macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-02-27
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chair. I would like to express my opposition to H.R. 3193. the Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act of 2013. This legislation would strip essential mandates from an agency that was created to protect consumers from risky practices that caused the financial crisis. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has successfully refunded over $3 billion to consumers who were financially harmed by deceptive practices. The vital protections the CFPB provides must not be overlooked. without its oversight. consumers will be exposed to greater risk in financial markets. Since its creation in 2011. the CFPB has collected over $80 million in civil penalties from financial institutions that harmed consumers. They also have handled more than 269.900 complaints from consumers. Thirty million consumers would not be subject to federal protections from improper debt collections if the CFPB did not exist. Additionally. without the presence of the CFPB. twelve million consumers that use pay day lending would not be protected by federal supervision. and 200 million consumer credit reports would not be protected from unscrupulous behavior. The CFPB should be applauded for its efforts to end harmful practices in the marketplace. Rather than abrogate this successful agency. the CFPB should retain its current structure and mandate so that it can continue to be an exemplary model for other bank regulators.
Date: 2014-02-27
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the gentleman for yielding. I want to join you in your remarks in expressing outrage about the situation in Chattanooga. In this case. these outside parties included both wellfunded interest groups and publicly elected figures dead set on stopping the workers from joining the union. It wasnt enough for these outside parties to say publicly that they did not like unions. It wasnt enough for them to say publicly to the autoworkers. hey. we know what is best for you and your family. vote against the union. It wasnt enough for them to say we dont want unions to get a toehold on the south. No. They were not going to let the workers decide for themselves. They were angry with Volkswagen. who was officially neutral. They were angry that Volkswagen had a long track record of successfully working with labor unions through joint work councils that innovate and reduce company costs. They were angry that a majority of the workers actually signed cards saying they wanted the UAW to represent them. They were afraid of what would happen if the NLRB election process was actually on the level. In the end. free and fair union elections became their biggest fear. Imagine that. In the end. a free and fair election became their biggest fear. So they decided they couldnt let that happen. If Volkswagen wouldnt scuttle this election. then these outside officials would. They laid in wait. and on the eve of the election. they then launched their assault: a barrage of untrue and inflammatory statements. the kind that we see from union busters all the time. the kind that are designed to coerce. to scare. to intimidate. to bully. and to bully. and to bully hardworking auto plant workers into rejecting the union. One of these third parties. an elected official. went to the press on the first day of the voting. the first day the workers had a chance to vote. and he said that he had been "assured." if the workers vote against the union. Volkswagen would manufacture a new line of SUVs in Chattanooga. And lo and behold. what happened? This lastminute bombshell led to a press frenzy. banner headlines. a barrage of TV coverage. all reporting and repeating the threat that jobs in Chattanooga were now on the line with this vote. Never mind that the company denied it. Never mind that that elected officials claim wasnt true. As he said. he had been "assured." the junior Senator from Tennessee said.
Date: 2014-02-27
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

On the last point the gentleman made. the reason these worker councilswhy Volkswagen was neutral is that they had found these worker councils to help them lead this industry in innovation. to be one of the largest and most successful automobile companies in the world. And. in fact. they have used these worker councils in plants all around the world because that is the mechanism by which they have continued to be a leader and continued to have the growth that they have had and to have the products that they have had. And somehowsomehowas you point out. in Russia and in China and now in Chattanooga. that motto is being rejected. not because Volkswagen rejected it. but because the election process was not allowed in China. it was not allowed in Russia. and was rigged and jimmied and obstructed by outside forces during that election in the United States.
Date: 2014-02-28
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: At the end of the bill. add the following new section:
Date: 2014-02-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. let me thank the chairman for the time and to the two managers of this particular legislation on the floor. particularly to the ranking member for his leadership. and simply ask the question: For those of us who have served in this body the time when the unfunded mandates original legislation was passed. what possible addition this particular amendment can have? Let me first start off by saying that I appreciate the good intentions of work that is brought to the floor of the House. but I want to remind my colleagues that. as we speak. the growing numbers of the uninsured continue to rise. and the emergency unemployment insurance has not been passed by this body. In fact. not passing unemployment insurance is an unfunded mandate. For what we do is we say to the States that 1.31.5 millionplus. including family members. of individuals who have worked and who are out every day looking for work are no longer the responsibility of anyone here in the Federal Government. After the States have maxed out on their 26 weeks. we simply throw these people into the streets. I would imagine that States and nonprofits may have to address their needs through homeless shelters. through food banks. soup kitchens. and other municipality resources that they can scramble together. It is interesting that we are here discussing an unfunded mandate. As we speak. millions of Americans are suffering because we have refused to address an important issue. In addition. the minimum wage has thrown throngs of individuals into the claws of desperation on the lack of raising it. of which I have signed a petitiona discharge petition to do so. As I rise. I want to acknowledge my amendment. which specifically indicates that. if the benefits exceed the costs. then this industry or the industries or this particular provision would not be covering. It clarifies that the provisions of the bill do not apply if a costbenefit analysis demonstrates that the benefits of a regulatory action exceed its costs. My amendment improves the bill by ensuring that regulatory actions needed to protect the public health. safety. and environment can be promulgated and implemented and not be stymied by dilatory tactics. The Jackson Lee amendment is strongly supported by the Coalition for Sensible Safeguards. an organization comprised of more than 150 public health. scientific. consumer. environmental. labor. financial. and public interest groups. Let me say something that I think my colleagues need to know that is distinctive about this amendment. There is a requirement that Federal agencies consult with private corporations. I heard my good friend say that the Federal Government is for the people. not the other way around. But guess what? There is no requirement for consultation with stakeholders or the public before proposing any new rules. How hypocritical is that? I must consult with private corporationsmany of us represent them. We appreciate the work they createbut none of the stakeholders need to be consulted with. So I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment. and I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-02-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. may I inquire as to how much time is remaining? The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Texas has 90 seconds remaining.
Date: 2014-02-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. let me quickly say that. in the previous bill. it was well noted that there were exemptions dealing with constitutional issues and civil rights issues. so my amendment is in track. on line with the original bill that gave exemptions. With that. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-02-28
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: 2014-03-04
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 488. and I thank my south Florida colleague and friend. Congresswoman RosLEHTINEN. for her leadership in introducing this measure and giving us an opportunity to stand with the people of Venezuela. I stand in solidarity with my colleagues and the people of Venezuela to condemn the deplorable. horrific. and inexcusable violence the Maduro regime has perpetrated against its own citizens. Brave activists have taken to the streets in Venezuela to demand basic freedoms from an increasingly repressive government. These are students. lawyers. and average citizens simply asking their government to respect their basic human and democratic rights. Since his election. President Maduros economic and political policies have driven Venezuelas economy into the ground. His attempts to silence these outcries have not worked. and they will not work. Despite jailing leading opposition voices and expelling independent media voices. the world is watching and listening. and we still hear the calls loud and clear for democracy. for governance. and reform. President Maduros ridiculous accusations about United States involvement in fomenting unrest will prove to be a grossly failed attempt to distract from his own shortcomings in serving his people. We will not allow his rhetoric to try to blame the United States for what is a clear struggle between his repressive policies and the legitimate demands of his people. My hometown of Weston is often affectionately known as "Westonzuela." Just yesterday. I spoke with community leaders in south Floridamany of them my neighbors. my friends. my constituentsabout the fear and horrors that family members and their friends are experiencing. This resolution calls upon the government of Venezuela to respect the principles enshrined in its own governing documents as well as those in the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rightsincluding freedoms of speech and the press. This resolution affirms what we know to be true: that the best way to address the legitimate grievances of the people is through genuine dialogue between all parties involved. It calls for our country to work with our partners in the Western Hemisphere and through regional organizations to help facilitate this dialogue and. importantly. to do everything possible to cease this senseless violence and create the space for peace. This resolution reflects that we stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela.
Date: 2014-03-04
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

I thank the gentlelady for her leadership and for authoring the GrimmWaters bill. which I support. Mr. Speaker. this bill will protect homeowners from drastic premium increases. provide relief to housing markets. and put the flood insurance program on a path to longterm solvency. The bill will also put a stop to FEMAs reckless implementation of BiggertWaters. The GAO found that FEMA doesnt even have the information that the GAO said was key to determining a propertys actual flood risk. and yet. FEMA has gone ahead with massive premium increases anyway. based on backoftheenvelope calculations and a shocking indifference to the impact on the middle class families that are suffering across this country because of Hurricane Sandy. many of whom are in my district. This bill will require FEMA to actually complete the affordability study that was mandated in the prior legislation. so that independent experts can determine the best way to successfully balance the two main goals. consumer affordability and longterm solvency. This bill would set a hard cap on rate increases at 18 percent a year and will protect families and businesses from the kinds of 500 percent rate increases that they are suffering from now. I congratulate the gentlewoman from California on her leadership and Congressman GRIMM. I urge a "yes" vote on the GrimmWaters bill.
Date: 2014-03-05
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. I rise today to pay tribute to a true champion for education. Donald Will. who passed away this past February. Dr. Donald Will was a fervent advocate of peace and influenced Chapman Universitys role in promoting peace and the study of peacemaking. A member of the Chapman faculty since 1987. Don was described as a pillar of the Chapman community for over 25 years. He came to Chapman University when it needed his expertise most. and the world needed his peace expertise. and he has had such a magnificent effect that lasts until now. During his time with Chapman. Dr. Will put all of his heart and time from his academic and personal life into carrying out the pursuit of peace. And dont we need it today in our world? His commitment to his students and to the value of peaceful relations shone brightly through his teachings. He leaves a lasting legacy of humility. humanity. and dedication as he strengthened the link between school and home. both locally. nationally. and in an international way. I am honored to have known and to have worked with Dr. Donald Will. and I ask my colleagues to honor him today.
Date: 2014-03-05
Speaker: DANNY K. DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Madam Speaker. I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 4118. the 50th vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act. which. if passed and implemented. would increase premiums. decrease coverage. and increase the number of people who are not insured by as much as 11 million people in this country. It is unbelievable that we would be on the floor voting for the 50th time to try and turn back the clock on millions of Americans who have been denied health insurance coverage because of a preexisting condition. didnt have enough money. or did not have accessibility to facilities. In Illinois. over 256.000 individuals benefit from the Affordable Care Act. Nationally. more than 4 million Americans have enrolled in private plans. with 82 percent receiving premium tax credits to make health insurance more affordable. More than 3.1 million young adults have access to health insurance by remaining on their parents plans until age 26. Millions more Americans have secured new coverage through Medicaid expansion. Rather than decreasing or taking away. the Republican leadership and all of us ought to be increasing and providing. We ought to be affording individuals the opportunity to get insurance because they are unemployedto get a check. So it is amazing that rather than giving. we would be talking about taking. taking away. when the law says and all of us know that everybody ought to have access to quality health care. I oppose this legislation.
Date: 2014-03-05
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize the 50th time this House of Representatives has tried to repeal. defund or dismantle the Affordable Care Act. What a sad Golden Anniversary moment for the GOP. The Affordable Care Act. which has already helped millions of Americans. is the law of the land. Instead of playing politics. lets instead work together to address concerns over its implementation while upholding its mission: to provide quality. affordable healthcare access for all Americans. With Americans facing so many real. pressing issues every day. I urge this Congress to focus on achieving results and serving our constituents. Two million Americans. including about 110 thousand Floridians have lost their unemployment insurance. Our immigration system is in dire need of common sense and comprehensive reforms. Women still make less than men while working equal jobs. The list goes on. We have work to do. We have a duty and responsibility to serve the interests of the American people. These pointless partisan attacks on the Affordable Care Act must stop.
Date: 2014-03-06
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to the Rule for H.R. 2641. the "Responsible and Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 2013. or as some have termed it. the "Regrettably Another Partisan Ideological Distraction Act." If the RAPID Act were to become law in its present form. a permit or license for project would be "deemed" approved if the reviewing agency does not issue the requested permit or license within 90120 days. Mr. Speaker. I share some of the frustrations expressed by many members of the House Judiciary Committee. which marked up this bill last summer. with the NEPA process. There is something odd about a system in which it can take half a year or more to approve the siting plan for a wind farm but fracking operations regulations can be approved and conducted a few hundred feet from somebodys home with no community oversight process in just a few months. Something is wrong with this picture. But I strongly believe that this bill is a solution in search of a problem. The bill in its current form is an example of a medicine that is worse than a disease. There is a major problem with the section that my amendment addresses. namely automatic approval of projects with the need for positive agency action. I expect to speak on my amendment shortly but suffice ittosay. this bill goes out of its way to ensure that some projects might be prematurely approved. Thats because under H.R. 2641. if a federal agency fails to approve or disapprove the project or make the required finding of the termination within the applicable deadline. which is either 90 days or 180 days. depending on the situation. then the project is automatically deemed approved. deemed approved by such agency. This creates a set of perverse incentives. First. as an agency is up against that deadline and legitimate work is yet to be completed. it is likely to disapprove the project simply because the issues have not been vetted. Second. frequently there are times when it is the case that the complexity of issues that need to be resolved necessitates a longer review period. rather than an arbitrary limit. So if H.R. 2641 were to become law the most likely outcome is that federal agencies would be required to make decisions based on incomplete information. or information that may not be available within the stringent deadlines. and to deny applications that otherwise would have been approved. but for lack of sufficient review time. In other words. fewer projects would be approved. not more. Mr. Speaker. the new requirements contained in H.R. 2641 amend the environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). even though the bill is drafted as an amendment to the APA. The bill ignores the fact that NEPA has for more than 40 years provided an effective framework for all types of projects (not just construction projects) that require federal approval pursuant to a federal law. such as the Clean Air Act. I urge my colleagues to reject this Rule and the underlying bill. The material previously referred to by Mr. HASTINGS of Florida is as follows:
Date: 2014-03-06
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. my amendment strikes the provision deeming approved any project in which the agency does not meet deadlines contained in the bill. As we have listened to the discussion. as I indicated in my earlier time on the floor. there is much that we can agree to on the issue of making more effective our Federal Government. making it work for the people. We all agree to that. In fact. I had suggested that we provide full funding for infrastructure rebuild. But this bill ignores the value of oversight. The bill also ignores the fact that NEPA has. for more than 40 years. provided an effective framework for all types of projectsnot just construction projectsthat require Federal approval pursuant to a Federal law such as the Clean Air Act. I want to read into the RECORD a comment that I made earlier. why this is a misdirected legislation. The CEQ. general counsel for 25 years during the Reagan. George H. W. Bush. Clinton. and George W. Bush administrations. who was intimately involved in the implementation of NEPA through the executive branch. observed most delays in the environmental review processes are caused by factors other than NEPA or justified by the nature of the project. But yet this bill would indicate that if by the time that this bill designates the oversight has not been finishedthat could be an oversight for a nuclearfired plant. it could be an oversight dealing with some of the energy resources that we have that require that kind of oversight. it could be the oversight of building a major construction project through a heavily populated neighborhood. or it could be oversight on many aspects of Americas businessthen this bill says it is simply deemed updeemed up. Mr. Chairman. So how can one believe that problems will be solved by just ignoringignoringthe process? There is a major problem with the section that my amendment addresses. and that is that automatic approval. that deeming up. that beaming up. And so I would ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment which relieves us of that burden of fearfully passing legislation that would. in fact. deem up. I reserve the balance of my time.