mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SYRIAN CIVIL WAR
Anthony G. Brown (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-4-18

there is a civil war in Syria and a humanitarian crisis that the United States simply cannot and should not ignore. prgtoken Today there are some 2,000 U.S. soldiers and marines on the ground in Syria who have spent the past several years engaged in the fight to defeat ISIS. That fight has been largely successful, yet troops remain in Syria to prevent a resurgence of ISIS. U.S. forces are engaged in hostilities against ISIS, not in the Syrian civil war. prgtoken Congress was informed in 2015 that our forces are in Syria pursuant to the AUMF enacted in 2001, in response to the attacks on 9/11. prgtoken Although U.S. ground forces aren't engaged in the Syrian civil war, our forces have engaged Syrian forces and its regime. Last year, a U.S. Navy F-18 shot down a Syrian war plane in the collective self-defense of our coalition partners. The use of force in self-defense is unquestionably authorized, however risky that may be in potentially drawing the U.S. into armed conflict with Syria or into the Syrian civil war. prgtoken In the fall of 2016, U.S. forces mistakenly and unintentionally killed Syrian troops in an air strike that was intended for ISIS fighters. Last year, the Syrian regime launched an aerial bombing with sarin, causing the deaths of nearly 100 civilians. prgtoken In response to Assad carrying out these war crimes, the United States military, at the direction of President , fired 59 cruise missiles against a Syrian air base. It was the air base from which the aircraft were launched to drop nerve gas on innocent women, children, men, and civilians. prgtoken But that didn't stop Assad. Just 11 days ago, less than 10 days after President instructed military leaders to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria as soon as possible, Assad again launched a chemical attack on more than 500 people. prgtoken In response, and without meaningful discussion with Congress, President , once again, ordered air strikes against Syrian targets associated with the Syrian chemical weapons program. prgtoken , notwithstanding the U.S. presence on the ground and our air engagements in Syria since 2015, this Congress has never openly and formally debated the question of authorization for the use of military force in Syria. prgtoken It is time for us to do our job. Assad is a barbaric, genocidal dictator. The use of chemical weapons is heinous, and the use of conventional weapons against civilians, which he is also guilty of doing, is equally heinous. prgtoken Syria is a humanitarian disaster. 400,000 Syrians, most of whom are innocent civilians, are dead. These facts are not disputed. For more than 70 years, the United States has been an anchor of international security, and I believe we cannot look away when a dictator brazenly and repeatedly violates international law. prgtoken The debate that is long overdue in Congress should not be limited to if, when, and how the United States should respond to the next chemical
Climate Change (Executive Calendar)
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-4-18

when we think about climate change-- something we don't do much of in this body--we often think about rising global temperatures and heat waves, and we think of changing weather patterns, stronger storms, or sea level rise threatening coastal communities. We actually see these effects unfold across the United States and around the world as heat records fall, winters shrink, and waters creep ever higher along our coastlines. prgtoken We also see the economic consequences of climate change. Just last year, the United States suffered a record 16 separate billion-dollar weather disasters, adding up to well over $300 billion in damages. Acidifying seawater has devastated shellfish harvests in the Pacific Northwest. Rhode Island fishermen struggle as their traditional catches move farther north and offshore. Insurers and bond rating agencies warn that coastal regions are becoming too risky to build homes and infrastructure. prgtoken Among those various hazards, there is another hazard: the effects of climate change on public health. The Rhode Island Department of Health has produced this guide for Rhode Islanders to help them understand the health risks they face from climate change and to better learn how to protect themselves from what are often new risks. prgtoken Perhaps the most obvious effect of climate change on public health is increased heat-related illness and mortality. This link has been well studied across the country, often cross-referencing temperature records and death certificates. Work has been done by a lot of places; one of them is Rhode Island's own Brown University. prgtoken Here is the Rhode Island Health Department report. Over the last century, Rhode Island's average temperature has already increased by more than 3 degrees Fahrenheit, and temperatures are expected to keep on climbing due to climate change. Currently, Rhode Island sees on average only about 10 days of 90-plus degree temperatures. Starting in the next decade and running through the end of the century, the number of days that the heat index will hit at least 90 degrees will rise to between 13 and 44 days each summer. That is as much as 6 weeks in a summer of heat in the nineties. That increase of hot summer days caused by climate change puts many Rhode Islanders at risk, particularly those who don't have air conditioning, either because they can't afford it or because, right now, they don't need it. Heat waves are the leading cause of extreme weather-related deaths in the United States, causing an average of more than 600 deaths a year and thousands more hospitalizations. Rhode Island, even though we are in the Northeast, is not spared, and with climate change, it will only get worse. prgtoken Hot days pose a health risk to many different groups of people, as shown here in Rhode Island's Department of Health report. Children, the elderly, people who work outdoors, athletes, the disabled, pregnant women, and fol
TAXPAYER FIRST ACT
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-4-18

I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy, and I appreciate his hard work with Chair Jenkins moving this forward. prgtoken This is an example of--maybe people don't think it is earthshaking-- but being able to come together and deal with things that make a difference with the IRS, which is the largest voluntary tax compliance system in the world. It is very important. And I am pleased, with the reference to 13 hearings and a lot of the back and forth, being able to reach consensus. prgtoken But let me say, I wish that those two people who led this effort had been empowered to do a deep dive into some of the dysfunctionality that has been imposed on the IRS. Since 2010, the IRS is dealing with more and more returns which are more and more complex, and my friends have slashed the people who work on it. prgtoken We haven't modernized the computer system which those of us who took our first computer programming in the 1970s, I think, would be equipped to work on. It is so outdated. prgtoken We have cut the people who were involved with enforcement. Now, I would wish that everybody would voluntarily comply, but everybody doesn't. And as a result, those people who work on enforcement make about $6 for the taxpayer for every dollar we invest in their efforts. And, more importantly, it is a signal that everybody is going to be treated fairly. The people who cut corners, who forget, or who outright cheat are taking away money from the government and putting the burden on others who not only have to pick up the slack, but the people who cheat get an unfair advantage in how they do business. prgtoken They are more profitable because they don't pay their full freight. That is stupid, unfair, and it is counterproductive. That is one of the reasons why we have a $450 billion tax gap--the difference between what is owed as a result of people's tax liability and what is paid. prgtoken My friends on the other side of the aisle have been involved with punishing the IRS for things real and imagined. But who has really suffered has been the taxpayer, people who can't get their phone calls answered. The IRS doesn't have staff in customer service who can readily answer concerns that taxpayers have. prgtoken I am outraged when I hear attorneys and accountants in my community say: Yeah, I had a client who had a legitimate claim and they would have gotten that $4,000 back, but I had to tell them that, because of the dysfunctionality and the underinvestment in the IRS, it would cost them more for me to fix it for them than they would get back. prgtoken That is a scandal. We ought to make sure that we have a fully functioning IRS that meets the needs of the taxpayers, that gives them the answers that they need, that makes a very clear signal that everybody needs to fulfill their civic obligations to pay their taxes, and that businesses that cheat or forget are not going to get an unfair advantage over people who work hard to follow
TAXPAYER FIRST ACT
John Lewis (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2018-4-18

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I want to thank Chairman Brady for all of his great and good work and for all of his help. prgtoken , I rise in strong support of H.R. 5444. I am proud to join the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Jenkins) in introducing the Taxpayer First Act. prgtoken I would like to begin by thanking the chairwoman for her good and great work on this bill. It was a wonderful opportunity and a great pleasure to work with Ms. Jenkins. prgtoken I would also like to thank our friend and colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Buchanan), for his determination to work together on behalf of the taxpayers. prgtoken Finally, I would like to recognize our staff--Karen McAfee, Peg McGlinch, Machalagh Carr, Rachel Kaldahl, Liz Navin, Lindsay Steward, Meinan Gogo, Adam York, and Jamila Thompson--for all of their hard, good, and great work, and we will never forget you. prgtoken , the process and the product should inspire each and every Member of this body. For over a year, the Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee hosted hearings and roundtables. We listened and asked questions. We asked ic and Members to provide feedback. We reached out to taxpayers and advocates. We negotiated. We took our time, and, , I believe that we did it right. Together, we developed a bill that improves the independent appeals process and taxpayer services. prgtoken Last month, the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Jenkins) and I released a discussion draft of a bill that would strengthen the IRS and improve taxpayers' services. We reviewed the comments and tried to include fixes where there was agreement. The process was transparent and inclusive, and the product is strong and timely. prgtoken H.R. 5444 also makes commonsense updates to the structure of the IRS and the Tax Code. In particular, I am very proud of our work to improve IRS enforcement. For example, we were able to address a shocking issue that the National Taxpayer Advocate raised in her 2017 annual report to Congress. prgtoken It is hard to believe that the private debt collection program costs three times more than it collects. This flawed program targets and abuses thousands of low-income taxpayers by enrolling them in installment agreements that they simply cannot afford. That is not right. That is not fair. By removing low-income taxpayers from the private debt collection program, H.R. 5444 puts us on the right path. prgtoken Unfortunately, the IRS experienced serious system problems yesterday. I am glad that the IRS acted quickly and extended the tax filing deadline. These problems showed us that we need to have an honest talk with ourselves about the work ahead. prgtoken We all know that Congress cut the agency's budget by almost $1 billion since 2010. This reduction harmed both taxpayer services and tax administration. I have said time and time again that you cannot get blood from a turnip. I look forward to working with
ENSURING U.S. MARITIME JOBS
Rick Larsen (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2018-4-18

today I rise to express my continued support of American maritime jobs through enforcement of the Jones Act. prgtoken The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, more commonly known as the Jones Act, was named for its primary sponsor at the time, Senator Wesley Jones, of my home State, Washington State. prgtoken The Jones Act exists for good reason. It sustains and protects a strong domestic maritime and shipbuilding industry. It creates jobs for U.S. mariners, many of whom are veterans. It underpins U.S. maritime defense policy and is essential to preserving national security interests at home and abroad. The Jones Act requires the use of American-owned and -operated vessels to move all waterborne cargo between points in the U.S. prgtoken I have long maintained that the Jones Act ensures that domestic industries can remain vibrant contributors in the global shipping industry. prgtoken At its core, the Jones Act is a critical labor standard that helps put U.S. seafarers to work and maintains important workplace rights. In Washington State, approximately 60 percent of the State's ferries employees working on vessels are Jones Act compliant. prgtoken In 2012, I called on the then-administration to protect American jobs by adhering to the Jones Act in response to rising gas prices and the proposed release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. prgtoken Last year, I spoke up to support the Jones Act fleet in its heroic response to the natural disaster that hit Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. prgtoken As a member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, I am committed to working with my colleagues to uphold the longstanding tenets of the Jones Act to safeguard the important role maritime industries play in our economy. prgtoken The Jones Act exists for good reason. We should use it to good effect.
TAXPAYER FIRST ACT
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-4-18

I want to thank Mr. Lewis for yielding. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 5444, the Taxpayer First Act. In particular, I commend Representatives Lewis and Jenkins for their leadership to prevent private debt collectors from pursuing tax collections from individuals and families earning under 250 percent of the Federal poverty level. prgtoken I was deeply disturbed by the report of the Taxpayer Advocate which found that private debt collection enforcement this year targeted SSDI and SSI recipients, subjected impoverished Social Security recipients to levies, and put 45 percent of the studied taxpayers into installment agreements they could not afford. prgtoken The private debt collection program appears to have increased the profits of debt collectors at the expense of the disabled, retirees, and impoverished--counter to IRS policy and decency. Creating an independent appeals process, improving the offer in compromise program, and modernizing the IRS are overdue improvements. prgtoken So I thank Ranking Member Lewis and Chairman Jenkins for their leadership, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation.
TRIBUTE TO GERARD ``JERRY'' LACHANCE
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2018-4-18

this month, I am proud to recognize Gerard ``Jerry'' Lachance of Sandown, NH, as our Granite Stater of the Month in honor of his incredible dedication to supporting our veterans. prgtoken At 70 years old, Jerry is currently on a more than 2,000-mile journey by bike from Florida to the northernmost tip of New Hampshire to raise funds for Project Hero, a nonprofit that builds adaptive bikes and helps support veterans and first responders impacted by injury and posttraumatic stress disorder. prgtoken Jerry, an avid cyclist for 12 years, a volunteer firefighter of more than 20 years for the Sandown Fire Rescue, and a Vietnam veteran, wanted to find a way to give back and support the brave servicemembers he considers to be his heroes. During one of Project Hero's honor rides, Jerry met a veteran who lost his leg during his service. The veteran was using an adaptive bike that he received from Project Hero, which inspired Jerry to do more to help the organization. prgtoken In 2016, Jerry biked from the New Hampshire-Canadian border to Key West, FL, with the goal of raising $5,000, but his community was so inspired by Jerry's ride that he ended up raising $25,000 for Project Hero. prgtoken This year, over the course of his 40-day ride, Jerry hopes to raise another $25,000 to support our veterans. prgtoken We owe our brave veterans and servicemembers a debt of gratitude that we can never truly repay, but we must try. Efforts like Jerry's are an example for all of us of the dedication and support we can give to those who have sacrificed bravely for our country. prgtoken Jerry Lachance has proven to be a shining example of how we can support our veterans, and he embodies the values and all-hands-on-deck spirit of the Granite State. I thank Jerry for both his own military service and his commitment to our veterans, and I am honored to recognize him as our Granite Stater of the Month.
I AM FOR THE CHILD DAY
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2018-4-18

today I rise to recognize the first annual I am for the Child Day on April 18, 2018, sponsored by the Wisconsin Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASA, Association and the National CASA Association. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Wisconsin CASA champions the needs of abused and neglected children. Over 6,000 Wisconsin children are in foster care; yet only 690 are assigned trained volunteers who can advocate for their safety and well- being while under the protection of the courts and child welfare agencies. The goal of the first annual I am for the Child Day is to raise awareness about the need for volunteers and the crippling impacts of child abuse and neglect on vulnerable children. I am proud to honor the WI CASA organization and the dedicated volunteers whose voice can speak for these children. prgtoken The Wisconsin CASA Association is a charitable, nonprofit member of the National CASA Association network. The association supports local programs throughout the State of Wisconsin in La Crosse, Vernon, Monroe, Brown, Marinette, Outagamie, Rock, Columbia, Dane, Manitowoc, Sauk, and Milwaukee Counties. Court appointed special advocates are community volunteers who champion the needs of abused and neglected children. They are sworn ``friends of the court'' acting under the jurisdiction of an appointing judge. Their work strengthens outcomes for children involved in an overstrained social welfare system. They provide advocacy for children's health, safety, emotional and physical development, family interaction, education, faith, recreation, and the cultural continuity that children need to thrive. prgtoken These volunteers interact with parents, caregivers, siblings, extended family members, foster parents, teachers, counselors, and healthcare providers to monitor the children's educational progress and social development. Their observations ultimately cultivate important recommendations for the court. Research shows that CASA volunteers strengthen outcomes for children, enhance child safety, reduce time spent in foster care, and improve the services the children receive. prgtoken CASA organizations are accelerating their advocacy by designating April 18 as the first annual I am for the Child Day with the goal of bringing awareness to child abuse everywhere and to help these children navigate a tumultuous life experience. Once again, I commend the Wisconsin Court Appointed Special Advocates Association on their admirable work and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments in the future.
Tax Reform (Executive Calendar)
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2018-4-18

I come to the floor today to urge my colleagues to vote against the nomination of Carlos Muniz to be the Department of Education's general counsel. prgtoken The Department of Education's primary responsibility is to help schools educate our students and prepare them to be successful in life. A good education can open doors of opportunity for children who may not have thought that their dreams were possible, and a good education can lift millions of families out of poverty and into the middle class. That is certainly what a good education did for me and for my family. prgtoken As many working families are struggling today, we should be working to make sure every child can attend a good public school in their own neighborhood. We need to do more to ensure that every student who wants to attend college can afford it, graduate, and find a good-paying job and is not saddled with a mountain of debt. It is critical that every student, no matter what age, learn in a safe environment, free from discrimination, harassment, and violence. prgtoken This should be at the core of our Nation--that everyone has the right to a high-quality education, no matter where they live or how they learn or how much money their parents make. prgtoken As general counsel to the Department of Education, Mr. Muniz would be responsible for providing legal advice and assistance to Secretary DeVos. Her first year in office has shown how much she needs it. prgtoken Secretary DeVos continues to push her extreme privatization agenda even though millions of students, parents, and teachers have stood up and rejected it. prgtoken Despite bipartisan agreement in Congress on our Nation's K-12 law, the Every Student Succeeds Act, Secretary DeVos is approving State plans that do not comply with all of ESSA's guardrails--guardrails that were agreed to by s and in Congress to help ensure that no student falls through the cracks. prgtoken Secretary DeVos has rolled back protections for students and student loan borrowers, making it easier for predatory, for-profit colleges to take advantage of students. prgtoken Time and again, she has failed to uphold civil rights protections for students. She has tried to scale back the Office for Civil Rights, opened the doors for schools to once again discriminate against transgender students, and rolled back guidance for schools on how to investigate campus sexual assault. Especially in this moment when more and more women are coming forward and sharing their stories of harassment and assault, there is no excuse for those in power to attempt to sweep their stories under the rug. By rolling back this guidance, Secretary DeVos allowed schools to put the burden back on survivors. By making it harder for them to trust they will be believed, I am concerned that fewer women will come forward. prgtoken , it is clear that Secretary DeVos needs an independent general counsel who will st
HAWAII DISASTER
Tulsi Gabbard (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2018-4-18

over the last several days, the people of Hawaii have faced extreme and severe weather, heavily impacting the communities of Waimanalo, east Oahu, and most heavily, the island of Kauai. prgtoken Far too many people are living and struggling in chaos as a result of record-breaking rain, flooding, and landslides that have completely devastated communities, homes, and businesses. It has led to hundreds of people being evacuated. prgtoken Many people are still struggling without water and electricity. They are stranded, separated from their children and family members on different parts of the island, and relying on airlifts from the Hawaii National Guard for basic supplies. Time and again, our Kauai community has come together, proven to be strong and resilient, mobilized to support and take care of each other. prgtoken I want to say a big thank you to Mayor Carvalho, the Hawaii National Guard, the Coast Guard, our first responders, organizations like the Red Cross, churches, schools, and members of our community who have stood up and taken action, leaders like: Joel Guy and Ryan Sebring; Doug Phillips, who was running boats; Laird Hamilton, who was running water rescue; Hanalei and the Takeshiros, who were running their Zodiac up and down the Wainiha River; Malama Kawai, Mocu Chandler, Laura Richards, and so many more. prgtoken I am looking forward to being on Kauai tomorrow to offer my support to those who are helping provide relief to those most affected as our delegation stands ready to help Kauai recover from this disaster.