macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-07-08
Speaker: MICHAEL F. DOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Mr. Speaker. for far too long. Republicans in Congress have kept our Nation stuck in neutral. while our highways. bridges. and transit systems crumble around us. They keep riding the clutch with these shortterm patches to keep the highway trust fund solvent for another couple of months. You could say that we are in a big race and the road ahead is long. We cant keep stopping for gas every 5 minutes. and we have got to stop scrounging under the seats and the floormats for enough change to buy a gallon here and a gallon there. Americas been in the lead. but now. we are just inching along. If we dont get back on track soon. we are going to be left in the dust by our foreign competitors. In the next few months alone. more than 600.000 American jobs are at risk. Mr. Speaker. congressional Republicans are in the drivers seat. so they need to start driving like pros. It is time for Congress to do their job and pass a longterm plan to pay for muchneeded investments in our roads. rails. and bridges. I say: "Fill her up with hitest."
Date: 2015-07-08
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. today I rise to celebrate the congressional version of the Womens World Cup Soccer team. the softball version. I am here with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. my teammates. my sisters who played valiantly in the 7th Annual Congressional Womens Softball Game. Congratulations to the women Members of Congress who beat the press in a shutout game. defending our title in backtoback victories as Congressional Womens Softball Game Champions. I want to thank my teammates on both sides of the aisle. They have become my sisters and my friends throughout the whole season. It is always so amazing to think about what we do over 3 months with the incredibly busy schedules that so many of us have. coming out to practice at 7:00 in the morning. two or three times a week. We did not have a smaller turnout for practice than 10 Members at each practice at 7:00 in the morning. And our hard work paid off. This is a game that. I know. many of you know is near and dear to my heart. I know that many of you know this. It bears repeating just because of the reason that we play this game. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 712 years ago. and today I am cancer free at 41 years old. It is really timely for us to be able to focus some attention on breast cancer in young women. given the USPSTF recommendations and the discussions that we are having around making sure that we pay attention and help young women focus on their breast health. That is what this game is all about. We are so proud to tell you that since we started this game 7 years ago. we have raised about $700.000 for the Young Survival Coalition. $200.000 of that was this game. Without the leadership and dedication of our board of directors and our organizing committee. this game and the money we raise would not have been possible. I want to specifically thank our board president. Kate Yglesias Houghton. and all the members of board: Atalie Ebersole. Natalie Buchanan. Tori Barnes. and Kristen Buckler. Also. a huge thank you to the members of the organizing committee: Jill Agostino. Sean Bartlett. Gary Caruso. Kayla Dunlap. Katharine Emerson. Ben Gerdes. Jenna Glazer. Kathryn Hamm. Erika Kelly. Jim Kiley. and Dana Paikowsky. A special shoutout to EDDIE PERLMUTTER. who was one of our assistant coaches. and to our cheerleaders. With that. Mr. Speaker. I yield to the gentlewoman from Alabama . who for the second time this month and for the second time in the last couple of weeks is actually standing next to me.
Date: 2015-07-08
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H. Res. 310. expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding Srebrenica. As a cochair of the Congressional Caucus on Bosnia. I believe it is crucial to distinguish the Srebrenica massacres as genocide while honoring the thousands of innocent people who were killed in July twenty years ago. In the early 1990s. following Bosnia and Herzegovinas declaration of national sovereignty. Bosnian Serb forces attacked Eastern Bosnia in order to unify and secure Serb territory. During this struggle for control. those Bosnian Serb forces. also called the Army of Republika Srpska committed crimes of ethnic cleansing of the nonSerb population. Approximately 8.000 Bosnian men and boys were systematically executed in 1995. The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina during this time was a failure on behalf of the international community. In 1999. UN SecretaryGeneral Kofi Annan acknowledged that the global community needed to accept responsibility for the ethnic cleansing campaign in Bosnia and Herzegovina that killed thousands of unarmed civilians in a town designated as a "safe area." For many years now. I have called on the United Nations to recognize Srebrenica as a genocide. Yesterday. I learned that Russia blocked the latest effort by the United Kingdom to recognize the Srebrenica massacres as a genocide. calling it "not constructive. confrontational. and politicallymotivated." I am disappointed that the UN is unable to formally recognize Europes worst atrocity since World War II. Although the global community cannot and will not distinguish Srebrenica as genocide. I applaud my fellow Bosnia Caucus cochair. Congressman CHRIS SMITH. for introducing this important resolution. While the UNs hands are tied. I am proud that the United States continues to be Bosnia and Herzegovinas greatest friend and ally. I urge my colleagues to support Bosnia and Herzegovina by voting in favor of this resolution.
Date: 2015-07-09
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. let me thank the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey for his kindness. Might I rise. really. to follow up to ask America to be unified and to be able to have a debate on the floor of the House on a resolution that I offered. H. Res. 342. To the gentleman from New Jersey. it says "the enhancement of unity in America." What it speaks to is for this body to go on the record for saying that divisive emblems and symbolsswastikas or a rebel flag. a fighting flagdoes not even represent the flag that most people think it isthe Confederate flag. this is the rebel flagto put all those away. to be able to educate our children about the excitement of how diverse we are. to be reminded of the history of ReconstructionAfrican Americans who are Senators and Congresspersons. to look at schools who now carry names of people who really might be considered treasonists. to be able to stand on the floor today or next week. as those in South Carolina did. in a civil way. so that our children will know that these symbols that divide are not history. and to be able to stand together and support the diversity of America. That is what I stand for. and I stand with Houston. who is reconsidering many school names at this time.
Date: 2015-07-09
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. we have children to educate. and we have children to love and to have them to understand what America is all about. We are southerners and northerners. We come from the East and the West. We love our cooking. we love our culture. but we are Americans. So today I ask this body to allow us to debate this question to a resolution that enhances American unity. The Supreme Court issued a statement in Walker v. Sons of Confederate Veterans. a Texas case. Before the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. early on. as just a civilian. I argued against Confederate license plates. We won that case. The Supreme Court said that public speech that offends or oppresses is not allowed. I am not talking about the flag on your car or your home. but I am saying that this rebel flag does not represent America. does not teach our children. and it does not heal. And I would offer to say that we are long overdue for a debate like that in the senate in South Carolina. to follow Reverend Pinckneys words that we have to know how to break the cycle and of a roadway toward a better world. He knew that a path of greatness involves an open mind. but more importantly. an open heart. I hope we can debate H. Res. 342. which enhances the unity of our country. not this flag.
Date: 2015-07-09
Speaker: BRENDAN F. BOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Mr. Speaker. last week. many of us were proudly waving our flag. celebrating the Fourth of July. and also rooting on the successful womens soccer team in winning the World Cup. Unfortunately. at the very same time we were doing that. displaying our patriotism. the company that makes Oreo cookies and Ritz crackers. two very wellknown American brands. decided that. for the first time in 60 years. they would close their legendary Philadelphia plant in the heart of my district. laying off over 300 workers because they are shipping the jobs to Monterrey. Mexico. Now. keep in mind. this is a company. Mondelez. that is in no way in financial disarray. In fact. their revenues last year topped $50 billion. This plant that was closed is profitable. but not profitable enough. But there is good news. I do congratulate their CEO. Ms. Irene Rosenfeld. who got a 50 percent pay increase in the last few months at the same very time over 300 workers from my district were getting laid off. Mr. Speaker. it is not right. Say "no" to Oreo.
Date: 2015-07-09
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentleman from the great State of Massachusetts for yielding. Mr. Speaker. this is an emotional time for many of us. This is an important bill. But we have just gone through an emotional time on this floor. again. raising up the ugliness of the rebel flag. I stand again to try and educate both the public and our colleagues about the damage that this flag has done to so many. for under that flag many were killed in the name of slavery. Interestingly. this is the 150th year of the elimination of slavery. I think about health care. and I spoke last evening about lupus. sickle cell anemia. and triplenegative breast cancer all falling discriminantly on minority populations. In life. there are still issues that face you because you are different. I call upon this House to recognize that. although we have many issues to debate. when you pierce the heart of someone because you believe he is inferior or differentwhen you want to coddle and protect the rebel flagI hope we will get to the point between now and next week. as I introduce H. Res. 342 as a privileged resolution to ban all signs of hate. that we will rise to be unified together and stand under the American flag.
Date: 2015-07-09
Speaker: MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

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 44. after line 15. insert the following:
Date: 2015-07-09
Speaker: MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of my amendment that allows the Forest Service to establish a pilot program to execute contracts with tribes under the Indian SelfDetermination and Education Assistance Act. known as 638 contracts. 638 contracts allow tribes to manage and implement Federal programs in Indian Country. When I was the New Mexico Secretary of Health. I witnessed how successful and beneficial these contracts could be in efficiently delivering services to tribes and their members. Through these contracts. tribes operate hospitals. health clinics. mental health facilities. and a variety of other community health services. Having tribes manage and operate programs in their communities not only recognizes tribal selfdetermination and selfgovernance. but it also helps ensure that tribal needs are being met through traditionally and culturally appropriate methods. Although several agencies have the authority to execute 638 contracts. such as the Bureau of Land Management. the Bureau of Reclamation. the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Services. the Forest Service does not currently have this authority. Several tribes have expressed to me that they would like to see the Forest Service have the authority. Many of the pueblos in New Mexico have land in tribal forests that are adjacent to national forests. and we know that wildfires and pests can quickly affect entire regions. regardless of who owns the land. In fact. the Las Conchas wildland fire. which is one of the largest wildfires in New Mexicos history. started on June 26. 2011. in the Santa Fe National Forest. It burned more than 156.000 acres in New Mexico. including land belonging to the Pueblos of Santa Clara. Ohkay Owingeh. San Ildefonso. Pojoaque. Jemez. Cochiti. and Kewa. It is imperative that the Forest Service and tribes actively work together to comanage forests. I urge Members to support my amendment. which will improve the Forest Services ability to partner with tribes in order to work on projects that impact tribal lands and forests. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-07-09
Speaker: LUJAN GRISHAM (democrat)
Chamber: H

for her leadership on this important issue. I thank the chairman of the committee for his support of it as well. And I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania . I urge my colleagues to adopt this amendment.
Date: 2015-07-09
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I rise in strong support of the bipartisan landmark legislation. H.R. 6. the 21st Century Cures Act. Dozens of roundtables and hearings. thousands of responses from stakeholders. and countless hours went into crafting this bill. This legislation is the product of months of bipartisan collaboration with the administration and stakeholders. As a result. H.R. 6 is supported by more than 370 patient groups. physician groups. and research institutions across the country. The investments and provisions in this bill will accelerate the development of new tools and treatments for the fight against diseases. which have a great cost to our economy and an even greater toll on the patients and families that suffer from them. After more than a decade of cuts and stagnant budgets. the National Institutes of Health will receive $8.75 billion. and it will not increase the deficit. This influx of investment will be put toward solving todays complex scientific problems and discovering the next generation of medical breakthroughs. In addition to this muchneeded funding for medical research. there are so many provisions in this package worthy of support. The 21st Century Cures Act will deliver hope and new treatments to Americans. While some of the provisions are technical in nature. their realworld impact is not abstract. Patients and families deserve to have their elected officials respond to their needs. and that is what this bill does. I want to thank Chairman UPTON. Congresswoman DEGETTE. Ranking Member PALLONE. and Chairman PITTS for their leadership. vision. and determination to speed the medical progress. This is an example of what our constituents want us to do: legislate and solve problems. It was a privilege to be involved in this landmark effort. and I want to thank the staffs. legislative counsel. and the countless stakeholders who worked tirelessly to craft a bill that lives up to the promises of the 21st Century Cures initiative. I strongly support H.R. 6 and urge my colleagues to do the same.
Date: 2015-07-09
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Representative BECERRA. thank you so much for taking your time and being here with us today. and thank you so much for your eloquent words. Mr. Speaker. I yield to the gentlewoman from California .
Date: 2015-07-09
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentlewoman from California for sharing her wisdom with us and her encouragement. Mr. Speaker. I really am touched by what we experienced in Charleston. South Carolina. the kind of grace and mercy that the families of those who were felled by this domestic terrorist on the church in Charleston. South Carolina. I know that. even in this Chamber. there are friends that I have across the aisle who would gladly vote with me and vote with my colleagues to remove that flag and that imagery and that symbolism from any of our government properties if they would simply be given the chance. In honor and respect of the loss of life and the grace and mercy and the healing and forgiveness that was demonstrated by the families of those who lost their lives in Charleston. South Carolina. and in recognition of the courageous steps that the South Carolinians did in voting to take down that flag and for the Governor to sign that and to watch. tomorrow. when history is being made. to take down that flag. I pray that our House is given the opportunity to vote our conscience because I know that I have colleagues on the other side of the aisle that feel the same way that I do. that believe in the greatness of this country and that believe in justice and liberty for all and believe that those symbols that remind us of the mistakes that we have made belong in the annals of history. to be remembered. but never to be repeated. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-07-10
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I rise today to condemn House Republicans secretive attempt in the dead of Wednesday night to permit the display of the racist Confederate flag in national parks and cemeteries. In the wake of the Charleston murders. our Nation is moving toward the removal of the flag from public places. Later today. the State of South Carolina will remove the flag from its capitol grounds. And yet. while this is happening. the Republican majority has sought to associate itself and this body with the racist legacy of the Confederate flag. To add insult to injury. yesterday. when House Democrats tried to bring up a resolution removing any State flag displaying the Confederate battle flag from the Capitol except in very limited circumstances. the majority turned their backs and ignored the cries of millions of Americans who are calling for its permanent ban. Republican leadership ought to be ashamed for associating themselves with this symbol of racism. hatred. and intolerance. This body should move swiftly to relegate the Confederate flag to museums and the ashbin of history.
Date: 2015-07-10
Speaker: TED LIEU (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Madam Speaker. when it comes to the highway trust fund. it feels like the movie "Groundhog Day" over and over again. where once again we are faced with the expiration of this important fund. We know from a recent Department of Transportation report that 54 percent of our roads and highways are deemed to be poor. one in four bridges are structurally deficient. and we need to fund this highway trust fund at its full capacity. and we need to do it on a longterm basis. We cant continue to do it on a shortterm basis. It is not helpful to our State and local governments. We cant get projects off the ground. I request that the Republican majority put a bill on the floor that funds the highway trust fund on a longterm basis. And we know that this will help our Nation. because for every dollar we invest in infrastructure. we get over $2 back in economic output.
Date: 2015-07-10
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I missed votes on H.R. 6. the 21st Century Cures Act. Specifically. I missed an amendment by Rep. DAVE BRAT (RVA) (rollcall No. 431). amendment by Rep. BARBARA LEE (DCA) (rollcall No. 432). and Final Passage of H.R. 6 (rollcall No. 433). Had I been present. I would have voted "nay" on the amendment by Rep. DAVE BRAT (RVA) (rollcall No. 431). "yea" on the amendment by Rep. BARBARA LEE (DCA) (rollcall no. 432). and "yea" on the Final Passage of H.R. 6 (rollcall No. 433).
Date: 2015-07-10
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I think it is important to again note what a historic day this was. with the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act. which opens the opportunity for billions of dollars to be invested in the Nations clinics and laboratories to make America healthy and make America better. This bill is from the Energy and Commerce Committee. I am very proud to be one of its cosponsors. And I would like to say back to my constituents in Texas. the Texas Medical Center. and all of the research that is being done: Here is an opportunity to work on those unique and special diseases impacting children with lupus and other diseases. That is why change is not bad. Additionally. I join with the arguments in my district for changing the names of high schools that are not reflective of the Nation today. those named after confederate generals. The names of these high schools are not reflective of a unifying America. Frankly. I believe that the school board should address this question and teach the children that that is the past history that was not a positive history and that we should reflect positively on unifying America and carrying the American flag. Lastly. again. I say on the floor what a very special day. the solemnity in the way the rebel flag was finally put to rest. put to rest. and taken to a relic museum. where it belongs. And we can stand here under this shining American flag saying that we. too. are Americans.
Date: 2015-07-10
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

From the Committee on Small Business. for consideration of sections 83134. 839. 840. 84246. 854. and 871 of the House bill and sections 828. 831. 882. 883. and 885 of the Senate amendment. and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. CHABOT. HANNA. and
Date: 2015-07-13
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. let me thank the ranking member and the manager of this legislation. I have had the privilege of being here during the mighty leadership of Jim Oberstar. and I would really call him Americas Congressperson. He would be an eloquent spokesperson today for not isolating his advocacy for his own region or State. but he would rise up on the floor of the House to speak eloquently about the need for the refurbishing. the rebuilding. the restoration of Americas infrastructure. transportation infrastructure. from highways and bridges and dams to airports and train stations and tracks. Mr. Speaker. I just came in today from Philadelphia on Amtrak. and as you know. on trains. we engage with our fellow travelers. I guess we are called passengers. but we are fellow travelers. It was interesting to engage with these constituents of America who were using this mode of transportation. They made a very valuable point. They said it is not the equipment of Amtrak or whether the Acela can move faster than any other train. it is the infrastructure upon which the train travels. It is the train tracks. It is the investment in that infrastructure to make Amtrak what it needs to be. Now. Congressman Oberstar certainly did not live in this part of the country. but he could see the general landscape of what America needed. I was very interested in hearing my colleague from Minnesota speak of that time when the bridge collapsed. What a tragic incident. All of us were appalled and saddened. and it was amazing how "General Oberstar." if you will. took the leadership role to help America. So I rise today to support this underlying legislation and to simply thank him and to thank his family for sharing Jim Oberstar. the Frenchman. as he would like to say. And in concluding my remarks. might I say "merci beaucoup" to you. to the late Jim Oberstar. a man who loved America and could be called Americas Congressperson.