mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018--MOTION TO PROCEED
Ben Sasse (Republican, NE) \u2014 2017-9-26

until you arrived to relieve me, I had been presiding since the opening of the Senate this morning, and I had the opportunity to listen to lengthy speeches from the ic leader and the assistant ic leader this morning. I would like to correct the record on three brief items. prgtoken First of all, as is common, almost an epidemic around here, there were repeated references to the desire to cut Federal spending on healthcare for the poor and for the sickest among us. That is simply not true. It is an epidemic way of speaking around here, where people act as though, if you want to reduce the rate of growth, that is actually a cut. The fact that people in this body say it all the time doesn't make it true. No normal people ever talk that way. If you are having a debate at your house about your household budget and you are spending beyond your means and somebody proposes that next year you should spend 30 percent more than you spent this year, when this year you already spent more than you can afford, and you have big debate and you say ``No. Actually, next year, let's only spend 15 percent more than we spent this year,'' that is not a cut. You will still spend more money next year than you will this year. Because you have a debate about the rate of growth--that is not the same thing as a cut. It is a fundamentally dishonest way of speaking, and we should stop doing it around here. prgtoken The second thing that was said in these speeches that I listened to is that s have a desire to give insurance companies more money. I would love it if some would come to the floor and explain why the stock prices of all the big health insurers in America have been through the roof since the passage of Care and why the big health insurance companies are the people lobbying the strongest to keep the current collapsing Care regime in place and actually asking for even more Federal money for insurance companies. prgtoken It isn't the case that the proposals s are making on reforming healthcare are something for which the insurance companies are cheering; rather, the insurance companies want to keep the Care regime in place and add yet more tax dollars to it. prgtoken It would be great if we could have an honest debate around here instead of these sort of made-up stories that the plans are in the interest of health insurance companies. prgtoken I will readily admit and have often admitted to this body that the Party has done a bad job of explaining what we are for in terms of replacing Care. We have done a bad job, and we have not spoken with a clear voice. But speaking for myself, I will say that I actually want to have insurance play a smaller role in the healthcare sector because there are all sorts of things that we are currently insuring against in healthcare that we don't ever conceivably think would be a rational w
HONORING PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FREELON F. KELLY
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2017-9-26

today we honor Wayne County resident, Private First Class Freelon F. Kelly, decorated combat veteran, farmer, friend, and fallen hero. prgtoken Born on the 2nd of May, 1912, PFC Kelly trained as an infantryman and shipped to the European Theater of Operations in 1940 where his 26th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division led America's first-ever combat amphibious assault in North Africa. His division, nicknamed the ``Big Red One'' for the red Arabic numeral 1 on their shoulder sleeve insignia, fought the enemy at Tunisia's Kasserine Pass, the Amphibious Battle of Gela, Sicily, the Normandy invasion, the battle of prgtoken Aachen, Germany, and the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium's Ardennes province. prgtoken The Big Red One held the critical shoulder of the Bulge at Bullingen--a small, rural town of 2,000 residents--facing insurmountable odds, rallying to their motto: ``No Mission Too Difficult. No Sacrifice Too Great.'' PFC Kelly was Killed In Action on a snowy, bitterly cold day, December 21st, 1944, and for his sacrifice was awarded a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. His name is inscribed on the 1st Infantry Division obelisk in Bullingen, commemorating the 458 Big Red One soldiers who died there while ``fighting for the liberty of the world.'' prgtoken He was brought home to his final resting place in the Gallaher Cemetery on Glenrock Rd less than a mile from his family's farmland through which the Factory Creek flows. Many family memories were made with his nine siblings, on this land, in this creek, and throughout his 32 years. prgtoken We dedicate the Factory Creek Bridge to the memory of PFC Freelon F. Kelly, WWII hero, who not only ensured the lives lost in combat were not lost in vain, but also embodied the legacy of service and sacrifice of The Greatest Generation.
WELCOMING REVEREND WILLIAM LYNN NASH
Ralph Lee Abraham (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-9-26

I rise today to introduce Brother Bill Nash, a great friend who delivered the opening prayer this morning, and what a prayer it was. prgtoken Brother Nash's wife founded Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church near my home in Mangham, Louisiana. prgtoken In the 15 years since he founded his church, Brother Nash has been active in the community. He is the deputy sheriff chaplain for Richland Sheriff's Department. He was named an honorary chaplain of the Louisiana Legislature in 2014. prgtoken Brother Nash is a true country evangelist and has been delivering sermons since he was 15 years old we appreciate the opportunity for him to offer the prayer this morning, and we thank him for all he has done for Louisiana.
PJM 90TH ANNIVERSARY
Ryan A. Costello (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-9-26

I rise today to recognize the hard work and dedication of all employees, past and present, at PJM Interconnection, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary. The work of PJM employees is critical to ensuring homes and businesses--more than 65 million people in total in all or portions of 13 states and the District of Columbia--have a reliable and efficient source of power. In fact, PJM oversees the largest power grid in North America, employing more than 600 people at their headquarters in my district near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. PJM was founded in 1927 when three utilities determined they could provide power more efficiently by interconnecting to share their generating resources and created the world's first continuous power pool. Over the past 90 years, PJM has grown to include more than one thousand members representing transmission owners, generation owners, consumers, and residential and commercial customers. PJM earned the distinction of being the country's first fully-functioning independent system operator in 1997 and the country's first fully-functioning regional transmission organization in 2002 PJM Interconnection has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and embraced innovation in the constantly-evolving utility industry and, therefore, I would ask my colleagues to join me in extending best wishes for continued success to all employees as they commemorate this memorable milestone.
PREPARE FOR FUTURE NATURAL DISASTERS
Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-9-26

I rise today to thank the first responders and utility workers, the linemen who have been vital in helping prepare for and recover from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. prgtoken The road to full recovery will be a long one for many of us, our neighbors as well, who experienced catastrophic losses, and we must continue to support those in need. prgtoken I encourage my constituents to visit my Facebook page to learn more about FEMA resources. I also believe now is the time to encourage all Americans to be properly prepared for future natural disasters. prgtoken I have introduced the SHELTER Act, which would provide individuals and businesses with a tax credit for 25 percent of qualified hurricane and tornado mitigation property expenditures. It is $5,000 a year. So again, this tax credit, this bill will incentivize Americans to take action now in preparation for future disasters. prgtoken , I urge passage.
HURRICANES' DESTRUCTION AND COST
Jenniffer González-Colón (Republican, PR) \u2014 2017-9-26

. Thank you, Mr. Weber, for allowing me to speak in these Special Orders, and actually speaking about hurricanes. prgtoken and Members, last week, Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, and prgtoken it is by far the worst hurricane to do so in the last century. It came at a time when Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and most of the Caribbean were beginning to recover from the impact of Hurricane Irma just 10 days earlier. prgtoken Keep in mind, also, that even before the winds and waves of Irma and Maria began to lash at the shores, Puerto Rico was already in a dire economic shape. We are still engaged in lifesaving operations, searching for and helping people who are in the greatest danger. prgtoken Maria snapped the island's communication towers, and gathering information from many communities has been nearly impossible at this time, especially in the rural center of the island, where the winds were ferocious and landslides have occurred. prgtoken This hurricane has been a disaster of unprecedented proportions. The images that you have been seeing on TV are dramatic but don't even begin to tell the magnitude of this catastrophe and the human suffering that you can only truly experience by being on the ground. In every way, Maria is on the same level of Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, Harvey, but with one major difference: Puerto Rico is an island, which makes it almost impossible to get aid and disaster relief resources in, as they can only come by sea or air. The people are basically stuck there with no place to go. prgtoken Currently, Puerto Rico's electric grid is completely down. Roads and bridges have been washed away, leaving many communities without communication. A crucial dam has burst, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people. Hospitals are crippled and operating on power generators, but the logistics of transporting the diesel needed to run them is extremely difficult. Thousands of homes, buildings, and businesses have been destroyed. Water and food are in short supply. People are waiting in line for up to 6 hours just to purchase $20 worth of gasoline. Commercial flights to and from the island are almost nonexistent, with thousands of people on airline wait-lists just to leave. Most banks cannot operate, and people don't have easy access to cash, which they need desperately because credit cards are not being used on the island because we don't have power. prgtoken Maria flattened 80 percent of the island's agriculture, and Puerto Rico's tourism industry has been crushed. For most of the island's residents, the hurricane can best be described as apocalyptic. Congress must approve an aid package that is proportional with the level of devastation. We need tangible relief that addresses the island's immediate needs. Without help, there will be a massive exodus to the U.S. mainland, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis will only get worse. prgtoken The residents of Puerto Rico are American citizens. Th
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2824, INCREASING OPPORTUNITY AND SUCCESS FOR CHILDREN AND PARENTS THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITING ACT; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2792, CONTROL...
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-9-26

. prgtoken , I want to talk again just for a minute about the second bill in today's rule, H.R. 2824, the Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act, that does extend funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. prgtoken I just wanted to talk for a minute about some of the results that we have seen in these program grants and, at this point, reference my home State of Texas to see how they have performed. prgtoken The Nurse-Family Partnership is a community-based home services group that supports pregnant women and new mothers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They have used grants from this program to support women through both the promotion of preventive and prenatal services for pregnant women, like connecting women to physicians, helping them get medications, and through the utilization of risk reduction services such as smoking cessation. prgtoken Again, I tell you this to reiterate that these are good programs. This is a good program that we are reauthorizing today and it is worthy of our attention and support. prgtoken , .
PRESIDENT TAKES NEW DIRECTION
Lamar Smith (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-9-26

the President is doing what he was elected to do--call it shaking up the system, putting the brakes on the bureaucracy, or creative deconstruction. prgtoken Our country simply cannot continue on the same course: where the government increases the debt by hundreds of billions of dollars every year; where hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants cross our border annually, insulting those who play by the rules and wait their turn in line; where political correctness limits freedom of speech, especially for conservatives. prgtoken The liberal media is trying to shut down this Presidency because they oppose everything President is trying to do in this great conflict, the American people and our democracy could be the casualties.
TRIBUTE TO BETTY SCHOENBAUM
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2017-9-26

I wish to recognize a prolific philanthropist, successful businesswoman, and extraordinary friend to the people of West Virginia, Betty Frank Schoenbaum, on the occasion of her 100th birthday. Countless West Virginians, Americans, and people all over the world have benefited and continue to benefit from the endeavors of Betty and her late husband, Alex Schoenbaum. prgtoken Betty received her degree in commerce from the Ohio State University in 1939; it was there that she met Alex, and the two would begin their lifelong proclivity toward helping the underprivileged. They would marry and move to Charleston, WV, soon after, beginning a successful business career that would increase the impact of their generosity. prgtoken Starting with the Parkette Drive-In on Charleston's West Side, the Schoenbaums built a prosperous restaurant chain that would eventually be known as Shoney's. The chain grew into over 1,000 locations across dozens of States, employing many West Virginians as it became an iconic American brand. Not content to rest on their success, Betty and Alex sought to share their good fortune with the world. prgtoken The philanthropic gifts made by the Schoenbaums are too numerous to list individually. During Alex's lifetime, he and Betty established the Schoenbaum Fund at the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation in Charleston, which was used to purchase sports and recreation equipment for over 200 public schools in the Kanawha Valley. They also established the Schoenbaum Scholarship Foundation and the Schoenbaum Family Foundation, which continues to give to numerous organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, the Children's Home Society of West Virginia, Mountaineer Food Bank, Mountaineer Habitat for Humanity, and the United Way of Kanawha Valley. prgtoken Since Alex's passing, Betty has continued to give, establishing the Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center, funding the construction of a Library at the University of Charleston and an undergraduate college of business building at the Ohio State University, and endowing scholarships at West Virginia University and the Ohio State University. prgtoken Betty may be celebrating her 100th birthday, but age has not slowed her down. She continues to serve as the president of the Schoenbaum Family Foundation and as a board member for several foundations, committees, and organizations. She is also an active member of the Sarasota, FL, community. According to Betty, there is great joy and purpose to be had from a life of giving to your fellow man. I believe I speak for many when I say we can all benefit from her example. I wish her many more years of health and happiness.
HURRICANES' DESTRUCTION AND COST
Blake Farenthold (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-9-26

I did want to add that, though Texans are helping people and people are helping each other, volunteer organizations like Mr. Weber is talking about, the Federal Government, also, is helping with FEMA and SBA loans. prgtoken Some people have gotten denial letters from FEMA. If you read them carefully, they are not always denial letters. You should follow up with FEMA. It may be you are just missing some paperwork. prgtoken All Congressmen have folks in their office, caseworkers or red tape cutters, who can help if you are having problems getting the help you need from FEMA or the SBA. We can't get them to bend or break the rules, but if you are having trouble communicating or you feel like you are not being treated right, please call your Member of Congress' office because we are here to help in more ways than just sitting up here in Washington making laws. prgtoken One of the best parts of the job is helping folks out on a one-on-one basis, and we are doing that throughout the district I represent, from Wharton, Bay City, Victoria, down to Corpus Christi, Rockport, and to all the other communities that I represent. prgtoken So I just want to make sure folks knew that your congressional office is a resource.
INCREASING OPPORTUNITY AND SUCCESS FOR CHILDREN AND PARENTS THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITING ACT
Patrick Meehan (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-9-26

. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I want to express my deep appreciation for the opportunity to join in this advocacy for this very important bill. prgtoken One of the great frustrations I know I share is when we have to make choices, and I see people come to me and they want us to increase the funding for those who are on the front lines fighting for our country, to increase the funding for those who are suffering from diseases, to increase the funding to protect senior citizens in various capacities, and every one of them tears at your heartstrings. prgtoken That is why, to me, it is such an incredible accomplishment when you are able, at this particular period of time, with huge deficits, to be able to fight to make sure that we can retain the funding to drive a fundamental program. The chairman has done that in this case, and I find the arguments to double that to be just a Trojan horse, an impediment to helping us take a meaningful program and make sure that it is authorized and supported. prgtoken In April, I visited the Crozer-Keystone Community Foundation in my own district. The foundation operates MIECHV and uses the Nurse-Family Partnership model to serve women and families in Delaware County. The model enables nurses to conduct regular home visits for first-time mothers and their children who are less than 2-years-old. It is designed to improve prenatal health and outcomes, improve child health and development, and improve families' economic self-sufficiency. prgtoken The success is evident to the experience of the women and families in the programs. In fact, the Nurse-Family Partnership model has been shown to reduce child abuse by 48 percent, reduce emergency room visits for accidents and poisonings by 58 percent, and reduce behavioral and intellectual problems by age 6 by 67 percent. prgtoken A study found that $6 is returned to the community for every dollar it invests in the program. Did you hear that? For every dollar the community invests, they will get $6; so it is not wrong to ask our partners in the States to match this commitment. In fact, my own State of Pennsylvania, I am proud to say it has actually exceeded the prgtoken matching because they know it works and it makes a true partnership with the States. prgtoken So I want to, once again, conclude by applauding the efforts of the chairman to position this in such a way for us to be able to move forward, to create the opportunity for this genuine partnership, to move on, on behalf of the--not programs just like the Nurse-Family Partnership, but the broad spectrum that are supported.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Jeff Flake (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2017-9-26

I have 8 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: committee on armed services prgtoken The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at 10 a.m in open session to consider the nomination of: committee on banking, housing, and urban affairs prgtoken The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Oversight of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.'' committee on energy and natural resources prgtoken The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate in order to hold a hearing on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at 10 a.m. in Room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. committee on foreign relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 10:30 a.m to hold a business meeting. committee on foreign relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 10:45 a.m to hold a hearing entitled, ``Managing Security Assistance to Support Foreign Policy.'' committee on the judiciary prgtoken The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on September 26, 2017 at 10 a.m in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Special Counsels and the Separation of Powers.'' committee on intelligence prgtoken The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during prgtoken the session of the 115th Congress of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 from 2 p.m in room SH-219 of the Senate Hart Office Building to hold a Closed Member Roundtable. prgtoken committee on consumer protection, product safety, insurance, and data security prgtoken The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to hold a meeting during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building. prgtoken The Committee will hold Subcommittee Hearing on ``FTC Stakeholder Perspectives: Reform Proposals to Improve Fairness, Innovation and Consumer Welfare.''