macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-09-19
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the gentleman for yielding the time. and I want to thank him for devoting his entire political career to the idea of eradicating hunger in American society and around the world. an outstanding record of achievement. an outstanding record of compassion. And then today. it runs into the Republican reality. I know how you must feel. Mr. McGOVERN. after all these years of work. to see them cavalierly suggest that they can cut $40 billion in nutrition benefits to families. to children. to working people. to people searching for work. and that somehow nobody will lose their benefits. that somehow theyre not throwing anybody off of the program. Its not that we said. you are throwing people off the program. Its that the Congressional Budget Office said that with the $40 billion cut. some 3.8 million people would lose their benefits and an average of nearly 3 million people each year over the coming decade. Over the coming decade. those people will lose their benefits. What does that mean? I specialize in education. I visit schools almost every week. I talk to teachers every day that tell me about the fact that when children come there that they are nutritionally deprived. that they may not have had dinner. that they may not have had breakfast. that they are not attentive in class. that they fall asleep in class. that theyre irritable. And were going to cut the benefits to these children. And yet we want these children to perform at a high level. And they should be able to perform at a high level. We expect them to achieve in school. But thats not what this program is about. This program is about cutting those benefits to those children in need. Its about cutting those benefits to those families in need. Its just unconscionable that they would think that somehow this is the road to prosperity. that you get to the road to prosperity by attacking the most vulnerable in our society who are in desperate need of these nutritional benefits for their families. Do they not know that one in five children lives in a home that experiences hunger on a regular basis?
Date: 2013-09-19
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Do they not know this? Are they not aware of it? Or do they not care? Somebody has to answer that question. Because when this Nation was shocked that they were going to cut $20 billion out of these nutritional benefits for these struggling families and individuals. they came back and said. No. were going to cut $40 billion out of these benefits. What. because theyre angry that the last measure didnt succeed? Theyre angry about what happened to the Agriculture bill? Is it because of anger that theyre striking out at these families?
Date: 2013-09-19
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

It shouldnt be that way in this country. and it shouldnt be that way in this Congress. These families are entitled to better. They are entitled to jobs. They are entitled to provide for their families. but some cant. Those wonderful 60 months stripped trillions of dollars away from these families and middle class families in this country.
Date: 2013-09-19
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. my colleague just asked the question about have we no decency. Have you no decency? And these are good friends here. Were colleagues. We come to work for America. But all who can read. and all who can feel the pain of hunger should ask the question and should beg and plead: dont cut SNAP. $40 billion. 3.4 billion in meals. and 24 meals a month for a family. Unless you have the cure for poverty. 46 million Americans. then how dare you come to the floor and eliminate a lifeline. Yes. school breakfasts. but what about the children who are from zero to 3 to 4 who are at home with parents. who are at home with the families. the spouses of Active Duty soldiers who use food stamps? And then the absolute insult: a State like Texas that is prosperous. you give them the instruction to cut people off of food stamps. and then give them a bonusa bonusfor hurting people and taking their life away. This is a shameful act. Vote down this rule and this bill.
Date: 2013-09-19
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise to speak in opposition to the rule for H.R. 3102. the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act. I am in opposition to this bill for four reasons: hunger is a real problem in the United States. the solution for reducing dependence on government subsidized food programs is full employment. this bill will hurt the poor and most vulnerable in our country and finally the bill is too draconian and pointedly anti Urban. September has been declared hunger action month1 in 6 Americans are going without enough food to sustain a healthy life. The United States is considered to be the worlds wealthiest nation but 14.5 percent or almost 49 million Americans do not get enough to eat. 17 million children live in food insecure households. Children with inadequate nutrition are affected by cognitive and behavior development problems. The majority of SNAP recipients. about 68 percent. do not work. they are children. elderly. disabled or those caring for a disabled family member in their home or for a child less than 6 years of age. To qualify for SNAP benefits in Texas. a person cannot have more than $2.000 in a bank account and they can make more than $14.079 annually. The annual income limitations increase by nearly $5.000 for each additional person living in the household. To qualify for SNAP benefits. the combined income for a family of four cannot exceed $28.665. According to a report released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Texas has the thirdhighest rate of food insecurity in the nation18.5 percent of households struggled to acquire enough healthy food in 2011. 14.7 percent of U.S. households had difficulty affording healthy food at some point in 2011. More than 3 million Americans. including 302.800 Texans. will lose food stamp benefits in 2013 if the U.S. Congress approves proposed federal cuts to the SNAP. according to the federal Office of Management and Budget. About 8.5 percent of Texans were enrolled in the program as of June 2012. Based on the estimates from the OMB. the Texas Food Bank Network calculated the number of Texans that would lose food stamp benefits in 2013 by county. 2 million rural households experience food insecurity. The counties in the United States with the highest disproportionately high rates of food insecurity are rural not urban or suburban.
Date: 2013-09-19
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. as the gentleman knows in a new Congress. all the legislation that was considered in the previous Congress goes away. The fact is that in this Congress. weve not had one concrete proposal from our Republican colleagues to replace the sequester.
Date: 2013-09-19
Speaker: NEGRETE MCLEOD (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I strongly oppose the proposed cuts offered by H.R. 3102. As a member of the Agriculture Committee. I am greatly concerned that this is a $39 billion cut to our Nations most powerful antipoverty toola tool because each month SNAP helps feed 3.4 million households with elderly individuals. In 2011. 4.8 million Americans over the age of 60 lacked access to food. Some seniors are already making the decision between food and their medicine. Cuts to SNAP will only intensify the problem. setting seniors into deeper destitution and hunger. I ask the bills supporters: How will these Americans eat without the means to afford food? I urge my colleagues to remember the most vulnerable constituents in their States and to vote "no" on this bill.
Date: 2013-09-19
Speaker: MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

I thank my colleague from Ohio. Madam Speaker. I rise in opposition to this disastrous bill that cuts $40 billion from SNAP. a vital program that feeds over 442.000 New Mexicans. half of whom are children. I want to share the story of LaNae Havens. which shows just how much SNAP means to the people in my district. LaNae is a single mother with a handsome 9yearold son named Konnor. She works full time. but she doesnt make a lot of money. She has to pay for childcare. rent. transportation to work. utility costs. and all the other expenses families face. That doesnt leave much money for foodand certainly not for the healthy. nutritious food that growing children need. Konnor suffers from anemia. Without her $33 a week in food assistance. LaNae says theres no way she is able to feed her son the protein- and ironrich foods he desperately needs. She is terrified of what happens if she loses SNAP. I did the SNAP challenge. and its just enough to get by. You cant buy fresh vegetables. You cant buy enough protein. The thought that we would make it even less for those Americans who need it is unconscionable. I dont want Konnor to go hungry. I urge all of my colleagues to vote against this bill.
Date: 2013-09-19
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. once again on the Floor today we have a program with historic bipartisan support made divisive by the most extreme wing of the Majority party. For decades. the Farm Bill has coupled programs for our nations farmers with food assistance for our most vulnerable citizens. including children and the elderly. In June. the Senate passed a Farm Bill with a bipartisan vote of 6627. But here in the House. rather than working together for a solution that gives certainty to farmers and maintains the safety net for the hungry. we have seen a onesided process that first stripped food assistance from the Farm Bill altogether and now proposes draconian cuts to the program. Slashing $40 billion from SNAP would eliminate benefits for 4 million Americans. It would damage the safety net for our most vulnerable citizensnearly half of SNAP recipients are children and 16.5% of households receiving benefits include seniors. Many are veterans or Americans out of work through no fault of their own in high unemployment areas. These are not lavish benefitsin my home state of Maryland. the average SNAP benefit is only $128 per month. These are critical dollars that help fight hunger as American families work to get back on their feet after the recession. The current Farm Bill is set to expire at the end of this month. But rather than move forward. the majority has brought forth an extreme proposal that is a nonstarter with the Senate and the President. Its time to stop these partisan gamesI urge a no vote.
Date: 2013-09-19
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. today I rise to oppose the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act to cut SNAP funding by $40 billion over the next ten years. H.R. 3102 denies SNAP to millions of poor. jobless adults without children whose incomes average only about onefifth of the poverty lineand ends benefits for entire families if a parent is not working at least 20 hours per week. States will cut off families without considering high unemployment or care for small children to receive rewards promised in the bill. The need for food assistance has increased dramatically during our nations economic slump. Texass rate for food insecurity is 27.6%-more than one in four Texas children is food insecure. As of the 2011 Census. over 42.000 residents of the 29th District receive SNAP benefits. The impacts to Texas would be devastating. including 171.000 people immediately off of SNAP and the elimination of almost 500 million meals from hungry Texans. Meeting the need for food assistance is especially critical for our most vulnerable citizenspregnant and nursing women. infants. children. and seniors for whom the consequences of hunger and poor nutrition are the most severe. It is critical that we maintain support for the charitable food system and funding for SNAP. I have been a strong supporter of SNAP in Congress to help those who are food insecure during their time of need. Our office works closely with the Houston Food Bank. the largest in the Country. and the Texas Food Bank Network to help end hunger in America.
Date: 2013-09-20
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I oppose defunding the Affordable Care Act. This is just another attempt by the majority to thwart a law. one that was upheld by the Supreme Court. that they just dont like. They didnt vote for it. There are a lot of laws I didnt vote for. but I move on and help my constituents navigate the new system. But. two weeks from the roll out of the health insurance marketplaces. Republicans are focused on how to dismantle the law instead of how to help their constituents access the help this law provides. Defunding the law doesnt make it go away. it just means the government becomes less efficient. People will be required to buy health insurance. but the marketplaces wont be available to offer them the lowcost high quality options they need. Madam Speaker. we need to work together to improve this bill. But holding the country and the federal government hostage in a halfbaked attempt to do something that hasnt worked for 41 consecutive attempts is misguided. Lets work to improve the bill and lets all go home and help our constituents understand the complexities of the health insurance marketplaces and assist them in purchasing the health insurance that will improve their lives and increase their economic security.
Date: 2013-09-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I rise in strong opposition to H.J. Res. 59. which makes continuing appropriations for Fiscal Year 2014. because it continues the devastating cuts to education set in motion by the sequester and permanently defunds the Affordable Care Act (ACA). legislation that will help save the lives of millions of Americans. H.J. Res. 59 locks in the damaging sequester cuts through December 15 and even sets funding slightly below the current. postsequestration level. It is long past time for Congress to reverse course from the austerity approach that included slashing education acrosstheboard by 5 percent this yearthe equivalent of cutting nearly all education programs and Head Start by roughly $3 billion. We need to end the sequester now by passing H.R. 900. the "End Sequestration Now Act." of which I am an original cosponsor. Madam Speaker. the level of cuts imposed by sequestration have already taken federal funding back to pre2004 levels while our nations schools are serving nearly 6 million more students since that time. Madam Speaker. to ensure equity for all students. Congress must reverse this course. To date. a disproportionate share of sequester cuts have impacted higherpoverty communities and therefore. students most in need57.00 children have already lost critical seats in Head Start classes. schools served by Impact Aid have already seen drastic reductions in funding. and additional harmful impacts are beginning to be felt in classrooms as the school year begins. Many of these school districts and their students rely heavily on federal resources for education funding. some even up to 5 percent of their total revenue. Madam Speaker. Americans have suffered long enough from the adverse impact of sequestration that House Republicans seek to continue with resolution. The damage has been great and continues to get worse with each passing day the Republicans refuse to work across the aisle to reach agreement on a budget plan that is balanced and sensible. Consider the damage inflicted or to be inflicted on the American people by sequestration:
Date: 2013-09-20
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I rise in opposition to this continuing resolution. which is part of a reckless plan from our Republican colleagues to shut down the United States government unless we shut down the Affordable Care Act. a law that is already providing protections to children in this country with preexisting conditions and seniors on Medicare with high drug costs. Moreover. as the Republican majority plans to potentially shut down the government. they refuse to take action on the sequester. which is causing real harm to our economy. The independent. nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says that at this time next year we could have up to 1.6 million fewer jobs in this country as a result of the sequester. We could see economic growth cut in half. The Democrats have a proposal to replace the sequester with targeted cuts over a period of time to big tax breaks like oil and gas subsidies. This is a plan that would achieve even more deficit reduction without the jobkilling. meatax cuts to the programs that grow our economy. Our country needs practical solutions. not selfinflicted economic wounds. I urge my colleagues to oppose this damaging continuing resolution and bring up my legislation to replace the sequester and avoid a government shutdown.
Date: 2013-09-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. on rollcall No. 480. I would have voted "no... Mr. Chairman. on rollcall No. 481. I would have voted "no." The Acting CHAIR. There being no further amendments. under the rule. the Committee rises. Accordingly. the Committee rose. and the Speaker pro tempore having assumed the chair.
Date: 2013-09-25
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank my colleague from the Financial Services Committee. Mr. MCHENRY. This is one of many bills that we have worked together on in a bipartisan way. The Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act. known as ILSA. was enacted in 1969 to protect consumers from being cheated in land deals. It was originally intended to protect outofState buyers who were sold land that was not what it was advertised to be and to provide a right of action to rescind the contract and walk away from the deal. However. due to ambiguities in the original law. courts have ruled over the years that ILSA applies to condominiums and that developers are required to file redundant paperwork and make disclosures that are completely nonsensical when applied to condo units. This has led to absurd results. For example. ILSA requires condo developers to file a report that discloses. among other things. information about the condo units topography. how much of the condo is covered by water. whether there is any soil erosion. and whether the condominium has any oil and gas rights. I. for one. dont know of any highrise condo units that are covered by water. Requiring condo developers to file these types of nonsensical disclosures provides no consumer protection whatsoever and simply generates unnecessary paperwork. Unfortunately. during the economic downturn in 2008. some buyers used the recording requirements of ILSA to rescind otherwise valid contracts for economic reasons. an unintended consequence of the act and its intent. The law now needs a technical fix to distinguish condominium sales from other types of land sales and to recognize the unique conditions under which these units are sold in todays market. As the author of the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights. I am a strong supporter of consumer protections. I fully support the consumer protections that were enacted through ILSA. and this proposed legislation does nothing to affect those consumer protections. but I also believe that we need to make distinctions for condos in order to allow the condominium development industry to rebound from the recession. The bill would only exempt condos from ILSAs registration requirements. It will maintain the consumer protections which ensure that consumers still have the right to rescind contracts in cases of actual fraud. Developers would. of course. still be required to comply with State laws that require specific disclosures. As we recover in this still very fragile economy. we want to encourage. not discourage. buyers and sellers to enter into real estate deals responsibly. That is why this bill is importantto ensure development and the return of an important industry in our country. that of residential condominium sales. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. and I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2013-09-25
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. for the last 21 hours we have heard a discourse on "Green Eggs and Ham" and a multitude of other commentary that spoke to the will of one person. but I believe America wants this body and the other body to stand on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. I rise to call upon this body to cast a vote for America. The soldiers that have left our soil and those who are still here. as well as their families. need compensation. Medicare and Medicaid recipients need to have their benefits processed. We need clean air and clean water. The Government of the United States is not frivolous or wasteful. The government is a rainyday umbrella for those who suffer from all manner of devastation and disaster. I dont know about the thoughts of 21 hours. but I do know that Im going to stand against a clouded and crowded continuing resolution. Vote to keep the government open and lets start using ObamaCare on October 1. Thats the American way. Thats the vote for all of America. and thats the vote for the vulnerable who cannot speak for themselves.
Date: 2013-09-26
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. a government shutdown will damage the economic recovery. slow our growth over the long term. and severely undermine our ability to extend our recovery and put people back to work. As we debate the continuing resolution. I must emphasize investments in education. which are the wisest investments we can make for the longterm fiscal survival of our country. We are jeopardizing our future as a Nation by threatening educational services. as well as eliminating or reducing financial aid for millions of students attending preK. elementary. secondary. and postsecondary schools. This week. I introduced a resolution to honor our Nations Historically Black Colleges and Universities. I am concerned that these institutions will be disproportionately affected by any cuts. Each day. Historically Black Colleges and Universities help us bridge the achievement gap. The fact is that we cannot move forward as a country until all of our children have the opportunity to succeed academically.
Date: 2013-09-26
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Mr. Speaker. compromise is a way of life in public policy. My way or no way is the mindset of a 5yearold. not the leading legislative body of the Western World. This is a direct quote. Mr. Speaker. and I know its accurate because its from me over a decade ago. I was in Congress for the shutdowns of the Federal Government in 1995. They were as disastrous as they were unnecessarya national disgrace. Todays funding debate is equally shameful. Holding government funding hostage. and potentially following up with an act of blackmail over the debt limit is irresponsible and indifferent to the needs of millions across our country. particularly the military. This debate is another manufactured crisisa willful. needless. selfinflicted woundthat will have terrible effects on our economy. our fiscal outlook. and the American pocketbooks. The Congress of the United States should never. ever bow down before the rigid dictates of a handful of ideological extremists. We should do what is right for the people of our country and pass a clean budget now.