macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-11-18
Speaker: MAXINE WATERS (democrat)
Chamber: S
State: California

From the Committee on the Judiciary. for consideration of sections 1313. 24406. and 43001 of the House amendment and sections 32502 and 35437 of the Senate amendment. and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. GOODLATTE. MARINO. and Ms. LOFGREN. From the Committee on Natural Resources. for consideration of sections 111416. 1120. 1301. 1302. 1304. 1305. 1307. 1308. 131013. 1316. 1317. 10001. and 10002 of the House amendment and sections 1102427. 1110113. 1111618. 15006. 3110305. and 73103 of the Senate amendment. and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. LAHOOD. and GRIJALVA. From the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. for consideration of sections 5106. 5223. 5504. 5505. 61003. and 61004 of the House amendment and sections 12004. 21019. 31203. 32401. 32508. 32606. 35203. 35311. and 35312 of the Senate amendment. and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. MICA. HURD of Texas. and CONNOLLY. From the Committee on Science. Space. and Technology. for consideration of sections 3008. 3015. 4003. and title VI of the House amendment and sections 11001. 12001. 12002. 12004. 12102. 21009. 21017. subtitle B of title XXXI. sections 35105 and 72003 of the Senate amendment. and modifications committed to conference: Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mrs. COMSTOCK. and Ms. EDWARDS. From the Committee on Ways and Means. for consideration of sections 31101. 31201. and 31203 of the House amendment. and sections 51101. 51201. 51203. 52101. 5210305. 52108. 62001. and 74001 of the Senate amendment. and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. BRADY of Texas. REICHERT. and LEVIN.
Date: 2015-11-19
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express my concern and opposition to the Republican Syrian refugee bill. This restrictive and misguided legislation would immediately shut down the current refugee resettlement and cripple our refugee programs for the future. I represent Orange County. California. one of the historically known areas of resettling refugees from all around the world. We are ready. We are ready. Once this administration has taken a look at the backgrounds. has done the extensive research that they do with respect to somebodys background. we are ready to help resettle these refugees. Refusing to resettle any Syrian refugees would inadvertently empower Daesh and boost their recruitment abilities among vulnerable populations struggling to survive. We cannot let Daesh push us to succumb to fear and to prejudice. These Syrian refugees are fleeing the same violence that we have seen in Paris and Beirut and Baghdad this last week. Threequarters of them are women and children. A quarter of them are over 60 years of age. Refugees are not the enemy. So remember the words on our Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired. your poor. your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."
Date: 2015-11-19
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I associate myself with the gentleman from Massachusetts because I think it is important for my colleagues to understand that. when you talk about process. you talk about responding in the right way to crisis. Let me be very clear. The inquiry that my friends on the other side of the aisle are making is correct. to find out how we can ensure the safety and security of the American people. I sit on the Homeland Security Committee and. like my friend from New Jersey. from the very beginning. the tragedy of 9111. I am the ranking member on the Crime. Terrorism. Homeland Security. and Investigations Subcommittee. There is no way that I would stand here and jeopardize the security of the American people. Let me also say. I represent the Catholic diocese. Catholic Charities. Lutheran Services. Interfaith Ministries in my district. and I would ask my colleague on the other side of the aisle to query them about whether or not they support this legislation. There are people who understand the burdensomeness and the wrongness of the direction in which we are going. Is it appropriate to inquire and have a report to Congress to ensure that there are strictures in dealing with those coming to this country from Syria or anywhere else? Yes. it is. But is it ridiculous to ensure or to insist that this 5yearold little girl must be individually certified by the FBI. the DNI. Counterterrorism. and the CIA. and a long litany of others? That is what we are saying. First of all. there were 23.000 who were recommended by the United Nations. Syrians. to come into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security selected only 7.000 to interview. In that 7.000. only 2.000 have gone through the process through an 18- to 20month period. We are saying to the American people. if you want to get rid of ISIS. take the fight to ISIS. That is what we are doing with our allies. to destroy and eliminate ISIS. But to be able to say to our allies around the world that we are putting a stop sign on our refugees from Syria that look like mothers and fathers and old people is absolutely absurd. The inquiry is correct. the process is wrong. Let us not distort this to the American people and tell them an untruth. that one side of the aisle is against the security and the other side is not. Take the fight to the caliphate.
Date: 2015-11-19
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

This is an improper approach. You cannot certify a 5yearold girl from Syria. She will never get in. The process is extensive. it is definite. it is secure. and we are securing the American people. Lets work together. as my friend on the other side of the aisle has said. and do it right.
Date: 2015-11-19
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I have been on the Homeland Security Committee since the heinous and vile acts of 9111. I have often said that I was at Ground Zero. and I had the misery of seeing the recovery that was still occurring at that time. I take no backseat to the concern and love for this Nation. as I know that neither do my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. But. Mr. Speaker. this legislation is divided in a simple premise: no to refugees. stop the refugee program. turn your back on children. women. and old people broken and bent. This side is saying that Americas values can parallel the love. respect. and commitment to the national security of this Nation. ISIL is determined to divide this bipolar world. divide it between Muslims who share the distorted and profane interpretation and those who live every day under the sun who love freedom. We do not define the faith by those who kill us and maim us. As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"-nameless. unreasoning. and unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert. retreat. and advance. This is the extensive. extensive review that only a small number of Syrians go through that are able to get in this country from refugee camps. That is the only place they come from. This is the extensive one. I say to the President. certify it now. But what this legislation does is requires that the 5yearold Syrian girl that has lived most of her life in a Jordanian camp must be certified by four or five individuals who are already in the process of the certification. There are 60 million individuals who are displaced across the globe now. Twenty percent of them are Syrians fleeing the conflict that has taken 240.000 lives. Right now the FBI has 50 terrorist cells being investigated. They cannot count them as Syrian refugees. This is the wrong direction. Let us follow our values. Mr. Speaker. Vote that bill down and bring refugees who are already certified. This bill is unnecessary. It stops the refugee program. Where is our mercy?
Date: 2015-11-19
Speaker: TED LIEU (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I am Congressman TED LIEU. I am a veteran. and I oppose the Republican legislation that would upend Americas refugee program for Syrians and Iraqis. It is the wrong solution for the wrong problem. There has not been a single act of terrorism on American soil committed by a refugee. In Paris. those horrific attacks were committed by French and Belgian citizens. Under the Republican rationale. we ought to be banning travel for French and Belgians to America. If that sounds ridiculous. then so is scapegoating Syrian orphans. widows. and senior citizens fleeing persecution. America is a country born of persecution. forged in libertys name with equality for all. We are that shining city upon the hill. We are better than this.
Date: 2015-11-19
Speaker: BRENDAN F. BOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Mr. Speaker. this bill is a great way for Congress to appear as if it is acting and achieving something without actually doing anything. Mr. Speaker. I am proud to be a member of the Foreign Affairs Conmittee. We have had numerous hearings from the beginning of the year. including yesterday. on this issue specifically. One of the great challenges Western countries face is the problem of homegrown terrorism. We saw that last week in Paris when the overwhelming majority of those who perpetrated these acts were French nationals and Belgian nationals. So the big issue we face is: What do we do with those who hold European passports and who can come here easily by getting a plane ticket? What do we do with the problem of homegrown terrorism here in the U.S. among American citizens? Those are the key challenges we face in how we balance our civil liberties. our need for tourism. our need for economic bilateral relations. with our need for security. This bill sadly today does absolutely nothing about that. So we are going to pass this bill. We are going to pat ourselves on the back. We are going to go home and say we did something when actually we have done nothing to solve the problem and protect the security of the American people.
Date: 2015-11-19
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I would like to express my opposition to H.R. 4038. the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act. As a result of horrific terrorist attacks in Paris. France and Beirut. Lebanon last week. many elected officials in the United States are demanding that we stop admitting refugees fleeing Syria or place strict restrictions upon their entrance. This rhetoric is disheartening and disappointing. We are facing a global refugee crisis that requires a global response. With 60 million people displaced. the United States must do its part to help protect and resettle vulnerable families and children who are fleeing violence and persecution. While we must continue to ensure that screening procedures are able to properly vet those seeking political asylum in this country. I refuse to turn my back on innocent people who are fleeing the atrocities in their homeland. H.R. 4038 places unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles in front of Syrian and Iraqi refugees without any demonstrated public safety benefit and would result in completely unjustified discrimination based on nationality. origin. and religion. This is not only wrong. it is not American. H.R. 4038 also wrongly attacks vulnerable refugees who are fleeing the same dangerous attacks that we fear so much here on American soil. While I do believe that we must remain vigilant in our safety precautions. we cannot close our doors and our minds to the children and families seeking protection. shelter. and safety. In Dallas. we have always shown our compassion to those who seek safety. I refuse to slam the door on a small fraction of the worlds Syrian refugees. In fact. 184 Syrian refugees have already been placed in Texas with more than 1.500 across the nation and we will certainly welcome more. We cannot turn our backs on those who fall victim to war. aggression. and tenor. Instead. we must show compassion by promoting peace and diplomacy. I urge my colleagues to vote against this divisive and discriminatory legislation.
Date: 2015-11-19
Speaker: DANNY K. DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I rise before you with the words that are inscribed on our Statue of Liberty that reflects our history of a nation of what America is. should be. and to become to many people regardless of nationality. ethnicity. and creed (religious belief). We are a nation of Native Americans. descendants of slaves. and immigrants. Historically. these words have not always reflected the true meaning of freedom through time and periods of conflict. The American Safe Act is a bill that attempts to infuse fear on Americans about terrorism and would lead to slowing down the process of resettlement in the Syria and Iraq region for the most vulnerable refugees possibly for years to come. History is a tool that we should always learn from and always seek to build on the existence of our past to make America better and not a spectator on the wrong side of history. Remember what was said about the Japanese Americans during World War II. when they were placed in internment camps. Fear was the reason and rationale as to why specific citizens were looked on as enemy aliens that needed to be put away to protect our national security and make America safe from danger of foreign influences. Remember what happen to immigration quotas and restrictions of Jewish refugees fleeing from a holocaust in Europe. Where American polls were suggesting to not allow German and other political refugees from entering America due to fear and concern of possible entry of German agents among refugees. What about the Haitians and Africans who are turned back or returned to their country of origin while seeking refuge in America? Mr. Speaker. Deja vu all over again. yes we should be cautious and yet wise in our decisions that are temper with compassion and not fear to reject a people in their greatest hour of need. I submit the following Statue of Liberty Poem:
Date: 2015-11-19
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I was. unfortunately. unable to vote today due to a personal matter. Had I been present I would have voted the following ways: rollcall 641H.R. 3189. the FORM Act of 2015"nay." rollcall 643H.R. 4038. the American SAFE Act of 2015-"nay."
Date: 2015-11-19
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. this is a long list of the vetting process that desperate refugees who happen to come from camps in Jordan and Lebanonand who happen to be Syriango through. It is more than 21. In fact. the last one says: Prior to entry to the United States. applicants are subject to screening again from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Applicants undergo. in No. 20. a second interagency security check. That is after 19 other security checks. I want to thank Lutheran Services. Catholic Charities. and Interfaith Ministries for recognizing the importance of the face of America to be a refuge for those who are worn and desperate. I want to join my colleagues to say that we all have a responsibility for national security. I hope the Senate will engage in vigorous debate. that the President will announce to the world that we are fighting ISIS. We are joining allies and taking it to the fight. but we must do other things besides denying and stopping innocent refugees from coming in. a small. small number: Secure our airports. ensure that the back side of the airport is secure. make sure that no foreign fighter is able to come into the United States. and I have introduced legislation for this. We are not for not protecting. We are for protecting. but we must do it in a way that America has been able to stand up and be respectful or recognizing. of course. all of those who come and struggle. Mr. Speaker. Happy Thanksgiving. I know we are a great country. and I know they know that we are.
Date: 2015-11-30
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 3490. the Strengthening the State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act. which amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Department of Homeland Security a National Computer Forensics Institute. As the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Crime. Terrorism. Homeland Security and Investigations. as well as a senior Member of the Committee on Homeland Security. I am well aware of the threats that our nation faces in cyberspace. H.R. 3490 directs the U.S. Secret Service to disseminate homeland security information related to the investigation and prevention of cyber and electronic crime. including threats or acts of terrorism. to educate. train. and equip state. local. tribal. and territorial law enforcement officers. prosecutors. and judges. I am pleased that H.R. 3490 includes two important amendments that I offered during the Homeland Security Markup. The first Jackson Lee Amendment provides local. state. territorial and tribal law enforcement access to the cybercrime expertise of the Secret Service in collecting. retaining and processing evidence found on digital devices. This amendment makes vital federal cybercrime investigative resource available to local. state. territorial and tribal law enforcement. The U.S. Secret Service maintains Electronic Crimes Task Forces focusing on identifying and locating international cyber criminals connected to cyber intrusions. bank fraud. data breaches. and other computerrelated crimes. The Secret Services Cyber Intelligence Section has directly contributed to the arrest of transnational cyber criminals responsible for the theft of hundreds of millions of credit card numbers and the loss of approximately $600 million to financial and retail institutions. The Secret Service also runs the National Computer Forensic Institute. which provides law enforcement officers. prosecutors. and judges with cyber training and information to combat cybercrime. The second Jackson Lee Amendment to H.R. 3490 provides assurances that nothing in this Act shall be construed to abridge or impair the rights of persons in the United States protection by the Fourth and Fifth Amendments to the United States Constitution. As the work law enforcement and national security personnel must rely more and more on their ability to access information in cyber space or what might be stored on personal devices. it is important that the public knows and understands that their Constitutional rights must and will be protected. I know that the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House Committees on the Judiciary and Homeland Security. and many other colleagues have worked sidebyside to assure that our efforts to combat terrorism at home do not diminish the liberties that we all cherish. I urge all Members to vote for H.R. 3490.
Date: 2015-11-30
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of S. 1170. the Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2015. I thank Senator FEINSTEIN of California for her leadership on the legislation and her commitment to funding breast cancer research. This is a very important bipartisan issue. and 25 Senators have joined Senator FEINSTEIN in sponsoring this legislation. I also want to thank my colleague. Representative SPEIER. also from California. for introducing the House companion bill. which has 59 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. I thank Chairman CHAFFETZ for bringing this bill to the floor and for his support of this crucial legislation. S. 1170 would extend the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue the popular semipostal stamp that raises funds for breast cancer research. Currently. Postal Service customers can choose to buy a 60cent breast cancer research stamp. The extra 11 cents above the price of the regular firstclass stamp minus the Postal Services administrative costs go to lifesaving research. Since its first issuance in 1998. the Postal Service has sold almost 1 billion breast cancer research stamps. generating nearly $82 million that has gone directly to the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense to fund vital research. In a 2014 report to Congress. the National Cancer Institute of the NIH has concluded: Having this additional funding has furthered the cancer research communitys efforts to exploit increasing knowledge of genetics and molecular biology to develop more effective and less toxic treatments for breast cancer. Research funding from this semipostal stamp is critical in the fight against breast cancer. as one in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women after lung cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that. in 2015. about 40.000 women will die from this disease. If we do not pass the measure before us today. the authorization for the Postal Service to sell the breast cancer research stamp will expire by the end of the year. I. therefore. will urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support S. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-11-30
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

have added to this discussion and their passion on tackling this issue. It truly transcends everything we do. It touches every life. and it is something we must win and we must overcome. This happens to be one of those government programs that actually works. And so we are suggesting to our colleagues that we vote "aye" and support this and allow it to continue. It is one of the good things we do. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-11-30
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to rise today in support of S. 1170. the "Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2015." I would like to recognize Senator FEINSTEIN for her commendable leadership in fighting for greater awareness of breast cancer and finding cures and treatment through breast cancer research. This is a simple yet incredibly power piece of legislation. S. 1170 will reauthorize through December 31. 2019. the Breast Cancer Research Stamp. which will require the U.S. Postal Service to issue a special postage stamp for firstclass mail that costs more than the regular firstclass stamp in order to raise funds for breast cancer research. Importantly. agencies receiving these funds from the Postal Service must use them on breast cancer research. Breast cancer accounts for 1 in 4 cancer diagnoses among women in this country. This is an astonishing statistic that cannot be overstatedit must be stopped. Breast cancer is also the most commonly diagnosed cancer among African American women. As an African American woman and I am a breast cancer survivor and I know these statistics all too well. As a Member of Congress. a mother. grandmother. sister and wife. it is my responsibility and duty to fight to insure that every American can win in the fight against cancer. I understand firsthand how important proper and adequate funding is to defeat breast cancer. As a proud cancer survivor. I am also proud to have secured adoption of an amendment to the FY 2014 Defense Appropriation Act that increased funding for breast cancer research by $10 million. We must continue to raise funds for research in order to ensure that the women of our nation no longer have to suffer. This bill will ensure that additional funds will be used towards lifesaving research to protect all of our grandmothers. mothers. daughters. sisters. aunts and love ones. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.