mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE HONORING THE LIFE OF JUDGE JAMES DINGLE
James E. Clyburn (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2019-5-8

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Judge James Dingle. Judge Dingle's life exemplified Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s admonition that ``everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.'' Judge Dingle was great because he spent most of his life serving the people of South Carolina. prgtoken Born November 14, 1929 in Alcolu, South Carolina, Judge Dingle often described himself as a ``down home country boy who went off and made good and came back home to work in my community.'' prgtoken Before returning to his hometown, Dingle attended Midlands Technical College in Columbia, South Carolina and continued his education at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. He spent 30 years as a high school teacher at C.E. Murray High School in Greeleyville, South Carolina. During his tenure at the high school, Dingle strived to positively impact the lives of as many students as he could by working in various capacities--an industrial arts teacher, head football coach, athletic director, and an administrative assistant. prgtoken Dingle was appointed as a magistrate judge in Clarendon County in 1983. He was one of the first black magistrates in the state of South Carolina. Dingle loved his job and the people of Clarendon County, where he served for 12 years. Following his retirement as a magistrate judge, he became a city judge in Manning. prgtoken As a community leader, Dingle was a constant voice of encouragement for the youth in his community realizing that many of them were not surrounded by the best environments. He motivated them to receive an education and to be productive citizens. Dingle became widely known as always putting ``service before self.'' prgtoken Judge Dingle passed away on April 29, 2019. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and the many people he has influenced during his lifetime. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of this servant leader and teacher and recognizing the positive impact Judge James Dingle made in Clarendon County, South Carolina and surrounding areas.
American Miners Act (Executive Calendar)
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2019-5-8

I rise today to call for immediate action on the American Miners Act. We have an obligation to the miners across America who have served our Nation by providing us with energy through our greatest advancements. They deserve to know that their pensions, which they rightfully worked for, will be funded fully, and they deserve to have accessible healthcare, which was guaranteed to them as well. prgtoken As the Senate fails to act, we continue to put our retired miners' healthcare and pension benefits in jeopardy yet again. I have been working with everyone from every angle in order to prevent our miners from losing their healthcare and benefits. But, once again, they are facing a deadline that puts their whole livelihood at risk. prgtoken This has been a long fight, and it is far from over. Everyone who has joined me in this journey understands that fighting for working people is what we were sent here to do. These retired miners are walking the halls and fighting for what is rightfully theirs. I am doing this for them. I promised them that this body will not abandon them, and I refuse to let them down. prgtoken To give you some background, the 1974 pension plan will be insolvent by 2022 if we do not act. We needed to act a year ago or so, and we haven't done it. It is a shame. Miners who receive their healthcare through companies that went bankrupt in 2018 are at risk of losing coverage in the coming months if we fail to act soon. prgtoken How did we get here? Unlike many other public and private pension plans, in 1974, the miners' pension plan was well managed and 94 percent funded prior to the crash of 2008. However, the financial crisis hit at a time when this plan had its highest payment obligations. If the plan becomes insolvent, these beneficiaries will face benefit cuts, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation will assume billions of dollars in liabilities. prgtoken To address these issues, the American Miners Act would shore up the 1974 pension plan, which is headed for insolvency due to coal company bankruptcies and the 2008 financial crisis. It would ensure that the miners who are at risk due to 2018 coal company bankruptcies will not lose their healthcare and extend the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund tax at $1.10 per ton of underground-mined coal and 55 cents per ton of surface-mined coal for 10 years. prgtoken West Virginia has more retired union coal miners than any other State. More than 27,000 retirees live in West Virginia alone. prgtoken I am going to read a letter to give you perspective on what we are dealing with. Richard from Morgantown, WV, said: I am writing this letter with respect and concern to preserve our pension. My name is Richard. I live in Morgantown, West Virginia. My career as an underground coal miner lasted 35 years. I am soon to be 68 years old. Working underground all those years, the physical labor tends to take a toll
REMEMBERING ANNE MARIE FEENEY
Kurt Schrader (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2019-5-8

it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to recognize and remember a dear friend and devoted, lifelong public servant, my former executive assistant Anne Marie Feeney. prgtoken Anne Marie began her more than four decades in Congress in the 1970s with Senator Robert Byrd and retired her career in my office in 2014. prgtoken Across the Capitol, Anne Marie was a force to be reckoned with, having served through eight Presidencies and more than 20 Congresses. She knew her stuff. prgtoken Beginning her career at a time when few women were hired as congressional staff, she spearheaded the charge to bring full-time childcare to Congress for both Members and staff. prgtoken When I was first elected to Congress in 2008, it was Anne Marie who helped me set up my office and guided me through the ins and outs of Congress. I credit her with building the close-knit family culture my office is fortunate to have. prgtoken My thoughts this past 2 weeks have been with her daughter, Marybeth; son-in-law, Jamie; grandson, Kyle; sister, Mollie; and brother-in-law, John, as we mourn a great loss and remember the incredibly strong and caring woman that was Anne Marie Feeney.
AMERICANS DESERVE QUALITY HEALTHCARE INSURANCE THAT IS ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-5-8

before the Affordable Care Act, Americans suffering with cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease could be denied health insurance coverage due to a preexisting condition, a genetic predisposition millions of Americans are born into. But insurance companies can't do that anymore because it is against the law because of the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken The administration wants to take away that protection and has asked a Texas Court of Appeals to fully repeal the Affordable Care Act and preexisting conditions protections. prgtoken This week, the House will vote to approve the Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act. In my western New York community alone, nearly 300,000 people need the protection for preexisting conditions that the Affordable Care Act provides. prgtoken Americans deserve quality healthcare insurance that is accessible and affordable.
Women's Healthcare (Executive Calendar)
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-5-8

this coming Sunday, mothers and other special women who are mother figures and caregivers for our children across the country will be honored for the important work they do to nuture the next generation. prgtoken Many moms will receive cards and flowers. Some will enjoy breakfast in bed or dinner out. A few lucky ones might get plaster handprints or handmade mugs--I love those. These gifts, no matter what they are, will be treasured because when it comes right down to it, all moms really want are a couple of things. They want their children to be happy, and they want their children to be healthy. prgtoken Unfortunately, thanks to this administration's continuing attacks on our healthcare, a lot of mothers can no longer count on that. Just ask Rachel whose daughter Alice was born in Detroit with a heart condition called Shone's complex. When Alice was only 1 day old, she had her first open heart surgery. Think about that. She was 1 day old. Four years later, she has an artificial heart valve, a love of dancing, and the biggest grin you have ever seen. She also has what the insurance companies call a preexisting condition. She will have to take heart medication for the rest of her life. prgtoken Alice's mom, Rachel, writes: Her hospital stays and medications cost well over a million dollars--closer to two million. Without the (Affordable Care Act), our family would be bankrupt, worrying about how to pay for her life-saving medications. prgtoken No mom should have to worry about going bankrupt because her child was born with a heart condition. It could happen to any of us. No family should go broke paying for the medication that is keeping their child alive. Alice deserves better, and Alice's mom deserves better too. prgtoken I have said it before, and I will say it over and over again: Healthcare is personal. It is not political. We should be working across the aisle to expand access to care, improve quality, reduce costs, and we should be doing something to resolve the maternal and infant mortality crisis that is happening right now in the United States of America so Mother's Day is a day of joy instead of a day of sorrow. prgtoken Instead, we find ourselves fighting an administration that will not stop trying to take away the protections that prgtoken people like Alice count on and that thousands, millions across the country count on. In fact, the U.S. Department of Justice last month agreed with a Federal judge in Texas who said the entire Affordable Care Act must be struck down, and that includes coverage for those with preexisting conditions. prgtoken Not to be outdone, the Senate s passed a budget resolution out of committee that includes repeal of the Affordable Care Act with no replacement. What would that mean for Michigan families? Our Healthy Michigan Program that provides healthcare to more than 650,000 Michiganders, gone. Children staying on their paren
AMERICA IS IN A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-5-8

I rise today because there are some things that I must call to the attention of the Congress. prgtoken Some news sources have indicated that somebody has said that we are in a crisis, a constitutional crisis I am that somebody. We are in a constitutional crisis. prgtoken , we currently have the executive branch and the legislative branch in a standoff, a standoff because the President of the United States of America has refused to cooperate and has encouraged others to do so, refusing to allow subpoenas to be properly honored--subpoenas properly issued, I might add. He has indicated that he, as President, will continue to do so in his words and his deeds. prgtoken So, , I still rise, and I do so because there is a crisis. But I also do so because this obstruction by the President continues to this day. prgtoken As I speak currently, the President is engaged in obstruction. This policy that he is implementing of not allowing persons to testify if he can prevent them from doing so, thwarting the investigation that is taking place--lawful investigations, I might add--is a form of obstruction in and of itself. He continues to obstruct. prgtoken , I rise, also, because many have said that the soul of the country is at stake I would amend this. I would agree that the soul of the country is at risk, but I would also say that the soul of the Congress is at risk. prgtoken The Congress of the United States of America must do its job, Mr the Congress of the United States of America, many of whom, as Members, have indicated that the President has committed impeachable acts but then go on to say that we should not impeach him. prgtoken , we cannot say that a President has committed impeachable offenses and then not impeach. To do so would legitimize the President's actions. This Congress cannot allow this President to continue to do what he is doing, say that he ought to be impeached, and then step back from impeachment. That would say to the President that he can go out now and claim legitimacy. prgtoken He can say that, if I were a person guilty of impeachable offenses, the Congress would have impeached me. He will say that one party had enough votes to do it without the assistance of the other party. He will say to the country, ``I have done nothing wrong,'' and that would be wrong, in toto, for him to say such a thing because he has done many things that are wrong. prgtoken We as a Congress have a duty to bring before the body the President of the United States for impeachment purposes. This is the only place where such an action can take place, and the longer we delay, the greater the opportunity for the President to obfuscate, to confuse the country, to give people the impression that it is just a witch hunt. prgtoken It is not a witch hunt. It is the proper thing that we should do, pursuant to Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution of the United States of America; and our failure to do so will only a
Export-Import Bank Nominations (Executive Session)
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-5-8

the Senate is finally holding long overdue votes on nominees to the Export-Import Bank of the United States. To me, this is about Ohio businesses; this is about American workers; and this is about the dignity of work. All three of these nominees are qualified. prgtoken For nearly 4 years, the Export-Import Bank has been forced to stop most of the work supporting American jobs. A small group of opponents, supported by special interests in this town, tried to kill this bank altogether. Ex-Im has been paralyzed because of leadership in prgtoken this body and because of the President and the Vice President of the United States. The Bank is technically open but can't approve any transaction greater than $10 million. prgtoken The Senate's inaction, the President's inaction, and the Vice President's inaction have hurt Ohio manufacturers. In the past, Ohio companies exported more than $400 million a year in products using Export-Import Bank credit assistance. That amount has been cut nearly in half. That means jobs. It means good-paying industrial jobs. If the President and s in Congress were serious about helping American manufacturers after years and years of obstruction, which they have done, they would approve these nominees and work with us to authorize the Bank this summer. prgtoken My colleagues have a choice: Do they care about these businesses; do they care about manufacturing; do they care about workers; do they care about the dignity of workers; or do they care more about their extreme special interest politics? prgtoken I stand with our workers. I will vote to reopen the Export-Import Bank. prgtoken Thank you.
TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF LA ASOCIACION DE CRONISTAS DE ARTE
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-5-8

I rise today to recognize La Asociacion de Cronistas de Arte, or AcroArte, and congratulate them on their 25th silver anniversary. prgtoken AcroArte was founded in 1993 by Dominican journalists who specialize in arts and entertainment and has celebrated the best and brightest in music, theater, film, and more. prgtoken Together, they established the Soberano Prize, which was first called the Casandra, which showcases and rewards the best of arts and culture in the Dominican Republic. prgtoken This prestigious recognition has helped artists gain a foothold among the Dominican diaspora, sharing the Dominican identity, culture, and values around the world. prgtoken As more generations of Dominican Americans share their talents with this world, I look forward to AcroArte lifting them up. prgtoken It is a privilege to welcome AcroArte here to the U.S. Capitol, and I congratulate them on their 25 years of success.
PURPLE BOOK CONTINUITY ACT
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-5-8

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 1520, the Purple Book Continuity Act of 2019. I am proud that my bipartisan legislation is being considered because it makes important updates and improvements to the Food and Drug Administration's Purple Book. prgtoken I am also pleased that it is the first drug pricing bill to be considered by the full House this Congress. The legislation makes it easier for manufacturers to research and develop biosimilars, which are essentially generic biological products, and drive down prescription drug prices for the American people. prgtoken The so-called ``Purple Book'' lists biological products, including biosimilars, that are licensed by the FDA. The Purple Book is a resource published by the FDA that includes very important information about existing products, about including designations that extend the product's exclusivity, and what active patents each product has. prgtoken Today, the FDA is not statutorily required to publish this information, nor is the agency required to update the resource in a timely manner. The Purple Book also is not currently user-friendly and is burdensome for companies to access and use. Companies rely on the Purple Book to inform their research and development activities, and it is imperative that the resource is up-to-date and easily accessible, so they can move quickly to produce cost-saving biosimilar drugs which are, essentially, as I said previously, generic versions of the most complex, high-cost biological products. prgtoken The Purple Book Continuity Act builds on previous work to promote the development of biosimilars and other alternatives to the highest-priced biologic products by putting necessary patent information into an easily accessible resource so companies can more efficiently and effectively direct their work to develop biosimilars. prgtoken The Purple Book Continuity Act takes an important step to make it easier for the manufacturers to access patent and exclusivity information they need to invest in biosimilar development so that drug prices--the whole point is so that drug prices can be lowered for the American people. prgtoken So the Purple Book Continuity Act passed the Energy and Commerce Committee by voice vote last month and, today, I urge my colleagues to support it. prgtoken , .
Women's Healthcare (Executive Calendar)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2019-5-8

here is some of what Kate wrote: I help run a support group for families who have ended pregnancy after poor prenatal or maternal diagnoses. If you're wondering, ``Who are these women who get abortions in the third trimester?'' We are. I am. Parents who love our babies with our entire hearts. Desperate acts like an abortion in the 36th week of pregnancy are brought about only by the most desperate circumstances and are only available to those who can come up with a lot of money quickly. I know. I've been there. My daughter, Laurel, was diagnosed in May 2012 with catastrophic brain malformations . . . that were overlooked until my 35th week of pregnancy. I did not know much about brain disorders at that point. I imagined developmental delay, special education classes, financial pressure, an overhaul of expectations for Laurel's life and my motherhood. Here were the doctors' real expectations for Laurel: a brief life of seizures, full-body muscle cramps, and aspirating her own bodily fluids. It is devastating to lose a child. But, unlike most bereaved parents, women like me will live out the rest of our lives as scapegoats, fuel for an agenda that seeks to strip women and families of our reproductive freedoms. prgtoken , it is outrageous and offensive that and his allies in Congress would seek to turn women like Kate into scapegoats for their political agendas. prgtoken I have been an advocate of abortion rights for decades, and I fear that one day soon, women in this country will wake up and realize they no longer have control over their own bodies. What could be more intrusive than the government's telling women what they can do with their own bodies? prgtoken In the face of these ongoing attacks on women's health and women's rights, we will continue to raise our voices. We will continue to fight back. prgtoken .
Healthcare (Executive Calendar)
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2019-5-8

. I rise today to talk about an issue that is top of mind for women in Wisconsin and across this country, and that is healthcare. prgtoken Let's take a look at what we have seen from this President and congressional s over the past 2\1/2\ years. There have been repeated attempts to repeal healthcare legislatively, which would result in the loss of healthcare for millions of Americans. The administration itself has acted in a way that undermines the Affordable Care Act, which frankly sabotages the guaranteed healthcare protections that millions of women and their families rely on. An ongoing lawsuit is making its way through the courts that would, if the administration had its way, result in overturning or striking down the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken Last Saturday was May 4. It was actually the 2-year anniversary of House s passing legislation that would repeal the Affordable Care Act. I remember that day, and, in particular, I remember watching the ensuing celebration, which was conducted at the Rose Garden at a press conference, among President and Ryan and others. There was literally backslapping and high-fiving going on because they had taken the first step toward taking people's healthcare away. It was hard to believe. prgtoken Just a few months later, we saw three courageous colleagues in this Chamber--Senators McCain, Murkowski, and Collins-- join every in this Chamber in voting against repealing the Affordable Care Act. They listened to their constituents. They listened to the families in their States. prgtoken I, too, voted to defeat that legislation that would have repealed the Affordable Care Act, and I have done likewise on a number of other particularly partisan efforts by President or congressional s that would have taken away some of the protections that the people of the United States and Wisconsin enjoy. I did so. I voted no on those efforts because the people of my State didn't send me here to take their healthcare away. They actually sent me here to work across party lines and make things better. prgtoken Throughout that summer--that was the summer of 2017--individuals across this country stood up, and they called their elected representatives with one simple message: Protect our care. When congressional s failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the administration kind of doubled down and went to work, really undermining and sabotaging our healthcare system, rewriting some of the rules on guaranteed healthcare protections that millions of people rely on. prgtoken For example, the administration ended something that we called the cost-sharing reduction payments. These were payments that helped lower out-of-pocket expenses for people participating in the Affordable Care Act exchanges, and this was a critical component. So when that was done, it meant that there were higher out-of-pocket costs for almost 90,000 W