mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN RECOGNITION OF EASTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL'S `WE THE PEOPLE' TEAM
Richard E. Neal (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2019-4-9

. Madam , I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the students and advisors of Easthampton High School's `We The People' team for their hard work, dedication, and outstanding achievement. These individuals prevailed over a number of highly skilled competitors to earn first-place honors in the Massachusetts `We The People' academic contest for the second year in a row. They have accordingly earned the distinction of representing the Commonwealth in the 32nd `We The People' national finals this month in Washington, D.C. prgtoken The annual `We The People' tournament is a wonderful opportunity that brings bright young people together to learn about and debate issues of great importance in today's world. The students of Easthampton High School's team not only displayed exceptional commitment, ability, and character in preparing for and winning the statewide competition this winter, but they have also worked even harder this spring as they have looked forward to competing in the national competition. They have been preparing to testify at mock congressional hearings, demonstrate their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, issue statements on a variety of topics related to our country's political and historical heritage, and field complex questions from a panel of expert judges. There is no doubt in my mind that they will find this whole experience uniquely valuable for years to come. prgtoken This year's Easthampton High School `We The People' team have been led by their teachers Kelley Brown and Taylor Dadmun who have provided crucial guidance and instrumental mentorship. The outstanding work performed by this group is a testament to the value of quality teachers in the Massachusetts public school system. The victorious students are Kerissa Bilski, Joseph Brough, Kunden Chumego, Samuel Colenback, Benjamin Dameworth, Sophia Fiordalice, Corinne Gawle, Joseph Hwang, Madeline Kleeberg, Kassidy Marowitz, Abigail McMahon, Jaquelline Perez, Madison Rinker, Madison Rodriguez, Trevor Waldron, Hanna Wauczinski, Christopher Williams, and Mohamed Zabir. The team's student coaches include Lucas Patton, Vinnie Catalano, and Fernando Tenesaca. prgtoken Madam , I would like to once again acknowledge Easthampton High School's `We The People' academic team for their superb achievements. Strong civic education is the foundation of our democracy and these inspiring students have exemplified the finest qualities of informed citizenship. I am proud of this group, and I wish them all the best in their upcoming national competition as well as all their other future endeavors.
SAVE THE INTERNET ACT OF 2019
G. K. Butterfield (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2019-4-9

I thank Chairman Doyle for yielding time this afternoon. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 1644. Phone calls and letters from my constituents make it abundantly clear that they want to see broadband internet expanded in their communities, they want greater consumer protections, and they want it now. The digital divide is holding them down. prgtoken Until someone has lived in a community, , that does not have reliable access to high-speed internet, one cannot comprehend its importance. Internet connectivity enables students regardless of their financial circumstances the opportunity to access world-class educational resources. It spurs economic growth by giving businesses an opportunity to connect with customers throughout the world. It can help bring access to quality healthcare for families in rural communities. prgtoken I say to my friends on the other side, this legislation is not a socialist initiative. It is America, my friends, in the 21st century. prgtoken This bill provides permanent net neutrality protections and secures a free and neutral internet for constituents. This legislation will ensure that all Americans--, , Libertarian, Independent, and Green Party--will have their voices heard, their stories told, and equal access to the information that is important to them. prgtoken The Save the Internet Act addresses the way in which internet traffic is handled before it reaches the consumer--an important step toward closing the digital divide and making the digital economy more inclusive. The internet was developed to enable user choice about what content to access. That is why we need to pass this legislation, and we need to pass it now. prgtoken I appreciate the work of Chairman Doyle and the ic Caucus for understanding the urgency of passing this legislation. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation. Let's send it to the Senate. Let's try to reason with our friends in the Senate, and let's get it passed and protect the internet.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2019-4-9

investing in the development of a robust, well-trained, and stable child welfare workforce is central to improving outcomes for children and families across the United States. The existence of such a workforce is essential to a child welfare agency's ability to carry out the responsibilities with which they have been entrusted. Child welfare work has been shown to be physically and emotionally challenging, as demonstrated by recent studies into the impact of secondary traumatic stress (STS) on child welfare professionals. The multitude of challenges inherent in child welfare work, combined with relatively low compensation and work benefits, make these careers difficult to sustain, resulting in high rates of turnover. prgtoken Studies conducted over the last 15 years estimate the national rate of turnover of child welfare workers to be 20-40 percent annually. In 2017, Virginia reported a turnover rate of 30%, while Washington State reported a turnover rate of 20% and Georgia reported a turnover rate of 32%. These high rates of turnover detract from the quality of services delivered to children and families and result in an estimated cost of $54,000 per worker leaving an agency. prgtoken Greater action is needed to ensure that individuals pursuing child welfare careers receive appropriate training and support to improve the sustainability of their important, yet demanding work. Higher rates of retention for child welfare workers translates to greater stability for families and improved services for vulnerable youth. Existing research provides a number of evidenced-based and promising practices for improving recruitment and retention in the child welfare workforce. prgtoken This is why I am pleased to introduce today the Child Welfare Workforce Support Act. This bill directs the Secretary to conduct a five-year demonstration program for child welfare service providers to implement targeted interventions to recruit, select, and retain child welfare workers. This demonstration program will focus on building an evidence base of best practices for reducing barriers to the recruitment, development, and retention of individuals providing direct services to children and families. Funds will also be used to provide ongoing professional development to assist child welfare workers in meeting the diverse needs of families with infants and children with the goal of improving both the quality of services provided and the sustainability of such careers. Investing resources in determining what practices have the greatest impact on the successful recruitment and retention of child welfare workers will assist in developing an evidence-base for future federal investment in this space. prgtoken I hope that as the Senate begins to discuss reauthorizing the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act that we consider the Child Welfare Workforce Support Act and recognize the important role that child welfare workers ma
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1644, SAVE THE INTERNET ACT OF 2019; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2021, INVESTING FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2019; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Joseph D. Morelle (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-4-9

such time as I may consume. prgtoken I do note for my friend, Mr. Burgess, whom I serve on the Rules Committee with, that we, in an effort to enhance bipartisanship, made his amendment in order. I believe it is the first amendment in order, and I certainly expect that it will get broad consideration on both sides of the aisle. prgtoken , I include in the Record a letter from over 120 businesses and startups urging Congress to support net neutrality. This letter says: ``Passing H.R. 1644 will provide certainty for businesses and startups and would ensure critical consumer protections for all internet users.'' Hon. Nancy Pelosi, , House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Kevin McCarthy, Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Pelosi and Leader McCarthy: We are writing in support of H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act, to fully restore the strong net neutrality protections for Internet users that were adopted through the FCC's 2015 Open Internet Order but later repealed. Net neutrality is fundamental to guaranteeing that every American has unencumbered access to the Internet. This access is also essential to a competitive, free market for the technology economy to thrive as well as entrepreneurship in this country. The benefits of these protections are not confined to technology companies and startups. Main Street businesses across numerous sectors increasingly rely on unfettered Internet access to run their operations and to reach customers. Net neutrality has been critical to the Internet's explosive growth, creating an open platform on which companies large and small can grow. We urge members of Congress to stand on the side of consumers and Internet users to quickly pass a clean, unamended version of H.R. 1644. This bill would restore strong rules prohibiting blocking, throttling, and paid-prioritization while reinstating ex-ante enforcement and oversight by the FCC to prevent net neutrality-related harms from happening in the first place. Passing H.R. 1644 will provide certainty for businesses and startups and would ensure critical consumer protections for all Internet users. Sincerely, 1Huddle, Ad Hoc Labs (dba Burner), Adaptive Energy, AlleyWatch, Applemon, Attentive, Inc, BetaDefense, Binary Formations, LLC, Bitly, Bloomers Island, Blue Ocean Technology, Bluebell Advisors, Inc/Gilbane Advisor, BusBot Incorporated, CapSen Robotics, Chartbeat, CitiQuants Corporation, Cogent Communications, Cole House LLC, Concourse Markets, Contextly. Creative Action Network (CAN), CredSimple, D3FY.COM, Darling, Inc DART Technologies, Digital4Startups Inc DLT Education, EarnedCard, Educreations, Elucd, Etsy, Inc, Expa, Fan Gur
Healthcare (Executive Calendar)
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-4-9

it seems that every week now, I come to the floor to say the same thing, which is that healthcare is not political; it is personal. There is no part of healthcare that is more personal than the decision regarding if, when, and under what circumstances to have a child. And that certainly is the case when things go terribly wrong, which they sometimes do. These reproductive health decisions need to be made by women in consultation with their doctors, their families, and their faith. That is what the Supreme Court has ruled. They should not be made by politicians--mainly men-- looking to score political points from women's personal tragedies. Yet, once again, that is what the s are doing right now. prgtoken I have a question. How dare you pretend to care about the health of women and babies when all of your actions suggest otherwise? prgtoken Unfortunately, s haven't noticed, but we have a real healthcare crisis involving women and babies in this country. In most of the world, fewer and fewer women are dying from childbirth--not here in the United States. Our maternal mortality rate is climbing. More women are dying. Our infant mortality rate ranks a shameful 32 among the world's 35 wealthiest nations. That means we have more babies who aren't surviving through the first year of their life because of lack of healthcare, nutrition, and other issues. prgtoken The majority should be working with us and taking action to improve health outcomes for moms and babies. Instead, they are busy trying to take away their healthcare. prgtoken Between 2010 and 2018, the majority in Congress voted to repeal or weaken the Affordable Care Act more than 70 times--7-0. Now the administration has stepped in to help. Last June and August, they expanded access to association health plans and short-term plans. We just call them junk plans because they don't cover so many basics, like prescription drugs, mental health care, and--you guessed it-- maternity care. prgtoken Let me remind everyone that before the Affordable Care Act, most insurance companies did not cover prenatal care and maternity care as a basic part of healthcare. Women had to go out prgtoken and pay extra, get a rider to cover something that is a basic part of our healthcare. prgtoken Thanks to these junk plans that don't cover maternity care, and other sabotage, it is estimated that right now comprehensive health insurance costs 16.6 percent more than it otherwise would because of these efforts to undermine, sabotage, and take away healthcare. Does that sound like the majority cares about moms and babies? prgtoken Now the Department of Justice has announced that it agrees with the Federal judge in Texas who said the entire Affordable Care Act must be struck down. This is something the President has enthusiastically embraced. prgtoken The entire Affordable Care Act is at stake, including Medicaid expansi
Living Wills (Executive Calendar)
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-4-10

today on the other side of this building, the CEOs of the biggest Wall Street banks face tough questions about the way their banks have scammed and broken laws and gotten away with it, as every American knows. Our Banking Committee staff analyzed the data, and it is pretty clear that these banks are breaking the laws over and over and over. prgtoken Watchdogs will take enforcement actions against a bank only to find out the same bank is breaking the rules in an entirely different way in a different part of the bank at the same time. We need to hold these banks and the corporate executives who run them accountable for their actions, which we have simply not done. regulators haven't done it, and the Senate majority hasn't done it. We simply haven't done it. Hard-working Americans face real consequences when they break the law, and so should Wall Street banks. prgtoken The chair of the House Financial Services Committee, Maxine Waters, is doing the right thing in the House calling in these CEOs. We need to be doing the same thing in the Senate. I have called on my counterpart on the Banking Committee, Chairman Crapo, to hold a hearing so we can question big bank executives about their law-breaking. prgtoken There are plenty of actions the President and his administration could take on their own to punish these banks when they break the rules, but instead this administration and this majority leader do exactly the opposite. Last year, Congress passed and President signed legislation rolling back laws protecting working families from Wall Street greed. The big banks, of course, ask for weaker rules. They have forgotten what happened. Well, they haven't forgotten, but they hope the public has. Certainly, the Senate s have forgotten what happened 10 years ago to this country. So Congress passed and the President signed legislation rolling back laws protecting working families from Wall Street greed. As I said, the big banks wanted weaker rules and they got them, even though that puts millions of families at risk of losing their jobs and losing their homes again. President said: OK, let's do what the big banks want. prgtoken We know that the White House looks like a retreat half the time for Wall Street executives, and we know the President of the United States does the bidding of Wall Street over and over. prgtoken The year before weakening these rules, Congress passed and President signed a $1.5 trillion--that is 1,000 billion, $1.5 trillion--tax cut for corporations, big banks, and the richest Americans. Since the tax bill passed, corporations have bought back $900 billion of their own stock. prgtoken I was in the White House one day with a group of Senators, meeting with the President of the United States, and he said that this tax bill they were about to pass--that he hoped would pass--would mean that the corporations would invest all these dollars int
IN HONOR OF DERRICK NELSON
Tom Malinowski (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-4-10

today I rise to honor a hero in my district who passed away this week. prgtoken Mr. Derrick Nelson was the principal of the high school in Westfield, New Jersey. He was known to students, to parents, and to teachers for his generosity and selflessness. prgtoken Mr. Nelson dedicated his life to serving his country and community. He spent 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, including a deployment in the Middle East. prgtoken He began his career in New Jersey education in 2002 and joined the Westfield school system in 2010, officially becoming principal in 2017. Students and teachers said he always had a smile on his face, and his energy was infectious. prgtoken It was this kindness of spirit that led Mr. Nelson to donate his bone marrow to a 14-year-old boy in France. He did not know the boy, he just wanted to give something of himself to save a child's life. prgtoken He suffered a complication from the procedure. He never woke up. prgtoken , with the passing of Derrick Nelson, we have lost a leader in our community and a great and good man. I extend my deepest condolences to his family, and I hope they find comfort in knowing that the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind will continue to inspire and guide the people who had the privilege to know him.
Nomination of David Bernhardt (Executive Calendar)
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2019-4-10

the Senate is just hours away from voting on whether to confirm David Bernhardt to head the Interior Department. He would replace Ryan Zinke, who was forced from office in the eye of an ethical hurricane. I am here tonight to put the Senate on notice that I believe, if David Bernhardt is confirmed as Interior Secretary, another ethical storm will be on us in the very near future. The Zinke ethics hurricane was bad enough. America should not be harmed again if it is followed by a Bernhardt ethical typhoon. prgtoken I believe the Bernhardt nomination ought to be stopped in its tracks right here, right now. At a minimum, the Senate ought to put on hold this whole matter until we can gather more information so an informed decision can be based on all the facts. prgtoken At this moment, with the debate hurtling possibly toward an end, there are four pending requests by a dozen Senators, including myself, for inspector general investigations of the issues involving Mr. Bernhardt. In the other body, there are a host of requests for investigations as well. There has been a lot of speculation about how all of these issues have been aired. prgtoken This is old news, say some. The fact is, that is not right. This doesn't go back months. My concerns aren't information that has been sitting out in public view for years. The prospect of an investigation is developing in real time right now. I am going to run through some of the basic facts before getting into deeper details. prgtoken First, according to the Office of Government Ethics, Mr. Bernhardt has 27 different former clients who are posing a potential of unlimited numbers of conflicts of interests--oil clients, coal clients, water clients, major ag and resources clients. All of them have business before the Department that the Interior Secretary is supposed to be running for the benefit of the public, not for special interests. prgtoken My sense is, with all of these conflicts, Mr. Bernhardt would have basically two choices; one, he could comply with the ethics pledge and pretty much recuse himself from everything. Lord knows what he would be doing all day because he would have to recuse himself; or two, he would basically do business and just violate the ethical principles. prgtoken Lately, he seems to have been on what seems like a victory parade on Capitol Hill, touting what he says is a record of being a champion of ethics, but if you take a look at that record and take a look at what was said during his confirmation hearing, as my son William Peter Wyden, age 11--pictures available on my iPhone after my presentation-- would say, that Bernhardt statement was one big whopper. prgtoken Mr. Bernhardt served as Deputy Secretary to Ryan Zinke. All through this parade of environmental horrors that were visited upon us, Mr. Bernhardt was the key man in that office. There is not one shred of evidence that Mr. Bernhardt objected to Ryan Zinke's corruption. The
RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL 4-H COUNCIL'S 2019 YOUTH IN ACTION AWARD RECIPIENT
Jamie Raskin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-4-10

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the important work of the National 4-H Council, our country's largest youth development organization, as well as Clyde Van Dyke, the national winner of the 2019 4-H Youth in Action Award. Clyde, who also won the 4-H Youth in Action STEM Pillar Award, was honored at the National 4-H Council's Legacy Awards in Washington, D.C and is being awarded $10,000 in scholarships for higher education. The 4-H Youth in Action Award recognizes Clyde for his resilience and commitment to using technology to spark community change. Clyde faced many challenges during his childhood, including the loss of his mother at a young age. He was further discouraged in elementary school when he was told that most kids with his background ``wouldn't succeed.'' These feelings of defeat led him to put forth little effort in school. Everything changed for Clyde when a friend invited him to a 4-H technology club meeting. Not only did the 4-H program provide Clyde with access and exposure to technology, it also helped him develop important life skills that altered his perspective and boosted his drive to succeed. 4-H empowers nearly 6 million young people like Clyde across the United States through experiences that develop critical life and career skills. Through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3,000 local extension offices, 4-H serves every county and parish in the United States. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower approximately 1 million young people in 50 countries. Young people who take part in the research-backed 4-H experience are four times more likely as their peers to contribute to their communities; twice as likely to make healthier life choices; twice as likely to be civically active; and twice as likely to participate in STEM programs. I commend 4-H for its ongoing work to educate and engage our young people and I salute Clyde Van Dyke for his exemplary perseverance, civic engagement, and ingenuity.