macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-01-11
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support.of H.R. 3. the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of I am proud to have been an original cosponsor of this legislation in both the 109th and 110th Congresses. H.R. 3 will increase the number of embryonic stem cell lines that are eligible for use in federally funded research while maintaining strict ethical standards ensuring that only stem cells from embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics can be used for research. My home State of California has taken the lead in stem cell research. In Orange County. California. the University of CaliforniaIrvines Reeves Center is the home to spectacular research that is utilizing stem cells to work towards finding new treatments for spinal cord injury. I hope that any Member who has questions about stem cell research will seek out a research center like the Reeves Center to learn about the amazing progress that researchers are making towards finding treatments and cures for spinal injury. diabetes. Parkinsons disease. Alzheimers. ALS. multiple sclerosis. and cancer among others. Federal support for this groundbreaking research will help researchers find answers even faster. I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation.
Date: 2007-01-11
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3. providing for embryonic stem cell research. The majority of Americans are in favor of stem cell research. as am I. Scientists in this country have been handcuffed by politicians who do not trust them to conduct research in an ethical manner. My colleagues. you have heard an argument that "adult" stem cells have yielded greater benefits than "embryonic" stem cells in clinical research. The fact is that adult stem cells receive much more Federal funding. while embryonic stem cells have received little. Its not right for legislators or the President to be telling scientists how to do their work. Researchers need freedom to pursue science that yields benefits. A vote for H.R. 3 is a vote for millions suffering from diabetes. Parkinsons. and other diseases. It is time to say "no" to the ultraconservative lobby that has blockaded stem cell research for so long. and it is time for a change.
Date: 2007-01-11
Speaker: HENRY WAXMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

DAN BURTON. ROB BISHOP and others in support of the DC Voting Rights Act. Off the Hill. former elected officials Jack Kemp. John Breaux. J.C. Watts ancothers support the bill. Secretary Kemp put it well at the Martin Luther King Memorial groundbreaking when he said: "Dr. King like Mr. Lincoln believed that democracy is the ultimate destiny of all mankind. Thus it becomes strikingly ironic and indeed actually hypocritical for our nation to send young men and women to fight in foreign wars in the cause of freedom and democracy but continue to deny the people of this great city the opportunity to vote for their representative in the U.S. Congress."
Date: 2007-01-12
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 4. the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of Now you can imagine how Democrats felt when the Republicans hijacked the whole idea of putting benefits into Medicare for prescription drugs. Not only did they do a bad job with the regular program with the doughnut hole and higher prices. but on top of that. they added two additional things. One. they made criminals of people who would go to Canada or Mexico to get the same drugs for lower prices because. of course. our pharmaceutical companies charge the highest price for drugs right here in the United States. Secondly. they prohibited the United States Government from doing what all other health plans do: negotiate the price of prescription drugs for the people who are in their health care program. Well. guess what? Today we will right that. Today we will allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate on behalf of Americans.
Date: 2007-01-12
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 4. and I want to thank the committee for bringing this bill to the floor and look forward to its passage. In 2003. I opposed the Presidents prescription drug plan because it was clear that it would not help Americas elderly and Americas sick.. Instead. the bill guaranteed high prices to drug makers. by prohibiting the Federal Government from negotiating lower drug prices on behalf of seniors. Today we have an opportunity to correct one of the wrongs instituted by that bill. The bill before us today is part of our ambitious agenda for the first 100 hours in this new Congress. and will start to put the interests of seniors before those of drug companies. The states. the V.A.. Fortune 500 companies. and large pharmacy chains all use their bargaining clout to obtain lower drug prices for their patients. Medicare beneficiaries deserve the same opportunity. Giving HHS drug price negotiating authority for Medicare has overwhelming bipartisan support across the country. along with support from organizations like AARP. Consumers Union. and AFLCIO. Negotiating for lower prescription drug prices will be the first step towards fixing this highly flawed system and helping our seniors.
Date: 2007-01-12
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. last August I held six (6) Town Hall Meetings throughout my district on the new Medicare Part D Prescription Drug program. and I would encourage my colleagues to do the same. Not only did it give my constituents a chance to get help and get their questions answered. it gave me an opportunity to really find out how the new program is working. Ive been an elected official for 25 years. and I have never seen a program that penalizes somebody for the rest of their life if they didnt sign up right away. This current Medicare Part D bill was written by and for the Insurance and Pharmaceutical industry without the needs of our seniors in mind. This bill allows the private drug plans to take drugs off their approved list. and even charge more for drugs throughout the year. while seniors are locked in and cannot change plans untilthe next year. Incredibly. the Republican Leadership wrote a bill that specifically prevents the Secretary of Health and Human Services from negotiating the price of drugs. Even though both the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of DoD are negotiating their drug prices right now. Could you imagine if we told WalMart that they couldnt get a reduced price by buying in bulk? Every member of the Republican Party would be on this floor screaming bloody murder. but when its needed drugs for our senior citizens. there is deifening silence. This is another perfect example of the Republicans -talking out of both sides of their mouth. They stand on the floor every. day demanding that we save the taxpayers money. but when we try to do that with the companies that fill their campaign coffers. they say we are hurting business. But the real truth is that the drug companies are making record profits while seniors and taxpayers are paying higher drug prices. And one of the most troubling aspects of this bill and one that most people dont know about is the "donuthole" where no coverage is provided after you spend $2.250 until your costs reach $5.100. Thats $3000 in out of pocket costs that few if any of our seniors can afford. I encourage my colleagues to do the right thing for our parents and grandparents and allow the secretary to negotiate bulk prices for these needed drugs.
Date: 2007-01-12
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I have serious reservations about H.R. 4. I am not convinced this provision will do anything to really help lower the price of prescription drugs. I will reluctantly vote for H.R. 4 because it is a priority for the Speaker. I would like to submit an article into the RECORD published yesterday morning in the Washington Post. The article points out the faulty approach in comparing the Veterans Administration with Medicare Part D. when it comes to drug price negotiations. While the V.A. is able to offer significant savings in drug prices. it offers a limited formulary. Also. the VAby lawreceives an automatic 24 percent discount from the average price that wholesalers pay. Comparing Medicare Prescription Drugs to the V.A. system is apples to oranges. I have not seen convincing evidence that the proposal will be effective. Mr. Speaker. we must do better. We must do more. In my opinion. this bill leads the seniors to believe that we are doing something for them. If we are serious. we would address the "donut hole." Again. I urge my colleagues to review this article. that helps to make my point. and I submit it for the RECORD. [From the Washington Post. Jan. 11. 2007]
Date: 2007-01-12
Speaker: LINCOLN DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Tennessee

Mr. Speaker. I support H.R. 4. the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007. and its goal of reducing prescription drug prices for both the Medicare program and its beneficiaries. Just like any new program. the current Part D benefit has its flaws. Make no mistake. however. the current Medicare prescription drug benefit has gone a long way in providing desperately needed assistance to seniors in Tennessee and across America in paying for their prescription drugs. Though far from perfect. the original bill passed in 2003 represented a breakthrough and an important milestone in the Nations commitment to strengthen and expand health security for current beneficiaries and future generations: As a representative of an extremely rural district. the provisions that directly impacted my rural constituency were too good to vote against. Had I voted against the Jegislation. I would have essentially voted against my constituents. and I was elected to protect them. Tennessees Fourth District has a little over 27.000 elderiy individuals with incomes less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level. The current benefit has directly assisted them in scaling down the cost of medicine and. as a result. has provided much needed assistance for lowincome individuals. In fact. as of November. over 50.000 Tennesseans had been deemed eligible for the lowincome subsidies provided by the original legislation. The Medicare Prescription Drug. Improvement. and Modernization Act of 2003 has directly impacted each of the 435 congressional districts in a unique way. While there is room for improvement. no one can deny that Part D has made great strides in helping our seniors to afford prescription medications. I applaud the program. but like my colleagues. I am committed to strengthening the benefit.
Date: 2007-01-12
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support for the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007. H.R. 4. This legislation is long overdue. Quite simply. H.R. 4 repeals the provision in current law that prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from negotiating with drug companies for lower prices for those enrolled in Medicare prescription drug plans and instead requires the Secretary to conduct such negotiations. As it stands right now. Medicare is the only entity in this country that cannot bargain for lower drug prices. The states. Fortune 500 companies. large pharmacy chains. and the Veterans Administration (VA) all use their bargaining clout to obtain lower drug prices for the populations they serve. It is quite astonishing that the current law prohibits Medicare from negotiating for lower prices while the VA is able to negotiate for lower prices for veterans. By not allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices. the responsibility for moderating drug prices is in the hands of the private drug plans that participate in Medicare. With the failure of private plans to deliver lower drug prices. Medicare beneficiaries end up paying higher outofpocket expenses. This failure is also a burden on taxpayers. as they pay approximately threefourths of the costs of the Part D program. We simply cannot rely solely on private market competition to secure lower drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries. In fact. a recent report conducted by Families USA found that Medicare Part D drug prices are much higher than those obtained by the VA. This comprehensive study determined that for half of the top 20 drugs prescribed to Medicare Part D beneficiaries. the lowest price charged by Part D insurers is at least 58 percent higher than the same drugs provided to veterans by the VA. It is obvious that the pharmaceutical companies participating in Medicare Part D have failed to achieve what former CMS Administrator Mark McClellan claimed. "the best discounts on drugs." We can. and must. do better in lowering drug prices in the Medicare Part D program. We must stand up for seniors and people with disabilities and give Medicare the ability to get the lowest possible prices for its beneficiaries. Americas seniors and taxpayers will benefit from this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007.
Date: 2007-01-16
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. today we are here to recognize Dr. Kings legacy and the millions of men and women who have fought for freedom and justice for all Americans. It is rare that one person can change the fate of our Nation. however Dr. King was able to do just that. Dr. King relied on his relationship with God and his faith in justice to articulate his vision for America in a way that touched the hearts and minds of the American public. Dr. King called on all of us to no longer stand alone in silence. but. to stand up together as a voice against injustice. He inspired us to fight for change through nonviolent means. and paved the road for us to continue that fight even after his death. Dr. King once said "All progress is precarious. and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem." This statement was not meant to be a deterrent. but rather to remind us that we need to remain diligent. and prepare for the long road ahead. If we become apathetic we will regress. We have not. and must not forget the fight is not over. This is the first year that well recognize Martin Luther King Day since the death of Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Mrs. King and I were friends and confidants for many years. She was an incredible womangraceful and dignifiedwho showed strength in the face of indignation and tragedy. Following Dr. Kings assassination. she continued his legacy promoting social and economic justice for all. Mrs. King was determined to make his dream a reality. And we would not be celebrating the legacy of Dr. King today without her contributions. There are many young people who may not have experienced Dr. Kings battle towards equality. That is why it is so important to familiarize them with our history and struggles. It is imperative we recognize the history of our nation. because we cannot look towards the future without applying the lessons we have learned from thepast. Todays Martin Luther King Day is as much about the past as it is about the future. Dr. Kings dream is truly timeless. and I hope that all the young people will find inspiration in his faith and vision.
Date: 2007-01-16
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Madam Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution honoring the Mare Island Original 21ers for their efforts to remedy racial discrimination in employment at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
Date: 2007-01-16
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for his comments and appreciate his support for this resolution. Madam Speaker. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey . a member of the committee.
Date: 2007-01-16
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his support of this. This naval shipyard. it has been closed and it is going through the reused process. and it is a very. very exciting economic development plan for the city of Vallejo. It is in my district. And just down the way. down the river to San Francisco Bay is the Rosie the Riveter historic site. And at Rosie the Riveter. they talk about the various sites where we assembled the great American armada to carry supplies and troops to the Pacific during the Second World War. In the town in which I was born. in Richmond. California. the Second World War and the Kaiser shipyards being located there overnight completed integrating the city. And of course we all know the story of women who went to work. women of all races went to work in those Kaiser shipyards. blacks went to work alongside white shipyard workers. Then they moved on. the shipyard. in peacetime at Mare Island. and that is where this discrimination took place. Because of the actions of President Kennedy. because of the actions of people like the Mare Island 2lers and a lot of other brave people. today we look back at this as part of history in terms of workplace discrimination. certainly the Federal Government. one of the integrated workforces in the country. It is because of these kinds of actions thatmve can now speak of this. for the most part. as part of our historical .past. but never losing sight of the sacrifice and the courage of ordinary people to move the dial toward integration from discrimination. It washt easy in these communities. it wasnt easy in these workplaces. So when we see actions like this taken. I think it is quite fitting that the Congress would recognize this by passing this resolution commending the actions of courage of these 21 African American workers in the shipyard. I thank my colleagues for support of this resolution. I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for his words in support of this resolution. I would hope that the House would adopt it unanimously. Madam Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2007-01-16
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I rise in support of H. Res. 39. the Wasserman Schultz-* Stearns resolution commending the University of Florida Fighting Gators for their victory in the 2006 Bowl Championship Series and for winning the national college football title. Madam Speaker. after a hardfought football season. the Florida Gators proved victorious on January 8 with a dazzling 4114 triumph over the Ohio State University Buckeyes. While many critics expressed doubt about the Gators chances for victory. Floridas Congressional Delegation and all of the students. alumni and friends in the Gator Nation stood by the Orange and Blue. Led by senior quarterback Chris Leak. the MVP of the game. and Floridas impenetrable defense. Florida Gators dominated the game when the stakes were the highest. This season. as Floridas football program celebrated its 100th anniyersary. the University of Florida made history by winning national titles in both mens basketball and football in the same season. Congressman STEARNS and I would like to extend special congratulations to Floridas head coach. Urban Meyer. who trained this football team to be the best in the country. The Florida players. coaches. faculty. students and alumni all pulled together with hard work and dedication to help the team win. All of the student athletes are shining stars for the University. and deserve our highest praise. The Gator Nations academic reputation is stellar. our sports teams are number one. and our fans are like none other. Madam Speaker. it is great to be a Florida Gator.
Date: 2007-01-17
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 5. legislation that will reduce interest rates for student borrowers. Now. we all know that the cost of college has gone up every year. In fact. over the last 7 years the cost of a public school education. on average. has increased by 41 percent and at a private school by 7 percent. That is in real dollars. So. how do lower income and middle income students go to higher education? They do it with Pell Grants. In California we do it with the State grants. but we also do it by borrowing. And so I believe that we should lower the interest costs so that anybody who wants to have a higher education. if you want to go back and get your masters. if your child wants to go and get their B.A.. that we should be a partner in investment with them. Investing in our people is the rfiost important thing our country can do to be competitive visavis the rest of the world.
Date: 2007-01-17
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. the foundation of our Nation is education. Generally speaking. those with better educations earn more. are healthier and live longer. The road to a better society is paved with education. I want more of our people to have the opportunity to travel the road to a better society. This is why I will support H.R. 5. It cuts interest rates on subsidized student- loans in half from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent. It saves the typical borrower $4.400. It provides more opportunities for more Americans to have more opportunities. I will support H.R. 5.
Date: 2007-01-17
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to commend the life of activist and humanitarian Muhammad Ali on his 65th birthday. Muhammad. Ali is not only recognized for his boxing career but also for his dedication to reaching out to lesser developed countries. His involvement in social causes. diplomacy and politics has served as a shining example of courage. strength and dignity. Muhammad Ali was once one of the worlds greatest and most flamboyant boxers. and during the course of his long career. he also became known as an eloquent statesman for peace. as well as. a generous man who devoted much of his considerable earnings to charity. Born Cassius Clay in Louisville. Kentucky in 1942. Ali learned at a very young age that determifiation and dedication would take him to greater places. After winning the gold medal in the 1960 Olympics. Muhammad Ali became actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement with Malcolm X. At a time when race and politics permeated the public stage. Ali represented a well known figure not afraid to speak his mind and fight against oppression imposed by Jim Crow. Never had a sport figure encouraged so many people to fight against social oppression. After he retired from boxing he continued working to better the lives of others through his involvement with the Jimmy Carter Campaign in 1980. Through his humanitarian work Ali has founded WORLD. the World Organization for Right. Liberty. and Dignity. and the All Center. WORLD. an organization that fights for human rights against exploitation and slavery. and the Ali Center serve as international and cultural centers to explore the greatness and the drive that lies within all of us and to inspire everyone to pursue their highest potential. In spite of the fact that Muhammad Ali has been suffering from Parkinsons disease in the past two decades. he still remains an advocate of children and war victims. Inspiring millions has been an arduous work in progress till this day for Muhammad Ali. He continues to be a leader and revolutionary to this day.
Date: 2007-01-17
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Madam Speaker. pursuant to House Resolution 65. I call up the bill (H:R. 5) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reduce interest rates for student borrowers. and ask for its immediate consideration.