mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
MEND THE LAW, NOT END THE LAW
Jacky Rosen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2017-3-10

I rise today to voice my opposition to the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken I will be the first to admit that Care has its flaws, but we should mend the law, not end the law. Because of the ACA, we have seen the uninsured rate in Nevada and in my district reduced by half. prgtoken The GOP replacement would not only drop 15 million Americans from their insurance and raise healthcare costs on hardworking Nevada families, but it would end funding for Planned Parenthood, taking away affordable healthcare services that so many women in my district rely on. prgtoken Recently I received a letter from a constituent whose family has a history of breast cancer. She is so concerned that she and her daughter will stop receiving the regular cancer screenings that they need to survive. prgtoken , it is unconscionable for us to vote on a bill that would create a life-or-death situation for millions of Americans across the country.
LAWSUIT ABUSE REDUCTION ACT OF 2017
Bob Goodlatte (Republican, VA) \u2014 2017-3-10

such time as I may consume. prgtoken H.R. 720, the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act, would restore mandatory sanctions for frivolous lawsuits filed in Federal court. prgtoken Many Americans may not realize it, but today, under what is called rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, there is no requirement that those who file frivolous lawsuits pay for the unjustified legal costs they impose on their victims, even when those victims prove to a judge the lawsuit was without any basis in law or fact. prgtoken As a result, the current rule 11 goes largely unenforced because the victims of frivolous lawsuits have little incentive to pursue additional litigation to have the case declared frivolous when there is no guarantee of compensation at the end of the day. prgtoken H.R. 720 would finally provide light at the end of the tunnel for the victims of frivolous lawsuits by requiring sanctions against the filers of frivolous lawsuits, sanctions which include paying back victims for the full cost of their reasonable expenses incurred as a direct result of the rule 11 violation, including attorneys' fees. prgtoken The bill also strikes the current provisions in rule 11 that allow lawyers to avoid sanctions for making frivolous claims and demands by simply withdrawing them within 21 days. This change eliminates the ``free pass'' lawyers now have to file frivolous lawsuits in Federal court. prgtoken The current lack of mandatory sanctions leads to the regular filing of lawsuits that are baseless. So many frivolous pleadings currently go under the radar because the lack of mandatory sanctions for frivolous filings forces victims of frivolous lawsuits to roll over and settle the case, because doing that is less expensive than litigating the case to a victory in court. prgtoken Correspondence written by someone filing a frivolous lawsuit, which became public, concisely illustrates how the current lack of mandatory sanctions for filing frivolous lawsuits leads to legal extortion. That correspondence to the victim of a frivolous lawsuit states: ``I really don't care what the law allows you to do. It's a more practical issue. Do you want to send your attorney a check every month indefinitely as I continue to pursue this?'' prgtoken Under the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act, those who file frivolous lawsuits would no longer be able to get off scot-free and, therefore, they couldn't get away with those sorts of extortionary threats any longer. prgtoken The victims of lawsuit abuse are not just those who are actually sued. Rather, we all suffer under a system in which innocent Americans everywhere live under the constant fear of a potentially bankrupting frivolous lawsuit. prgtoken As the former chairman of The Home Depot company has written: ``An unpredictable legal system casts a shadow over every plan and investment. It is devastating for startups. The cost of even one ill- timed abusive lawsuit can bankr
LAWSUIT ABUSE REDUCTION ACT OF 2017
Lamar Smith (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-3-10

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , a few minutes ago, a judicial poll was mentioned. But I would point out to all of my colleagues that only one survey was done that consisted mostly of judges who had experience under both the stronger rule with mandatory sanctions. That poll showed overwhelming support for mandatory sanctions. When judges who had experience under both the stronger and weaker versions of rule 11 were polled, they overwhelmingly supported mandatory sanctions for frivolous lawsuits. prgtoken The survey of 751 Federal judges found that an overwhelming majority of Federal judges believed, based on their experience under both a weaker and stronger rule 11, that a stronger rule 11 did not impede development of the law: 95 percent; the benefits of the rule outweighed any additional requirement of judicial time: 72 percent; the stronger version of rule 11 had a positive effect on litigation in the Federal courts: 81 percent; and the rule should be retained in its then current form: 80 percent. Incredible. prgtoken A 2005 survey was also mentioned. In that survey, only 278 judges responded, as opposed to the 751 who responded to the survey done in 1990. Over half of the judges who responded to the 2005 survey had no experience under the stronger rule 11 because they were appointed to the bench after 1992. So that 2005 survey tells us very little about how judges comparatively view the stronger versus the weaker rule 11. prgtoken I would also point out that in the 1990 survey, roughly twice as many responded as in the 2005 survey. prgtoken , .
SNAP INTEGRITY
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-3-10

I rise to continue the discussion on the Agriculture Committee's findings from hearings conducted to ensure that SNAP--or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program--is meeting the needs of those it is intended to serve. After individual resources, family support, and community programs, SNAP is critical to supporting nutritional needs. prgtoken The program integrity within SNAP is critical for both the functioning and the long-term sustainability of the program. Jessica Shahin of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service emphasized in testimony: ``As vital as the program is to so many, and as well as it operates, we can all agree that it can do even better. And it is up to all of us--the Federal Government, the States, and the local providers--to work together to improve it by holding ourselves accountable. FNS is committed to continually improving the integrity of SNAP.'' prgtoken , opportunities for SNAP program integrity improvements includes defining clear program goals and metrics that generate program improvement and reduce SNAP fraud rates through innovative State and Federal strategies and technologies.
THERE ARE RADICAL ISLAMISTS WHO WANT TO DESTROY OUR WAY OF LIFE
Louie Gohmert (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-3-10

it is the end of another week in session. prgtoken , I want to revisit an important issue. It seems that what some of us were trying to point out for 8 years under the administration fell on deaf ears, that there really are radical Islamists who want to destroy our way of life in the United States, who look at us as infidels, and not just Christians, Jews, secularists, and others, but even Muslims who do not adapt and accept the radical Islamic ways. prgtoken That works to the advantage of some because we have seen for 8 years CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated groups, groups that were listed as co-conspirators in the Holy Land Foundation trial prgtoken back in 2008, where the named defendants were convicted of many counts, and they were supporting terrorism. They have ties all over the United States and they have ties to people who constantly had access to President 's White House, the State Department, and so many other areas. prgtoken We saw time and time again the administration looking the other way as serious matters arose involving radical Islamists, both in the United States and abroad. The administration's approach was: If we can just teach these racist, bigoted, Americans to love all Islamists. Because they wouldn't point out that some are radicals, as my Muslim friends don't hesitate to point out. prgtoken But this administration didn't want to point out that there are radical Islamists, that they are part of Islam, that many of them are experts in Islam, like Baghdadi, who heads up the Islamic State. He has a Ph.D. in Islamic studies, so it is kind of difficult to say that he has nothing to do with Islam when that is the basis for everything he said and did. prgtoken If one goes and looks at the pleading that the judge declassified from 2008 of testimony given by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in a court at Guantanamo Bay, he makes very clear that he is not insane, that he is very lucid. He files a very impressive document explaining himself. prgtoken For everything that he said, for example, about the need to kill Christians and Jews, he had a direct quote, not from the Koran. Like where often Members of Congress, if you bring something up on the floor about Islam or the Koran, then it is amazing. It hasn't happened in a while, but Members who bring something like that up, they frequently find themselves being presented a Koran. Somebody drops off a Koran. prgtoken But, as an expert in the field pointed out to me when I showed him the Koran that was dropped off at my House, he says, that is a Koran, it is not a Holy Koran; because what they have done is they have taken what they call the Holy Koran and they have eliminated the verses that support terrorism and the killing of Jews and Christians. So if you read from cover to cover this Koran, you don't see any of the verses that the most radical Islamists rely on for their killing, their beheading, their betraying, their lies. And
A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF THE HONORABLE ROBERT HENRY MICHEL, EIGHTEENTH DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS (1957-1995) MINORITY LEADER OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (1981-1995)
Paul D. Ryan (Republican, WI) \u2014 2017-3-10

the Honorable Robert H. Michel, former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, died on February 17, 2017. On that day, I issued the following statement: ``On November 29, 1994, an extraordinary thing happened on the House floor. Outgoing House Tom Foley, a from the Pacific Northwest, asked outgoing Minority Leader Bob Michel, a from central Illinois, to take the gavel and preside over the House. More than a symbolic gesture, it was a fitting sendoff for a happy warrior revered for his decency and commitment to what's right. ``A half-century earlier, as a combat infantryman, Bob Michel was in the Battle of the Bulge. He was at Normandy too. For his service in World War II, he received two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart. ``I did not have the privilege to serve with Leader Michel. But I do have the honor of working every day in the office in the Capitol that bears his name. What a name and legacy it is. What a life well-lived by this great and gracious man. Today the members of the House--past and present--mourn with the family and friends of our former colleague and leader.'' prgtoken The House took several steps to honor Mr. Michel. The flags of the U.S. Capitol were lowered to halfstaff in honor of his passing. A book of condolences was made available for the remembrances of friends and colleagues. On February 27, 2017, the House adopted House Resolution 151, honoring the life of former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Robert Henry ``Bob'' Michel. A memorial service was held in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol on March 9, 2017. The following is a transcript of those proceedings:
MORE HEALTH OPTIONS FOR FAMILIES
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-3-10

we see more and more that Care or the Affordable Care Act is, indeed, unsustainable. prgtoken Today I rise, once again, to share another story or two about some of the highlights that some of my constituents are feeling back at home. prgtoken Last night, I hosted a telephone townhall to have an opportunity to hear from people in my district, once again, about some of the unsustainable, horrible stories that they have to tell about the experiences they have had with the ACA: sky-high premiums; poor access to health care; options that are less and less, especially in rural California and rural America; deductibles that have risen so high that insurance isn't really affordable for them to use at all. prgtoken Recently a physician within my district contacted my office and said that, after more than 30 years of a successful practice with happy clients, he is no longer able to provide the type of care his patients need due to the overburdensome paperwork requirements. This is providing less choices for people, especially the middle-income families that have to choose between the things they want to save for for their future and for their dreams and now happen to have much higher premiums, less choices, and a deductible that makes their insurance almost useless to them. prgtoken The American Health Care Act will give back more options for families and other Americans that desperately need this help and to meet all the goals that we are setting out to do.
HONORING JOE McEARCHERN FOR HIS CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE
Bradley Byrne (Republican, AL) \u2014 2017-3-10

I rise today to honor Joe Deal McEarchern, Jr. for his over forty years of service as Chief Clerk of the Mobile County Probate Court. Born in 1949, Joe has been a lifelong resident of Mobile County, Alabama. After Joe's father passed away when he was young, he worked in various shoe stores in the Mobile area to help finance his college education. He attended public schools in Prichard, Alabama and graduated from C.F. Vigor High School in 1968. During his time at Vigor, Joe was President of the National Honor Society, sports editor for the yearbook, and named ``Student of the Year'' by the Civitan Club. Joe went on to attend the University of South Alabama, where he graduated in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in political science. While in college, he married Wendy Stinson, who also graduated from South. In July of 1972, Joe was hired by Mobile County Judge of Probate John L. Moore to serve as chief clerk of the Recording Division. He later served as administrative assistant of the Court before being appointed chief clerk of the Court in March 1981. He has served in that position ever since under Judges John L. Moore III, Lionel W. Noonan, and Don Davis. Early in his career, Joe oversaw and implemented changes to the Probate Court's pre-computerized indexing system for judicial and land records. His work focused on making these systems more efficient and easier to use. As technology advanced, Joe oversaw and implemented changes to the Court's operations to utilize computer technology in all aspects of the Court's operations, including the recording of documents, word processing, websites, judicial case management, and accounting. Joe is currently the dean of the chief clerks of probate courts in the State of Alabama. He is a founding member and past president of the Alabama Probate Court Chief Clerks Association. He served as a member of the Alabama Law Institute's Probate Code Revision Committee and assisted the Alabama Law Institute on numerous projects involving Alabama probate courts, probate law, and probate procedure. He has been asked to speak and present on these topics countless times throughout his career. When he was not working, Joe has pursued a number of hobbies including photography, astronomy, birding, ham radio, and flying. He is also a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Mobile. Joe has always been a good friend of the lawyers in our community, including a friend of mine. So, on behalf of Alabama's First Congressional District, I want to wish Joe and Wendy all the best upon his retirement. His dedicated service to Mobile County has not and will not go unnoticed.
HONORING CHARLES GERACI
Brad R. Wenstrup (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-3-10

a member of the Ohio Second District community passed away this week, and our Nation lost a hero. prgtoken Charles Geraci was a beloved resident of Norwood, Ohio. He was known as a husband of 70\1/2\ years, grandfather to 31, and a great- grandfather to 16. prgtoken But he was also an American hero. Charles enlisted in the Army on December 10, 1942, and, after basic training, was stationed in England in 1943. Just a few months later Charles was in the second wave at Omaha Beach in Normandy, where he was wounded while storming the beaches. After recovering and being sent back to his unit, Charles was wounded by shrapnel and then shot again during combat. He was in Normandy for only 5 months and credits his survival to God. prgtoken While his courage earned him three Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star Award, Charles refers to his service prgtoken during World War II with a deep humility that defines the Greatest Generation. He said: ``We were there to do the job, and we did it. And I came back.'' prgtoken Our country can never repay Charles for his service and sacrifice, but we can stand as a grateful nation to honor his life and legacy with our deepest respect. prgtoken Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Helen, and the rest of the Geraci family. prgtoken Truly, it is men and women like Charles Geraci whom we can credit for the gift of freedom that we are able to pass along to our children and grandchildren. They protected and preserved that gift with their very lives. For that, we remain eternally grateful.
IN RECOGNITION OF ORELAND BOY SCOUT TROOP 1
Patrick Meehan (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-3-10

I rise today to honor Oreland Boy Scout Troop 1 of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania as it celebrates its 100th Anniversary. The Boy Scouts of America chartered the troop in 1917, and its members have been active and dedicated contributors to their communities in the century since. Today, Troop 1 hosts scouts from Oreland, Flourtown, Erdenheim, Fort Washington, Maple Glen and other neighboring communities. The Boy Scouts are one of the largest youth development organizations in the country, and I am pleased to have so many active troops in Pennsylvania's 7th District. Oreland Boy Scout Troop 1 is one such troop, among the oldest in Pennsylvania, and it has trained so many of our area's youth to be young men of character, service, and commitment to community and country Oreland Boy Scout Troop 1 performs an invaluable service to the scouts involved and the communities it serves. I thank the Troop's scouts and leaders over the last century for their service and leadership.
LAWSUIT ABUSE REDUCTION ACT OF 2017
Steve Chabot (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-3-10

I rise in strong support of the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act. I want to commend my colleague from Texas (Mr. Smith) for his leadership on this important bill. Mr. Smith, of course, who is now the chairman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, was, for a number of years, the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, and he has a long reputation, much experience in trying to find ways to make the legal system work better for more people all across the country, and this is part of that, because there is a huge cost associated with the abusive lawsuits that have been filed for many years in this country. prgtoken Businesses are a popular target for frivolous lawsuits that lack any legal or factual basis. These lawsuits can easily result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees and discovery costs. Small businesses oftentimes don't have the financial resources to obtain a dismissal or sometimes even good legal counsel, and, therefore, their only option, in many cases, is to settle the case. In fact, many businesses and other entities put aside--insurance companies do this as well--a nuisance value of many of these cases because they realize so many cases are basically filed for not really legitimate reasons, but because there is a cash payout at the end of this, and some who are able to will actually put that in their budget. But these expenses don't just cost small businesses time and productivity. Too often they force small businesses into bankruptcy, and that means real people lose their jobs. This happens thousands and thousands and thousands of times all across this country. prgtoken , as chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, I cannot emphasize enough that we absolutely cannot afford to lose any more small businesses in this country and the associated jobs that go with them. prgtoken By ensuring that there are penalties for lawyers filing frivolous lawsuits, H.R. 720 will deter abusive litigation practices that pose a real threat to the stability of many small businesses all across this country. After all, small businesses are the backbone of the economy. About 70 percent of the new jobs created in the American economy nowadays are created by small-business folks, so we should do everything we can to make sure that they are successful and able to hire more and more Americans so that we can get this economy moving again. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 720. I again thank Mr. Smith for putting forth this very wise and thoughtful legislation which I think will go a long way toward improving the legal system that we have in this country.
CELEBRATING MARS PETCARE FOR TWO MILLION MAN HOUR SAFETY AWARD
Steve Womack (Republican, AR) \u2014 2017-3-10

I rise today to recognize Mars, Incorporated, and Mars Petcare's Fort Smith, Arkansas, facility which was recently honored with the Two Million Man Hour Safety Award from the Arkansas Department of Labor. prgtoken As a family-owned business since its founding in 1911, Mars has been a leading example of corporate responsibility practices that benefit their dedicated employees and the communities in which they operate. prgtoken Since Mars first opened the doors of its Petcare facility in Fort Smith in 2007, they have provided stable employment to over 200 Mars associates who are responsible for making food for our pets under the brand names Cesar, Nutro, and Sheba. prgtoken Impressively, Mars' Fort Smith facility has accumulated 2 million work hours over 5 years without a lost day away from work due to a work-related injury or illness, a direct testament to the great workforce in Fort Smith and the leadership of the Mars organization. prgtoken In addition to their excellent safety record, Mars has had a significant impact on my district's local economy. Recently, Mars Petcare announced plans to expand the Fort Smith facility, which is expected to generate an additional 130 new jobs over the next several years. prgtoken On behalf of everyone in northwest Arkansas, I am happy to celebrate this important milestone with Mars' Fort Smith facility, and I thank Mars for its continued dedication to our community.