macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-01-28
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to insert my statement into the RECORD in support of extending unemployment insurance for 1.6 million Americans instead of this radical Republican assault on womens health care rights.
Date: 2014-01-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to insert my statement into the RECORD in support of extending unemployment insurance for 1.6 million Americans instead of this radical Republican assault on womens health care rights.
Date: 2014-01-28
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to insert my statement into the RECORD in support of extending unemployment insurance for 1.6 million Americans instead of this radical Republican assault on womens health care rights.
Date: 2014-01-28
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank my friend. Madam Speaker. what we are seeing here is an abuse of process. We have one rule governing a bill that is an assault on womens health care rights. combined with the same rule for a 900page farm bill that was filed at 7:30 last night. I know a lot of people around here claim to be speed readers. but we are supposed to have a vote on the farm bill on Wednesday. Some people may decide to vote for it. and some people may decide to vote against it. What we are asking. Madam Speaker. is that we should all agree that this HouseRepublicans and Democrats alikeshould have a chance to vote on a bill that says we will take the savings from cutting back on agriculture subsidies and use those savings to pay for an extension of emergency unemployment insurance for over 1.5 million Americans who lost their jobs through no fault of their own and are out there looking for work every day in an economy where there are still three people looking for every one job. That is what we are asking for. Madam Speaker. with respect to defeating the previous question and letting us have a vote. Now. the Speaker has said repeatedly over the last couple of weeks that he would be open to extending unemployment insurance if we would find a way to pay for it. We have a way to pay for it. Mr. LEVIN and I went to the Rules Committee and said. Okay. Lets let the whole House vote today after the farm bill passes. if it does pass on Wednesday. and say. Lets use those savings for this important purpose. They said no. They didnt want this House to have that right. So now each of usRepublicans and Democrats alikewill have the opportunity to vote to decide whether this body can decide to spend the savings from cutting ag subsidies to help 1.5 million people in their districts and around the country who are struggling right now.
Date: 2014-01-28
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank my friend. By the way. it doesnt just help those struggling families. The Congressional Budget Office says it helps all of usit helps the small businesses and merchants in our communitiesbecause. if those struggling families cant pay the rent or the mortgage or go out and buy groceries. who does it hurt? It also hurts the local merchants and small businesses. So. Madam Speaker. for goodness sakes. if people want to vote against the idea of using the savings from cutting the ag subsidies to help 1.3 million Americansif you want to vote "no"go for it. but for goodness sakes. let the peoples House have that vote. Let the peoples House decide whether we want to help 1.3 million Americans. I hope this will weigh heavily on the conscience of the House.
Date: 2014-01-28
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. first. let me just point out that despite what the gentlelady from North Carolina just said. both President Obama and his administration. as well as Leader PELOSI. strongly oppose H.R. 7. I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 7. the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. Despite the misleading title. this bill is not about Federal funding for abortions. It is about intervening in womens personal health care decisions. Fortyone years ago. the Supreme Court confirmed in Roe v. Wade a constitutional right for women to keep our decisions about our body between us and our doctors. Yet here we are. more than four decades later. confronted with another draconian bill that encroaches on that right. Since 1976. the Hyde amendment has prohibited the use of Federal dollars for abortions. The Affordable Care Act is compliant with the Hyde amendment. The Affordable Care Act is law. The bill before us is nothing more than a deceitful attempt to place further restrictions on womens access to health care services. Unfortunately. these kinds of baseless attacks on womens reproductive rights continue to be led by Republican men. It is clear that the allmale Republican members on the House Judiciary Committee who approved this bill would rather focus their time and American taxpayer dollars on restricting a womans right to make her own medical decisions rather than confront our Nations most pressing problems. You would think that Republicans would realize we have a few more things to focus on that are a higher priority than whether or not women can make their own health care decisions. These men do not represent or reflect the voices of women in America. That is why as a mother. a lawmaker. and as a woman. I stand before you today to say: No more. We should oppose H.R. 7. We have worked too hard to secure freedom and independence for women in this country. and We have come too far to let our nation inch back to the dark ages when barriers stood between women and their Constitutional rights. When I think about the kind of world I want my daughters to live in. its one where they have access to comprehensive. affordable. and safe health care services. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand up for women by voting "no" on H.R. 7.
Date: 2014-01-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. let me thank the gentleman who has served on this committee of opportunity. equality and justice for his entire career. among other committees. in the United States Congress. Let me thank the manager and chairman of the Judiciary Committee. as well. We do not come to the floor in argument about each others conscience. We respect the belief of others and the conscience of others and the integrity of the decision made by those who choose to stand for their positions. As a senior member of the Judiciary Committee. I only stand here on the basis of equal protection under the law and the applying of the Constitution to every single person. which includes a womans access to health care. What H.R. 7 does beyond the Hyde amendment. which has been law and in law and adhered to for decades. one. that I would be reminded of the eloquence of Chairman Hyde. who would be on the floor discussing the continuation of his position.
Date: 2014-01-28
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise today to express my opposition to H.R. 7. the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. Longstanding federal policy explicitly prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions. except for certain narrow circumstances of rape. incest. or severe health complications that threaten the life of the mother. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) maintains this ban and a federal appeals court confirmed that no federal dollars may be used to pay for abortion services under the law. Far more sweeping in scope than the title implies. the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act goes well beyond codifying the Hyde amendment and protecting public funds. This bill intrudes on womens reproductive autonomy and access to health care. manipulates the tax code to put additional financial burdens on many women and small businesses. and unnecessarily restricts the private insurance choices available to consumers today. The House of Representatives should be spending our time working to improve access to health care for all Americans. instead of deceptive legislation that interferes with a womans ability to make personal. private medical decisions.
Date: 2014-01-29
Speaker: DAVID SCOTT (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I thank the ranking member. Agriculture. ladies and gentlemen. is the heart and soul of our Nation. It provides the food we eat. It provides the clothes we wear. It provides the material to build our homes and our shelters. No committee is as engaged in the entire nooks and crannies of the fabric of this Nation as the Agriculture Committee. This farm bill is a product of what makes America great. What makes America great is our democratic Republic. the anchor of which is compromise. I want to commend Mr. PETERSON. our ranking member. for his job. Mr. LUCAS. the chair of our committee. for his job. It has been 5 years we have been on this. I particularly want to thank Mr. PETERSON. It was a pleasure working with Mr. PETERSON on an issue very dear to him. which is dairy. as we worked out the fabric of that. I commend the leadership on our committee. However. there is yet work to be done. The gentlewoman from Connecticut was right. Mr. McGOVERN was right. Ladies and gentlemen of this committee and this House and in this Nation. we have got a serious problem with hunger in this country. and it is not going away until we realize the gravity of it. Our veterans. our seniors. the most vulnerablewe must address this issue. My position on this bill is that I will vote for it. We have worked on it. Is it a perfect bill? No. it is not. Are we a perfect Nation? No. we are not. But we are constantly striving. striving for that. and we will get closer to this perfect position as we bring all Americans involved and let no American go hungry in this country. I urge everyone to please vote for the bill.
Date: 2014-01-29
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to have joined the majority of Democrats and Republicans who unilaterally alike passed a bill that will fund our Nations most important antihunger program which touches nearly 1 out of 7 Americans by a vote of 251166. The bill now heads to the Presidents desk who has indicated he will sign it into law in a matter of days. In these tough budgetary times. we should not signal to our constituents that helping those most in need is no longer a priority. I am pleased that the bipartisan. bicameral fiveyear farm bill contains major reforms including eliminating the direct payment program. streamlining and consolidating numerous programs to improve their effectiveness and reduce duplication. and cutting down on program misuse. Additionally. this bill excludes the drastic $40 billion cut in the Housepassed version of the farm bill. but makes progress in addressing hunger and poverty by investing new resources in other nutrition programs. The bill also renews critical investments in important programs for beginning farmers. local food systems. organic agriculture. and healthy food access. and also adds conservation requirements to the receipt of crop insurance premium subsidies. The final bill also rejected proposals to eliminate market and contract protections for livestock and poultry farme rs. Congress first enacted the farm bill in response to the Great Depression in order to foster growth in our Nations economy and to protect those who were most in need. Today. we are still recovering from what some economists call. "the Great Recession." We find ourselves at a crossroads where we must decide how to manage our fiscal priorities while still protecting those who were hardest hit by the recent recession. President Eisenhower once said. "Every gun that is made. every warship launched. every rocket fired. signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed. those who are cold and are not clothed." This bill is far from a perfect one. However. given a lengthy twoandahalfyear process and the importance of renewing funding for the most innovative programs for the future of agriculture and nutrition. I supported this carefully negotiated package in an effort to do more good than harm. I have received letters from numerous groups including several of the largest general farm organizations in the country which have voiced support for this bill. I am pleased this bill maintains the longstanding bipartisan fashion in which urban and rural members unite to support this package.
Date: 2014-01-29
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. hunger is not an option. And although there were many elements of the farm bill that. over the years. I have supported enthusiastically as a Representative from Texasand I thank all of those who produce foodit is a question of taking a stand. First. $40 billion. then $11 billion. then $8 billion. It is not an option in terms of the closing off of the opportunity for food stamps. For those who are working. as Maggie. a young lady in Austin. Texas. and the 48 million women who are living in poverty and the 22 million children living in poverty. I took a stand today. and I am proud of itnot because the work was not there for the farm bill. but we have got to protect those who need us most. Hunger is not an option. I take this time as well to thank Trudi Terry. my dear friend. for her service to this Nation. She is professional and distinguished. And as we refer to each other on the floor. "the distinguished gentlelady from Texas." "the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts." you are the distinguished gentlelady from Virginia. along with Irene. We thank you for sharing with us. And I appreciate one thing: thank you for being our friend and my friend. God bless you and continue in prosperity and service. God bless you.
Date: 2014-02-03
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the United States Attorney General. Eric Holder. and President Obama for joining with voices. particularly those of the House Judiciary Committee. Republicans and Democrats. and acknowledging that the United States is comprised of only 5 percent of the worlds population. but we incarcerate almost a quarter of the worlds prisoners. While the entire U.S. population has increased about onethird over the last 30 years. the Federal prison population has increased at a staggering rate of 800 percent. currently totaling nearly 216.000 inmates and currently operates at a 33 percent overcapacity. Onehalf of those Federal prison populations are drug offenses. While some of them are truly dangerous persons. as Deputy Attorney General Cole said. many of them are firsttimers. and by possession only. wound up under Federal laws. the crack cocaine laws. in the Federal system. Today. I stand to support the clemency offering that is being offered by the Department of Justice. as well as to reduce barriers in housing and access to health care. I ask my colleagues to join me in working to ensure that we get word out to these individuals and their families to make sure that this clemency works and works in the right way. Mr. Speaker.
Date: 2014-02-04
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. I rise today to highlight the success of California with the Affordable Care Act in bringing some of the highest enrollment numbers across this Nation. I am not surprised to see California leading the way. after all. we are the Golden State. However. there is so much work still to be done by the 31st of March. which is the deadline for enrolling people this year. And I am going to work very hard. along with my California colleagues. I have reached out to our Covered California executive director. Peter Lee. and asked him to make sure that we enroll every single eligible Californian. With only 8 weeks left for open enrollment. I am making it my top priority that every qualified resident of my 46th Congressional District is given the opportunity to enroll. and I strongly encourage all of my fellow colleagues to do the same. To make good on the promise of quality and affordable health care. it is not enough to educate. We must make sure everybody is enrolled.
Date: 2014-02-05
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I thank my colleagues who have spoken out against this legislation. This legislation is in no way a solution to the problems that we have in California with the continuing drought. This legislation is simply a legislative temper tantrum. They dont want to nuance what has to be nuanced. They dont want to have each area of origin be taken into consideration. They dont want to balance urban/rural. They dont want to balance agriculture/technology. This is what the Governor is having to do. This is what the resource agency is having to do. This is what the entire State legislature is focusing on. trying to figure out how all of California survives the drought. This one just says what we will do is we will kick over the barn upstate there. We will take their water and we will be okay. Well. why doesnt San Diego look up north and say. you know what? We will kick over the barn. We will take their water. and we will be okay. This is the greatest intrusion into State water rights that we have seen in this legislature. and that is why Governors of other Western States understand the principles that are engaged here are an absolute attack on their States also. That is why Representatives from those States opposed this legislation last time it was presented. and they will oppose it again this time.
Date: 2014-02-05
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

I thank the gentleman. So you have a bipartisan coalition in the States trying to work this out. from every economic sector. from every environmental sector. for the benefit of the State of California. This drought doesnt have to end in this rainy season. It can go on another year and another year. This legislation is destructive. destructive of our trying to make sure that every facet of the California society and its economy survive. and that is why this bill should be rejected. It is an assault on fundamental states rights that every other Western Governor recognized the moment this bill was introduced. and that is why they oppose it. They join the Governor of California. the resource agency of California. in opposition to this bill.
Date: 2014-02-05
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker. I will be very brief. There is great concern in the real estate community. It is very difficult to acquire flood insurance at some of the prices that are being quoted. I think it is exceedingly important that we adhere to the words of Ranking Member WATERS: What is the rush? Why not get the study? Why not do that which we intended to do before we arrived at this position in our history? My hope is that we will heed her words.
Date: 2014-02-05
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia changed her vote from "no" to "aye." So the amendment was rejected. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. Stated for:
Date: 2014-02-05
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. yesterday in the Judiciary Committee. we had a very vigorous hearing and discussion on the questions of the National Security Agency and privacy for the American people. I have introduced H.R. 2434. the Civilian Contractors Engaged in Intelligence Activities Reduction Act. which has seen a large support from the White House and others about the importance of considering and looking at reduction of outsourcing of our intelligence activities and really bringing inhouse the training and the expertise of those handling Americas intelligence. I introduced H.R. 2440. which is the FISA Court in the Sunshine Act. which I am very glad that part of it is in H.R. 3361. Uniting and Strengthening America By Fulfilling Rights and Ending Eavesdropping. This is the bill that deals with the mega trolling that has occurred under the NSA of business records. What America wants is security but balanced with privacy and the respect for the Fourth Amendment. prohibiting unreasonable search and seizure. It is important for this Congress to come together in a bipartisan way to stand up and be on the American peoples side so that we can secure them. secure the homeland. but we can also provide for their privacy.
Date: 2014-02-10
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. on February 10. 2014. 1 was unavoidably detained attending to representational activities in my congressional district and thus unable to return in time for rollcall votes 55 and 56. Had I been present I would have voted as follows: on rollcall No. 55 I would have voted "aye" (February 10) H.R. 2431The National Integrated Drought Information Systems Reauthorization Act (Representative HALLScience. Space and Technology). On rollcall No. 56. I would have voted "aye" (February 10) (H. Res. 447. Supporting the democratic and European aspirations of the people of Ukraine and their right to choose their own future free of intimidation and fear. as amended 2319. Native American Veterans Memorial Amendments Act of 2013 (Representative ENGELForeign Affairs).
Date: 2014-02-25
Speaker: DANNY K. DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I have no further requests for time and am prepared to close. I will end with just two things. I certainly appreciate the instructions as well as the passion from my colleague from Illinois. and I want every agency of our government to be as efficient as it possibly can and should be. One of the things that we have learned is that you cant get blood out of a turnip. You can squeeze it. you can tease it. you can do everything to it that you want to. but it will still end up being blood. The other thing that I will end with is this month we celebrate African American History Month. I am reminded of something that Frederick Douglass said: In this world. we may not get everything that we pay for. but we most certainly must pay for everything that we get. I maintain that we must have the adequate resources that are needed for employees to do their jobs in a timely and efficient manner. And so I appreciate the comments of my colleague. I appreciate his passion. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2014-02-25
Speaker: DANNY K. DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. You know. I think with the IRS. we are. like. approaching a fork in the middle of the road and we have choices that we can make. We now have new leadership. The agency has been sanitized. The individuals with culpability are no longer there. They no longer play in any leadership roles at all. The new Commissioner has given us every assurance. and he comes to the IRS with an impeccable record from both public and private activity. and has given every assurance that can be given that he is going to take that road that leads to the highest level of integrity. that we can bank on the Internal Revenue Service being as fair as fair can be. I like to believe that he means what he says. and that he says what he means. So I am confident that we have a new IRS. and we will see it function with a new light. a new spirit. and a new direction. So I thank my colleague. I have no further requests for time. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.