macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-12-07
Speaker: ZOE LOFGREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

We are all opposed to the damage that these drugs can do to the American people. but I have to express my opposition to this bill. My concern about the bill is its effect on scientific research. When a drug is placed on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. it becomes difficult to obtain not only for illegal purposes but for researchers who wish to study its pharmaceutical and medical potential. While this may be justified for some drugs. it isnt a restriction that should be implemented rashly. Thats because it becomes very difficult for scientists to get permission to obtain these molecules even for the scientific study that we need. For example. in the United States. only 325 researchers have been able to obtain Schedule I licenses at this moment. Congress established the procedure for scheduling drugs. and it requires a scientific and medical evaluation. This bill would bypass that process rather than relying on scientific and medical experts. Ive heard from faculty from a range of universities. and theyve shared their concerns about the impact. Here is what Warren Heideman. Ph.D.. professor of pharmaceutical sciences and associate dean for Research. School of Pharmacy. at the University of WisconsinMadison writes: "The bill is an irrational. simplistic response to a social problem of great complexity. As such. the world will get significantly less medical and technical help with a low probability of helping anyone with a substance abuse issue. The list is too broad and does seriously restrict what would otherwise be important and easy experiments. Paperwork problems are already a serious campus concern."
Date: 2011-12-07
Speaker: ZOE LOFGREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Here is what Dr. Neal Benowitz. M.D.. the chief of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of California. San Francisco. writes: "While we support restrictions on the sale of these chemicals for purposes of illicit use . . . scheduling so as to impede access to precursor chemicals in small quantities has the potential to seriously hamper medical research. On balance. the faculty are against this measure." John Arnold. the faculty director of the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry. writes: "This effort is wellintentioned. but it will cause more problems than it solves." We are all against drugs that harm our people. but we had no hearings in the Judiciary Committee on this. and I think the placing of these molecules on Schedule I is evidence of that lack of scholarship. These drugs need to be controlled. but they need to be controlled in such a way that there is no harm done to the vital scientific and medical research that we count on. I join the gentleman from Virginia in urging a "no" vote on this bill in the hopes that we can come back with a measure that accomplishes the worthy goals without doing damage to scientific research. which will save so many lives.
Date: 2011-12-07
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentleman very much and thank him for his leadership on this issue. And reading these passionate letters. I dont know how anyone could bring us to the brink of disaster where we find ourselves today. I just want to read from the U.S. Department of Labor a simple sentence that I think speaks volumes: "The unemployment insurance system helps the population most directly affected by recessions. those who have lost jobs through no fault of their own."
Date: 2011-12-07
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: S
State: Texas

From the Committee on Small Business. for consideration of section 804 of the House bill. and sections 885887. and division E of the Senate amendment. and modifications committed to conference: Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mrs. ELLMERS. and Ms. VELAZQUEZ. From the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. for consideration of sections 314. 366. 601. 1098. and 2814 of the House bill. and sections 262. 313. 315. 1045. 1088. and 3301 of the Senate amendment. and modifications committed to conference: Messrs.
Date: 2011-12-08
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I rise in opposition to H.R. 1633. the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011. I just heard it referred to as "Tinker Bell." but I think this is more like Alice in Wonderland legislation. It seeks to solve a problem thats not there while dancing around a lot of our real problems that we have to deal with in our country and particularly in this Congress. This bill would prohibit the EPA from proposing. finalizing. implementing. or enforcing any regulation revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standards applicable to coarse particulate matter for 1 year from the date of enactment. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson committed in an October 14. 2011. letter that the EPA plans to propose keeping the PM10 National Ambient Air Quality Standards as they are. with no change. These standards have been in place since 1987. When Gina McCarthy. the Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation at the EPA. testified before our Energy and Power Subcommittee of the full committee. she also confirmed that this bill is not necessary since the administrator plans to propose retaining the current standards that have been in place since 1987. For this reason. I did not support H.R. 1633 when it came up for a vote in our Energy and Commerce Committee. and I encourage my colleagues to oppose it today. Ive had very public disagreements with the EPA on other regulations they are revising. but this bill is a solution in search of a problem. and it is not a good use of our congressional time. Taking up a bill thats not necessary hurts our efforts to work with the EPA and to revise some of the standards the EPA is setting that are real problems. Thats why. Mr. Chairman. I urge a "no" vote on this bill.
Date: 2011-12-08
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chair. farm dust is not regulated by the EPA. and EPA Administrator Jackson has clearly stated that the EPA has no plans to regulate farm dust in the futurewhich makes the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act a solution in search of a problem. Unfortunately. todays legislation is more than just a mere waste of time. Under the guise of protecting farmers from nonexistent regulation. H.R. 1633 would define and then exempt a completely new category of particle pollution from the entire Clean Air Act. except under very narrow circumstances. This new exempt category of particle pollution would include both coarse and fine particles from sources that have nothing to do with farmingincluding particulate matter from mining and other industrial operations like smelters. cement kilns and coalprocessing facilities. Whether this consequence is intended or simply the result of sloppy drafting. this legislation should be roundly rejected. Mr. Chair. with barely a week left on this years congressional calendar. we simply dont have the time to waste on imaginary problems. The challenges our constituents face are real. and the hour is late. We need to focus on growing the economy. reducing our debt and getting people back to work before we adjourn for the year.
Date: 2011-12-08
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I yield myself such time as I may consume. There has been much debate as to whether this bill will create or save jobs. There is much speculation based on whether this bill will create or save jobs. When you have few facts. you. generally speaking. can have much speculation. This amendment addresses speculation. There is some sense in this country that our approval rating is low in Congress because of much speculation. Speculation can breed distrust. Speculation can lead to factfree debate. a term my good friend. EMANUEL CLEAVER. Representative from Missouri. usesfactfree debate. This amendment can help us eliminate factfree debate. This amendment contains less than 100 words. and it addresses the elimination of factfree debate. It reads: Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this act. the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall transmit to Congress a report estimating the increase or decrease in the number of jobs in the United States that will occur as a result of the enactment of this act. This amendment eliminates factfree debates and speculation. So if you really want to eliminate factfree debates and speculation. then you should support this amendment. If you believe that this bill really does create or save jobs. then you should support this amendment. If you believe that Carlisle is right. that no lie can live forever. and this will eliminate the possibility of things being done with malice aforethought. you should support this amendment. If you believe that William Cullen Bryant is right. that truth. when crushed to Earth. can rise again. you should support this amendment. because this amendment will help us to repeal what the truth is. If you believe that factfree debates ought to be eliminated. you ought to support this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2011-12-08
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Thank you. It is an opinion. well stated. and I appreciate the opinion that has been well stated. However. the best way to ascertain whether jobs are being created or eliminated is to utilize empirical evidence. empirical evidence developed after the fact as opposed to before the actual implementation of the bill. If you believe. and I believe your hearts in the right place. if you believe that this is an opportunity for us to dispel any myths. to dispel any speculation. then lets have a study done after the bill has passed and after there has been some time for implementation. Im willing to extend the time. Im willing to have GAO do the study. My hearts in the right place. I want us to have proof positive that this bill does or does not eliminate jobs. I want to eliminate the speculation. I believe I have enough time left to engage my friend in a colloquy. How much time do I have. Mr. Chairman?
Date: 2011-12-08
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Reclaiming my time for just a moment. you say before. You see. empirical evidence under the scientific method is best acquired after you have the actual evidence. So what you would do is utilize speculation to come to a conclusion and then call that a fact. This would eliminate speculation. I yield to the gentleman.
Date: 2011-12-08
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Reclaiming my time. the question is whether you will actually have the opportunity to hurt your toe. as you put it. There is no need to avoid things that dont exist. Let us get the actual raw empirical evidence and use that to draw our conclusions as to whether this bill creates or saves jobs. I yield to the gentleman.
Date: 2011-12-08
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Reclaiming my time. because supporting something is not empirical evidence as to whether or not it will do a certain thing. I respect all who are supporting it. By the way. I dont disrespect you. I believe your heart is in the right place. What Im trying to get you to see is if you utilize the scientific method. you will get your empirical evidence after you have given this an opportunity to be enacted. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2011-12-08
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

In my city we have a rockcrushing company. It yields dust. particulate matter. That is something that is a concern to rural people as well.
Date: 2011-12-08
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chair. on rollcall No. 909 which is on the Waxman Amendment to the bill H.R. 1633. I was detained with official matters pertaining to my office and failed to make the vote. Had I been present. I would have voted "aye."
Date: 2011-12-12
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2158. a bill which would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada as the Wayne Grisham Post Office. We could not be honoring a more deserving member of the Southern California community. Wayne Grisham dedicated his life to our country and to southern California. He valiantly served as a fighter pilot during World War II and was held as a prisoner of war when his plane was shot down over Germany. Mr. Grisham was awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal for his courageous service. After the war. Wayne returned home to Whittier College. where he earned a bachelors degree in economics and went on to teach elementary school in Long Beach. Eventually. an entrepreneurial spirit led Mr. Grisham to open his own realty business in La Mirada. which he maintained for much of his life. A selfdescribed "conservative dogooder." his dedication to our local community was truly remarkable. Mr. Grisham proudly served the city of La Mirada for over two decades. beginning in 1970 when he was elected to the city council. He later went on to be the mayor of that city. Wayne once said. "I think of myself as an average guy. and I think it was the average guy who elected me." It was that connection with the community that guided Wayne throughout his career. Mr. Grisham continued his service to the community with his election to Congress in 1978 and the California State Assembly in 1984. He also lent his talents to the Peace Corps. serving as director in Kenya. More important than his dedication to our local community was Waynes life as a dedicated husband. father. and grandfather. He married his high school sweetheart. Millie Watt. in 1944 and had three beautiful childrenCathy. Randy. and Kellie. Wayne was also blessed with seven grandchildren. Waynes daughter Kellie recently remembered her father this way: "He was always smiling and always had a kind word. He loved when he could help people. He took great pride in the work he did for the city of La Mirada. the State of California. and the United States of America. He was a genuinely sincere person with great integrity. He believed in treating everyone with respect." Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the service and memory of this dedicated civic leader.
Date: 2011-12-13
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I join with my colleague from Wisconsin in thanking the gentleman from California for his generosity. but I also thank my colleague from Wisconsin for her astute assessment that causes me to pause. Her point of order is whether or not this is what we call "an unfunded mandate." this bill that we will be discussing on the floor of the House. And even though the rule says that the points of order or the issues of being an unfunded mandate have been waived. please understand that that is an action that can be taken. It doesnt mean that it eliminates the truth. And I raise a question. whether this humongous bill that we are going to discuss. that does not answer the crisis of what we are facingwhich is 6 million people without unemployment insurance who will not able to pay mortgage. rent. food. to be able to have a quality of life. to create income. to create some 700.000 jobs on the unemployment end. and to pull 3.2 million people out of povertyis now going by the wayside. And the payroll tax cut now is shackled with unwanted baggage. So I rise to argue the point of order as to unfunded mandates and argue to support the position of Mr. LEVIN from the Ways and Means Committee. which is to declare the unemployment issue an emergency. to do the payroll tax and a surtax on 1 percent of the American population for 10 years starting in 2013. and adopt a fix. used and paid for with Medicare savings. This is an unfunded mandate. This is not a bill that should pass. and we should support the unemployed and those who need a payroll tax cut.
Date: 2011-12-13
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts. I dont think anyone disagrees with my good friend who discussed the Keystone pipeline that it would create jobs. Theres nothing that has been said that would suggest that at the appropriate time of review that that project would not go forward. But what were talking about today is a crisis in the American public dealing with two major issues: continuing a tax relief and tax cut for working and middle class Americans. number one. and. number two. to keep 6 million Americans from rolling into the street and falling on their own spear for lack of unemployment insurance being extended. disallowing them to pay their mortgage. disallowing them to pay their rent. and. in essence. saying to them there is no light at the end. It is also about Republicans and their commitment to the American people. In their pledge to America. the GOP leadership indicated in September that they would end the practice of packaging unpopular bills with mustpass legislation. This is mustpass legislation. And look what theyre doing besides the pipeline provision that has been supported in a bipartisan manner yet this in the wrong process. they have got broadband spectrum. they are ending jobless benefits to the extent that they are requiring burdensome drug testing on college persons who cant find a job. they are suggesting that if you cant find a job. its your own fault. changes to Medicare that are burdening senior citizens. and. on top of that. weve got an appropriations bill to deal with. My friends. there is a simple way of doing this. The Payroll tax can be increased by the surtax on just the 300.000 top 1% of America for 10 years. allowing 160 million Americans to get payroll tax relief. How do we help the 6 million persons who need unemployment insurance? We call it an emergency. It is an emergency. How do we fix Medicare reimbursement for our doctors? We use the savings from the ending of the Iraq war. Its a simple. clean process. a simple vote to help Americans. How can they violate their pledge. Mr. Speaker. of not putting everything under the Christmas tree on a bill that must pass on behalf of the American people? Thats the challenge today. Im against the rule and the underlying bill.
Date: 2011-12-13
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise to speak in opposition to H.R. 3630. I support the extension of the payroll tax holiday and Emergency Unemployment Compensation. but the current version forces us to make unfair. and unnecessary choices between those individuals in this country who are most in need. This legislation would make drastic cuts to health care programs. If enacted. H.R. 3630 would cut over $21 billion from Affordable Care Act programs. effectively increasing the number of uninsured Americans by 170.000. H.R. 3630 would also cut $8 billion from the Prevention and Public Health Trust Fund. and over $21 billion from Medicare provider rates. Mr. Speaker. as a registered nurse. I know that these cuts will fall largely on hospitals. and effectively cut off access to healthcare to the elderly. the sick. and the uninsured. To suggest that this bill is an authentic attempt by the majority to resolve a lapse of benefits that will occur if not extended is simply disingenuous. The majority has attached controversial provisions that have no chance of being considered by the Senate. and would be promptly vetoed by the President. It was my hope to offer an amendment to H.R. 3630 that would address the increase we have seen in the number of children and others living in poverty. Unfortunately. my Republican colleagues have barred any amendments to this flawed piece of legislation. Failure to extend these benefits will have immediate and drastic effects on American middle class families. We should not risk tax increases on these families. or cut off unemployment benefits for those out of work. I cannot support this bill as it is not consistent with American values.
Date: 2011-12-13
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I support extending the current payroll tax cut for 160 million working Americans. I support protecting the lifeline of unemployment insurance for those who remain out of work through no fault of their own. And I support fixing the broken Sustainable Growth Rate formula for physicians who participate in Medicarewhich is precisely why I oppose this bill. Everyone in this Chamber knows it wont pass the Senate. The President has said he wont sign it. In short. it has exactly zero chance of getting enacted into law. Now. several weeks ago. that scenario sounded like it was actually the preferred outcome for a majority of my friends on the other side of the aisle. The Republican leadership stated that it opposed extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance. If the Republican leadership has changed its mind and is now sincere about protecting the middle class. its time to dispense with the posturing. throw out the poison pills. stop scapegoating the federal workforce and start seriously negotiating a package that can receive bicameral. bipartisan support.
Date: 2011-12-13
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 3421. a bill to award Congressional Gold Medals to the heroes of 9/11. During the attacks on the United States on September 11th. 2.996 Americans lost their lives at the World Trade Center. the Pentagon and in a field in rural Pennsylvania. Many more might have perished had hundreds of law enforcement officers. emergency workers and State and local government employees. not sprung into action to help evacuate the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and. in the case of the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93. averted greater disaster by sacrificing themselves. The three gold medals this legislation awards. will be permanently displayed at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania. the National September 11 Memorial in New York and the Memorial at the Pentagon as a constant and visible reminder of the exceptional acts of heroism exercised on that tragic day. As a cosponsor of H.R. 3421. I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of the many heroic men and women who put themselves in harms way on September 11th. 2001 with this Congressional Gold Medal.