macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-06-11
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I have come to the floor this evening to express my concern about the lack of funding by this administrations to our nations education programs and I wanted to share with my colleagues how this budget matches up with the priorities of the people I represent. On yesterday. in a beautiful ceremony in the Rose Garden. President Bush hosted an event marking the progress. significant progress toward making sure every child in public schools gets a quality education. Now. I am sure that made a great story on last evenings news. but Head Start is more than just news for the nearly 20 million families who have benefited trom the program. It is real life. Head Start provides the most comprehensive program for children of low income. working families. In a recent study by the Family and Child Experiences Survey. the findings concluded that children are ready to learn. Anothr" study concluded that Head Start narrowr : the gap between disadvantaged children ..- I their peers in vocabulary and writing ski. uring the program year. I am here today because of this Administrations plans to dismantle this vital program by tuming it over to struggling states. It baffles me why such a move would be necessary. Currently. the program provides federal grants directly to community organizations. allowing for local flexibility and strong federal oversight of Head Starts quality. If Head Start is turned over to states during this time of economic uncertainty. it is very likely they will use Head Start funding to fill gaps in their own programs. Mr. Speaker. the Head Starl program not only involves the child but also recognizes the importance of the family. Head Start has included parents in both the childs education and their membership in the Head Start Policy Council. I have received numerous letters from teachers. parents. and other employees of the Sunnyview and Greater Head Start locations in my district of Dallas. Texas. Each one pleading for additional funding and urging the program to be kept in its current structure. One parent writes. "they teach them how to write. count. their ABCs. to draw. to be responsible ..... .Many families feel comfortable with this program because they can come in and volunteer in the classes and see what the children are learning." Mr. Speaker. in closing I would hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would consider listening to the countless voices of children that Head Start prepares for the foundation of their critical learning years. How can we deny them a chance at a decent future? I submit to you. that we cannot. It is our duty as federal lawmakers. that every child is prepared with a quality education so they can be productive citizens of this nation.
Date: 2003-06-12
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Call

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to voice my anger. my anger over the Bush administrations willingness to plunge our economy further into debt. The Congressional Budget Office had projected that this years shortfall to the budget would be $300 billion. But recently they came back and. they now tell us it is going to be over $400 billion. This years budget deficit will be the biggest one since 1992 and it will be the second consecutive one under this President after we had 4 years of surplus by President Clintons administration. Instead of enacting fiscally responsible legislation. this administration continues to do further tax cuts for the wealthy. Former President Clinton recently said. When you find yourself in a hole. a practical person stops digging. But this Bush administration. it is asking for a bigger shovel. Mr. Speaker. It is time to stop digging. Fiscal responsibility needs to be the rule and not the exception to the rule.
Date: 2003-06-12
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Chairman. I rise to speak in support of this amendment. I agree that there are some problems with our class action system. but the socalled Class Action Fairness Act is not the solution. I am particularly concerned because the bill intrudes on a specific provision of California law. one which allows State laws to be enforced by district and city attorneys as well as private attorneys general. This California law has been used successfully to protect the public from false advertising. predatory lending. fake cures for cancer and other shameful scams perpetrated by outofState business. For example. in People v. Life Alert. Californias district attorney stopped Life Alert. the purveyors of the "I have fallen and cannot get up" advertisements from aggressive doortodoor sales tactics. Those tactics included refusing to leave elderly peoples homes until they bought the product. and refusing to issue refunds to consumers who complained about such tactics. Unfortunately. the Class Action Fairness Act takes away Californias ability to protect consumers in this way. It does so by defining private attorney general actions as class actions and removing them to Federal court. Why does this matter? Because private attorney general lawsuits are less likely to proceed if they are deemed class action lawsuits. That would force the private attorney general to certify a class when In fact he or she is bringing the suit to protect consumers from harm. In addition. Federal court is more expensive and time consuming for plaintiffs. especially when it involves greater travel. This bill is also an insult to States rights. It usurps decisions made by States regarding their court system and their class action system. Some members of Congress talk about the importance of States rights. but in the end it appears that that is only true when it is convenient for their purposes. Apparently federalism is not as important when consumer protections are at stake. .I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and to oppose the underlying bill. Voting for H.R. 1115 is like trying to address automobile fatalities by dumping gasoline into the ocean. It fails to do anything about the first problem while creating a second one. If we are going to fix the class action system. then let us do it right. This bill is not the way to do it.
Date: 2003-06-17
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. I rise today to honor Jackson Tobiska. a senior at Orange Countys High School of the Arts. for being selected as a 2003 Presidential Scholar. Jackson is one of 137 winners of this very prestigious award. selected "nationally by a 32 member commission. It is comprised of leaders in education. medicine. law. social .services and government. and they select the scholars. The scholars are selected based on their academic skills. on their community service. and. of course on their leadership skills. In a time when there are budget cuts that are cutting across our education system. and when our schools. especially in my home State. are suffering. it is refreshing to see that both students and teachers are dedicated to academic excellence. I am very proud of Jackson for his hard work and for being selected as a Presidential. Scholar for 2003. He reminds us that with determination and with dedication. anything is possible.
Date: 2003-06-18
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to talk about the Taxpayer Protection and IRS Accountability Act. I was pleased to see the inclusion of language that abates interest on erroneous tax refunds. This is language nearly identical to my Erroneous Tax Refund Fairness Act. I had to deal with this very issue a few years ago when I tried to return an erroneous refund. Actually the IRS put into my bank account $66.000 more than I was supposed to get back. so my husband called and said we want to return this $66.000. They would not take it. My CPA called and said we would like to return the $66.000. They would not take it. I called them and said I need to return the $66.000. They would not take it. Four months later. they finally took it back. Two weeks later they sent us another check for $66.000. A short time after that. after we finally got the $66.000 back to the IRS. I was billed by the IRS for the interest on the money. even though I had not earned any. So I applaud this bill for including this language.
Date: 2003-06-19
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to voice concern over the undue hardship that President 11ush is placing on our military families. At a time when our Nation is asking a tremendous amount from our armed services. the administration has proceeded to deliver blow after blow to our men and women in uniform. The Bush tax cut failed to extend a child tax credit to nearly 200.000 lowincome military personnel. And then. of course. $200 million has been cut from programs providing assistance to public schools on military bases. The Bush administration said they would Leave No Child Behind. Well. what is happening to the children of the brave troops who are in Iraq? The latest tax cut also scraped $1.5 billion away from military housing. Furthermore. it cuts $14.6 billion over 10 years from veterans benefits. During the 2000 campaign. the President vowed to give our Armed Forces better pay. bettpr treatment. and better training. Well. Mr. President. it is time to keep your promise.
Date: 2003-06-19
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise in strong opposition to the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003. H.R. 660. This legislation would exempt Association Health Plans from state regulations and oversight. As a former nurse. I have spent much of my public career working to ensure that the nations health care system Is affordable and provides the best services possible to all Americans. Although I agree in principle with the Small Business Health Fairness Act H.R. 660). legislation that attempts to reduce the high cost of health insurance for small businesses and the selfemployed. after careful review I have developed. One of the problems I have with H.R. 660 is that it would exempt associated Health Plants (AHPs) from state regulation and oversight. I am afraid that this could lead to soaring insurance premiums. discriminatory coverage and loss of crucial protections. such as guaranteed access to medical care and critical benefits. With over 41 million Americans uninsured. and almost 65 percent of them being Hispanic or African America. I am extremely concerned that this legislation coiuld lead to loss of critical health services for some of the neediest families. Madam Speaker. while proponents claim that federal AHPs would make Insurance more affordable. and analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) concluded that AHPs would save money primarily by "cherry picking" the healthy from the existing insurance pool. The CBO estimated that as a result of the risk pool fragmentation. caused by AHPS. health premiums would rise for 20 mllilon workers and dependents while only 4.6 million would experience premium reductions.. The CBO also found that the other source of savings would be the result of the elimination of state mandated benefits. Examples of benefits likely to be dropped by AHPs include mental. health services. breast and prostate cancer screenings. maternity coverage and prescription drugs. I agree that all families should have access to a affordable health care coverage. But schemes that would exempt association health plans from state oversight would exacerbate existing problems by causing further segmentation of the risk pool and putting consumers at greater risk of plan insolvency and outright fraud. For these reasons urge my col.leagues to oppose H.R. 660
Date: 2003-06-19
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. on rollcall No. 295. had I been present on the Motion to Recommil. I would vote "aye". on the next rollcall. No. 296--final passageI would vote "no".
Date: 2003-06-24
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to applaud the Supreme Court on Its rulings on the University of Michigan affirmative action cases. The rulings indicate to the entire Nation that the Supreme Court believes in the basic premise behind affirmative action: to create opportunities for minorities and to eliminate discrimination. Affirmative action programs have been successful in increasing the racial. ethnic. and gender diversity of many educational and workplace settings throughout the United States. Affirmative action has also been shown to provide a boost to the Nations economy. A recent study by the Educational Testing Service argued that diversity was one of the engines that drove the United States economy. It showed that if African American and Hispanic workers were represented at colleges and universities in the same proportions as other 18- to 24yearolds. the United States wealth would increase by $231 billion a year. and annual tax revenues would increase by $80 billion. Why? Because it gives hope to blighted and forgotten areas of our Nation. and it improves trade and commerce worldwide. This goes to show that by promoting adequate funding for kindergarten through twelfth grade education in underserved areas and promoting diversity in higher education in the workplace. our economy will improve.
Date: 2003-06-24
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise tonight to address the most important issue of Medicare reform. As a former nurse. I have spent much of my career working to ensure that our Nations healthcare system provides a wide range of affordable services. and we as Members of Congress must be fiscally responsible when it comes to making decisions regarding our budget. Fiscal responsibility entails looking at the whole picture and seeing the effect it may have on all individuals in society. I will continue to work hard to ensure that those who have given to the system will receive their just rewards. This includes continuing to help those who would like to help themselves by providing a means for them to do Just that. I will continue to favor programs such as welfare and Medicare that have this objective in mind. and I will oppose any legislation that provides tax cuts which do not benefit all of society. In the year 2000 at my request the House Committee on Government Reform conducted research on prescription drug costs in the DallasFortworth Metroplex. The results of this study were astounding. Seniors in my congressional district paid 122 percent more for prescription drugs than do members of managed care plans and Federal employees. Last Congress I was very disappointed. when the House passed the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit bill. H.R. 4954. This bill passed closely along party lines. did not entitle seniors to any particular drug benefit plan. Instead. this standard benefit is merely a suggestion for what private plans might offer. Unfortunately. we are poised to repeat history if we pass this Republican Medicare bill. I oppose the Republican Medicare bill because it does not ensure that citizens and people with disabilities get the long overdue Medicare prescription drug benefit that is available and affordable to all. There are two essential changes that are needed for the Republican Medicare bill to become palatable. First. the bill must be amended to include a uniform. defined prescription drug benefit that is universally available through Medicare. Second. the bill must reject proposals to privatize the program. These two changes are critical. The Republican Medicare bill must provide a guaranteed drug benefit managed by Medicare. Beneficiaries in traditional Medicare cannot be disadvantaged should private plans be allowed to compete to provide Medicare benefits. Our proposed Democratic amendment would have added a stable. defined drug benefit in Medicare. It is time that we acknowledge that there is an America that is waiting for relief. It is also time for us to acknowledge that the people deserve a little attention rather than the corporations and pharmaceutical companies getting all of the breaks.
Date: 2003-06-25
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to pay tribute to the brave men and women who served in the Armed Forces and fought for the freedom of the Korean people. This week marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the ceasefire agreement that ended the fighting of the Korean War. A peace treaty was never signed. leaving strained relations on the Korean peninsula until today. Armed Forces from over 20 countries came together to fight in what is often called the "forgotten war." Casualties in the United States Armed Forces totalled 54.260 dead. with .8.176 listed as missing in action or as prisoners of war. I would also like to recognize Orange County resident Martin Markley. who recently received a Bronze Star for combat valor after surviving a bloody battle in Korea over 50 years ago. and I want to give my thanks to those veteranswho helped defend for the Korean people. and I want to extend my sympathy to those who lost loved ones during that war. They have not been forgotten and their memory will always be remembered.
Date: 2003-06-25
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. even though I agree In principle on the intent of the resolution. I believe it could have been drafted differently. I intend to vote "yes" on H. Res. 294. All of us who support Middle East peace process are aware of the fragile relationship between Israelis and Palestinians. I believe that future progress toward peace will require a real commitment on the part of Israel and the Palestinians. and the active participation of the United States. Mr. Speaker. I strongly support Israel. but I also strongly support efforts to bring about peace In the region. which will allow the Israeli and Palestinian people to live together side by side without having to endure this type of violence. All sides of this conflict have responsibilities. Israel must take tangible steps now to ease the suffering of Palestinians and to show respect for their dignity. As progress is made toward peace. Israel must stop settlement activity in the occupied territories. Arab nations must fight terror in all forms. and recognize and state the obvious once and for all: Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state at peace with Its neighbors. There is no excuse for terrorist acts. I want to save the lives of Israelis. and I want to save the lives of Palestinians. Both are equally precious. both deserve to live in peace and security. It Is in that spirit. and with that faith. that I will continue to work with the Administration to ensure the United States remains firm in its commitment to the principles necessary to guarantee the success of the ArabIsraeli peace process.
Date: 2003-06-26
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. I heard a strange rumor last night that the Republican Party was going to change its mascot from the elephant to the night owl. This would be fitting since most legislation these days is being discussed by Republicans in the dark of night behind closed doors without giving Democrats a fair chance to debate it here on the House floor. Today we are going to vote on legislation that will provide the most significant reform in Medicare since its creation in 1965. This legislation will Impact millions of seniors across the Nation. yet many of the Representatives in Congress will not have seen this legislation until today. Would someone sign their name on a longterm mortgage for their home if they had never stepped inside that house? Moreover. many well thought out amendments today will not be debated. For example. my simple. cost effective proposal for a Medicare prescriptioni drug benefit. they did not allow us to bring it to the floor to discuss it. The night owls have yet again ruined a perfect opportunity on what should really be bipartisan legislation. Aint that a hoot.
Date: 2003-06-26
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. this sham Republican prescription bill provides elderly women with nothing more than a false sense of security.
Date: 2003-06-26
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1. the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modemlzation Act. I want to thank Congresswoman LYNN WOOLSEY for her hard work In bringing Democratic women together to speak against the Republicans shameful Prescription Drug bill. As a freshman Member of Congress. I came here with a tremendous sense of optimism. By nature. I am an eternal optimist. But I am no fool. and the American people shouldnt be fooled either. Unfortunately. that is exactly what the Republicans are trying to do with their sham Prescription drug bill. If you believe the Republican bill solves the prescription drug crisis facing our seniors... If you think that seniors will get the medications they need. at a price they can afford . . . If you believe private Insurance companiesthe same people who brought you HMOswIlI provide better coverage for seniors than a reformed Medicare system . . . or if you think you can get all the drugs your doctor prescribed. Including the most expensive. at your local pharmacy. . . . Then you should be listening to that old country song by George Strait called "Ocean Front Property." It goes something like this: Ive got some ocean front property In Arizona from my front porch y~u can see the sea. Ive got some ocean front property in Arizona and if youll buy that Ill throw the Golden Gate in free. Republicans are just like scam artists trying to sell you an ocean front property In the desert. But now they are trying to sell you a phony prescription drug package. We must not fall for it. especially when this Is not what seniors want. I say to my Republican colleagues. it Is time to stop this heinous scam on senlorsl It is time to show the greatest generation In our country the respect they deserve. After all. they are the people who served us In times of war. got us through the Great Depression. raised their children and made countless contributions to this country. Worst of all. the Republican bill Ignores the reality of older women. the face of Medicare. Women constitute 58 percent of the Medicare population at 65 and 71 percent at the age of 85. Since women normally outlive their male counterparts and many women spend time out of the workforce. caring for their children and sometimes. their own parents. Medicare beneficiaries are disproportionately female. We need to make sure that every prescription is covered without a gap. Seniors. particularly women. must retain their right to see their doctor of choice. We must empower seniors to make the right choices. not insurance companies. This is exactly what the democratic plan does and exactlywhat seniors want. In fact. according to a survey conducted by AARP: 4 out of 5 seniors dont want the GOP proposal. Today. Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues not to support H.R. 1. Lets tell the Republicans dont try to sell seniors something they dont want.