macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-21
Speaker: ZOE LOFGREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of the bill. Im proud to stand on the floor of the House of Representatives today to cast my yes vote for this historic bill. I vote yes for the nearly 50.000 currently uninsured residents of the 16th California Congressional District who will now be eligible for health insurance. I vote yes for the 6.000 seniors in my district who will no longer be subject to the donut hole in Medicare Part D. I vote yes for the 55.000 young adults in the 16th District who will now be able to extend their coverage under their parents existing insurance. I vote yes for the roughly 15.000 small businesses in the 16th District who will be able to extend coverage to their employees because of the tax credits in this bill. I vote yes for the 800 families in the 16th District who every year are forced to file for bankruptcy due to medical bills. I vote yes because this legislation will reduce the deficit by $130 billion over the next 10 years and by some $1.3 trillion over the second decade. Simply put. I vote yes because it is the right thing to do and because my constituents overwhelmingly demand it.
Date: 2010-03-21
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I am proud to support H.R. 4872. the Reconciliation Act of 2010 and the healthcare reform package that its passage will complete. Today. the House of Representatives has been given the opportunity to take a concrete and powerful step toward completing the work of reforming our healthcare system that began decades ago. For much of the last year. my colleagues and I have debated many ways in which we could work to lower costs. improve the quality of care and expand coverage. What we pass today will begin to achieve all three. In the wake of the financial crisis that has devastated our economy. concerns of our nations deficit are wellplaced and wholly appropriate. Despite what many of its opponents would argue. the passage of this healthcare reform package will reduce the national deficit by an estimated $1.3 trillion over the next 20 years according to the Congressional Budget Office. Through the course of this debate. we have seen misinformation about healthcare reform instill fear into the hearts of the American people. We have seen the distortion of truth breed uncertainty about whether healthcare reform will be to the benefit of our country. Despite all of the debate. and at times confusion. there remains one incontrovertible truth: the cost of inaction. when our country spends nearly $2.5 trillion a year on healthcare. over 45 million Americans are without health insurance. and 45.000 people die every year due to lack of health insurance. is simply too great. The time for debate has ended. The question we are faced with is quite simple: do we act to shift the course of this country towards affordable. quality healthcare. or do we continue down the path of unsustainable costs and squander this historic opportunity to bring about meaningful change in the lives of the American people? I am proud to vote in favor of this giant step toward putting Americans in control of their health care and I look forward to this legislation being signed into law so that we may move forward with this much needed reform.
Date: 2010-03-21
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise to claim time in support of the Reconciliation Bill and the Senate amendments to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Health care in the United States has degraded in accessibility and quality to the extent that we are a nation in crisis. Change is needed to truly make progress toward a healthier America. and the time for change is now. We are the closest in 60 years of legislative efforts to provide access to health care for all Americans. We must pass this legislation for the people. It is time to place compassion and dignity over corporate greed. My experiences as a legislatorand as a nursehave provided a unique vantage point from which to discuss this issue. I have seen firsthand the state of affairs of our health care system. We cannot sustain the current system as premiums rise. prescription prices soar. and medical bankruptcies increase as services decline. Texas leads the Nation in uninsured. including the highest rate of uninsured children. and I am here today to stand up for my constituents who desperately seek access to care. Thousands of families are crushed by the growing cost of health care. This legislation reins in health care costs for families and businesses and reduces the deficit. We have come to a point where we must choose consumers over insurance companies. Insurance companies have held the public hostage for many years. controlling and rationing care. It is time to give citizens the right to control their own health care. I stand in strong support of the legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same.
Date: 2010-03-22
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.J. Res 80. "Recognizing and Honoring the blinded veterans association on its 65th anniversary of representing blinded veterans and their families." a bill sponsored by my colleague from Illinois. Congresswoman HALVORSON. H.J. Res. 80 will honor those who have sacrificed greatly for this nation and have lost their eyesight in the process. These veterans have given great contributions and made incredible personal sacrifices so that all of us in this country might live in a safe and secure nation and world. When we pay tribute to the service of our brave veterans. we acknowledge the great debt that this Nation owes them. Because I realize that our veterans deserve our very best. I introduced H.R. 1240. the Vision Impairment Specialist Training Act (VISTA). passed into law as part of larger bill. The provisions of VISTA help our nations blind and lowvision veterans by establishing a scholarship program for students seeking training in blind rehabilitation. There are more than 160.000 legally blind veterans in the United States. but approximately 35.000 are currently enrolled in Veterans Health Administration. Members of the armed forces are important to our nation and we show them our appreciation by taking care of them when they no longer can serve. Caring for our veterans also means giving them our time. I have had the honor of visiting with some of our wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington. D.C. Many of these soldiers were recovering from some of the most horrific wounds imaginable. But what made the most indelible impression on me was that to a man and woman. there was no selfpity or anger at their fate. Instead of anger or sorrow there was only concern for their fellow soldiers and pride in the certain knowledge that they had fought valiantly on behalf of a country they loved. There is no reason that any of our veterans should not receive the highest care from all of us in this country. I hope all Americans take the time to visit their local VA hospital and thank the wounded for their service to our country." We must do everything possible to let our veterans know how much we value their service. We all know that no one has paid a higher price than the brave men and women through the years who gave the last full measure of devotion to their country. Whether it is the ultimate sacrifice of life or the loss of limb or the loss of time with family and friends. we owe our veterans an enormous outstanding debt of gratitude. So. let us celebrate and recognize our blinded veterans during the 65th anniversary of the Blinded Veterans Association. It is out of my profound respect and gratitude for all who wear and have worn the uniform of the United States that I continue to work so hard to pass legislation that will ensure that veterans receive the health care. job opportunities. housing assistance. and educational benefits they deserve. Caring for our veterans also means giving them our support when they need it. Madam Speaker. I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.J. 80.
Date: 2010-03-22
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 3976. "Helping Heroes Keep their Homes Act of 2009." a bill that will prevent mortgage lenders from foreclosing on a veterans home after their service. Strengthening comprehensive programs by investing in our veterans. requiring housing counselors to grant more housing opportunities at each Veteran Affairs centers is the right thing to do. It is my distinct honor to stand here today to support a bill that will allow us to show our appreciation to our veterans who are in danger of losing their homes and possibly becoming homeless. I really find it unacceptable that an estimated 131.000 veterans are homeless on any given night after honorably serving their country. We are doing our veterans a great disservice. We owe our veterans the utmost respect. appreciation. and definitely a home to come home to after serving as a member of our Armed Forces. In these challenging economic times. we must do more to provide for our veterans basic needs. H.R. 3976 shows that all Americans take pride in our veterans service to this Nation. and just as the military doesnt believe in leaving a soldier behind on the battlefield. I believe that I speak for all Americans that we dont believe in leaving our veterans behind . . . we must help them push forward. In these challenging economic times. with returning veterans experiencing unemployment rates in the double digits. we must do more to provide for our veterans basic needs. This legislation shows that the U.S. is grateful for our veterans service. Just as the military pledges to leave no soldier behind on the battlefield. this Nation will leave no veteran behind when they come home. This bill will allow us to show our appreciation and honor the service of veterans who have served this country and who now look to us to serve their needs. Madam Speaker. these veterans have given great contributions and made incredible personal sacrifices so that all of us in this country might live in a safe and secure nation and world. Ensuring that our veterans are safeguarded from losing their homes is a small step towards repaying the insurmountable debt that all of us owe to all veterans. We must do everything possible to let our veterans know how much we value their service. We would be irresponsible and ungrateful if we acted otherwise. Madam Speaker. I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3976.
Date: 2010-03-22
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 4592. "To provide for the establishment of a pilot program to encourage the employment of veterans in energyrelated positions." a bill sponsored by my colleague Congressman TEAGUE from New Mexico. H.R. 4592 increases job opportunities increase job opportunities for veterans by reimbursing employers for the cost of providing onthe job training for veterans in the energy sector through a new "Veterans Energy Related Employment Program" of competitive grants. We have an obligation to ensure that our veterans can continue to use their expertise and talents that they have so ably used in serving this great nation. We can do this by showing our appreciation of the service of veterans and actively provide opportunities for them to work. These veterans have given great contributions and made incredible personal sacrifices so that all of us in this country might live in a safe and secure nation and world. It is time that we pay up and stand up for our heroes. For. what is the price of freedom? As President Kennedy once said. The price of freedom is high. but Americans have always paid it. And no one has paid a higher price than the brave men and women through the years who gave the last full measure of devotion to their country. Whether it is the ultimate sacrifice of life or the loss of limb or the loss of time with family and friends. we owe our veterans an enormous outstanding debt of gratitude. From Bunker Hill to Yorktown. from Washington. D.C. to the Battle of New Orleans. from Bull Run to Gettysburg and Antietam to Appamattox. brave Americans gave their lives so that the nation might live. And from Alsace Lorain to Verdun. and Normandy to Berlin and Pearl Harbor to Okinawa. from Inchon and Correigador to Vietnam. Lebanon. Grenada. Kuwait. Afghanistan. and Iraq. Americans have nobly sacrificed their lives so that the world may live in freedom. The debt of gratitude we owe to the soldiers. sailors. marines. and airmen who answered their nations call and made supreme sacrifices can never be repaid. But the nation can follow President Lincolns admonition to care for him who has borne the battle. and for his [family]. Indeed. it is the least we can do. It is out of my profound respect and gratitude for all who wear and have worn the uniform of the United States that I continue to work so hard to pass legislation that will ensure that veterans receive the health care. job opportunities. housing assistance. and educational benefits they deserve. Caring for our veterans also means giving them our support when they need it. Madam Speaker. I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4592.
Date: 2010-03-22
Speaker: STENY HOYER (democrat)
Chamber: H

and the majority whip. Mr. CLYBURN. I want to thank all of the leadership and the chairmen of each one of the relevant committees who participated in this bill: the Energy and Commerce Committee under the leadership of HENRY WAXMAN and formerly JOHN DINGELL. the Ways and Means Committee under the leadership of Mr. LEVIN from Michigan. formerly under the leadership of Mr. RANGEL. and the Education and Labor Committee under the leadership of GEORGE MILLER from California. All of these committees. working together with the Budget Committee led by JOHN SPRATT of South Carolina and LOUISE SLAUGHTER from New York leading the Rules Committee. all of these individuals working together to get us to the point where we were last night. The passage of this bill is monumental. It is historic. Yesterday was not an ordinary day in the House of Representatives. I thank my colleagues who voted for this legislation. I look forward to the results that it will yield.
Date: 2010-03-23
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

The National Public Works Week is celebrated each year during the month of May. and it has been designated by a number of organizations to celebrate our public works professionals and the critical work they do to keep our infrastructure and transportation systems working efficiently and economically. House Resolution 1125 pays tribute to these professionals. recognizing their work the week of May 1622. 2010. Public works are loosely defined as projects that are carried out for the public good. aptly named because they enable the public to complete its work. Hazardous materials. pipelines. and municipal infrastructures such as water supply infrastructure and sewage and refuge disposal systems. and transportation systems such as rail. highways. airports. and public transit. all fall under the public works umbrella. Public works are vital to our Nation. Our commerce depends on the shipment of goods through rail. on our roads. and through air. Public transportation provides many with a costeffective way to travel while also reducing harmful effects on our environment. Our public health depends on our water supply infrastructure as well as our sewage and disposal systems. For the importance that they play in our daily lives. our transportation and infrastructure systems and facilities often do not receive the recognition they deserve. Although public works are depended upon daily. they receive no glory or praise when accomplishing the job. Rather. many only pay attention to these public works when they fail. such as levee failures that result in flooded communities. I recognize the importance of public works for our communities and our country. and I am grateful to the administrators. engineers. and servicemen who continue to utilize their skills and provide hours of service and dedication to ensure these necessary facilities and systems work for our Nation. I support this resolution strongly and I urge my colleagues to support it as well.
Date: 2010-03-24
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. I rise today to commemorate the life of Bob Rohdenburg who passed away on Saturday. March 6 of this year. Bob had been a dedicated pastor at the Garden Grove Unified Methodist Church and an Orange County Congregation Community Organization. or OCCCO. as we know it. board member for many years. He remained passionate about justice and the role of the church in public life until the very end. He was particularly passionate about the accessibility of health care for everyone. having witnessed the dysfunction of the health care system through his sons experience as a doctor and. of course. his own experience as a patient. He traveled to Washington. D.C.. on more than one occasion to share his faith and his vision with our elected officials. Bob challenged OCCCO both with his vision and with the depth of his faith reflections. He had a profound role in shaping OCCCO. and he was a positive influence on the members of his church and beyond. He will be deeply missed. I send my deepest condolences to his wife Cynthia. his daughter Denise. his son Paul and his granddaughter.
Date: 2010-03-24
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. everyone in this body is entitled to their own opinions. but we are not entitled to our own facts. I wish some of our colleagues would read this bill. It does not add one penny to the deficit. First. we have a speaker on the other side of the aisle complaining about the fact that it adds to the deficit when it doesnt. because the next speaker then complains about how we want to pay for it. Which is it? This bill is paid for. This bill will help small businesses just like the economic recovery bill has helped stabilize the economy. Just a little over a year ago when President Obama was sworn in. our economy was in free fall. We were headed from recession to depression. Now we are here 14 months later. the economy has begun to stabilize. We went from 5.7 percent negative growth to 5.6 positive growth. the biggest swing in growth. 10 points. in 30 years. People are beginning to go back to work. Obviously. we have not turned the corner there. but it is a vast improvement from where this country was a little over a year ago. This is another important step by assisting small businesses to keep the engine going.
Date: 2010-03-24
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. I would like to thank the chairmal. Madam Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4849. legislation that invests in affordable housing. infrastructure. and small businesses. I want to speak today about two provisions in the bill that are particularly important to the constituents I represent. Im very pleased that the bill incorporates legislation that I wrote to strengthen the lowincome housing tax credit. A stable roof over a childs head contributes to his or her education. emotional wellbeing. and overall physical health. In California alone. 4 percent lowincome housing credits have been responsible for 125.000 new housing units in the last 20 years. By reviving the value of these credits. we will revitalize the housing sector. creating not just affordable homes but new jobs. Additionally. this bill extends the Recovery Acts successful Build America Bonds program. These bonds are responsible for almost 25 percent of the current municipal bond market. As of the end of February. $78 billion in Build America Bonds have been issued by State and local governments to build roads. bridges. and schools. And the jobs that are created pay a living wage. They are an investment in our community.
Date: 2010-03-24
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. They are an investment in our community and an investment in our workforce. investments that are going to pay dividends for years to come. I want to thank the chairman and the committee staff for their hard work on this bill. and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Date: 2010-03-24
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 4849. the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act. Specifically. I am pleased one of the provisions of this bill is the text of H.R. 537. The Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act. of which I am a cosponsor. This provision will help our local communities by removing the federally mandated State Volume Cap on Private Activity Bonds for water and wastewater projects. Lifting this cap will allow additional private investment through the use of tax exempt bonds to address our critical water infrastructure needs. Other infrastructure projects. such as airports. intercity highspeed rail. and solid waste disposal sites are already exempt from these bond caps. Removing state volume caps on Private Activity Bonds for water and wastewater facilities is expected to reduce the cost of water projects. increase the number of water projects that communities initiate. improve our Nations water infrastructure. and encourage publicprivate partnerships. I am proud to support this bill that will enhance our water infrastructure. create local jobs. and encourage private capital investment in our communities.
Date: 2010-03-24
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as an original cosponsor of H. Res. 648.
Date: 2010-03-24
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I was unavoidably detained at the State Department at a meeting. and I would like to register my vote for the Democratic motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair. If I had been present. I would have voted "aye" and for passage of H.R. 4899. the Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act of 2010 that will impact the constituents in my district in creating more jobs. I would have enthusiastically voted "aye."
Date: 2010-03-24
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. as we reflect on the last 24 hours of the passage of this historic health care bill. more and more constituents are calling in recognizing that some aspect of this bill impacts them in a positive light. I said one time before that when we did the Medicare bill in 1965. that bill was the start of revising and refinement of that legislation. I am glad today that we can say 45 million Americans have lived because of Medicare. and my mother. Ivalita Jackson. who I mentioned during the debate. lives because of the Medicare support system. That is why I am so disappointed that Greg Abbott. attorney general from the State of Texas. the State with the most uninsured persons. decided to file such a lawsuit that has no bearing in the Constitution and cannot make any point that this bill will not help Texas and save millions of dollars. In addition. there are thousands of veterans that are not in TRICARE who will benefit from this health care system. We will fight that lawsuit because it is against the people of Texas.