mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Iran (Executive Session)
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2019-5-16

years before President moved to the White House, even before President and his family lived there, our Nation was at odds with an isolated country ruled by a repressive leader. It wasn't long before it became clear to the United Nations and to our country's own intelligence community that the country I am speaking of was enriching uranium for the purpose of obtaining a nuclear weapon, threatening to destabilize a region of great strategic importance. prgtoken As the world was winding down from a cold war, tensions between the United States and this country were heating up. An administration that some would call naive recently attempted to deescalate tensions, taking an unprecedented step to hold out an olive branch to an unpredictable regime in hopes of reaching a momentous agreement to stop them from continuing to enrich uranium. Surprisingly, that President trusted and was willing to give unprecedented concessions, all without any reliable mechanism to verify whether the nuclear enrichment had indeed ended. prgtoken My colleagues would be surprised to hear me say this today, especially today, a week after the anniversary of the U.S. decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. They are right to be surprised because I am not talking about Iran; I am talking about North Korea. I am not talking about President ; I am talking about . prgtoken was willing to sit down with a criminal dictator and give away unprecedented concessions in the hopes that North Korea would abandon its nuclear program. On the other hand, he turned his back on Iran, a large country with a growing moderate population--roughly 75 million people, the majority of which, the last I checked, are under the age of 25--and a moderate President. Let me be really clear. There are some bad actors in Iran, and some of them are in powerful positions. But, unfortunately, the actions of this administration, unlike the actions of the last administration, the administration--here is what they sought to do. They sought to diminish the extremists, the hardliners, and their sway over what happens in Iran and at the same time bolster a new generation of Iranians who are growing up, who are more moderate in nature and, frankly, who would like to have a better relationship with our country. Sadly, President turned his back on Iran and looked forward to taking a different course--a different course for sure. prgtoken Unlike North Korea, Iran committed 2 years ago to unprecedented, invasive inspections under a deal called JCPOA. On July 14, 2015, after years of careful preparation, the administration began implementing the JCPOA with Iran and five negotiating partners--Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and China--in an effort to end Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons for years and, possibly, if we are lucky, forever. The deal was not based on trust; it was based
MARKETING AND OUTREACH RESTORATION TO EMPOWER HEALTH EDUCATION ACT OF 2019
Yvette D. Clarke (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-5-16

I would like to, first of all, thank the gentlewoman from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester) for introducing this very important legislation, and thank Chairman Scott for yielding me time and for his leadership and support in continuing to provide access to quality healthcare for working families. prgtoken As vice chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, I am happy to stand with my colleagues on the Education and Labor Committee to urge my colleagues to support the Strengthening Healthcare and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act. prgtoken While H.R. 987 is not a panacea to the many challenges that we face in our Nation's healthcare delivery system, it is sound legislation that will reduce drug pricing and increase market competition to bring generic drugs to the market sooner. prgtoken It improves the lives of Americans by lowering the cost of premiums and out-of-pocket expenses and that presents real financial hardships to Americans who have to struggle with limited resources and ask themselves, Do I pay for medication, or do I purchase food, or school fees, or transportation to and from work? prgtoken While my home State of New York has banned the sale of short-term health insurance plans, they are legal in other states and often do not provide a comprehensive level of healthcare insurance and coverage in the event of an emergency. prgtoken , let's do the right thing and enact legislation that will lower the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs and give protections to the consumers of health insurance coverage, lifting the burden of access and affordability from the American people.
TRIBUTE TO F. ANTHONY CLIFFORD
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-5-16

I am honored to recognize one of my constituents, F. Anthony ``Tony'' Clifford, who is retiring on June 22, 2019, after 50 years of Federal service as an engineer at the National Institutes of Health. prgtoken Tony has dedicated his career to helping advance NIH's mission: seeking fundamental knowledge about the nature of living systems and applying that knowledge to advance the health of all people. He has done this by working to ensure that NIH's buildings and facilities create a world-class environment for conducting biomedical research. prgtoken Throughout his service as an engineer with NIH, Tony has been committed to creating state-of-the-art research facilities. In 1969, he started his work as an NIH staff engineer. Beginning in 1992, he led the NIH facility program as director of engineering services until becoming chief engineer in the Office of the Director in 2003. prgtoken Tony holds a bachelors of mechanical engineering degree from the University of Maryland at College Park, which presented him in 2016 with the Golden Terp Award from the University's Clark School of Engineering for his 50 years of engineering practice. His numerous other awards include multiple NIH Directors and Merit Awards, the Federal Energy Award, Vice President Gore's Hammer Award, and Special Recognition by the Society of American Military Engineers. prgtoken In addition to his work in the field, Tony was instrumental in recruiting engineering interns by representing NIH at career fairs and STEM events. In this way, his impact on scientific discovery will last for years to come, as he has inspired young scientists to prgtoken pursue science and engineering employment opportunities in the government. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Tony Clifford for his distinguished service to our country and to wish him all the best in the coming years as he enjoys his well-earned retirement.
ENSURE FULL PROTECTION FOR LGBTQ COMMUNITY THROUGH THE EQUALITY ACT
Katie Porter (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-5-16

. Madam , despite the enactment of marriage equality in 2015, same-gender couples continue to experience persistent and pervasive discrimination when it comes to home ownership. prgtoken A recent study by Iowa State University found systemic discrimination against LGBTQ borrowers. The study found that, despite having a lower credit risk overall, same-sex borrowers are 73 percent more likely to be denied a mortgage loan. And when they are approved, they face mortgage interest rates that are 0.02 to 0.2 percent higher, on average, translating to tens of thousands of dollars in extra repayment. prgtoken Twenty-six States across the United States do not have statewide housing protections for the LGBTQ community, and the Fair Housing Act does not protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. The Equality Act would change this. prgtoken This bill would not only improve the lives of members of the LGBTQ community, it would make neighborhoods across the country more diverse. And making our neighborhoods more diverse means more Americans get to know and understand their neighbors who are gay, trans, or queer; and with that understanding and the friendships and the neighbor relationships, we hope to get tolerance. This is how we magnify the wave of LGBTQ acceptance this country has experienced in the last decade. prgtoken Imagine growing up in a community where you never have any LGBTQ role models; where students in your school were harassed for even being perceived as gay. prgtoken Imagine growing up in a neighborhood where you never met someone who expressed themselves like you; where you were taught that your sexual orientation or gender identity was wrong or immoral. prgtoken Imagine what it would be like to have waited years for your country to recognize your loving relationship as legal and equal under the law. Now, you are finally able to get married, and if you choose to, start a family. prgtoken You have saved enough money for the downpayment on your first home. You find that dream house in an area with good schools, plenty of parks for your dogs, and friendly neighbors. prgtoken You and your spouse go together to fill out a loan application at the local bank and wait eagerly for it to be granted. However, despite doing everything right, you are outright denied for that loan without reason. prgtoken You go to another bank, assuming that this is a mistake, because both you and your spouse have great credit. You apply for a mortgage loan again. prgtoken Maybe this time you are approved, but the interest rate would amount to tens of thousands more dollars than you had anticipated; tens of thousands more dollars than your credit risk should have you pay. prgtoken You found your dream home, but now you can't buy it because of an artificially, discriminatorily-inflated interest rate. prgtoken The Equality Act is vital. By amending existing civil rights laws to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender i
MARKETING AND OUTREACH RESTORATION TO EMPOWER HEALTH EDUCATION ACT OF 2019
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-5-16

. Mr. Chair, . prgtoken , I am very disappointed that my colleagues want to strike all of the ACA stabilization measures that we passed through our committee. prgtoken These are important bills that should have strong bipartisan support, but, unfortunately, my colleagues continue to be unwilling to work together on commonsense proposals that would lower healthcare costs for consumers. prgtoken Funding for outreach and marketing, why is this even controversial to my colleagues? Outreach and advertising are critical to ensuring that people know about the option to enroll in comprehensive coverage. prgtoken We know that last year just one in four uninsured people who buy their own insurance were aware of the open enrollment season and the deadline to enroll in coverage. prgtoken Another commonsense proposal to lower healthcare costs is to provide funds to States to set up State-based marketplaces. Again, why is this controversial? Over the last few years, State-based marketplaces have had lower premiums and better enrollment than the Federal marketplace. prgtoken Enrollment on healthcare.gov has declined due to the administration's sabotage. Enrollment in the State-based marketplaces has actually increased. The navigator funding provisions the s are trying to strike from the bill, again, this is a program to help hard-to-reach individuals sign up for comprehensive coverage. prgtoken Finally, the s want to remove protection that would block the administration's expansion of junk insurance plans that discriminate against people with preexisting conditions. prgtoken I really can't understand why my colleagues who claim to support protections for preexisting conditions want to defend these plans that discriminate against preexisting conditions and put consumers at extreme financial risk, other than the fact this is a administration initiative, so they don't want to oppose it. prgtoken In addition to discriminating against people with preexisting conditions, these junk plans exclude coverage for many important benefits, such as maternity care. And even when you think you are covered, if you get sick while you are on one of these, the insurance companies find a way to avoid paying the bill. prgtoken So in closing, this amendment demonstrates what we all know clearly: that s don't want to do anything to actually help lower healthcare costs for Americans or safeguard preexisting condition protections. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge opposition to this amendment, and .
REMEMBERING HARVEY WELCH
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-5-16

it didn't feel historic at the time for Harvey Welch, but it was. Harvey, a native of Centralia, IL, came to Southern Illinois University Carbondale on a basketball scholarship and became the first Black student at the university to letter in basketball in 1951. He achieved this 3 years before the Brown v. Board ruling found school segregation unconstitutional. prgtoken Harvey played basketball at SIU from 1951 to 1954. He also was the first Black student to complete the ROTC program at the university. When he finished college, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was one of the first three Black officers to be promoted to lieutenant colonel. prgtoken Never forgetting SIU, Harvey came back to Carbondale after he retired from the Air Force in 1975. He became the first Black dean of student life at SIU and served as vice chancellor of student affairs from 1987 to 2000. prgtoken In addition to SIU, Harvey continued serving his community through the Carbondale Park District, Rotary International, and Southern Illinois Regional Social Services. His work earned him the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award in 2007. prgtoken SIU recognized with the Distinguished Service Award during commencement in 2018. For 22 years, students benefited not only from his leadership and wisdom, but from the Harvey and Trish Welch Scholarship Fund too. prgtoken Harvey helped define what it meant to be a Saluki. He loved hunting and golf, but his commitment to SIU and his family came first. Future generations of Salukis will continue to look up to Harvey's legacy of service and dedication. prgtoken On May 4, Harvey passed away after an extraordinary life of service to his country and his community. prgtoken Harvey is survived by his four children and their spouses: Harvey Cato Welch and Anita, Gordon Patrick Welch and Retha, Karen Annette Welch Edwards and Terry, and Brian David Welch and Petrice. He leaves behind 11 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
MARKETING AND OUTREACH RESTORATION TO EMPOWER HEALTH EDUCATION ACT OF 2019
Theodore E. Deutch (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-5-16

this is an important amendment so that every American understands that mental health is health and that we need to care as much about the health of our bodies from our shoulders up as we do from our shoulders down. That is what people need to be made aware of so they have the ability to fight for that access to mental healthcare. prgtoken , .
MARKETING AND OUTREACH RESTORATION TO EMPOWER HEALTH EDUCATION ACT OF 2019
Lucy McBath (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2019-5-16

healthcare is an issue that is deeply personal to me. I, myself, like millions of Americans, live with a preexisting condition. prgtoken As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I understand what it is like to have your life turned upside down by a diagnosis. Treatment was exhausting, both physically and emotionally. I did it all while raising my family and working full-time. I was terrified. prgtoken Despite being lucky in having health insurance through my job, I was still worried about my financial security. I was concerned about making it to my radiation treatments every single day, sometimes for weeks, and then back to work and then back home to raise my son, Jordan. prgtoken I had to do it, just like millions of Americans out there who share a similar story like mine. I truly don't know what I would have done or what would have happened if I had lost that healthcare insurance. prgtoken Over 300,000 Georgians in my State, in my district have a preexisting condition. Over 45,000 of those people are children under the age of 17. prgtoken My colleagues here are worried about the health and well-being of their constituents, and we have heard countless heart-wrenching stories from Americans across the Nation--our neighbors, our friends, and our loved ones. prgtoken Americans are simply worried about their healthcare. I am worried about their healthcare. They are tired of these games. prgtoken Let's stop playing politics with the health and well-being of the American people. It just needs to stop. prgtoken Last year, the administration allowed the expanded sale of junk insurance plans, many of which do not cover maternity care, mental and behavioral health, or coverage to treat preexisting conditions. prgtoken Under these plans, women can be charged more than men; insurance companies can cancel coverage as soon as an enrollee gets sick. People enrolled in these plans might seek care for themselves or for a family member only to be left out in the cold without coverage. prgtoken No matter what the White House or my colleagues on the other side of the aisle cook it up to, the American people have said time and time again that they oppose plans that rip healthcare coverage away from those with preexisting conditions. prgtoken While the motion does attempt to fund vital public health services and programs that have long garnered bipartisan support, the funding levels fail to provide greater investments to these programs. I know that we can work together to fund these programs, but keeping the administration's junk plan rule on the books would harm public health and not help it. prgtoken We don't have to make these false choices. This underlying bill combines key pieces of legislation that lower drug costs, strengthen healthcare, reverse the sabotage, and rescind the administration's junk plan rule. prgtoken We are making it easier for American families to assess and sign up for affordable healthcare. prgtoken We are mak
Healthcare (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-5-16

Senator Casey for, as usual, his thoughtful, erudite, on-the-money remarks--this time about judges. I am going to talk about that in a minute. prgtoken We see something happening here. We see State after State trying to repeal Roe. When we ask our colleagues directly ``Do you want to appeal Roe?'' they are usually silent. Their votes on judges say they do, and that is what they are doing. The voters should hold them accountable. I will get to that more in a minute, but I wanted to follow up on the remarks about judges by my good friend from Pennsylvania.
MARKETING AND OUTREACH RESTORATION TO EMPOWER HEALTH EDUCATION ACT OF 2019
Doris O. Matsui (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-5-16

I rise today as a proud cosponsor of H.R. 987, legislation that advances ' commitment to rein in the soaring costs of healthcare for consumers. prgtoken I am pleased that we are taking important steps forward to address an issue I hear from constituents almost daily: the rising cost of prescription medicines. Just recently, I heard from Mary, who is living with a lifelong chronic condition. The cost of her medication has skyrocketed in recent years to the point that it has forced her to cancel prescriptions and forgo treatment. This is really unacceptable. prgtoken The bills before us today represent an opportunity to make progress by allowing lower cost generic drugs to come to market sooner. Furthermore, these efforts aim to make healthcare more affordable for patients with preexisting conditions by reversing the administration's relentless and ongoing sabotage of the ACA. prgtoken This is critical for people like Charis, a constituent in my district who fears that, without the ACA, she would have to hide her rare disease in order to get adequate medical care. No patient should have to live with such a worry. prgtoken I am pleased to be able to support these patient protections on the floor today, and I remain committed to keeping the pressure on tackling prescription drug and insurance costs and working to defend Americans' rights to quality and affordable healthcare.
10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF THE SRI LANKAN WAR
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-5-16

May 18 marks the 10th anniversary of the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka. In May 2009, the war between the government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE, ended. The civil war was a 27-year-long assault on the coexistence of the Sri Lankan people, leaving scars that remain today. Both the Sri Lankan state and the LTTE targeted dissidents and members of other ethnic communities, indiscriminately bombing places of worship, hospitals, and public transport. On this 10th anniversary, I urge the people of Sri Lanka to renew their commitment to peace, reconciliation, and accountability for human rights violations and crimes committed during the conflict. In the wake of the devastating terrorist attacks last month, the international community should also renew its commitment to supporting those Sri Lankan citizens committed to a peaceful and democratic society where the rights of all are protected under the law. prgtoken The final years of the war saw heightened intensity of fighting and soaring human rights abuses, including hundreds of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings of aid workers, arbitrary arrests, torture, and the use of child soldiers. The government labeled any reporters critical of the government's war against the LTTE as ``traitors'' and ``terrorists,'' and the LTTE tolerated no dissent in areas it controlled. The last few months of fighting resulted in the deaths of as many as 40,000 civilians in the final assault against the LTTE. Victims' groups say the fates of more than 100,000 people remain unknown. UN satellite images showed that the government repeatedly and indiscriminately shelled no fire zones, where it had encouraged civilians to concentrate, and where estimates show that as many as 330,000 civilians were trapped. UN investigations determined that ``gross violations'' of international rights law occurred on all sides of the conflict, including the thousands of civilian deaths in the military assault that ended the rebellion. Many deaths and tens of thousands of disappearances remain unaddressed. prgtoken For many Sri Lankans, the terrorist attacks last Easter Sunday, evoked emotions reminiscent of war times. I express my deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones and denounce in the strongest terms this vile attack on the Sri Lankan people. As families recovered bodies of loved ones and buried and cremated them, they felt a pain that is sadly too familiar to so many Sri Lankans. While the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday attacks sought to sow hatred between communities and bring chaos to Sri Lanka, the government bears the responsibility to respond swiftly to retaliatory attacks against Muslim communities and ensure communal harmony and national unity. To be Sri Lankan is to be Buddhist, to be Hindu, to be Muslim, and to be Christian. All these communities have the right to exercise their religious identity and to live