mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
21ST CENTURY AIRR ACT
Bill Shuster (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-10-3

Congress has just approved an FAA extension to fund the agency for 6 months, but our work is not done. We have a responsibility to pass a long-term FAA bill that ensures America remains a leader in aviation. prgtoken The status quo means American aviation manufacturing will lose out to competitors in Europe, China, Brazil, and Canada. We will lose jobs. It means the drone industry will continue to go overseas for testing and development. That is more lost jobs. The status quo means more delays and lost time for our passengers. prgtoken Let me read you a quote: ``The FAA is the only agency of government worse at procurement than the Pentagon. Congress has tried to reform it; it didn't stick. We have got to try something different to get it to be more agile to give us 21st century equipment and software that we need.'' prgtoken , that is not my quote. I am quoting the ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. And that, based on what he has said and what we have seen over the last 20 years, that is why it is time to reform the FAA. prgtoken With my and ic colleagues, I have introduced H.R. 2997, the 21st Century AIRR Act. Like all major reforms, there have been false claims made against this bipartisan bill. The false issues I want to address are from general aviation. prgtoken My colleagues and I, including Sam Graves, worked with the general aviation community to include everything they have asked for in this bill. Not one of their legislative requests was excluded. In fact, Congressman Graves now supports the bill because of how far we went to address the needs of the GA community. We did so because general aviation is vital to our unique aviation system, and I would never sponsor legislation that harms my own rural community and the GA pilots and the several hundred GA pilots who live within it. prgtoken Here is what the general aviation community asked for: prgtoken They did not want to pay user fees to use air traffic control services, and they won't. All they have to do is look at page 83 in the bill. The only entity that will be able to change this is Congress, just like it is today. prgtoken They did not want any airspace restrictions. This bill prohibits airspace restrictions for the GA, and just look at page 114 to find that. In fact, GA doesn't have that guarantee today. Our bill actually puts that guarantee in law for the first time. prgtoken They wanted to fully fund the Airport Improvement Program. I want to fully fund the Airport Improvement Program, in part, because it helps my district and small- and medium-sized airports in rural communities around this country. AIP will be funded the way it has been in the past, and it will be, going forward, by the traveling public. prgtoken Currently, AIP funding is flatlined at $3.3 billion a year, but over the course of the bill, we will raise that up to almost $4 billion, and you will find that on page 7 of the b
PAIN-CAPABLE UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT
Mike Johnson (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-10-3

. Madam , as a proud cosponsor of this legislation, I rise towards the end of this long debate to reiterate a central idea: the reason behind this legislation is because of what we stand for as Americans. prgtoken The Declaration of Independence, as we know, is our Nation's birth certificate, and it states very succinctly in the second paragraph what has come to be known as the American's Creed: ``We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.'' prgtoken The reason that the Founders put the right to life first, listed as our most fundamental freedom, is because they understood that we are made in the image of a holy God. prgtoken Our creator, who gave us those unalienable rights, is the one who made each and every one of us. Because of that, there is a central truth that comes through: every single person, every single life, is of inestimable dignity and value. Your value is not related in any way to where you went to school, what you make for a living, how good-looking you are, how talented you are, what your fortune was in life, whether or not you have a physical disability. Your value is inherent in who you are as a creation of the God who made you. prgtoken That is the reason we stand for this. It is the reason the bill is so important. We urge our colleagues to support it today.
PAIN-CAPABLE UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2017-10-3

. Madam , for the past 25 years, I have had the privilege of delivering over 5,000 babies. I am absolutely convinced that babies can feel pain at 14 weeks. At 16 weeks, they can recognize their mom's voice, their brother's voice, and their sister's voice. prgtoken Once or twice a year, I have been in that delivery room and have been forced to deliver a very premature baby, a 22-week or a 24-week baby. We are doing everything we can to save the life of that baby, calling in pediatricians and anesthesia people, doing everything heroically possible. prgtoken How can we live in a world where we are trying to save that baby's life in one room, and just down the road there are people killing that baby, tearing it apart limb by limb and decapitating it? What type of a world do we live in these days? How can both of those situations exist in this same country? prgtoken We have to ban these late-term abortions.
PROTECTING THE UNBORN
Ralph Lee Abraham (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-10-3

I rise today to offer my support to the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. prgtoken This legislation is crucial toward protecting the most vulnerable among us: the unborn. prgtoken As a doctor, it is my job to stay current with the latest medical research, and I have done so in my job in Congress, too. prgtoken The research overwhelmingly shows that children 20 weeks or less are capable of showing pain. This is brought forth by the fact that when an in-utero procedure is done, both the mother and the unborn child are given anesthesia. Not to do so allows that child to recoil in pain and show a stress response in the uterus. prgtoken I have heard, personally, as a physician, heartbeats in babies as early as 6 weeks of age in utero. prgtoken So this legislation is critical, it is needed, it is past due, and I urge my colleagues to support this.
Order of Procedure (Executive Calendar)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-10-3

. For the information of all Senators, we have now locked in the following vote schedule: one vote at 11 tomorrow morning, two votes at 3:15 tomorrow afternoon, three votes at 10 a.m. on Thursday, and one vote at 1:45 on Thursday afternoon. prgtoken This will allow debate time on all of the pending nominations and accommodate important committee hearings that will be occurring off the floor.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 36, PAIN-CAPABLE UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT
Robert Pittenger (Republican, NC) \u2014 2017-10-3

I rise today in support of H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which I was among one of the first cosponsors. God bless Representative Trent Franks for his tireless leadership. prgtoken This is a commonsense, pro-life bill that prohibits late-term elective abortions on unborn babies after 20 weeks postfertilization. At this tender age, they can feel the excruciating pain of abortion. prgtoken America has always been a beacon for human rights. Yet, according to a 2014 report by the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the U.S. is among just seven countries that permit elective abortion prgtoken past 20 weeks. These countries include China and North Korea. prgtoken Our Nation suffers an egregious offense to be listed with North Korea and China, two oppressive regimes that show no respect for human life or human rights in allowing the killing of these precious babies as they endure these cruel abortions. prgtoken This bill is important, as we speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. As an engaged and active member of the Congressional Pro- Life Caucus, I fully support this bill, as I stand for life.
PAIN-CAPABLE UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT
Ron Estes (Republican, KS) \u2014 2017-10-3

. Madam , I rise today in support of H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This bill would prohibit late term abortions on unborn babies who can feel pain. As we now know, babies can feel pain as early as 20 weeks. This means during dismemberment abortion and induction abortions, babies feel the pain from these procedures, while in the womb. We are one of seven countries that still allows late term abortions, putting us in the company with North Korea and China. prgtoken In fact, one of my staffers great niece was born at 26 weeks, weighing just 2 lbs, 11 oz. It's unconscionable that we allow babies such as her niece to be aborted. This bill is one step closer to achieving our goal of protecting these innocent lives. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and to protect the sanctity of life.
United States v. Sanchez-Gomez (Executive Calendar)
Jeff Flake (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2017-10-3

last week I filed an amicus brief calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to hear and then overturn the ruling of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in United States v. Sanchez-Gomez. I am proud to have been supported in this effort by all 15 sheriffs in my home State of Arizona, as well as the Western States Sheriffs Association and the National Sheriffs' Association. prgtoken I should mention that this is not a partisan issue we are talking about. We have sheriffs representing both parties in Arizona. Every sheriff in Arizona has supported this amicus--all 15. prgtoken This decision by the Ninth Circuit is just another example of a ruling that is well outside of the judicial mainstream. Unfortunately, in this case, their ruling dramatically undercuts effective border enforcement, and it creates a dangerous situation for law enforcement and the public. In this case, the Ninth Circuit ruled that it violates the rights of prisoners for marshals and other sheriffs or other courtroom personnel to employ commonplace, thoughtfully crafted courtroom safety policies in which prisoners appear before a judge, fitted with appropriate restraints. This is a significant change from common practice, and it conflicts with two other courts of appeals. prgtoken More troubling, the decision has prompted public safety concerns for Arizona and throughout the West. First, law enforcement will have no choice but to increase the number of officers needed to maintain the safety of individuals inside courtrooms. This means that more U.S. marshals and sheriffs will be spending their days in courthouses instead of pursuing violent fugitives or preventing street crime. Even with these increased numbers, law enforcement officials have expressed concern over the high threshold they are now forced to attain in order to get permission to fit dangerous prisoners with restraints. prgtoken By putting these restraints on law enforcement rather than prisoners, this ruling limits the ability of sheriffs and U.S. marshals to ensure the safety of the judges, jurors, lawyers, prisoners, victims, and members of the public inside these courthouses around the country. prgtoken This decision also dramatically undercuts the ability of the Federal courts to process illegal immigration border crossing cases as part of Operation Streamline, the very successful border enforcement program that has worked so well in some parts of Arizona. By establishing a zero tolerance approach to illegal border crossings, Operation Streamline has made a dramatic difference in the number of illegal border crossings in communities like Tucson and Yuma. prgtoken This year, the Operation Streamline Program averaged around 45 individuals per hearing. Even with these high caseloads, the program could remain efficient, thanks in part to traditional courtroom safety procedures. They could take 40 prisoners at a time and process them if they were allowed to use the current co
PAIN-CAPABLE UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-10-3

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman from Georgia for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I rise today to urge my colleagues to support the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. prgtoken We have a responsibility to defend the most vulnerable in our Nation, and that is exactly what this legislation does: it protects unborn children from abortion at 5 months. prgtoken It is truly disheartening that I have to beg many of my colleagues to support a bill like this when it is scientifically proven that unborn babies feel pain after 5 months. Premature infants in the NICU are protected from pain. Children in the womb should be protected from pain also. prgtoken I will always fight for the right to life, and I believe we have a responsibility to defend all innocent lives. In fact, this is close to home. I have four children: one son and three daughters. I have had to see both my wife and each one of my daughters experience difficult pregnancies and make difficult choices. I can't imagine life without my four children and my 12 beautiful grandchildren. prgtoken Every child should be given a chance at life. New life is created by God, and we must give a voice to these precious babies who cannot speak for themselves. Our Nation can and must protect the most vulnerable among us.
HONORING JIM POWELL ON HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY
David P. Roe (Republican, TN) \u2014 2017-10-3

I am honored to recognize Jim Powell, of Johnson City, Tennessee, for his 80th birthday. prgtoken In addition to being a successful businessman, Jim has devoted his life to many worthy endeavors, such as helping students achieve their dreams of attending college. prgtoken Growing up, Jim never dreamed of going to college until a teacher helped him apply for a scholarship to the University of Tennessee. Eleven years later, Jim and his wife, Sandy, opened Powell Construction Company, which has been successfully operating for the past 48 years and employs more than 500 people. prgtoken All of this wouldn't have been possible without the kind encouragement of Jim's teacher. In an effort to pay that kindness forward, Jim created the Powell Foundation, which has provided over 4,000 scholarships to the University of Tennessee and to East Tennessee State University. prgtoken Our community is a better place to live and work because of Jim and Sandy Powell. Jim exemplifies the Volunteer spirit. I commend him for his selfless contributions to east Tennessee, and wish him nothing but the best on his 80th birthday. prgtoken Happy birthday, Jim.
WESTERN CAUCUS: WILDFIRES
Chris Stewart (Republican, UT) \u2014 2017-10-3

I would like to thank the gentleman from Arizona, who I consider a friend and one of the great leaders in the Congress, for leading this Special Order and for bringing this important matter before the Chamber. prgtoken 2017 will go down as the worst wildfire season in history. My home State of Utah has definitely felt the effects. In June, the Brian Head fire burned more than 71,000 acres in my State. It burned for nearly a month, creating more than $36 million in damage. And that doesn't count the millions--indeed tens of millions of dollars it took to fight the fire. prgtoken While the fire was burning through my district, I was able to meet with local, State, and Federal leaders to take a tour of the fire and to survey prgtoken the damage and to try to find a solution. The images I saw as I toured this fire were truly heartbreaking. Dozens of evacuated homes, burned homes, ruined forests, firefighters and volunteers who were working day and night to try to contain the fire, ash-filled lakes. prgtoken I took more than an hour in a helicopter to fly around the circumference of this fire. As I was flying around looking down, thinking about, among other things, the wildlife that had been devastated by this fire, I wondered: How long will it take for us to recover from this, for this beautiful landscape to recover? prgtoken And I can promise you this, it will not happen in my lifetime. prgtoken My family owns a ranch, and almost 70 years ago, we had a similar fire. You can still see the scars from that fire, which is several generations now. prgtoken One incident manager told me: ``In 29 years of fighting fires, I have never seen a fire move so fast, burn so quickly and so hot that it could not be controlled or fought head-on.'' prgtoken You have to wonder: Why is that? prgtoken The answer is very unfortunate. It is due to mismanagement. prgtoken Current mismanagement--and it is mismanagement--has left our forests vulnerable to insects and disease that make for a ripe forest for catastrophic fires. These heavy-handed regulations paralyze forest managers so they can't accomplish the critical tasks that are necessary for proper forest management. prgtoken This failure to treat high-risk areas and to remove hazardous buildup has left our land susceptible to fires that grow in size, severity, and cost. prgtoken So you have to ask yourself: What is the answer? How do we stop this? How do we stop it from happening again? prgtoken And the answer is really quite simple. Federal policies have contributed to recent catastrophic fires, and wildlife management begins with proper land management. prgtoken That is why I support Representative Westerman's bipartisan Resilient Federal Forests Act, which allows agencies to do this work so that we can prevent these catastrophic wildfires. prgtoken I look forward to the House passing this important legislation. Let us bring back the beauty of our forests. Let us bring back the health of our
WELCOMING PASTOR KEVIN McKEE
Garret Graves (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-10-3

I rise today to pay tribute to Pastor Kevin McKee, who opened with the prayer this morning in this Chamber. prgtoken Kevin and his wife, Mary, have been amazing pillars in our community as we have been through extraordinary challenges associated with Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike, and Isaac; a thousand-year flood last year; the worst oil spill in the Nation's history; the incredible shootings of five of our police officers last year; and racial divisiveness. prgtoken Kevin and Mary have been incredible at propping up our community and sharing the Word in eastern Europe, China, and around the United States. I want to thank both of them for their incredible service to our State, our Nation, and our community as we have been through these times of challenge.
Tax Reform (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-10-3

yesterday I mentioned how our colleagues across the aisle and, of course, some groups outside of Capitol Hill have predictably started attacking tax reform, actually a plan that doesn't even yet exist in legislative language. With the fall season now upon us, they have decided to shoot arrows at a straw man. prgtoken One would think, given their effusive support for tax reform in the past, our ic friends would at least wait to review the legislation before they pounce on it. I had hoped that they would work with us to come up with a bipartisan plan, but I guess I am not entirely surprised. That has never stopped them before from pillorying smart policy when it served a political end. prgtoken Yes, they are already piling on, spreading misinformation, and assuming the worst because that is the easy and politically expedient thing to do. The problem is that many of the criticisms of our framework have been misleading and counterproductive. Worse, some Members seem more content to misconstrue a plan than to understand it and give it a fair hearing. prgtoken Allow me to clarify the record for just a moment. What is most striking is that the new framework unveiled by the so-called Big 6 shares many of the core features of previous plans that were widely embraced by --not only that, but many of the folks who are now critical of the new plan came out in support of these provisions as recently as this year. The senior Senator from Oregon is typical in this regard. In response to our framework, he said that ``this is a far-right scheme to endow future generations of the mega wealthy and leave what amounts to crumbs for the middle-class behind.'' That is kind of a breathtaking allegation. Those are indeed strong statements, but the American people are smart. The American people realize that the plan our colleague from Oregon is criticizing is similar to the one he sponsored and promoted in 2011. prgtoken Let's get the facts straight. The Senator from Oregon had previously sponsored a plan in 2011 with our former colleague, Senator Coats of Indiana, called the Wyden-Coats plan. Here on the left is the Big 6 framework that he described. prgtoken Let me read that again. He said that ``this is a far-right scheme to endow future generations of the mega wealthy and leave what amounts to crumbs for the middle-class behind.'' prgtoken Well, here is the framework he was criticizing by the language I just provided, and here is his plan in 2011. Each of these plans--the Wyden- Coats plan from 2011 and the one we are considering now--is based on three individual tax rates. Both the plan the Senator from Oregon once supported and the one we are now discussing, the framework, would collapse seven tax brackets in the current system down to three, vastly simplifying the Tax Code and the burden of complying with that Tax Code by ordinary Americans. Each plan would also eliminate the a