mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IMMIGRATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-11-18

earlier this week, I sat in the Supreme Court and listened to the oral arguments in the case challenging President 's decision to shut down the deferred action for childhood arrivals program, or DACA. prgtoken DACA is the program we fought so hard for. It is what has allowed nearly 700,000 undocumented youth across America--the bright young people we call Dreamers--to come out of the shadows and to pursue their dreams without fear of deportation. That includes nearly 17,000 Dreamers in my home State of New Jersey. prgtoken We all remember the heart-wrenching stories before DACA--kids applying for driver's licenses on their birthdays only to discover they weren't citizens; students opening college acceptance letters with pride, only to learn they couldn't receive financial aid; young people trying to enlist in the military, only to find out their undocumented status disqualified them. These are the stories that I shared with President during a meeting several years ago when I made the case for DACA with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. I thought back to that meeting as I sat in the Supreme Court earlier this week. I remembered bringing along a legal memo that made clear the Federal Government had the authority to use prosecutorial discretion to protect Dreamers from deportation. After years of pushing the administration and fearless advocacy by thousands of Dreamers nationwide, President eventually saw the light, and the program we now know as DACA was born. prgtoken DACA offered law-abiding young people who were brought to this country as children through no decision of their own the opportunity to come out of the shadows and step into the light to fulfill their God- given potential. And that is exactly what they did. Dreamers put their faith in our government. prgtoken They registered with the Department of Homeland Security, paid fees, passed criminal background checks, and handed over personal details about themselves and their families to authorities they have been hiding from their entire lives. They did this all to qualify for DACA's promise of a 2-year renewable work permit and protection from deportation. Dreamers put their trust in the U.S. Government, but as we all know by now, President betrayed that trust. He betrayed young people like Manny Sanchez, one of the many Dreamers from New Jersey who traveled to Washington, DC, this week to make their voices heard. prgtoken Manny was brought to the United States at just 1 month old. Today he is 20, attending Brookdale Community College in Middletown, NJ, where he studies nursing and volunteers with local emergency medical services. Without DACA, he risks being deported to Mexico, a country he doesn't even know. ``I wouldn't know what to do, where to go, what my future would be like,'' Manny said. ``This is really my home.'' prgtoken These kids are as American as apple pie. Dreamers grew up pledging allegiance to our
INVESTOR PROTECTION AND CAPITAL MARKETS FAIRNESS ACT
Ben McAdams (Democrat, UT) \u2014 2019-11-18

I rise in support of H.R. 4344, the Investor Protection and Capital Markets Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation that I introduced with my friend from Michigan, Congressman Huizenga, the ranking member of the Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship, and Capital Markets Subcommittee. prgtoken I also want to recognize my friend Representative Carolyn Maloney for her work on this bill as well. prgtoken Utah is frequently discussed as one of the top States for fraud and Ponzi schemes. A Deseret News article earlier this year noted that Utah ranked sixth in most number of Ponzi schemes from 2008-2018, despite being only 31st in population. prgtoken In that decade alone, Utah investors lost over $1.5 billion to Ponzi schemes, or $502 per person, plus an additional $500 million in other types of fraud: $2 billion, overall, taken from hardworking Utahns; $2 billion that won't be there for retirement, that won't be there to pass along to our children and to our grandchildren. prgtoken As a result of a couple of recent court cases, that problem may become much worse, leaving Utahns less protected, and leaving fraudsters empowered. prgtoken , Charles Kokesh opened a firm that provided investment advice to business development companies. Over the course of roughly 14 years, Charles Kokesh misappropriated tens of millions of dollars from these companies, funding a lavish lifestyle for himself and, in the process, defrauding the investors out of millions of dollars. prgtoken Mr. Kokesh was found guilty of misappropriating these investors' funds, and the district court ordered Mr. Kokesh to pay a civil penalty, as well as disgorgement, totaling roughly $35 million. prgtoken The facts of this case are not in dispute, but what comes next has upset the delicate balance that keeps our markets fair and keeps our investors protected. prgtoken In 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that the SEC's disgorgement authority, the ability of the SEC to seek repayment of a defendant's ill-gotten gains, that that authority is subject to a 5-year statute of limitations. The Supreme Court further hinted, in an obscure footnote, that the SEC may not be able to seek disgorgement of ill-gotten gains at all. prgtoken What did this Supreme Court ruling mean for Charles Kokesh? In the end, he was only ordered to pay $5 million in disgorged profits, keeping roughly $30 million for himself: $30 million that he was able to keep that he attained through nefarious means, $30 million in profits from illegal activity, but, most importantly, $30 million that won't find its way back to the investor victims. prgtoken He keeps $30 million and he loses $5 million--not a bad decade's work for a fraudster. prgtoken And what did the Supreme Court decision mean for the SEC? The SEC estimates that, in the 2 years since the Kokesh decision, they have had to forgo over $1.1 billion in disgorged funds. That is over $1 billion of ill-gotten gains that bad actors can now keep tha
TERRORISM RISK INSURANCE PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2019
Wm. Lacy Clay (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2019-11-18

I thank Chairwoman Waters and Ranking Member McHenry for getting us to this day. prgtoken The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program before us this afternoon is one of the most important bills in the ongoing fight against terror. prgtoken TRIA helps to support the private market in providing coverage for terrorism risks by providing Federal reinsurance in the event of catastrophic losses from terrorism. The lack of public data on the scope and nature of terrorism risk makes it very difficult for private companies to model these risks, and as a result, a Federal backstop is important and necessary. prgtoken When businesses in my State of Missouri can purchase terrorism risk insurance, it provides confidence, promotes public safety, and undergirds the overall economy. TRIA also protects key healthcare and research facilities in St. Louis that not only work on lifesaving cures but also employ thousands of our constituents. prgtoken Overall, the TRIA program has been extremely successful in ensuring economic stability in the post-9/11 environment and has done so at virtually no cost to the taxpayer due to its cost-sharing structure. prgtoken In 2019, the threat of terrorism has not abated, and insurers still face challenges in underwriting risk with such a high potential loss. Without TRIA, many policyholders in Missouri and elsewhere would lose terrorism coverage; commercial lending would be significantly diminished; and the Federal Government would likely be called upon to provide assistance at great cost to taxpayers in the event of an attack. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote for this critical piece of legislation.
MENTAL HEALTH IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY
Joyce Beatty (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-11-18

first, and friend, Congresswoman Plaskett, for leading tonight's Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour. prgtoken First, and certainly fitting, to tonight's topic on mental health, I salute the life and legacy of a giant in the healthcare industry who passed on November 10, Bernard Tyson, president and CEO of Kaiser Permanente and friend. prgtoken Just this year, , he was talking to the editor-in-chief of Fortune magazine about lessons learned and lessons that were worth remembering, and now he has left them behind, and those lessons were about mental health. prgtoken He was talking about, in this healthcare system, we have a system of healthcare for the body and for the mind, and he had integrated both into his system, and he had done it in a seamless way and in a way that did not have stigma. prgtoken So, tonight, I say to my friend: Rest in peace. Rest in positive power in healthcare. prgtoken But also, , the Congressional Black Caucus is coming together tonight, as the Congresswoman has said and as she powerfully leads us, to elevate the conversation about mental health in the African American community. prgtoken Millions of adults and children are impacted by mental health conditions each year, including depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress, and anxiety. prgtoken For too long in our country, there was a stigma associated with mental health, especially in our community, the African American community. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Offices of Minority Health, just in 2017, suicide was the second leading cause of death for African Americans between the ages of 15 and 24. Additionally, the death rate from suicide for Black men was four times greater than for African American women in 2017. prgtoken We are encouraged, encouraged to see more influencers, such as Jay-Z and the ``Breakfast Club'' host, Charlamagne, speak out about mental health disparities in the Black community. But as the gentlewoman is leading us tonight in saying more must be done, the Federal Government has a moral obligation to invest more resources into mental health services. prgtoken , I thank the gentlewoman for her leadership, and I thank her for being a voice for us on this topic.
REMEMBERING SENATOR KAY HAGAN
Kamala D. Harris (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-18

our nation mourns the loss of former Senator Kay Hagan, an exemplary civil servant who thoughtfully represented the people of her beloved North Carolina. She was a role model for women across the Nation, and will be remembered as an example of committed service to the American public. prgtoken Senator Hagan was born on May 26, 1953, in Shelby, NC. She learned about the importance of public service at an early age from her uncle, U.S. Senator and former Florida Governor Lawton Chiles, and her father, Joe P. Ruthven, a Navy veteran who served as the mayor of Lakeland, FL. Senator Hagan earned her bachelor's degree in 1975 from Florida State University, followed by a juris doctorate from Wake Forest University. She worked in banking and as a stay-at-home mother before turning to politics, which gave her a valuable insight into both the private sector and the needs of everyday families. prgtoken Senator Hagan served in the North Carolina Senate, where she became one of the body's chief budget writers. This prgtoken was where Senator Hagan earned her reputation as an effective civil servant and where she laid the ground work for many of the policies she would champion when elected to Congress in 2008. prgtoken Senator Hagan was a champion for the people, working to secure healthcare for all Americans, support working families, protect the right to marry for same-sex couples, and aid in the recovery efforts following the 2008 financial crisis. Throughout this time, she proved herself to be an outstanding example of a leader guided by her moral compass and the needs of her constituents. She was a force for good. After her time in Congress, she devoted herself to studying the role of money in politics and strove to preserve government accountability to the public. prgtoken Senator Hagan's steadfast dedication to the State of North Carolina and our entire country will continue to inspire others for generations to come. She will be remembered as a role model for young women and a voice dedicated to empowering and uplifting middle-class families. Senator Hagan is survived by her husband, Chip Hagan, her children, and a host of family and friends. She will be dearly missed, and her legacy will live on through everyone she touched while serving the American people.
IMPEACHMENT
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-11-18

our friends have spent the past several weeks accusing of being unable to work on serious issues to help the American people because the impeachment inquiry into President is such a distraction. The leader has repeated this absurd claim on the Senate floor, and the President's reelection campaign is now running ads saying refuse to work on infrastructure or healthcare or drugs because of impeachment. These ads turn truth inside out. Simply put, these ads are a lie. prgtoken Senate put together a trillion-dollar infrastructure plan that would create 15 million jobs. We did that 3 years ago. Instead of working with us on that goal, President walked out of the meeting on infrastructure with Pelosi and me. We haven't heard a peep out of the administration since then. That was long before impeachment began. We haven't heard from the s on what they want to do on healthcare. We haven't heard from the President on a proposal he sent us on drug prices. So who is holding things up? prgtoken This Senate has been a legislative graveyard for months and months and months. It just amazes me the gall, the temerity that the President and our friends have to say that , because of impeachment, are not moving forward. We have 218 bills that the House sent us. We haven't had one discussion here on impeachment. It has taken up no time. prgtoken Leader McConnell, do you want to get things done? Put one of those bills on the floor. Let us have debate. prgtoken Senators, go to McConnell. Tell him you want to do some stuff on the floor; that you want to legislate. prgtoken No, no, we hear silence--abject, shaky-knee silence--because our friends, and I imagine the leader, are just afraid of President . When he makes up these lies, they just go right along. prgtoken Many s have even complained that Leader McConnell has turned the Senate into a legislative graveyard. So the idea that the impeachment inquiry is preventing Congress from debating legislation on infrastructure or prescription drugs or healthcare or any other matter is completely absurd. are happy prgtoken and eager to work on those issues. Senate are waiting with bated breath for the leader to put any of these bills on the floor or for any to speak out and demand they go on the floor. The silence of our colleagues indicates that they are going along with this strategy as well. prgtoken We meet this week in the Senate, and the majority leader has, once again, scheduled no legislative business on the floor--none. We are not debating impeachment. We are not discussing impeachment. For 3 weeks in a row, there has been not one legislative piece, not one legislative bill. That is all the evidence one needs to know which party is blocking progress in the Chamber. prgtoken The American pe
CALL FOR SENATE TO ACT AFTER FRESNO MASS SHOOTING
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-18

it saddens me once again to hear another mass shooting has occurred in our country, this time in my district. prgtoken Last night, in Fresno, California, another senseless mass shooting occurred, where four people lost their lives and six more were injured. This happened at a family gathering in a neighborhood not far from the airport near Fresno, where 35 or more people were gathered. prgtoken Children were present at this meaningless act while they were watching a football game. While none of the children were harmed, certainly their lives will be changed forever as a result of the trauma they experienced last night. prgtoken I have reached out to local law enforcement, and we are ready to assist in any way possible. I have spoken with the mayor and the chief of police. prgtoken Certainly, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, but as a community and as a country, prgtoken thoughts and prayers are just not enough. The daily tragedy of gun violence continues to inflict terror and violence on individuals and neighborhoods across our country, and that is a fact. prgtoken The threat to public safety is not normal, nor should it be seen as acceptable. It is unacceptable. prgtoken My office has been working with community leaders to identify resources for those affected, such as counseling, mental health support, victims' compensation, and community outreach. prgtoken This is in a neighborhood where a great deal of Southeast Asian families live. These are immigrants past and immigrants present. They came after the Vietnam war, where they stood shoulder to shoulder with Americans fighting in that conflict. They have been assimilating and contributing to our community in Fresno and throughout the valley. prgtoken Americans and members of our community deserve real action to keep them safe. In February, the House passed meaningful bipartisan gun safety legislation that Senator Mitch McConnell refuses to bring up in the Senate. This legislation, combined with State and local efforts, would help make a difference. It is not a silver bullet, clearly. Bad term. Let me take that back because there are way too many guns and too many bullets out there. prgtoken s and have good and different ideas on how to deal with gun violence in America. Wouldn't it be refreshing if the President were to bring us together in a bipartisan effort to talk about violence in America and solutions on how we deal with violence in America because no community, no town, no hamlet, regardless of the size, is not impacted by the gun violence that takes place every day? prgtoken The fact remains that too many Americans in too many communities are forced to live in fear. I know. I live near this downtown community where, nightly, you can hear guns going off. Last night, one of the neighbors said they are fearful of even working on their car in front of their home or when people drive by. prgtoken Americans sho
HONG KONG HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2019
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-11-19

I want to thank Senator Rubio for the work that he has done on this a few minutes earlier. Today, I spoke about the cause of freedom and how we are seeing people around the world stand up for freedom--and, yes, indeed, we see this in Hong Kong, and it does inspire us. The message that we are sending to Beijing is that, indeed, we are watching and we are paying attention--and to the Hong Kong protesters, for them to know that we are watching what they are doing and that we are standing with them. prgtoken It is important to note that China has really earned its place atop the list of the world's most notorious human rights violators, and over the past few weeks, Hong Kong's descent into chaos and bloodshed has provided a much-needed reminder of the horrors, the absolute horrors of authoritarian rule. prgtoken There can be no change without accountability, and Beijing needs to know we are focused on that accountability, which is why, today, I am so pleased to stand with these other Members of this Chamber in support of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. The bill does demand accountability, not only from Beijing but also from us. It will require us to monitor Hong Kong's progress toward autonomy and China's behavior toward Hong Kong people who choose to exercise their internationally recognized rights, those rights that we have spoken of in this Chamber today. prgtoken The bill will help us identify the tactics Beijing uses to capture Hong Kong's dissidents and then to trap them on mainland China, and we will also ensure that no peaceful protesters are denied visas to the United States because of the alleged crimes. prgtoken Now, I will tell you, the bill is a great start, but the time and the work that we put in it will be wasted unless every single Member of this Chamber makes a commitment to hold us accountable, to hold China accountable. I would encourage my colleagues to view their support of this legislation as a promise to these protesters in Hong Kong, that their cries for help are not going to go unanswered. prgtoken .
SUPPORT TRICARE FAIRNESS FOR NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE RETIREES
Ross Spano (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-11-19

. Madam , I rise to highlight H.R. 5169, the TRICARE Fairness for National Guard and Reserve Retirees Act that I introduced with Representative Gabbard earlier today. prgtoken This bipartisan bill aligns the eligibility age for TRICARE Standard, Extra, and Prime, which are the healthcare programs for uniformed servicemembers, retirees, and their families, with the age at which National Guard and Reserve personnel begin receiving their retired pay. prgtoken We have heavily relied upon our National Guard and Reserve personnel for the past 20 years, and they have made major contributions to our force structure for over 200 years. prgtoken Congress previously recognized their sacrifices by lowering the age that they can receive their retired pay based on their Active Duty service, but it is not fair that their eligibility for traditional TRICARE was left at age 60. This has resulted in early retirees often spending the vast majority, if not all, of their pension on TRICARE premiums until they reach 60. prgtoken This bill will help these servicemembers transition into retirement as intended when Congress reduced their retirement age. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.