mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2017
John Conyers, Jr. (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-3-24

I've been here a while and it's hard for me to recall a time when we've voted on something so obviously and willfully harmful to children, seniors and working Americans. prgtoken This bill strips healthcare from 24 million people. prgtoken It requires some seniors to pay 100 percent or more of their income in premiums. prgtoken This legislation dramatically cuts Medicaid, directly contradicting President 's claim not to. prgtoken In Michigan, HALF of all children rely on Medicaid. prgtoken In my district alone, 56,000 people will lose coverage, including 16,000 children. prgtoken Let's be clear: if we pass this bill, children, seniors, and working people will suffer and some will die, so that the wealthy can get a tax cut. prgtoken Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. That's why I support a single-payer, Medicare-for-All plan, and why I will be voting ``no'' on this mean spirited legislation. prgtoken , as Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee, I include in the Record a legal analysis prepared by committee staff that concludes that the provision of H.R. 1628 that requires New York State to change how its counties fund the State's portion of Medicaid expenses is not related to a legitimate Federal interest, that no rational Federal purpose has been proffered for the provision, and that it would severely intrude on traditional state prerogatives. As such, this provision would violate Constitutional limits on the Federal Spending Power, the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses and the Tenth Amendment (reserving all undelegated powers to the States) and would likely be held unconstitutional if challenged in court. Memorandum To: Interested Members. From: House Judiciary Committee ic Staff. Re: Constitutionality of Faso-Collins Amendment. Date: March 24, 2017. The Faso-Collins amendment, incorporated into the Manager's amendment, would violate Constitutional limits on the Federal Spending Power, the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses and the Tenth Amendment (reserving all undelegated powers to the States). Requiring New York State to change how its counties Fund its portion of Medicaid expenses is not related to a legitimate Federal interest, no rational Federal purpose has been proffered for the provision, and it would severely intrude on traditional state prerogatives. If the Faso-Collins amendment were ever enacted, it quickly would be invalidated by the Federal courts. The irony of this ``buyout'' is that the ``payment'' supposedly being delivered in exchange for votes--the unconstitutional provision--is the legislative equivalent of a check on a closed bank account, which will never deliver the promised benefits. For the last 51 years, New York State has chosen to fund a portion of its share of the Medicaid Program by using funds
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1628, AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2017
Jared Polis (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2017-3-24

look, first of all, this rather outrageous healthcare bill still will cost 24 million Americans their healthcare insurance; and if you are lucky enough not to be one of those 24 million Americans, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the head of which was appointed by a , says it will also increase the cost by 15 or 20 percent for those who are lucky enough to keep their insurance. prgtoken In addition to that, it has a crushing age tax that forces people aged 50 to 64 to pay premiums five times higher than what other Americans pay for health care. prgtoken As if that age tax wasn't enough, in this new amendment, which most of us only saw for the first time at 6:30 this morning, they increased the Medicare tax for another 5 years by 1 percent, so Americans will have to pay even more in taxes. prgtoken The last manager's amendment, which we just got the information on, actually would increase the deficit by over $150 billion more than their original bill, somehow without covering even one additional American. prgtoken So what is going on here? prgtoken They are creating a bill that has more taxes with this manager's amendment, creating a bill that costs the American people more and reduces the deficit more, and then pawns off the hard decisions to the States, without giving them enough to maintain the essential benefits that Americans rely on, like prescription drugs, rehabilitative care, and mental health services. prgtoken They are not giving the States enough money to maintain those. And then they are saying: But you, States, be the bad guys and you guys make the cut so we in Washington can pat ourselves on the back and look good, even while we increase the deficit by more than $150 billion more than the original healthcare bill that was introduced last week and even though we maintain the age tax that forces people between the age of 50 and 64 to pay up to five times more than other Americans. prgtoken This is simply the wrong way to go. Sometimes you need to reboot, restart, get together, look at real ideas that and s have put on the table to reduce costs and expand coverage. That is what this discussion should be about. Yet, to do that, we need to defeat this rule now and go back to the starting point.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1628, AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2017
David E. Price (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2017-3-24

I rise today in strong opposition to this misguided and shortsighted pay-more-for-less bill, also known as Care. prgtoken In all my time in Congress, I have never seen such blatant disregard for the interests of the American people. prgtoken Twenty-four million hardworking Americans will lose their coverage. prgtoken Care will raise premiums, while reducing critical premium subsidies that millions depend on. Meanwhile, deductibles and out-of- pocket expenses will go up. prgtoken Particularly hurt will be the Americans aged 50 to 64 who will have to pay five times more than others for health coverage, no matter how healthy they may be themselves. prgtoken Care then goes on to ransack the Medicaid funds that older Americans rely on for long-term care, and it shortens the life of the Medicare trust fund by 3 years. prgtoken North Carolina consumers in the insurance marketplace, many of them insured for the first time, would face the second highest healthcare cost increases in the entire country, an average of over $7,500. Again: mainly older, poorer North Carolinians. For example, a 64-year-old resident making $22,000 a year would see a premium spike of over $14,000. That is over half of his income. prgtoken After years of trying to destroy the ACA, is this the best that Ryan and President can come up with? Defeat this bill.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1628, AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2017
Tulsi Gabbard (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2017-3-24

people in my home State of Hawaii and all across the country are in desperate need of serious healthcare reform to bring down costs and increase access to quality care. prgtoken The legislation before us, though, is not the answer. It perpetuates the problems. It is a handout to insurance and pharmaceutical companies that literally pulls the rug out from those who are most needy and most vulnerable in our communities. prgtoken While corporations rake in over $600 billion in tax breaks, many low- income Americans will see their coverage drop completely. prgtoken Medicaid, a program that one in five Americans depend on for basic care, would be slashed by hundreds of billions of dollars, shifting costs to already-strained State and local governments. prgtoken Our kupuna, our seniors, could see their premiums increase up to five times more than young, healthy people under these new age rating rules in this bill. prgtoken Simply put, we need a healthcare system that puts people before profits. I urge my colleagues strongly to vote ``no'' against this legislation.
ABOUT GOVERNANCE
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-3-27

the question we raise this evening is about prgtoken governance. In the debacle of last Friday, when the administration failed to carry forward on its promise to pass the worst healthcare bill in the history of the United States, the administration offered a definition or an explanation: the ACA was exploding. It is not exploding. The CBO has indicated that the ACA needs improving, but it has insured some 20 million-plus people and protected children--unlike the administration's bill, Mr. 's bill which, in fact, would throw 24 million people off of health care and cut $880 billion. It is about governance. prgtoken That is why it is important to have a full investigation of the Russian collusion of all of those who are involved in Mr. 's campaign, and in his administration, including very close members of his senior staff. prgtoken That is why we should have a full investigation, which would include the Judiciary Committee. I demand that the classified documents that we have requested in a bipartisan letter should be given to the Judiciary Committee, and we should begin investigations on whether there are any questions of criminality. prgtoken It is about governance, ; and the House of Representatives must know the truth so the American people can know the truth.
HONORING CAPTAIN HUMBERT ROQUE ``ROCKY'' VERSACE ON THE OCCASION OF NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY
Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2017-3-27

I rise today on the occasion of National Medal of Honor Day to recognize the heroism ``above and beyond the call of duty'' of Captain Humbert Roque ``Rocky'' Versace, USMA Class of 1959. Captain Versace, who was captured by the Viet Cong with two other U.S. soldiers on 29 October 1963, endured nearly 23 months of inhuman treatment at the hands of his communist captors. That included denial of medical treatment (for the 3 bullet wounds he sustained during his capture), insufficient daily food ration, indoctrination attempts, beatings and confinement to a cramped bamboo cage. Portions of his Medal of Honor citation read: ``[H]e demonstrated exceptional leadership and resolute adherence to the tenants of the Code of Conduct from the time he entered into a prisoner of war status . . . he attempted the first of four escape attempts by dragging himself on his hands and knees out of the camp through dense swamp and forbidding vegetation to freedom . . . Captain Versace scorned the enemy's exhaustive interrogation and indoctrination efforts, and inspired his fellow prisoners to resist to the best of their ability. When he used his Vietnamese language skills to protest improper treatment of the American prisoners by the guards, he was put into leg irons and gagged to keep his protestations out of earshot of the other American prisoners in the camp . . .'' The Viet Cong murdered Captain Versace on 26 September 1965. After more than 51 years, Captain Versace is the only U.S. Soldier who received the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War to remain Missing in Action.
Border Adjustment Tax (Executive Session)
Brian Schatz (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2017-3-27

last week Care died, and lots of people are trying to figure out exactly what happened. In my view, it was not a lack of strategy; it was not a lack of effort; it was not a lack of personal relationship between the and the President. It died because the policy stank. It died because people actually--left, right, and center--decided that cutting Medicaid by $900 billion in order to provide a tax cut for the wealthiest Americans of the exact same amount was just not a good idea in policy or in politics. prgtoken Now that Care has crashed and burned, s are essentially going to try to do the same thing--tax cuts for the rich. Yet, this time, instead of funding it by cutting Medicaid, they are going to charge people more for groceries. Here is their proposal: They want to cut taxes for corporations again. That is what they want to do. Whether one is talking about infrastructure or whether one is talking about healthcare or whether one is talking about so-called tax reform, their solution to everything is to cut taxes for corporations. They want to cut taxes for corporations again, but this time American families will pay for it through taxes on groceries and the other stuff they have to buy on a day-to-day basis. prgtoken We have seen this before. It is a giveaway for corporations and the wealthiest among us, but, as usual, they have to find a pay-for, a way to make the arithmetic work, a way to pay for it. They are going to keep proposing so-called solutions for healthcare, infrastructure, or in this case tax reform, but they are basically the same proposal. It is a subsidy for Wall Street. It is because they cannot help themselves. prgtoken This particular giveaway will cost the average American family thousands of dollars. Families will have to pay more for gas, medicine, clothes, cars, food. That is how a so-called border adjustment tax works. Everything one buys in the United States will be taxed, and everything outside of the United States will not be taxed. The sort of principle behind that is that somehow we are going to stimulate exports and disincentivize imports. It is not just that you are paying more on the stuff that is imported; it is that everything in the United States that you purchase you will have to pay more for in order to incentivize exports. But all you are doing is charging the American people more. This is essentially a sales tax. prgtoken I talked to members of my staff, and they were trying to get into the sort of technocratic, legal details about whether it is technically a sales tax or a value-added tax or a border adjustment tax that fits into some other legal category. But for a regular person, it does not matter what you call it; if you pay more and the government is collecting it, it is an increase in taxes. prgtoken They are going to dazzle you with complexity, and I think some in the House leadership are very skillful at trying to
WHAT DO WE HAVE TO LOSE: $54 BILLION IN DOMESTIC SPENDING
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-3-27

I do appreciate the time that I have been allotted here this evening, joining with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus to answer the question that was posed to us by this President. I rise to answer President 's question to the Black community. prgtoken Now, all throughout his campaign, President declared that Black people all across this country just live in hell and fear each day, and we may be shot on the street. He basically said that we have nothing, our education is no good, on and on and on. Then he went on to say that only he can solve the challenges African Americans face. prgtoken Unfortunately, this kind of talk is typical of this President: boasting, bragging, and making promises. This President will say anything and promise anything, of course, with no intention of living up to his promises. One should not believe anything he has to say. prgtoken As a matter of fact, the African-American community understands very well when these kinds of empty promises are made. As a matter of fact, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the presidents of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities organized, put together, a proposal, and they went to meet with the President at the White House. prgtoken They didn't even have an opportunity to present the proposal. They were just ushered around in a photo op, and that was all that happened, without any real conversation, without any proposals being produced. They were treated in a disrespectful way. prgtoken This, basically, is what I have decided we can expect from the President. His budget and policy priorities reveal his true intentions and what so many of us already know about this President. He really doesn't care about the issues facing the African-American community, and he doesn't care to learn about those issues or advance any meaningful legislation to provide jobs and economic opportunities for our Nation's most vulnerable communities. prgtoken If you take a look at 's HUD budget, you find a $6 billion reduction. He wants to eliminate the Community Development Block Grant program, which supports our cities and various urban renewal projects. He wants to eliminate the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. This President wants to eliminate the Choice Neighborhoods program. He wants to eliminate the homeownership program and on and on and on. prgtoken Just last week, this President tried and failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act. If that unconscionable bill had passed, 14 million people would have lost insurance coverage next year, and the American people would have seen billions of dollars in Medicaid cuts. prgtoken 's empty promises do not end with the budget. He has also filled his Cabinet with millionaires and billionaires who don't have a clue about the challenges facing the African-American community. prgtoken 's Treasury Secretary was known as the ``Foreclosure King,'' who profited off th
REQUIRING THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY TO SUBMIT A REPORT REGARDING EMERGENCY OR DISASTER ASSISTANCE APPLICANTS AND GRANTEES
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-3-27

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 1117 to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to submit a report on how it will improve field staff transition. prgtoken As the gentleman from Pennsylvania has explained, there has been a good deal of confusion with high turnover, repetitive and lost paperwork, and inconsistent guidance. prgtoken FEMA has implemented several new technologies to manage its full-time employees, but they have not made similar efforts for field and temporary disaster response personnel. It is time for FEMA to do so. prgtoken This bill requires FEMA to submit a report on how it plans to address the disaster workforce issues, their continuing inconsistent guidance, and keeping appropriate records. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this bill. prgtoken , .
AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2017
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2017-3-27

never before, in more than two centuries of American history, has Congress taken back benefits and replaced them with a package that, in turn, reduces benefits in use by the American people. The effect on the District of Columbia would be particularly disappointing because the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has brought the city to virtual universal coverage (only 3.4 percent not covered). Moreover, most Americans, including D.C. residents, get their coverage through their employers. The untold story about care is its effect not only on the ACA, but the harmful effects it could have on the one- sixth of the U.S. economy that is accounted for by healthcare costs. prgtoken The reason Americans oppose care is its take-backs: 24 million people would lose coverage; premiums and deductibles would increase; essential coverage for maternity care, prescription drugs, and emergency room visits would end; healthy pre-Medicare elderly would be charged five times what others pay; and instead of lengthening the Medicare Trust Fund, care would shorten it by three years. The most devastating effect of repeal would be felt by the lowest-income Americans who benefit from the Medicaid expansion in the ACA with the end of the Medicaid expansion in 2020. Seventy-four percent of Americans, including 54 percent of s, oppose cutting Medicaid funding. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join the American people in voting no: recent polls show only 17 percent of the American people support the care bill.
REMEMBERING ENI F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2017-3-27

today I wish to honor the life and dedicated service to our country of my friend and colleague, Eni F. H. Faleomavaega of American Samoa. I had the honor of serving with him in the U.S. House and was deeply saddened to hear of his passing on Wednesday, February 22, 2017. prgtoken Eni served 13 terms as the Delegate from American Samoa, and we worked together because of his close ties to Hawaii. Eni's strong ties and service to Hawaii makes him a ``keiki o ka aina.'' He was a graduate of Kahuku High School and the Church College, the forerunner to Brigham Young University in Laie, HI. Eni was a passionate advocate for indigenous peoples including native Hawaiians. Whether it was Federal recognition or health and housing programs for native Hawaiians, Hawaii could always count on Eni's outspoken support and assistance. One of the stories Eni enjoyed sharing was about his experience sailing on the voyaging canoe Hokulea in 1987, and in August 2014, he welcomed the arrival of the Hokulea and Hikianalia arrival in American Samoa and offered his best wishes to Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage. prgtoken I always appreciated his warm presence at the annual Kamehameha Day Lei Draping Ceremony at the capitol where he would often perform traditional Samoan chant and dance. Of course, he also served his American Samoa constituents in Congress with distinction for two decades. During his service in the House, he rose to become the first Asian-Pacific American to serve as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. He brought his unique perspective as a Pacific Islander to this post and constructively worked to raise the concerns of the region in Congress. prgtoken Eni was also a veteran of the Vietnam war and a selfless advocate for his fellow veterans in American Samoa and across the Nation. Thanks to Eni's efforts, American Samoa veterans can now receive their healthcare from a Department of Veterans Affairs clinic built in Pago Pago with funds he helped secure. It is therefore most appropriate that the House and Senate prgtoken recently passed H.R. 1362, a bill to name this clinic after him. prgtoken I join my colleagues in extending my deepest sympathies to his wife, Hinanui Hunkin, their 10 children, and their 15 grandchildren. Eni will be dearly missed by his extended ohana in Hawaii and all whose lives were touched by his leadership and service.