macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-26
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to H.R. 4820. the socalled Combating Terrorist Recruitment Bill. H.R. 4820 omits any mention of domestic terrorist organizations. a significant departure from the holistic. comprehensive approach that is adopted by the administration to counter ideologically based violence. This bill isolates the enemy to be those who are Islamist. those who are foreign. and those who are being radicalized by foreigners. How does this bill address the threat of terror from those who are not just jaded jihadists. like this bill was initially titled. but. rather. a part of domestic militia or part of a rightwing. ultraconservative. racist organization that wants to kill African Americans or other vulnerable populations? A recent study by the Police Executive Research Forum and the Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security found that State and local law enforcement personnel are almost twice as concerned about rightwing and antigovernment terrorism as they are about the threat from al Qaeda. ISIS. and similar groups. The concerns of State and local law enforcement about domestic terrorism are well placed. Within the last year. we have seen a rightwing terrorist kill nine people at Mother Emanuel in Charleston and an antiabortion terrorist kill three people at the Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado. Since the attacks of 9111. within the United States. domestic terrorists have killed 48 people. more than those killed by foreign terrorist -inspired attacks. Shouldnt we be concerned about those who have demonstrated the greatest threat to our homeland in the last 15 years? H.R. 4820 represents a marked departure from a national strategy to combat terrorism and that recognizes that individuals who promote and use violence against the U.S. are inspired by a range of religious. political. or other ideological beliefs.
Date: 2016-04-26
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

This bill only serves to perpetuate the stigma associated with just one group of people who happen to practice Islam. It does not recognize a full range of terrorist threats to our homeland. I urge my colleagues to vote "no" on H.R. 4820.
Date: 2016-04-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. as the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee and Subcommittee on Crime. Terrorism. Homeland Security. and Investigations. I rise in support of H.R. 3583. the PREPARE Act. a bill that provides an important additional tool in preparing for attacks and responding to emergencies. I support this legislation. because it requires multiple emergency agencies to coordinate and improve overall preparedness for attacks and emergencies. Specifically. H.R. 3583 amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Federal Emergency management Agency (FEMA) to enter into memoranda of understanding with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). the Transportation Security Administration. the Coast Guard. the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. the Office of Emergency Communication (OEC). the Office for State and Local Law Enforcement. the Countering Violent Extremism Coordinator. the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. and other Department of Homeland Security offices and components to delineate their responsibilities for awarding grants to: Public Transportation Agencies to improve security under Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. Highrisk urban areas and state. local. and tribal governments to protect against terrorism under the UASI and the State Homeland Security Grant Program. Implementation of Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans and facility security plans. provide port security services. and train law enforcement personnel.
Date: 2016-04-26
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I am proud to cochair the Congressional Charity Golf Classic. The real winners of this golf tournament are the wounded warriors we golfed with. Over the last number of years. since we have changed the format. we have been able to see the changes in them. There is a competitiveness between Republicans and Democrats. but we also play with a lot of people who have literally put their life on the line for our country. They have illnesses and disabilities that this program benefits. I want to thank my colleague from Tennessee. Coming from Texas. I will quit saying the best thing from Tennessee came out in 1836. It was a lot of fun. and I thank the gentleman for doing this.
Date: 2016-04-26
Speaker: MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Speaker. on rollcall No. 164 on H.R. 4820. I am not recorded due to a family emergency. Had I been present. I would have voted "aye." On rollcall No. 165 on H.R. 4096. I am not recorded due to a family emergency. Had I been present. I would have voted "aye."
Date: 2016-04-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. in Houston. Harris County. and surrounding counties last week. eight of our fellow citizens lost their lives. I want to offer our thoughts and prayers on behalf of the families of German Antonio Franco. Claudia Melgar. Sunita Vikas. Malhara Singh. Pedro Rascon Morales. Charles Edward Odum. Suresh Kumar Talluri. and Teri White Rodriguez. They are all loving members of families. who now have lost their lives. and the families are saddened by their loss. In the course of this. I want to thank the first responders for their courageous efforts in. one. seeking to find these individuals. and also helping those who have been impacted by the flooding. The efforts of Houstonians who came to the aid of neighbors and strangers during the flooding saved more lives and provided comfort to those impacted. We offer a special thanks to the diverse religious communities that responded with generosity. by feeding and helping thousands of households left homeless. We are also very grateful for the presence and laudable work of the American Red Cross and. as well. the City of Houston and Harris County. the mayor and county judge. all who were participating in this effort along with other elected officials. When tragedy strikes. we come together. congressional persons. State persons. local elected officials. because we are Texans. It was very sad to lose this many people in a storm that was unexpected. In Ecclesiastes Chapter 3: "To every thing there is a season. and a time to every purpose under the heaven . . . a time to weep. and a time to laugh. a time to mourn. and a time to dance." I would ask. as we begin to try and rebuild our lives. that we have a moment of silence. if my colleagues would stand in a moment of silence for those names that I have called: German Antonio Franco. Claudia Melgar. Sunita Vikas. Malhara Singh. Pedro Rascon Morales. Charles Edward Odum. Suresh Kumar Talluri. and Teri White Rodriguez.
Date: 2016-04-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise on behalf of my colleagues in the Texas Congressional Delegation in remembrance of those who lost their lives during the Flooding tragedy that occurred in the city of Houston and the surrounding area. Our thoughts and prayers are offered on behalf of and for the families of: 1. German Antonio Franco 2. Claudia Melgar 3. Sunita Vikas 4. Malhara Singh 5. Pedro Rascon Morales 6. Charles Edward Odum 7. Suresh Kumar Talluri 8. Teri White Rodriguez I thank all of the first responders for their courageous and effective efforts to bring assistance and support to those impacted by the flooding last week. The efforts of Houstonians who came to the aid of neighbors and strangers during the flooding saved lives and provided comfort to those impacted. We offer a special thanks to the diverse religious community of Houston who responded with generosity and compassion to over 1000 households left homeless by the flooding. We are also very grateful for the presence and laudable work of the American Red Cross whose volunteers some of which were also victims of the flooding immediately began to offer aid and assistance to flood victims. As elected officials we share a common bond with our constituents that motivate our work on their behalf each day. When tragedy strikes we in the Texas Delegation cease to see the victims as being from a city. town or rural community but as Texans who are in trouble or in need of help. Ecclesiastics Chapter 3: To everything there is a season. and a time to every purpose under the heaven... A time to weep. and a time to laugh. a time to mourn. and a time to dance. This past week has been a time of weeping for far too many Houstonians and those impacted in the State of Texas by flooding. which caused more than $5 billion in damage and loss of life. Today the House stands as one to express our condolences to those impacted by the flooding and to show our commitment that we will do all that we can to ease the suffering of those affected and work to minimize the damage caused by flooding in our State of Texas and every other state. I ask the House to observe a moment of silence in memory of those who perished in the Houston floods.
Date: 2016-04-27
Speaker: JUDY CHU (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. this month marks the fifth anniversary of the death of my nephew. Harry Lew. While deployed in Afghanistan. Harry was hazed and brutally assaulted by his fellow marines for almost 4 hours. Twenty minutes later. he took his own life. He was 21 years old. Harrys story is not unique. I have now heard from families and servicemembers across the country who have their own tragic stories and tried to seek help. but many are at a loss of where to turn. That is because the Pentagons guidance on hazing is unclear. inconsistent. and imperfectly applied. Without an accurate system of tracking hazing incidents. we have no way to actually know the full extent of the problem. This failure costs lives. It is time the military treat this problem seriously. My bill. the Harry Lew Military Hazing Accountability and Prevention Act. would require the Department of Defense to track and report annually on the problem of hazing in the military. Our men and women in uniform protect us. We must do what we can to protect them.
Date: 2016-04-27
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. it is my privilege to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan . the distinguished ranking member who now is the dean of this House.
Date: 2016-04-27
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. in concluding. a lot of thanks go to. as I indicated. the chairman. Chairman GOODLATTE. Ranking Member CONYERS. Mr. RATCLIFFE. who is a member of the committee. and my colleagues on Homeland Security as well. who have a great interest in this legislation. Our commitment in this legislation is to leave no stone unturned. no page unturned. and no iota of information that will be necessary to make this list a more viable and secure list. That work now will be done by this legislation. the No Fly for Foreign Fighters Act. It will help to make the Terrorist Screening Center a further asset to our Homeland Security infrastructure. We want to make certain that those men and women have the tools they need to continue to keep the Nation safe. With 30.000 foreign fighters and others going every day. 250 Americans who have gone to the caliphate. have gone to the fight. individuals who may have an interest in returning to this country and doing us harm. doing us damage. I believe H.R. 4240 is the next step in ensuring that the screening and watchlisting process works as it was intended to have worked and works without as many errors as possibleerrorless. if you willbecause that is what we need to secure this Nation. I urge all my colleagues to support this commonsense. bipartisan measure. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-04-27
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I was detained with a meeting off campus at the White House. I would like to indicate my vote on the Waters amendment. For the Waters amendment. I would have voted "aye". for final passage of H.R. 4498. Helping Angels Lead Our Startups Act. I would have voted "no". and for S. 1890. Defend Trade Secrets Act. I would have voted "aye."
Date: 2016-04-27
Speaker: MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize April 30 as El Dia de Los Ninos: Celebrating Young Americans. This holiday serves to honor and celebrate the importance of children in our Nation. El Dia de Los Ninos. which when translated means Day of the Children. helps bring Hispanic families and other communities together nationwide to recognize the importance of literacy and education for all children. Recognizing this day highlights the growing presence of Hispanic youth in the United States and the lasting impact of Hispanic Americans on the social. political. economic. and cultural fabric of this Nation. This important holiday is celebrated by numerous countries and more than 130 cities across the United States. In order to support the many cities. counties. States. and communities that already celebrate El Dia de Los Ninos. I will introduce a resolution with Senator BOB MENENDEZ to recognize April 30 as El Dia de Los Ninos: Celebrating Young Americans. Senator BOB MENENDEZ. Senator JACK REED. and Representative RUBEN HINOJOSA began the movement to recognize El Dia de Los Ninos 17 years ago. I am committed to continuing their work. I urge my colleagues to support this important holiday and to join me in cosponsoring my resolution to recognize April 30 as El Dia de Los Ninos: Celebrating Young Americans.
Date: 2016-04-28
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Mr. Speaker. today I rise in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and in strong support of the Campus Accountability and Safety Act. bipartisan legislation that I authored with Congressman MEEHAN. Sexual assault is truly a crisis on our college campuses. where a survey last year indicated that 23 percent of female students are victims. In 2013. we passed the Campus SaVE Act. which I authored. It ensures campuses adopt clear. comprehensive procedures to investigate and report accurate statistics on sexual assault. But this is not enough. One person becomes a victim of assault every 107 seconds in America. That is over 300.000 a year. Our bill would require a national survey of students to identify key risk factors for sexual assault and evaluate best practices to reduce sexual violence. The bill would also provide resources for victims of sexual assault. including confidential advisers. These are commonsense reforms that will make a world of difference by keeping our students safer on our college campuses.
Date: 2016-04-28
Speaker: MAXINE WATERS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong opposition to H.J. Res. 88. which would invalidate the Department of Labors recently finalized fiduciary duty rule and threaten our seniors retirement savings to the tune of $17 billion per year. The rule closes loopholes and gaps in our laws so that all financial advisers act in their clients best interest when providing advice on retirement investments. This is an essential reform that will protect our seniors and ensure our retirees are financially secure. Not only is this rule a commonsense update. but the Department of Labor worked diligently to address all legitimate stockholder concerns. Secretary Perez should be commended for his exemplary leadership on this issue. The Department of Labor spent countless hours reviewing comments. meeting with industry and other interested stakeholders. and responding to lawmakers concerns. That effort has resulted in a strong. workable rule that takes into account different business models across the industry. For example. the final rule specifically allows firms to recommend proprietary products as long as they make certain disclosures and act in the clients best interest. It streamlines those required disclosures to make it easier for firms to comply. It provides flexibility in the timing of a contract between a client and an adviser. and it establishes clear distinctions between what is considered education and advice. Overall. the final rule is carefully crafted to protect investors while creating a workable process for financial advisers. What is more. the rule is supported by hundreds of stakeholders who represent the financial services industry. the public interest. civil rights. consumers. labor unions. and many investment advisers who are already providing advice to savers under a fiduciary standard. yet my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are so intent on dismantling this crucial rule. This resolution is not their first attempt. H.R. 1090. which went through my committee and passed the House largely along party lines. would have imposed unacceptable delays on the Department of Labors rulemaking effort. Different measures were considered in other committees that would have replaced the rule with a harmful alternative. and riders were attempted on appropriations bills to prevent the department from working on this rule altogether. Now. Republicans may have the votes to pass the disapproval resolution on a simple majority. but the President will veto this bill. and Democrats will stand strong to ensure that they cannot override that veto. We will ensure that the laws protecting our seniors savings are as robust as possible in a fair market. We will ensure that hardworking Americans can trust their financial advisers and make sound investments. and we will ensure that everyone has a right to retire with dignity and security.
Date: 2016-04-28
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Mr. Speaker. I strongly oppose this resolution. The Department of Labors fiduciary rule is President Obamas top remaining domestic priority. and I think we owe the American consumer. the American people. and our seniors our support. This rule advances a very simple principle: if you are giving investment advice to someone and if you are being paid for this advice. then you must put the interest of the consumer first. You must think about the consumer before you think about yourself or about making a fee or making your firm a fee or about helping someone else besides the consumer. It merely says to think about the consumer and protect his interests. This is not just common senseit is the fair. honest thing. We shouldnt have to legislate this. We are legislating this because there are abuses in this area. We are trying to stop these abuses and give good investment advice to good American citizens. Lets not forget that most investors think it is already the law. They think that their advisers are giving them their best advice. This merely says that you have to think about the seniors and the American people. This should be like having a glass of water. On this. there should not be a vote. The fact that we are coming to the floor to try to roll back a rule that helps Americans have fair and just savings is absolutely outrageous. If you have a problem. go to the Department of Labor. I have been there six times and I have raised concerns. They have incorporated every single change in the rule. They have given advanced time. They have bent over backwards to everyone who has raised an issue in this Congress and to every member of industry. That is why it is so long. This protects the interests. the finances. of the American people. It puts moneysaves moneyin their pockets instead of forcing them to spend it on fees that are unnecessary and on products they dont need. A vote for this is a vote against the American family. Please vote against it. I believe that anyone who votes against this does not have the interests of America in his heart.
Date: 2016-04-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to H.J. Res. 88. a joint resolution disapproving the rule promulgated by the United States Department of Labor relating to the definition of the term "fiduciary." I oppose this resolution because it seeks to nullify a rule that was years in the making and which provides common sense protections for consumers by simply requiring retirement advisors to put the best interests of their clients above their own financial interests. Currently. these retirement advisors are only required to recommend "suitable" investments. which means they can recommend investments that offer them a higher commission even where an otherwise identical investment with a lower commission is available. Under current rules and regulations. this is all perfectly legalbut highly unfair. especially middleclass seniors dependent upon the investment income from the hardearned money they saved during their working years and entrusted to a financial advisor. Because those outdated regulations did not ensure that financial advisers act in their clients best interest when giving retirement investment advice. some firms have found it profitable to incentivize their advisers to steer clients into products that have higher fees and lower returns at a cost to American families of approximately $17 billion a year. The Fiduciary Rule issued and published by the Department of Labor (DOL) on April 8. 2016. bans these practices and removes the incentive for financial advisors to put their pecuniary interest ahead of their clients proprietary interest. Mr. Speaker. it is worth noting that DOLs Fiduciary Rules was thoughtfully. responsibly. and transparently crafted over several years in conjunction with hundreds of meetings on the rule with industry professionals and the public and after considering more than 3.000 public comments over a sixmonth period from the American people. In comparison. House Republicans quickly convened a markup only two days after H.J. Res. 88 was introduced and only thirteen days after the rule was finalized and published. This clearly shows that Republicans in Congress are more interested in attacking the Obama Administration than acting to safeguard the hardearned retirement savings of the American people and working to ensure those savings are protected. The DOLs fiduciary rule simply guarantees that those entrusted with the savings of millions of Americans act in the best interests of their clients. The Department of Labor has done right by the American people. Now it is time for this House to do right by the American people by rejecting H.J. Res. 88 and leaving the DOL Fiduciary Rule in place.