macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk as the designee of the gentleman from Illinois . The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 15. line 13. through page 17. line 9. strike section 106. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 271. the gentlewoman from Texas and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 29. line 20. strike "and". Page 29. line 23. strike the period and insert a semicolon. Page 29. after line 23. insert the following: (K) creating State and regional workshops to train K12 teachers in science and technology projectbased learning to provide instruction in how to initiate robotics and other STEM competition team development programs. and (L) encouraging and supporting efforts led by institutions of higher education. businesses. and local public and private educational agencies to establish collaborative efforts to provide K12 students residing in areas with unemployment rates that exceed the national average by I percent or more. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 271. the gentlewoman from Texas and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chair. let me take a moment to thank both of my fellow Texans and to acknowledge that I know that there is a difference of opinion. but no one can disagree with the crucialness of Americas competitiveness and of the necessity for creating a workforce that can compete. Allow me to acknowledge Congressman JOHNSON for the steadfast commitment and service to the Science. Space. and Technology Committee. I had the privilege of serving with her in the early stages of my membership here in this august body. and I want to thank her personally for the great strides and successes that she has had in expanding opportunities for the most vulnerable in our community. Mr. Chairman. my amendment speaks to this issue. and it continues to seek to address the STEM education gap for K12 students. Jackson Lee amendment No. 3 creates State and regional workshops to train K12 teachers in projectbased science and technology learning. which will allow them to provide instruction in initiating robotics and other STEM competition team development programs. I now serve on the Homeland Security Committee. and I note that the extent of technology in securing this Nation is without comparison. It is necessary. It is crucial. This amendment also leverages the collaboration among higher education businesses and local and private/public education agencies to support STEM efforts at schools located in areas where unemployment is 1 percent or more above the national rate. We want to get right to the core of the most vulnerable and the most needy students. Robotic competitions and other similar competitive opportunities have proven to be one of the most successful paths for engaging young minds in STEM education. I have held a robotics competition. and it is absolutely amazing to see the young peoples minds and hearts gather around it. My amendment has that capacity to it. Of course. it responds to the fact that only 1 out of 10 high schools in the U.S. offers computer science programs. and it is estimated that the education systems in 25 States do not count computer science classes toward high school graduation. I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment. and I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. how much time do I have remaining? The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Texas has 21/2 minutes remaining.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I want to focus just a little bit on competitions regarding this amendment. competitions such as FIRST. which is a national robotics competition that engages 400.000 students each year and that awards millions of dollars in scholarships. paving the way for future STEM success. I submit for the RECORD a document entitled. "Disparities in STEM Employment by Sex. Race. and Hispanic Origin." [From census.gov. Sept. 2013]
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Specifically. the language says: "Industry. government. and academic leaders cite increasing the science. technology. engineering. and mathematics (STEM) workforce as a top concern." This is in the American Community Survey Reports. "One focus area for increasing the STEM workforce has been to reduce disparities in STEM employment by sex. race. and Hispanic origin. Historically. women. Blacks. and Hispanics have been underrepresented in STEM employment." and it goes on to elaborate. This amendment gives an added opportunity to focus in. to hone in on teacher training and reaching out to those very hungry minds in the minority communities who are eager to be part of the changing fabric of America that focuses on science. technology. engineering. and math. From financial services. to homeland security. to space and aeronautics. to manufacturing. to the Silicon Valleys of the Nation. STEM is crucial. I would like to now acknowledge both the committee staff on the majority and minority who assisted us. and I would like to acknowledge my staff. Lillie Coney. for her excellent work on these matters. With that. Mr. Chairman. I ask for support of the Jackson Lee amendment.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chair. I have an amendment at the desk. I thank Chairman SMITH and Ranking Member JOHNSON for the opportunity to speak on my amendment to H.R. 1806. the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015. My amendment included in the Rule to H.R. 1806 would improve the bill by addressing the STEM education gap for K12 students. Jackson Lee Amendment #3. creates state and regional workshops to train K12 teachers in projectbased science and technology learning. which will allow them to provide instruction in initiating robotics and other STEM competition team development programs. This amendment also leverages the collaboration among higher education. businesses. local private and public education agencies to support STEM efforts at schools located in areas with unemployment is 1 percent or more above the national rate. Robotics competitions and other similar competitive opportunities have proven to be one of the most successful paths for engaging young minds in STEM education. Competitions such as FIRST. a national robotics competition that engages 400.000 students each year and awards millions of dollars in scholarships are paving the way for future STEM success. This Jackson Lee amendment focuses on reducing the STEM gaps that currently exists between K12 students attending schools in different geographic regions or who come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Only 1 out of 10 high schools in the U.S. offer computer science programs It is estimated that the education systems in 25 states do not count computer science classes toward high school graduation. Both economists and business leaders have identified that the future of the American economy will be in STEM fields. which the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates will create more than 9 million jobs between 2012 and 2022.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of this amendment and want to thank the author for bringing it forward and thank the chairman of the committee for supporting it. Our support historically goes back to Congresswoman Connie Morella. The two of us did a study maybe 15 or 16 years ago. and we both have been very. very supportive of women in the sciences and hope that we can get a better bill so that we can address getting them ready for these jobs.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: BEN RAY LUJAN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Chairman. I rise today in support of this amendment that I am proud to offer with my colleagues. I want to thank Congressman CROWLEY for his leadership. I want to recognize Chairman SMITH for his responsibility in working and looking out for these students as well. In todays world. science. technology. engineering. and math degrees translate into highpaying. indemand jobs. While we are still struggling with high unemployment in my home State of New Mexico. there are sectors. especially in STEM. that are having difficulty finding qualified workers. To help meet this demand. the National Science Foundation manages a number of programs at minorityserving institutions. including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities. These programs have filled an important void by preparing minority students for meaningful careers in STEM. However. there is no such program and. therefore. a lack of critical support for Hispanic Americans. This is also evident in the fact that Hispanics are severely underrepresented in the STEM workforce. It is time that we fund the creation of a program for Hispanic- Serving Institutions to develop infrastructure. curriculum. and recruit Hispanic students into STEM fields. To do what is best for America. we need to invest and promote these programs.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. let me thank the gentleman and all of the persons who sponsored this amendment. I want to commend them. When Mr. LUJAN was on the Science Committee. we actually developed that language that did pass in the last COMPETES Act. so I fully support this amendment.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I claim the time in opposition to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I yield myself such time as I may consume. This amendment allows the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the majority leader of the Senate to appoint members to two scientific advisory boards created in the bill. This amendment is the very definition of politicalizing science when we have politicians choosing who sits on scientific advisory boards. While my colleagues across the aisle suggest that this amendment ensures accountability. in reality. it only ensures the political meddling in science. Unfortunately. this is consistent with many provisions in the underlying bill. Scientific advisory boards provide expert scientific advice and make recommendations on subject matter from STEM education to energy research and development. It is essential that advisory board members be qualified and nonpolitical to provide nonpartisan advice and give appropriate recommendations that are free of bias. advice and recommendations based on the best available evidence. and advice and recommendations that will further science in the country. not inhibit it. In this amendment. the Speaker of the House would appoint three members. while the majority leader of the Senate would appoint two additional members to this advisory board. Some of these advisory boards have only 15 members. This amendment would allow Republicanand only Republicanleaders of Congress to appoint onethird of these members. This amendment is clearly meant to politicize these advisory boards. While the sponsor of this amendment is messaging it as giving Congress a bigger voice. that is just not accurate. asked for. or necessary. Congress already has the biggest and final voice. We control the Federal budget. Congress writes authorization bills such as the one before us today. We do not lack influence. Lets keep our scientific advisory boards free from political interference. If we choose to ignore the advice from our scientific advisory boards. as we are doing with H.R. 1806. that is our right. Congress doesnt also have to put its fingerprints directly on the advice itself. We know by what has been said today that we are trying to take over the responsibility on this bill that I am against. so that is one way you can do it. This amendment follows the underlying attack on science in this bill. but this amendment goes further. It gives Republican politicians a chance to directly influence the scientific process in our country. I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment and the underlying bill. and I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I served in both the house and senate in Texas before coming here. I believe strongly in input. but this very bill and its structure has become so political and so politically tainted in attempting to manipulate what is going on in our agencies. I just dont trust your amendment.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

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 gentleman from Virginia will be postponed.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I strongly support the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program. or the MEP. at NIST. Since its establishment in 1988. the MEP program has generated billions of dollars in new sales. it has saved MEP clients billions of dollars. and it has helped create more than 700.000 jobs. However. I cannot support this amendment because it increases the authorization for MEP by decreasing the authorization for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the Department of Energy. EERE conducts important research on energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. including critical advance manufacturing initiatives. Unfortunately. EERE has become a favorite target for my friends on the other side of the aisle. The underlying bill cuts this office by almost 30 percent. and this amendment would make that cut even larger. I supported an amendment that would have increased MEP authorization to $141 million for fiscal year 2016. at the Presidents request. without cutting EERE. But the amendment was not made in order. I strongly believe in MEP and want to see this funding level increased. I think it is important to note that this bill is an authorization bill. not an appropriations bill. In authorization bills. Congress should be deciding authorization levels by determining what the program needs to accomplish its responsibilities. Notwithstanding current Republican protocols. authorization bills should not have the same constraints as appropriation bills. including needing to offset any increases. This is a bizarre approach to legislating. Because of the unnecessary cut to EERE. I cannot support this amendment. and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reject the false notion of needing to offset authorizations. Mr. Chairman. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I appreciate those remarks. He is describing my constituents as well. And if we had done as requested by the President. we would have left the authorization levels at the level he is trying to bring it to. and it would not have taken away from the other part of the research that is needed so badly in the other areas. I do not oppose what he is trying to do. What I oppose is how he is trying to do it. And for that. I still oppose the total amount because it is not treating the other program fairly. It is not that I oppose MEP. My constituents are no different than yours. They get up every day to work hard and need opportunities. I am sure many of yours get more opportunities than some of mine. And so I agree with that totally. I agreed with the Presidents level of recommendation of where he wants to take it. What I disagree with is he is taking it out of another area when it is not necessary. We are not appropriations. We are to recommend authorizations. We can do the authorization for his level without taking away from an area they dont like. Mr. Chairman. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. Members are advised to address their remarks to the Chair and not to each other. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania .
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman. it is not surprising that the Biological and Environmental Research program at DOE is targeted with harmful provisions in this bill. It is targeted because the program is a leader in advancing our understanding of the causes and impacts of climate change. Hiding our heads in the sand will not solve anything. and it certainly wont stop the Earth from warming. Allowing partisan politics to skew the scientific understanding of climate change is cynical and shortsighted. It is especially cynical considering that in the majoritys own bill. they state that climate change is happening. They just had to take the statement out that it is caused by human beings. The gentleman from Californias amendment would simply strike those harmful provisions so that scientists supported by BER can continue their important work without political interference. I urge my colleagues to support this important amendment.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman. it is deeply troubling to me that this amendment had to be offered. This amendment fixes a provision in this bill that strips away a foundational component of the ARPAE program. As virtually every preeminent climatologist in the world agrees. greenhouse gas emissions are growing so rapidly and are a growing threat to our way of life. Why wouldnt we want one of the most innovative agencies to develop technologies that could address this critical issue? ARPAE has made good funding choices supporting valuable research. as proven by its impressive track record of successful projects since it was first authorized. I certainly see no value in changing something that no serious energy policy analyst believes is broken.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following:
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. how much time do I have remaining? The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Texas has 112 minutes remaining.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I simply will close by saying. as we have been on this floor. we continue to get emails and letters from universities and scientists around this Nation. I am not presenting this substitute to be funny. I am presenting this substitute to take us to the professional level that the research brought us when we first had America COMPETES. It is not a picking and choosing. it is a professional approach to funding scientific projects. If we mean to look out for the future of the Nation. as we say we are. this is the legislation that will do it. I urge everyone to support it. and I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I request 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: 2015-05-20
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 include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Before the gentleman from New Jersey begins. I really think I want to share something that I think is very germane to where the gentleman may be going. Both of us live on and travel the Northeast corridor on the train back and forth to New Jersey. and we depend upon an efficient and a safe train ride to get us back to our homes and to get us back down here to do the peoples business. I did mention that I lost a constituent because that train was on its way to Trenton. and it was letting off people in my district. and that train would have ultimately gone on up to Newark and then on to New York. I know that the Congressman has been tremendously impacted by the tragedy that took place. and knowing how important it is for us to be able to move back and forth efficiently. effectively. and safely in the Northeast corridor. And I just wanted to sort of preface the introduction of your coming to the microphone with sort of remembering that this is really close to home for you and me. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey
Date: 2015-05-20
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for everything that she has brought before us this evening. I thank my colleagues for raising the issues regarding the significance. the importance of. and the economic benefits. as well as the safety and security needs. of an efficient. effective. and safe transportation system. I want to also thank the gentlewoman for reminding us that we are having our Memorial Day holiday. and it gives us an opportunity to thank those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and to keep the freedoms that we hold so dear. And at the end of this. Mr. Speaker. I want to take this opportunity to simply remind us that the transportation needs of our community both represent safety and security that we hold very sacred in our communities. but it also provides an economic benefit that we all can benefit from. Irrespective of Republican or Democrat. rural. urban. or suburban. there is a benefit to a transportation system that moves people. goods. and supplies where they are needed. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-05-21
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Mr. Speaker. press reports this week show that the reign of terror wrought by Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria has reached appalling new depths of depravity. They have chosen to use as a weapon of war widespread. organized sexual violence against young girls and women. Hundreds of women and girls as young as 11 have been subjected to systematic. organized rape. The terrorists have also used women and children to carry out suicide bombings against civilian targets. These are crimes against humanity. which is why I am pleased to join Congresswoman BARBARA LEE in support of an International Criminal Court investigation. I am also pleased that the House approved an amendment that Representative ED ROYCE and I offered to the National Defense Authorization Act that calls for continued U.S. support of international efforts to combat Boko Haram. History has taught us. to our everlasting sorrow. that when such horror arises in the world. the world cannot and should not stand idly by.