macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-09-17
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to oppose the H.J. Res. 124. the Continuing Appropriations Resolution of 2015 with the McKeon Amendment. which would allow for the training and equipment of Syrian opposition. Should a clean continuing resolution to provide finding to the United States government come to the floor. I would support it. However. I cannot support an authorization for war. Since this body did not pass a budget on time. our only option is to vote to keep the government open and operating until December 11. 2014. Funding our government should not hinge on a controversial amendment added at the last minute that provides the opportunity for an openended war. I am not in favor of unilateral action or troops deployed to the region and I am committed to resolving this conflict through diplomacy. I fully support any efforts by our country to provide humanitarian aid to the countless innocent civilians displaced and injured by this conflict. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and push for a clean continuing resolution.
Date: 2014-09-17
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. on Monday. September 15. 2014. I was unavoidably detained attending representational activities and thus unable to return in time for rollcall vote No. 497. I would like the record to reflect that. had I been present. I would have voted "aye" on rollcall vote No. 497. H.R. 5108. to establish the Law School Clinic Certification Program of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. and for other purposes.
Date: 2014-09-18
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I thank my good friend from New York for all his good work on these issues. Just to underscore what he said with respect to Mr. DAVIS proposal. we would love to have that proposal on veterans come before the floor as a standalone bill. Of course it has been wrapped into a much larger package that has nothing to do with jobs and everything to do with rewarding special interests at the expense of middle class families and taxpayers. It is a continuation of the failed strategy that responds to every economic challenge with more tax breaks to corporations and more breaks to folks at the very top of the economic ladder. the old. failed trickledown theory of economics. There is nothing to raise the minimum wage. nothing to achieve pay equity for women. nothing to invest in Americas infrastructure or our education system. Instead. it is a collection of tax cuts that together would add $572 million to the deficit over the next 10 yearsno attempt to offset that cost. That is a lot of work in one afternoon. to add over half a trillion dollars to the deficit. totally in violation of the Republican budget that was brought to the floor. Nor is this a bill that attempts to reform the Tax Code. I have great respect for the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. and he did a credible effort in coming up with a reform plan. It wasnt perfect. lots of things that a lot of people dont like. but it was a credible effort. This bill takes us in the opposite direction. When the chairman introduced that bill. the Speaker of this House ran away faster than anybody else from that proposal. and this proposal runs away from it as well. Let me give you one example. The reform bill that was proposed by Mr. CAMP repealed bonus depreciation. This bill adds $270 billion to the deficit by making bonus depreciation permanent.
Date: 2014-09-18
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

So it repeals thatno effort to replace that. So it adds $26 billion to the deficit. just that provision. Not only that. but it repeals it going forward. and it also gives a rebate going backwards. So a company. Medtronic. which is right now moving its tax address overseas to avoid its tax obligations to the American people. is going to get a $200 million plus interest tax bonus. So here is this bill in a nutshell: do nothing to boost the middle class.
Date: 2014-09-18
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

So just to wrap this up. because I hope people will focus on this. the bottomline message of this is: sorry to see you leave our shores. but you know what? As a goodbye present. we are going to hand you $200 million in tax breaks. That sums up the problems with this bill. Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues to vote "no."
Date: 2014-09-18
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I thank my friend. Look. the Joint Tax Committee has suggested that if we dont deal with this problem of corporations changing their tax address to escape their responsibilities to the citizens of this country. it will add $20 billion to the deficit. which taxpayers will have to make up. I just want to emphasize the point the gentleman made because Mr. CAMP has called upon Senate Democrats to vote on the Hire Our Heroes bill. In fact. that bill is in the Senate 2year extender bill in the United States Senate. which is currently being blocked and filibustered by our Republican Senate colleagues. I would also point out that the cost of that bill. which we all accept. is $700 million added to the deficit. You are now putting it in a package with all sorts of corporate giveaways that doesnt cost $700 million but. together. costs $573 billion to the deficit. all in an afternoons work. Mr. Speaker. this is an irresponsible bill. We should vote "no."
Date: 2014-09-18
Speaker: DANNY K. DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I want to thank my colleague from New York for yielding. I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 4 because it adds over $500 billion in permanent corporate tax giveaways that could end up causing 1 million hardworking Americans to lose their employerprovided health coverage and do nothing to help the tens of thousands of my constituents and tens of millions of Americans who are experiencing deep poverty. unemployment. and economic distress. I cannot support adding over $500 billion to our deficit for permanent handouts to big corporations while 3.3 million longterm unemployed go unaided. while repairs and renovations to our Nations infrastructure are threatened. while the Medicare doctors fix goes unresolved. and while irrational budget cuts strangle education. health. research. and innovation. This bill marks the height of Republican irresponsibility on both fiscal and policy grounds. I ask. how many millions of lowincome students could complete college using Pell grants with just a fraction of the cost of this bill? How many longterm unemployed could pay their rent or provide food for their families with even a tiny amount of the cost of this bill? How many more small businesses could receive investment grants or critical lowcost loans? Our government. yes. has the responsibility to advance policies that create jobs. strengthen our citizens. and grow our economy. not ones that undermine the health and wellbeing of Americans and advance the wealthiest among us at the expense of the struggling. I will vote "no" on this sham jobscreating bill.
Date: 2014-09-18
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2. Here we are. the next day after we passed bipartisan legislation with a majority on both sides. and now today we come up with H.R. 2. which has a combination of bills that this House has already considered. And what. we are here the last day of voting. the day before we go home to campaign. passing a bill that has zero chance of becoming law. H.R. 2 is an affront to the bipartisan work we have done in the Energy and Commerce Committee. Over the past year. the members of our committee have worked together to craft legislation that would support the dramatic energy renaissance our country is experiencing. Unfortunately. H.R. 2 that we are considering today is not reflective of this hard work. some of the compromises we did. Instead of working to improve the decisionmaking made by Federal agencies. H.R. 2 seeks to eliminate Federal authority. Instead of expediting export permits. H.R. 2 opens the door to sending U.S. gas to countries that are not even our friends. Instead of respecting the balance we worked so hard to establish between the States and the Federal Government. H.R. 2 rescinds all the authority for our government in State affairs. It is my hope that we would stop wasting time on these bills that have no bipartisan support and work together to pass legislation in a bipartisan fashion. We actually have addressed a number of these bills already on this House floor. Everyone. Democrat or Republican. has acknowledged that the energy sector has common ground. We may not always agree on what fuel mix we have or how to best serve our country. but we can agree that the energy sector is vital to our economy and our independence. The bills included in H.R. 2 include bills I have cosponsored and worked hard to craft with my Republican and Democratic colleagues. It is disappointing that our leadership would use this window of opportunity to pass bills that harm our environment. create uncertainty in our economy. and ultimately delay job growth and energy development. In the Energy and Commerce Committee. we work across party lines to draft legislation that solves the problems of the American people and American industry. We work to ensure that the EPA. the Environmental Protection Agency. is promulgating rules that make not only economic sense. but. as well. environmental sense. We work to support our natural resources sector and send American gas and refined products overseas to benefit our U.S. economy and balance of trade. All of these things will garner bipartisan support and establish the U.S. and North America as the world energy leader. But this H.R. 2 takes away all that we have worked for for almost 2 years. and that is why I oppose H.R. 2.
Date: 2014-09-18
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. today we are considering once again a range of bills to give away public resources to Big Oil. strip environmental and public health protections. and prioritize drilling over all other uses. including recreation and conservation. on federal lands. Lets look at the facts. Oil and gas production has reached near historic highs in the United States. Our dependence on foreign oil has dropped from 57 percent in 2008 to 29 percent today. The provisions in this billwhich would block the proposed carbon standard to protect public health. order federal agencies to pretend that climate change has no impact on our communities. and limit oversight on drilling projects on federal landswill not improve our energy security. They will endanger our health and resources. There is nothing new in todays debate. This package includes the same old ideas that the Majority has been pushing. without result. since 2011. Rather than working together for the American people. they are recycling the same partisan agenda. Our constituents deserve better. I urge a no vote.
Date: 2014-09-18
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I am on a mission of mercy. I have a constituent who is missing in Syria. He is the son of Marc and Debra Tice. His name is Austin Tice. On August 11. 2012. he celebrated his 31st birthday in Syria. On August 13. he was reported missing. He is a graduate of Georgetown University. and he was there pursuing his career in journalism. Mr. Speaker. his parents are gravely concerned. and we are asking anyone with any information concerning this young man. Austin Tice. to please contact the FBI hotline at 1 (800) 2255324. repeating 1 (800) 2255324. My number is (202) 2257508. I would like to now have a moment of silence for his return.
Date: 2014-09-18
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise to honor and mourn a great American in my district. His name is Joe Sample. He made people happy by the wonderful jazz that he played. Born in 1939. in his high school he joined with fellow students and created the Jazz Crusaders. In doing so. he enjoyed a wonderful career that saw him working with people such as Miles Davis. George Benson. Jimmy Witherspoon. B.B. King. Eric Clapton. Steely Dan. and the Supremes. He incorporated jazz in many things that he did. but he also understood gospel. blues. Latin. and the classical form. In talking to his family this week. and to his family and his wife. I give them my deepest sympathy. He said he was proud of his gospel music album. We are saddened that he has lost his life in his battle against lung cancer. I am delighted to salute him as a great American who shared his talent with young people. who was kind to those with whom he grew up. who made Texas proud. and certainly is renowned throughout this great community of Houston and the Nation. Starting the piano at 5. Joe Sample never left his love of music and always tried to share it and be a representative of the value of what music is to children and the American people. I ask this Congress to acknowledge with me this great hero. Joe Sample. a musician. an American. someone who we can be proud of that lived good in this country.
Date: 2014-11-12
Speaker: MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank my colleagues. both Representative CARSON from Indiana and my colleague from North Carolina . for their support on S. 898. As you have just heard. this is a companion bill to a nearly identical bill. my bill H.R. 3998. which passed this body on June 17. Now. we have also heard that this bill is to sell a Federal building at fair market value which costs more in its current lease arrangement than it does in this transaction and arrangement. You have also heard that this is an incredible school. memorializing an incredible legacy. But what you havent heard today is that the foundation has raised more than $3 million to continue to invest not only in the purchase of the building but to expand their educational footprint in New Mexico. In my district in Albuquerque. we have difficulties reaching out to a highpoverty. high atrisk high school group. This school has incredible outcomes. They are seeing a 100 percent graduation rate. 80 percent graduation rates out of college. and of that 80 percent. nearly all of those students continue a very aggressive community relationship. Part of this schools requirement is that not only do you meet your basic high school curriculum but you have to invest considerably in community work in a variety of nonprofit and charitable work. I want to also give a special thanks and extend my gratitude to Senator TOM UDALL for working with me on this bill and to Chairman SHUSTER and Ranking Member RAHALL for their help in bringing the legislation to the floor. With that. Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues to support this bill that helps the Amy Biehl High School to continue to provide Albuquerque students with a firstrate education while also preserving a historic piece of downtown Albuquerque.
Date: 2014-11-12
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. today I missed the following vote: Senate Amendment to H.R. 4194Government Reports Elimination Act. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes" on this bill.
Date: 2014-11-12
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the manager of this Special Order. and it gives me great privilege to be able to stand here today. Mr. Speaker. as I look at Congressman COBLE. I think of the men and women who love this institution. I love it. and I have had the privilege of serving on the House Judiciary Committee. which I believe is the holder of the Founding Fathers dream of democracy for this country. As I have worked with Congressman COBLE. I have seen nothing but his love for the law. for the broad depth of the House Judiciary Committee and. might I say. the power. Congressman. you have used that power with gentlemanly gentleness and forcefulness in representing your constituents and your philosophy. We have had some tough battles on the House Judiciary Committee. but I have always seen and known HOWARD COBLE to be a gentleman. I am reminded of how many days and moments and minutes and months that we have been here in this place. and. HOWARD. I believe that. every time we have seen each other. we have said "hello" with a smile. I thank you for that. and it represents your love of this country and your love of the system of justice and democracy and the respect for difference of opinion. Let me also say that I have a great Texan as my daughter. She loves Texas. and she is now an elected official. but she went on to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke. She couldnt leave North Carolina. She knew the bipartisan manner of your work. and as they studied on those two campuses. they knew Congressman HOWARD COBLE. So let me say to you. on behalf of those of us who have worked with you over the yearsDemocrats and Republicansand in the time that I have had the privilege of serving in this House. what a mighty "thank you" we want to give you and to recognize the service you have given to the Nation. to your constituents and. certainly. the teaching that you have given to all of us. Well done. my good friend. We will miss you. and we wish for you a long life and an enjoyable time in continuing to serve in your own way the United States of America. Thank you so very much. We love you. HOWARD.
Date: 2014-11-13
Speaker: DANNY K. DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I am proud to join with my colleagues in paying tribute to former Congressman Lane Evans. to convey condolences to his family and friends. and to urge the naming of a VA outpatient clinic in Galesburg. Illinois. in his name and in his honor. I had come to know and revere Representative Lane Evans long before I became a Member of Congress. As a matter of fact. he was known not only in the area that he represented. but throughout Illinois and especially among individuals who considered themselves to be political progressives. As a matter of fact. I had the good fortune to travel with Lane and a group to El Salvador under his leadership and under the sponsorship of a group at the time known as People to People. As a matter of fact. in that same group was Representative JAN SCHAKOWSKY. and that is where I felt that I really got to know JAN and her husband. Bob. Lane Evans spent most of his adult life in public service except for the time he was in college or law school. Not only did he enlist in the Marines during the Vietnam era and comported himself extremely well during his tenure. but Lane also was a legal aid attorney. That is an attorney who works specifically to represent those who otherwise would not have had any legal representation. After being elected to Congress in 1982. he established himself as a strong voice for veterans and championed other progressive causes. During his entire time in Congress. he served on the Veterans Affairs Committee and rose to the commission of ranking member. Lane gave us his physical and mental capabilities until he could actually give no more. That is. he would often come to work barely able to sit. sometimes barely able to walk in. at the time when others would have just given up and said. "I cant do this anymore." Lane did us proud. Therefore. I am proud to join in this tribute. and I am proud to support the naming of the VA medical facility in Galesburg. Illinois. as the Lane A. Evans CommunityBased Outpatient Clinic. Lane is absolutely deserving of this honor. I have never. ever known anyone who worked as long and as hard as Lane did with his illness. and he simply worked. as they sometimes say in Christian churches. until his days were done. Lane. I am proud to have known you. proud to have served with you. and proud to call you my friend.
Date: 2014-11-13
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Mr. Speaker. 6 years ago this week. the economic situation of this country was so perilous. we announced that the TARP program was going to be expanded to cover auto loans and credit cards. The housing bubble had burst. household wealth was slashed by over $16 trillion. banks tottered. lending was frozen. the Dow was about to plunge to 7.000. the GDP was sinking at a rate of 6.3 percent. Today much has changed. The TARP has been repaid. the Dow has climbed 10.000 points. businesses are growing. unemployment has fallen to 5.8 percent. GDP is expanding at a rate of 3.5 percent. As this Congress considers how to move forward. it would be beneficial and helpful if we would always remember to look back at what worked and what didnt. Lets do more of what works. With 56 months of private sector job growthnot enough. but the best record that we have ever had in historywe must build on this progress by investing in infrastructure. raising wages for middle class workers. committing to make it in America. and making sure our schools are preparing for the next generation.
Date: 2014-11-13
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to todays legislation to grant automatic approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. bypassing the legal review process. Todays bill grants immediate authority to Canadian company TransCanada to "construct. connect. operate. and maintain" the pipeline as described in their 2012 application to the State Department. However. as the bill itself acknowledges. there are still outstanding issues with that application. Notably. there is no legal route through Nebraska due to an ongoing court case over private property rights and eminent domain. This bill does nothing to resolve that case. It gives blanket approval without knowing what the pipeline route will look like in Nebraska. I am also deeply concerned that tar sands oil. which would be transported in the pipeline. is exempt from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund that is used to respond to leaks and accidents. If there is an accident along this pipeline. taxpayers will be on the hook for cleanup. We need to close that loophole and ensure that the American public is not bearing the risks for TransCanadas pipeline. The State Department continues to review the 2.5 million comments it has received on this project and is awaiting a final route from Nebraska to make its determination on whether this project is in the best interest of the American people. We should allow that process to continue.