macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-14
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee. I rise to speak about H.R. 4195. the "Federal Register Modernization Act." which modernizes the Federal Register. I want to thank Chairman DARRELL ISSA and Ranking Member ELIJAH CUMMINGS for their leadership and efforts in bringing this bill to the floor. This bill will bring much needed transparency without compromising national security to the decisions. orders. and actions of federal agencies. There are challenges to providing government information solely in digital format since there are constituents that lack access to technology or the skills necessary to locate information online. Electronic documents can easily be changed and modified from original postings which challenges federal transparency. Digital records can also challenge transparency by the capacity of systems to manage demand for accessing information online. It would be good for transparency if we allow public and private achieving of federal registration content because constituents would have access to material in multiple ways. This bill requires the Federal Register to be published (e.g.. by electronic means). rather than printed. and that documents in the Federal Register be made available for sale or distribution to the public in published form. This bill also revises the requirements for the filling of documents with the Office of the Federal Register for inclusion in the Federal Register and for the publication of the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect the publication requirement. The Office of the Federal Register (OFR) of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) does a great job by informing citizens of their rights and obligations. documenting the actions of Federal Agencies. and providing a forum for public participation in the democratic process. The Federal Register informs citizens by publishing the following entries: Presidential Documents. including Executive orders and proclamations. Rules and Regulations. including policy statements and interpretations of rules. Proposed Rules. including petitions for rulemaking and other advance proposals. and Notices. including scheduled hearings and meetings open to the public. grant applications. administrative orders. and other announcements of government actions. Mr. Speaker. we need to make it easier for citizens and communities to understand the regulatory process and to participate in Government decisionmaking. We can ensure that transparency our constituents demand by making material more searchable and easier to access. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of H.R. 4195.
Date: 2014-07-14
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member of this Appropriations Committee for their hard work and working together. Mr. CRENSHAW and
Date: 2014-07-14
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. let me say to my colleagues. I dont think there is much more that I can say than repeat the story of the 33month fight by their little girl. It is $100.000 that we are asking to help these parents who are desperate and mourning. I ask my colleagues to step a moment in the shoes of those mourning parents. to help avoid the identity theft that comes from a child because a child is dead and they have a Social Security number. So I ask my colleagues. again. to support the Jackson Lee amendment. I ask both sides of the aisle to consider the pain of parents who experience this. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-07-14
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII. further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Texas will be postponed.
Date: 2014-07-14
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I want to again thank the chairman and ranking member of the subcommittee for the work that they are doing on H.R. 5016. I want to indicate that I think this is an important amendment. as was the previous one. It increased funding by $500.000 to the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund program for people receiving financial assistance and for the responsibilities that this very important subagency has. Treasurys Community Development Financial Institutions Fund program administers the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. the CDFI. Through its various programs. the CDFI Fund enables locallybased organizations to further goals such as: economic developmentjob creation. business development. and commercial real estate development. affordable housinghousing development and homeownership. and community development financial servicesprovision of basic banking services to underserved communities and financial literacy training. The good news. Mr. Chairman. is that this spreads across the Nation. regardless of whether you are an urban center or whether you are a rural center. in particular. through these programs. direct investment in supporting and training financial institutions that provide loans. investment financial services. and technical assistance to underserved populations and communities. Basically. it is a yes rather than a stop sign to job creation beyond the borders of the urban community and into our rural communities as well. From the perspective of Texas. this is a good thing because it emphasizes overall investment and development. It also is good for Native Americans through its Native initiative by taking action to provide financial assistance. technical assistance. and training to Native CDFIs and other Native entities proposing to become or create Native CDFIs. I am very glad for the support that has been given by this committee for this particular fund. I believe that the Jackson Lee amendment. with the addition of the amount of $500.000. will again help expand the opportunity for there to be increased investment. Let me make this final point. The loss of wealth in rural communities that are creating hardships should not be forgotten where a substantial portion of their wealth. like urban dwellers. was in their homes. This restores and continues to restore opportunities to develop wealth among our individual families and communities. I ask that the Jackson Lee amendment be supported.
Date: 2014-07-14
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentleman very much. With that. Mr. Chairman. let me thank the members of this committee. As I indicated. this will be a good amendment to help the people of this great Nation continue their restoration of wealth and economic development. I ask for support of the Jackson Lee amendment. With that. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Texas .
Date: 2014-07-15
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Madam Speaker. I rise once again to highlight the harmful. hypocritical influence of the gun lobby in America. Just last week. The New York Times columnist. Joe Nocera. relayed the story of Andy Raymond. a Maryland gun dealer who faced death threats and hate mail from progun radicals. all for trying to sell a gun that could save lives. the smart gun. Smart gun technology is a breakthrough. one that could prevent thousands of accidental deaths and keep criminals from using stolen guns. yet intimidation and threats keep these products from the market while the gun lobby stands idle. Last month. Senator MARKEY and I called on the NRA to denounce these socalled activists and their threats. They are all that stands between consumers and safer gun technology. and we cannot allow harassment and threats to continue while 45 Americans are shot. on average. in a gun accident every single day in America. Smart guns can stop this.
Date: 2014-07-15
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. let me thank the ranking member and the chairman of the full committee. We seek opportunities on the Judiciary Committee to compromise and work together. This legislation would have been an excellent opportunity to be able to work together. I appreciate the position of my chairman. but I know that Mr. CONYERS and myself worked on a compromise that I think and hope that. as we ultimately watch this bill make its way through the process. that we will be able to draw upon the ConyersJackson Lee compromise that makes this Internet Tax Freedom Act extended for a certain period of time. We understand that there are frustrations on all sides. This bill would make permanent the Internet Tax Freedom Act. which imposes a moratorium on taxing Internet services. but as written would delete the existing grandfather clause which has been in place since the original passage of the bill in 1998 that allowed a number of States with unique circumstances. at the State and local level. to impose tax on Internet access services. Now. we can suggest that the present bill is a laissezfaire bill. Let me say that there is another principle of states rights. and I have often heard it from my friends on the other side of the aisle. When it is for good. we should look at it as a reasoned answer to the uniqueness of the 50 States. The ConyersJackson Lee amendment preserves the grandfather clause. so that Texas and other States could raise this very valuable revenue. but more importantly. it retains the moratorium for 4 years for us to be able to address this question in a fair manner. We offered this in the full committee. and there are many who support this compromise beyond the States that would be impacted. A letter that I have received from the director of Citizens for Tax Justice writes in opposition to making permanent the Federal lawand I will include the letter for the RECORDby banning State and local governments from subjecting Internet access to the same taxes they impose on other goods and services. This letter goes on to say that it was decided that this infant industry needed special protection from taxes. Now. we are beyond that. but we are harming States. I just want to use. as an example. the State of Texas will lose $280 million. cities will lose $51 million. transit. $18 million. special districts. $4 million. a total of $358 million. When we are putting more burdens on States. we need to not remove an opportunity where they can raise revenue innocently and in good conscience.
Date: 2014-07-15
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Why are we barring our States from doing their good due diligence. providing resourcesneeded resourcesfor schools and infrastructure and health care? So I am well aware of the arguments on the other side. but listen to our arguments. We are not stopping the taxation issue. we are putting a moratorium for 4 years. so that we can reassess it. I ask my colleagues to consider that as they consider this legislation. I rise in opposition to this legislation. Madam Speaker. the bill would make permanent the Internet Tax Freedom Act. which imposes a moratorium on taxing Internet services. but. as written. would delete the existing grandfather clause that has been in place since the original passage of the bill in 1998 that has allowed Texas at the state and local level to impose tax on Internet access services. At the markup in the Judiciary Committee. Ranking Member CONYERS and I offered an amendment to extend the moratorium and the grandfather protections for four years. Unfortunately it failed on a primarily party line vote in the Committee. Now. the authors of this bill would deem to tell Texas what it can do or not do regarding its tax policy. At the heart of the notion of federalism is the right of states to legislate matters within their own jurisdiction. The lines of authority between states and the federal government are. to a significant extent. defined by the United States Constitution and relevant case law. The Constitution does. however. provide certain specific limitations on that power. In this instance. states would be prohibited from taxing Internet access. H.R. 3086 would make the moratorium permanent but it would not extend the grandfather protections on which seven states. including Texas. still rely on. The ConyersJackson Lee amendment preserved this "grandfather clause" so that Texas could continue to raise this very valuable revenue. And the ConyersJackson Lee amendment retained the moratorium on taxation for four years instead of making it permanent. Unfortunately. for Texas. this legislation would delete the existing grandfather clause that has been in place since the original passage of the bill in 1998 that has allowed Texas at the state and local level to impose tax on Internet access services. The original intent of ITFA in 1998 was to encourage development of the Internet. which at the time was a new technology. The Internet is no longer an infantile industry. Madam Speaker. as a practical matter this justification is no longer applicable given the substantial advancements in technology that have occurred since 1998. Bundling nonInternet based services with Internet services creates a loophole for industry to avoid taxes altogether. Again. the ConyersJackson Lee amendment would have preserved this "grandfather clause" so that the state can continue to raise this very valuable revenue. As written the bill raises significant federalism concerns and essentially tells Texas what to donobody messes with Texas. I urge my colleagues to vote for fairness and judicial economy by opposing this legislation in its current form.
Date: 2014-07-15
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 3086. the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA). I want to commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for bringing this legislation to the floor today. H.R. 3086 which permanently extends the moratorium on Internet access taxes and prohibits discriminatory taxation of internet commerce has 228 bipartisan cosponsors. Originally passed in 1998 and extended three times since with broad bipartisan support. H.R. 3086 encourages the flow of commerce and information over the internet and improves our nations ability to compete in the global economy. The original intent of this law was to protect and nurture what once was a fledgling industry. Today. access to the internet has become the engine of our 21st century global economy. The internet is one the primary drivers of U.S. economic growth innovation and productivity and it is indispensable for finding jobs and accessing education and health care resources. Permanently extending the ITFA protects citizens from a fee to access this indispensable tool while continuing to encourage the growth of a key driver for American global competitiveness.
Date: 2014-07-15
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. allow me to thank Chairman SHUSTER and Ranking Member RAHALL and Subcommittee Chair PETRI and Ranking Member ELEANOR
Date: 2014-07-15
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentleman. As our roads erode and our transit systems decay. we owe our constituents no less than acting in their best interest and enacting a longterm bill as soon as possible.
Date: 2014-07-15
Speaker: DANNY K. DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

I thank the gentleman from Oregon for yielding. Mr. Speaker. I had hoped that we would be here passing a longterm transportation plan. Unfortunately. that is not the case. However. I support H.R. 5021 as an initial step in strengthening the American infrastructure. This bill obviously provides immediate help to prevent default of the highway trust fund and prevents impending delays in transportation. Mr. Speaker. 30.000 people will continue to work in my State as a result of this bill and its passage. So I commend us for at least reaching this agreement. keeping things moving. and I urge its passage.
Date: 2014-07-15
Speaker: NEGRETE MCLEOD (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I support efforts by Congress to continue funding the Highway Trust Fund. This fund provides $3.2 billion of necessary resources for building and maintaining Californias transportation system and growing the states economy. With the passage of H.R. 5021. San Bernardino Countys Omnitrans will be able to move forward with the purchase of 15 new transit buses to link the cities of Fontana. Ontario. Montclair. and Pomona. Projects like this are crucial to the local economy and construction projects across Californias 35th Congressional District will continue through spring of next year. This short term investment is an important first step. but it is time we make significant long term investments in the countrys infrastructure and Congress must now take up The GROW AMERICA Act. This legislation is a four year reauthorization proposal that provides increased and stable funding for our nations highways. bridges. mass transits. and rail systems. This will provide critical investments to fix our failing roads and crumbling bridges to ensure the safety of our transportation systems. Sixty five percent of Americas infrastructure is rated in less than good condition and one in four bridges requires significant repair. Congress must act now by investing in our infrastructure to increase safety. build our nations transportation workforce. and increase opportunity for the middle class. This legislation will provide $5 billion in funding over four years for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Act. The TIGER grant program will continue to be available for another four years. extending successful transportation projects that serve the diverse travel and goods movement to meet the needs or the residents and businesses of California.
Date: 2014-07-16
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I stand here today as a mother and a parent. I could offer that I am a Congresswoman. but I think we need to embrace those mothers whose girls are still missing. How long? Too long. How long? Too long. Next Wednesday will be 100 days since they have been gone. I join to say #bringbackourgirls. I also want Shekau. the leader of the Nigerian terrorist group. Boko Haram. to be brought to justice. I want you to know that they are attacking girls and women. I want President Goodluck Jonathan to establish the victims fund that he says he has established. but to utilize it for the victims that already exist. He announced that he established a victims fund after we. women of Congress and myself. pleaded with him to establish it when we went to Nigeria with my colleagues. Congresswoman WILSON. Mr. STOCKMAN. and Ms. FRANKEL. We must do as Malala has done. We must hug them and know them and love them. Yes. Mr. Speaker. we have to bring the girls back. Hauwa Mutah. Hauwa Takai. Serah Samuel. these are the names. Bring the girls back.
Date: 2014-07-16
Speaker: DANNY K. DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

There is no doubt about it. I took 31 children to see their fathers in prison on the Saturday before Fathers Day. and I can tell you that it was one of the most emotional gatherings that I have ever participated in. We have got to put a stop to it. and we have got to start counting individuals not in the places they are imprisoned but in the communities that they come from so that the resources go back to those communities and not to the places where they are imprisoned. Again. I thank you for shedding light this evening and for my being able to join you. We will just have to keep working on the issue. and I think we will get to the bottom of it. Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the courtesy of giving me the opportunity to acquire time that had not been acquired before. and I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-07-17
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. this morning. I heard on the radio a Palestinian mother who said: I wish the bombing would stop so that I could get food for my children. I dont expect that that mother would in any way deny Israeli mothers and fathers from their ability to live in peace. I rise today to stand with the right of Israel to exist and to defend herself and to call upon the redoubling of peace efforts by the United States to ensure that there is a peace resolution. I also hope that. as Egypt is negotiating a ceasefire. the terrorist group Hamas can be isolated and the people in the Palestinian area in Gaza and the West Bank would come together as one. with Mr. Abbas leading a peaceful region. It is time now for the unprovoked rockets to stop and for people to come together in a coalition of peace. I have been to Israel. I have seen the Iron Dome. It is an Iron Dome of protection. I have listened to the President of Israel. who has argued for peace. Let us stand for peace and the ceasing of the firing of rockets and a negotiation of settlement that is permanent.
Date: 2014-07-17
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentleman for yielding for just a moment because this is a colleague from Texas. and there are many issues that we have agreed on with respect to Texas. I might say to you that I am a strong proponent of religious liberty. You had mentioned Hobby Lobby in terms of some of the issues you were discussing. I think I have stood fast on that question. I only raise the point. and you made the point that anything that was approved preHobby Lobby by the FDA. but in actuality we know that. just from the religious liberty point of view. this is a slippery slope because it pits the large entity against the individual rights. and we know under our Constitution that the very premise of religious freedom is the idea that there is no pronounced. structured religious plan in place that denies me my freedom. And that is what you have done to women as it relateswhen I say "you." excuse methat is what the decision has done. It has made the boss in charge of an individual. I would just make the argument we can stand for religious liberty. but we must stand for it not only for corporations but for individuals such as women who use contraception for health care. Doctor. And you know that that happens. You are certainly very much an experienced medical professional. I would just make the argument that I cant imagine in the course of your medical history that you have not seen women who need contraception for health care. The other point that I would just finish on is that. as I indicated on the question of a slippery slope. how else can a corporation suggest that I am. because of my needs. infringing upon their religious liberty? I am obviously going to be disadvantaged because. in essence. I am a minority of one. I am an employee. I am scared for my job. But I need to be able to express my religious freedom. and it may infringe upon someone elses. Let us be careful about this. And I frankly hope