macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-02-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. there are a litany of organizations that are supporting this amendment: the League of Conservation Voters. the Alaskan Wilderness League. Animal Welfare League. Born Free USA. With respect to lions. let me recite that over the last 75 years. we have lost 90 percent of African lions because we did not have the restraints. I would make the argument that we should not do that in this case. When we let go and let free. we will find out that they will go beyond the 41. They will be calling after polar bears for trophies. We need to ban this in our legislation to ensure the protection of all of those. Let me ask my colleagues to take into consideration the importance of our responsibilities of preservation. Trophies? Money? I can assure you that there are a bounty of humane organizations that will provide any amount of dollars to do the research that is necessary to protect this vulnerable population. They are listed on the Endangered Species Act. They are vulnerable. These trophies should not be an indication to the American people that they can bring in polar bearswho may themselves become extinctbecause we believe that trophies are more important than studying the species and growing the species to the extent that scientists and others can restrain them and make sure that we do have a population within the realm and reason of supporting the ecosystem that we need. I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-02-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII. further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Texas will be postponed.
Date: 2016-02-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentleman from Virginia very much. I sit on the Judiciary Committee. Mr. Chairman. I would say to the gentleman who is the proponent of the legislation that. first of all. we have a responsibility to keep law and order. we have a responsibility to protect the Second Amendment. and we have a responsibility to law enforcement officers. Tragically. in the backdrop of this debate was an individual who secured guns and killed and slaughtered people just last night. We want to make sure that we are safe and that we are dealing with issues that are important to protecting our law enforcement. First of all. this amendment is unnecessary. Current Federal law already entitles a person to transport a firearm from one place to another so long as the firearm is unloaded and the needs of the firearms or any ammunition being transported is not readily accessible or directly accessible from the passenger compartment. et cetera. This amendment intends to make a Federal open carry law. This open carry law should be one of the States determinations. It happens to exist in the State that I am from. It should not be placed upon the entire country by Federal law. Why? Because whether a gun is supposed to be locked or has a trigger on it. it still poses a threat. possibly. to our law enforcement. I oppose this amendment because it is unnecessary and because it puts our law enforcement persons in danger. I would ask my colleagues to oppose the amendment and acknowledge the shooting in Kansas as evidence that we dont need more guns being carried back and forth on the streets.
Date: 2016-02-26
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I rise today to recognize the talent. teamwork. and intelligence of the West WindsorPlainsboro High School South National Science Bowl team. who are regional champions for the second year in a row. This years team includes Dhruva Byrapatna. Eric Mischell. William Jiao. Angela You. and Tanishq Aggarwal. They were coached by Ms. Sunila Sharma. In a few weeks. these students will head to Washington. D.C.. to compete in the Department of Energys National Science Bowl. I am proud to know that New Jerseys 12th District will be represented. I wish both the coach and the team the best of luck in the national competition.
Date: 2016-02-26
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Whole Womans Health v. Hellerstedt next Tuesday. a case challenging the Texas law that has deprived women of their constitutional right to make their own healthcare decisions. I was proud to join 163 of my colleagues in an amicus brief in support of womens health centers. Texas is home to 5.4 million women of reproductive age. and this appalling law would leave only 10 clinics open in the entire State10in Texas. As a mother of two daughters. I find this unacceptable. It is a moral outrage when legislatures full of mostly male politicians interfere in womens healthcare decisions. From Texas to my home State of Florida. to this very body. we are seeing an unprecedented attack on womens health. and I will not be silent about it. These laws have not and will not make women safer. They are intrusive and invade womens personal. most private decisions. It is my deepest hope that the Supreme Court overturns this offensive Texas law.
Date: 2016-02-29
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to support H.R. 4084. the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act. which I am very pleased to cosponsor. Today. nuclear power plays a vital role in providing our country with clean. reliable energy. Nuclear power is currently the single largest carbonfree component of our electrical supply. One of my top priorities as a Member of Congress is preventing and mitigating the potentially devastating impacts of climate change. I believe that nuclear power can and should play a key role in our efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of our electricity sector. But there currently are technical. economic. and policy challenges that prevent nuclear energy from playing a larger role in enabling our clean energy future. The Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act takes several positive steps to address these challenges. Implementing the provisions in this bill will help accelerate the development of advanced nuclear energy technologies that are safer. less expensive. more efficient. and produce less waste than the current generation of nuclear reactors. While the results of this research will clearly benefit the American consumers. it is my hope that it will also help spur American industry. As the world collectively moves towards greenhouse gas reductions. we need to make sure that American industry is ready to supply the technologies to fuel the worlds low carbon future. This bill will help ensure that American industry will lead the world in supplying next generation nuclear power. I would like to express my appreciation for the process we followed to put this bill together. Majority and Minority staff worked closely together. from engaging stakeholders through crafting and incorporating suggested changes to bill language. This is a great example of what we can achieve when we leave politics at the door and look for common ground to address the challenges facing our nations research enterprise. Specifically. Id like to thank my Texas colleague Mr. WEBER for sponsoring this legislation. and my other Texas colleague Chairman SMITH for working with the Minority to advance this bill. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Date: 2016-02-29
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I was unable to vote on Monday. February 29. 2016. due to important events being held today in our district in Houston and Harris County. Texas. If I had been able to vote. I would have voted as follows: On H.R. 4238. to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act and the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976 to modernize terms relating to minorities. I would have voted "yea."
Date: 2016-03-01
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor Womens History Month. This month is our chance to recommit ourselves to the principle that. when women succeed. America succeeds. Women make up almost half of all workers in America. and working mothers are the primary breadwinners in 40 percent of families. More than ever. womens success is essential to our Nations economy. As we begin Womens History Month in 2016. I encourage this body to meaningfully address the challenges that still exist for women and our families. I am pleased that the National Womens History Month Project is highlighting two incredible Floridians as they honor women in public service and government: Nadine Smith. an LGBT civil rights activist and the executive director of Equality Florida. and my good friend. Betty Mae Tiger Jumper. the first woman to chair of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and a Presidential adviser. I am so grateful for the contributions these extraordinary women have made to our country. and I am thrilled that they are being recognized in this years celebration.
Date: 2016-03-01
Speaker: BRENDAN F. BOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 3735. a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 Town Run Lane in WinstonSalem. North Carolina. as the Maya Angelou Memorial Post Office. Born in St. Louis. Missouri. in 1928. Maya Angelou is best known for her literary talents as an author and poet. While the 1970 autobiography that recounts her life. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." remains her most notable work. Maya Angelou authored dozens of other awardwinning novels. essays. and poems. many of which reflect on her own life and experiences as well as on broader social and political issues. Prior to her prolific literary career. Angelou also experienced success as a singer. actress. civil rights activist. and educator. Her many accolades include the Presidential Medal of Freedom. which was bestowed upon her by President Barack Obama in 2010. Dr. Angelou passed away in May 2014. Madam Speaker. we should pass this bill to honor the legacy of Maya Angelou and the countless contributions her life and work made to the many facets of American society. I urge the passage of H.R. 3735. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-03-01
Speaker: BRENDAN F. BOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Madam Speaker. I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from North Carolina . my fellow freshman colleague.
Date: 2016-03-01
Speaker: BRENDAN F. BOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 1132. a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1048 West Robinhood Drive in Stockton. California. as the W. Ronald Coale Memorial Post Office Building. Ronald Coale was born in 1932 and led a life of dedicated public service. beginning with service to his country during the Korean war. A member of the Stockton Metropolitan Transit District board of directors beginning in 1973. Mr. Coale rather quickly took on a leadership role. chairing the board from 1975 until 1983. He later served local government and the transit sector through his positions as a council member and vice mayor for the city of Stockton. chairman of the Stockton Port Commission. a member of the San Joaquin Council of Governments board of directors. and worked on behalf of the California Public Utilities Commission and California Trucking Association. Mr. Coale passed away at the age of 81 in April 2014. Madam Speaker. we should pass this bill to recognize W. Ronald Coales inspiring life of public service and to honor his accomplishments and his memory. I urge passage of H.R. 1132. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-03-01
Speaker: BRENDAN F. BOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am happy to echo and second the eloquent words that were just said by my colleague on the other side of the aisle. Rather than repeat them or preempt the next speaker. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana .
Date: 2016-03-01
Speaker: BRENDAN F. BOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker. it is clearly a busy day in New Orleans. Much like the previous bill. rather than speaking and simply repeating the eloquent words that were previously spoken. I would rather yield such time as he may consume again to the gentleman from Louisiana . my colleague. who proudly represents his State.
Date: 2016-03-01
Speaker: BRENDAN F. BOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Madam Speaker. clearly. as we just heard. Officer Holloway is exactly the kind of person that we should recognize as a country. It is also a reminderand I say this representing hundreds. if not thousands. of Philadelphia police officers in my district. It is a reminder of just how dangerous the job of being a police officer is in our society. It is quite clear that Officer Holloway paid the ultimate sacrifice to Louisiana and also to our country. He is worthy of this honor. I urge all those in this House to adopt this bill. Madam Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-03-01
Speaker: BRENDAN F. BOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia in order to speak and elaborate a little more on Officer Ortegas life and his sacrifice and service.
Date: 2016-03-01
Speaker: BRENDAN F. BOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Madam Speaker. like we heard previously about Officer Holloway. Officer Francis Manuel Ortega is clearly worthy of this honor. My heartfelt sympathies go to his family. I hope today it might bring them some small measure of comfort. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-03-01
Speaker: BRENDAN F. BOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Madam Speaker. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Rhode Island . my friend.
Date: 2016-03-01
Speaker: BRENDAN F. BOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. but I will be brief. One of the nice things about doing this is getting to hear the stories of ordinary Americans who make tremendous sacrifices. And clearly. Second Lieutenant Ainsworth was an extraordinary American who made such a sacrifice. I am proud to support this resolution. and I urge its adoption. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-03-02
Speaker: JUDY CHU (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. this morning I stood in front of the Supreme Court with hundreds of passionate voices rallying to defend our right to choice. Before the Court today is one of the most significant abortion cases to be heard in years. For over 40 years now. Roe v. Wade has been the law of the land. recognizing a womans right to a safe abortion when she needs it and where she needs it. But State laws. like the Texas law in question. chip away at that right so that women must drive hundreds of miles and face serious delays before exercising their right to choice. What is worse is that preventing women from accessing safe medical care has led to a sharp increase in selfinduced abortions. We cannot accept putting women at risk by returning to the horrors of the back alley that harmed so many. Today I call on the Supreme Court to keep women safe and recognize that our constitutional rights should not depend on our ZIP Code.
Date: 2016-03-02
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Mr. Speaker. this morning I joined hundreds of women on the steps of the Supreme Court to protest the Texas law that is under consideration by the Court today. The Texas law has already shut down over half of the abortion clinics in the State of Texas. and if the law is upheld today. it will effectively end the constitutional right of women in Texas to obtain a legal abortion. If that happens. the extreme Texas law will likely be used as a blueprint by antichoice extremists across this country. Now. they claim that this laws restrictive provisions are necessary to protect a womans health. But doctors across this Nation will tell you that that is a lie. The harsh restrictions were designed with the single purpose of closing and blocking access to choice. I proudly joined over 162 of my colleagues on an amicus brief urging the Court to strike down this law. The right to choose is meaningless without the access to choice.
Date: 2016-03-02
Speaker: TED LIEU (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. today I rise to acknowledge and celebrate the month of March as Womens History Month. During this month. we recognize the many successes of women all across America and our Nations history. I am proud to represent Californias 33rd Congressional District. home to many female trailblazers such as Barbra Streisand who. in addition to her many accomplishments in the entertainment industry and her philanthropic contributions. is the first female director to receive Kennedy Center Honors and recently received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. the Nations highest civilian honor. We also have Sherry Lansing. who was the first woman to head a major Hollywood studio. the first female studio chief to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. and the first woman to be named Pioneer of the Year by the Foundation of Motion Picture Pioneers. Then we have Michelle Kwan. who was born in my hometown of Torrance. an alumnus of UCLA. who is not only a 5time world championship ice skater with two Olympic medals. but also serves as senior adviser to the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. among many other roles. As we celebrate Womens History Month. let us continue to work to create equal opportunities for future generations of women.
Date: 2016-03-02
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I was unable to vote on Wednesday. March 2. 2016. due to important events being held today in our district in Houston and Harris County. Texas. If I had been able to vote. I would have voted as follows: On H.R. 3716. the Ensuring Access to Quality Medicaid Providers Act. I would have voted "yea."
Date: 2016-03-02
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.
Date: 2016-03-02
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. this week. we open Womens History Monthan opportunity for us to celebrate the progress women have made and the amazing contributions that we are responsible for. We have more women in Congress now than ever before. Women are now the leading breadwinners or are the only breadwinners in 40 percent of households. We have more women who lead major companies and who are in prominent positions. like on the Supreme Court. Women today are more likely to earn college degrees and to attend graduate school than are their male counterparts. and more women are entering traditionally maledominated fields. That progress has been incredibly swift. We are talking about gains that have really only happened in the past 60 years. Still. there are many. many milestones that women have yet to reach. Even with the most women Congress has ever seen. this body. supposedly elected to both represent and reflect the United States. is still overwhelmingly 80 percent male. in fact. Women still make 78 cents for every dollar a man earns. particularly troubling when you think about the 40 percent of women I just mentioned who are supporting their families. Black women make even less at 64 cents on the dollar while Latina women make just 66 cents on the dollar. If this week is any indicator. there are still great numbers of people. primarily men. who feel we are incapable of making our own decisions about our health care. We have got a long way to go. Mr. Speaker. Part of the reason we cant get all the way there is that we have not passed the Equal Rights Amendment. We have been avoiding ensuring protection for women in the Constitution for almost 100 years. Quite frankly. there is only so much we can do until we offer that basic level of protection. Mr. Speaker. the ERA was first drafted and introduced in the 1920s. It finally passed in 1972 and was sent to the States for ratification. where it received 35 of the 38 approvals that it needed. Unfortunately. time ran out. One of the reasons we have yet to solve some of the greatest challenges facing our Nations women is the lack of true protection in the Constitution. What better way to ensure the right to fair pay for women? What better way to ensure equal treatment in the workplace? What better way to protect against laws that inherently limit women? What better way to protect all of the progress we have made and to ensure that women can continue to excel? The Equal Rights Amendment would provide the foundation for legislation that protects women from discrimination at every levellegislation that is more necessary now than it has ever been with more and more women leading at home and in the workplace. We will spend a lot of time in the coming weeks talking about what we need to do for womenfrom the passage of the Fair Pay Act to ensuring paid leave for women and men. Yet there is one thing that we should have done long ago. and my colleagues are here tonight. on the floor with me. to call for action where we have failed before. It is now my pleasure to yield to the gentlewoman from New York . the primary sponsor of the ERA bill.
Date: 2016-03-02
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentlewoman for being with us this evening. I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida .
Date: 2016-03-02
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield to the gentlewoman from California . the sponsor of legislation that would retroactively lift the deadline for the ratification of the ERA.
Date: 2016-03-02
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the gentlewoman. and I want to say tonight that we definitely will be coming back here again on a Special Order hour and addressing this issue. We will just continue to do it until we can see some movement. I thank you for that. Mr. Speaker. the women tonight. the Members of the House. have spoken so eloquently and so compellingly on this issue and the urgency with which we need to take this issue up. But the women of this Nation. they are very strong and intelligent and capable citizens as well. As our laws in our society have given women a turn at bat. we have stepped up to the plate. and we have proven time and again that we can do what men do just as well as they do it. and often even better. Although expectations and stereotypes are changing. women are still lacking in equal footing. Last year the United States fell to 28th place in the annual world equality rankings. behind even Rwanda and the Philippines. We are one of only a few nations that fails to specifically affirm the legal equality of men and women in our governing documents. a failure we would hold any other nation accountable for. The ERA is the biggest and most basic step we can take to ensure equality for every woman. We need it. and we need it now. So let us work together to give women equal rights once and for all. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.