macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-03-03
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I was unable to vote on Thursday. March 3. 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 the Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 4557. the Blocking Regulatory Interference from Losing Kilns Act. I would have voted "no." On H. Res. 635. the Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 4557. I would have voted "no." On S. 1826. To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 99 West 2nd Street in Fond du Lac. Wisconsin. as the Lieutenant Colonel James "Maggie" Megellas Post Office. I would have voted "yea.. On passage of H.R. 4557. the Blocking Regulatory Interference from Losing Kilns Act of 2016. 1 would have voted "no." On the Journal Vote. I would have voted "yea..
Date: 2016-03-14
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to join mathematicians. math lovers. and millions around the world in celebrating International Pi Day. Observed every year on March 14. beginning at 1:59 p.m.. Pi Day recognizes the mathematical constant known as pi. It also coincides with the birthday of one of sciences greatest minds and former resident of my district. Albert Einstein. While many will celebrate today by indulging in a tastier type of pie. today offers a much more serious reminder of the importance of technology. engi neering. and math. fields that help strengthen our Nations economy and security. Studies have shown little improvement in math and science test scores in the United States since 1995. And so as we honor the concept of pi and the legacy of Einstein. I ask my colleagues to join me in renewing our commitment to outstanding STEM education in our schools and support of STEM at the Federal level.
Date: 2016-03-14
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise with great sadness and overwhelming grief to acknowledge the passing of my beloved staff member. Tiffany Joslyn. As we return to Washington. I did not want one day to pass without a tribute to her. although I will return again with more details and more expressions of how talented she was. Tiffany died Saturday. March 5. in a very tragic car accident while traveling between Rhode Island and Massachusetts. having gone home to mourn with her family on the passing of a relative. The greatest tragedy of all is that not only did Tiffany lose her life. but her beloved only brother died and his wife was injured in the same accident. I come today to acknowledge her light and to tell her parents of the great respect Tiffany has garnered throughout the Washington community and beyond. She was a brilliant writer. She served as Deputy Chief Counsel of the Subcommittee on Crime. Terrorism. Homeland Security. and Investigations of the House Judiciary Committee. Republicans and Democrats loved her well. She had the kind of spirit. generosity. and eagerness to get the job done that everyone loved. Tiffany had a passion to help the most vulnerable and those who were caught up in the criminal justice system unfairly. but also those who deserved restoration and rehabilitation. Together we were on a journey to continue to find a way to reform the criminal justice system. She made great progress. Two of the bills we worked on have already passed out of the Judiciary Committee. and I am praying that they come to the floor not only in her name. but in the names of all the vulnerable people that would benefit from her great work. To her family. this tragedy is so enormous that words cannot comfort. but you should know that your daughter and your late son were lights to so many. May good bless them as they rest in peace. for they left a legacy. It will go on and on. I am ever grateful for the opportunity to work with Tiffany. a young woman with a big heart and maybe even an old soul. She had a lot to give and a lot of intellect to make a difference in this world.
Date: 2016-03-14
Speaker: JOHN LEWIS (democrat)
Chamber: H

JOYCE BEATTY. and many others on the Democratic side of the aisle. Yet we cant get a single hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary on something seemingly so fundamental to the integrity of our democracy. We are not asking you to turn into progressive Democrats. Just act like Richard Nixon. Gerald Ford. Ronald Reagan. whom you hold up as someone who is the classic embodiment of conservative politics. Just act like Ronald Reagan did in 1982 or George W. Bush. Lets fix the Voting Rights Act in advance of the American people having to determine what comes next as it relates to both this Congress and the Presidencynot because it is a good thing for Republicans or because it is a good thing for Democrats. it is a good thing for the country: full and robust participation. I just want to add. as I close. that it seems to me that this would be a particularly significant time to deal with the Voting Rights Act and to make sure that everybody can participate fully in our democracy at a moment when many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and the Senate have said: We want the American people to decide who fills the Supreme Court vacancy. [ 2100 Now. I am a little skeptical about that. but lets assume that that is really your view of the world. If. in fact. you dont want to do your constitutional job right nowonce the President sends up a Supreme Court nominee and gives that person an opportunity to be heard before the Senate and the American peoplebecause you claim you want the American people to decide who that nominee is through the vehicle of a Presidential electionthen lets make sure that all of America can participate in that process. That means lets remove any obstacles to voting in every community. We havent seen a hearing in the House. and we havent seen a hearing in the Senate. I just dont understand. We have had no hearing on the Supreme Court nomination. We have had no hearing on the Voting Rights Act when the Supreme Court told us to fix it. What exactly is going on? The American people are wondering. We see a lot of frustration right now out there in America directed at Washington. That is because oftentimes there are so many critical issues that we simply fail to deal with. So I am just hopeful today that. as we mark this occasion tomorrow of these two American heroes being honoredRepresentative JOHNSON and Representative LEWISwe can get back to doing the business of the American people in the spirit of service that they themselves have displayed through their lifes work and deal with something so central to our democracy such as the right to vote in an unfettered fashion.
Date: 2016-03-14
Speaker: JOHN CONYERS (democrat)
Chamber: H

a Black man. will go down in history as the longestserving man in this Congress. Just think about it. A man that shared an office for almost 2 decades with Rosa Parks. the modern civil rights leader who decided that she was going to sit down that day because she realized one person could make a difference. So. Mr. Speaker. we have gone through our whole history of the Voting Rights Act. we have gone through the sections of the Constitution. we have gone through what the Supreme Court has done. and yet we cant get the reauthorization of our Voting Rights Act. Mr. Speaker. I say this to you tonight. The Congressional Black Caucus will not give up. We are holding field hearings. as I speak. so we can collect the information to come back here and tell you that the vehicle for American people. that vehicle is the ballot box. Mr. Speaker. as I stand here today. we have resolved. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus dont come just to complain and put issues out there. We are scholars. We like hearing that we are the conscience of the Congress. but we are the scholars. We are Howard. and Morehouse. and Spelman. and Harvard. and Princeton. and Yale. We are the whole spectrum of this America that you and I serve. So I ask you today. Mr. Speaker. to consider that when we stand up the next time on this House floor. why Members are sitting down. We are sitting down because I think you and Congressman JEFFRIES and all the rest of my colleagues in this Chamber. we have an obligation to do more. Innocent lives are being taken. and there is something we can do about it. We could start with something that has been bipartisan. Congressman JEFFRIES mentioned it a number of times. and that is something as simple as passing a Voting Rights Act. That would make a difference. I guess my question is: What are we afraid of? Are we afraid if we increase the number of those who have been disenfranchised. those who have been discriminated against. that they will actually vote. they will actually have a voice to make a difference in the way they live in this wonderful America? I am asking you to go to your Republican colleagues and ask them to stand with us that we can leave a great legacy in history. because history will be written. When the first Black President leaves these United States. we will read of all the wonderful things that President Barack Obama did. But we will also have those who will write part of that history of us failing to do our job. And I will reflect back on this day when Congressman JEFFRIES and I stood at this Congressional Black Caucus Special Order Hour and we said. the work continues. and why it matters in African American communities that we vote. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-03-14
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. nearly 51 years ago the Voting Rights Act (VRA) was signed into law to prohibit racial discrimination in voting. It was a defining moment in our nations history that would send a clear message that all voters should have free and fair access to the polls in the United States. The Voting Rights Act became a powerful tool of our democracy that protected voter participation of individuals from all backgrounds. It has given a voice to previously disenfranchised voters. particularly that of minorities who would otherwise be left out of the political process. Since the passage of the VRA. various groups and individuals have endeavored to reverse those protections. In 2013 the U.S.. Supreme Court ultimately struck down a key enforcement component of the VRA as unconstitutional. This decision has enabled a number of states across the country to move forward with discriminatory voter laws. the effects of which have not yet been fully realized. Texas is one of 21 states that have implemented new restrictions on voting since the 2010 midterm election. Texas first passed two harsh voter mandates in 2012. which were ultimately blocked under Section 5 of the VRA. Texas reimplemented these laws requiring valid photo identification at the polls following the Supreme Court rulingthe first time a photo ID was required to vote in a federal election in 2014. The consequences in Texas alone have been dire and disproportionately impact minority voters. The U.S. Department of Justice originally estimated that the Texas law could prevent as many as 600.000 voters from casting their votes at the polls. The African American community has faced many barriers to voting throughout our history. During the height of the Civil Rights Movement. thousands of protesters marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge from Selma to Montgomery. Alabama in order to protest the racial injustices in voting. The will of the people ultimately prevailed. resulting in the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 just five short months after the final march. It was an important struggle that still serves as a lesson for us today. Voter disenfranchisement poses an incredible threat to the electoral process. The nationwide efforts to create barriers to voting have highlighted the importance of the protections afforded under the VRA. Voting is the principle means through which Americans can have a voice in the political process. It allows us to elect candidates who share a common vision for bettering our nation and advancing our social and economic progress. These efforts to disenfranchise voters stand contrary to our democratic principles as a nation and it is imperative that we fight to reinstate voter protections for all. which have only served to strengthen our democracy and engage voters in the political process.
Date: 2016-03-15
Speaker: BEN RAY LUJAN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Speaker. 3 years ago in my home State of New Mexico. our behavioral health system was thrown into crisis when the State froze payments to 15 New Mexico behavioral health providers. resulting in the eventual closure of some and replacement by 5 Arizona providers. This transition and turmoil caused many New Mexicans to fall through the cracks. As a result. too many families are hurting. too many people are suffering. and too many New Mexicans have been unable to access the care they need. To date. 13 behavioral health providers have been exonerated of fraud. the charges leveled by the State of New Mexico as the reason to cut off funding. But the damage has been done. That is why. along with my colleagues. Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM in the House and Senators TOM UDALL and MARTIN HEINRICH. I have called for a Federal investigation into this unwarranted and reckless disruption of services to some of our most vulnerable citizens. I am also working with the delegation on legislation to prevent something like this from ever happening again. I am working to strengthen a behavioral health systenm that is currently in shambles through legislation that will provide enhanced funding to States that prioritize behavioral health infrastructure. data. and access. If we want States to build and maintain strong behavioral health systems. then we must provide States with the necessary support. During our many conversations with CMS on the crisis and its impact on New Mexicans. it has been clear there is a lack of meaningful data that is needed to hold policymakers accountable. It is unacceptable that after months and months of requesting Stateprovided data on the behavioral health system in New Mexico. CMS would simply determine this data to have "significant limitations." A report from New Mexicos Legislative Finance Committee identified similar concerns. The report stated that the amount and quality of utilization data collected by the State of New Mexico had "deteriorated. leaving the question of whether enrollees are receiving more or less care." Without access to meaningful data. we cannot determine how best to invest to strengthen our behavioral health system. and we cannot possibly know if we are doing enough to ensure that the most vulnerable are being protected. What we do know is New Mexicos behavioral health system has been needlessly broken and that a full accounting is necessary to rebuild it and ensure that this will never happen again.
Date: 2016-03-15
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. I rise today to honor the life of Dr. Juan Francisco Lara. Dr. Lara passionately advocated for access to the University of California system for all students. For over 35 years. he was involved at UCLA and the University of California. Irvine. in many roles. including dean. professor. and assistant vice chancellor. At UCI. Dr. Lara played a pivotal role in the Santa Ana Partnership. an educational partnership between UCI. Cal State Fullerton. Santa Ana College. and the Santa Ana Unified School District. which is now a national model in collaborative education. Dr. Lara was a devoted husband. father. and grandfather known for his commitment to community and love for his family. I counted him as my friend. He believed that. with the power of knowledge. kindness. and education. we could change the world. On behalf of the people of Californias 46th Congressional District. I am proud to honor this inspiring and incredible man.
Date: 2016-03-15
Speaker: MICHAEL F. DOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Mr. Chairman. I want to thank my ranking member. Mr. PALLONE. for the time. I rise in opposition to the SENSE Act. This bill. introduced by Congressman ROTHFUS from my home State. is an effort to help coal refuse plants. most of which are located in the State of Pennsylvania. Industry estimates that coal waste piles cover approximately 170.000 acres of Pennsylvania. left over from coalmining operations that stopped decades ago. Coal refuse plants then turn this coal waste into a small portion of Pennsylvanias energy portfolio and play an important part in remediating and rehabilitating the environment. Left alone. these waste coal fields can pollute the groundwater and contaminate other water sources. They can also. if sparked by an ATV. lightning. or other occurrences. burn unabated and release dangerous pollutants at eye level. For years. these waste coal plants have provided an important service. turning environmental hazards into energy. Accordingly. they have enjoyed many years of bipartisan support in my home State. I want to say at the outset I appreciate what Mr. ROTHFUS is trying to do. This is an important issue in our State. and it needs to be addressed. The problem is it is his solution that I cant support. This bill seeks to make it easier for these plants to comply with two regulations. CSAPR and MATS. It does this not by funding new technology to make plants cleaner or more efficient. reducing costs of operation. or changing electricity contracts. Instead. what the SENSE Act does is two things. It fundamentally changes CSAPR by playing favorites with power sources and then rolls back important standards under MATS. By extending phase 1 implementation standards for SO2 for only these plants. but not increasing the overall cap. the SENSE Act prioritizes coal refuse plants over all other sources of electricity. All other sources in my home State have to make up for the extra credits coal refuse plants get to keep. This is bad policy and bad practice. You cant rob Peter to pay Paul in complying with regulations.
Date: 2016-03-15
Speaker: MICHAEL F. DOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Chairman. I just want to say to my friend from Pennsylvania that I agree with a lot of what he said as far as the value of these coal refuse sites. No one is debating that. Certainly I am not. This is almost a Pennsylvania exclusive piece of legislation given the fact that 14 of the 19 sites are in our State. and I believe about five of those can comply at this point. The problem I have with the gentlemans proposal is that when one takes emission credits and gives them to the coal refuse plants in excess of what they get. it is coming out of somebody elses allocation. In western Pennsylvania. where we are both from. most of our electricity is from coalfired utilities. What one is doing. in effect. is taking those emission credits from other coalfired utilities to give them to this small number of coal refuse plants. and that is going to cost others margins on those utility sites. It will affect their margins because now they have to work harder to clean up their emissions because they dont have these credits because they have gone to the coal refuse plants. That is a big problem I see. especially in a State like ours that still has a lot of coalfired electricity generation. I think there are better ways forward. I think we would be better served in our State to push our State legislature and the Governors office. too. to come up with a State implementation plan that allows for some flexibility and takes into account what goes on at these plants. because this is primarily a Pennsylvania issue. As I said in my remarks before. there are other ways. I think. to solve this problem. Look. the President has issued a SAP. He is going to veto this bill. So this piece of legislation isnt going to become law. Yet I am not standing here to say that I think we should stop our efforts to do something to keep this resource. because it is cleaning up a lot of sites in Pennsylvania. and there is a benefit to the environment. There is a lot of water pollution potential for leaving these sites as they are. I want to work with the gentleman. and I say to him that. while this piece of legislation may not ever become law. I extend my offer to work with the gentleman in constructive ways. both with our Governor and State legislature. and in alternative ways to attack this problem that doesnt take emission credits from other coalfired utilities in our State.
Date: 2016-03-15
Speaker: MICHAEL F. DOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. I will not consume any more time after this. I dont want to play Chip and Dale with the gentleman all day. Mr. Chairman. let me just say that our President has been to Pittsburgh probably more than to any city in the country. and I have been with him many times when he has been there. I have walked on these sites. too. I have one up in Harmar Township. I have seen them. I know what the gentleman is talking about. and I think it is a problem we need to address. The SENSE Act is really a onesizefitsall kind of solution. not current law. Current law gives States flexibility. and I think that is what is important. I would just say to my friend that this is a real problem and a real concern in our home State. and I reiterate my willingness to work with him on a solution.
Date: 2016-03-15
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise to commemorate Womens History Month. As one of the 108 women in Congress today. I am thankful to follow the trail blazed by so many American women who demanded the right to vote and participate in our democracy. I am inspired by recent historic milestones. for example. of the first women ever who are graduating from the Armys elite Ranger school and of the Department of Defense. which is finally expanding all combat roles to qualified servicewomen. These achievements are further proof that women can break any barrier if they are given the chance. if they are willing to. and if they are given the support and opportunity to do so. Unfortunately. todays widespread social and economic inequalities disproportionately hurt American women. In 2016. a typical woman in America earns only 79 cents to the dollar that a man earns. Over a lifetime. that is $400.000 of wages lost. and she risks losing her job if she needs to care for her children or sick family members. So we take this month to thank Americas women. but there is a lot more to do.
Date: 2016-03-16
Speaker: JUDY CHU (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. Louis Van lersel by introducing a bill to rename the Sierra Madre post office in his memory. Mr. Van lersels incredible life is a true example of the American Dream. He arrived in the United States as an immigrant from the Netherlands in 1917 and enlisted in the U.S. Army the very next day. He learned English while working in the kitchen before moving on to the battlefield. For his acts of bravery that saved over 1.000 American lives on a single mission. Mr. Van lersel was awarded our Nations highest recognition. the Medal of Honor. After the war. Mr. Van lersel moved to my district. in the city of Sierra Madre. to raise his family. But when World War II began. Mr. Van lersel. along with his three sons. reenlisted. this time serving in the Marines. An immigrant. veteran. father. and husband. Mr. Van lersel exemplified courage and service to his country. It is my honor to memorialize him forever in this way.
Date: 2016-03-16
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 my Special Order.