macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-23
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I thank the gentleman. and I certainly thank the chairman for his comments. Right now the Veterans Affairs Committee is meeting to find out more information on the dastardly knowledge of so many veterans who may have died on a secret list. I would imagine that they would have wanted. some years back. to have investigated. studied. and gotten more information about how veterans are treated in the veterans hospital. I respectfully disagree with my friend and colleague. I do not think that this is a waste of the energy of this agency and I dont think we have enough information. Anytime I can stand on this floor and err on the side of the customer. the consumer. and stand up here and show a letter that is the ultimate result of a bankruptcy because the consumers didnt have all the information that they neededand all we are asking is over a 2year period give us the number of entities. the size. practice models. and the assets under the managementI dont believe that that is too much. Investigating precise issues is not giving the consumer a portfolio of knowledge. I disagree with my good friend. and I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment.
Date: 2014-06-23
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

I appreciate the chairmans commentary about the SEC. I am well aware that the SEC has driven itself to utilizing the Court of Appeals. I would make the argument that there is a smaller investor that tends to engage in commodities. and. therefore. transparency and the opportunity to create a record is far more important in commodities. I would also make the point that my amendment is supported by the Commodity Markets Oversight Coalition. which is asking for us to continue with existing law. They. of course. include Airlines for America. American Bakers Association. California Black Farmers. California Independent Oil Marketers Association. Colorado Petroleum Marketers Association. Florida Petroleum Market Marketers Association. Maine Energy Marketers Association. the National Association of Oil and Energy Service Professionals. National Family Farm Coalition. among others. which I will include in the RECORD. National Grange. New Jersey Citizen Action Oil Group. New Mexico Petroleum Marketers Association. North Dakota Petroleum Marketers Association. Oil Heat Council of New Hampshire. Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores of Iowa. Public Citizen. RanchersCattlemen Action Legal Fund. Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association. to name just a few. who clearly just ask for a simple request: when there is a need to challenge the rules. allow a full record to be made at the district court level. Commodities is not in the same vain as the SEC. I would argue that there is need for greater highlight in information. and that the Jackson Lee amendment should be accepted for that kind of transparency and treating small investors fairly and giving them the opportunity to fully pursue their position when it comes to a particular rule. I would ask my colleagues to support the amendment. and I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-06-23
Speaker: DAVID SCOTT (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

This is a very interesting debate in listening to it. but I think the simple point here. Mr. Chairman. is that. number one. this just deals with the registration. Prior to 2012. the SEC handled all of the RICs. Now. we have caught up in the middle of this millions and millions of pensioners. retirees. people who are getting into the golden years of their lives. My hope is that we can pass this amendment. It only deals with registration. The ranking member has brought up some interesting points. That is why we do have the courts to settle those. I think here. tonight. we need to think of what this simple amendment does is stop duplicative areas within registration and gives a better hand for our retirees today.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. as the founder and cochair of the Congressional Childrens Caucus. I rise to talk about children. the children in America who need more Head Start seats or the children in northern Nigeria who are being attacked and stolen away by Boko Haram who stole some 30 or 40 girls and some 31 boys. I rise to talk about the children who are at Americas borderthrough no fault of their own and through no fault of this administrationa baby or children laying on the floor with a blanket. Some have taken to the political grandstanding of blaming the President and the Presidents administration. The United Nations has indicated that this is a proportion of international humanitarian crisis. Fiftyeight percent of the children that were questioned were not here for immigration issues. they are displaced internationallythey were forcibly displaced. It is our job to address this question. We should address this question with humanitarian response. with more processing centers. We should have more detention centers that are there for families and children. so they can be processed appropriately. more immigration judges. we must deal with more childrens organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. First Focus. Childrens Legal Defense Fund. Let us not grandstand on these babies. They are here because they have been forced to leave a devastating condition in their country. Attacking the administration is wrong.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank my colleague on the Rules Committee for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker. I rise today on the rule for both H.R. 6 and H.R. 3301. and I will address both of these bills. I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 3301 and a recent cosponsor to H.R. 6 after we amended it out of our committee. As for H.R. 3301. this legislation would create a North American energy market with our free trading partners Canada and Mexico. If we want to create this market. we need to have statutory authority. It is true that the Presidential permitting process dates back through many administrations. but to really create this market. we need some certainty. and that is why it should be in statute. These past administrations were forced to use executive orders. but Congress has failed to act. Congress has the duty to regulate the commerce of the United States. and crossborder energy infrastructure projects fall well within that space. Unfortunately. crossborder decisions have now fallen victim to election cycles and political considerations. H.R. 3301 will resolve these issues and those proposed by the amendments debated here today. Let me say that I wish we had an open rule. Some of the amendments considered by the Rules Committee I would have liked to have voted for. but lets not take that away from the quality of these two pieces of legislation. H.R. 3301 provides for an environmental review of the crossborder segment of the pipeline. The entire length of the pipeline is reviewed for environmental impacts under existing law. Any time a pipeline crosses Federal lands. waters. endangered habitats. a National Environmental Policy Act reviewalso known as "NEPA"-must be completed by the Federal Government. Otherwise. the environmental permit must come from the State environmental agency if it is within the State. There are more than 40.000 miles of pipeline in the U.S. that have been constructed with indepth environmental reviews. This will continue to be the case. H.R. 3301 doesnt take anything away except the State Department only has to deal with their responsibility in its coming from Canada to the United States or from Mexico to the United States or vice versa. There will be environmental reviews by Federal agencies and State agencies. and this will continue to be the case.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Also. this bill doesnt deal with the Keystone XL. Pending applications for permits are grandfathered into the current process. and as a failsafe. we have pushed the effective date of the legislation back to July 1 of 2016. This legislation isnt about Keystone no matter how badly opponents want to make it. It is about future projects and how to meet the energy needs of the 21st century. Let me talk about H.R. 6. H.R. 6 would actually quantify how this should be done on exporting LNG. and most of those permits are in Louisiana and Texas. Most of the responsibility is with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. FERC. and they take 12 to 18 months to do the environmental reviews. The Department of Energys only responsibility is if it is in the national interest to export LNG. We are going to keep that in the law. but we want to make sure they give a 30day response because they have actually already had a possible 18 months to review these applications.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I thank my colleague for yielding to me. As ranking member on the Health Subcommittee. I. too. am hesitant to rise and oppose your amendment. What the amendment would do is it would ensure that the complete length of crossborder projects would be subject to full environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act. The bill already guarantees that review at the national boundary based with the Department of Energy. Existing Federal and State law guarantees an environmental review on the complete length of the project. Current Federal laws that trigger NEPA reviews in addition to H.R. 3301 include the Clean Water Act. the Clean Air Act. the Endangered Species Act. the Mineral Leasing Act. the Rivers and Harbors Act. the Fish and Wildlife Coordination for Fish and Wildlife Service consultation. the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act. the Wilderness Act. and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. The intent of this bill is not to eliminate any of the NEPA reviews within the continental United States. The problem we have right now is the Department of State is making a decision that really ought to be Federal agencies and even State governments who would need that. If this amendment was adopted. it would require a State Department or a Presidential permit. and then all of the other agencies. and so it would make it impossible. The argument for this bill. if you are opposed to Keystone. then you are allowing literally a thousandcar train of crude oil to come across the border now without any of these reviews. A pipeline is inherently safer. That is why we need to bring that crude oil by pipeline from Canada to the gulf coast. where our refining capacity is. The amendment would actually expand what is under current law. It would make it even harder. The goal of the legislation is to have this North American energy independence market. and we dont need to throw up more roadblocks to keep companies from importing or exporting to Canada or importing or exporting to Mexico. where we already have free trade agreements. I urge a "no" vote on the amendment.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I thank my friend and colleague for yielding. Ranking Member WAXMANs amendment excludes any project with a pending permit application from the new approval requirements in the bill. The bill does not deal with Keystone XL. The bill shall not apply if an application for a permit for construction. connection. operation. or maintenance is pending. That is what the bill does. H.R. 3301. The bill does not apply until after July 1. 2016. We are in 2014 now. Keystone XL has been at the State Department and White House for at least 5 years. and are they going to wait another 2 years? Now. if they want to wait until July 1. 2016. they would have to refile and start all over. But this bill has nothing to do with the Keystone permit. They could stand in line like anyone else after July 1. 2016. stand in line and get their permit. I would assume we would have a number of them. But let me first take some time. and I appreciate my colleague. Ranking Member WAXMAN. I have been on the Energy and Commerce Committee since 1997. and most of the time we agree. but we do represent individual districts. But I want to say that I appreciate Mr. WAXMANS service. We have worked together on a lot of legislation in the committee and even on the floor. but. obviously. we have a disagreement on energy. That is why I think the amendment is not needed. because the bill already prohibits it from applying to any current permit in the law. Again. Mr. WAXMAN. I thank you for your service. I will miss you because I enjoy our discussions.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chair. I thank my colleague for yielding me time. I. too. understand where my colleague on the committee and Congressman WELCHlet me leave with you one of our examples. You include also pipeline name changes in here. I understand your issue is reversing the flow. I would be glad to work with you. but I have a company that has been waiting years. They bought a pipeline coming from Canada into the United States. They have waited years just for the State Department to change their name. What really bothered meand I have contacted the State Departmentthe State Department said: Oh. well. we are looking at it. but we know you are going to build a lateral from North Dakota into your U.S. part of the line. and we do evaluate that. The State Department has no right to evaluate those pipelines. It is on our property in the United States. They have the crossborder. What we are seeing is expansion of State Department authority. I agree that you have an issue and I would like to see if we could work with you on it. but it shouldnt take 3 years to change a name because another company bought it. And believe me. I think the State Department is trying to overreach by saying: By the way. we are going to evaluate what you are doing in the continental United States. We already have Federal agenciesthe Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and a host of Federal agenciesthat will evaluate that pipeline that is in our country. The State Department needs to take care of their business. That is what worries me about your amendment. so I ask for a "no" vote. I would love to work with you. because I think if there is a reverse flow. I think somebody needs to look at it. I appreciate it. I still request a "no" vote.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 4631. the Autism Collaboration. Accountability. Research. Education. and Support Act of 2014. Autism spectrum disorder. or ASD. is a developmental disability that can lead to significant social. communication. and behavioral challenges. We still do not know all the causes of autism. and we do not have a cure. but we do know that early intervention services can improve a childs development. Recent data for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show more children than ever before are receiving an autism diagnosis. This is due. at least in part. to a broader definition of ASD and better diagnosis. but we cannot rule out the possibility of a true increase in the number of Americans with ASD. Continued Federal support for autism activities at HHS will help us learn more about the causes of autism. It will help more children receive early diagnosis and intervention. as well as access to services that they need throughout their lives. I want to acknowledge the sponsor of this legislationCongressman SMITH and Congressman DOYLE. the sponsors of the Senate companion legislation. Senators MENENDEZ and ENZI. and leaders on the Energy and Commerce Committee and on the Senate Health. Education. Labor. and Pensions Committeefor making it possible to have a consensus bill before the House today. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. so we can send it to the Senate and on to the President for his signature. well in advance of the September 30 sunset provisions in current law. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania . my good friend and colleague.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York . my good friend and desk mate on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 4080. the Trauma Systems and Regionalization of Emergency Care Reauthorization Act. I am proud to be the lead Democratic sponsor on this important bill with my colleague from Texas. Dr. BURGESS. I want to thank him for his leadership and commitment to this issue. This bill reauthorizes the programs that provide grants to States for planning. implementing. and developing trauma care systems. and establishes pilot projects that design innovative models of emergency care systems. Ideally. trauma and emergency care systems respond quickly and efficiently to ensure that the seriously injured individuals receive the care they need within that golden hourthe time period when medical intervention is most effective at saving lives. However. unintentional injury remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 44 years and younger. and access to trauma centers is inconsistent throughout the country. In fact. 45 million Americans lack access to a trauma care center within that golden hour. which is the first hour after the injury. Emergency departments and trauma centers are overcrowded. the emergency care system is splintered. and surgical specialists are often unavailable to patients who need them. This legislation helps establish the systems that save lives and improve the functioning of our trauma care systems. Again. I want to thank Representative BURGESS for championing this effort with me. I also want to acknowledge the leadership of Chairman UPTON. Chairman PITTS. Ranking Member WAXMAN. Ranking Member PALLONE. and the work of the committees staff in advancing this bill through the Energy and Commerce Committee and bringing it to the floor today. I support this bipartisan and I urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. in closing. as a cosponsor of this bill and in working with my colleague Dr. BURGESS for a number of years on trauma care. I urge an "aye" vote. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 3548. the Improving Trauma Care Act of 2014. This legislation amends the definition of the word "trauma" for the purpose of trauma care grants authorized in title XII of the Public Health Service Act to include burns and other injuries resulting from electrical. chemical. or other exposures. Strengthening our Nations trauma care services is an important priority on which I hope to continue to work with Members on both sides of the aisle to address. I want to thank Congressman JOHNSON for his sponsorship of this legislation. and I want to acknowledge the work of our committeeChairman UPTON. Chairman PITTS. Ranking Member WAXMAN. Ranking Member PALLONEand of all the staff in bringing this bill to the floor today. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I have no other speakers. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3548. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 1281. the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2014. Newborn screening is conducted for a number of genetic. metabolic. hormonal. and functional conditions that may not be apparent at birth. Approximately one in every 300 newborns has a condition that can be detected through screening. If diagnosed early. many of these disorders can be managed successfully. H.R. 1281 reauthorizes the Department of Health and Human Services Advisory Committee that recommends conditions to be included in the uniform screening panel. allows the Advisory Committee to begin the consideration of certain new conditions more quickly. and requires the Secretary of HHS to make determinations on the committees recommendations in a shorter period of time. The bill also extends support for State programs involving screening. counseling. education. and other services. demonstration programs to evaluate the effectiveness of services. and a clearinghouse of resources related to newborn screening. This legislation puts a new emphasis on the timeliness of newborn screening in all of these activities. and it requires the GAO to report to Congress on this issue. I want to thank the sponsors of this legislation. Congresswoman ROYBALALLARD and Congressman SIMPSON. the sponsors of the Senate companion legislation. Senators HAGAN and HATCH. and the leaders on the Energy and Commerce Committee and on the Health. Education. Labor. and Pensions Committee. for their work on this bill. I support H.R. 1281. and I urge my colleagues to support the legislation as well. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield as much time as she may consume to my colleague from California . We came in at the same time in 1993.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I have no other speakers. I urge support for the legislation and yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 1098. the Traumatic Brain Injury Reauthorization Act of 2014. Traumatic brain injury. or TBI. is an unexpected blow or a jolt to the head. These injuries affect people of all ages. A soldier in a blast injury. an elderly person who has fallen. or a young driver involved in a car crash can experience TBI. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate more than 2 million Americans experience a traumatic brain injury each year. The vast majority of these individuals have an injury that can be treated at a hospital emergency room. but not all Americans are as fortunate. Their injuries can have more devastating consequences and may result in death or lasting disability. The TBI program at the Department of Health and Human Services was first established in 1996 and has been reauthorized twice. in 2001 and. again. in The legislation before the House today. once again. reauthorizes the TBI program. It would extend TBI surveillance and research activities. It will also extend programs for TBI services and support administered across Health and Human Services. I want to commend the sponsors of the legislation. Congressman PASCRELL and Congressman ROONEY. and I also want to acknowledge the leadership of Chairman UPTON. Chairman PITTS. Ranking Member WAXMAN. and Ranking Member PALLONE and the work of our committee staff in advancing this bill through the Energy and Commerce Committee and bringing it to the floor today. I support this bipartisan bill and urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-06-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey. Congressman PASCRELL. my good friend and colleague.