macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-07-22
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor Andre Iguodala. an Illinois native who was named the Most Valuable Player while playing for the Golden State Warriors in the 2015 NBA Championship series. Mr. Iguodalas basketball career began in Illinois 13th District. As a student at Lanphier High School in Springfield. Andre led his team to the State championship game in his senior year and went on to play for the University of Arizona. After graduation. Andre began his professional basketball career in the NBA. Before his appearance this year in the NBA Finals. Andre proudly represented America as a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team in London. He contributed to the teams efforts that ultimately earned them a Gold Medal. This year. Andre proved to be an important contributor to the Warriors 2015 NBA Finals success. He was a crucial part in helping to earn the team the NBA championship title. and he was awarded the MVP award with a resounding vote of 74. I am proud to recognize Andre Iguodala and his many accomplishments and his dedication to basketball from his time as a youth in Springfield. Illinois. until now. Congratulations. Andre. Congratulations to all the Warriors fans. And congratulations to those in Springfield who continue to look up to you every single day.
Date: 2015-07-23
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Chairman. I thank my colleague from Kansas . I know this hasnt been an easy path to get to where we are today. to allow for consumers in all 50 States to be able to know what is in their food. I congratulate my colleague from Kansas on the hard work he and his staff and those on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and House Ag Committee have put forth to make this bill a reality today. I am proud. as a subcommittee chairman on the House Ag Committee for Biotechnology. Horticulture. and Research. to put my name on an amendment to this bill. I am proud to stand here today to support this bill as a member of that committee and. also. as a dad who is responsible for shopping for many of the products that we are going to see this label put on in the grocery stores when I go home every weekend. Biotechnology is crucial to our ability to feed the world. It is a critical technology. so much so in my district in central Illinois that earlier this month I went on a biotech tour in my district. I visited plants and research facilities from Litchfield. Illinois. to Clinton. Illinois. I met with workers and scientists who are committed to developing better seed products that will help us feed a growing world. Mr. Chairman. it will help us feed a growing world. So many people that dont live in this great country. where we take for granted our ability to have access to the safest food supply on this globe. dont have access to food. Biotechnology allows us to grow that food in countries where people need food. They need to eat. They dont know where their next meal is coming from. Without biotechnology. we are not going to be able to feed the billions that are going to be required in the coming years. I want to tell you about Pioneer technology in Litchfield. Illinois. who is developing a soybean seed that wont have transfats. I thought that was good. Mr. Chairman. But this is the type of technology that we are talking about here. Science is on our side. Science shows that GMOs and biotechnology are safe. As a matter of fact. just earlier today I was at a panel discussion with Alexis Taylor. the Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services right here at our USDA. She even made a comment that GMOs are good for climate change. That should make many of my colleagues in this Chamber happy. But. unfortunately. I dont think that will get them to "yes" on this vote. We are hearing a lot about motives. Mr. Chairman. Our motives are to make sure that every single American in all 50 States has access. has the transparency. knows what is in their food. This is exactly what H.R. 1599 is going to do for every single one of them. Every mom and dad in this country is going to know what is in their food. That is exactly why we are doing this. That is exactly why I am here to support this bill. That is exactly why I am proud of my colleague from Kansas
Date: 2015-07-23
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Chairman. it is interesting. this whole entire debate we have talked about science. The science clearly shows that genetically modified seeds. genetically modified foods. are safe for every single American family. It is also interesting that my colleague brought a box of Honey Nut Cheerios to the floor. My colleague talked about claims made on that box. Well. it is interesting that my colleague didnt bring a box of regular Cheerios that sometimes contain a label of nonGMO. Well. it is a marketing ploy. and that is what we are trying to correct here. because there is no GMO oat. It is all to convince consumers that it is somehow safer. even though there is no distinction between that Cheerios that has that label and the other Cheerios box that doesnt. It is interesting to see those specific points brought to the floor to try and make this case. It is just clearly not resonating with the American people. There are no clear and consistent standards for the term "natural." which is why we are trying to correct this in this bill. We need to make sure that consistent litigation that has come about because of the very definitions of what the term "natural" means can stop. Lets put a clear standard in place. H.R. 1599 also requires the FDA to file a notice and comment rulemaking process to define and set standards for the term "natural." I thought this was exactly what the rulemaking process was supposed to be used for. This will allow for an open. transparent. public process so that the FDA can establish such standards based on the facts. the science. and the input received. This amendment would predetermine that outcome and not allow for a sciencebased. factdriven processthat is open to the publicto continue to move forward. I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment. Lets get on the path of passing H.R. 1599 in this House. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-07-23
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Chairman. I am honored to follow my colleague from California. Less than a year ago I was in his fine district. and I saw the benefits of the agricultural industry in Monterey. California. I actually toured an organic food processing facility in and around my colleagues district. and I saw firsthand the impact of California agriculture. I want my colleagues to be assured that the organic labeling program is exactly what this bill is modeled after. The words that may have been developed in the California State Senate and in the California State Assembly are part of our national organic standards because they work. Organic is a voluntary program just like we are trying to put forth. This is exactly what we are trying to do. Mr. Chairmanaddress the concerns of many Americans who want a label and who have contacted our offices. Americans also want standards. so. when we hear words like "contamination." unfortunately. it connotates negativity to consumers that somehow GMOs are bad for them. The science. though. clearly shows they are not. As a matter of fact. I just walked over to the Senate side and sat down with some of my colleagues who probably will not vote for this bill. We didnt know. because there was no label. whether or not that sandwich we ate contained genetically modified organismsseedsif it were produced with GMOs. We are trying to fix that. We would allow that sandwich shop to actually meet a set of standards. just like how our organic growers do today. to determine what a GMO product means. When we hear about trade. earlier today. I was with a member of the European Parliament. Julie Girling. We were talking about some of the impacts of the GMO rules and regulations in the EU on their ability to get cheap food into their supermarkets. I would urge my colleagues to talk to those who are experiencing the exact same thing right now in our European countries that are our allies. Talk with Ms. Girling. Talk to her about the problems that Europe is experiencing. We are trying to stop those problems from happening here in America. I want to make sure that we use sciencethat we use the factsand that we use a model of a very successful organic labeling program to write this bill. Therefore. my colleagues should be in favor of this if they are so in favor of the existing program today.
Date: 2015-07-23
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize Mike Zahn. a friend. public servant. and leader in the Springfield. Illinois. community. For several years. Mike has been involved in the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 965 in Springfield. His father was an operating engineer and served as the branchs business manager. Following in his fathers footsteps. Mike first joined in 1974 and spent nearly 30 years with Local 965. eventually becoming the business manager for the branch himself. In addition to his time with Local 965. Mike also immersed himself in public service. He served as the chairman of the Illinois State Council and was a member of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Diversity Development Council. Mike has been a strong voice for improving our infrastructure. as a frequent visitor to this great city. After over four decades with Local 965. Mike announced he is going to retire as an operating engineer. He and his wife. Jacki. have two children. Steve and Jessica. I am proud to honor my friend Mike Zahn for his work on behalf of the people of Springfield. Illinois. and this great country. I wish him the best in his retirement.
Date: 2015-07-27
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I am proud to rise in support of my bill. the Hire More Heroes Act. This commonsense legislation will help small businesses hire more of our veterans by exempting veterans who are already receiving health care through the DOD or the VA from being counted towards the 50employee limit for the employer mandate under the Affordable Care Act. On opening day. the House passed H.R. 22. the Hire More Heroes Act. by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 4120. I especially want to thank my colleague from Hawaii. TULSI GABBARD. for working together on this issue. And I also want to take this time. Mr. Speaker. to thank Chairman PAUL RYAN and his entire Ways and Means Committee for ensuring that this very important issue is addressed in this Congress. In order to maximize the chances for this important legislation to be implemented into law this session. we are again considering the Hire More Heroes Act. which I reintroduced last week as H.J. Res. 61. H.J. Res. 61 is an example of how Washington is supposed to work. I say this because this idea didnt come from Washington. It came from a member of my Veterans Advisory Board in Madison County. Illinois. After explaining ObamaCare to veterans throughout southwestern Illinois and how it impacts their VA benefits. this advisory board member. Brad Lavite. began wondering why they were subject to the employer mandate if they were not even in need of health insurance coverage. His concern was raised with me at one of my Veterans Advisory Board meetings. and shortly thereafter we began work on this Hire More Heroes Act. This bill will help small businesses. those with less than 50 employees. hire more of our Nations veterans by making a commonsense change to ObamaCare. We continue to see this laws lingering impact on our economy. as many small businesses delay hiring. cut hours and. in some cases. reduce payroll. In fact. the National Small Business Association found that 91 percent of small businesses have seen increases in their healthcare costs. and twothirds of their members listed the Affordable Care Act as a reason for holding off on investing in people. Mr. Speaker. when a small business invests in people. that is how America creates jobs. In my home State of Illinois. it is estimated this year that Affordable Care Act premium increases will rise as much as 30 percent. By making this commonsense change to the law. we will not only help provide small businesses muchneeded relief. but alsothe main goalhelp veterans. our heroes. find more work. Despite receiving some of the best training in the world. post9/11 veterans are consistently faced with higher unemployment rates than that of other veterans. So as more and more of our veterans return home. the Hire More Heroes Act will give these veterans a boost in this very competitive job market. Again. Mr. Speaker. this bill passed earlier this year 4120. I am asking all of my colleagues to support this commonsense. bipartisan policy that will help American businesses hire more of our heroes. Mr. Speaker. I again want to thank Chairman RYAN.
Date: 2015-07-27
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

I again thank the chairman. Thank you to Ranking Member LEVIN and all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for looking at this very important issue. this correction that needed to be made so that our veterans get the opportunities they deserve. I would like to thank my colleague from Kansas for coming to the floor today to talk about how important this issue is. I urge all of my colleagues to listen to everybody on the floor today and the bipartisan consensus to. once again. pass this commonsense piece of legislation. I also want to thank the veterans that I have the honor to serve in Illinois. This idea came from one of them. a constituent who saw the flaw. Now we have the chance to. once again. correct it. I hope this bill can get to the Presidents desk.
Date: 2015-07-28
Speaker: JODY B. HICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to applaud the outstanding accomplishments of Georgia Military College. an outstanding academic institution in Milledgeville. Georgia. that recently achieved a 100 percent graduation rate and exceeded the State and national averages for the SAT and ACT. Today I commend them for their commitment to deliver a highquality education and for their support of all students to reach their true academic potential. They have an unprecedented 97 percent graduating class enrolled in postsecondary institutions. Georgia Military College has also distinguished itself by improving its students individual wellbeing and putting character above all. GMCs impact extends far beyond higher test scores and academic performance. Students are more equipped to enter the workforce and are better prepared to contribute to society. They have also excelled athletically. winning two State championships in varsity softball and varsity girls track this past year. Mr. Speaker. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Georgia Military College students. their faculty. staff. and president. Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell. for their remarkable scholastic and athletic achievements. By instilling the values of duty. honor. and country. they empower students to reach new heights. I am deeply honored to have Georgia Military College in Georgias 10th District.
Date: 2015-07-28
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Chairman. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Excessive government regulations are a significant barrier to private sector job creation. This Congress has made job creation a priority and. therefore. we believe it is important to have a role in reviewing these regulations to ensure that their proposed benefits outweigh any potential economic harm. The SessionsDavisWenstrupBarr amendment would require an agencys report to Congress to include an assessment of estimated jobs gained or lost as a result of the implementation of a rule. These agencies would also be required to specify whether those jobs will come from the public or private sector. This assessment will be part of the costbenefit analysis required to be submitted to the Comptroller General and made available to each House of Congress prior to consideration of a rule. Over the past 6 years. our Nations cumulative regulatory burden has increased exponentially. and. unfortunately. this outofcontrol administration has shown no signs of slowing down. The addition of 27 major new rules last year brought the administrations 6year total to an astounding 184 new regulations. This has cost the country thousands of jobs and an estimated $80 billion annually. When regulations are considered for approval under the REINS Act. it is imperative that Congress have a clear picture of their effect on jobs. This amendment will help us guard against jobkilling regulations and will give Congress important oversight over the executive branchs regulatory agenda. At this time. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-07-28
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Chairman. may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining? The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Illinois has 312 minutes remaining. The gentleman from Georgia has 2 minutes remaining.
Date: 2015-07-28
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Chairman. at this point. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia . my friend. the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
Date: 2015-07-28
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Chairman. I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this commonsense amendment. I think it is only right to require very costly and burdensome regulations being created by this administrations regulatory environment to actually show the taxpayers the cost benefit of what the executive branchs decision is going to be on the taxpayers of this country. Mr. Chairman. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois .
Date: 2015-07-29
Speaker: TOM PRICE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. sometimes the terrorism we witness in this day and age is a world away. Sometimes it occurs very close to home. Two weeks ago. terror visited Chattanooga. Tennessee. and. in so doing. hit home for us in Georgia. One of the five servicemen murdered on July 16 in Chattanooga grew up in the Sixth District of Georgia. He graduated from Sprayberry High School in 2012. Skip Wells was a marinea proud marine. a proud American. and a hero. Last week. in Georgia. thousands gathered to honor the life of this patriot. Skip Wells. who lost his life in the terrorist attack in Chattanooga. Nothing we say will replace the loss. the heartbreak. and the pain of his family and friends. those who knew him best. But we can say how much heroes enlighten usand inspire usand strengthen the faith of our Nation and our lives. Skip Wells is a hero. It has been said that "a hero is someone who has given his life to something bigger than oneself." That is precisely what Skip did. His closest friends said that Skip Wells felt called to serve. to protect. When asked why Skip joined the Marines. a friend of Skips told folks simply that "Skip just loved his country." He knew that freedom isnt free. He knew that liberty requires sacrifice. What an inspiration his dedication and his heroism are for all of us. Chesterton said that "the true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him. but because he loves what is behind him." Skip Wells loved his family. his friends. the Marinesoh. how he loved the Marinesand he loved his country. His death in the service of this great Nation places him in the ranks of those with the greatest of valor. On behalf of all who represent this Nation. we send our deepest and heartfelt thanks and sympathy to Skips family and friends on their tragic loss. We allevery single Americanmourn for those who make the ultimate sacrifice for this great land. The Bible says: "Blessed are those who mourn. for they shall be comforted." In its broadest sense. this verse is so very. very true. In the book of John. we read: "Greater love has no one than this. that one lay down his life for his friends." To his mom. Cathy. to his friends and family. you may be very. very proud of Skip and his ultimate sacrifice to our country. May Gods grace comfort you in this difficult time. Please know that a grateful Nation loves you and mourns with you. May we never. ever. forget Skip Wells and the great men and women who stand in harms way every single day and protect this. the greatest Nation on Earth. May God bless us all. and may he continue to bless the United States of America.
Date: 2015-07-29
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. yesterday. a third Planned Parenthood video was released regarding the selling of aborted baby body parts and organs. The fact that this is going on is just vile. Our Constitution protects the right to life. and it is unforgiveable for any organization to engage in this kind of trafficking. To make matters worse. Planned Parenthood receives taxpayer dollars that ultimately help support these vile acts. I fully support the House investigation into Planned Parenthood. and I am proud to support legislation that would stop all Federal funding for Planned Parenthood until these investigations are over. That said. I believe Washington should follow Texas lead and permanently defund Planned Parenthood. All life is sacred. and I will continue to do all I can to protect the lives of the unborn.
Date: 2015-07-29
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Acting Chair of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. reported that that Committee. having had under consideration the bill to amend title 38. United States Code. to provide for the removal or demotion of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs based on performance or misconduct. and for other purposes. had come to no resolution thereon.
Date: 2015-07-29
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the chairman. I come to the floor today to talk about our bill. H.R. 2514. the Help Veterans Save for Health Care Act. which is part of the legislation now before us. As a 29year Air Force veteran and former POW. it is no secret I am a proud advocate for Americas veterans. They bravely served our country. They deserve the best care when they return home. Unfortunately. the VA has failed to uphold its end of the bargain. We have been working hard to fix it. To add insult to injury. the IRSyes. the IRShas also let down our veterans. Right now. the IRS prohibits veterans from contributing to a health savings account for a period of time if they choose to get care at the VA. These health savings accounts enable Americans to save and pay for medical expenses. yet. here. we have the IRS standing in the way of veterans. keeping them from getting the care they want. need. and deserve. That is wrong. Bottom line. veterans shouldnt have to choose between getting care at the VA for a serviceconnected disability or being able to save for health care. including their families. My bill would allow veterans to do both. In closing. I thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for their support. I would also like to thank the chairman for working with me on this. but most importantly. I want to personally thank each of our veterans who faithfully serve to protect this great Nation. Lets get this done.