macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-06-05
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I again ask my colleagues to support this amendment because anyone who has lived near a port understands what the Army Corps of Engineers is going through. We spend our time working with the Corps on this issue of dredging. In every port in the United States. millions of dollars are lost because of the inability of access and the difficulty of making sure that our Nations ports are ready for the increase in business. The Transportation Institute Center for Ports and Waterways indicated. analyzing the direct economic effects of channel restrictions and the loss of 1 foot of draft from the Houston ship channel. as an example. and the data was collected from the years 2008 and 2009. the study determined that a direct economic impact of the loss of 1 foot over 2 years amounts to $373 million. This. in fact. is an account that has been authorized. as evidenced by the Army Corps. which deals in particular with the Department of Army Operations and Maintenance. This infusion is to assist in making sure that jobs are saved and jobs are created. The study does not consider other effects that are very real but are extremely difficult to measure. but they can measure what the lack of dredging can bring about. I would make the argument that in ports that are competing with world ports. accessibility is crucial. I ask my colleagues to be reminded that we are in the business of creating jobs. It seems ridiculous that we cannot add to an existing account to create jobs. to assist in one of the largest ports in the Nation. ports along the west coast. ports along the gulf. and ports along the east coast. all ports that are engaged in receiving large vessels that are bringing in goods and large vessels going out with manufactured and other goods from the United States of America. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment. and I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2012-06-05
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his expression. What I would argue is: What are Members here to do? I would vigorously disagree this is an earmark. I believe there is authorization. in particular under operation and maintenance. But the dilemma that the gentleman is making an argument on is whether or not you can increase it versus reducing it. And so what my argument is is that this is a general increase to operation and maintenance with no specific tie to indicate that it is an earmark. There is no monetary benefit to me as a Member of Congress. publicly stated on the floor of the House. Therefore. this is to increase millions of jobs in America. in ports around America. for an issue that is devastating to ports and that the Army Corps of Engineers is being overwhelmed. that is. the requirement of dredging. Dredging equals allowing the quality of vessel to increase by tonnage. to bring in and take out goods that Americans have manufactured and goods that Americans are seeking to import with our allies and trading partners. It is to increase jobs. Therefore. Id make the argument that we are bound by rules that have nothing to do with earmarks if you are. in essence. placing funding into existing accounts to help Americansall of Americaand to build our portsall of our portsmaking them more secure and making them more accessible so that the goods of Americans can go to and fro. and that jobs can multiply. If one port alone. by one foot of inaccessibility. lack of dredging. loses $373 million. multiply that by the number of major ports in the United States from the East to the southern coastline to the west coast. I make the argument that this is an amendment that can stand on its own and should not be subject to a point of order. I ask my colleagues to support the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. Does any other Member wish to be heard on the point of order? If not. the Chair is prepared to rule. The proponent of an item of appropriation carries the burden of persuasion on the question whether it is supported by an authorization in law. Having reviewed the amendment and entertained argument on the point of order. the Chair is unable to conclude that the item of appropriation in question is authorized in law. For example. the manager has stated that the account contains funding for unauthorized projects and the Chair would note that some items appropriated in the Operation and Maintenance account are not modified by the phrase "as authorized by law." Under the precedents of July 12. 1995. and July 16. 1997. an amendment adding matter at the pending portion of the bill to effect an indirect increase in an unauthorized amount permitted to remain in a portion of the bill already passed in the reading is not "merely perfecting" for purposes of clause 2(a) of rule XXI. The Chair is therefore constrained to sustain the point of order under clause 2(a) of rule XXI.
Date: 2012-06-05
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. this is my "can we all get along" amendment. I thank. again. the chairman and ranking member for their work on this bill. My amendment would be helpful to the Army Corps of Engineers and their work on our east coast. on our gulf. and on our west coast because it deals specifically with restoration. It sends a strong message to the importance of restoration and its issue of national importance. It talks about the economic wellbeing of the regions along the Nations coastlines. and it provides an opportunity for restoration. There is no doubt that over the years our coastlines have deteriorated and that wetlands have not been protected. Weve experienced a devastating spill on the gulf coastline. and so many along that coastline. from Florida to Alabama to Louisiana to Texas and in between. have experienced a negative impact on their wetlands and their coastline. This takes a mere $10 millionagain. I say it with respectto assist the Nation in providing aid and improvement to the Nations coastlines. which. again. produce opportunities of economic development. tourism. and various protections for a coastline that has suffered under neglect. The United States Army Corps of Engineers estimates that 60 percent of the coastline along the gulf is eroding. The coast loses up to 10 feet of shoreline a year. with 225 acres of topsoil washing into the gulf coast. Funds are needed to preserve the gulf coast as well as other coasts. This will. in turn. protect the economic stability of that region. Just a few months ago. I introduced H.R. 3710. which would provide for the added opportunity of protecting the coastline as well as for deficit reduction through an energy security fund. The legislation would provide funds for programs to help with the restoration as it establishes grants for States along our coastal areasa coastal and disaster grant program and a national grant programto address coastal and ocean disasters and the restoration. protection. and maintenance of the coastal areas and oceans. including research and programs in coordination with State and local agencies. I look forward to the hearing and passage of that legislation. but today I rise to support the Nations coastal region and to provide these resources. With that. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2012-06-05
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I would make the point that this is included in this bill on page 3. under "Construction." I dont view this in particular as an earmark as much as I do as putting in resources necessary for the protection of our coastline. Again. it is not excessive. It does not undermine the atomic program. What it does is to help millions of Americans along the coastline and particularly those who have experienced deterioration going from the east coast to the west coast. Certainly. I believe this is one on which we can join together and support. It is constructive. it is productive. it creates jobs. it creates an economic engine. and it protects one of our most valued resources. and that is the Nations coastline. wetlands included. It is compatible with those who are fishing. with those who are exploring. and with those who are enjoying. I think it is crucial that this amendment be passed by this House in a constructive way in order to create jobs. to move this Nation forward. and to preserve the bounty of the environment that weve been given to protect. I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment. which deals with the restoration of our coastline. I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. Chair. I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R. 5325. the "Energy and Water Appropriations Development Act. FY 2013." My amendment would increase the Army Corps of Engineers Construction Account by $10 million for Texas Coastal Restoration and reduce the Atomic Energy Defense Account by the same amount. My amendment sends a strong message that gulf restoration is of national importance. In addition to all the Gulf Coast States. Texas plays a crucial role in the Gulf Coasts economic wellbeing and deserves funds for its restoration as well.
Date: 2012-06-05
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentleman very much. If my good friend from Iowa was joining and trying to make sure that Federally funded construction jobs went to companies that were based here in the United States. I would be celebrating with him to avoid the incident that happened with the bridge in California. where it was built by a Chinese company with Chinese nationals who had come over to the United States. But in this instance. I would like to ask the gentleman where he finds this presentday discrimination. In fact. as he well knows. opportunities for minority contractors have come about because of Members of this Congress who have fought for what we callnot set asidesbut MWBE opportunities. We have seen the increase in construction companies. We need more. More importantly. unions have engaged in apprenticeship programs. Prevailing wages are nothing but giving a hard days work and a decentpaying wage. It is to construction what we were trying to do with paycheck fairness. I disagree with the gentleman that in this day and time were not making extensive efforts to make sure that there are diverse populations working and being trained under the union label and umbrella. and that there are young men and women who are benefiting from these training programs. More importantly. MWBEs. and if the gentleman would want to work with me on ensuring that these small contractors can work on Federal projects. he would have me aligned with him today. But not to deny us the DavisBacon and prevailing wages. I ask my colleagues to oppose the amendment in the name of fairness and in the name of the betterment of the working person.
Date: 2012-06-06
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I rise today to speak out about the need to pass a transportation bill. I am very frustrated by the inaction of the House Republican conferees and how their obstructionism is negatively affecting job creation in this country. The current transportation extension expires at the end of this month. We are in the height of the summer construction season. and we are losing the opportunity to get these jobs going and the construction and the manufacturing industries back to work. One surefire way to create jobs is to invest in our countrys infrastructure. but House Republicans are obstructing it at every turn. Last month. we were forced to pass a 10th temporary extension of highway funding because of the GOPs inaction. This is my 20th year here. and this is the first time that this bill has been held up because of partisanship. This inaction only increases the instability for the construction industry. and it makes it impossible for State and local governments to plan long term.
Date: 2012-06-06
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Chairman. my amendment is simple. Let us combat human trafficking and child exploitation. My amendment would take $40 million from the Detention and Removal Operations and transfer those funds to the Office of Investigations to support antichild exploitation and trafficking initiatives. ICE is one of the key global partners aimed at dismantling criminal infrastructures engaged in child exploitation. These special agents are in many countries throughout the world and in the United States. and I have had the opportunity to meet with them overseas where child exploitation is rampant. such as in Thailand and Cambodia. That is why I would like to increase the funding to combat child exploitation. and I am requesting $40 million be transferred to them. The funds are coming from an account that is $70 million over the Presidents budget. I didnt even take all of that excess. Im just asking for $40 million. leaving roughly $30 million over the Presidents budget in ICE Detention and Removal Operations. With women and girls accounting for over 80 percent of the people trafficked throughout the world. including within the United States. this issue is something that is very close to my heart. and I have been a vocal advocate to stop and combat sex exploitation trafficking. My district represents the largest Vietnamese population in the world outside of Vietnam. The fact is that most of the human trafficking victims originate from Asia. I have a responsibility to the people I represent to seek out ways to ensure that ICE can combat child exploitation globally since it impacts us locally. In fact. in Cambodia. brothel owners pay traffickers anywhere from $350 to $450 for each attractive Vietnamese virgin 16 years or younger. Nonvirgins and those considered less beautiful are trafficked for about $150 apiece. I am asking the chairman to join me in this outrage that these things still happen in our modern world. and more often than not. they occur in our own districts here in the United States. The only way to eradicate child exploitation is to stand together to protect every childs right to be free from victimization. We can all work towards eliminating child exploitation by ensuring that we have people who combat this and by putting this money into this account. We need to give those people on the front line the tools to stop this. I thank the chairman for the time. and I ask him to support my amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2012-06-06
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. 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 California will be postponed.
Date: 2012-06-06
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I move to strike the last word. The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Florida is recognized for 5 minutes.
Date: 2012-06-06
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

I yield to the gentleman from Alabama. The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman will suspend. The Clerk will report the amendment.
Date: 2012-06-06
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. and I would ask unanimous consent that my amendment be considered out of order. The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Texas?
Date: 2012-06-06
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the distinguished ranking member. and I really thank the chairman for his comments. I dont want to give a whole historical perspective. but Ive certainly been on the Homeland Security authorizing committee since 9/11. I am quite familiar with the technologies and various changes in aviation travel in particular. and weve made great strides. We have certainly made great strides. but here is my point that I think is crucial: How long are we going to continue to count on heroic. if you will. passengers and continue to cite them as great heroes until the day of some tragic and horrific incident? We thank the American traveling public for what it has done to thwart a number of incidences. some of which. obviously. are not terrorist- directed but which do impact on the traveling publics security while airborne. Air marshals are the frontline support and defense in a vessel. if you will. in an aircraft that. if tampered with airborne. can be a catastrophe of enormous proportions. Air marshals are. in essence. a crucial part of the security of this Nation. If we are to literally obliterate them by the $50 million reduction. you will see a reduction in mission. what offices will be ultimately shut down. FAMs personnel being furloughed for a minimum of 4 days. and civilian personnel gone. I dont deny that we can look to be responsible fiscally and that we can find ways that will streamline. I happen to believe that $50 million is too drastic a cut and should be restored. So I would ask my colleagues. in spite of what changes may have been made. that they do not act superior to that human resource on that aircraft that is standing in the gap for a dastardly devastating terrorist act or some other altercation that needs the resources and expertise of the Federal Air Marshals. Let me conclude by saying for a very long time Ive introduced legislation to give flight attendants the kind of security training that would help them in the course of a potential terrorist incident on the aircraft. Wed hoped that that would have already occurred. I believe the other frontliners are TSO officers. That flight training has not yet occurred. so Federal Air Marshals act in the capacity of that standing in the gap to secure the crew and as well to secure the traveling public. Who wants to subject the traveling public. domestic or international. to that kind of gaping hole of the reduction of cost or dollars that would ultimately result in this huge reduction of mission. furloughs. loss of civilians. closed offices? I think that we need to reconsider. and I would ask my colleagues to support this amendment of adding back the $50 million reduction that has taken place.
Date: 2012-06-06
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

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. The Clerk will read.
Date: 2012-06-07
Speaker: ZOE LOFGREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize and honor the life and service of Army Second Lieutenant Travis Morgado. who was killed in action on May 23 in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan. He was 25 years old. Travis was the son of Joe Morgado of San Jose. and our community was greatly saddened to hear of his passing. Born in Los Gatos. he moved to Edmonds. Washington. with his mother when he was 5. He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in civil engineering in 2009 and enlisted in the Army. determined to serve his country. He deployed to Afghanistan on March 20 and was tragically killed while conducting operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Second Lieutenant Morgado leaves behind his mother. Andrea. stepfather. Dean Kessler. his father. Joe. stepmother. Nancy. as well as two younger brothers. a stepsister. and a stepbrother. I would like to extend my gratitude to Second Lieutenant Morgado and his family. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring his service to his country. He served America well with courage and honor. I ask all of Congress to join me in thanking his family as they grieve at his loss and to express our condolences to all of them.
Date: 2012-06-07
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. a great and noble President. Abraham Lincoln. proclaimed that government of the people. by the people. for the people. shall not perish from the Earth. It was government of the people. by the people. for the people. that gave us Social Security and Medicare. But I regret to inform you today. Mr. Speaker. that government of the people. by the people. for the people is at riskand it is at risk because there is a new concept that is evolving. It is government of the money. by the money. for the money. It is the notion that he who has the gold rules. changing the Golden Rule. Father. I want you to know. dear friends. that if we do nothing. we will find ourselves with a new form of government. The Republic is at risk. We must do something about government of the money. by the money. for the money.
Date: 2012-06-07
Speaker: ZOE LOFGREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Thank you. Mr. DICKS. I will be brief. I just want to point out that the executive order itself indicates that only actions that would not be unduly burdensome should be engaged in. And the true scope of this amendment is really quite broad and adverse to the enforcement of the law. If you are ICE and you have people in custody. those people in custody may not be speaking English. and you may need to be able to communicate with them in a language other than English. The broad scope of this amendment could interfere with that. I would like to note. also. as to the FEMA issue that my colleague from California referred to. we think of DHS as immigration. My colleague from Iowa has mentioned that frequently in our committee. But the Department of Homeland Security is very broad. This could be the Coast Guard dealing with sailors in the Caribbean Sea. either people they believe are out to do mischief or people who are in distress who may not speak English. This could be storm warnings. as has been mentioned. There are parts of Florida where Spanish is spoken. Certainly in Puerto Rico. Spanish is spoken and hurricanes come. You want to alert the entire population in a way that they can understand that danger is on its way. I think this repeal of this executive order. which goes back almost 12 years and through many administrations. is illadvised. It will make the country less safe. and certainly it is an amendment that we should not support. With that. I thank the gentleman.
Date: 2012-06-07
Speaker: ZOE LOFGREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

It is true that every law enforcement agency in the land makes priorities for enforcement. Youre going to go after the dangerous gang member before you go after somebody who is doubleparked or who is jaywalking. Thats what police do all over the United States. What these memos do is to put some order into who were going after first. Its important to note that in all of the memos there is a statement that this does not create any right for a person who is here without their proper papers. It is merely a set of priorities. I would note also that these memos are not new. The prosecutorial discretion memos have been in effect since 1996. I recall in 1999 I was a member of the Judiciary Committee. ThenChairman Henry Hyde. along with now Chairman LAMAR SMITH. asked the Department of Homeland Security. actually. the immigration service at the time. to set priorities. and heres what they said. The letter expressed concern about cases of apparent extreme hardship. such as removal proceedings against legal permanent residents who came to the United States when they were very young. many years ago. maybe committed a single criminal crime at the lower end of the spectrum. who have always been law abiding. and said to the INS that they should exercise discretion more regularly. That was done by the Clinton administration. the Bush administration. and now the Obama administration. To suggest that deportations are not occurring is extremely misleading because. in fact. there have been more deportations during the Obama administration per year than at any time in the Nations history. DHS has removed over 779.000 individuals in deportation proceedings. an 18 percent increase. However. there is a limit to the number who can be deported per year. Surely. we would all agree that going after criminals and terrorists is a higher priority than going after grandma or little kids.