macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-04
Speaker: GENE L. DODARO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Comptroller General. Government Accountability Office. Washington. DC. DEAR SIR: The Puerto Rico Office of the Ombudsman for the Elderly (hereinafter OPPEA) represented by the undersigned. Hon. Rossana L6pez Le6n. is the "state unit on aging of Puerto Rico" in charge of enacting the Older Americans Act by virtue of the provisions of Act No. 203 of August 7. 2004. as well as by the "Bill of Rights for Aged Persons in Puerto Rico". Act No. 121 of July 12. 1986. as amended. OPPEA. upon attending to the needs of this specific population. acts as an enabling agent in the search for a better quality of life for these residents. who on occasion are deprived of their civil and human rights as members of our society for which it receives substantial federal funds. As a matter of fact. OPPEA receives 90% of its budget from federal sources. The creation of this office serves the purpose of reaffirming the importance of the elderly citizens in our country. guaranteeing their full enjoyment of the rights and prerogatives which they are entitled to.
Date: 2011-05-04
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I rise today to state my strong opposition to H.R. 3. This billostensibly the Republican leaderships thirdhighest priorityis a reprehensible piece of legislation that will do nothing but put the lives of American women at risk. It also tells us what the Republican leadership thinks of American women. When this bill was first introduced. I was outraged and horrified that the bill narrowed the longstanding exemption for rape to only "forcible rape." I called this out for what it isa violent act against women. When this bill was marked up in the House Judiciary committee. "forcible" had been removed. therefore leaving the language as it has stood for decades. Without the word "forcible." this exemption includes a wealth of horrifying circumstances. such as date rape. statutory rape. and rape where the woman is unconscious or mentally unable to consent. To say that these instances are not really rape is a violent affront against women and the gravest insult to ALL victims of sexual assault. Madam Speaker. I was absolutely incensed when I learned that although "forcible" does not appear in the bill language. its sponsors ensured that the report language clearly noted that the bill intends to apply to only "forcible" instances of rape. So not only do the bills sponsors not have a problem with endangering the lives of American womenbut theyre perfectly fine with not telling them the truth. too. Let me be clearno amendment. no word change could make this bill even close to acceptable. It is an insult to American women who require lifesaving abortion care for health purposes. and a slap in the face to all American women who until now may have thought that their constitutional right to make their own private medical decisions about their body was safe. Now we know that its not- and the antichoice community will stop at nothing to ensure that they chip away at Roe v. Wade until it is gone forever. Madam Speaker. I urge my colleagues to vote "no" on this atrocious bill. A vote against H.R. 3 is a vote for the health of American women and the sanctity of constitutional rights for us all.
Date: 2011-05-04
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I rise in strong opposition to the socalled and sorely mislabeled "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act." This bill is a hoax as Federal law currently prohibits the use of taxpayer money on abortion services. The legislation would effectively prevent millions of American women from using their own private money to purchase an insurance plan that includes coverage of abortionswhether it is private insurance or an insurance plan in the Health Insurance Exchanges. In addition. small businesses would not be allowed to take advantage of tax credits if it provided comprehensive health care coverage to its employees. This is a dramatic break with the current practice where most insurance plans provide for such coverage for individuals who choose such plans. A womans right to choose her own health care is a fundamental one. and the Congress should not tell women how to manage their health or reproductive care. Sadly. the legislation were considering today will do just that and severely jeopardize womens access to health care. Madam Speaker. I urge my colleagues to reject this misguided bill because it would effectively prohibit individuals from using their own money to purchase insurance plans offering comprehensive health care coverage. Instead. I urge the Republican majority to focus on an agenda that will create jobs. help Americas middle class families. and move our country forward.
Date: 2011-05-05
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia led the Pledge of Allegiance as follows: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. and to the Republie for which it stands. one nation under God. indivisible. with liberty and justice for all.
Date: 2011-05-05
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in observation of Teacher Appreciation Week. which commenced on May 2 and will end tomorrow. Its not only appropriate to recognize our hardworking and dedicated educators. it is necessary. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. I would like to recognize all the teachers in my district. I have visited every school back home. and I feel fortunate to have the classrooms filled with passionate teachers who are committed to every student by addressing their needs and guaranteeing their academic success. I would specifically like to recognize the 2011 Teacher of the Year recipients from the school districts in Anaheim and Santa Ana. California. Mr. Erick Rossman. Ms. Anne "Mac" Devine. Ms. Sylvia Immanuel. Ms. Michelle Majewski. Mr. John Lombardi. and Ms. Valencia Davis. thank you. Thank you for your passion and your outstanding success and work with our students.
Date: 2011-05-05
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the distinguished gentleman. and I rise to ask in particular that we have a reasoned debate on this question. I come from the gulf region and was appalled at the horror of the BP oil spill. My constituents are still suffering from that spill. I recognize that we have a dual responsibility. and that is to ensure that those individuals are made wholeand I might add that a better compensation system needs to be in placebut also that we restore jobs. A civil discussion is what is needed. As an oil and gas lawyer and also a member of the Homeland Security Committee which addresses the question of our own safety and security. we have to find a way to restore offshore deepwater drilling in a safe and secure manner. 1l 1010 I am disappointed that the Rules Committee did not take an amendment that I offered that would have modified the processing procedures of H.R. 1229. to restart that leasing process to extend the time for the Department of the Interior to review safely and securely and to eliminate the deemed provision. though I am supporting the Holt amendment and. of course. the Moran amendment. But. frankly. I think the issue is. energy at this time is multitasking. from nuclear energy to solar. to wind. to biofuels and fossil fuels (oil and gas). If we are in agreement with Brazil to do offshore deepwater drilling off the coast of Brazil. we need to restart that deepwater drilling here in the United States. safely and securely. As relates to the expanded lease sales. the question has to be whether States are prepared for that offshore drilling and whether or not we have secured the kind of technology that will allow us to do it safely and securely. I believe new containment processes are being put in place to help deepwater drilling to lower costs for the America people. Energy companies have organized something called a containment group to develop that new technology. What I would say is that this discussion should not be captured by special interests where we try the "get you" politics for the Department of the Interior or "get you" politics for President Obama. This is the time to get the best politics for the American people. to bring down gasoline prices. invest in energy which includes deepwater drilling and oil and gas. and lets get going on helping the American people to boost energy resource and to create jobs. I ask for a reasoned discussion on this important issue.
Date: 2011-05-05
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chair. on April 20. 2010. the Deepwater Horizon exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. killing eleven crewmen and causing over 4 million barrels of oil to spill into the gulf. Now. barely a year after the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history. the majority is rushing three reckless offshore drilling bills to the floor as if the Deepwater Horizon disaster never happened. Under the guise of combating high gasoline prices. todays legislation proposes to mandate the sale of three leases in the Gulf of Mexico and a fourth lease off the coast of Virginiawhether or not appropriate safeguards are in place. Astonishingly. the Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act actually requires the Secretary of the Interior to rely on demonstrably unrealistic environmental reviews conducted under the Bush Administration for purposes of approving these four leases. For example. these prespill analyses assumed that the worst case scenario for a Gulf oil spill would involve 4600 barrels of oilor about 1/1000 the actual amount of oil spilled by the Deepwater Horizon. Fortunately. the Obama Administration is taking a more responsible approach. Using the lessons we have learned from the Deepwater Horizon disaster. the Obama Administration has announced that it is prepared to move forward with the three Gulf lease sales by the middle of 2012after rigorous. postspill safety and environmental standards have been put into place. Additionally. the Administration has in my judgment correctly concluded that the Virginia lease should be cancelled as posing too great a risk to the economies and environment of the midAtlantic states. Mr. Chair. this bill does nothing to lower gasoline prices. It does nothing to end the billions in wasteful taxpayer subsidies going to oil companies already reporting record profits. It does nothing to invest in Americas clean energy future or strengthen Americas energy security. In fact. this legislation doesnt even contain a requirement that the oil produced from these leases be sold in the United States rather than exported. The only thing this bill really does is undermine the improved well design. workplace safety and environmental standards the Obama Administration is trying to put in place in order to avoid another Deepwater Horizon disaster. This legislation is irresponsible. and it deserves a "no" vote.
Date: 2011-05-05
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chair. I rise today in support of H.R. 1230. "Restarting American Offshore Leasing now Act" which will require four specific offshore oil and gas lease sales within the next year. Three of these lease sales will be for locations in the Gulf of Mexico and one will be off the Coast of Virginia. Although I have reservations about certain aspects of this bill. I nevertheless support it as a step in the right direction for America in our efforts to achieve energy independence. The central issue is promoting oil and gas related American jobs in the Gulf Coasts and to fill our Nations oil and gas needs as we search for alternative energy sources.
Date: 2011-05-05
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Chair. I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1230. It appears to me that the Republican energy plan is higher gas prices and lower safety standards. This fits nicely with their overall agenda for the 111th Congress: end Medicare to pay for tax breaks for Big Oil. Yesterday. the Republicans on the Rules Committee blocked my amendment that would require oil and gas companies to publicly disclose their environmental and worker safety record before drilling on the Outer continental shelf. Earlier this year. Republicans voted to gut the Commodity Futures Trading Commissionthe consumer watchdog agency charged with overseeing oil speculators. And earlier today. even though BP is now reporting $7.1 billion in quarterly profits17 percent increaseevery Republican in the House voted to block consideration of our Democratic bill. the Big Oil Welfare Repeal Act of 2011. to stop the billions of dollars in tax giveaways to the biggest oil companies who dont need taxpayer help to get their job done. Under the Republican budget that the House approved earlier this year. people in their 40s and 50s now will be forced to pay more for health care when they retire than under current lawat least $6.400 per year more. But consider this: in the past three months. the top five oil companies made $30 billion in profits and Republicans in Congress want to give them billions more in tax benefits and subsidies. The same Republicans who voted to end Medicare are now refusing to hold a vote on repealing the generous tax breaks for the largest and most profitable corporations in world history. Make no mistake about it. Their bill on the floor today wont bring down the price at the pump. It wont end the massive taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil. It wont lead to more fuelefficient cars. It wont crack down on oil speculators. And it wont improve the safety of offshore drillingand in fact it will require the Interior Department to accept the very same flawed NEPA documents that helped lead to the BP spill in the Gulf. I urge a "no" vote on H.R. 1230 because it ignores the lessons of the BP spill and it does nothing to help families or consumers. I dont think Americans want Congress to take money away from seniors only to give that very same money to oil giants.
Date: 2011-05-10
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chair. today I was unavoidably detained and missed the votes on: Polis (CO) Amendment (#1). Requires review of permits by the Interior Department to take into consideration all applicable safety. environmental and fisheries laws. such as the National Environmental Policy Act. the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Had I been present. I would have voted "no on this amendment. Garamendi (CA) Amendment (#2). Implements the independent BP spill commissions recommendation by requiring that in reviewing a drilling permit. the Secretary consult with an independent drilling safety organization not affiliated with the American Petroleum Institute. Had I been present. I would have voted "no on this amendment. Markey (MA) Amendment (#3). Implements offshore drilling safety reforms recommended by the BP Spill Commission and would set specific new minimum standards for blowout preventers. cementing and well design. Had I been present. I would have voted "no on this amendment.
Date: 2011-05-11
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chair. on rollcall No. 302. I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present. I would have voted "aye." Stated against:
Date: 2011-05-11
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chair. I rise today in support of H.R. 1231. This bill will ensure that our federal offshore oil and natural gas resources are accessible to us. This is essential for Americas energy security. For years. I have supported bills that would increase funding to research and development projects dealing with new and cleaner energy sources as well as provide financial incentives to produce energy from wind. solar. biomass. and geothermal. for consumers to purchase fuel efficient vehicles. increase energy efficiency standards for buildings and appliances. and promote public transit efforts. I will continue to support programs and projects seeking to create cleaner energy technologies because we all benefit from a cleaner environment. Finally. coming from Texas. which is the nations leader in renewable energy production and a pioneer in developing its own state portfolio standard. I support efforts to promote renewable energy production that meets the unique circumstances and resources of each state. But even with these increases in renewable energy. the Energy Information Administration found that oil. natural gas. and coal will continue to make up the large majority of U.S. energy use in 2030 and beyond. As our nations energy demand continues to increase. reasonable access and exploration of our offshore resources is a key component of our nations energy security. It is our job to provide affordable and reliable supplies of energy to American consumers. and this bill will help in our effort. For these reasons. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.
Date: 2011-05-12
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. HASTINGS. thank you for your service years on the Intelligence Committee. and I thank the ranking member and the members who are on the floor. I rise to support the underlying bill and the rule. recognizing that human intelligence and the resources that provide a safety net for the American people are crucialthe CIA. the Department of Defense and other intelligence civilian agencies. along with the United States military. I introduced H. Res. 240 to chronicle the successful apprehension and demise of Osama bin Laden. to actually emphasize. when combined together. the brawn and intellect of the United States military. The human intelligence over the years and the work of President Clinton. President Bush and President Obama in the strategic decision that had to be made by the civilian minds. in working with the military minds. has emphasized the constitutional values of this country that civilians. in working with the military. can. in fact. provide the armor protection of the United States of America. I am very grateful for that genius. and I want to thank them. Our legislation had over 50 cosponsors. As well. I believe now that we can actually say in good conscience: Bring the troops home from Afghanistan. Our mission is accomplished. We realize that human intelligence can help us target those who want to do us harm. and we have the constitutional fabric. along with the United States military. the likes of JSOC and many others in the intelligence community. who work on behalf of the American people. We can bring home the men and womenover 100.000who are based now in Afghanistan. Do you know what? Mothers Day was this past weekend. and sadly. soldiers fell in battle on Mothers Day. Let us not have another Mothers Day when some mother in America. somewhere. loses a child to the battle in Afghanistan. not when we can use smart power and use intelligence and use a minimum of force. It is time now for America to welcome home her heroes with honor and. as well. to thank those who dedicated the brawn and the intellect that could make good on a promise that. yes. you will come to justice if you do harm to the American people. I ask support for the underlying legislation and the rule.
Date: 2011-05-12
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. due to a conflicting engagement at the White House I was absent during the votes on H. Res. 264 and H. Con. Res. 50. Had I been present. I would have voted "nay" on both measures.
Date: 2011-05-13
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentleman. I rise to support this motion to recommit. I introduced H. Res. 240. and 50 of you supported it. because we believe that all of those involved should be thanked. that all of America should be thanked. So many of us remember standing on those steps and singing "God Bless America." singing it loudly. As others in America sang and joined together. we were not to be daunted. And. yes. this particular resolution thanks President Clinton and President Bush. It talks about the bravery and the courage. And it also acknowledges President Obama calling and directing the order and making sure that all of our resources were used. And it also shows that our Navy SEALs. in spite of the loss of life of so many soldiers. our Navy SEALs came back alive and they captured Osama bin Laden. Isnt it important to make the statement that the prioritization of our intelligence community should be focused on getting rid of al Qaeda. disrupting them and those affiliated? Vote for this motion to recommit because it does. in fact. provide the opportunity to thank everyone. and it says again. God bless America. Mr. Chair. as a Senior Member of the Judiciary Committee and Committee on Homeland Security. I want to make sure that this Chamber fully recognizes and acknowledges the exemplary bravery. courage. and patriotism demonstrated by the Special Operations Command. the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. the intelligence community. and President Barack H. Obama for successfully bringing Osama bin Ladan to justice for acts of terrorism committed against the United States on September 11. 2001. This is a Bipartisan. American issue. We have a rare opportunity to give some measure of relief to all those victims of the 911 tragedy and to acknowledge the efforts to bring Osama bin Laden to justice that spanned three Presidential Administrations beginning with the efforts of President Bill Clintons Administration. continuing with the efforts of President George W. Bushs Administration which all set the stage for President Obama to move with swiftness. decisiveness and leadership to finally bring Osama bin Laden to justice. We must be mindful that this does not end our efforts to protect America from terrorist threats like that of Al Qaeda. We still have much to do in that effort. but we should not miss this historic opportunity to thank three Presidents. our intelligence community and our military for their 10 year of persistence and their successful mission to bring the Terrorist Osama bin Laden. Today. a large number of lives were lost in Pakistan. an al Qaeda associated organization attacked innocent persons. We must continue to stamp out this violence. So. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for the motion to recommit.
Date: 2011-05-13
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I was unavoidably detained on May 9 in my State of Texas dealing with issues on immigration reform with the President of the United States. and I missed the following rollcall votes. and if I had been present at that time I would have voted on rollcall vote 299. "yes." rollcall vote 300. "yes." and rollcall vote 301. "yes." In addition. yesterday because of another meeting with the President. I missed rollcall vote 321. H. Con. Res. 50. I would have voted "no." On rollcall vote 322. the rule for the Intelligence authorization. I would have voted "aye."
Date: 2011-05-13
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

In the last 24 hours. we heard of the devastating attack in Pakistan and the words of the Taliban saying that its in retaliation for the capture and demise of Osama bin Laden. Earlier this week. I introduced H. Res. 240 to acknowledge all of those who sacrificed their lives to be able to go into battle to find Osama bin Laden. the intelligence community. President Obama. President Clinton. President Bush. with President Obama directing this very. very. very difficult mission and. as well. the brave men and women who participated and the Navy SEALs who went in and came out alive. But we must realize that we live in a very difficult time. and that time is a time of attack and retaliation. We will not be daunted. and we will stand in place to be able to celebrate those who are brave enough to fight this war on terror. To the people of Pakistan. we offer our sympathy. We will continue to work together for the betterment of those who believe in democratic values.