mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018
Denny Heck (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-9-13

the fact of the matter is that our constituents were only informed 5 short weeks ago that ScaleUp was ending in 2 months. This amendment is the only recourse available given that very short timeframe, and because evidence-based measures of ScaleUp performance are all very positive, none of us had any reason to believe that the program would not continue, and the announcement came as a complete surprise to all of us. prgtoken The fact of the matter is, I don't agree with the decision of the Small Business Administration, and it is our job as a function of our oversight and check and balance responsibility to pursue our disagreement, as it were, because their decision flies in the face of the evidence. prgtoken I would argue that the appropriation process exists so that Congress can exercise this independent oversight of the spending priorities of the executive branch and assert itself in exactly this sort of a circumstance. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I would dearly love to work with the chair of the Small Business Committee on legislation to specifically authorize the ScaleUp program, but that is a longer term issue. This program will end at the end of this month if we don't act now, taking away a very valuable program that is working--evidence, metrics, measurable. It is getting the job done. prgtoken Why wouldn't we pass this amendment, it is fully offset, there is no increased spending here, and have the existing program continue while we work on a more permanent solution. prgtoken Mr. Chair, with all due respect, I would urge my colleagues to support this amendment in the name of helping small businesses grow. Two out of every three jobs created in America are created by small businesses. This program, ScaleUp, has been proven to work. There is not one shred of evidence that has been offered here today to suggest it isn't doing the job for which it was intended to do. prgtoken Please, support this amendment, support small businesses, support your check and balance responsibility, support the creation of jobs. prgtoken , .
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-9-13

earlier this week, we commemorated the 16th anniversary of the attack on our country on September 11. It was a day that I think none of us will ever forget. We were attacked, and we wanted to take all necessary action to protect our country and go after those who perpetrated this attack against America. prgtoken I was part of the Congress at that time and was part of the Congress that passed the 2001 authorization for the use of military force that was targeted toward Afghanistan, and I was part of the Congress that when we took up the 2002 authorization for use of military force against Iraq, I voted against that authorization. prgtoken It has now been 14 years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the end of the Saddam Hussein regime. Yet we still have the authority for the use of military force against Iraq, and it is still being used. It is time for that authorization to end. I take this time to support Senator Paul's efforts to put a termination date on the 2002 authorization and to put a termination date on the 2001 authorization. prgtoken The 2001 authorization was the first we passed. It was done virtually unanimously. There was some objection, but very few, because we wanted our country to hold those responsible in Afghanistan for the attack against America. That authorization is now 16 years prgtoken old. Let me read for my colleagues exactly what that authorization said, what we passed 16 years ago: That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those Nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons. prgtoken That is the authorization. It is pretty specific. It is pretty specific to go after those who were responsible for the attack against the United States that was centered in Afghanistan, and it was used for that purpose. Our military took action against Afghanistan as a result of the attack against our country, and that was authorized by Congress. prgtoken It is hard to understand how you can get from the reading of this authorization of the use of military force today as congressionally authorized against ISIS in the Middle East, in Africa, or anywhere in the world, but that is the interpretation that has been given to the action of Congress in 2001. I think that interpretation cannot be defended. prgtoken Congress has a responsibility to act. We have a responsibility to specifically authorize the new threats that we have against our country and what military force is appropriate. That is our responsibility. This is a different threat than we saw 16 years ago. It is our responsibility to give congressional authorization for the use of milit
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Joe Donnelly (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2017-9-13

I rise to discuss my legislation, which seeks to prevent American workers from losing their jobs and having them shipped to other countries. prgtoken I have always fought to protect American workers and ensure we have Federal policies that benefit our workers in Indiana and across the country. In my home State of Indiana, our workers are being hit particularly hard by jobs being lost and shipped out of prgtoken America. Recently, more than 300 workers at the Carrier plant in Indianapolis were laid off, and hundreds more are slated to lose their jobs just days before Christmas. They are not alone. Over 2,000 Hoosier jobs have been or are scheduled to be eliminated and outsourced at nine different companies. prgtoken These are more than just statistics. These are moms and dads, sisters and brothers, husbands and wives, our friends, our neighbors, and folks we go to church with, men and women who get up in the dark and go home in the dark, working hard every single day to take care of their families, to give everything they have to try to make their company a success. prgtoken These men and women, as I said, work hard every single day. They make quality products, they support their families, they pay their bills, and are working hard to save enough to retire with dignity, and now they are losing their jobs because those already highly profitable companies would rather squeeze out that last dollar in profits by paying less to foreign workers. I have met and spent time with Hoosier workers whose jobs are being outsourced. They are not looking for a handout. They just want an equal shot, a level playing field, and the opportunity to provide for their families. prgtoken I met them on the Sunday after the announcements were initially made at Carrier. I spent time with them, talked to them. One of our young men in a military uniform of our country, standing up and serving our Nation, had just been laid off, with his job being shipped elsewhere. He and fellow workers have fulfilled their part of the American promise--a promise that if you work hard and you help your company succeed, you will be able to keep your job, you will earn a decent living, you will be able to put a roof over your family's head, and you can send your kids to school to have an even greater shot at the American dream than you and then retire with dignity. prgtoken This is the basic promise of America--the promise of shared success of our workers and our companies. It is now in question. American companies need to live up to their part of the bargain as well, and many already do. prgtoken As a U.S. Senator, I have a responsibility to working families, to taxpayers, and to our economy. It is critical our laws and policies encourage businesses to invest in American workers and American communities and penalize those who ship jobs to foreign countries. That is why, earlier this year, I introduced the End Outsourcing Act, which is based o
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2017-9-13

I rise to speak about an amendment that I have submitted to restore ``Buy American'' standards that support our workers and our national defense. My amendment presents an opportunity to work across party lines to strengthen our national security and to support the hard-working men and women in Wisconsin and across the country. prgtoken In fact, President supports exactly what my amendment seeks to achieve. In addition, the Parliamentarians have confirmed that my amendment is germane postcloture. Given that the President agrees with me and the amendment is germane, I am calling on the leadership to schedule an up-or-down vote on my amendment so that Senators have a chance to show their support for the workers who help keep America secure. prgtoken Let me explain what my amendment would do. The National Defense Authorization Act would eliminate a number of important ``Buy American'' laws for certain critical defense components for Navy ships and other defense programs. prgtoken My amendment, entitled the Supporting America's Defense Workers Act, would prevent the elimination of these critical ``Buy American'' protections, which give preference to American companies for government contracts funded with taxpayer dollars. It is a commonsense ``Buy American, Hire American'' policy that supports our domestic industrial base, our workers, and our national and economic security. prgtoken Current law requires that certain critical components like valves, air circuit breakers, machine tools, anchor chains, propellers, passenger buses, chemical weapons antidotes, and photovoltaic devices be supplied by American companies or certain qualified companies located in closely allied countries, such as Canada. prgtoken Section 863 of the Defense bill would enact a harmful sunset provision on these current requirements, eliminating them entirely at the end of fiscal year 2018 and consequently opening up taxpayer-funded defense contracts to unfairly subsidized foreign competition and placing American jobs at risk. prgtoken Opening these procurements up to foreign sources would have the additional effect of undercutting American steel and iron producers because foreign manufacturers of these components do not use U.S.- sourced raw materials. Section 863 would weaken these sectors of the U.S. defense industrial base and jeopardize the stability of companies located in States across this country and the manufacturers of those components. This would, in turn, harm our military's ability to rely on secure and stable sources of critical defense components in an increasingly prgtoken dynamic global security environment. If domestic sources for critical defense components exit the market, our military could be forced into relying on countries that don't share our interests, including strategic adversaries like China or Russia, for parts and supplies. prgtoken I want to emphasize that my amendment does not add
HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE FIGHTING FOR A BETTER DEAL FOR AMERICANS
Hakeem S. Jeffries (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-9-13

the administration has turned its attention to so-called tax reform, and the American people will face a clear choice. prgtoken House s want tax cuts for the wealthy and the well-off. That is a raw deal. prgtoken House are fighting for tax cuts for working families and middle class Americans. That is a better deal. prgtoken The American people deserve a country where, if you work hard and play by the rules, you can provide a comfortable living for your family; but for far too many Americans, that basic contract has been broken. That is why House are fighting for better jobs, better wages, and a better future. prgtoken House are fighting for higher pay, lower costs, and tools for the 21st century economy, and House are fighting for a better deal for every single American.
TAX REFORM
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-9-13

I would like to spend a minute this morning talking about tax reform. prgtoken We want to actually achieve tax reform in this country, but in a way that gives some relief to middle-class families. We don't want to give big tax breaks to those at the very top while working families are struggling to make ends meet, and we don't want a reform to balloon the debt because we know down the road many s will use the debt as an excuse to come after Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Our caucus is united on that front. prgtoken But the President this morning tweeted, ``With Irma and Harvey devastation, Tax Cuts and Tax Reform is needed more than ever before.'' With all due respect to the President, a tax cut--particularly one for the very wealthy--is not going to help Florida or Texas rebuild from these storms. The President has it exactly backward in another way. We are about to add billions to the deficit to rebuild parts of our country, something we absolutely should do because it is an emergency, but that makes it even more important that tax reform be fiscally responsible and deficit neutral--not ``Tax Cuts'' as the President tweeted. prgtoken We would be wise to remember the era when Congress passed a massive tax cut and put two wars on the national credit card. It exploded the deficit and debt. Ever since, many s have been pointing to the size of the debt as a reason to cut back on earned benefits, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. prgtoken So, particularly after all of this emergency spending for Harvey and Irma, which we absolutely must do, we should not pile hundreds of billions, maybe trillions more on top of the debt. Tax reform should be deficit neutral. prgtoken We are willing to work with our colleagues on tax reform insofar as they are working on tax reform that is deficit neutral and provides middle-class tax relief. I think that point was made by my ic colleagues who went to the White House last night. We will not go along with the tax scheme to lavish the wealthy with lower rates or even more carve-outs or a plan that explodes the debt and the deficit. Unfortunately, what we have heard of the plan so far reveals that they are designing a tax plan that does exactly that-- helps the wealthy above all. Case in point: prgtoken Last week, President said that the estate tax was a ``tremendous burden for the family farmer'' and that it was crushing the American dream. prgtoken Does everyone here know what the estate tax is? It is a tax cut. It has been reformed. It was changed several years ago. It is now a tax cut for about the 5,000 richest families in America--approximately 0.2 percent of all of the estate owners in the country. The estate tax only kicks in when couples with estates of nearly $11 million transfer their wealth to their families. For families who have less than $11 million-- they do no
HEALTHCARE
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-9-13

I would like to turn to healthcare. For me, healthcare has always been the most important issue. It goes back to my days when I was director of the Oregon Gray Panthers. I have always felt, as a general proposition, that it is extraordinarily important for us to pursue bipartisan approaches in this space. I have focused on that, and, frankly, I got a lot of welts on my back to show for it. prgtoken I was very proud last night to be able to work with Chairman Hatch, and we have, in effect, announced the beginning of an agreement to deal with the Children's Health Insurance Program, a bipartisan approach, and do it in a responsible way. Obviously, there are other steps to go, but I think it reflects, again, a big, important issue in prgtoken polarized political times--the Finance Committee trying to find common ground. prgtoken The reality is, the principles around which healthcare reform has traditionally been based are still pretty valid. I believe, as the ranking on the Senate Finance Committee, that healthcare is a basic human right. I also believe our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have valid points as well about having a role for the private sector in the delivery of healthcare. So I have long used those kind of bedrock principles to guide me with respect to healthcare, and that is why I wanted to come to the floor today to talk about what was just announced by Senators-- Senators only--to make one last attempt to roll back Americans' healthcare before they lose the opportunity to take advantage of the special rules that would allow partisan-only approaches, and they expire at the end of the month. prgtoken As I said, my focus--as was the case last night with Chairman Hatch, and we are far from done here--was to find common ground with respect to a critical program for children. prgtoken Earlier today, our colleagues, Senators Graham, Cassidy, and Heller, introduced a partisan bill that, in my view, might be the most harmful version of Care yet, so I wanted to take a few minutes this evening to explain why this type of legislation is still a bad deal for American families. prgtoken This legislation that has been authored by the three Senators gives a super block grant--a blank check--to the States so that they can do whatever they want to Americans' healthcare. Based on everything else I have seen this year, that is going to mean an awful lot of pain for vulnerable people and an open door to the worst abuses of insurance companies, which had been relegated to the history books when the Affordable Care Act was passed. My view is that this is probably the largest healthcare devolution in history, which is pretty much sending it to the States and saying: Have at it. prgtoken First of all, the bill ends Medicaid as Americans know it today. This year's debate over healthcare made one matter clear--that Medicaid matters. It pays for the health
TRIBUTE TO NADEAM ELSHAMI
Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-9-13

I proudly rise to pay tribute to a cherished member of my staff, my chief of staff, Nadeam Elshami. prgtoken My office, my colleagues, indeed, the entire ic Caucus, has benefited from the sharp strategic insight, steady judgment, and exceptional character and integrity of Nadeam Elshami. prgtoken Born in Nashville, spent some time in Egypt, earning his college degree in Indiana, Nadeam followed the love of his life, Stacy, to Washington, D.C. prgtoken Here, 25 years ago, Nadeam found a job in the Senate mailroom. Now, he departs as a trusted senior adviser who holds one of the top positions on Capitol Hill, who holds the respect of Members on both sides of the aisle, on both sides of the Capitol, and, indeed, even down Pennsylvania Avenue. prgtoken Nadeam has been an invaluable asset in every office he has served: for Senator Barbara Boxer; for Assistant ic Leader Dick Durbin; proudly, in our House, for Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky; and for me, in my office, where he has worked for 10 years. prgtoken We are deeply grateful for Nadeam's wise counsel, his skill as a manager, and his grace under pressure in some of the most high-stakes matters to come before the Congress and the American people. He has played a vital role in improving the lives of America's working families. He has distinguished himself with the respect that Members have for his judgment, discretion, and ability. prgtoken In conclusion, Nadeam's exceptional service entailed sacrifice, not only from him, but from his beautiful family. We are especially grateful to Nadeam for the patience, love, and support of his wife, Stacy, who is here with us today. Thank you, Stacy. I hope that all the spouses of our staff recognize that recognition for Stacy, which applies to them, as well. And his children, Jena, Noah, and Layla. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to please join me in thanking my chief of staff, a man who has served the United States Congress with honor and distinction for more than 25 years: Nadeam Elshami.
WILDFIRE IN OUR NATIONAL FORESTS
Kurt Schrader (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-9-13

as our country reels from the devastation of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, another disaster ravages our Pacific Northwest. I rise today to once again bring attention to the problem that is decades in the making: wildfire in our national forests. prgtoken The mismanagement of these forests over the last 30 years has destroyed the health of our beautiful national forests. Our land management agencies are paralyzed by litigation. Radical groups dictate the policy. As a result, our forests have never been in worse condition. prgtoken Fuel loads in our forest are now so great, once a fire begins, there is little hope of being able to contain it. prgtoken With 193 million acres in the National Forest System, nearly 40 percent is vulnerable to wildfire, insects, disease, and in need of treatment; yet harvest levels on Federal lands remain low, with tree growth and mortality rates far exceeding removal. prgtoken We need to change this, or this will happen. This is the Eagle Creek fire right outside the city of Portland by the Bridge of the Gods. prgtoken Every year we don't act, the problem gets worse. We need to reform our forest management practices, and we need to do it now. Enough is enough.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018
Keith Ellison (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-9-13

my amendment preserves the CFPB's authority to protect people who live in manufactured housing, manufactured housing buyers. prgtoken I am lucky to have the National Manufactured Home Owners Association based in my district. For the Record, they have written an excellent letter on behalf of this amendment, which I will include in the Record. Manufactured Housing Action. Representative Keith Ellison, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Congressman Ellison: We are writing to thank you for introducing the Ellison Amendment #200 to the Department of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Act of 2018 (H.R. 3354). On behalf of the manufactured homeowners we represent, we our offering our organizational support for this amendment. MHAction empowers homeowners and residents in manufactured home communities to build and win local, state and national issue campaigns that strengthen the long-term viability and affordability of their communities. The work of MHAction is based on a set of core values, central to which are compassion for our neighbors and love of our communities. We believe that manufactured home communities play a key role in providing affordable, safe and accessible housing for all families, regardless of race, language, immigration status, class, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. MHAction currently represents over 19,000 manufactured homeowners in 28 states. It is vital that this amendment passes to protect manufactured home buyers, especially people of color that face higher levels of lending discrimination and seniors. We need to ensure that the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau retains the power to ensure that potential home buyers aren't steered into high fee and high interest loans. When people buy a home, it should help increase their stability and wealth, not damage their finances. Again, we would like to express our sincere thanks to your office for fighting to ensure that the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau can continue to protect manufactured home buyers from loans that strip away their economic and retirement security. Should you have any question, please feel free to contact MHAction's Executive Director, Kevin Borden. Our organization can easily put your office in touch with purpose-driven community leaders in numerous states that have been fighting to strengthen the economic and retirement security of manufactured homeowners. Sincerely, The MHAction Core Team.