mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
STUDENT BORROWER CREDIT IMPROVEMENT ACT
Wm. Lacy Clay (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment. prgtoken This amendment would clarify the law for reporting certain positive consumer credit information to the credit reporting agencies and seeks to expand access to credit through the use of alternative data. prgtoken In addition, this amendment addresses several concerns identified by consumer advocates, including removing a provision that would have preempted State laws and ensuring consumers provide written consent if their utility or rental history is to be considered. prgtoken Also, the bill requires a 2-year study and report from GAO on the impact of furnishing additional information, which will help us gather data to further ensure that American consumers have the tools they need to obtain and improve credit and that policymakers can continue to work to make improvements to the law. prgtoken The way in which alternative data is used is important. One of the most important factors is consumer choice. If the use of alternative data is truly voluntary--that is, consumers make knowing and voluntary decisions to allow the use of the data, and the information is used only for that limited purpose and in ways that consumers would expect-- then it is much more likely to be helpful. prgtoken I am pleased to have the support of the National Consumer Law Center on this important provision. They support it because, unlike prior versions, it would permit the reporting of utility and rental payment information only when the consumer has provided written authorization, that is, only when the consumer chooses to. prgtoken In the critical area of lending, it is estimated that the use of alternative data by lenders could expand access to credit to over 40 million consumers in the United States. Imagine the economic activity that would generate. prgtoken As internet access increases and data becomes more readily available, marketplace or fintech leaders mostly rely on online platforms and frequently underwrite loans using alternative data. Despite fintech lending serving a small part of the consumer lending market, it continues to grow at a rapid rate. That is why it is critical that consumers have as much control over the use of their data as possible. In fact, according to the GAO, since 2013, personal loans provided by fintech lenders tripled to about $17.7 billion by 2017. prgtoken Alternative data used in credit scoring could potentially increase accuracy, visibility, and scorability in credit reporting by including additional information beyond that which is conventionally used by loan officers. prgtoken I would add that my amendment does not preempt State consumer protection laws protecting the privacy of utility customers and hindering States from regulating tenant screening agencies. This is important to the regulation and monitoring of traditional and fintech firms. At times, States have a better view than the Federal regulators. prgtoken Lastly, the two largest populatio
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF AMBASSADOR FELIX ROHATYN
Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Madam , I rise today to pay tribute to a man of vision and great intellect, whose life and legacy were marked by extraordinary achievements and a profound love for America: Ambassador Felix Rohatyn. From ushering New York City through economic crisis to proudly serving our nation as Ambassador to France to becoming a leading voice for building the infrastructure of America in a green way, Ambassador Rohatyn embodied the American spirit and helped build a brighter future for all Americans. His passing last December is a great official loss for our nation and a profound personal loss for all those privileged to call him a friend, counselor and loved one. prgtoken Felix Rohatyn was born in Vienna, Austria in 1928 to a prominent Jewish family. By 1935, he and his parents were forced to flee their home to escape the rise of Nazism, embarking on a years-long journey that eventually brought them to safety in the United States in 1942. His early experience as a refugee instilled in him a love for our bedrock American values of freedom, justice and economic opportunity for all, an appreciation that he honored throughout his life. prgtoken His professional success made him a sought-after economic expert and intellectual resource for countless public officials and leaders around the world. When New York City faced an unprecedented insolvency crisis in the 1970s, Felix Rohatyn's collaborative leadership skills brought together political and financial interests to make the difficult decisions needed to save the city. In the process, he made sure that the city invested in all its citizens, setting aside funding for schools, housing and public transportation to ensure a financially stable and prosperous future for millions of Americans. prgtoken Felix Rohatyn brought that same successful leadership, in addition to his fluency in French, to representing the United States as Ambassador to France. During his ambassadorship, he worked to strengthen the economic and cultural bonds between our nations, reaffirming an unbreakable friendship and partnership that dates back to the founding of our country. prgtoken It was always a privilege to have Ambassador Rohatyn meet with Members of Congress to discuss the most pressing issues facing our economy and our nation. His passionate advocacy for robust, climate change--resilient infrastructure made him a thoughtful advisor and effective Co-Chair of the bipartisan Commission on Public Infrastructure, helping Congress establish a framework to rebuild our nation and boost our economy in a sustainable, job-creating way. prgtoken After Superstorm Sandy in 2012, his forward-looking vision was essential to his service as Co-Chair of the New York State 2100 Commission. The innovative strategies he helped develop have been critical in rebuilding devastated communities and will ensure the city is better prepared to meet the challenges posed by the worsening climate crisis. prgtoken America was
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Linda T. Sánchez (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Madam , on Roll Call Number 23, On motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 943, To authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible entities to carry out educational programs about the Holocaust, and for other purposes, I was unavoidably detained and missed the vote. prgtoken Had I been present, I would have voted YEA. prgtoken I was also unavoidably detained for Roll Call Number 24, On motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4704 to direct the Director of the National Science Foundation to support multidisciplinary research on the science of suicide, and to advance the knowledge and understanding of the issues that may be associated with several aspects of suicide including intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to areas such as wellbeing, resilience, and vulnerability. prgtoken Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.
STUDENT BORROWER CREDIT IMPROVEMENT ACT
Al Lawson, Jr. (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-1-29

this amendment will allow for more time for private student loan borrowers in the process of rehabilitating their loans to repay their loans when also impacted by a geographical disaster or emergency. prgtoken By changing the language from when a disaster or emergency is federally declared to when the actual disaster began, private student loan borrowers will have more time outside of when an emergency is officially federally declared to explain and have their situation taken into consideration for hardship. prgtoken For example, it was a shame that it took President more than 2 weeks to declare the major disaster declaration after Puerto Rico received a string of earthquakes beginning December 28. Consumers should not be penalized by politics when they are in dire need for help. prgtoken As climate change and other disasters continue to have devastating consequences across this country, students who are demonstrating that they can rehabilitate their loans and improve their credit scores should not have to additionally suffer because extreme events like these cause hardships that would reasonably interrupt a payment. prgtoken It can take years for communities to recover from natural and other disasters, and this amendment further allows victims of these disasters the time that they deserve, a fair chance to improve their credit scores and future credit opportunities. prgtoken I support this amendment, and .
TRIBUTE TO THE SPITZER SPACE TELESCOPE
Adam B. Schiff (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Madam , I rise today to honor a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) mission managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the Spitzer Space Telescope. After 16 years of discovering hidden truths of our Universe, Spitzer will be retired on January 30, 2020. Designed to study the cold, old and dusty, Spitzer was launched in August of 2003 and used its sensitive sensors to study infrared light emitted by celestial bodies and cosmic objects from our own solar system to the furthest reaches of the Universe. Spitzer returned data on space phenomena from asteroids to the most distant galaxies ever detected whose light was emitted 13.4 billion years ago when the universe was less than 5 percent of its current age. It discovered the largest ring around Saturn made of dust particles, identified the first Buckyballs in space, found distant blackholes and mapped out our Milky Way with unprecedented clarity. Spitzer gave us a view beyond the gas and dust clouds to study the youngest stars and the ingredients to create planets, comets and other components of our solar system. As with many NASA missions, the telescope operated much longer than expected and has a long list of accomplishments beyond the mission's original science goals. Undoubtedly, one of Spitzer's greatest discoveries was seven Earth-size planets in around the star TRAPPIST-1. Spitzer enabled scientists to study exoplanets and identify atmospheric molecules, temperature variations, and wind speed. As Spitzer is safely retired in deep space orbit far from Earth, the legacy of the mission will be continued by the James Webb Space Telescope, which will also conduct infrared astronomy based on Spitzer's pioneering and trailblazing work in infrared light. The massive amount of data collected by Spitzer has been used in over 8,700 scientific publications and its data will continue to be available to the scientific community around the world for future research. I have great appreciation and pride for the countless personnel that have worked to ensure that Spitzer operated with precision, from design to data analysis, that allowed Spitzer to study the Universe with infrared light. The numerous discoveries made move us closer to shedding light on the profound mysteries of our Universe. I ask all members to join me in honoring the achievements of the Spitzer Space Telescope and the hard-working individuals and organizations that made Spitzer's mission so successful.
TRIBUTE TO FOSTENIA W. BAKER
James E. Clyburn (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Madam , I rise today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of a tenacious and proud South Carolinian, who worked tirelessly her entire life to ensure her family's story was not forgotten. Earlier this month, we lost Dr. Fostenia W. Baker, a lifelong educator, family historian, and determined advocate. She will be sorely missed. prgtoken Fostenia Baker was a native of Florence, South Carolina, and she graduated from South Carolina State College (now University), which is also my alma mater. During her time as a student, I got to know Fostenia as my future wife Emily's roommate. There was always something different about Fostenia, but I didn't understand until much later the family history that made her demeanor stand out. prgtoken Fostenia, like many of our classmates, left South Carolina after graduation and earned a master's degree from City College of New York and a doctorate from George Washington University. She began her teaching career in the New York City Public Schools in 1970. Five years later, she returned to South Carolina to teach health education at Voorhees College and later served as a research fellow in the School of Epidemiology at the University of South Carolina. She remained in South Carolina, teaching education at Allen University and serving as a science instructor in Colleton County Schools in Walterboro, South Carolina. prgtoken In 1984, Dr. Baker was appointed instructor of education for the District of Columbia Department of Corrections in Washington, D.C. She went on to become an assistant professor of health education at Trinity College and later Howard University, both in Washington, D.C. Her final position from 1997 to 2005 was as instructor of science and health education in the Prince Georges County Public Schools in Hyattsville, Maryland. prgtoken Dr. Baker won numerous teaching awards including an Excellence Award as Health Education Chairperson for Prince Georges County Public Schools and the Innovative Professor Award at Howard University. She also published numerous articles in scientific journals and a book entitled Women's Health, What Do You Know About It. prgtoken In addition to her professional work, it was a personal family history that was her true passion. In 1897, her great uncle, Frazier B. Baker, was named the first Black Postmaster in Lake City, South Carolina. Immediately, he was threatened by the white community who didn't want him to serve in this important role. Postmaster Baker would not be deterred by their intimidation, and he performed his job with distinction despite constant torment. On February 22, 1898, the harassers make good on their promise to remove him from his post by firing upon the Baker family in their home. Frazier Baker and his infant daughter were killed in the attack, and the other five family members barely escaped. prgtoken Dr. Baker was determined to ensure that her great uncle's lynching would not be forgotten. She spent her life
RECOGNIZING RUSSELL ``ROOSTER'' VALENTI
Susan Wild (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Madam , I rise to recognize an extraordinary constituent, a man who, in my community, is known only as Rooster. He really needs no other name, but his given name is Russell Valentini. prgtoken Rooster has worked in the Allentown School District for a very long time. His title with the Allentown School District is Home and School Visitor, but it fails to capture the world of difference he has made in the lives of homeless children and families. prgtoken For 35 years, Rooster has served as the lifeline for the 600 to 800 students experiencing homelessness in the Allentown School District at any given time. The poems he has written over the years about the children he has encountered reflect the ways that the children have touched his life and in which he has touched theirs. prgtoken Even now, Rooster still grows emotional when telling the story of the father who doesn't know if he will be able to get his paycheck in time to make the rent, the family who has lost their home, the child with no bed to sleep in at night. prgtoken Rooster, for these many years, has provided school supplies, uniforms, and hygiene items, as well as food, to help these students and their families. prgtoken Everywhere in my community there are people whose lives are immeasurably better today because of Rooster. prgtoken Rooster prepares to retire at the end of this school year, and I want to congratulate him. We will miss him. We should all draw inspiration from the powerful example he has set.
IT IS TIME TO END MIGRANT PROTECTION PROTOCOLS
Veronica Escobar (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-1-29

today marks the 1-year anniversary of the implementation of the abhorrent Migrant Protection Protocol program, or MPP, which forces vulnerable asylum seekers to remain in Mexico for their U.S. court dates. prgtoken MPP is currently implemented at seven ports of entry along the U.S.- Mexico border, including in my community, El Paso, Texas, where over 18,000 asylum seekers have been made to wait in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. prgtoken During my time in Congress, I have brought a number of my colleagues to the border to see our Nation's immigration challenges firsthand. A number of them joined me last July, when we crossed the border to visit with some of the families impacted by the program. We heard about their journey to the U.S the dangers they face if they return home, and what it takes to survive day-to-day in Mexico, a country that is not their own. We heard that obtaining legal counsel is nearly impossible, hindering due process. prgtoken This administration is making it as hard as possible for these families to obtain asylum in an effort to deter them from coming to the U.S. in the first place, because cruelty is the point. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to cosponsor H.R. 2662, the Asylum Seeker Protection Act, to defund this unlawful, abhorrent program.
MUSLIM BAN
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Madam , from Indiana. prgtoken I really appreciate the incredible public service that not only stems here but, as you all know, many of our servicemen and women who are of Muslim faith are serving our country every single day. prgtoken Again, people need not try to separate us as not being part of this amazing country. The Muslim ban completely tears that down and comes from, again, a place of hate that we need to push back against. prgtoken Madam , from Washington (Ms. Jayapal), who I really honor and respect, the co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, my good colleague, one of the fighters within this Chamber every single day for communities of color and marginalized communities.
STUDENT BORROWER CREDIT IMPROVEMENT ACT
Alma S. Adams (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Mr. Chair, I rise today to join my colleagues in support of H.R. 3621, the Comprehensive CREDIT Act. prgtoken I commend Chairwoman Waters, Congresswoman Pressley, and my colleagues for their leadership and dedication to ensuring that the credit reporting system works for everyone. prgtoken Our Nation's credit reporting system has an impact on hundreds of millions of Americans. Credit scores and credit reports are increasingly relied on for key decisionmaking by creditors, employers, insurers, and even law enforcement. However, it has been more than 15 years since Congress has enacted comprehensive reform of the credit reporting system. prgtoken In particular, I would like to focus on the consumers who have experienced financial distress due to inaccurate information on their credit reports. prgtoken When there is an error on a consumer report, the burden falls on the consumer. It can take months and even, in some cases, years to remove an error on a consumer's report, all the while the consumer's credit continues to suffer, potentially preventing them from receiving a much- needed loan or financing. prgtoken My bill, the Improving Credit Reporting for All Consumers Act, which is part of this larger package, would help consumers by making it easier for incorrect information to be removed swiftly and painlessly. prgtoken It would make much-needed improvements to the dispute process for consumers by providing a new right to appeal the results of initial disputes. prgtoken It would also require furnishers to retain better records of negative information and that consumers be provided copies of any documents used during the dispute process. All furnishers who regularly report negative information would also be required to notify customers about this practice and alert customers when they first send derogatory information. prgtoken The second portion of my bill prohibits credit reporting agencies from providing consumers with misleading and unfair information about the various credit monitoring services they offer. prgtoken Credit reporting agencies would also be prohibited from misleading consumers by describing certain products and services as free that are, in truth, provided at no charge only for a limited trial period before automatically converting into a paid subscription service. prgtoken The naysayers will say that my bill is well-meaning but significantly flawed because the dispute process would make things more complicated and difficult, but they would be wrong. The status quo is difficult and cumbersome, and too many consumers' lives, credit, and opportunities for healthy financial records hang in the balance. prgtoken Credit scores have a significant bearing on your ability to secure access to loans and other opportunities for upward economic mobility. This is an issue far too important, life-altering, and impactful. We must do all that we can to ensure that consumers are fully knowledgeable about their opt
STUDENT BORROWER CREDIT IMPROVEMENT ACT
Bryan Steil (Republican, WI) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Mr. Chair, I rise to urge support for my amendment to H.R. 3621. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I want to start by thanking Chairwoman Waters, Ranking Member McHenry, Representative Lawson, and Representative McAdams for working with me to reach this commonsense agreement on this amendment. prgtoken As my colleagues know, for certain jobs, employers are required by law to review the financial history of prospective employees. For instance, in some States, insurance commissioners require companies to review an agent's financial condition and history prior to granting a license. prgtoken This is a consumer protection issue. It is important to ensure that the professionals who consumers trust to carry out major financial transactions on their behalf aren't themselves in financial distress. prgtoken This amendment clarifies that an employer may use a credit report when it is necessary for a financial background check, required by Federal, State, or local laws or regulations. prgtoken By clarifying this issue, my amendment ensures that the underlying bill does not conflict with important consumer protection laws that are already on the books. Failing to address this conflict will be bad for workers and consumers. prgtoken I again urge support on this amendment, and .
RECOGNIZING THE HEROIC ACTION OF ODREN POLK
Fred Keller (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Madam , today, it is my great pleasure to recognize the heroic action of Odren Polk, a resident of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in our 12th Congressional District. prgtoken Affectionately referred to as ``Mr. O,'' Odren serves his community at Stevens Primary School through STEP AmeriCorps, a national service organization. prgtoken On what Odren described as an otherwise usual day in the cafeteria, Mr. O noticed one of the students choking on a grape tomato. Utilizing the first aid training he received at AmeriCorps, Mr. O jumped into action, dislodging the tomato from the student's airway and saving his life. prgtoken What Mr. O described as an automatic reaction was possible only because of the training he received at AmeriCorps. prgtoken AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that seeks to improve lives and foster civic engagement. Approximately 75,000 Americans across the country serve their community through AmeriCorps each year. prgtoken AmeriCorps members also receive training that prepares them to serve their communities after their AmeriCorps is completed. As in the case with Mr. O, sometimes that training comes in handy sooner rather than later.