencies need to disclose the cost of these Federal mandates. Therefore. Mr. Chairman. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Date: 2015-02-05
Speaker: AUSTIN SCOTT (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. what a wonderful opportunity to set the record straight. I rise today to applaud my colleagues in the House for passing H.R. 596 on Tuesday which repeals ObamaCare in its entirety. This bill also instructs committees to pass solutions that are patient -centered. free market alternatives because ObamaCare is unaffordable. I hear it when I am at my sons football games or when I go to the grocery stores: it is important to Americans that Members up here in Washington are listening to and fighting for them on this issue because the President refuses to. Today. in Thomas County. in south Georgia. a $3.500 deductible will cost a 25yearold $333 a month. and it will cost a 60yearold $900 a month. $900 for a $3.500 deductible. that is more like a mortgage payment where I come from. This is the solution that according to the Presidentthe Democratsthat is affordable? Well. it is not affordable. and it is hurting people. I am proud to cochair a task force of conservative Members who are working towards a patientcentered. free market alternative that respects the freedom of the American citizens.
Date: 2015-02-05
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor the life of a great man and a great soldier. In 2013. I had the honor of meeting Fred Stolley and presenting him with the Soldiers Medal. the highest honor a servicemember can receive for an act of valor in a noncombat situation. Private First Class Stolley proudly served his country during World War II. and in 1944. he saved a fellow soldier from drowning. Stolleys commanding officer wrote a commendation letter praising him for saving the soldier who was twice his size and deeply troubled by the devastating news of losing his brother in combat. After the war ended. Stolley returned home to Decatur. Illinois. He worked nights. weekends. and. between classes. building houses and hauling water to graduate from my alma mater. Millikin University. with a degree in business. Out of respect for the soldier he saved. Stolley never requested a medal to recognize his act of heroism. but 70 years later. my office was able to present him with the medal in front of his family and friends. This week. we lost a hero. Fred Stolley passed away at the age of 90. It is because of people like him and all of our men and women in uniform that we are able to enjoy the freedoms that we have today. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they lay him to rest in Decatur this afternoon.
Date: 2015-02-11
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. millions of Americans who have paid into Social Security rely on the promise that it will be there for them when they become disabled and cannot work. Unfortunately. under current law. some people can get both disability benefits and unemployment benefits. That just doesnt make any sense. Disability benefits are for those who cant work. Unemployment benefits are for those who can work. That is why I will be introducing commonsense legislation this week that will help ensure Social Security disability benefits are only for those who truly cannot work. With the disability program going broke next year. we cannot afford to continue to allow individuals to double dip. My bill will stop this doubledipping and will help ensure that the disability program is there for those who truly need it.
Date: 2015-02-11
Speaker: MIMI WALTERS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Madam Speaker. it was 2008 when TransCanada first submitted an application to construct the Keystone XL pipeline. Six years later. the Keystone pipeline is still awaiting approval. What does construction of the Keystone pipeline mean for our Nation? Over 40.000 jobs. energy security. and increased economic growth. Furthermore. the State Department found that construction of the Keystone pipeline would pose little environmental risk. In fact. there would be greater environmental and safety risks from not building the pipeline. Despite the obvious benefits and bipartisan support. the President has continued to block Keystones approval. Now he threatens to veto the bill. effectively killing the entire Keystone program. After 6plus years. the President has run out of excuses. It is clear that the construction of the Keystone pipeline is in our Nations best interests. and we cannot afford to delay any longer.
Date: 2015-02-11
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Well. like my colleague. Mr. JOLLY. I look forward to the Prime Ministers address. too. It is really beyond what I thought serving as a Member of Congress we would see here. and it is the sheer pettiness of the fact that the Speaker of the House invited the Prime Minister and many decided to say they are going to boycott this. Do you know whatboycott it. If that is your idea of your freedom of speech. go ahead. We will fill the seats. We will make sure that Prime Minister Netanyahu understands that America stands with him and his nation as our greatest allies in the Middle East. When that happens. he will come here. he will be received with a reception that is worthy of the Prime Minister of Israel. and I am just honored to be able to sit in this room and to hear why our bilateral relationship is of the utmost importance. Mr. Speaker. I wish we didnt have this pettiness here in this Congress because I think the American people are sick and tired of the infighting. I think they are wanting us to govern together. This is just one more example that goes out to the American people that tells them that people in Washington in this institution cant get along. I hate to say it. but they are wrong on many issues because we do get along. but on this one. it is so important that we show respect to our greatest ally. Mr. Speaker. I notice we have been joined by our colleague from California
Date: 2015-02-11
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

I thank the gentleman again for organizing this opportunity. I just want to remind all of our fellow colleagues. it is a privilege to serve in this great institution. These decisions that we will make will not be easy. but the decisions we make will be judged in history as to what happens here and what the future holds. Lets make sure that we make our forefathers and those who follow us proud to be Members of Congress. Lets do the right thing.
Date: 2015-02-11
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I want to thank one of my newest colleagues. Congresswoman MARTHA MCSALLY. who has shown true leadership on this issue because it is personal. It is your district. Just like many issues that we face in the Midwest are issues that you and I will talk about but you dont have to experience. but these are issues that you see and we hear about. You see many cases where the border is not secure. where drug cartels are coming through private property. We in Illinois cannot imagine someone walking through our backyard hauling drugs and criminals. These are things that we dont experience. but we have to experience as Members of this institution because every vote we take impacts every single citizen in this great country. I just am proud that you are willing to stand up and talk about the issues that matter most to this debate. and that is how we secure our borders. because once we do. we can fix our broken immigration system. We can fix the process that we already have. called the naturalization process. and ensure that we have a system that is going to work. My fear. though. is that many in this debate. they dont want to see this problem fixed because they want to use it as a political hammer. I will tell a personal story very quickly. I can remember doing one of my public meetings and having an organization come in and talk to me about their view of how we make our border more secure. As I was going to another public meeting. this organization decided to send members to my house and send the same message to my then 12yearold son. Bullying tactics like that are not conducive to solving problems. not just in this institution but in this great country. That is why I am so proud to be able to stand here with both of you today and talk about the issues that are important. and the fact that we are willing to talk about it and find solutions and begin our address towards making those solutions real is the reason why we came to this institution. Thank you for your leadership. both of you. on many issues. especially this one. I hope. some day. I can follow in the footsteps of my colleague from California and visit your district and see the same things he did.
Date: 2015-02-11
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Absolutely. And it relates to the fact that sometimes the policies that are put in place through administrative rules or by this body hinder our ability to achieve the goals that Americans want us to achieve. We could build fencing. but you know there are many times people will find a way around that fence. And that doesnt mean lets not do it. but what it means is lets also enact policies that will not hinder our Border Patrol agents from actually doing their job. One of my colleagues from Illinois flies National Guard duty over the southern border and talks about how different groups will overwhelm a single Border Patrol agent. And understand that a majority of those who are trying to cross into America will get in. Some wont. but a majority will. And it is worth the risk to many. Frankly. if we werent living in this great country. we would probably want to be here too. This is a wonderful country that is the beacon of hope for so many throughout this globe. But we also have to take into consideration the impact that it has in this country. And we need to make sure that we put policies in place that allow our border to be secure by making sure our Border Patrol agents have the tools and the ability to address the problem that both of you have addressed so well this evening. So thank you again for being here. Thank you again for being willing to stand up. because it is not an easy issue to talk about. It is not an easy issue because it has become so politicized. But I commend you for that because we have to stand up and take courage. We have to take courageous stances. and we have to take courageous votes that may not make all of our constituents happy. But these are opportunities to lead. and that is exactly why we all came to Congress. Again. thank you to my colleague.
Date: 2015-02-25
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. my constituents and a majority of Americans oppose President Obamas executive amnesty. His amnesty is unconstitutional. which is why I am pleased that U.S. district court Judge Andrew Hanen has blocked Obamas amnesty from going into effect. Not surprisingly. the administration is now appealing. As the legal process works its way through the courts. Congress must continue to stand strong and fight the Presidents unlawful amnesty. Just this month. I exposed Obamas empty words that illegals getting amnesty would be paying taxes. The IRS Commissioner confirmed that Obamas amnesty will. in fact. allow the IRS to give illegals thousands of dollars. These tax refunds arent refunds in the usual sense but amnesty checks from the IRS. This is wrong. I am working on legislation to stop it. Lawabiding and hardworking American taxpayers deserve nothing less.
Date: 2015-02-25
Speaker: AUSTIN SCOTT (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to stand up for the rights of lawabiding Americans to protect their homes. and I am standing in opposition to the Bureau of Alcohol. Tobacco. Firearms and Explosives unreasonable proposal to ban entire classes of ammunition. As an American. I personally use this ammunition to defend my home and my family. and that is my constitutional right. I find it ironic that the President of the United States continues to say. well. if we would just arm the people of other countries. then ISIS wouldnt exist. while he uses each and every means possible to violate our Second Amendment right to protect ourselves. Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight. and I look forward to meeting with the ATF and discussing their budget and making sure that they dont have the legal authority or the funding to take away Americans constitutional rights to keep and bear arms and ammo.
Date: 2015-02-26
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 225. line 17. strike the final quotation marks and period at the end. Page 225. after line 17. insert the following:
Date: 2015-02-26
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Chairman. I rise today to offer this amendment that would protect the voices of our educational professionals and also maintain local control. which is what reforming the ESEA program is all about. especially in my district. This amendment simply protects the savings clause of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to ensure that nothing in Federal law can be construed to terminate or overturn a State or local collective bargaining law. memorandum. or other agreements. The savings clause predates No Child Left Behind and has been in existence for more than 20 years. In addition. 34 States. including my home State of Illinois. Mr. Chairman. explicitly allow collective bargaining for teachers. education support professionals. and other higher education faculty. The amendment does not expand collective bargaining rights that exist in current law. The bottom line is this amendment provides certainty to local and State entities that the current collective bargaining agreements will remain in place. This amendment is supported by many here in Washington and many teachers and educational professionals that I have spoken with. including those at the Illinois Education Association and the National Education Association. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment to provide certainty for our educational professionals. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-02-26
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Chairman. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from the great State of Indiana . my colleague and friend.
Date: 2015-02-26
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Chairman. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support for this commonsense amendment. When I go back and speak to my educational professionals and also as a father of three teenagers in the Taylorville. Illinois. public school system. it is constantly about: How do we make sure that Washington stays out of running our schools in our local school districts? That is what is so great about other provisions in this ESEA reform package. My colleague
Date: 2015-02-26
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Chairman. I want to thank my colleague from Illinois . who has been a fighter for those in education throughout his tenure as a State representative in Illinois. He and I have worked together on these issues for over 20 years. Since I offered my closing remarks before he spoke. I will take this opportunity. before I lose my voice completely. to yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois .
Date: 2015-02-27
Speaker: AUSTIN SCOTT (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker. as I listened to this debate and watched as some of the people talked about what our duty was and was not as Members of Congress. I thought I might come down and read the oath that we as Members of Congress take. It is simple. "I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies. foreign and domestic. that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. that I take this obligation freely. without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. so help me God." Ladies and gentlemen. this is not about immigration. This is about whether or not the President has the ability to unilaterally run this country by creating fees and spending those fees as he sees fit. I would submit to you that he doesnt. If the President can do this and is allowed to get away with this. then. when we get a prolife President. that prolife President can create a fee on abortion providers and use it to fund adoption. It seems to me that the Democratic Party. which prefers free cell phones to taking care of the men and women who protect our country in uniform. likes the rules when they are working for them but doesnt want to abide by the rules all the time. What the President has done violates. I believe. the separation of powers. I would suggest to you that this is a very dangerous precedent. and this is well worth fighting for in maintaining our oath as Members of the United States Congress to defend the Constitution.
Date: 2015-03-02
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor the life of a man who was dedicated to protecting and serving the public. Kenneth Lehr. the fire chief for the village of Medora in Macoupin County. Illinois. died in the line of duty earlier this month. Chief Lehr was entering his 21st year as a member of the Medora Fire Department and had served as fire chief since 2006. While preparing to respond to a 911 call on February 5. Chief Lehr was struck by a firetruck that was heading to the scene. This tragic event reminds us all to never forget the selflessness and sacrifices our first responders make on our behalf. especially when many give their lives for our safety. Earlier this month. more than 500 first responders. family. and friends packed the gymnasium at Southwestern High School in Piasa. Illinois. to pay their respects to Chief Lehr. Some firefighters traveled more than 2 hours to honor Chief Lehr. Friends and coworkers of Chief Lehr noted his unwavering willingness to help others. both as fire chief and as a member of the Medora community. Chief Lehr is survived by his wife. one son. and three grandsons. My thoughts and this Houses thoughts and prayers are with his family. friends. and the Medora community as they continue to mourn.
Date: 2015-03-03
Speaker: JODY B. HICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. as we all know. we are in this predicament and in this mess because of the unconstitutional and unilateral decisions from the President to ignore our Constitution. and the only thing standing in the way of that progressing is a stay from the courts. As thankful as I am for the courts. the reality is we must stand up and defend our Constitution. It is a constitutional issue. Mr. Speaker. and we have the responsibility to stand for that cause. This is not a time to watch this body be obstructed from multiple attempts to make it dysfunctional. It is a constitutional issue. This is a time to stand upon the Constitution. and I urge this body to do so.
Date: 2015-03-03
Speaker: TOM PRICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. pursuant to section 314(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. I hereby submit for sions to the aggregate budget levels and committee allocations set forth pursuant to H. Con. Res. 25 as deemed in force by H. Res. 5. The revision is for new budget authority and outlays for provisions designated as disaster relief. pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. contained in H.R. 240. the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. 2015. A corresponding table is attached. This revision represents an adjustment for purposes of enforcing sections 302 and 311 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. For purposes of such Act. these revised allocations and aggregates are to be considered as included in the levels of the budget resolution. pursuant to section 101 of H. Con. Res. 25. as adjusted.
Date: 2015-03-16
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to thank a former staffer for his service to this House. my office. and to the people of Illinois. Tim Butler. who most recently served as my district chief of staff. left my office recently to represent the people of the 87th House District in the Illinois General Assembly. Tim was an asset to my team from day one. as we set out to make sure every constituent in the Thirteenth District knew we were there to serve them by getting answers from Federal departments like the VA. listening and acting on legislative ideas. and much more. Under Tims leadership. we opened five district offices. helped more than 1.500 constituents through casework. and launched 10 advisory boards. just to name a few of our teams accomplishments during my first term. Tim began his service in the House in 1991 with the Committee on Education and Labor. and after leaving the committee. he worked for thenCongressman Ray LaHood for 14 years. It was during his time with Congressman LaHood and my time as projects director for Congressman SHIMKUS that Tim and I met and became friends. With his dedication and record of success helping constituents in Congressman LaHoods office. I knew he would be a perfect fit for mine. Tims leadership in my office will be missed. but I know he will provide the same level of exemplary constituent services representing the people of the 87th District in the Illinois General Assembly. I thank Tim for his service to this House. and I congratulate him on his new opportunity to serve the people of Illinois.
Date: 2015-03-18
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. our Constitutions very first amendment protects every individuals freedom of religion. but our servicemen and -women who protect our country with their lives are seeing that freedom under fire. In 2013. the United States Air Force Academy made the phrase "so help me God" optional in the oath each cadet takes. And why did they do that? Because of one radical atheist groups demands. Let me be clear: Americans have the freedom of religionbut not the freedom from religion. That is why I am introducing legislation that requires congressional approval before any change could be made to our military oaths. Mr. Speaker. the moral foundation of our country is in serious danger if we allow radical groups to dictate whether or not we can freely express our religious beliefs. I think it is time to take a stand.
Date: 2015-03-24
Speaker: TOM PRICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 27.