macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-08
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Let me just indicate that I have just arrived and I wanted to support all of the bills. including yours. If I might just make one comment about the preclearance bill. which we have all worked very hard on. I want to thank Mr. PAYNE and Mrs. BROOKS for their leadership. and just make the point that we have worked in a bipartisan manner in Homeland Security very effectively. I also wanted to make mention in particular of the bill that I worked on extensively. H.R. 3488. the Preclearance Authorization Act. and to indicate that this is a bill in which the Secretary of Homeland Security may establish and conduct preclearance operations. It is imperative. as we seek to push out our Nations borders. So we have had a vigorous discussion about how you utilize these preclearance sites. I think it comes to mind with some of the sites in the Middle East. And in light of where we are today. with TSA having to put in place new requirements because of the potential threat. I think this is a very positive step. as I do of all the bills. including ones dealing with interoperability. which we dealt with during the tragedy of 9111. I want to again thank Ranking Member PAYNE and the full committee chair and ranking member for their leadership.
Date: 2014-07-08
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee. I rise in support of H.R. 4289. the "Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act." which will help ensure the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) achieves crosscomponent interoperability. This bill implements several recommendations contained in a 2012 report of the DHS Inspector General on the status and quality of interoperable radio communications. A major finding of the report is that DHS has spent over $430 million in the past 9 years for communication purposes but it still does not "have interoperable communications for daily operations. planned events. and emergencies." The IG report also found that 99% (478 out of 479) of radio users surveyed could not find the DHS common channel because the components did not "effectively inform them" of the correct channel. That is why it is important that we vote today to implement the following specific recommendations from the report: 1. Create a structure with the necessary authority to ensure that the components achieve interoperability. 2. Create a structure with the necessary authority to ensure that the components achieve interoperability. Because the mission of DHS is to ensure that our homeland is safe. secure. and resilient against terrorism and other hazards. effective communication within the organization is crucial. According to the IG. the reason for this lack of communication is that DHSs efforts to achieve departmentwide interoperable communications capability have been undermined by excessive reliance upon on Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) and voluntary participation by communications task forces and working groups. This means that various agencies within DHS do not have a standardized set of policies regarding radios and the departments leadership has not been successful in enforcing adherence to those policies by all department components. Although the IG urged DHS to implement a stronger enforcement structure. DHS has not adopted this recommendation. insisting instead that its existing structure is effective. Plainly. it is not. H.R. 4289 follows the recommendation from the report and ensures that DHS can achieve crosscomponent interoperability by: Directing the Undersecretary to submit to Congress a strategy for achieving Departmentwide interoperability within 120 days of enactment. Report to Congress within 220 days. and biannually thereafter. on the progress of efforts to implement the Departmentwide interoperability strategy. Since its founding. the Department of Homeland Security has overcome many challenges as an organization but much more progress must be made regarding effective interoperable communication between the federal. state. and local agencies. Athough not a panacea. H.R. 4289 is a step in the right direction because it will help improve DHS overall functions so that it can more effectively protect our people. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.
Date: 2014-07-08
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. over the last week. besides wishing this wonderful Nation a happy birthday over the Fourth of July. I spent time in Brownsville. Harlingen. and McAllen visiting the detention centers. Most importantly. I saw the faces of innocent children who have come because of fear for their lives. In a hearing in Homeland Security. I listened to State officials and to a bishop from El Paso who indicated that the world is watching. These children need our help. They are not Americas enemy. They are not a threat to national security. I want to thank those many cities who have offered places. I believe the President is right to seek the amount of money to enforce the border and to provide more judges. more immigration lawyers. and resources for these cities for these children. I believe that we have it in our heart to do it. and we can protect the border. I will say as well. Mr. Speaker. that children come in all sizes. I want to say that the crisis in Nigeria with the kidnapped girls still remains on our minds--#bringbackourgirls. Let us put an end to the terrorism of Boko Haram. and let us help children wherever they are.
Date: 2014-07-09
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H

senior Democrat on the Education and the Workforce Committee. is no stranger to this issue and remains a tireless advocate for Americas workers. I am grateful for the leadership of Senators TOM HARKIN and LAMAR ALEXANDER. the chairman and ranking member of the Health. Education. Labor. and Pensions Committee. and hope this is one of many bicameral compromises we reach this year. I would also like to thank Mr. BUCK MCKEON. former chairman of the Education and the Workforce Committee. as well as Representatives RUBEN HINOJOSA and JOE HECK. And last but not least. Senator PATTY MURRAY and my good friend Senator JOHNNY ISAKSON were both instrumental in our work. Finally. Madam Speaker. we wouldnt be here today without the hard work of our staffs. The majority and minority staffs of the relevant House and Senate committees put in more hours than they care to remember. Unfortunately. there isnt time to recognize them all. however. a few stand out on our side of the aisle that merit mention. Juliane Sullivan. the committees staff director. is a trusted adviser who helped us navigate the choppy waters that arose along the way. Brad Thomas helped ensure the bill addresses the unique needs of Americans with disabilities. James Bergeron. our former director of education policy. left the committee before this compromise was announced. but his knowledge and expertise are present on every page of this agreement. And finally. Rosemary Lahasky. whose passion and dedication kept this effort moving forward when it seemed like it couldnt get done. There simply arent enough words to describe Rosemarys incredible contribution. We are all grateful for her service. With that. Madam Speaker. I urge my colleagues to support the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. and I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-07-09
Speaker: DANNY K. DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for addressing this important matter. The purpose of this colloquy is to clarify the intent of section 225 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. As we know. correctional education and job training are greatly needed. They foster successful reentry through increased employment and decreased criminal behavior and save taxpayer money. I am pleased that the bill before us broadens the use of funds for correctional education to include a range of education and job training activities needed by incarcerated individuals for educational and career advancement. I want to make clear the congressional intent of section 225 to include activities that support transitions to postsecondary education. workforce training offered alongside adult education. or concurrent enrollment for the purpose of educational and career advancement. also attaining a recognized postsecondary credential. which may include an associate or baccalaureate degree.
Date: 2014-07-09
Speaker: DANNY K. DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Madam Speaker. I thank the gentleman for clarifying the congressional intent of section 225. I urge passage of this bill.
Date: 2014-07-09
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee. I rise in support to H.R. 803. the "Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act." I support this bipartisan legislation because it will modernize existing federal workforce development programs and prepare workers for the global economy of the 21st century. This bill represents a bicameral compromise between the SKILLS Act passed by the House in March 2013 and the workforce training bill reported by the Senate HELP Committee in July of the same year. The Senate passed this bipartisan agreement on June 25. thus passage by the House today will send the bill to the Presidents desk for his signature. Madam Speaker. by 2022. the United States will need 11 million workers with postsecondary education to stay competitive in the global economy. Currently. 52 percent of adults between the ages of 1665 in the United States lack the literacy skills necessary to succeed in postsecondary education and work. Additionally. individuals with disabilities have the highest rate of unemployment of any group. and more than twothirds do not participate in the workforce at all. Madam Speaker. we need to help put more Americans back in the workforce. This legislation will support access to realworld education in fields that are in demand locally and help more workers. including those with disabilities. across the country find a good job or train for a new career. This bill invests in Americas competitiveness by: 1. Providing adult education and workplace skills. such as English Literacy and Civic Education Program for adult learners. 2. Supporting programs and training for disconnected youth. Native Americans. migrant. and seasonal farm workers. and 3. Strengthening vocational rehabilitation programs to assist individuals with disabilities to enter the workforce. In addition to helping workers attain the skills for 21st needed for the jobs of the 21st century. this bill will create a more streamlined workforce development system that will better coordinate services by: 1. Eliminating 15 existing programs. 2. Applying a single set of outcome metrics to every federal workforce programs. 3. Creating more strategic state and local workforce development boards. and 4. Eliminating the "sequence of services" to allow local areas to better meet the unique needs of individuals. Madam Speaker. in Houston. Texas. we have three centers which help the economically disadvantaged learn a career. earn a high school diploma or GED. and find and keep a good job: Gary Job Corps Center. Job Corps. and Workforce Solutions. H.R. 803 will provide much needed assistance to these centers and enable them to continue their good work of providing the technical and job training skills that will enable adults. dislocated workers. and youth residents to succeed in the workplace. Madam Speaker. this bipartisan legislation will prepare workers for the 21st century workforce. while helping businesses find the skilled employees they need to compete. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of H.R. 803.
Date: 2014-07-09
Speaker: MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

I thank my colleague for yielding time. and I commend her and the chairman for their efforts to put together a bipartisan bill and bring it to the floor. I do have a couple of a concerns with the bill that I am addressing today. First. it provides additional funding for the Waste Isolation Pilot Project in southeastern New Mexico. I am pleased that the committee has seen the need to provide additional funding so that the causes of an incident that occurred earlier this year can be better understood and remedied. but I urge the committee to find a different source of funding for those efforts. Altering the payment schedules for pension fund payments. I think. is bad fiscal policy. These pension plans face significant liabilities. and they simply cannot afford it. I am also concerned about the way the bill deals with Laboratory Directed Research and Development. or the LDRD. LDRD is the primary source of funding for fundamental research at our national security laboratories. like Sandia National Laboratories. which is based in my district. LDRD allows these critical facilities to sustain their mission- essential science and technology capabilities. anticipate and address emerging mission needs. and advance technologies in a wide range of areas critical to national security. The provision in this bill. coupled with last years cuts to LDRD. combine to decrease the funds available for this important program by over 20 percent and increase the labs administrative burden. In my view. these policy changes will have a negative impact on the labs ability to conduct critical national security work. and I look forward to continuing to work with the chairman and the ranking member to address both of these issues as the bill moves through the legislative process.
Date: 2014-07-09
Speaker: BEN RAY LUJAN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Madam Chair. for over 70 years. our national laboratories have worked to ensure the security of our Nation. We have a responsibility to be good stewards of the environment in relation to the historic and ongoing radiological work at these laboratories. At Los Alamos. there are legal obligations. including the 3706 campaign to remove transuranic. or TRU. waste and the broader 2005 consent order between the DOE and the State of New Mexico to remediate legacy waste at Los Alamos. Two major wildfires near Los Alamos National Lab have highlighted the importance of removing aboveground waste from this facility. The DOE was nearing its completion of the 3706 campaign when the Nations only repository for TRU waste. the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. experienced. first. a fire and then a radiological release. As we work to restore WIPP operations. we must ensure that our national laboratories have the resources to meet their legal obligations for environmental remediation. We also must recognize our moral obligation to these communities that have served our great Nation. It is with this intention that I request the chair to work with me and Representatives from other affected communities. as this bill moves forward to conference. to ensure that adequate and appropriate funds are available not only for the restoration operations of WIPP. but also for legallymandated environmental remediation efforts at Los Alamos and at other affected national laboratories. I thank you for this time to address this important issue. I look forward to working with you to find a solution. Mr. Chairman.
Date: 2014-07-09
Speaker: BEN RAY LUJAN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Chairman. I rise to amend the Energy and Water Appropriations bill to increase the construction account by $15 million to ensure local governments like the city of Rio Rancho. the county of Bernalillo. and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District get reimbursed for work they have done in conjunction with the Army Corps of Engineers. The Army Corps of Engineers works with local governments in New Mexico to construct levies. implement flood control measures. and other important infrastructure for the safety of the public. More specifically. the city of Rio Rancho entered into a reimbursement contract with the Army Corps of Engineers and has not been paid back for several years due to the lack of appropriations. The same goes for the county of Bernalillo. the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. and other communities across the United States. This delay in reimbursement has led to interruptions in financing for other city projects and also has the potential to hurt the credit rating of these entities if they do not recover these funds via reimbursement. as stated in their contracts with the Federal Government. By increasing the dollar amount in this account. which includes a number of programs and accounts that are critical to local governmentslike engineering. construction. technical assistance. flood control. and environmental infrastructurewe can get these entities reimbursed and get these liabilities off the books of the Army Corps of Engineers to get other projects going. According to the Congressional Budget Office. this increase has zero impact on the budget and. in fact. would save money by reducing liability for the Federal Government. Mr. Chairman. local governments have been left holding an IOU from the Federal Government for doing work based on the good faith written agreements with the Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Chairman. I understand there may be opposition from some of my colleagues. but I am hoping that I can persuade the chairman to support me in this effort. Under section 593 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999. the city of Rio Rancho and other local governments entered into agreements with the Army Corps of Engineers. When city and local governments enter into reimbursement contracts. they expect to be reimbursed. They have annual budgets with the expectations they will get paid back. Congress should live up to these obligations in the authority given to the agency by Congress. Mr. Chairman. I understand the constraints that the subcommittee dealt with. with the allocations given to them. But we need to make sure that we are working to make these local governments whole with the agreements and contracts they have with the Federal Government. With that. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-07-09
Speaker: BEN RAY LUJAN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Chairman. I would like to pose a question either to the chairman or the ranking member: With local governments like this entering into agreements with the Army Corps of Engineers and doing work like this. is there something that could be done associated with trying to get an assessment of those. and maybe we can chip away at those reimbursements in a timely manner? Is that something that we might be able to work on? Mr. Chairman. I would yield to anyone who might be able to respond to that. Mr. Chairman. my question is: With local governments. like the ones in New Mexico and other parts of the United States. that have entered into agreements with the Army Corps of Engineers or others for reimbursement in a timely manner. is there a way that we might be able to chip away or work at this? I would be willing to withdraw the amendment if I could get an assurance that this is something that we can look at and work at. I have offered this amendment in years past. And. again. there are local governments across the United States that are waiting for reimbursement. and I think it is something that would be good for us to take a look at. I yield to the gentleman from Idaho.
Date: 2014-07-09
Speaker: BEN RAY LUJAN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Thank you very much. Mr. Chairman. I want to thank the staff for their time and their effort and the courtesy of the chairman and the ranking member. I will not offer this amendment today and we will see if we might be able to work together. Mr. Chairman. and if not. we will come back next year and we will see what we can do. Maybe we will need to take a vote. But I appreciate everyones courtesy today. Mr. Chair. I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment. The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New Mexico?
Date: 2014-07-09
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I stand to speak in favor of the Hahn amendment. I would like to commend the Appropriations Committees efforts to increase the Army Corps of Engineers budget. In Texas. we have serious water and infrastructure needs. At the Port of Houston. which I represent. our need for operation and maintenance as well as construction money is significant. I greatly appreciate the committees efforts to fund our needs by appropriating $31 million. but this amount does not reflect the amount that is needed. The Port of Houston is the secondlargest port in the country by tonnage. The Port of Houston ranks number one in foreign tonnage. In 2012. we expanded operations to include cruise ships. For maintenance dredging operations alone. the Port of Houston requires more than $70 million annually. The Port of Houston generates significant tax revenue both for the State and Federal Government. That is why I am a strong supporter of the Hahn amendment. To meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. the Port of Houston needs more than $31 million from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. The Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) required that 67 percent of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund fees be spent on related activities. Unfortunately. this bill short changes the Port of Houston and many other ports around the country. I support the Hahn amendment. The funding shortfall significantly impacts the ability of the Port of Houston to receive larger ships and it is our job to help them meet those demands. I ask that my colleagues support the Hahn amendment.
Date: 2014-07-09
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chair. I want to thank Chairman SIMPSON and Ranking Member KAPTUR for shepherding this legislation to the floor and for their commitment to preserving Americas great natural environment and resources so that they can serve and be enjoyed by generations to come. My amendment increases funding for DOE departmental administration by $1.000.000 which should be used to enhance the Departments Environmental Justice program activities. Mr. Chair. the Environmental Justice Program is an essential tool in the effort to improve the lives of low income and minority communities as well as the environment at large. Twenty years ago. on February 11. 1994. President Clinton issued Executive Order 12898. directing federal agencies to identify and address the disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their actions on minority and lowincome populations. A healthy environment sustains a productive and healthy community which fosters personal and economic growth. Maintaining funds for environmental justice that go to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Minority Serving Institutions. Tribal Colleges. and other organizations is imperative to protecting sustainability and growth of the community and environment. The funding of these programs is vital to ensuring that minority groups are not placed at a disadvantage when it comes to the environment and the continued preservation of their homes. Through education about the importance of environmental sustainability. we can promote a broader understanding of science and how citizens can improve their surroundings.