Scrape the Congressional Record with rvest

Scrape URLs for every subsection of the Congressional Record

As we do so, we retain some helpful metadata

• The record is divided by date
• The record is divided into three sections: Senate, House, Extensions of Remarks (text submitted to the record later)
• The page number (“S3253” is the 3,253rd page of the record, featuring remarks from the Senate)

For each day of the congressional record has a page: https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/6/6/senate-section

On this page are URLs for each subsection. These URLs look like this: https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/6/6/senate-section/article/S3253-6

We can identify linked text (html_nodes("a")), and put the URLs (html_attr("href")) and their text (html_text()) for each date and each section of the record into a data frame. With map_dfr from the purrr package, we can then apply this to a range of dates.

# a date range to scrape
dates <- seq(as.Date("2020/01/01"), 
             # as.Date("2020/09/01"),
             Sys.Date(), # today
             by = "day")

# a function to make a data frame of of all cr text urls for a date
get_cr_df <- function(date, section){

  url <- str_c("https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record", 
             date %>% str_replace_all("-", "/"), 
             section, sep = "/")

  pages <- read_html(url) %>%
    html_nodes("a") # "a" nodes are linked text
  
d <- tibble(header = html_text(pages), # the text of the linked text
            date = date,
            section = section,
            url = str_c("https://www.congress.gov", 
                         html_attr(pages, "href") # urls are "href" attributes of linked text
                         )
            ) %>% 
  # trim down to html txt pages
  filter(url %>% str_detect("article")) 

return(d)
}

  ## For testing
    # section <- "senate-section"
    # date <- "2020-09-15"
    # get_cr_df(date, section)

# an empty dataframe for failed calls
d_init <-  tibble(header = "",
                  date = as.Date(NA),
                  section = "",
                  url = "")

# a dataframe of headers, dates, and url paths
senate <- map_dfr(dates, .f = possibly(get_cr_df, otherwise = d_init), section = "senate-section") 

house <- map_dfr(dates, .f = possibly(get_cr_df, otherwise = d_init), section = "house-section") 

ext <- map_dfr(dates, .f = possibly(get_cr_df, otherwise = d_init), section = "extensions-of-remarks-section") 

cr_metadata <- full_join(senate, house) %>% 
  full_join(ext)

# drop dates where for which there is no record
cr_metadata %<>% filter(header != "")

  d <- cr_metadata
  load(here::here("data", "cr_metadata.Rdata"))
  cr_metadata %<>% full_join(d)
  save(cr_metadata, file = here::here("data", "cr_metadata.Rdata"))

Option 1: Download the text of the congressional record

The “View TXT in new window” URL takes us to a .htm file of just the congressional record text. Compared to the much larger .html of the main page, the (minimal) downside is that some of the header information is lost (nothing distinguishes main headers from subheaders).

html_session() %>% follow_link("View TXT in new window") takes us to the raw TXT page. With walk from the purrr package, we can download each raw txt page to a file with the same name.

# already downloaded 
downloaded <- list.files(here::here("data", "htm"))

# a function to download htm
get_cr_htm <- function(url){
  
  ## test
  # url <- "https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2020/03/02/senate-section/article/S1255-1"
  
  # follow the link to the txt htm 
  url %<>% 
    html_session() %>%
    follow_link("View TXT in new window")
  
  # name files the end of the url 
  file <- str_remove(url$url, ".*modified/")
  
  # if the file has not already been downloaded
  if(!file %in% downloaded){
      read_html(url) %>% 
      write_html(file = here::here("data","htm", file))
  }
}

## test 
# get_cr_htm(cr_metadata$url[1])

# download file for each url 
walk(cr_metadata$url, get_cr_htm)

TXT pages look like this: https://www.congress.gov/115/crec/2017/06/06/modified/CREC-2017-06-06-pt1-PgS3253-6.htm

read_html("https://www.congress.gov/115/crec/2017/06/06/modified/CREC-2017-06-06-pt1-PgS3253-6.htm") %>% html_text() %>% str_split("\n") %>% kablebox()

x [Pages S3253-S3254] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ACCOUNTABILITY AND WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION BILL Mr. McCONNELL. Now, Mr. President, on another matter, like those who have called for relief from ObamaCare, many Americans across the Nation are counting on us to ensure better quality healthcare for our veterans. This is a critical issue for each of us no matter what State we come from, no matter what party we represent. Our veterans have sacrificed too much. In return, they deserve our support. We must keep the commitment we have to them when it comes to ensuring that the VA is providing the quality healthcare they rely on. Unfortunately, as we all know, many VA facilities across the Nation have long failed to provide our Nation’s heroes with the timely and effective medical attention they need. Already, Congress has taken a number of steps to improve these facilities for our veterans and to keep the faith for those [[Page S3254]] who have willingly and courageously fought on our behalf. Now we can build on those efforts by passing the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. As the name implies, this legislation will enhance accountability measures at the VA and better enable the Department to remove–to remove– employees who are failing to meet the standards expected of them. This bill, in conjunction with the continued administration efforts like those Secretary Shulkin announced yesterday, will further improve medical services offered to our veterans at VA facilities all across our country. It was unfortunate to see this legislation held up in a previous Congress, but I am proud that the Republican Senate has made its passage among our top priorities. I once again recognize Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairman Johnny Isakson and Senator Rubio for the part they played in moving this very important bill forward and remaining vigilant on behalf of America’s veterans. I know we are all eager to advance it today and send it on down to the White House for the President’s signature. ____________________

Option 2: Download the full HTML

The full HTML of the landing page for each subsection appears to have some metadata beyond the TXT files.

• main subject headers
• possibly speaker IDs (speeches appear to be tagged with member IDs, but I have yet to find them in the HTML)

CAUTION: The full HTML is several GB per year!

# make file path
cr_metadata %<>% 
  mutate(file = str_c("CREC-", 
                      date,"-",
                      # the file title
                      url %>% str_remove(".*article/"), 
                      ".html"))

# already downloaded 
downloaded <- list.files(here::here("data", "html"))

# a function to download html
get_cr_html <- function(url, file){
  message(url)
  if(!file %in% downloaded){
    url %>% 
      read_html() %>% 
      write_html(file = here::here("data", "html",file)
  }
}

## test 
# get_cr(d$url[2], d$file[2])

start <- Sys.time()
walk2(cr_metadata$url, cr_metadata$file, get_cr_html)
Sys.time() - start

Number of documents over time

In all, we have 340762 documents from 2007-01-04 to 2020-09-22.

NOTE: The plots below use the number of subsections and their headers. Thus, they only require the metadata from scraping the URLs, not the full text.

By day

# for plotting
cr_metadata %<>% 
  mutate(year = str_sub(date, 1,4),
         chamber = section %>% 
           str_remove("-.*") %>% 
           str_to_title() %>%
           str_replace("Extensions", "Extensions of Remarks")) 

cr_metadata %>% 
  ggplot() + 
  aes(x = date) +
  geom_bar() + 
  facet_wrap("chamber", ncol = 1, scales = "free_y") 

By year

# for plotting
cr_metadata %<>% 
  mutate(year = str_sub(date, 1,4),
         chamber = section %>% 
           str_remove("-.*") %>% 
           str_to_title() %>%
           str_replace("Extensions", "Extensions of Remarks")) 

cr_metadata %>% 
  ggplot() + 
  aes(x = year) +
  geom_bar() + 
  facet_wrap("chamber", ncol = 1)

Headers mentioning COVID19

cr_metadata %<>% 
  # id sections about COVID19
  mutate(covid = ifelse(str_detect(header, "COVID|CORONA"), "COVID19", "Other") )

cr_metadata %>% 
  filter(date > as.Date("2019-10-01"), 
         chamber != "Extensions of Remarks") %>% 
  ggplot() + 
  aes(x = date, fill = covid) +
  geom_bar() +
  labs(fill = "") + 
  facet_grid(covid ~ chamber, scales = "free_y") 

321 documents have “COVID” or “coronavirus” in their header.

Headers mentioning redistricting or gerrymandering

cr_metadata %<>% 
  # id sections about redistricting
  mutate(dist = ifelse(str_detect(header, "GERRYMANDER|REDISTRICT"), "Gerrymandering", "Other") )

cr_metadata %>% 
  filter(dist == "Gerrymandering") %>% 
  select(date, header, url) %>%
  kablebox()

date	header	url
2019-03-08	REDISTRICTING REFORM; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 42	https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2019/03/08/house-section/article/H2589-7
2017-04-27	CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING; Congressional Record Vol. 163, No. 72	https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/04/27/house-section/article/H2908-4
2017-01-27	INTRODUCTION OF JOHN TANNER FAIRNESS AND INDEPENDENCE IN REDISTRICTING ACT; Congressional Record Vol. 163, No. 14	https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/01/27/extensions-of-remarks-section/article/E95-3
2011-11-15	A NATIONAL REDISTRICTING COMMISSION; Congressional Record Vol. 157, No. 174	https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2011/11/15/house-section/article/H7581-4
2008-07-29	GERRYMANDERING	https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2008/07/29/house-section/article/H7284-3

cr_metadata %>% 
  ggplot() + 
  aes(x = date, fill = dist) +
  geom_bar(width = 20) +
  labs(fill = "") + 
  facet_grid(dist ~ chamber, scales = "free_y") 

5 documents have “redistrict” or “gerrymander” in their header.

Most common headers

# clean up headers 
cr_metadata %<>% 
         mutate(subtype = header %>% 
           toupper() %>% 
           str_remove(";.*") %>% 
           str_replace(".*ACT.*", "ACT") %>% 
             str_replace("MESSAGE ", "MESSAGES ") %>%
             str_replace("CONDEMNING.*", "CONDEMNING") %>%
           str_remove_all(" BY .*| UNTIL.*| \\(EXECUTIVE.*")
         )

# top 100 headers
cr_metadata %>% 
  count(subtype, sort = T) %>% 
  head(100) %>% 
  kablebox()

subtype	n
ACT	29254
PERSONAL EXPLANATION	7585
ADJOURNMENT	4314
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE	4097
PRAYER	4004
ANNOUNCEMENT	3815
RECESS	2945
THE JOURNAL	2508
MORNING BUSINESS	2459
SENATE	2438
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	2341
AFTER RECESS	2188
PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS	2107
ADDITIONAL SPONSORS	2069
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, ETC.	2052
ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS	1937
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS	1917
RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME	1753
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS	1749
RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER	1723
LEGISLATIVE SESSION	1716
EARMARK DECLARATION	1643
SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND SENATE RESOLUTIONS	1627
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS	1624
EXECUTIVE SESSION	1583
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS	1579
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT	1552
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS	1523
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE	1511
AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND PROPOSED	1411
TEXT OF AMENDMENTS	1410
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET	1408
MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT	1355
EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS	1333
COMMUNICATION FROM THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE	1229
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES	1186
NOMINATIONS	1132
LEAVE OF ABSENCE	1121
CONCLUSION OF MORNING BUSINESS	1107
MEASURES REFERRED	1024
EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED	1015
SCHEDULE	959
PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR	947
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER	940
PROGRAM	925
MORNING-HOUR DEBATE	912
DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	899
SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS	848
DESIGNATION OF THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	847
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR	745
MEASURES PLACED ON THE CALENDAR	676
HEALTH CARE REFORM	642
OUR UNCONSCIONABLE NATIONAL DEBT	628
HEALTH CARE	618
MEMORIALS	597
MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE	562
CONFIRMATIONS	557
CLOTURE MOTION	522
CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKS, LIMITED TAX BENEFITS, OR LIMITED TARIFF BENEFITS	501
MEASURES READ THE FIRST TIME	490
SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED	482
SPECIAL ORDERS	474
PETITIONS, ETC.	447
ORDER OF PROCEDURE	436
HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES	423
GENERAL LEAVE	419
PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS	409
EXECUTIVE REPORTS OF COMMITTEES	393
ENROLLED BILL SIGNED	357
DELETIONS OF SPONSORS FROM PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS	342
VOTE EXPLANATION	342
ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT	317
NOTICE OF HEARING	316
CONFIRMATION	315
PRIVATE BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS	293
ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED	288
EXECUTIVE REPORTS OF COMMITTEE	284
CONDEMNING	279
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM	276
HOUR OF MEETING ON TOMORROW	274
SENATE BILL REFERRED	252
EXPENDITURE REPORTS CONCERNING OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL	245
OBAMACARE	240
BILLS PRESENTED TO THE PRESIDENT	228
CLIMATE CHANGE	209
NOTICES OF HEARINGS	207
SENATE ENROLLED BILL SIGNED	204
UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT–EXECUTIVE CALENDAR	202
AMENDMENTS	197
APPOINTMENT	192
APPOINTMENTS	190
EXTENSION OF MORNING BUSINESS	183
CORONAVIRUS	181
ENROLLED BILL PRESENTED	179
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE. UNDER A PREVIOUS ORDER OF THE HOUSE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON (MR. DEFAZIO) IS RECOGNIZED FOR 5 MINUTES.	179
GUN VIOLENCE	175
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE. UNDER A PREVIOUS ORDER OF THE HOUSE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON (MR. DEFAZIO) IS RECOGNIZED FOR 5 MINUTES.	173
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION	170
BILL PRESENTED TO THE PRESIDENT	164
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE RECEIVED DURING ADJOURNMENT	157

top10 <- cr_metadata %>% count(subtype, sort = T) %>% .$subtype %>% head(10)

cr_metadata %>% 
  filter(subtype %in% top10) %>% 
  ggplot() + 
  aes(x = date, fill = subtype) +
  geom_bar(width = .9) +
  labs(fill = "Most common topics") + 
  facet_wrap("chamber", ncol = 1, scales = "free")

Most discussed acts

# top 100 headers
cr_metadata %>% 
  filter(str_detect(header, " ACT( |$)")) %>%
  count(header, sort = T) %>% 
  head(100) %>% 
  kablebox()

header	n
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008	28
FARM, NUTRITION, AND BIOENERGY ACT OF 2007	26
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011; Congressional Record Vol. 156, No. 83	26
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 63	23
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY ACT OF 2007	21
PAUL WELLSTONE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2007	21
THE MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT OF 2007	19
EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT	18
HOWARD P. ``BUCK’’ McKEON NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015; Congressional Record Vol. 160, No. 78	18
STEM CELL RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007	18
STUDENT AID AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2009; Congressional Record Vol. 155, No. 132	18
WALL STREET REFORM AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT OF 2009; Congressional Record Vol. 155, No. 186	18
FEDERAL AGRICULTURE REFORM AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2013; Congressional Record Vol. 159, No. 89	17
FISA AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2008	17
FAIR MINIMUM WAGE ACT OF 2007	16
COLLEGE STUDENT RELIEF ACT OF 2007	15
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT OF 2008	15
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013; Congressional Record Vol. 158, No. 72	15
AMERICAN HOUSING RESCUE AND FORECLOSURE PREVENTION ACT OF 2008	14
MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES ON H.R. 2419, FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY ACT OF 2007	14
AMERICA COMPETES ACT	13
CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007	13
FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT	13
HELPING FAMILIES SAVE THEIR HOMES ACT OF 2009; Congressional Record Vol. 155, No. 39	13
MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT OF 2007	13
DUNCAN HUNTER NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009	12
FISA AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2007	12
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014; Congressional Record Vol. 159, No. 85	12
PROTECTING THE MEDICAID SAFETY NET ACT OF 2008	12
TRANSPARENCY IN REGULATORY ANALYSIS OF IMPACTS ON THE NATION ACT OF 2011; Congressional Record Vol. 157, No. 143	12
IMPLEMENTING THE 9/11 COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS ACT OF 2007	11
MEDICARE IMPROVEMENTS FOR PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS ACT OF 2008	11
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010; Congressional Record Vol. 155, No. 98	11
PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT	11
COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM ACT OF 2007	10
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1, IMPLEMENTING RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 9/11 COMMISSION ACT OF 2007	10
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2419, FOOD, CONSERVATION, AND ENERGY ACT OF 2008	10
CREATING LONG-TERM ENERGY ALTERNATIVES FOR THE NATION ACT OF 2007	10
CREDIT CARDHOLDERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS ACT OF 2009; Congressional Record Vol. 155, No. 65	10
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008	10
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012; Congressional Record Vol. 157, No. 75	10
PRENATAL NONDISCRIMINATION ACT (PRENDA) OF 2012; Congressional Record Vol. 158, No. 80	10
UNITED STATES-INDIA NUCLEAR COOPERATION APPROVAL AND NONPROLIFERATION ENHANCEMENT ACT	10
ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTENTION TO OFFER MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES ON H.R. 2419, FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY ACT OF 2007	9
CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND MEDICARE PROTECTION ACT OF 2007	9
COLLEGE COST REDUCTION ACT OF 2007	9
IMPROVING AMERICA’S SECURITY ACT OF 2007	9
LEGISLATIVE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2007	9
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008–Continued	9
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009	9
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017; Congressional Record Vol. 162, No. 79	9
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018; Congressional Record Vol. 163, No. 118	9
RENEWABLE ENERGY AND JOB CREATION ACT OF 2008–MOTION TO PROCEED	9
RESPONSIBLE REDEPLOYMENT FROM IRAQ ACT	9
TARP REFORM AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2009; Congressional Record Vol. 155, No. 12	9
CLIMATE SECURITY ACT	8
COMPREHENSIVE AMERICAN ENERGY SECURITY AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT	8
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4040, CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2008	8
DEVELOPMENT, RELIEF, AND EDUCATION FOR ALIEN MINORS ACT OF 2010; Congressional Record Vol. 156, No. 162	8
EMERGENCY ECONOMIC STABILIZATION ACT OF 2008	8
FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018; Congressional Record Vol. 164, No. 69	8
FEDERAL RAILROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2007	8
HIRE MORE HEROES ACT OF 2015; Congressional Record Vol. 161, No. 165	8
LILLY LEDBETTER FAIR PAY ACT OF 2007	8
MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICE NEGOTIATION ACT OF 2007	8
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014; Congressional Record Vol. 159, No. 86	8
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 117	8
PAUL WELLSTONE AND PETE DOMENICI MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2008	8
RECOVERY REBATES AND ECONOMIC STIMULUS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ACT OF 2008	8
RENEWABLE ENERGY AND JOB CREATION ACT OF 2008	8
TAX RELIEF, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE REAUTHORIZATION, AND JOB CREATION ACT OF 2010; Congressional Record Vol. 156, No. 169	8
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2007	8
ADA AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2008	7
ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2008	7
AMERICA COMPETES REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2010; Congressional Record Vol. 156, No. 72	7
CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007–VETO MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES	7
CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009; Congressional Record Vol. 155, No. 9	7
COAST GUARD AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION ACT OF 2011; Congressional Record Vol. 157, No. 174	7
COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2010; Congressional Record Vol. 155, No. 155	7
CONSOLIDATED NATURAL RESOURCES ACT OF 2008	7
CREDIT CARDHOLDERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS ACT OF 2008	7
EXPANDING AMERICAN HOMEOWNERSHIP ACT OF 2007	7
FARM, NUTRITION, AND BIOENERGY ACT OF 2007–Continued	7
FLOOD INSURANCE REFORM AND MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2007	7
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2007	7
GENETIC INFORMATION NONDISCRIMINATION ACT OF 2007	7
INDIAN HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT ACT AMENDMENTS OF 2007	7
IRAN THREAT REDUCTION ACT OF 2011; Congressional Record Vol. 157, No. 192	7
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013; Congressional Record Vol. 158, No. 71	7
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019; Congressional Record Vol. 164, No. 86	7
NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVISTS DEBT RELIEF ACT OF 2008	7
NEW DIRECTION FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE, NATIONAL SECURITY, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT	7
NEW DIRECTION FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE, NATIONAL SECURITY, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT AND THE RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION TAX ACT OF 2007	7
NICS IMPROVEMENT AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2007	7
NUCLEAR IRAN PREVENTION ACT OF 2013; Congressional Record Vol. 159, No. 113	7
PASSPORT BACKLOG REDUCTION ACT OF 2007	7
PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE COOPERATION ACT OF 2007	7
RECONCILIATION ACT OF 2010; Congressional Record Vol. 156, No. 47	7
RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS TREATMENT EXTENSION ACT OF 2009; Congressional Record Vol. 155, No. 154	7
THE MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT	7

top10 <- cr_metadata %>% 
  filter(str_detect(header, " ACT( |$)")) %>%
  count(header, sort = T) %>% .$header %>% head(10)

cr_metadata %>% 
  filter(header %in% top10) %>% 
  mutate(header = header %>% str_remove(";.*")) %>%
  ggplot() + 
  aes(x = factor(year), fill = header) +
  geom_bar(width = .9) +
  labs(fill = "Most discussed acts",
       x = "Year") + 
  facet_wrap("chamber", ncol = 1, scales = "free_y") 

Text features

cr <- list.files("/Users/devin/cr_bulk/data/htm")

d <- tibble(file = cr,
       date = str_extract(cr, "[0-9]{4}-[0-9]{2}-[0-9]{2}") %>% 
         as.Date)

#FIXME
d %<>% filter(date > as.Date("2019-03-01"),
              date < as.Date("2019-03-09"))


d %<>% mutate(url = str_c("https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/", 
                          date %>% str_replace_all("-", "/"), 
                          "/modified/", 
                          file))
#/FIXME

# a function to grab sentences with keywords
keyword_sentence <- function(file, word){
  text <- read_lines(str_c("/Users/devin/cr_bulk/data/htm/", file)) %>% 
    str_c(collapse = " ") %>% 
    str_squish()
  
  if( str_detect(text, regex(word, ignore_case = T) ) ){
     text %<>%
      enframe(name = NULL, value = "text") %>%
      unnest_tokens(sentence, text, token = "sentences") %>% 
      filter(str_detect(sentence, word)) %>% 
      .$sentence %>% 
      str_c(collapse = "...")
  } else {
    text <- "NA"
  }
    
  return(text)
}

## test 
# keyword_sentence(d$file[1], "speaker")

Sentences containing “speaker” on 2019-03-08

(a good test because most speaches in the House address the speaker)

d %>% 
  filter(date == max(d$date) ) %>% 
  mutate(sentence = map_chr(file, .f = keyword_sentence, word = "speaker") ) %>%
  select(date, sentence, url) %>% kablebox()

date	sentence	url
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to recognize and applaud erica bassett for receiving the arvada wheat ridge service ambassadors for youth award.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE271-2.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to recognize ms….madam speaker, i urge my colleagues to join me in commending and congratulating ms.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE271-3.htm
2019-03-08	delauro, madam speaker, i rise to honor late congressman walter jones, jr.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE271-4.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to recognize and applaud zekariya bearce for receiving the arvada wheat ridge service ambassadors for youth award.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE271-5.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise to congratulate the educators serving in the prince william county public schools division on obtaining certification or recertification by the national board for professional teaching standards….morgan, professional development ashley abraham, brentsville district high school kristen augsburger, battlefield high school madam speaker, i ask that my colleagues join me in commending these teachers for their commitment to education, professional development, and the students of prince william county public schools.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE271-6.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to recognize and applaud lorenzo becerra for receiving the arvada wheat ridge service ambassadors for youth award.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE272-2.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to honor and remember the life of jay a.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE272-3.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE272-4.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to recognize and applaud jayla boiter for receiving the arvada wheat ridge service ambassadors for youth award.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE272-5.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today proud of the passage of h.r. 1–the ‘for the people act.’	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE272.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to recognize and applaud tydarrien bostic for receiving the arvada wheat ridge service ambassadors for youth award.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE273-2.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise to recognize the incoming 2019 officers of the occoquan-woodbridge-lorton volunteer fire department….madam speaker, i ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the men and women of the occoquan-woodbridge-lorton volunteer fire department for their service to our country and steadfast commitment to their community and in congratulating the newly-elected officers and board members.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE273-3.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, fifty-four years ago, in selma, alabama, hundreds of heroic souls risked their lives for freedom and to secure the right to vote for all americans by their participation in marches for voting rights on bloody sunday,''turnaround tuesday,’’ or the final, completed march–from selma to montgomery….madam speaker, what is so moving, heroic, and awe-inspiring is that the foot soldiers of selma faced their heavily armed adversaries fortified only by their love for their country and for each other and their audacious faith in a righteous cause….madam speaker, in the face of unspeakable hostility, violence, brutality, and hatred, the foot soldiers of selma would not be deterred–would not be moved–would not be turned around….madam speaker, in the wake of the supreme court’s 2013 ruling in shelby county v.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE273-4.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i missed votes on monday, march 5.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE273.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to commemorate the two hundredth anniversary of the first steuben county fair.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE274-2.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today in support of h.r….madam speaker, voting is the very cornerstone of our democracy.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE274-3.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to recognize and applaud elijah burk for receiving the arvada wheat ridge service ambassadors for youth award.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE274-4.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise to recognize the tysons regional chamber of commerce and to congratulate the incoming 2019 board members….madam speaker, i ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the incoming board members and in commending the tysons regional chamber of commerce for its commitment to promoting the business community while encouraging social responsibility and civic engagement.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE274-5.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to recognize and applaud shohzodakhon burhonova for receiving the arvada wheat ridge service ambassadors for youth award.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE274.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to recognize and applaud mary bernadette chambers for receiving the arvada wheat ridge service ambassadors for youth award.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE275-2.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to celebrate the life of richard chisolm, who passed away on monday, march 4th.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE275-3.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise to recognize the vienna business association (vba) and to congratulate the incoming members of the 2019 board of directors….madam speaker, i ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the incoming board members and in commending the vienna business association for their commitment to promoting the business community while encouraging social responsibility.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE275-4.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to express my excitement about the passage of h.r.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE275.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, the american legion is the largest veterans service organization in the united states.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE276-2.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, today i rise to honor steve sanders of the woodlands, texas in recognition of his dedication and service to our community and the state of texas.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE276-3.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to recognize and applaud ashley coria for receiving the arvada wheat ridge service ambassadors for youth award.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE276-4.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to recognize the nominees for the 2018-2019 prince william county public schools teacher of the year award….madam speaker, i ask that my colleagues join me in commending the nominees for the prince william county public schools 2018-2019 teacher of the year award and in thanking them for their dedication to our children.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE276-5.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to recognize and applaud kristine chavoya-olivas for receiving the arvada wheat ridge service ambassadors for youth award.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE276.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to recognize and honor the vietnam veterans of america (vva) from chapter 17 in las vegas, nevada.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE277-2.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise to recognize chairman/ceo roger krone and the 32,000 employees of leidos on the occasion of the company’s 50th anniversary….[[page e278]] madam speaker, i ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating leidos on this momentous occasion and in wishing them great success in all their future endeavors.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE277-3.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, today, congress made clear that there is no place for anti-semitic, anti-muslim, or any other hate-based rhetoric in america.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE277.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, this weekend i will have the pleasure and honor of paying tribute to pastor michael pender on the 25th anniversary of his having assumed the pastorship of fallbrook church in houston, texas.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE278.htm
2019-03-08	doctype html public “-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en” "http://www.w3.org/tr/rec-html40/loose.dtd">; <html><body><pre> [page h2589] from the congressional record online through the government publishing office [<a href="https://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>;] designation of the speaker pro tempore the speaker pro tempore laid before the house the following communication from the speaker: washington, dc, march 8, 2019….i hereby appoint the honorable diana degette to act as speaker pro tempore on this day….nancy pelosi, speaker of the house of representatives. ____________________ </pre></body></html>	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2589-2.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2589-3.htm
2019-03-08	doctype html public “-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en” "http://www.w3.org/tr/rec-html40/loose.dtd">; <html><body><pre> [page h2589] from the congressional record online through the government publishing office [<a href="https://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>;] the journal the speaker pro tempore….madam speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule i, i demand a vote on agreeing to the speaker’s approval of the journal….the speaker pro tempore….the question is on the speaker’s approval of the journal….the question was taken; and the speaker pro tempore announced that the ayes appeared to have it….madam speaker, i object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present….the speaker pro tempore.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2589-4.htm
2019-03-08	doctype html public “-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en” "http://www.w3.org/tr/rec-html40/loose.dtd">; <html><body><pre> [page h2589] from the congressional record online through the government publishing office [<a href="https://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>;] pledge of allegiance the speaker pro tempore.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2589-5.htm
2019-03-08	doctype html public “-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en” "http://www.w3.org/tr/rec-html40/loose.dtd">; <html><body><pre> [page h2589] from the congressional record online through the government publishing office [<a href="https://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>;] announcement by the speaker pro tempore the speaker pro tempore.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2589-6.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i am pleased and proud to stand here in support of h.r. 1, but i am especially proud that h.r. 1 contains the redistricting reform act, legislation that was introduced by representatives lofgren, brownley, and myself.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2589-7.htm
2019-03-08	its next meeting will be held on monday, march 11, 2019, at 3 p.m. ———————————————————————– house of representatives friday, march 8, 2019 the house met at 9 a.m. and was called to order by the speaker pro tempore (ms.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2589.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today in support of h.r. 1 so that more americans can exercise their right to vote.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2590-2.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, last congress, the judiciary committee interviewed multiple doj and fbi officials about their actions regarding the 2016 elections….madam speaker, to avoid burdening gpo with a 200-page transcript, i include in the record the link <a href="http://www.dougcollins.house.gov/ohr">www.dougcollins.house.gov/ohr</a>; so the american people can review the transcript of bruce ohr.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2590-3.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, we are delivering a major victory for american families today, a victory for transparency, integrity, and accountability in our democracy….madam speaker, the american people sent us here to clean up the mess in washington.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2590-4.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to honor peter e.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2590-5.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today on international women’s day to honor a woman who has been a pillar of strength in my community during a particularly difficult time.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2590-6.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, 58 years ago this week, president john f….madam speaker, for 58 years, the united states peace corps has provided thousands of americans with that greater purpose. ____________________ </pre></body></html>	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2590.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, i rise today to congratulate the mcfarland high school girls basketball team.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2591-2.htm
2019-03-08	madam speaker, today i raise my objection to h.r. 1, the so-called for the people act.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2591-3.htm
2019-03-08	doctype html public “-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en” "http://www.w3.org/tr/rec-html40/loose.dtd">; <html><body><pre> [pages h2591-h2602] from the congressional record online through the government publishing office [<a href="https://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>;] for the people act of 2019 the speaker pro tempore (ms….madam chair, i don’t have the best nickelback lyrics to introduce my next speaker, but i yield 1 minute to the gentleman from california (mr….madam speaker, i thank the ranking member for his work and his love of music….madam speaker, the american public need to understand, when you become the majority, you reserve 1 through 10 of the numbering of bills, and you want to make your number one bill the most important thing you do for america today….house administration is selected just by two people: the speaker and the leader….the speaker and the leader….do you know how many the democrats on the other side that the speaker selected, those six members–they didn’t vote for one of them….i guess the speaker selected the right people for the house administration….it is kind of interesting to me the only committee you would pick to mark it up is the one chosen by the speaker….accordingly, the committee rose; and the speaker pro tempore (ms….the speaker pro tempore….the speaker pro tempore….madam speaker, i have a motion to recommit at the desk….the speaker pro tempore….the speaker pro tempore….madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that the reading be dispensed with….the speaker pro tempore….the speaker pro tempore….the speaker pro tempore….madam speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill….madam speaker, this is a simple affirmation….madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. {time} 1100 ms….madam speaker, i claim the time in opposition….the speaker pro tempore….madam speaker, h.r. 1 already prevents noncitizens from voting in federal elections, whether they are here lawfully or undocumented….madam speaker, i yield to the gentleman from new york (mr….madam speaker, i rise today in opposition to this motion….madam speaker, may i ask how much time remains….the speaker pro tempore….at this point, madam speaker, i yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from georgia (mr….madam speaker, i believe in the way of peace, in the way of love….madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time….the speaker pro tempore….the speaker pro tempore….the question was taken; and the speaker pro tempore announced that the noes appeared to have it….madam speaker, on that i demand the yeas and nays….the speaker pro tempore….pursuant to clause 9 of rule xx, this 5- minute vote on the motion to recommit will be followed by 5-minute votes on: passage of the bill, if ordered; and agreeing to the speaker’s approval of the journal, if ordered….matsui mcadams [[page h2602]] mccollum mceachin mcgovern mcnerney meeks meng moore morelle moulton mucarsel-powell murphy nadler napolitano neal neguse norcross o’halleran ocasio-cortez omar pallone panetta pappas pascrell payne pelosi perlmutter peters peterson phillips pingree pocan porter pressley price (nc) quigley raskin rice (ny) richmond rose (ny) rouda roybal-allard ruiz ruppersberger rush ryan sanchez sarbanes scanlon schakowsky schiff schneider schrier scott (va) scott, david serrano sewell (al) shalala sherman sherrill sires slotkin smith (wa) soto spanberger speier stanton stevens suozzi swalwell (ca) takano thompson (ca) thompson (ms) titus tlaib tonko torres (ca) torres small (nm) trahan trone underwood vargas veasey vela velazquez visclosky wasserman schultz waters watson coleman welch wexton wild wilson (fl) yarmuth not voting–7 clay crawford dunn maloney, sean rodgers (wa) rogers (al) stivers announcement by the speaker pro tempore the speaker pro tempore (during the vote)….madam speaker, had i been present, i would have voted yea'' on rollcall no....the speaker pro tempore....the question was taken; and the speaker pro tempore announced that the ayes appeared to have it....madam speaker, on that i demand the yeas and nays....the speaker pro tempore. </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2591-4.htm </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:left;"> 2019-03-08 </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> madam speaker, i rise today to commemorate a tradition that has come to define a small town in rural florida. </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2591.htm </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:left;"> 2019-03-08 </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en" "http://www.w3.org/tr/rec-html40/loose.dtd"&gt; &lt;html&gt;&lt;body&gt;&lt;pre&gt; [page h2602] from the congressional record online through the government publishing office [&lt;a href="https://www.gpo.gov"&gt;www.gpo.gov&lt;/a&gt;] the journal the speaker pro tempore....pursuant to clause 8 of rule xx, the unfinished business is the question on agreeing to the speaker's approval of the journal, which the chair will put de novo....the question is on the speaker's approval of the journal. </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2602-2.htm </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:left;"> 2019-03-08 </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that the committee on the judiciary be discharged from further consideration of h.r. 962, the born-alive abortion survivors protection act, and ask for its immediate consideration in the house....the speaker pro tempore....under guidelines consistently issued by successive speakers, as recorded in section 956 of the house rules and manual, the chair is constrained not to entertain this request unless it has been cleared by the bipartisan floor and committee leaderships....madam speaker, if this unanimous consent request cannot be entertained, i urge the speaker and [[page h2603]] the majority leader to immediately schedule this bill....the speaker pro tempore. </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2602-3.htm </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:left;"> 2019-03-08 </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en" "http://www.w3.org/tr/rec-html40/loose.dtd"&gt; &lt;html&gt;&lt;body&gt;&lt;pre&gt; [page h2602] from the congressional record online through the government publishing office [&lt;a href="https://www.gpo.gov"&gt;www.gpo.gov&lt;/a&gt;] announcement by the speaker pro tempore the speaker pro tempore. </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2602.htm </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:left;"> 2019-03-08 </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> speaker, i yield to the gentleman from maryland (mr....speaker, i thank the gentleman for yielding....speaker, i yield to the gentleman from louisiana (mr....speaker, i thank both the majority leader and the minority whip for yielding me time....speaker, i thank the majority leader for allowing me to say a few words....speaker, i thank the gentleman for his comments....speaker, if i may reclaim my time from the majority leader....speaker, i do also want to thank virgil for his time and his service to the house for so long and to work so closely with my friend, cedric richmond, but also with the entire louisiana delegation....speaker, while we will miss virgil, i wish him well on his new life ahead, a lot of exciting times....speaker, i yield to the gentleman from maryland (mr....speaker, on monday, the house will meet at 12 p.m. for morning- hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business, with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m....we did not see a single open rule, not one under speaker ryan, not one....speaker, i yield to the gentleman from maryland (mr....speaker, let me say i reject out of hand the premise that we didn't speak directly to anti-semitism in the resolution that was adopted yesterday, period....speaker....speaker, for the house of representatives....speaker....speaker, that i was here when we considered mccain-feingold and the republican leadership in the house and the senate both said:you don’t need caps….speaker, if we talk about h.r. 1, what the gentleman fails to mention is that bill gives billions of dollars of taxpayer money to politicians….speaker, i will yield on that point, but i would like to make the point that the minority leader has been very vocal against anti-semitism, and i just wanted to make sure that the gentleman wasn’t inferring anything different in his comments….speaker, why in his comment did he mention three americans of jewish descent but didn’t mention the koch brothers, and by the way, didn’t mention the gentleman from nevada?…speaker, i thank the gentleman for yielding….speaker, we appreciate the diversity that we have….speaker, i thank the gentleman for his yielding and his comments….speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. ____________________ </pre></body></html>	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2603.htm
2019-03-08	speaker, i first want to acknowledge the passing of a dear friend, congressman ralph hall, who was a great leader and a great texan….speaker, to ensure that the american people know what we did this week; and that is condemning anti-semitism as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contradictory to the values and aspirations that define the united states of america….speaker, this is an important statement, and i am glad to have been associated with it.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2607-2.htm
2019-03-08	speaker, i rise today to recognize the life and legacy of the late joe steele, the founder of steele canning company in arkansas.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2607-3.htm
2019-03-08	speaker, i ask unanimous consent that when the house adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on monday next, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business….the speaker pro tempore (mr.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2607.htm
2019-03-08	speaker, senator louis pate, of mount olive, north carolina, recently retired from the north carolina general assembly after more than 16 years of serving the great people of eastern north carolina.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2608-2.htm
2019-03-08	speaker, i rise today to celebrate the historic vote the house took to strengthen our democracy.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2608-3.htm
2019-03-08	speaker, i rise to express my condolences on the recent passing of a true public servant from my district, greene county sheriff, brian tennant.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2608-4.htm
2019-03-08	speaker, wednesday marked the seventh anniversary of the death of my father, the late congressman donald payne….speaker, when people use medicare to get colonoscopies, they are hit with an unexpected bill if polyps are removed.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2608-5.htm
2019-03-08	speaker, i rise today in recognition of coach mike guzzo of silver bay, minnesota, for impacting the lives of countless young athletes across the great state of northern minnesota.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2608-6.htm
2019-03-08	speaker, last weekend members of congress traveled to alabama for a civil rights pilgrimage….speaker, 54 years ago yesterday, congressman lewis was on that same bridge with hundreds of other brave americans young and old.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2608.htm
2019-03-08	speaker, it is with a heavy heart that i rise today to mourn the loss of my friend, kyle forti….speaker, as a young man, kyle was one of the first to believe in me as i began running for public office.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2609-2.htm
2019-03-08	speaker, on behalf of nevada’s third congressional district, i rise today to congratulate the robotics teams at nate mack elementary and greenspun junior high school for advancing to the vex global robotics competition.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2609-3.htm
2019-03-08	francis graham the speaker pro tempore….under the speaker’s announced policy of january 3, 2019, the gentleman from texas (mr….speaker, i rise today to honor dr….speaker, frank’s life was defined by his service to his family, to our country, and to our community….speaker, i rise today to honor jack restivo of bryan, texas, who passed away on march 1, 2019….speaker, jack’s life was defined by his service to his family, to our country, to texas a&amp;m, and to our central texas communities….speaker, i rise today to honor john paul fritz of college station, texas, who passed away on january 8, 2019….speaker, john paul’s life was defined by his service to his family and to our country….speaker, i rise today to honor red cashion of college station, texas, who passed away on february 10, 2019….in 1990, red served as the campus muster speaker….speaker, red’s life was defined by his service to his family, to our country, to the brazos valley, and to texas a&amp;m university….speaker, i rise today to honor dr….speaker, i rise today to honor dr….speaker, i rise today to honor dr….speaker, jim’s life was defined by his service to his family, to his students, to our country, and to texas a&amp;m university….speaker, i rise today to honor ed berry of bryan, texas, who passed away on february 24, 2019….speaker, ed’s life was defined by his service to his family, to texas, to our country, and to god….speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. ____________________ </pre></body></html>	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2609-4.htm
2019-03-08	speaker, in light of the undeniable spikes in hate speech and hate crimes and conversations we have had in the house over the past few days, i rise today in memory of ari halberstam, a young neighbor of mine whose life was taken 25 years ago this week when anti-semitic hatred morphed into terrorism….speaker, we must confront hatred in all of its manifestations, be it anti-semitic attacks that took our beloved ari’s life or the hate- fueled neo-nazi march through charlottesville that took the life of heather heyer.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2609.htm
2019-03-08	speaker, i rise today to honor dr….speaker, jim’s life was defined by his service to his family, to his students, to our country, and to texas a&amp;m university….speaker, i rise today to honor ed berry of bryan, texas, who passed away on february 24, 2019….speaker, ed’s life was defined by his service to his family, to texas, to our country, and to god….speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. ____________________ </pre></body></html>	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2611.htm
2019-03-08	speaker, i move that the house do now adjourn.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2612-2.htm
2019-03-08	under clause 2 of rule xiv, executive communications were taken from the speaker’s table and referred as follows: 361.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2612-3.htm
2019-03-08	doctype html public “-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en” "http://www.w3.org/tr/rec-html40/loose.dtd">; <html><body><pre> [page h2612] from the congressional record online through the government publishing office [<a href="https://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>;] issues of the day the speaker pro tempore….under the speaker’s announced policy of january 3, 2019, the gentleman from texas (mr….speaker, i was listening to the colloquy earlier….speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. ____________________ </pre></body></html>	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2612.htm
2019-03-08	a bill to authorize actions with respect to foreign countries engaged in illicit trade in tobacco products or their precursors, and for other purposes; to the committee on foreign affairs, and in addition to the committee on the judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned….a bill to require the secretary of health and human services to improve the detection, prevention, and treatment of mental health issues among public safety officers, and for other purposes; to the committee on energy and commerce, and in addition to the committee on science, space, and technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned….a bill to ensure that the united states recognizes women’s varied roles in all aspects of violent extremism and terrorism and promotes their meaningful participation as full partners in all efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism and terrorism, and for other purposes; to the committee on foreign affairs, and in addition to the committee on armed services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned….a bill to amend title 44, united states code, to modernize the federal register, and for other purposes; to the committee on oversight and reform, and in addition to the committee on the budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned….a bill to provide for enhanced penalties for certain offenses relating to controlled substances containing fentanyl, and for other purposes; to the committee on the judiciary, and in addition to the committee on energy and commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned….a bill to amend title xviii of the social security act to facilitate the transition to medicare for individuals enrolled in group health plans, and for other purposes; to the committee on energy and commerce, and in addition to the committee on ways and means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2613.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2614.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-10.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-11.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-12.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-13.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-14.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-15.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-16.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-17.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-18.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-19.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-2.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-20.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-21.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-22.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-23.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-24.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-25.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-3.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-4.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-5.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-6.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-7.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-8.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615-9.htm
2019-03-08	NA	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2615.htm

---

Sentences containing “census” between 2019-03-04 and 2019-03-08

d %>% mutate(sentence = map_chr(file, .f = keyword_sentence, word = "census") ) %>%
  filter(sentence != "NA") %>% 
  select(date, sentence, url) %>% kablebox()

date	sentence	url
2019-03-05	rule 6–subcommittees; referrals (a)(1) there shall be five subcommittees of the committee, with appropriate party ratios, as follows: (a) subcommittee on civil rights and civil liberties, which has oversight jurisdiction over: issues related to civil rights, civil liberties and the equal protection of laws, including voting rights, freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly; equal employment; nondisclosure agreements; and criminal justice reform policies; and legislative and oversight jurisdiction over the census bureau and the census.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/05/modified/CREC-2019-03-05-pt1-PgH2353.htm
2019-03-06	in the 114th congress, i introduced h.r. 75, the coretta scott king mid-decade redistricting prohibition act of 2015, which prohibits states whose congressional districts have been redistricted after a decennial census from redrawing their district lines until the next census….in the 114th congress, i introduced h.r. 75, the coretta scott king mid-decade redistricting prohibition act of 2015, which prohibits states whose congressional districts have been redistricted after a decennial census from redrawing their district lines until the next census….(2) voting age population percentage defined.–in paragraph (1), the voting age population percentage'' for a state is the quotient of-- (a) the voting age population of the state (as determined on the basis of the most recent information available from the bureau of the census); and (b) the total voting age population of all states (as determined on the basis of the most recent information available from the bureau of the census). (d) reports to congress.-- (1) reports by recipients of grants.--not later than 6 months after the date on which the final grant is made under this section, each recipient of a grant shall submit a report to the commission on the activities conducted with the funds provided by the grant....requiring congressional redistricting to be conducted through plan of independent state commission. (a) use of plan required.--notwithstanding any other provision of law, and except as provided in subsection (c), any congressional redistricting conducted by a state shall be conducted in accordance with-- (1) the redistricting plan developed and enacted into law by the independent redistricting commission established in the state, in accordance with part 2; or (2) if a plan developed by such commission is not enacted into law, the redistricting plan developed and enacted into law by a 3-judge court, in accordance with section 2421. (b) conforming amendment.--section 22(c) of the act entitledan act to provide for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and to provide for an apportionment of representatives in congress’‘, approved june 18, 1929 (2 u.s.c. 2a(c)), is amended by striking in the manner provided by the law thereof'' and inserting:in the manner provided by the redistricting reform act of 2019’‘. (c) special rule for existing commissions.–subsection (a) does not apply to any state in which, under law in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this act, congressional redistricting is carried out in accordance with a plan developed and approved by an independent redistricting commission which is in compliance with each of the following requirements: (1) publicly available application process.–membership on the commission is open to citizens of the state through a publicly available application process….a state that has been redistricted in accordance with this subtitle and a state described in section 2401(c) may not be redistricted again until after the next apportionment of representatives under section 22(a) of the act entitled an act to provide for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and to provide for an apportionment of representatives in congress'', approved june 18, 1929 (2 u.s.c. 2a), unless a court requires the state to conduct such subsequent redistricting to comply with the constitution of the united states, the voting rights act of 1965 (52 u.s.c. 10301 et seq.), the constitution of the state, or the terms or conditions of this subtitle....(4) enactment.--the final redistricting plan developed and published under this subsection shall be deemed to be enacted into law if-- (a) the plan is approved by a majority of the whole membership of the commission; and (b) at least one member of the commission appointed from each of the categories of the approved selection pool described in section 2412(b)(1) approves the plan. (e) written evaluation of plan against external metrics.-- the independent redistricting commission shall include with each redistricting plan developed and published under this section a written evaluation that measures each such plan against external metrics which cover the criteria set forth in paragraph (1) of subsection (a), including the impact of the plan on the ability of communities of color to elect candidates of choice, measures of partisan fairness using multiple accepted methodologies, and the degree to which the plan preserves or divides communities of interest. (f) timing.--the independent redistricting commission of a state may begin its work on the redistricting plan of the state upon receipt of relevant population information from the bureau of the census, and shall approve a final redistricting plan for the state in each year ending in the numeral one not later than 8 months after the date on which the state receives the state apportionment notice or october 1, whichever occurs later....in this subtitle, thestate apportionment notice’’ means, with respect to a state, the notice sent to the state from the clerk of the house of representatives under section 22(b) of the act entitled an act to provide for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and to provide for an apportionment of representatives in congress'', approved june 18, 1929 (2 u.s.c. 2a), of the number of representatives to which the state is entitled....this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle shall apply with respect to redistricting carried out pursuant to the decennial census conducted during 2020 or any succeeding decennial census. </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/06/modified/CREC-2019-03-06-pt1-PgH2390-3.htm </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:left;"> 2019-03-06 </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> he defended president trump's travel ban, led efforts to end daca, supported the inclusion of a citizenship question on the 2020 census, suggested that the structure of the cfpb was unconstitutional, and argued that businesses should be able to refuse services to same-sex couples. </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/06/modified/CREC-2019-03-06-pt1-PgS1682.htm </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:left;"> 2019-03-07 </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> the trump administration has only made matters worse by damaging our democracy and institutions--from elections to the census to the free press....yet the trump administration cited its need to enforce the vra as its justification for adding an untested citizenship question to the 2020 census--a justification that a federal judge recently found to be pretextual and unlawful....section 141 of title 13, united states code, is amended (1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and (2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:(g)(1) effective beginning with the 2020 decennial census of population, in taking any tabulation of total population by states under subsection (a) for purposes of the apportionment of representatives in congress among the several states, the secretary shall, with respect to an individual incarcerated in a state, federal, county, or municipal correctional center as of the date on which such census is taken, attribute such individual to such individual’s last place of residence before incarceration….starting this decennial census, this amendment would require persons who are incarcerated in correctional facilities to be counted as a resident of their last place of residence before incarceration….there is only one constitutional mandate as it pertains to the census: the federal government must count all persons present in the country at the time of the census….this amendment is about the census, and my biggest concern goes back to, again, this bill was not even marked up in the oversight and reform committee….this amendment also could upend a foundational principle of the census….since 1790, the census has been counting people at their usual residences on census day….who is to say that somebody who lives at charles manson’s old home, a relative, doesn’t write him down on the census form, too….i remember in 1990, i filled out a little census form in mills hall at millikin university in decatur, illinois, to be counted as part of the census….counting one population differently than other similarly situated populations only serves to decrease the accuracy of the census….the census count is actually about apportionment that state legislatures use to draw new lines, or independent commissions use to draw new congressional lines, state legislative lines….the census bureau works with states to provide detailed data about prison populations that would allow the states to redistrict however the state chooses….you may be counted in the census at your university dorm, but you can also vote from your university dorm….madam chair, i would just like to add, in 2016 when the census in the federal register asked for comment on this, 77,000 people did comment….so this is a much better and more accurate way to have a census.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/07/modified/CREC-2019-03-07-pt1-PgH2515-5.htm
2019-03-07	in november 2018, the people of michigan overwhelmingly passed voters not politicians, a ballot initiative that sets up a nonpartisan redistricting commission to create state legislative and congressional districts after the 2020 census.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/07/modified/CREC-2019-03-07-pt1-PgH2555.htm

---

Sentences containing “redistrict” “efficiency gap” or “gerrymander” between 2019-03-04 and 2019-03-08

d %>% mutate(sentence = map_chr(file, .f = keyword_sentence, word = "redistrict|gerrymander|efficiency gap") ) %>%
  filter(sentence != "NA") %>% 
  select(date, sentence, url) %>% kablebox()

date	sentence	url
2019-03-05	it will ensure every american can cast a ballot, end partisan gerrymandering, and reduce the influence of the ultrawealthy, corporations, and special interests.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/05/modified/CREC-2019-03-05-pt1-PgH2342-5.htm
2019-03-06	i was tired of watching dark money grow, gerrymandering polarize our politics, and the american people pushed aside.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/06/modified/CREC-2019-03-06-pt1-PgH2377-7.htm
2019-03-06	we are voting on h.r. 1, transformational legislation that will finally put the power back in the hands of the american people, by toughening federal ethics laws, fixing the broken campaign finance system, and strengthening voting rights, including two bills that i have worked on with my colleagues to end partisan gerrymandering and requiring same-day voter registration.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/06/modified/CREC-2019-03-06-pt1-PgH2378-3.htm
2019-03-06	our elections are not free when americans must choose between providing for their families and casting a vote; our elections are not fair when gerrymandering predetermines them or dark money makes some votes count more than others; and our people do not have a voice when they are turned away by voter id laws that make it easier to buy a gun than cast a vote….h.r. 1 changes that, taking a stand against citizens united, resolving to end gerrymandering, and making it far easier for americans to vote.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/06/modified/CREC-2019-03-06-pt1-PgH2378-4.htm
2019-03-06	i haven’t met a single person, republican or democrat, who thinks it is [[page h2379]] just fine for members of congress to serve on corporate boards or for presidents to hide their tax returns, or anyone who is pleased with partisan gerrymandering or who is happy that we have done nothing to secure our elections from foreign hacking since 2016.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/06/modified/CREC-2019-03-06-pt1-PgH2378-6.htm
2019-03-06	we have a system of gerrymandering where in many parts of the country today, voters don’t choose their politicians, politicians choose their voters.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/06/modified/CREC-2019-03-06-pt1-PgH2379-2.htm
2019-03-06	this legislation will end partisan gerrymandering by creating independent redistricting commissions, letting the voters choose the politicians, not the politicians choosing their voters.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/06/modified/CREC-2019-03-06-pt1-PgH2379-4.htm
2019-03-06	in recent years, we have seen new forms of voter suppression emerge, whether in the guise of strict voter id laws, purges of voting rolls, partisan gerrymandering, or unfounded allegations of voter fraud….in fact, several of us in the pennsylvania delegation were able to join this congress in part because a federal court ordered that pennsylvania’s congressional districts had been so gerrymandered that they must be redrawn, they were unconstitutional….currently, states have the authority to determine how they want to structure their own elections, including voter registration, timing, and even redistricting….speaker, i would also point out that, in the case of redistricting, if the state cannot reach a resolution, h.r. 1 hands over the redistricting function to an unelected federal court here in washington, d.c….they slashed communities across our state through partisan gerrymandering….this legislation is anti-gerrymandering legislation….this legislation says that every state in the union will have to have an independent redistricting commission….amazingly, they embrace the title of being the gerrymander party….they want to keep gerrymandering because that is how they maintain their stranglehold on political power….the whole purpose of h.r. 1 is to liberate us from the gerrymandering of our elections….that is why we start with independent redistricting commissions….not only that, it is mandating to the states how they should run redistricting….now, in the state of arizona, the voters of arizona set up a redistricting commission and determined how it should be run….you are for gerrymandering?	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/06/modified/CREC-2019-03-06-pt1-PgH2379-5.htm
2019-03-06	h.r. 1 will reform redistricting to ensure fairness in the process to guard against partisanship and respect communities of interest….it is a comprehensive, once-in-a- generation blueprint for reforming our democratic [[page h2393]] system, ranging from gerrymandering to voter suppression, and voting rights to the dominance of unaccountable big money in our politics….it ends partisan gerrymandering, but in particular, it focuses on opportunities for voting….make it easier, not harder, to vote by implementing automatic voter registration, requiring early voting and vote by mail, committing congress to reauthorizing the voting rights act and ensuring the integrity of our elections by modernizing and strengthening our voting systems and ending partisan redistricting….in the 114th congress, i introduced h.r. 75, the coretta scott king mid-decade redistricting prohibition act of 2015, which prohibits states whose congressional districts have been redistricted after a decennial census from redrawing their district lines until the next census….prejudiced redistricting, or gerrymandering as it is more commonly known, has been used for decades to weaken the voting power of african americans, latino americans, and other minorities since the civil rights era….immediately after the shelby county ruling, which lifted preclearance requirements for states with histories of discrimination seeking to change their voting laws or practices, redistricting became a favorite tool for republicans who connived to unfairly gain 3 congressional seats in texas….employing targeted redistricting techniques to dilute minority voting strength, notably cracking'' (i.e., fragmenting and dispersing concentrations of minority populations);stacking’’ (combining concentrations of minority voters with greater concentrations of white populations); and packing'' (i.e., over-concentrating minority voters in as few districts as possible)....first, it includes real national redistricting reform....now, we have got a number of court cases that have turned around redistricting in north carolina, in pennsylvania, in texas, and in some other states as well....but i have always said that, in order to be successful, redistricting reform cannot be done on a state-by-state basis; and the constitution, of course, says that congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations so that we have fair--they don't have to do this for state elections....h.r. 1, the for the people act, achieves this by requiring a nonpartisan redistricting commission to oversee the process in every state....iowa, california, or arizona will have a fair redistricting process....the independent arizona redistricting commission in arizona, passed by the voters, upheld by the united states supreme court, and guess what....that redistricting commission produced, actually, a democratic majority, so we have a blue majority in the house now....it is going to be taken out of the hands of the state and put in the hands of the federal government. {time} 1630 that is a violation of the constitution and the spirit of electoral law and redistricting throughout the country....much has been said about elements of this, but one of the things that i think is very important is the federal congressional redistricting provisions....that is gerrymandering....it requires all states to establish independent redistricting commissions for the purpose of developing and enacting congressional redistricting plans....make it easier, not harder, to vote by implementing automatic voter registration, requiring early voting and vote by mail, committing congress to reauthorizing the voting rights act and ensuring the integrity of our elections by modernizing and strengthening our voting systems and ending partisan redistricting....in the 114th congress, i introduced h.r. 75, the coretta scott king mid-decade redistricting prohibition act of 2015, which prohibits states whose congressional districts have been redistricted after a decennial census from redrawing their district lines until the next census....prejudiced redistricting, or gerrymandering as it is more commonly known, has been used for decades to weaken the voting power of african americans, latino americans, and other minorities since the civil rights era....immediately after the shelby county ruling, which lifted preclearance requirements for states with histories of discrimination seeking to change their voting laws or practices, redistricting became a favorite tool for republicans who connived to unfairly gain 3 congressional seats in texas....employing targeted redistricting techniques to dilute minority voting strength, notablycracking’’ (i.e., fragmenting and dispersing concentrations of minority populations); stacking'' (combining concentrations of minority voters with greater concentrations of white populations); andpacking’’ (i.e., over-concentrating minority voters in as few districts as possible)….subtitle e–redistricting reform sec….part 1–requirements for congressional redistricting sec….requiring congressional redistricting to be conducted through plan of independent state commission….ban on mid-decade redistricting….part 2–independent redistricting commissions sec….independent redistricting commission….criteria for redistricting plan by independent commission; public notice and input….part 3–role of courts in development of redistricting plans sec….special rule for redistricting conducted under order of federal court….payments to states for carrying out redistricting….subtitle e–redistricting reform sec….[[page h2432]] part 1–requirements for congressional redistricting sec….requiring congressional redistricting to be conducted through plan of independent state commission….ban on mid-decade redistricting….part 2–independent redistricting commissions sec….independent redistricting commission….criteria for redistricting plan by independent commission; public notice and input….part 3–role of courts in development of redistricting plans sec….special rule for redistricting conducted under order of federal court….payments to states for carrying out redistricting….subtitle e–redistricting reform sec….short title; finding of constitutional authority. (a) short title.–this subtitle may be cited as the redistricting reform act of 2019''. (b) finding of constitutional authority.--congress finds that it has the authority to establish the terms and conditions states must follow in carrying out congressional redistricting after an apportionment of members of the house of representatives because-- (1) the authority granted to congress under article i, section 4 of the constitution of the united states gives congress the power to enact laws governing the time, place, and manner of elections for members of the house of representatives; and (2) the authority granted to congress under section 5 of the fourteenth amendment to the constitution gives congress the power to enact laws to enforce section 2 of such amendment, which requires representatives to be apportioned among the several states according to their number....part 1--requirements for congressional redistricting sec....requiring congressional redistricting to be conducted through plan of independent state commission. (a) use of plan required.--notwithstanding any other provision of law, and except as provided in subsection (c), any congressional redistricting conducted by a state shall be conducted in accordance with-- (1) the redistricting plan developed and enacted into law by the independent redistricting commission established in the state, in accordance with part 2; or (2) if a plan developed by such commission is not enacted into law, the redistricting plan developed and enacted into law by a 3-judge court, in accordance with section 2421. (b) conforming amendment.--section 22(c) of the act entitledan act to provide for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and to provide for an apportionment of representatives in congress’‘, approved june 18, 1929 (2 u.s.c. 2a(c)), is amended by striking in the manner provided by the law thereof'' and inserting:in the manner provided by the redistricting reform act of 2019’‘. (c) special rule for existing commissions.–subsection (a) does not apply to any state in which, under law in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this act, congressional redistricting is carried out in accordance with a plan developed and approved by an independent redistricting commission which is in compliance with each of the following requirements: (1) publicly available application process.–membership on the commission is open to citizens of the state through a publicly available application process….(5) criteria for redistricting.–members of the commission are required to meet certain criteria in the map drawing process, including minimizing the division of communities of interest and a ban on drawing maps to favor a political party….(7) broad-based support for approval of final plan.–the approval of the final redistricting plan requires a majority vote of the members of the commission, including the support of at least one member of each of the following: (a) members who are affiliated with the political party whose candidate received the [[page h2434]] most votes in the most recent statewide election for federal office held in the state….ban on mid-decade redistricting….a state that has been redistricted in accordance with this subtitle and a state described in section 2401(c) may not be redistricted again until after the next apportionment of representatives under section 22(a) of the act entitled an act to provide for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and to provide for an apportionment of representatives in congress'', approved june 18, 1929 (2 u.s.c. 2a), unless a court requires the state to conduct such subsequent redistricting to comply with the constitution of the united states, the voting rights act of 1965 (52 u.s.c. 10301 et seq.), the constitution of the state, or the terms or conditions of this subtitle....part 2--independent redistricting commissions sec....independent redistricting commission. (a) appointment of members.-- (1) in general.--the nonpartisan agency established or designated by a state under section 2414(a) shall establish an independent redistricting commission for the state, which shall consist of 15 members appointed by the agency as follows: (a) not later than october 1 of a year ending in the numeral zero, the agency shall, at a public meeting held not earlier than 15 days after notice of the meeting has been given to the public, first appoint 6 members as follows: (i) the agency shall appoint 2 members on a random basis from the majority category of the approved selection pool (as described in section 2412(b)(1)(a)). (ii) the agency shall appoint 2 members on a random basis from the minority category of the approved selection pool (as described in section 2412(b)(1)(b)). (iii) the agency shall appoint 2 members on a random basis from the independent category of the approved selection pool (as described in section 2412(b)(1)(c))....(2) rules for appointment of members appointed by first members.-- (a) affirmative vote of at least 4 members.--the appointment of any of the 9 members of the independent redistricting commission who are appointed by the first members of the commission pursuant to subparagraph (b) of paragraph (1), as well as the designation of alternates for such members pursuant to subparagraph (b) of paragraph (3) and the appointment of alternates to fill vacancies pursuant to subparagraph (b) of paragraph (4), shall require the affirmative vote of at least 4 of the members appointed by the nonpartisan agency under subparagraph (a) of paragraph (1), including at least one member from each of the categories referred to in such subparagraph....(b) ensuring diversity.--in appointing the 9 members pursuant to subparagraph (b) of paragraph (1), as well as in designating alternates pursuant to subparagraph (b) of paragraph (3) and in appointing alternates to fill vacancies pursuant to subparagraph (b) of paragraph (4), the first members of the independent redistricting commission shall ensure that the membership is representative of the demographic groups (including racial, ethnic, economic, and gender) and geographic regions of the state, and provides racial, ethnic, and language minorities protected under the voting rights act of 1965 with a meaningful opportunity to participate in the development of the state's redistricting plan....(3) designation of alternates to serve in case of vacancies.-- (a) members appointed by agency.--at the time the agency appoints the members of the independent redistricting commission under subparagraph (a) of paragraph (1) from each of the categories referred to in such subparagraph, the agency shall, on a random basis, designate 2 other individuals from such category to serve as alternate members who may be appointed to fill vacancies in the commission in accordance with paragraph (4)....(b) members appointed by first members.--at the time the members appointed by the agency appoint the other members of the independent redistricting commission under subparagraph (b) of paragraph (1) from each of the categories referred to in such subparagraph, the members shall, in accordance with the special rules described in paragraph (2), designate 2 other individuals from such category to serve as alternate members who may be appointed to fill vacancies in the commission in accordance with paragraph (4)....(5) removal.--a member of the independent redistricting commission may be removed by a majority vote of the remaining members of the commission if it is shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the member is not eligible to serve on the commission under section 2412(a). (b) procedures for conducting commission business.-- (1) chair.--members of an independent redistricting commission established under this section shall select by majority vote one member who was appointed from the independent category of the approved selection pool described in section 2412(b)(1)(c) to serve as chair of the commission....the commission may not take any action to develop a redistricting plan for the state under section 2413 until the appointment of the commission's chair....(2) requiring majority approval for actions.--the independent redistricting commission of a state may not publish and disseminate any draft or final redistricting plan, or take any other action, without the approval of at least-- (a) a majority of the whole membership of the commission; and (b) at least one member of the commission appointed from each of the categories of the approved selection pool described in section 2412(b)(1)....(3) quorum.--a majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. (c) staff; contractors.-- (1) staff.--under a public application process in which all application materials are available for public inspection, the independent redistricting commission of a state shall appoint and set the pay of technical experts, legal counsel, consultants, and such other staff as it considers appropriate, subject to state law....(2) contractors.--the independent redistricting commission of a state may enter into such contracts with vendors as it considers appropriate, subject to state law, except that any such contract shall be valid only if approved by the vote of a majority of the members of the commission, including at least one member appointed from each of the categories of the approved selection pool described in section 2412(b)(1)....(3) reports on expenditures for political activity.-- (a) report by applicants.--each individual who applies for a position as an employee of the independent redistricting commission and each vendor who applies for a contract with the commission shall, at the time of applying, file with the commission a report summarizing-- (i) any expenditure for political activity made by such individual or vendor during the 10 most recent calendar years; and (ii) any income received by such individual or vendor during the 10 most recent calendar years which is attributable to an expenditure for political activity....(b) annual reports by employees and vendors.--each person who is an employee or vendor of the independent redistricting commission shall, not later than one year after the person is appointed as an employee or enters into a contract as a vendor (as the case may be) and annually thereafter for each year during which the person serves as an employee or a vendor, file with the commission a report summarizing the expenditures and income described in subparagraph (a) during the 10 most recent calendar years....(5) disqualification; waiver.-- (a) in general.--the independent redistricting commission may not appoint an individual as an employee, and may not enter into a contract with a vendor, if the individual or vendor meets any of the criteria for the disqualification of an individual from serving as a member of the commission which are set forth in section 2412(a)(2)....(b) waiver.--the commission may by unanimous vote of its members waive the application of subparagraph (a) to an individual or a vendor after receiving and reviewing the report filed by the individual or vendor under paragraph (3). (d) termination.-- (1) in general.--the independent redistricting commission of a state shall terminate on the earlier of-- (a) june 14 of the next year ending in the numeral zero; or (b) the day on which the nonpartisan agency established or designated by a state under section 2414(a) has, in accordance with section 2412(b)(1), submitted a selection pool to the select committee on redistricting for the state established under section 2414(b)....(2) preservation of records.--the state shall ensure that the records of the independent redistricting commission are retained in the appropriate state archive in such manner as may be necessary to enable the state to respond to any civil action brought with respect to congressional redistricting in the state....establishment of selection pool of individuals eligible to serve as members of commission. (a) criteria for eligibility.-- (1) in general.--an individual is eligible to serve as a member of an independent redistricting commission if the individual meets each of the following criteria: (a) as of the date of appointment, the individual is registered to vote in elections for federal office held in the state....(c) the individual submits to the nonpartisan agency established or designated by a state under section 2413, at such time and in such form as the agency may require, an application for inclusion in the selection pool under this section, and includes with the application a written statement, with an attestation under penalty of perjury, containing the following information and assurances: (i) the full current name and any former names of, and the contact information for, the individual, including an electronic mail address, the address of the individual's residence, mailing address, and telephone numbers. (ii) the individual's race, ethnicity, gender, age, date of birth, and household income for the most recent taxable year. (iii) the political party with which the individual is affiliated, if any. (iv) the reason or reasons the individual desires to serve on the independent redistricting commission, the individual's qualifications, and information relevant to the ability of the individual to be fair and impartial, including, but not limited to-- (i) any involvement with, or financial support of, professional, social, political, religious, or community organizations or causes; (ii) the individual's employment and educational history. (v) an assurance that the individual shall commit to carrying out the individual's duties under this subtitle in an honest, independent, and impartial fashion, and to upholding public confidence in the integrity of the redistricting process. (vi) an assurance that, during the covered periods described in paragraph (3), the individual has not taken and will not take any action which would disqualify the individual from serving as a member of the commission under paragraph (2)....(4) immediate family member defined.--in this subsection, the termimmediate family member’’ means, with respect to an individual, a father, stepfather, mother, stepmother, son, stepson, daughter, stepdaughter, brother, stepbrother, sister, stepsister, husband, wife, father-in-law, or mother- in-law. (b) development and submission of selection pool.– (1) in general.–not later than june 15 of each year ending in the numeral zero, the nonpartisan agency established or designated by a state under section 2414(a) shall develop and submit to the select committee on redistricting for the state established under section 2414(b) a selection pool of 36 individuals who are eligible to serve as members of the independent redistricting commission of the state under this subtitle, consisting of individuals in the following categories: (a) a majority category, consisting of 12 individuals who are affiliated with the political party whose candidate received the most votes in the most recent statewide election for federal office held in the state….(2) factors taken into account in developing pool.–in selecting individuals for the selection pool under this subsection, the nonpartisan agency shall– (a) ensure that the pool is representative of the demographic groups (including racial, ethnic, economic, and gender) and geographic regions of the state, and includes applicants who would allow racial, ethnic, and language minorities protected under the voting rights act of 1965 a meaningful opportunity to participate in the development of the state’s redistricting plan; and (b) take into consideration the analytical skills of the individuals selected in relevant fields (including mapping, data management, law, community outreach, demography, and the geography of the state) and their ability to work on an impartial basis….(5) encouraging residents to apply for inclusion in pool.– the nonpartisan agency shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that residents of the state across various geographic regions and demographic groups are aware of the opportunity to serve on the independent redistricting commission, including publicizing the role of the panel and using newspapers, broadcast media, and online sources, including ethnic media, to encourage individuals to apply for inclusion in the selection pool developed under this subsection….(6) report on establishment of selection pool.–at the time the nonpartisan agency submits the selection pool to the select committee on redistricting under paragraph (1), it shall publish and post on the agency’s public website a report describing the process by which the pool was developed, and shall include in the report a description of how the individuals in the pool meet the eligibility criteria of subsection (a) and of how the pool reflects the factors the agency is required to take into consideration under paragraph (2)….the agency shall post all such comments contemporaneously on the nonpartisan agency’s website and shall transmit them to the select committee on redistricting immediately upon the expiration of such period….(8) action by select committee.– (a) in general.–not earlier than 15 days and not later than 21 days after receiving the selection pool from the nonpartisan agency under paragraph (1), the select committee on redistricting shall– (i) approve the pool as submitted by the nonpartisan agency, in which case the pool shall be considered the approved selection pool for purposes of section 2411(a)(1); or (ii) reject the pool, in which case the nonpartisan agency shall develop and submit a replacement selection pool in accordance with subsection (c)….(b) inaction deemed rejection.–if the select committee on redistricting fails to approve or reject the pool within the deadline set forth in subparagraph (a), the select committee shall be deemed to have rejected the pool for purposes of such subparagraph. (c) development of replacement selection pool.– (1) in general.–if the select committee on redistricting rejects the selection pool submitted by the nonpartisan agency under subsection (b), not later than 14 days after the rejection, the nonpartisan agency shall develop and submit to the select committee a replacement selection pool, under the same terms and conditions that applied to the development and submission of the selection pool under paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (b)….(2) action by select committee.– (a) in general.–not later than 21 days after receiving the replacement selection pool from the nonpartisan agency under paragraph (1), the select committee on redistricting shall– (i) approve the pool as submitted by the nonpartisan agency, in which case the pool shall be considered the approved selection pool for purposes of section 2411(a)(1); or (ii) reject the pool, in which case the nonpartisan agency shall develop and submit a second replacement selection pool in accordance with subsection (d)….(b) inaction deemed rejection.–if the select committee on redistricting fails to approve or reject the pool within the deadline set forth in subparagraph (a), the select committee shall be deemed to have rejected the pool for purposes of such subparagraph. (d) development of second replacement selection pool.– (1) in general.–if the select committee on redistricting rejects the replacement selection pool submitted by the nonpartisan agency under subsection (c), not later than 14 days after the rejection, the nonpartisan agency shall develop and submit to the select committee a second replacement selection pool, under the same terms and conditions that applied to the development and submission of the selection pool under paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (b)….(2) action by select committee.– (a) in general.–not earlier than 15 days and not later than 14 days after receiving the second replacement selection pool from the nonpartisan agency under paragraph (1), the select committee on redistricting shall– (i) approve the pool as submitted by the nonpartisan agency, in which case the pool shall be considered the approved selection pool for purposes of section 2411(a)(1); or (ii) reject the pool….(b) inaction deemed rejection.–if the select committee on redistricting fails to approve or reject the pool within the deadline set forth in subparagraph (a), the select committee shall be deemed to have rejected the pool for purposes of such subparagraph….(c) effect of rejection.–if the select committee on redistricting rejects the second replacement pool from the nonpartisan agency under paragraph (1), the redistricting plan for the state shall be developed and enacted in accordance with part 3….criteria for redistricting plan by independent commission; public notice and input. (a) development of redistricting plan.– (1) criteria.–in developing a redistricting plan of a state, the independent redistricting commission of a state shall establish single-member congressional districts using the following criteria as set forth in the following order of priority: (a) districts shall comply with the united states constitution, including the requirement that they equalize total population….(2) no favoring or disfavoring of political parties.– except as may be required to meet the criteria described in paragraph (1), the redistricting plan developed by the independent redistricting commission shall not, when considered on a statewide basis, unduly favor or disfavor any political party….(3) factors prohibited from consideration.–in developing the redistricting plan for the state, the independent redistricting commission may not take into consideration any of the following factors, except to the extent necessary to comply with the criteria described in subparagraphs (a) through (c) of paragraph (1), paragraph (2), and to enable the redistricting plan to be measured against the external metrics described in subsection (e): (a) the residence of any member of the house of representatives or candidate….(b) the political party affiliation or voting history of the population of a district. (b) public notice and input.– (1) use of open and transparent process.–the independent redistricting commission of a state shall hold each of its meetings in public, shall solicit and take into consideration comments from the public, including proposed maps, throughout the process of developing the redistricting plan for the state, and shall carry out its duties in an open and transparent manner which provides for the widest public dissemination reasonably possible of its proposed and final redistricting plans….(2) website.– (a) features.–the commission shall maintain a public internet site which is not affiliated with or maintained by the office of any elected official and which includes the following features: (i) general information on the commission, its role in the redistricting process, and its members, including contact information. (ii) an updated schedule of commission hearings and activities, including deadlines for the submission of comments. (iii) all draft redistricting plans developed by the commission under subsection (c) and the final redistricting plan developed under subsection (d), including the accompanying written evaluation under subsection (e). (iv) all comments received from the public on the commission’s activities, including any proposed maps submitted under paragraph (1). (v) live streaming of commission hearings and an archive of previous meetings, including any documents considered at any such meeting, which the commission shall post not later than 24 hours after the conclusion of the meeting. (vi) access in an easily useable format to the demographic and other data used by the commission to develop and analyze the proposed redistricting plans, together with access to any software used to draw maps of proposed districts and to any reports analyzing and evaluating any such maps. (vii) a method by which members of the public may submit comments and proposed maps directly to the commission. (viii) all records of the commission, including all communications to or from members, employees, and contractors regarding the work of the commission. (ix) a list of all contractors receiving payment from the commission, together with the annual disclosures submitted by the contractors under section 2411(c)(3). (x) a list of the names of all individuals who submitted applications to serve on the commission, together with the applications [[page h2437]] submitted by individuals included in any selection pool, except that the commission may redact from such applications any financial or other personally sensitive information….(3) public comment period.–the commission shall solicit, accept, and consider comments from the public with respect to its duties, activities, and procedures at any time during the period– (a) which begins on january 1 of the year ending in the numeral one; and (b) which ends 7 days before the date of the meeting at which the commission shall vote on approving the final redistricting plan for enactment into law under subsection (d)(2)….(5) multiple language requirements for all notices.–the commission shall make each notice which is required to be posted and published under this section available in any language in which the state (or any jurisdiction in the state) is required to provide election materials under section 203 of the voting rights act of 1965. (c) development and publication of preliminary redistricting plan.– (1) in general.–prior to developing and publishing a final redistricting plan under subsection (d), the independent redistricting commission of a state shall develop and publish a preliminary redistricting plan….(2) minimum public hearings and opportunity for comment prior to development.– (a) 3 hearings required.–prior to developing a preliminary redistricting plan under this subsection, the commission shall hold not fewer than 3 public hearings at which members of the public may provide input and comments regarding the potential contents of redistricting plans for the state and the process by which the commission will develop the preliminary plan under this subsection….(3) publication of preliminary plan.– (a) in general.–the commission shall post the preliminary redistricting plan developed under this subsection, together with a report that includes the commission’s responses to any public comments received under subsection (b)(3), on the website maintained under subsection (b)(2), and shall provide for the publication of each such plan in newspapers of general circulation throughout the state….(4) minimum post-publication period for public comment.– the commission shall accept and consider comments from the public (including through the website maintained under subsection (b)(2)) with respect to the preliminary redistricting plan published under paragraph (3), including proposed revisions to maps, for not fewer than 30 days after the date on which the plan is published….(5) post-publication hearings.– (a) 3 hearings required.–after posting and publishing the preliminary redistricting plan under paragraph (3), the commission shall hold not fewer than 3 public hearings in different geographic areas of the state at which members of the public may provide input and comments regarding the preliminary plan….(6) permitting multiple preliminary plans.–at the option of the commission, after developing and publishing the preliminary redistricting plan under this subsection, the commission may develop and publish subsequent preliminary redistricting plans, so long as the process for the development and publication of each such subsequent plan meets the requirements set forth in this subsection for the development and publication of the first preliminary redistricting plan. (d) process for enactment of final redistricting plan.– (1) in general.–after taking into consideration comments from the public on any preliminary redistricting plan developed and published under subsection (c), the independent redistricting commission of a state shall develop and publish a final redistricting plan for the state….(3) publication of plan and accompanying materials.–not fewer than 14 days before the date of the meeting under paragraph (2), the commission shall provide the following information to the public through the website maintained under subsection (b)(2), as well as through newspapers of general circulation throughout the state: (a) the final redistricting plan, including all relevant maps….(b) a report by the commission to accompany the plan which provides the background for the plan and the commission’s reasons for selecting the plan as the final redistricting plan, including responses to the public comments received on any preliminary redistricting plan developed and published under subsection (c)….(4) enactment.–the final redistricting plan developed and published under this subsection shall be deemed to be enacted into law if– (a) the plan is approved by a majority of the whole membership of the commission; and (b) at least one member of the commission appointed from each of the categories of the approved selection pool described in section 2412(b)(1) approves the plan. (e) written evaluation of plan against external metrics.– the independent redistricting commission shall include with each redistricting plan developed and published under this section a written evaluation that measures each such plan against external metrics which cover the criteria set forth in paragraph (1) of subsection (a), including the impact of the plan on the ability of communities of color to elect candidates of choice, measures of partisan fairness using multiple accepted methodologies, and the degree to which the plan preserves or divides communities of interest. (f) timing.–the independent redistricting commission of a state may begin its work on the redistricting plan of the state upon receipt of relevant population information from the bureau of the census, and shall approve a final redistricting plan for the state in each year ending in the numeral one not later than 8 months after the date on which the state receives the state apportionment notice or october 1, whichever occurs later….establishment of related entities. (a) establishment or designation of nonpartisan agency of state legislature.– (1) in general.–each state shall establish a nonpartisan agency in the legislative branch of the state government to appoint the members of the independent redistricting commission for the state in accordance with section 2411….(3) training of members appointed to commission.–not later than january 15 of a year ending in the numeral one, the nonpartisan agency established or designated under this subsection shall provide the members of the independent redistricting commission with initial training on their obligations as members of the commission, including obligations under the voting rights act of 1965 and other applicable laws….(4) regulations.–the nonpartisan agency established or designated under this subsection shall adopt and publish regulations, after notice and opportunity for comment, establishing the procedures that the agency will follow in fulfilling its duties under this subtitle, including the procedures to be used in vetting the qualifications and political affiliation of applicants and in creating the selection pools, the randomized process to be used in selecting the initial members of the independent redistricting commission, and the rules that the agency will apply to ensure that the agency carries out its duties under this subtitle in a maximally transparent, publicly accessible, and impartial manner….(5) designation of existing agency.–at its option, a state may designate an existing agency in the legislative branch of its government to appoint the members of the independent redistricting commission plan for the state under this subtitle, so long as the [[page h2438]] agency meets the requirements for nonpartisanship under this subsection….(6) termination of agency specifically established for redistricting.–if a state does not designate an existing agency under paragraph (5) but instead establishes a new agency to serve as the nonpartisan agency under this section, the new agency shall terminate upon the enactment into law of the redistricting plan for the state….(7) preservation of records.–the state shall ensure that the records of the nonpartisan agency are retained in the appropriate state archive in such manner as may be necessary to enable the state to respond to any civil action brought with respect to congressional redistricting in the state….(8) deadline.–the state shall meet the requirements of this subsection not later than each october 15 of a year ending in the numeral nine. (b) establishment of select committee on redistricting.– (1) in general.–each state shall appoint a select committee on redistricting to approve or disapprove a selection pool developed by the independent redistricting commission for the state under section 2412….(2) appointment.–the select committee on redistricting for a state under this subsection shall consist of the following members: (a) 1 member of the upper house of the state legislature, who shall be appointed by the leader of the party with the greatest number of seats in the upper house….(3) special rule for states with unicameral legislature.– in the case of a state with a unicameral legislature, the select committee on redistricting for the state under this subsection shall consist of the following members: (a) 2 members of the state legislature appointed by the chair of the political party of the state whose candidate received the highest percentage of votes in the most recent statewide election for federal office held in the state….part 3–role of courts in development of redistricting plans sec….enactment of plan developed by 3-judge court. (a) development of plan.–if any of the triggering events described in subsection (f) occur with respect to a state– (1) not later than december 15 of the year in which the triggering event occurs, the united states district court for the applicable venue, acting through a 3-judge court convened pursuant to section 2284 of title 28, united states code, shall develop and publish the congressional redistricting plan for the state; and (2) the final plan developed and published by the court under this section shall be deemed to be enacted on the date on which the court publishes the final plan, as described in subsection (d). (b) applicable venue described.–for purposes of this section, the applicable venue'' with respect to a state is the district of columbia or the judicial district in which the capital of the state is located, as selected by the first party to file with the court sufficient evidence of the occurrence of a triggering event described in subsection (f). (c) procedures for development of plan.-- (1) criteria.--in developing a redistricting plan for a state under this section, the court shall adhere to the same terms and conditions that applied (or that would have applied, as the case may be) to the development of a plan by the independent redistricting commission of the state under section 2413(a)....(2) access to information and records of commission.--the court shall have access to any information, data, software, or other records and material that was used (or that would have been used, as the case may be) by the independent redistricting commission of the state in carrying out its duties under this subtitle....(3) hearing; public participation.--in developing a redistricting plan for a state, the court shall-- (a) hold one or more evidentiary hearings at which interested members of the public may appear and be heard and present testimony, including expert testimony, in accordance with the rules of the court; and (b) consider other submissions and comments by the public, including proposals for redistricting plans to cover the entire state or any portion of the state....(4) use of special master.--to assist in the development and publication of a redistricting plan for a state under this section, the court may appoint a special master to make recommendations to the court on possible plans for the state. (d) publication of plan.-- (1) public availability of initial plan.--upon completing the development of one or more initial redistricting plans, the court shall make the plans available to the public at no cost, and shall also make available the underlying data used by the court to develop the plans and a written evaluation of the plans against external metrics (as described in section 2413(e))....(2) publication of final plan.--at any time after the expiration of the 14-day period which begins on the date the court makes the plans available to the public under paragraph (1), and taking into consideration any submissions and comments by the public which are received during such period, the court shall develop and publish the final redistricting plan for the state. (e) use of interim plan.--in the event that the court is not able to develop and publish a final redistricting plan for the state with sufficient time for an upcoming election to proceed, the court may develop and publish an interim redistricting plan which shall serve as the redistricting plan for the state until the court develops and publishes a final plan in accordance with this section....nothing in this subsection may be construed to limit or otherwise affect the authority or discretion of the court to develop and publish the final redistricting plan, including but not limited to the discretion to make any changes the court deems necessary to an interim redistricting plan. (f) triggering events described.--thetriggering events’’ described in this subsection are as follows: (1) the failure of the state to establish or designate a nonpartisan agency of the state legislature under section 2414(a) prior to the expiration of the deadline set forth in section 2414(a)(5)….(2) the failure of the state to appoint a select committee on redistricting under section 2414(b) prior to the expiration of the deadline set forth in section 2414(b)(4)….(3) the failure of the select committee on redistricting to approve any selection pool under section 2412 prior to the expiration of the deadline set forth for the approval of the second replacement selection pool in section 2412(d)(2)….(4) the failure of the independent redistricting commission of the state to approve a final redistricting plan for the state prior to the expiration of the deadline set forth in section 2413(f)….special rule for redistricting conducted under order of federal court….if a federal court requires a state to conduct redistricting subsequent to an apportionment of representatives in the state in order to comply with the constitution or to enforce the voting rights act of 1965, section 2413 shall apply with respect to the redistricting, except that the court may revise any of the deadlines set forth in such section if the court determines that a revision is appropriate in order to provide for a timely enactment of a new redistricting plan for the state….payments to states for carrying out redistricting. (a) authorization of payments.–subject to subsection (d), not later than 30 days after a state receives a state apportionment notice, the election assistance commission shall, subject to the availability of appropriations provided pursuant to subsection (e), make a payment to the state in an amount equal to the product of– (1) the number of representatives to which the state is entitled, as provided under the notice; and (2) $150,000. (b) use of funds.–a state shall use the payment made under this section to establish and operate the state’s independent redistricting commission, to implement the state redistricting plan, and to otherwise carry out congressional redistricting in the state. (c) no payment to states with single member.–the election assistance commission shall not make a payment under this section to any state which is not entitled to more than one representative under its state apportionment notice. (d) requiring submission of selection pool as condition of payment.– (1) requirement.–except as provided in paragraph (2), the election assistance commission may not make a payment to a state under this section until the state certifies to the commission that the nonpartisan agency established or designated by a state under section 2414(a) has, in accordance with section 2412(b)(1), submitted a selection pool to the select committee on redistricting for the state established under section 2414(b)….(2) exception for states with existing commissions.–in the case of a state which, pursuant to section 2401(c), is exempt from the requirements of section 2401(a), the commission may not make a payment to the state under this section until the state certifies to the commission that its redistricting commission meets the requirements of section 2401(c). (e) authorization of appropriations.–there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for payments under this section….(3) the 3-judge court shall consolidate actions brought for relief under subsection (b)(1) with respect to the same state redistricting plan….this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle shall apply with respect to redistricting carried out pursuant to the decennial census conducted during 2020 or any succeeding decennial census.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/06/modified/CREC-2019-03-06-pt1-PgH2390-3.htm
2019-03-06	extreme political gerrymandering continues to skew state and congressional elections….aren’t we at that point now, where the vision of government of, by, and for the people has been corrupted by voter suppression, by voter intimidation, by gerrymandering, and by dark money flooding our campaigns?…let’s take on the gerrymandering….they proceeded to say: let’s start with that challenge of gerrymandering.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/06/modified/CREC-2019-03-06-pt1-PgS1712-7.htm
2019-03-07	report on diversity of memberships of independent redistricting commissions….not later than may 15 of a year ending in the numeral one, the comptroller general of the united states shall submit to congress a report on the extent to which the memberships of independent redistricting commissions for states established under this part with respect to the immediately preceding year ending in the numeral zero meet the diversity requirements as provided for in sections 2411(a)(2)(b) and 2412(b)(2)….page 204, insert after line 10 the following: (d) treatment of state of iowa.–subsection (a) does not apply to the state of iowa, so long as congressional redistricting in such state is carried out in accordance with a plan developed by the iowa legislative services agency with the assistance of a temporary redistricting advisory commission, under law which was in effect for the most recent congressional redistricting carried out in the state prior to the date of the enactment of this act and which remains in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this act….page 252, insert after line 19 the following: (3) exception for state of iowa.–in the case of the state of iowa, the commission may not make a payment to the state under this section until the state certifies to the commission that it will carry out congressional redistricting pursuant to the state’s apportionment notice in accordance with a plan developed by the iowa legislative services agency with the assistance of a temporary redistricting advisory commission, as provided under the law described in section 2401(d)….our colleagues also support efforts by the government accountability office to study the extent to which membership diversity requirements have been met in state redistricting commissions, ensuring that justice and fairness in representing the people is the priority, not partisan advantage to either party….not only is this reflected in the most diverse congress in our nation’s history, but voters also cast their ballot to end gerrymandering and make voting more accessible in red and blue states across the country….reforming redistricting: h.r. 1 would be a milestone in the battle against the extreme partisan gerrymandering our country has witnessed in recent years, by requiring states to draw congressional districts using independent redistricting commissions that are bipartisan and reflect the demographic diversity of the region….the bill would establish fair redistricting criteria and ensure compliance with the vra to safeguard voting rights for communities of color….wisconsin has been the petri dish for some of the most pernicious voting suppression efforts, including partisan gerrymandering, all designed to marginalize some votes….it commits to restoring the voting rights act; restoring voting rights for formerly incarcerated people; reforming voter registration; combating voter purging; prohibiting deceptive practices and voter intimidation; creating a federal holiday for election day; ensuring early voting and polling place notice; reforming redistricting; and modernizing election administration….this amendment would end the practice of prison gerrymandering….madam chair, i appreciate the gentleman from wisconsin’s interest in redistricting and gerrymandering….coming from the state of illinois, i like the independent redistricting provisions of h.r….i have some concerns as to why one state’s redistricting plan is now part of the bill when it was supposed to be a nationwide approach, but we will get to that later. {time} 1445 gerrymandering is a process like in my home state of illinois that can poison the political process….i certainly hope we get redistricting reform by the time 2021 rolls around….but this amendment is about gerrymandering….hopefully, they don’t gerrymander….this is not about redistricting….the census bureau works with states to provide detailed data about prison populations that would allow the states to redistrict however the state chooses….i hope we can work together on any gerrymandering in this nation together as we know it, and i look forward to working with the gentleman in the future….i do have to recommend a no'' vote on this amendment because it does not address the underlying issues with gerrymandering, and the underlying issues that i have with this bill. </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/07/modified/CREC-2019-03-07-pt1-PgH2515-5.htm </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:left;"> 2019-03-07 </td> <td style="text-align:left;"> i am also proud today to present an amendment to prohibit violators of our federal election campaign laws from serving on critically important redistricting commissions in the states....our democracy has been under attack from foreign interference, gerrymandering, hidden corporate money, and voter suppression....this amendment would protect our democracy by prohibiting campaign finance law violators and their immediate family members from serving on redistricting commissions....congress needs to ensure that we set out commonsense minimum criteria for people who will serve on redistricting commissions in states across the country....my amendment will ensure that redistricting commissions nationwide are free of individuals and immediate relatives of individuals who have knowingly and willfully committed a violation of the federal election campaign act....in november 2018, the people of michigan overwhelmingly passed voters not politicians, a ballot initiative that sets up a nonpartisan redistricting commission to create state legislative and congressional districts after the 2020 census....i am particularly pleased that h.r. 1 puts redistricting in the hands of independent commissions, where it belongs....under the bill, each state will create 15-person independent redistricting commissions that represent the public's interests first and foremost, without consideration of political party advantage....as with h.r. 1's current exclusions, adding foreign agents will help ensure that those serving on the independent redistricting commissions are not at risk of actual or perceived conflicts of interest....coming from the commonwealth of massachusetts, which gave our nation the termgerrymander,’’ i am pleased that h.r. 1 will put an end to this device by allowing voters to choose their representatives rather than the other way around….my amendment aims to close a loophole by ensuring that registered foreign agents, like lobbyists and big donors, may not serve on redistricting commissions….i actually support redistricting reforms….i certainly hope we can get an independent redistricting commission because, since this bill is not going to pass the senate, it is not going to become law….i certainly hope that we could come together and work on some independent redistricting issues….chairman, i am highly concerned with the redistricting provisions in this bill now….the sheer fact that if iowa’s independent redistricting commission is better and, thus, we shouldn’t have to apply the same standards as the other 49 states in this great nation, then why don’t we use iowa’s independent redistricting commission standards for everyone?…but the sheer fact that we are debating a bill that has a provision about independent redistricting that could have been very, very bipartisan, now we have exempted one state out, it basically tells all of us that is a better commission….you cannot have a 700-page bill that talks about how gloriously good for the people it is, for all of the provisions that are this top-down approach, and then, all of a sudden, you exempt one state out of what could have been one of the most bipartisan provisions, and that is independent redistricting….i apologize i had to use this time to address an issue that is very frustrating, but the gentlewoman is talking about redistricting….h.r. 1 makes it a violation of federal law to engage in ``partisan’’ redistricting and mandates inclusion of alien population, both legal and illegal, in all redistricting….this is an anti-democratic, unconstitutional measure that takes away the ability of the citizens of a state to make their own decision about redistricting.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/07/modified/CREC-2019-03-07-pt1-PgH2555.htm
2019-03-08	this once in a generation legislation will increase access to the ballot box, end gerrymandering, and limit the influence of big money in politics.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE272-4.htm
2019-03-08	so again–let’s recap all the good h.r. 1 will do: it will increase access to the ballot box, end gerrymandering, create automatic voter registration; limit the power of restrictive voter id laws, and make critical investments in election infrastructure and technology.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE272.htm
2019-03-08	it prohibits voter roll purges and ends partisan gerrymandering.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgE274-3.htm
2019-03-08	doctype html public “-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en” "http://www.w3.org/tr/rec-html40/loose.dtd">; <html><body><pre> [pages h2589-h2590] from the congressional record online through the government publishing office [<a href="https://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>;] redistricting reform (mr….madam speaker, i am pleased and proud to stand here in support of h.r. 1, but i am especially proud that h.r. 1 contains the redistricting reform act, legislation that was introduced by representatives lofgren, brownley, and myself….this legislation would require states to create independent redistricting commissions to draw congressional seats, removing politicians and partisan gerrymandering from the process….i helped to lead in the california legislature on redistricting efforts, which ultimately led to the creation of the california independent redistricting commission, which is now recognized as one of the best practices in redistricting.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2589-7.htm
2019-03-08	it was a good day to say that we are going to have redistricting which is not run by the politicians, and i have been one of them that has done it so everybody understands that….every state, not just a few, would have to have a redistricting process that was fair and balanced, and not just the politicians drawing their own districts.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2603.htm
2019-03-08	h.r. 4, the voting rights advancement act, will erase these trends, and h.r. 1, which we passed today, strengthens democracy by ensuring clean, fair elections, prohibiting voter roll purges, and ending gerrymandering.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/08/modified/CREC-2019-03-08-pt1-PgH2608.htm

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Sentences containing “partisan bias” between 2019-03-04 and 2019-03-08

d %>% mutate(sentence = map_chr(file, .f = keyword_sentence, word = "partisan bias") ) %>%
  filter(sentence != "NA") %>% 
  select(date, sentence, url) %>% kablebox()

date	sentence	url
2019-03-06	payments and grants. (a) in general.–the election assistance commission shall make grants to each eligible state to assist the state in implementing the requirements of this part (or, in the case of an exempt state, in implementing its existing automatic voter registration program). (b) eligibility; application.–a state is eligible to receive a grant under this section if the state submits to the commission, at such time and in such form as the commission may require, an application containing– (1) a description of the activities the state will carry out with the grant; (2) an assurance that the state shall carry out such activities without partisan bias and without promoting any particular point of view regarding any issue; and (3) such other information and assurances as the commission may require. (c) amount of grant; priorities.–the commission shall determine the amount of a grant made to an eligible state under this [[page h2418]] section.	https://www.congress.gov/116/crec/2019/03/06/modified/CREC-2019-03-06-pt1-PgH2390-3.htm