macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. it is my privilege to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished ranking member from California . 0l 1530
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. first its important to set the record straight. Ten years ago. this Congress passid drilling in the ANWR. and it faced a Presidential veto by thenPresident Clinton. and imagine if it hadnt faced a veto how much of a difference we would have been able to make. Now were seeing the consequences of that. -as Mr. PRICE of Georgia pointed out. Effort after effort that weve engaged in to try to increase the production of energy. the supply of energy has been opposed by the other side of the aisle and I think nowhere more dramatically than when we were able to pass legislation to have production in Alaska. and it was Vetoed by the last - President. a Democratic President. So these things have to be put on the record. Mr. Speaker. because now with $4 gas the record counts. and the record is of interest to all Americans. and it will be more and more of interest every day: Mr. Speaker. back on April 24. 2006. just over 2 years ago. nowSpeaker PELOSI issued the following statement: "With skyrocketing gas prices it is clear that the American people can no longer afford the Republican rubber stamp Congress and its failure to stand up to Republican big oil and gas company cronies. Americans are paying $2.91 a gallon on average for regular gasoline. 33 cents higher than last month. and double the price than when President Bush first came into office." Mr. Speaker. most Americans would be happy if they were paying $2.91 a gallon today. Yet here we are this week debating bills on green schools and watertrails network irstead of working on legislation to reduce the price of gasoline and increase supply. Now. the price of gasoline is at $4 gallon now. * Reinforcing the fact that the majority has yet to confront that issue. just over a month ago the newspaper Investors Business Daily in an editorial said that this Congress "is possibly the most irresponsible in modern history. This is especially true when it comes to Americas dysfunctional energy policy." [From Investors Business Daily. Apr. 29. 2008]
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

I am so pleased that our colleague Dr. PRICE pointed out on issue after issue. whether its ANWR exploration or coaltoliquid or oil shale exploration or refinery increased capacity or on the issue of nuclear power. There is astrong environmental movement in France. but over 80 percent of their electricity is generated from nuclear power. Yet we havent built a nuclear power plant in this country in over 30 years. . Its time to face the issue of energy independence in this country. Mr. Speaker. at this time. I would reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Again. Mr. Speaker. were asking for a "no" vote on the previous question to be able to address the energy issue. If were ever going to address it. its time to start doing so with $4 a gallon gasoline. Members can take a stand against high fuel prices and insist that the energy issue be addressed seriously by voting "no" on the previous question. I encourage a "no" vote on the previous question. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Chairman. I apologize. Im not a member of the committee involved. I was not really that alert to what this bill is. but listening to some of the debate. it just caused me some pause to reflect on maybe we found the answer to the question I keep being asked at my town hall meetings which is. How do you folks back there allow the budget to get so large? How do you get such deficit spending? What is going on back there? Well. lets see. I just heard Members on the other side of the aisle say this is a Federal responsibility. In fact. I just heard this argued as a jobs program. This will stimulate the economy. Well. if thats the case. lets multiply it by 10. If this is going to create that many more jobs. lets ten 100 times. We will take care of all of the unemployment in America. The idea that somehow we have the responsibility on the Federal level to now fund the programgfor construction and airconditioning and heating and so forth in schools. what is left for local taxpayers to do? Oh. Im sorry. Local taxpayers are also the Federal taxpayers and the State taxpayers. I forgot that because we forget that here. I just heard the gentleman previously on the other side say his school districts are strapped. They cant pay for it. But magically. we can pay for it here because I guess when my constituents get up in the morning they say. Well. this morning Im a local taxpayer but at noon I will be a State taxpayer. tonight I will be a Federal taxpayer. I cant afford to pay for it in the morning. Im not sure I can pay for it yet. but magically I can pay for it tonight becausewell. I dont know. I guess this money comes from nowhere. I mean. does anybody understand were talking about a new program thats never existed before? But now. now the very future of the Republic depends on this program. I heard another Member on the other side of the aisle say students cant learn when theyre sweating. I guess. Well. I confess. I went to Catholic school. We didnt have airconditioning in Southern California when it was 103. and it was hot. I remember sweating through my shirts. and it was uncomfortable. But give me a break. Youre telling me that theres a Federal responsibility to put airconditioning in every building that school kids are going to? I would just ask the American people is this what they think the Federal Government is supposed to be doing? We should go around and find every single wrong thing or something that is not perfectly right and then the Federal Government is going to take care of it? Now. if that is the case. we will never come close to fiscal responsibility. and were going to do this on top of the fact that we have mandatory spending programs that. if you look at the payout. by the year 2042and I know thats a long way away. but my grandkids will probably be concerned about itas was stated not too long ago in testimony before one of our committees. if we continue spending the way it is. we will have no room for discretionary spending-
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. As the head of OMB said at that time. including defense. Thats the first time I ever heard of defense called discretionary. But the point is there are certain responsibilities that are the Federal Governments. And I remember when we started theI am old enough to remember that. I happened to be in Congress shortly after that when President Carter was elected and we established the Department of Education because we said the Federal Government ought to play a small role. small but important role in education. Well. now if were going to be responsible for construction for airconditioning. for heating. for environmentally friendly construction. where does it end? I guess it ends at the taxpayers pocketbook. But we just pretend that were not taking from the pocketbook here because it is the Federal Government that doesnt cost anybody anything. but we are here to rescue everybody on the Federal level because they cant afford to pay for it at the local or State level. Maybe that makes sense here in Washington. but I dont think it makes sense anywhere else. Maybe this is "Alice in Wonderland." but where I come from. people know that when you take a dollar out of their pocket. its one less dollar they have.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. You have to understand Im not on the committee. So Im not an expert on that. Im just a regular Member of Congress who heard the debate as I was walking by.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Well. I would think so. I would think that its certainly a greater priority to help that program. the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. that we assume that as a responsibility. and I can argue back home that that is a shared Federal responsibility. I dont think this bill rises to that level. and it seems to me if we use money for this and not for disabilities. arent we shortchanging a program which really has a Federal responsibility for this? I know it sounds good because its a new program. I just noticed this. Maybe its because I came back after 16 years. I find its awfully easy to say billions and trillions.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. I found when I was gone for 16 years. I couldnt find billion and trillion so easy to say. BuV once were here. its awfully easy to say. and then it kind of masks the costs to the local taxpayer because the average person cant figure out what $1 trillion is or $1 billion because thats not within their area of experience. But what it means. I would hope that folks back home would understand. if we were ever to talk to them about this. that this is coming out of their pocket. And if they believe they cant afford it back home. how can they afford it here. first? Secondly. we have a commitment to programs like those for children with disabilities. Shouldnt we try and fund that to a higher level first before we start on this path to a new program? Again. Im not a member of the committee. and I know the gentleman has served on the committee. But thats a simple question.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Im not sure the chairman of the committee shares that sentiment. but I appreciate that. and I thank the gentleman for the time.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: DAVID DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Tennessee

I would like to thank the gentlelady from Colorado for doing this special hour. I dont think theres anything more important facing Americans right now and facing this Congress than to deal with the high cost of energy. and I thank you for your leadership. -With the national average cost of gasoline at the pump today at $3.98 a gallon. moms and dads across the country are struggling to balance the family budget. It breaks my heart. and I know of a young family back in northeast Tennessee just trying to make enough money to make it to work or take their child to school. It breaks my heart when we have senior adults that are on a fixed income that dont have the opportunity to have more money. to be able to afford the gasoline to go to the doctor or go to the hospital or go to the grocery store. It breaks my heart when you have a small business thats trying to create those jobs and make life better for their fellow man. It breaks my heart. This Congress must pass meaningful legislation to reduce the price of gasoline and fuel at the pump. and we need to do it soon. Just recently. Shell Oil Company Chairman John Hofmeister testified before the Senate on why gas prices are so high. He said. "As repetitive and uninteresting as it may sound. the fundamental laws of supply and demand are at work." Over the past few weeks. I along with most of my colleagues on this side of the aisle have produced an energy policy. not just a piece of an energy policy. but a true energy policy that addresses our supply of American energy. This energy policy explores all facets of our energy needs. from drilling for American oil and natural gases to using alternative fuels like switchgrass and ethanol. The policy increases American supply. which will effectively lower prices. This energy policy will help people like Earl Humphreys. who owns and manages Lawn Boyz Lawn Care in Bristol.. Tennessee. Earl told me that he may not be able to continue his business much longer because of high fuel prices. He is not making enough money to support his family. purchase his fuel. pay his staff. and keep the doors open on his familyrun business. How sad. People like Earl are relying on Congress to do something. Colleagues on this side of the aisle and I have offered nothing but solutions. On the other side of the aisle. theyve offered nothing but excuses. Congress Democratic leadership is out of touch with the American people like Earl. Instead of increasing American energy supply so that prices can go down and Earl can continue to support his family. the Democrat leadership wants to tax energy producers. stifle American production. and abandon
Date: 2008-06-05
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. this year I introduced the New Employee Verification Act. H.R. 5515. that prevents unauthorized employment. It will replace the expiring pilot program. EVerify. that is run by the Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security has no business keeping tabs on work records of lawabiding American citizens. I strongly reject the Orwellian premise that a government agency tasked with catching terrorists should also maintain a huge database on the work history of every single American. Our bipartisan bill ensures that U.S. citizens go through Social Security to confirm their legal right to work. and noncitizens go through the Department of Homeland Security. I urge you to cosponsor H.R. 5515. to create a new work authorization system that will help reduce illegal immigratiorn. preserve the rights and privacy of lawabiding citizens. and protect Social Security.
Date: 2008-06-05
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. I thank the gentleman for an additional minute. I would need about 4 minutes to go through all the other suspensions we got through this week. this week. that is legislative time that we have spent on this floor. those without rules. Now were going to have a rule on this bill. the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and- Watertrails Network Continuing Authorization Act. probably a worthy act. But. believe me. I know it may surprise the gentleman from New York. but not a single person in my district asked me about that. But they asked about gas prices. And perhaps the reason why the gentleman from New York is loath to talk about this is that on every single vote we have had over the last number of years on indreased oil production. 91 percent of the Republicans have voted for increased American energy production. American energy production. and over 85 percent of the Democrats have voted against it. What has resulted from that? A stalemate in which the American people are held hostage because we will not allow. yes. drilling. I know thats a dirtyword over there. Drilling. Thats usually how you bring oil up out of the ground.
Date: 2008-06-05
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. The distinguished majority leader has indicated we did not have the urgency of passing this because until August of next year it appeared that we had certain protections. We cant articulate what those are here on the floor. So I guess my question would be. does the gentleman expect that we will have it to vote before we leave for our recess in August?
Date: 2008-06-10
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. 64 years ago this week. my father and approximately 2 million of his fellow soldiers from the United States. Great Britain. and Canada were moving into the area of France. which began the liberation of Europe. Sixtyfour years ago they sacrificed in ways almost unimaginable for us. Had they not done that. had they not succeeded. we would not enjoy the freedoms we have today. Yet it was little remarked nor remembered on the pages of our newspapers across our country and on our television sets. And the fact of the matter is these brave. gentle warriors are dying at over 1.000 a day. We soon will not have the opportunity to thank them for the sacrifices they made. So today as we deal with these problems that face us. let us remember that America has always been a cando country. We have never shirked from challenges. We have figured out liow to do it. And remember in the words of those people in that movie not too long ago. to ask ourselves what our fathers asked themselves. are we worthy? Did we lead a good life? Did we do what we had to do?
Date: 2008-06-10
Speaker: DAVID DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Tennessee

Madam Speaker. with high gas prices soaring. moms and dads across East Tennessee and across America are struggling to put a budget together at the kitchen table. They are worried how they are going to pay for their health care. how they are going to buy enough gas to get their kids to school. how they are going to pay for their childrens education. Families and small businesses across America are hurting. Earl Humphreys. for example. in Bristol. Tennessee. owns Lawn Boyz Lawn Care Service. He has told me he may have to go out of business. It is time for solutions. time for no more excuses. High gas prices are not only an economic security issue. they are a national security issue. We are too dependent on foreign countries. countries that hate us and hate our freedoms and. quite frankly. hate our religion. We need an energy policy now. I call on the.Democrat majority to offer legislation that will provide for lower gas prices. better economic security. better national security. and I ask them to do it now. We need to use American energy. We need solutions.
Date: 2008-06-10
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in opposition to H.R. With our economy facing serious. mounting challenges. apd Americans facing unprecedented energy prices. I cannot support sending money to Mexico and Central America to take up the fight on drug trafficking. As Mexico currently profits from the sale of oil on the world market as gas prices continue to skyrocket. I seriously question why we would send their government any aid to fight this battle. Think about it: gas is so much less expensive in Mexico that border area citizens from this country are going there to fill up. Our own borders remain porous. illegal immigration strains our economy. and Americans arevulnerable to terrorists slipping into our country: fighting Mexicos war on drugs. and essentially securing Mexicos southern border. should not be at the top of our list of prforities right now. While sending aid to fight criminal behavior and drug trafficking abroad is laudable in theory. given the current economic hardships Americans face. I simply cannot support this bill.
Date: 2008-06-10
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker. I rise today on behalf of H. Con. Res. 336. a commonsense resolution that expresses support for one of the greatest segments of the American population. the disabled American veteran. Back home in Florida. I represent nearly 110.000 veterans. the second highest number of any Member of Congress. As you might guess. many of these brave men and women are disabled. either injured in battle or in the course of their service in the United States military. Disabled veterans are cared for by military professionals at the VA. They also band together in veterans organizations like the Disabled American Veterans. Paralyzed Veterans of America. or Blinded Veterans Association. However. there was no Federal recognition in place for Americans specifically to remember the deeds and heroism of disabled veterans. The concurrent resolution before us today calls for the establishment of a Disabled American Veterans Week and shows all disabled veterans that Congress does not forget their bravery and actions in service to our great Nation. You know. every weekend I returned home to Florida to meet with my constituents and hear their needs and concerns and what I can do to serve the men and women who live in the Fifth Congressional District. I often hear words of thanks for voting in support of drilling in ANWR and in the Outer Continental Shelf. or get asked what Congress is going to do to stop the outrageous increase in the cost of gasoline that we have seen since our colleagues across the aisle took over the House and Senate. However. the most poignant and heartwrenching stories I hear are oftentimes from veterans. As you might expect. I attend dozens of veterans events throughout the eight counties in my district. It is. indeed. at these events that I hear stories of courageous deeds. heroic actions and lives forever changed by the ravages of war. Disabled veterans have given so much to this Nation with their blood. sweat and tears. lying on the battlefields from Germany. to Korea. to Vietnam. to Iraq and Afghanistan. This resolution calling for. a Disabled American Veterans Week shows the thousands of men and women who served with honor and distinction that Congress will see that their memories and deeds are never forgotten. I thank my colleague. Mr. ALTMIRE. for introducing this resolution. I would hope that all Members of this body can support such a worthy passage for disabled veterans.
Date: 2008-06-11
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. June 1 marked the beginning of yet another hurricane season. and experts have predicted a 90 percent probability of either a nearnormal or an abovenormal hurricane season. They estimate that six to nine hurricanes will form. including two to five major hurricanes. Approximatell 50 percent of all Americans live along our coasts. As a result of that. millions. millions face great risk associated with these storms that we know are going to be out there. Having a hurricane preparedness plan can help lessen and mitigate some of those dangers. The National Hurricane Center recommends that people in hurricaneprone areas assemble a disaster supply kit that includes a first aid kit. essential medications. canned foods and at least 3 gallons of watef per day per person for the minimum of 3 days. Obviously. extra batterypowered radios. extra batteries. and flashlights are also recommended. As we have learned in south Florida. the forecasters. meteorologists. and the hurricane specialists at the National Hurricane Center are often the best source of the most valuable and reliable information on preparedness. I urge all Americans to prepare for this hurricane season and to listen to what the forecasters have to say.
Date: 2008-06-11
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

I thank my good friend. Madam Speaker. at this time I would like to yield 3 minutes to a great leader from the State of Illinois .
Date: 2008-06-11
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Madam Speaker. back on April 24. 2006. just over 2 years ago. nowSpeaker NANCY PELOSI issued the fol-" lowing statem~nt: "With skyrocketing gas prices. it is clear that the American people can no longer afford the Republican rubberstamp Congress and its failure to stand up to Republican Big Oil and gas company cronies. Americans this week are paying $2.91 a gallon for regular gasoline. 33 cents higher than last month. and double the price than when President Bush first came into office." Madam Speaker. most Americans would be happy if they were paying $2.91 a gallon today instead of over $4 a gallon. Reinforcing the fact that the majority has yet to confront the high price of gasoline. just over a month ago the newspaper Investors Business Daily in an editorial said that this Congress "is possibly the most irresponsible in modern history. This is especially true when it comes to Americas dysfunctional energy policy." Madam Speaker. I include for the from the Investors Business Daily. [From Investors Business Daily. Apr. 29. 2008]