macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-07-14
Speaker: MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Speaker. when we Democrats held our sitin on the floor of the House. I proudly stood up and said that call to action was. in fact. the reason I came to Congressnot so much the act itself. but the rationale behind it. I came to Congress to get things done on behalf of my constituents. In fact. it baffles me. along with my constituents. that we arent even allowed to debate. much less vote. on an issue as dire and as important as gun violence. Now House Republicans have left town for 7 weeks without addressing this very issue. and this part of the debate is in every community in America. It is not just gun violence. We have not adequately dealt with the Zika health crisis. and we have not dealt with the Flint water crisis. I am going to go home to New Mexico soon. where forest fires are raging across the West. But we did nothing to support those States and the Forest Service that battles those fires at home. I wasnt elected to apologize to my constituents every time I see them for the inaction of the Republican leadership. We should stay in this Chamber. and we should do the work that our constituents expect and demand of us.
Date: 2016-07-14
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. countless families and loved ones in my district are suffering as a result of the recent gun violence that claimed the lives of 5 police officers and injured 11 more officers and civilians in Dallas. The ambush on the Dallas police was the deadliest incident for U.S. law enforcement since the September 11 attacks in our country. Yet House Republicans are leaving Washington today. for a 52day recess. without taking any action to address the gun violence epidemic that is happening all across the Nation. The tragedy that occurred in my district. as well as the countless other shootings that we seldom hear about. begs the question: How many more innocent Americans will have to lose their lives before we act to put an end to gun violence? The answer. in my opinion. should be "none." No more Americans should have to lose their lives. There are a number of proposals in Congress that are available today for the House Republicans to bring to the floor for a vote. This legislation is available now. Mr. Speaker. countless families and loved ones in my district are suffering as a result of the recent gun violence that claimed the lives of five police officers and injured eleven more officers and civilians in Dallas last week. This ambush on Dallas police was the deadliest incident for U.S. law enforcement since the September 11th attacks. Yet. House Republicans are leaving Washington today for a fiftytwo day recess without taking any action to address the gun violence epidemic happening across our nation. The tragedy that occurred in my district. as well as the countless other shootings that we seldom hear about. begs the question of how many more innocent Americans will have to lose their lives before we act to put an end to gun violence. The answer. in my opinion. should be none. No more Americans should have to lose their lives. There are a number of proposals in Congress available today that House Republicans could bring to the floor for a vote. There is legislation available now to bolster the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. There is legislation available now to reinstate a federal ban on assault weapons. There is legislation available now to study the costs of gun violence. Yet. none of these bills have seen the light of day on the House floor. Mr. Speaker. I urge my Republican colleagues to do the peoples bidding and work cooperatively with Democrats to pass meaningful and comprehensive gun reforms so that we can finally put an end to this senseless violence.
Date: 2016-09-06
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 4511. the "Gold Star Families Voices Act." which allows Gold Star families to submit to the Veterans History Project recordings of biological histories of a service member who was killed in action. Gold Star family members are defined by law as parents. spouses. siblings. or children of members of the Armed Forces who died while serving their country. Current law only allows the personal histories and testimonials from veterans themselves be included in the Veterans History Project archive. which excludes the biographies of veterans who were killed in action during war. Since its passing in 2000. the Veterans History Project has collected the oral history records of over 100.000 veterans who have served in armed conflicts since World War I. Extending the opportunity to participate in the Veterans History Project to Gold Star families would result in nearly 1.000 new collections for the Project. These veterans sacrificed more than can be imagined in order to protect the freedoms and rights that we take for granted every day. Not only did these veterans miss birthdays. anniversaries. and many other holidays to defend the country they loved. but the veterans of these Gold Star families made the ultimate sacrifice by giving what President Lincoln called the "last full measure of devotion" so that their nation might remain free. These brave souls left behind relatives. friends. and loved ones who continue on with memories of the loved and lost to comfort them and. in Lincolns words. "the solemn pride that is theirs in having laid so costly a sacrifice on the altar of freedom." This legislation provides Gold Star families a voice. H.R. 4511 gives Gold Star families the opportunity to share that pride with the nation by telling the story of their fallen loved ones and in doing so ensure these heroes live on not only in the memories of family members but also in the national memory through the Veterans History Project. I ask all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 4511. the Gold Star Families Voices Act.
Date: 2016-09-06
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. over the August work recess. I met with many constituents. but I also met with my regional Zika task force that included health professionals from the public and private sector who recognize the devastation of the Zika virus. In the continental United States. there are over 2.000 cases. Over 600 pregnant mothers have been impacted by the Zika virus with yet unborn children. and then there are about 30plus cases of transmission right here in the United States. And yet tonight the other body failed to pass the Zika funding. Now is the time. My committee was very constructive. Dr. Persse from the city of Houston talked about surveillance of those coming into their clinics to determine whether they have been impacted by fever and a rash. We have talked about the vaccine and also a Zika act to be able to give information to those who are in need of knowing how to prevent it. Yet the funding is not here. Why? Because we cannot pass a clean Zika funding. emergency funding. without riders. Lets stop playing politics. Pass the Zika funding. The health professionals insist on it. People are dying.
Date: 2016-09-07
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. there was such expectation. as Members returned from their work recess in August. Many times. the American people are quizzical. inquisitive about the structure of our work. We are constitutionally mandated. and. in fact. we have major responsibilities of oversight. but we also are the umbrella on a rainy day. The Congress must rise to the occasion in time of war. It is our authority to declare war. We must rush to the aid of those Americans in need by our oversight over executive agencies. such as Homeland Security and FEMA. as we watched the suffering of our fellow Americans in the terrible storms of Baton Rouge. of the hurricanes up and down the east coast. of what happened on 9111 or Sandy or Katrina or Rita or Hurricane Ike and many others. Hurricanes and others. it is up to us to do our work. Well. we are not doing our work. We left this place having had the Senate pass a $1.1 billion Zika funding billnot what the executive asked. but a reasoned response to the crisis and emergency that we are facing. It is devastating in Puerto Rico. which is part of the United States. It is devastating to the people there. They are suffering greatly. Now we have found cases in parts of Florida. including areas that my colleague. Congresswoman WILSON. represents. and areas around Miami Beach. More importantly. there are 2.000 Zika cases in the United States. 600plus are pregnant women. babies not yet born. and 35 cases have been found to have been transmitted here in the United Statesand yet fiddling is going on. Unnecessary riders are being included in something that should simply pass because it is an emergency. Shame on those who would cloud legislation with preventing the health clinics that women need. run by Planned Parenthood. from getting money. Shame on those who would try to undermine the executive order about confederate flags in veterans cemeteries on official flagpoles. You have every right to put it at your personal grave. or the family does. How ridiculous. how undermining of our authority. our constitutional responsibility to govern this Nation. I am saddened because the image that is being perceived is that we cannot do our job. We can. We have to be Americans united together. facing the emergency. Many Americans are not focused on the Zika virus. I understand. It has been a time of summer and frolic and time with family. But most infectious disease doctorsthe regional task force that I have organized: Dr. Hotez. an infectious disease doctor at Baylor who is well renowned. and Dr. Persse. a well renowned medical professional in public health. along with OB/GYN and State officials. I want to thank them for their work. They are asking me: Where are the resources for mosquito control. for the research. for the vaccine? Just so you know. the cost of a baby that has been impacted by this terrible disease is $10 million.
Date: 2016-09-07
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. and then on the question of our duties. why would there be any discussion to impeach or to suggest the impeachment of a public servant like the IRS commissioner. who I know has done nothing wrong. including the words of the inspector general who can find nothing wrong that this retired private citizen. who came to help turn the IRS around. who came way after the trouble was raised about targeting different groupshe had nothing to do with it. And yet someone is suggesting he should be impeached. What are you going to do with Americans who sacrifice and say. I want to serve. and then you abuse them and abuse the power of this Congress and suggest some kind of an impeachment? I have gone through impeachment proceedings. Read the Madison papers. There is no suggestion of misconduct or treason by this individual. We cant impeach people because the IRS is some entity that most of us would find not a welcomed guest at our dinner table. And then again. they do great work. They are a part of the structure of this government. So I would ask the question: Why? That is not oversight. that is abuse.
Date: 2016-09-07
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I want to celebrate the return of the Chibok schoolgirls. Many of you know that 200plus girls were taken back in 2014. in Nigeria. snatched out of their beds. snatched out of a boarding school. abused. and taken by Boko Haram. Boko Haram. of course. is an ISIS cousin. I want to acknowledge that FREDERICA WILSON. Lois FRANKEL. and myself. we went to Nigeria when they were taken. Mr. Speaker. I am delighted to celebrate those girls are back. But we are going to fight Boko Haram in every way that we can possibly fight. Finally. congratulations to the University of Houston football team that beat Oklahoma.
Date: 2016-09-07
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express my disappointment that Congress left in midJuly without adequately funding the Zika crisis. The number of confirmed Zika cases across the United States and territories quadrupled while Congress was on recess. The number of cases rose from 4.222 in midJuly to 16.822 last week. Zika poses a grave. unprecedented threat to public health. It is time for Congress to fulfill its constitutional and moral duty to protect the health and welfare of our country. It is an appalling disservice to the American people that we have not yet provided resources to combat this virus that already is having real effects on our families. We have delayed funds for medical research and help to our local communities. The majoritys reluctance is putting the health and lives of the American people at risk. and inaction now is only more costly in the long run. I sincerely hope we can return to work with a renewed sense of responsibility for health and welfare of our Nation and approve the funds necessary to prevent Zika spreading in the country. We need our communities safe. Pass a clean Zika funding bill.
Date: 2016-09-07
Speaker: JUDY CHU (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. as chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. or CAPAC. I rise today to honor our colleague. the Honorable Mark Takai of Hawaii. who passed away in July after a hardfought battle with pancreatic cancer. Mark was a true patriot. public servant. and friend who truly had the aloha spirit. His strong commitment to improving the lives of the people of Hawaii and all Americans was integrally woven into the fabric of his distinguished military and public service career. In Congress. he led notable efforts to reunite Filipino World War II veterans with their families and to assist atomic war veterans suffering from radiation exposure. It was a privilege to work with Mark. and I will never forget his warmth. kindness. and strong dedication to bettering our community and our country. On behalf of CAPAC. I thank Mark for his lifetime of leadership and service. Mahalo. Mark.
Date: 2016-09-07
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

So what I argue today is that we are within the confines of the law. It is a minute portion. It is not the billions of dollars that have been represented. It is certainly not a slush fund. Mr. Chairman. I include in the RECORD an article from the Houston Chronicle. dated Sunday. September 4. 2016. It involves shooting victims. These are the survivors of the Aurora. Colorado. shooting. And guess what. The theater prevailed. They didnt have to pay a dime. They didnt have to have any check as to whether or not their doors could have been more secure. They could have had security. but it said the shooting survivors owe $700.000 to the theater. Do you want to hear who one of the victims was? Let me just share with you a victim who just couldnt bring herself to accept. I feel sorry. Her suffering had been profound. Her child was killed in the shooting. She was left paralyzed. and the baby she was carrying had been lost. Do you know what she got? Zero. zero. zero. I just wish the Justice Department could have shared a resource with her or a group or the class action lawsuit that was thrown out of court causing them to have to pay $700.000 to the theater. This bill does not deal with those in need. Vote against this bill. (The following article appeared on September 4. 2016 in the Houston Chronicle:) [From the Los Angeles Times]
Date: 2016-09-07
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 3. line 11. insert after "settlement agreement" the following: "(other than an excepted settlement agreement)". Page 4. strike line 1. and insert the following: (d) DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) The term "excepted settlement agreement" means a settlement agreement that pertains to providing restitution for a State. (2) The term "settlement agreement" The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 843. the gentlewoman from Texas and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
Date: 2016-09-07
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. quite the contrary to my dear friend. this bill is unclear. It is not clear. So victims are impacted positively by environmental restoration projects. including activities to protect local ecosystems. facility assessments and audits. including investigations of local environmental quality. programs that promote environmental compliance. projects that provide technical assistance or equipment. Each of these types of programs provide important protections of human health and the environment in communities that have been harmed by environmental violations and others. It is not clear whether or not these kinds of projects or programs that the State may be able to utilize are. in fact. able to be utilized in this legislation. That is why I offer amendment No. 3. Again. I will raise the terrible headline of victims having to pay $700.000. Lets not make victims pay by this underlying bill. H.R. 5063. Lets support the Jackson Lee amendment that takes into consideration the victims who need to be compensated and provide a pathway for restoration. I urge my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment No. 3. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-09-07
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I have amendment No. 4 at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 3. line 11. insert after "settlement agreement" the following: "(other than an excepted settlement agreement)". Page 4. strike line 1. and insert the following: (d) DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) The term "excepted settlement agreement" means a settlement agreement that resolves a civil action or potential civil action in relation to sexual harassment. violence. or discrimination in the workplace. (2) The term "settlement agreement" The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 843. the gentlewoman from Texas and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
Date: 2016-09-07
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I think the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary just answered. this is a political bill. If an independent entity in the settlement wants to retain an entity to help train. to help provide information. to speak Spanish. why is that prohibited? My amendment says there should be an affirmative affirmation through an exemption that this is not disallowed because specifically what they are trying to go to is blocking the particular settlement and the parties from making an informed decision as to who would best implement the settlement. and if that required funding to do so to an entity that may happen to be a civil rights group. an NAACP. an Urban League. La Raza. then it seems that my friends on the other side of the aisle want to make sure that those organizations storied histories in civil rights does not get a chance to help improve and to eliminate sexual harassment. workplace harassment. workplace discrimination. sexual violence. none of these things. I cant. for the life of me. understand why the Jackson Lee amendment No. 4 would not be an acceptable affirmation that it is all right for these corporations to engage with other entities that can do the job better than them. Lets work together to eliminate discrimination in America once and for all. and lets work together so that we dont read any more headlines like the Aurora. Colorado. headline victims. where they were told to pay $700.000 back to the theater. I am appalled. and I think none of us would agree with that. I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment No. 4. It is right for justice and equality. Mr. Chairman. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-09-07
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: 2016-09-08
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise to discuss the Zika virus. which has now become a serious public health emergency. Officials from the Department of Health and Human Services have spent August reiterating the dire need for funding to protect the American public from Zika and its potential harm. While the Centers for Disease Control worked furiously to control and research the mosquitoes that carry this virus. and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases labors over finding a vaccine for the virus. Congress has stalled over funding the package. You have heard the cry from Democrats and Republicans about how serious this is. In the United States. including territories. we currently have 16.832 active Zika virus cases. In south Florida. we now have cases of local transmission that could have been prevented with better vector control and preparedness. We must give our health professionals the tools they need to fight the spread of this virus. Today I ask that we in Congress do our jobs. please.
Date: 2016-09-08
Speaker: CAROLYN B. MALONEY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New York

Mr. Chair. I share Professor Coffees concerns about this proposal. I also oppose title II of this bill. which would create another exemption for the securities law for certain microcap offerings of less than $500.000. Unfortunately. history has proven that there is a good deal of petty fraud in microcap offerings. So ensuring that there is proper oversight of microcap offeringsideally. by State securities regulatorsis important if your goal is to protect retail investors from fraud. Finally. title III of the bill would strip away even the most modest investor protections that the SEC has proposed for unregistered. private securities. It is important to note that we are already seeing a trend toward much greater use of unregistered. private securities rather than publicly registered securities. In fact. the private securities market is now larger than the public securities market. In 2014. companies raised $2.1 trillion through the private securities market compared to only $1.35 trillion through the public securities market. What this means is that more securities are being sold with fewer investor protections. Title III of this bill would take away yet another investor protection by allowing companies to sell unregistered. private securities without having to file any information with the SEC first. I think this bill goes in the wrong direction. We should be talking about strengthening investor protections. not weakening them. I would also like to note that President Obama has issued a veto threat on this bill and states that all three titles are dangerous for investors. He states that markets function more efficiently when they are transparent. well regulated. and trusted by investors and insurers alike. These bills would reduce transparency. inhibit effective regulatory oversight of our capital markets by the SEC. and would undermine not only the health and integrity of our markets. but the very capital formation process they claim to promote. Mr. Chair. I include in the RECORD this veto.