macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-06-04
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. Senators are changing their position on the child care tax credit. It is in The New York Times. I could read the names of the Senators. That is what is happening there. Here. the gentleman from Texas says they are not going to correct this injustice to these families. These families will go without their $400 check that is so Important to the income of those families and the ability to raise their children. How dare the Republicans suggest that these children are less valuable than the children of other American families.
Date: 2003-06-04
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to this rule and to the underlying bill. For 30 years. women in this country have had the right to make reproductive choices over their bodies. H.R. 760 is a horrifying attempt to seize those hardearned rights away from women. What this legislation claims to do is ban a medical procedure used in late term pregnancles..but it does not. Instead. this bill is drafted in such a way as to effectively ban a womans right to choose at any point in her pregnancy. Let us be clear: this bill opens the door to outlawing all abortions. regardless of the circumstances. Furthermore. this bill makes no exception for cases when a womans -health is in grave danger or when carrying a nolonger viable fetus to term would jeopardize a womans ability to conceive children in the future. Equally disturbing is the fact that this bill is blatantly unconstitutional. The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that. when dealing with restriction on reproductive procedures. an exception must always be made to protect both the life and the health of the mother. I cannot support a blatantly unconstitutional bill that tells women that their health or future reproductive health must be sacrificed. nor can I support a bill that has a clear ulterior motive of banning a womans right to make choices over her own body. I am prochoice and believe that the government should stay out of peoples private. personal decisions. I will protect a womans right to choose. and so I will vote against this unconstitutional. antiwomans rights bill. I strongly urge my colleagues to do the same and to not slam the door on a fundamental right that women have had in this country for 30 years. I urge my colleagues to vote "no" on the rule and to vote "no" on H.R. 760.
Date: 2003-06-04
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. this has become an all too familiar moment for me. You see. this is the ninth time in 8 years that the Republicans have pushed a ban on socalled partialbirth abortion. Yet I continue to be outraged every year at this leaderships selfrighteous attempt to turn back the clock on womens constitutionally protected rights. back to the time when women had to leave the country or risk their lives in dangerous backalley procedures. The Supreme Court agrees that medical decisions should be made by the patient and her doctor and not by a bunch of politicians in Washington and their special interests. This is why several medical and health organizations. including the American College of OBGYNs. oppose this legislation. This legislation was wrong 8 years ago. and it is still wrong. It contains no exception whatsoever for womens health. It simply puts womens lives at risk. This is a perfect example of how meanspirited and extreme this administration can be. This is a direct attack on Roe v. Wade. But more than that. it is another example in a long line of this administrations attacks on our rights. I cannot stand by and watch as one by one this White House and the leadership in this House chew up our rights and spit them out. I stand today as a woman and as an American to fight for our constitutionally protected rights. I urge a "no" vote on the rule and a "no" vote on the underlying bill. Wake up. America.
Date: 2003-06-04
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. today the House considers -a measure which will seriously impinge on a womans right to choose a safe and legal abortion. A womens right to choose is a fundamental one. and the Congress should not tell a woman how to manage her health or reproductive care. Unfortunately. what should be a private matter between a woman and her doctor has become a political football. Each individual case is different and involves a variety of factors. The decision in each case should be left to the woman and her family. In consultation with her doctor. We must not pass legislation that curbs the ability to make a decision which might be necessary to protect the life and health of the mother. Moreover. we cannot exert a power we do not have. The Supreme Court. in Roe v. Wade. has determined that a woman has a constitutional right to choose a safe and legal abortion during the previability period. Many people have been misled into believing that this socalled "partialbirth" abortion bill is about banning late term abortions. It is not It applies to all abortions in which a certain medical procedure is used regardless of when the abortion is performed. We should leave It to the doctorsnot politiciansto determine what method Is necessary to best protect the health of a woman. Limiting a womans sovereignty over reproductive choice and restricting access to the best health options comprise the essence of this bill. I urge my colleagues to oppose it.
Date: 2003-06-04
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to remind my colleagues who yesterday were announcing so passionately their love of the flag and all it represents. how 75 short days ago in this same room westood in the Peoples House and stripped the veterans budget by almost $30 billion. I have heard my colleagues on the other side accuse those who oppose the flag amendment as being unpatriotic. No. Mr. Speaker. what is disgracefully unpatriotic and a flagrant dishonor to the hundreds of thousands of Americans who died defending this country. and to those who even now are still in harms way overseas. are the reverse Robin Hoods that walk these halls of Congress. the ones who find it so easy to sneak money to their country club buddies for their tax breaks while stripping the benefits and services from those who fought to defend the very freedoms that our flag represents. To all of those who are so quick to question their opponents patriotism. where was ypur patriotism when you cut almost 20.000 VA nurses? Where was your patriotism when you voted for the loss of 6.6 million outpatient visits? Were you waving your flag as you voted to drop over 160.000 veterans from the VA health care system? I missed the rendition of the Star Spangled Banner when you voted to reach into the pockets of our Nations serviceconnected veterans and rob them and their survivors. their widows and children. of a portion of their promised compensation. And the list goes on. Just today these same hypocrites. calling themselves patriots. fought to take away women s constitutionally protected rights. This administration laughs in- the face of our Bill of Rights as it holds thousands of people in jail without any due process under the guise of national security. At this very moment there are Haitians being held illegally in prison even after a judge ruled in their favor. They offer no threat to this country. but Attorney General Ashcroft is arbitrarily taking their rights. Not only is this administration arresting adults but they are arresting children. These are the actions of a dictator. And worst of all. the administration has lied time and time again to the American people when trying to invent reasons to preemptively invade Iraq. I cannot find a shred of patriotism in any of this. Mr. Speaker. I call on my socalled patriots here who proclaim so loudly their love of the flag to put their money where their mouth is. Everybody can talk the talk. It takes a real patriot to walk the walk. I stand in protest of this House being derelict in its duties and leaving our veterans behind. Wake up. America.
Date: 2003-06-05
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to celebrate the 38th anniversary of the Head. Start Program. As a former Head Start kid. I know firsthand the valuable. comprehensive education program that Head Start does for lowincome families. and I celebrate the programs many achievements. The Republicans. on the other hand. will celebrate Head Starts 38 years of success by pushing forward with the School Readiness Act. This legislation is not only a bad idea. it has the possibility of eliminating key services to nearly 1 million students by converting the Head Start Program to a block grant program. Block granting Head Start is a blockheaded ideathat will undoubtedly hurt this very successful program. One problem in particular with this plan is that States are already dealing with huge budget deficits. and they may be tempted to divert Head Start funds to use for. other purposes. How would that improve the Head Start Program? I urge my colleagues to celebrate Head Starts 38th anniversary by opposing this misguided legislation.
Date: 2003-06-05
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. Erin Doyel asked the question. "what about my kid?" Her kid in this case is Adrienne. Erin works as a financial administrative assistant. She earns $12.675 a year. She goes to work every day. She is eligible for the child tax credit. In fact. she receives the child tax credit. But what she will not receive is she will not receive the increase in the child tax credit that was passed this year. which would mean $400 to families with children who are eligible. But the Republicans made a decision that people like Erin and her daughter Adrienne will not receive it because they earn between $10.000 and $26.000 a year. These are families with children who go to work every day. but they will not be given the benefit of the tax cut. they will not get the increase in the child tax credit. they will not have an easier time supporting their family for all of the hard work they do at very difficult and low wages. because the Republicans made a decision that Erin and Adrienne will not be included. That is why Erin Doyel from Vallejo. California. is asking. what about my kid? Why are we treated differently than the rest of Americas families?
Date: 2003-06-05
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. it is unfortunate that the gentleman from Texas who had time remaining would not yield to defend his remarks. He did not have the courage to yield to the gentleman from Tennessee who asked him to do so. Mr. Speaker. as Americans picked up their newspapers this morning. in USA Today they could read about the controversy -about Sammy Sosa or the tragedy of Martha Stewart. As they thumbed through the newspaper. they would also read something else. they would read that the child tax credit is not available to 250.000 of our veterans. One in five children in the military will not get the tax credit. Some 750.000 veterans. veterans. their children will not get this tax credit. It is a shame. How did this happen? How did 250.000 children of active duty veterans. people fighting for this country. their children will not be eligible for the child tax credit? Let me set the stage. It is late at night. The Republicans are arguing over tax cuts. Some people want to defend the corporations that go to Bermuda. other Members want to defend millionaires. Vice president DICK CHENEY is running between the Republican factions. It is all in the record. He is putting out fires. He has to make a decision: Do you help these veterans? Do you help these active duty people with their children. give them the tax credit? Or. Vice President CHENEY. if he does that. he will only get $93.000 in tax cuts. If he gives it to the children of hardworking American families earning under $26.000. DICK CHENEY will have to take a reduction. He will only get $88.000. DICK CHENEY is now the chief negotiator running between the House and the Senate. He Is running between the extreme position of the House. Republicans who say no tax credits for these children. and the Senate which voted to give tax credits to the children. DICK CHENEY does not know what to do. What does he do? He decides he is going to give himself a $93.000 tax cut. and these kids. it is tough. But one would have thought. Mr. Speaker. one would have thought that a former Secretary of Defense would have just dropped off a little change to the troops. to their families and to their children. and to the veterans and their families and their children. It would not have cost DICK CHENEY much. If he just took care of the children. he would have still gotten over $90.000 a year in tax cuts. He could not see it.
Date: 2003-06-05
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. the context is this: When the Vice President went into the room. the children of veterans and active duty service people had the tax credit. When he left the room. he had the big tax cut. they had nothing.
Date: 2003-06-10
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for their spectacular success in the 20022003 National Hockey League season. Even though they did not win the Stanley Cup this year. they came into the playoffs as the seventhbest team in the Western conference. faced down their critics. and made it to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in their 10year history. Sweeping the Detroit Red Wings in four games. the Dallas Stars in six. and the Minnesota Wild in four. the Ducks proved that they were a serious contender for the sports most coveted trophy. and Jean Sebastien Giguere. the Ducks spectacular goal tender. was selected as the most valuable player. winning that trophy for his hard work and incredible skill that gave the Ducks their fire throughout all of these playoff games. Congratulations to- my hometown team. the Mighty Ducks. Thanks for making this season a great one to watch and for making us proud.
Date: 2003-06-10
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 2030. the legislation to designate a Post Office in Hawaii for Patsy Mink. I know I am not alone in support of honoring our dear friend and former colleague. Congresswoman Patsy Mink. Mr. Speaker. Patsy Mink fought tirelessly during her career for improved education. Ms. Minks coalitionbuilding ability for progressive legislation continued during her tenure in Congress. She introduced the first comprehensive Early Childhood Education Act and authored the Womens Educational Equity Act. Patsy was knowledgeable and courageous and she was committed to people. I am certainly proud to have had the opportunity to serve with her and learn from her example. I miss her. and the people of Hawaii miss her. and her colleagues fondly remember her commitment and devotion to public service. Mr. Speaker. I rise In support of H.R. 2030. legislation to designate a post office in Hawaii as the Pasty Mink Post Office Building. I know I am not alone in support of honoring our dear friend and former colleague. Congresswoman Patsy Mink. Throughout her career. Patsy Mink was a trailblazer among AsianAmerican women. Born in Maui In December of 1928. she was encouraged to excel in the world of academia. Her life was a continuous breaking down of barriers: the first woman to be elected to the Territorial House. the first AsianAmerican woman to practice law in Hawaii. and the first woman of color elected to Congress. Mr. Speaker. there was no hurdle our dear friend Patsy could not overcome. After obtaining her law degree from the University of Chicago in 1951. she decided to open her own law practice when no one was willing to hire her. During this time. getting a job in the legal field for wormen was very difficult. She seamlessly combined her work. marriage. and life as a new mother. In 1965. Patsy Mink was elected to Congress and began the first of six consecutive terms in the House of Representatives. . H5121 Mr. Speaker. Patsy fought tirelessly during her career for improved education. Minks coalitionbuilding ability for progressive legislation continued during her tenure In Congress. She introduced the first comprehensive Early Childhood Education Act and authored the Womens Educational Equity Act. Patsy Mink was a trailblazer and fighter for her constituents in Hawaii. as well as the rest of the nation. She was a solid supporter of the Congressional Black Caucus and for that I am grateful. As a disciplined and focused advocate for the voiceless. she will be forever etched In our hearts and commitment to this body. Patsy was a knowledgeable. courageous womencommitted to people. I am certainly proud to have had the opportunity to serve with her and learn from her example. I will miss her. and thp people of Hawaii will miss her and her colleagues will fondly remember her commitment. determination. and devotion to public service.
Date: 2003-06-11
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to talk about something that the President does not want you to hear about. It is called our countrys current unemployment situation. Now. when the President began his term a little over 2 years ago. our Nations unemployment rate stood at 4.1 percent. but today it stands at 6.1 percent. That means that there are 2.6 million people more who do not have a job. That is not those people who lost their jobs during this time and were able to find another job that paid less. There are plenty of those people who are making less. Or those people who stayed on the job but had to make less because their wages were cut. No. these are people who are out of jobs. 2.6 million more people. 1.1 million more of them in California. [l 1015 The situation is even worse if you are a Hispanic. because the unemployment rate is now at 8.2 percent for Hispanics. More than 1.5 million Hispanics. Mr. President. have lost their jobs since you took office. We have got to start talking about this and doing something about this job loss.
Date: 2003-06-11
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. let me express my appreciation for the extraordinary leadership of this Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and this subcommittee in general in working together to formulate this bill. and I especially would like to voice my support for section 420 of the bill which has important implications for the aviation safety. Over the last several weeks. I have heard from aviation repair stations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area that have told horror stories about the manufacturers refusing to make critical maintenance data available. I was contacted by one repair facility located in the Fort Worth area that has had firsthand experience with the problem that section 420 seeks to remedy. In 1999. one of the manufacturers whose products the facility is authorized to maintain was charging just under $5.000 to keep three maintenance manuals current f6r 3 years. Now that same manufacturer is charging more than $20.000 to keep those manuals current for just 1 year. That price increase is outrageous and unwarranted. and this is Just one example of aviation manufacturers taking advantage of the small businesses. and small busine.*es hire more people in Texas than any other type of business. Mr. Chairman. we- cannot sit by and allow manufacturers to deny access to critical maintenance information. so that we can keep our planes safe for the skies. We cannot sit by as the FAA fails to enforce its own regulations. Section 420 will remedy this situation if it is allowed. and. in turn. we will improve aviation safety and security.
Date: 2003-06-11
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Chairman. I would like to thank the gentleman from Alaska and the gentleman from Florida . the gentleman from Minnesota and the gentleman from Oregon . for their hard work in bringing this bill to the floor today and for working with Members on and off the committee to ensure a fair process that includes Members ideas. It is very fitting that we pass this .legislation in the same year that we are celebrating 100 years of providing power flights. We had a good debate in both the subcommittee and full committee. and I expect it to continue today and throughout the conference. Since 9/11 the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has been. focusing on improving the security of our transportation infrastructure and ensuring the safety of the traveling public. This reauthorization bill goes a long way in accomplishing this goal and fits well into the overall homeland security plan we are developing. The FAA has a very important jobto do. and this bill provides additional funding and the direction that would allow the FAA to improve the air transportation system for passengers. airports. airlines and many businesses that rely on the aviation industry. I encourage my colleagues to support the bill and this amendment as we continue on the road to improved safety and security for the traveling public.
Date: 2003-06-11
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

That is an example of what is wrong when you send a block grant to the State and you do not specify. nderstanding in talking to the different committees. it was specified that this money would be used to help the States in their struggle. I do not know whether the gentlewoman saw it. but last week on the national news. on "Dateline." they discussed the number of students. hundreds of thousands of students that are failing the tests in Florida. third graders who were being held back. thousands of students not graduating. because we came up with additional educational standards. And I must quickly say that many of the schools. the "F. schools" or the failing schools. have been the schools on the other side of the railroad tracks. the schools on the other side of the bridge. that have never gotten adequate funding. So when we set standards. and the support was not there to work with the schools. many of the children do not do well. We look at the State of Florida as we speak. We do not have summer school programs in place. Could some of that money be used for summer schools. for some of the cuts that have occurred in the school system to augment the cuts in the programs for educational support for the school system?