mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DISAPPROVING A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2017-3-22

today I come to the floor to express my opposition once again to the possibility that the Tennessee Valley Authority--the TVA, as we call it--might raise our electric bills and waste more than $1 billion buying electricity the region does not need by agreeing to purchase power from the Clean Line Energy Partners' proposed Plains & Eastern wind power transmission project. prgtoken Congress has a responsibility to conduct oversight of TVA's decisions and also to ensure that TVA is fulfilling its missions, as defined by the TVA Act. Although TVA does not receive any Federal funding from Congress, TVA is a Federal corporation, and its board members are nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. prgtoken The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the committees responsible for the oversight of TVA, have held hearings to discuss TVA's budget and policies. prgtoken So as a U.S. Senator, today I am here to exercise my oversight responsibilities on TVA. Clean Line Energy Partners, a Texas-based company, is proposing to build giant, unsightly transmission towers from Oklahoma, through Arkansas, to Tennessee--known as the Plains & Eastern Clean Line--to carry comparatively more expensive, less reliable electricity to Tennessee and other Southeastern States. prgtoken For the first time ever, Federal eminent domain will be used over the objection of the State of Arkansas and both of Arkansas's U.S. Senators to acquire the land necessary for the transmission line. In order to move forward with the construction of a single 700-mile, high-voltage, direct current transmission line, Clean Line Energy Partners must find utilities in the Southeast that are willing to purchase the power produced by an Oklahoma wind farm and transmitted by the Plains & Eastern Clean Line. For this reason, Clean Line Energy Partners and their supporters have been urging the Tennessee Valley Authority to agree to a long-term power purchase agreement for wind power. prgtoken In November, shortly after the election, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy said: ``We strongly encourage TVA's Board of Directors to immediately contract for at least 1,000 megawatts of wind power on the Plains and Eastern Clean Line.'' Why the rush, I would ask. The answer is this: Federal subsidies for wind power--subsidies that waste billions of dollars of taxpayer money each year--end after 2019. A petition being pushed by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy urging TVA to purchase the power spells this out. They said: ``Critical deadlines regarding the Federal production tax credit for wind power are fast approaching. . . . The time to contract for low-cost wind power is now.'' prgtoken So last December, I wrote to the TVA and said: ``There should not be a rush to approve any proposal from Clean Line Energy Partners. This is a big, expensive decision and
WAIVING REQUIREMENT OF CLAUSE 6(a) OF RULE XIII WITH RESPECT TO CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS REPORTED FROM THE COMMITTEE ON RULES, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE...
Jerry McNerney (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-3-23

since the ACA was enacted, California's uninsured rate has dropped by 54 percent. Over 263,000 people have gained coverage in the three counties in my district. But now my colleagues want us to pass a replacement bill that will strip away health care for 24 million Americans. prgtoken Care guts the Medicare program and creates a new, pre-broken system that rations health care for more than 76 million Americans. In my district alone, more than 64,000 people will lose coverage because of the provisions of the replacement bill. It will take money away from our hospitals and eliminate 4,000 jobs in San Joaquin County alone. Working and middle class families will be forced to pay more for less. This will increase healthcare costs and decrease the quality of coverage available. Americans deserve access to quality healthcare coverage and health care that they can afford. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to withdraw this terrible bill and work across the aisle, for once, to improve the ACA that benefits all Americans. I strongly oppose this bill and urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''
WAIVING REQUIREMENT OF CLAUSE 6(a) OF RULE XIII WITH RESPECT TO CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS REPORTED FROM THE COMMITTEE ON RULES, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE...
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-3-23

I never thought in coming to Congress that I would be voting on legislation that would take away health insurance from 24 million Americans, including my own constituents. prgtoken The said that this legislation is an act of mercy. I think it is merciless. Every human being has a spark of divinity in them, and we dishonor that with this legislation. It is not worthy of the American people. There is less coverage, higher costs, elimination of essential services--not only for what people need day to day but for the unexpected. That is what insurance is all about. prgtoken There is a crushing age tax for people between the ages of 50 and 64. What has happened to the GOP? Is it now ``get older people''? prgtoken This does not deserve one vote in the House of Representatives. It is shameful, and it is immoral.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-3-23

first, I would like to thank the senior Senator from the State of Washington, the ranking member of the Health Committee, for her outstanding work on this issue. She knows this issue better than just about anybody in this Chamber. She is passionate and also fact-driven about her views and has had great influence on this Chamber. prgtoken I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will review what she said. To rush through a bill for a campaign promise--a bill that is fraught with problems and difficulty, many of which will probably not come to light until after the bill comes to the floor--is the wrong thing to do. I thank the senior Senator from the State of Washington. Terror Attack in London prgtoken , first, I want to just say a few words. My heartfelt condolences go to the families of the victims in London. prgtoken Terrorism strikes everywhere. It was so close to the symbol of Great Britain--Parliament, Big Ben, a place we have all seen in pictures and some of us have had the opportunity to see in person. It reminds us that the scourge of terrorism needs to be eradicated in any way we can. I am committed to that, and I know the 100 Members of this Senate body are as well. prgtoken Our hearts go out to those who were lost. Nomination of Neil Gorsuch prgtoken , now I will move on to the subject I wish to speak about at length this morning, and that is Judge Gorsuch. prgtoken I have had the opportunity these past 3 days to watch Judge Neil Gorsuch in the Judiciary Committee and to review his credentials and record on the Tenth Circuit and before that. prgtoken I would particularly like to recognize the outstanding work done by every ic member of the Judiciary Committee. They were outstanding in questioning Judge Gorsuch despite his lack of candor and desire to answer. I would like to particularly call out our exceptional ranking member, Senator Feinstein, who has done a wonderful job leading that committee. prgtoken I have thought long and hard about his nomination and what it means for the future of the Supreme Court and for the future of our country. What is at stake is considerable. The decisions we make here in the Senate over the next few weeks about Judge Gorsuch, as on any Supreme Court nominee, will echo through the lifetime tenure of that judge, through a generation of Americans. prgtoken Discussions of the Supreme Court can get wonky and technical, with invocations of precedent and canons of interpretation. What is at stake, however, is not at all abstract; it is real and it is concrete for Americans, whose lives, health, happiness, and freedoms are on the line at the Supreme Court. Closely divided decisions recently have meant the difference between the ability to marry the person you love or not, the ability to have your right to vote protected or not, the ability to make personal choices abo
IN RECOGNITION OF CINDY ESTRADA FOR RECEIVING THE ALTERNATIVES FOR GIRLS' ROLE MODEL AWARD
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-3-23

I rise today to recognize Cindy Estrada, Vice President of the United Auto Workers and recipient of the Alternatives for Girls' 2017 Role Model award. Ms. Estrada has fought tirelessly for working Americans for her entire career and spearheaded many community programs to benefit working men and women. prgtoken Ms. Estrada began her career as labor organizer after graduating from the University of Michigan. After successful assignments as an organizer for Detroit-based Mexican Industries and the United Farm Workers, Ms. Estrada was appointed to the UAW International Union's organizing staff in 2000. After overseeing development and implementation of UAW organizing strategy for several years, Ms. Estrada was elected as UAW vice president in 2010 and reelected to a second term in 2014. She currently leads the General Motors Department of UAW, negotiating on behalf of approximately 48,500 union workers. Ms. Estrada has brought a lifetime of experience championing working families to this role, as well as a deep understanding of the challenges workers face in competing in a global marketplace. prgtoken Ms. Estrada's efforts have led to better pay and working conditions for tens of thousands of American workers. In addition to leading the contract negotiations with major automotive suppliers like Johnson Controls and Dana Incorporated, Ms. Estrada has also worked on behalf of the 17,000 UAW-represented workers employed by the State of Michigan. These campaigns have resulted in real gains for workers, including providing for increased pay and robust health benefits. Ms. Estrada is known for her tough negotiating ability, and her tenacity has served as a model for labor relations in the automotive industry. She is dedicated to ensuring workers' voices are represented at the negotiating table and forging consensus that protect their interests. It is my hope that Ms. Estrada is able to continue to lead the UAW in working constructively to ensure that American workers and manufacturing prosper in the coming years. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Cindy Estrada for receiving the Alternatives for Girls' 2017 Role Model Award. Ms. Estrada has dedicated her career to championing social justice for all people and is deserving of this prestigious award.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Kamala D. Harris (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-3-23

I rise to celebrate the anniversary of one of the most significant legislative achievements in American history, the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Care. prgtoken I rise in strong opposition to the American Health Care Act, a callous and carelessly written bill that would roll back progress and strip health insurance from millions of Americans. prgtoken I rise on behalf of people like Chrystal from my home State of California. You see, I know Chrystal. She works in my dentist's office. In early 2011, just after I was elected attorney general of California, I went in for a checkup. It had been a while since I had seen her. Chrystal asked me how I had been, and I asked her how she had been, and then she shared with me great news. She was pregnant. prgtoken As a dental hygienist, she was working for a few different dentists and wasn't on the payroll of any of them as a full-time employee. This was before the ACA was in place, so Chrystal was on private insurance with only basic coverage, just enough to cover her annual exams. prgtoken When Chrystal found out she was pregnant, she went to her insurance company to apply for prenatal coverage. She was denied. When I asked her why, she told me that they said she had a preexisting condition. So you can imagine I asked her: Are you OK? What is wrong? What is the preexisting condition? prgtoken She told me she was pregnant. prgtoken When she applied to another healthcare company for insurance, again, she was denied. Why? Preexisting condition. What was it? She was pregnant. prgtoken So this young woman was forced to go into her sixth month of pregnancy before she received a sonogram. Instead, thankfully, there was a free clinic in San Francisco, so she could get her prenatal care. prgtoken Thank God she had a strong and beautiful baby boy. His name is Jackson. They are both doing well today. prgtoken Thank God that situation is no longer the reality for millions of Americans. prgtoken I share Chrystal's story to remind us what America's healthcare system looked like only a few years ago. prgtoken We should not forget that before the ACA, 48 million Americans lacked health insurance. That is more people than the entire country of Canada. prgtoken Before the ACA, when these people got sick, they had three choices: Go without treatment, go to the emergency room, or go broke. prgtoken Before the ACA, 129 million people--almost one out of every two Americans--could be denied insurance coverage because of preexisting conditions. And the minute you got sick, your insurer could dig up some flimsy reason to drop your coverage. You could be denied coverage for chemotherapy or insulin if you had cancer or diabetes. You could be denied prenatal coverage if you were pregnant, like Chrystal. You could even be denied health coverage if you were a victim of domestic violence. prgtoken Before the ACA, healthcare costs were crushing low-i
THINK ABOUT YOUR CONSTITUENTS
Theodore E. Deutch (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-3-23

the GOP health repeal bill rips coverage from 24 million Americans. prgtoken So I ask my colleagues: Can you imagine what it is like to gasp for air, your chest tightening and your lungs burning from asthma, worrying that you might black out because you cannot get enough oxygen? prgtoken This week a constituent of mine from Fort Lauderdale told me: Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, I am finally able to breathe. prgtoken The ACA dropped her asthma medicine costs from $600 per month to $10. Without the ACA, she cannot afford to breathe. prgtoken Can you imagine your medication within reach but you can't afford to use it? If you take your medicine when you need it, if you help yourself breathe now, you can't afford it next month. prgtoken As you jog up the Capitol steps for this vote today, as you take for granted every easy breath you take today, think about your constituents who rely on their health care for their next breath and vote ``no.''
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session)
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2017-3-23

Senate will soon vote on the nomination of David Friedman to be U.S. Ambassador to Israel. prgtoken I oppose his nomination. prgtoken Mr. Friedman has made a career of derogatory and inflammatory statements about U.S. policy in the Middle East, about former U.S. officials, about the Palestinians, and about American Jews who have views that differ from his own. prgtoken He has written falsely that President and Secretary Kerry engaged in ``blatant anti-Semitism,'' that liberal American Jews are ``far worse than kapos,'' and that they ``suffer a cognitive disconnect in identifying good and evil.'' prgtoken He has accused the State Department of a ``hundred-year history of anti-Semitism,'' apparently because diplomats in both and ic administrations have not always agreed with the actions of some of Israel's leaders. prgtoken Those comments alone should disqualify him for this sensitive position. prgtoken Mr. Friedman has also raised millions of dollars for Israeli settlers and bragged about leading the effort to remove the two-state solution from the Party's platform. prgtoken Regarding the two-state solution, he wrote that it is ``an illusion that serves the worst intentions of both the United States and the Palestinian Arabs.'' That renunciation of longstanding U.S. policy should also, by itself, disqualify him for the job of Ambassador to Israel. prgtoken Mr. Friedman is certainly entitled to his own views as a private citizen, even if they are offensive and counter to U.S. interests and values. But can anyone honestly say that this nominee is qualified or suited to represent the American people in Israel? prgtoken Five former U.S. Ambassadors to Israel, who served under and ic Presidents going back as far as President Reagan, say the answer is no. prgtoken An alliance as longstanding as ours with Israel, which has far- reaching consequences for the entire Middle East, requires effective daily management by an experienced diplomat who not only has knowledge of the region but the temperament and appreciation of our short- and long-term interests. prgtoken I do not see how anyone could conclude that Mr. Friedman possesses the requisite temperament or objectivity. The record is devoid of evidence that he appreciates the critical distinction between the interests of the United States and the parochial interests of an extreme constituency in Israel that he has fiercely advocated for over the course of his long career. prgtoken Mr. Friedman's confirmation hearing provided him the opportunity to assuage concerns about his divisiveness, including the many disparaging remarks he has made and his close identification with and support for, the Israeli settler movement. prgtoken During the hearing, he disavowed his past undiplomatic statements, saying he was speaking as a private citizen. prgtoken Mr. Friedman's remarkable confirmation conversion falls far short of
IN RECOGNITION OF FREDERIC B. PRESBREY
William R. Keating (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-3-23

I rise today in recognition of Frederic B. Presbrey on the occasion of his retirement from the Housing Assistance Corporation in Hyannis, Massachusetts. prgtoken Frederic, or Rick as he is known to friends, family, and colleagues, founded the Housing Assistance Corporation in December of 1974 with the intention of finding and securing housing for those who need it most. Rick's advocacy has not only helped to create five shelter programs and 484 units of affordable housing across the Cape and Islands but led to the establishment of the Consumer Education Department. This department has been instrumental in educating first-time home buyers since 1990. In addition, Rick created the Housing Consumer Education Center to give Massachusetts residents access to housing counselors for vital information on buying, owning, developing or renting real estate. Further, Rick's astute leadership has led to the creation of over thirty programs and services aimed not only at helping individuals find housing but also to maintain secure, safe, and stable homes. prgtoken Rick has shaped how we on Cape Cod and in the Commonwealth view housing needs. He has personally worked with state, local, and federal officials and other community stakeholders to help resolve numerous housing concerns and has served as an invaluable resource for policymakers and home seekers alike. prgtoken , I am proud to honor Frederic B. Presbrey for his service and achievements on this occasion. I ask that my colleagues join me in wishing him a happy retirement and many more years of health and happiness.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session)
Al Franken (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-3-23

I rise today to talk about President 's selection of David Friedman to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel. prgtoken Our relationship with Israel is of tremendous importance. We are strong allies, and we have a strong military, diplomatic, economic, and cultural relationship with the State of Israel. As a Jew, the importance of that relationship is something that I feel in my bones, and as a Senator, working to prgtoken make our relationship with Israel stronger is a major priority. I strongly believe that part of strengthening that relationship is doing everything we can to help make progress toward a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Helping to resolve that conflict has consistently been one of the top diplomatic priorities of the United States. prgtoken There are very important implications in this selection for the Israeli people, the Palestinian people, the Middle East region, and even beyond. We need an Ambassador who can rise to the challenge, someone who can bring the parties together for negotiations and be regarded as legitimate in the eyes of all parties. Mr. Friedman is not that man. prgtoken Mr. Friedman's past conduct demonstrates that he lacks the tools one needs to be a good diplomat. For starters, diplomacy is about choosing your words carefully. It is about reasoning with those with whom you disagree. Diplomacy means not resorting to insults and to name-calling when you have a disagreement, which is something that Mr. Friedman has done time and time and time again. prgtoken In an op-ed he penned for the newspaper Arutz Sheva, Mr. Friedman called supporters of the American Jewish Organization J Street ``far worse than kapos.'' prgtoken Now, for those who don't share the history, I was born in 1951, and I grew up with the holocaust and the stories of the holocaust pounded into my head, and I know what ``kapos'' are. It is the term that refers to Jews who collaborated with the Nazis--with the Gestapo, the guards at the concentration camps during the holocaust. When asked to repudiate his statement on J Street, Mr. Friedman refused, and in fact doubled down, stating ``They're not Jewish, and they are not pro- Israel.'' For those who don't know, J Street is a pro-Israel organization dedicated to the two-state solution--a goal that is shared by successive U.S. administrations, both ic and . The two-state solution is the only way to keep Israel a Jewish State and a democracy. prgtoken Mr. Friedman's smearing of our fellow Jews--my fellow Jews, many of whom are members of J Street, this is a calumny. This should be a disqualifier for someone seeking to represent the United States in the State of Israel. Mr. Friedman's statement shows that he lacks understanding of history--of our history, the history of the Jewish people--it shows he is intolerant of opposing views, and he is profoundly insensitive. That is probably why so many of my fe
WAIVING REQUIREMENT OF CLAUSE 6(a) OF RULE XIII WITH RESPECT TO CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS REPORTED FROM THE COMMITTEE ON RULES, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE...
Kathy Castor (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-3-23

I am compelled to come to the floor this morning to urge my colleagues to stop hiding the Care bill. The American people and their Representatives deserve to know what is in the bill. prgtoken But here is what we know so far. It rips coverage away from millions of our neighbors back home. It is a massive tax or cost increase for people's insurance, whether you have it through healthcare.gov or through your private employer. It imposes a significant age tax on our older neighbors back home. It cuts Medicare and shortens the life of the Medicare trust fund. It breaks the fundamental guarantee we have with our neighbors back home who are Alzheimer's patients, children with complex conditions, the disabled, under Medicaid, all to give a massive tax break to the wealthiest people in America. prgtoken That is a failure in vision and a failure in values, and this bill should be hidden forever.