mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DACA
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-12-7

across the country, families are decorating their Christmas trees. They are singing along to holiday playlists. They are searching for that perfect gift for the ones they love. They are making travel plans to see their families. The holidays are a time for joy and togetherness, a time for faith and family, a time for gratitude and hope. prgtoken The holidays are not a time for fear. Yet, without action, Congress may leave hundreds of thousands of families across America in fear this holiday season. I am referring, of course, to the 800,000 Dreamers across America whose lives have been thrown into jeopardy by the administration's decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, or DACA. prgtoken DACA is a program that made it possible for 800,000 undocumented youth across this country--including 22,000 in my home State of New Jersey--to come out of the shadows, to step into the light, and to follow their dreams without fear of deportation. prgtoken It has been months since this administration decided to end DACA. Despite what some of my colleagues say, the consequences of this cruel and reckless decision are not some distant threat; more than 11,000 Dreamers have already lost their DACA protections and work permits. So to anyone who thinks we have until March of next year to take action, you are surely mistaken. For these young people who grew up in the United States, who know no other home or country, who today live in fear of deportation, the crisis is here, and the crisis is now. prgtoken Ending DACA has created a national emergency that is playing out in our communities each and every day. Tens of thousands of DACA recipients are likely to lose their status on or before March 5. So what exactly are we waiting for, and why wait at all? prgtoken There is no legitimate reason for the President to have ended DACA--a crisis that was avoidable. Now it is here, and it is our job to fix it. President essentially told Congress: The ball is in your court. Well, today I want to know from my colleagues: When are we going to take our shot? If we have the votes--and I believe we have the votes-- isn't it time that we held a vote? prgtoken We know there is overwhelming support from the American people, s and alike, for America's Dreamers. It is not fake news. Poll after poll, from Quinnipiac, to the Washington Post, to even FOX News, shows that the American people want a solution, and we know there is solid support for the Dream Act here in the Senate. prgtoken I have seen my colleagues share the photos of the Dreamers they meet. They post the stories about these brave, young people fighting to stay in the country they know and love. But they deserve more than an Instagram post or a friendly tweet; they deserve action. Every day that goes by, more and more Dreamers find themselves in danger of being sent back to countries they simply don't know or even re
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-12-7

reclaiming my time, my presumption is that the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, who voted against the CR in September, did not do it because he wasn't for funding the troops; did not do it because he didn't want to protect the security of our country; did not do it because he wanted to shut down the government, I presume. None of us did either. prgtoken We did it because we are very concerned about the fact that 90 days ago we voted for a CR that was noncontroversial, notwithstanding the fact that 90 on your side voted against it. It was noncontroversial, however. The President agreed to it. You agreed to it. I agreed to it. We had an agreement. prgtoken But the fact of the matter is that we have not used those 90 days productively in a bipartisan way to get to constructive resolutions of these issues. I agree with the gentleman, we ought to do that. prgtoken I will pledge to the gentleman that I and my leadership here and our Members will come at least 50 percent of the way. You are in charge. You have the responsibility. We understand that. But, as we have in the past, almost every time, whether it was prgtoken Boehner or Ryan, it was this side of the aisle that kept the government open. It was this side of the aisle that made sure we didn't default on our debts. prgtoken So I want to be constructive. There is no point in further argument on this. It is to say, however, to all of us, I have talked to some of your Members privately. They are shaking their heads. prgtoken Why are we in this position? prgtoken We ought not to be in this position. Every one of us who sits in this body--every one of us ought to be saying to ourselves: we need to act constructively. Confrontation is not constructive; the failure to reach agreement. prgtoken You say you passed SCHIP. I pleaded with the gentleman not to put a partisan bill on the floor. We had agreed on the authorizing side. Unfortunately, we couldn't agree on the funding side because you wanted to cut things we thought ought not to be cut. Clearly, we could have gotten to an agreement. prgtoken In fact, you passed a bill on IPAB, $17.6 billion unpaid for that would have paid for all of that. So, Mr. Leader, I will yield to you, if you want to; but I just plead with every one of the Members of this body: This is not good for the American people. You say you don't want a CR. You had 90 days to come to an agreement with us or with yourselves. You have 218 votes. You just showed us.
Daniel T. Kildee (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-12-7

I thank my friend, the gentlewoman, the ranking member, for yielding, and I thank Mr. Woodall for his comments. He and I have worked together on issues in the past. We worked together to try to protect our solar manufacturers in this country, so there are areas of agreement that we come to. prgtoken I think we also agree, I now hear, on this question of continuing resolutions. We both don't like them. And I think we do have to keep in mind that, today, we are 48 hours from the government closing, so I won't address any other subject than that question and the process that has led us to this moment where we are looking at another continuing resolution for 2 weeks. prgtoken I won't address the Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, and Brokerage Simplification Act. While it may be an important piece of legislation, it is difficult to forget what has brought us to this moment where we are 48 hours from the government shutting down. prgtoken What is interesting to me about it is, it is true that the s hold the majority in this House and set the agenda here; hold the majority in the Senate, set the agenda there. You have your President, the leader of your party, your leader, who sets the agenda from the White House. prgtoken You have had the entire year to get a package of spending bills to the floor and through to the President. And here we are, 2 days away from a shutdown, because 2\1/2\ months ago, after nearly a year, the process came to a halt, and this body had to approve a 2\1/2\ month extension because we couldn't get the work done. prgtoken Now, instead of, over the last 2\1/2\ months, coming up with a full plan to fund the government and provide the certainty and security that the American people and our economy depend upon, after 2\1/2\ months, the best we can do is promise the people of the country and our economy 14 more days. prgtoken I mean, why are we here? prgtoken In the last 2\1/2\ months, have we seen any action? No, not on disaster relief for those places that are struggling through the worst moments that they have experienced; not to make sure that we have healthcare, health insurance, which was a bipartisan program, the Children's Health Insurance Program. Anything? No. prgtoken So that DREAMers aren't deported? People who only know this country? prgtoken And think about this: since the President, himself--and this is an area where we have some agreement--declared that we have a national emergency, our people, our children, are dying due to this opioid crisis, and where is the solution there? prgtoken Where is the debate there? prgtoken Where is the effort on the floor of this House to deal with these big, pressing problems that our country faces? prgtoken We have had the last 2\1/2\ months; we could have done it during that period. prgtoken But what has been the focus? A singular obsession around a piece of legislation that is purported to be tax reform, but at close exa
PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-12-7

I rise today to honor the victims who were killed during the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941--a date which will live in infamy. prgtoken Seventy-six years ago today, more than 2,000 American citizens lost their lives and more than 1,000 others were injured in a surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy. prgtoken The attack on Pearl Harbor shook our nation to its core. Up until this point, the United States had largely remained neutral during the Second World War. However, as a testament to our strength and our resolve, the United States declared war against the Japanese and entered World War II just one day following the attack. Contrary to what the Japanese had intended, the attack had only emboldened our nation to forge our own path to victory. prgtoken Tragedies such as the attack on Pearl Harbor serve as a stark reminder of the great personal sacrifices that our men and women in uniform must make in the service of protecting our nation. While many soldiers are fortunate enough to return from service, plenty of others have given up their lives in the act of duty. We are forever indebted to these men and women who have given their lives to protect our freedoms and way of life. prgtoken Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is also about paying tribute to those who served--and survived--during the attack. Petty Officer Doris ``Dorie'' Miller was one such American who fought bravely during the conflict. Petty Officer Miller displayed remarkable courage when his ship, the USS West Virginia, came under attack. As the fighting occurred, Miller dragged his ship's commander, who was mortally wounded by shrapnel, out of the line of fire to safety. He then manned a 50- caliber Browning antiaircraft machine gun and shot down at least three of the 29 Japanese planes that went down that day until he was ordered to abandon ship. While Petty Officer Miller survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, he sadly lost his life during a second attack during the Battle of Makin Island when a Japanese submarine and aircraft attack sunk his ship. prgtoken , the attack on Pearl Harbor was a defining moment in United States history. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day helps to remind us of the importance of defending our freedoms and the heavy cost of doing so. We are reminded on this day of those who lost their lives, but also the countless other veterans--such as Dorie Miller--who have made invaluable contributions to our success during the Second World War.
PRESERVING ACCESS TO MANUFACTURED HOUSING ACT OF 2017
Keith Ellison (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-12-7

. . I oppose this bill. It would remove consumer protections put in place by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. H.R. 1699 would weaken Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) requirements for people who buy manufactured homes. HOEPA requires additional disclosures to people taking out a loan to buy a home when the interest rate is 6.5 percent or 8.5 percent above the annual percentage rate (APR) for the average Prime Offer Rate (APOR). Those disclosures include: Explaining the consequences of default, disclosing loan terms and monthly payments, and ensuring the borrower receives homeownership counseling. prgtoken In addition, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, under Regulation Z, forbids firms selling manufactured homes from steering buyers into loans. This bill would remove these protections. prgtoken Manufactured homes are the biggest source of unsubsidized affordable housing in the country. More than 17 million people live in manufactured homes. If you removed manufactured housing, our national homeownership rate would fall 6 percent. The homes are of good quality. prgtoken Thanks to the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, high-cost loans to manufactured homeowners are rare. Wednesday, we received updated Duty-to-Serve requirements from the Federal Housing Finance Agency which will provide even more affordable financing to these buyers. prgtoken Before enacted the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the financing for manufactured homes was notoriously predatory. If you want to see how badly manufactured homebuyers used to be treated, read the award-winning series of articles in the Seattle Times. The investigation showed that the main seller of manufactured homes--Clayton Homes--steered borrowers to lenders like Vanderbilt Mortgage and 21st Mortgage which Clayton actually owned. prgtoken Clayton's loans are particularly expensive compared with those of its peers. The company locks buyers in loans at interest rates that can exceed 15 percent. If this bill, H.R. 1699 was enacted, borrowers could again be asked to pay 14 or 15 percent without being told that there might be cheaper options. prgtoken I've also introduced bills to help manufactured home buyers: prgtoken The Energy Efficient and Manufactured Home Act (H.R. 515) helps manufactured home buyers replace their outdated homes. prgtoken Two bills--the Frank Adelmann Manufactured Housing Community Sustainability Act, (H.R. 3296) and the Fair Tax Treatment for Manufactured Home Communities (H.R. 3399)--help residents of mobile home parks buy the land and run their community as a cooperative. prgtoken Let's bring those bills to the House floor. Not this bill which would steer borrowers to high-cost lenders. Now is the time to keep hard fought protections for manufactured home buyers so they re can buy homes they can afford. People who work with manufactured homebuyers oppose this bill
GOP TAX PLAN
Jared Huffman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-12-7

our colleagues who control the House, the Senate, and the White House are on the verge of another government shutdown. They have brought us to the brink, and now they are asking for more time to get their work done. prgtoken Why do they need more time? We have seen this coming. We have already granted one extension. But instead of working with to avoid a shutdown, they have been rushing through a tax scam. They have been obsessed with this reverse Robin Hood scheme to take money from the middle class and give it to corporations and the wealthiest 1 percent. prgtoken Meanwhile, we need to keep the VA open for business. We need to restore the Children's Health Insurance Program and community health centers. We need to provide safety for DACA recipients who are living in fear. We need to provide wildfire victims in California and the victims of the disastrous hurricanes who are waiting for emergency disaster funding the support they need to rebuild their lives. prgtoken Each of these priorities has bipartisan support. But instead of working together on these bipartisan solutions, a unified government has been focused solely on further rigging the system to benefit special interests and billionaires. prgtoken No more extensions. Let's work to keep the government open and to address the real priorities of the American people.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2017-12-7

. Thank you, . prgtoken I rise today to speak about the confirmation of Susan Bodine to lead the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. prgtoken For those who may not know, that is a big job. This is an incredibly important job. The EPA's enforcement office protects the health of our citizens and our environment by ensuring that everyone is playing by the same rules. When bad actors don't follow the rules that we have put in place to maintain a clean and healthy environment for all Americans, it is EPA's enforcement office that holds them accountable. prgtoken In the past, the actions taken by this office at EPA have led to reductions in toxic air pollution, as well as to the cleanup of contaminated lands and waterways across our country. In fact, last year alone, EPA's enforcement work required companies to invest some $13.7 billion in similar cleanup efforts. prgtoken From the time that she was nominated, Susan Bodine's resume suggests, not just to me but to almost all of us, that she can play a very constructive role if she were confirmed to serve as head of EPA's enforcement office. Ms. Bodine has served as a staff member in both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for over a decade. She also spent time working in the administration of . Given that breadth of experience, I believe she has a good understanding of the relationship that should exist between the separate but equal branches of our government and the critical role that EPA's enforcement office plays. prgtoken When she was nominated for this position, Ms. Bodine was kind enough to come to my office and spend a considerable amount of time with me and with my staff to discuss the job and her qualifications, which I appreciated very much. She spoke of the work she had done for Senators Inhofe and Barrasso, both of whom have taken seriously their oversight roles on the EPW Committee. prgtoken From the day Ms. Bodine and my staff and I met in my office, I have made explicitly clear to Ms. Bodine that while I think she is well qualified for this job, I also take seriously the oversight role that we play on the Environment and Public Works Committee. prgtoken From the day of that meeting with Ms. Bodine until now, my request has been consistent, yet fairly simple: The EPA should provide complete, adequate, and timely responses to the committee that oversees the work of that Agency. Absent a serious commitment to do so, I have consistently said that I would be unable to support moving forward almost any EPA nominees. prgtoken I have also said from the very beginning that I do not make such statements lightly or with any sense of joy, but I believe firmly that this body and its Members have a constitutional duty to perform rigorous oversight and that we must protect that responsibility regardless of which party happens to be in power. Over 200 days is far too long to wait for
TRIBUTE TO MAX MENDEZ
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2017-12-7

it is my honor to announce our latest Granite Stater of the Month, an inspiring, resilient, and generous young man from Merrimack, NH. prgtoken Max Mendez, an 8-year-old boy--also known as Mighty Max and Professor Max--has battled leukemia for over a year, and he has proven to be a shining example of the values that make the Granite State and all of our communities strong. prgtoken As Max began treatment last year--procedures, blood draws, and tests--at Boston Children's Hospital, he was often recognized for his courage and grit. The hospital had a supply of toys, and after these procedures, he would often be rewarded with one of them. prgtoken Max received so many toys that he started to donate some of them to other kids and realized that giving toys felt even better than receiving them. prgtoken In the face of his own severe health challenges, Max started Mighty Max's Mega Toy Drive to help supply Jimmy Fund Clinic, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Boston Children's Hospital's hematology and oncology unit with presents for brave young patients like himself. prgtoken In true Granite State fashion, Max and his family received invaluable support from their community, including friends, local businesses, schools, sports teams, and the local police department. prgtoken Max's community donated toys, offered spaces, collection sites, and delivered donations to Max and the Mendez family. With extra help from his sister, Mckayla, and the Lyna family, who helped advertise the toy drive and store donations, Mighty Max's Mega Toy Drive received roughly 3,000 toys ahead of the holiday season this year. prgtoken Mighty Max, the Mendez family, and all of the Granite Staters who supported the toy drive demonstrate the spirit that makes New Hampshire such a strong, resilient State. prgtoken While battling leukemia and enduring painful treatments, Max found it in himself to bring joy to others who face similar challenges. His entire community, including people Max will never meet, is stronger because of his generous spirit and hard work. prgtoken Max is an inspiration for all of us during this holiday season and beyond, and I am proud to call him our Granite Stater of the Month. prgtoken Thank you. prgtoken .
I WILL NOT BE MOVED
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-12-7

once again, I enjoy the preeminent privilege of speaking from the well of the House of Representatives. I am so honored to have this great opportunity. prgtoken Today, , I rise to acknowledge that, yesterday, a historic event took place right here in this House yesterday, 58 persons voted to impeach , President of the United States of America that is 57 more than a good many people anticipated. prgtoken , there are some who would have the event be nothing more than a footnote in history. Some would just have it be a nonevent. But, , it won't happen. It will not be just a footnote. It won't be a nonevent. prgtoken , this event will be looked upon by scholars as they look through time to understand what happened at this time. They will ponder it and find that those 58 persons were the first 58 to vote to impeach --the first 58, not the last 58, . There will be another opportunity for us to remove from the Presidency. prgtoken , when I took my vote yesterday, I voted for a lot of constituents. I just want to single out a few. prgtoken I voted for the man who stood on a corner under a bridge, cup in his hand, asking for help. When he saw me, he had a big smile on his face. I voted for him because his words to me, paraphrasing, were: I am so proud of what you are doing with that impeachment. This is a man standing in the streets of life, who sleeps in the streets of life. prgtoken I voted for the person who was on a serving line at a cafeteria--I eat in cafeterias quite regularly--who said: Right on; keep on. prgtoken I voted for the woman who saw me at church and said: Al Green, you are a troublemaker, but don't you stop until you impeach . prgtoken , I voted for people who would never have this preeminent privilege that they have accorded me to stand here in the well of the Congress. I am not going to let them down, . prgtoken This was round one. I assure you, , that I don't give out, I don't give up, and I don't give in. I know that I am on the right side of righteousness, and I am going to stay there. prgtoken Here is where I stand. I will not be moved.