mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO FORMER CONGRESSMAN RALPH REGULA
James B. Renacci (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-7-25

I join my colleagues today to offer my tribute on behalf of my predecessor, mentor, and most importantly my friend, the late Congressman Ralph Regula. We not only had the chance to share the same district but we celebrated the same birthday, something that always made our connection feel stronger. prgtoken Congressman Regula represented the 16th District of Ohio in the United States House of Representatives from 1973 until his retirement in 2009. For thirty-six years and eighteen terms, Ralph Regula brought common-sense, Ohio values to Washington each and every day. prgtoken Ralph came to Washington, often in his ubiquitous red pickup truck, to do a job for the American People. His was an office held in trust for a time and then relinquished with grace when that season of his life was over. prgtoken Ralph Regula began his career as a teacher and grade school principal. Throughout his long career in public service he always encouraged students who approached him to ``Learn something new every day''. It was more than advice: it was a heartfelt wish that every young person he met would embrace a lifetime of learning and go on to become the very best versions of themselves. prgtoken As a public servant, Ralph Regula was a thoughtful, conscientious man of the people. From humble beginnings as village solicitor in Navarre, Ohio, Ralph brought his experience as an educator to the Ohio Board of Education, and from there, to the Ohio state house where he served in the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate. In 1972, Ralph Regula was elected to Congress to represent the 16th District of Ohio, an office he always said he held in trust for the people he represented back home in Ohio. His constituents sent him back to Washington eighteen times, asking for and receiving his best service and judgment on their behalf in the People's House. prgtoken In Congress, Ralph Regula served most of his tenure in the Committee on Appropriations. Ralph would say he was one of the keepers of America's checkbook. In that role, Ralph brought his own brand of fiscal conservatism to bear on the great issues facing the United States. As chairman of the Committee on Appropriations Interior subcommittee, Ralph was instrumental in securing the future of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. prgtoken I have no doubt that Ralph Regula will be remembered for many things during his time in Congress. I think his sense of fairness and his bi- partisan approach to lawmaking will, no doubt, be among the best attributes recalled by his friends and colleagues. Debate ended at the doors to the House, but the friendship always endured. prgtoken Ralph was foremost, though, a family man. The great love of his life, Mary, was his partner through thick and thin. Partners in all things, Ralph and Mary built a life together and raised three wonderful children: David, Richard and Martha. prgtoken In closing, let me just say this: It truly was the honor of a l
CONGRATULATING CAPTAIN PHILLIP DAWSON III ON HIS RETIREMENT
Neal P. Dunn (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-7-25

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Captain Phillip Dawson on his retirement from the United States Navy. On Friday, Captain Dawson will complete a nearly 4-year tour as the commanding officer of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City, Florida. prgtoken A 1988 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Captain Dawson first served on the USS Tattnall as the antisubmarine warfare officer and, later, on the USS Harry E. Yarnell as the fire control officer. prgtoken Captain Dawson assumed command of the Naval Surface Warfare Center in 2013, where he led the center in a wide array of missions, including littoral warfare, coastal defense, and special missions. This base is also home to the U.S. Navy Dive School, where all of the divers from all of our services are trained. prgtoken Captain Dawson's selfless sacrifice to this country and dedication to our Navy is truly inspiring. Madam , please join me in thanking Captain Dawson, his wife, Belinda, and their three children for their years of service and sacrifice, and wish them luck as they enjoy a new chapter in life.
AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2017
John McCain (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2017-7-25

I have stood in this place many times and addressed as ``President'' many Presiding Officers. I have been so addressed when I have sat in that chair, and that is as close as I will ever be to a Presidency. It is an honorific we are almost indifferent too; isn't it? In truth, presiding over the Senate can be a nuisance, a bit of a ceremonial bore, and it is usually relegated to the more junior Members of the majority. prgtoken But as I stand here today--looking a little worse for wear, I am sure--I have a refreshed appreciation for the protocols and customs of this body and for the other 99 privileged souls who have been elected to this Senate. prgtoken I have been a Member of the U.S. Senate for 30 years. I had another long, if not as long, career before I arrived here, another profession that was profoundly rewarding and in which I had experiences and friendships that I revere. Make no mistake, my service here is the most important job I have had in my life. I am so grateful to the people of Arizona for the privilege--for the honor--of serving here and the opportunities it gives me to play a small role in the history of the country I love. prgtoken I have known and admired men and women in the Senate who played much more than a small role in our history--true statesmen, giants of American politics. They came from both parties and from various backgrounds. Their ambitions were frequently in conflict. They held different views on the issues of the day. They often had very serious disagreements about how best to serve the national interest. prgtoken But they knew that however sharp and heartfelt their disputes and however keen their ambitions, they had an obligation to work collaboratively to ensure the Senate discharged its constitutional responsibilities effectively. Our responsibilities are important-- vitally important--to the continued success of our Republic. Our arcane rules and customs are deliberatively intended to require broad cooperation to function well at all. The most revered Members of this institution accepted the necessity of compromise in order to make incremental progress on solving America's problems and to defend her from her adversaries. prgtoken That principled mindset and the service of our predecessors who possessed it come to mind when I hear the Senate referred to as the world's greatest deliberative body. I am not sure we can claim that distinction with a straight face today. I am sure it wasn't always deserved in previous eras either. I am sure there have been times when it was, and I was privileged to witness some of those occasions. prgtoken Our deliberations today, not just our debates but the exercise of all our responsibilities--authorizing government policies, appropriating the funds to implement them, exercising our advice and consent role-- are often lively and interesting. They can be sincere and principled, but they are more partisan, more tribal more of the
HONORING THE SERVICE OF MAJOR JENNIFER CURTIS
Ted Budd (Republican, NC) \u2014 2017-7-25

I rise today to honor the service of Major Jennifer Curtis. Major Curtis has retired from the Air Force after 20 years of service in the military. She showed exceptional bravery when the base she was serving at was struck by a Taliban rocket attack, one of the 126 she would endure during her tour of duty in that country. For 20 minutes, she was the only medic on the scene, and fought to save the lives of six Special Forces members who had been wounded by shrapnel in the attack. Thanks to her heroism, and that of her comrades, all six men survived. For this, she was awarded the Bronze Star and the Air Force Combat Medal. prgtoken In the heat of battle, she served with distinction. But she also exhibited quiet heroism, the day to day efforts that separate the exceptional from the great. She travelled with the special forces to different parts of Afghanistan on 62 different occasions, providing women in rural areas with the tools they need to empower themselves and their communities. prgtoken I wish her well in her next chapter of life, and congratulate her on her service to our county and our Republic.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION RELATING TO ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS
Claudia Tenney (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-7-25

I rise in support of H.J. Res. 111. prgtoken , the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule forbidding financial service firms from including a mandatory arbitration clause in contracts with consumers. The rule is not only bad for consumers, it highlights the need for accountability in Washington. prgtoken Unelected bureaucrats wield too much power with too little oversight, and this rule would force consumer class actions and eliminate arbitration options. As an attorney, I know that many class action lawsuits are all too often more about cash for plaintiffs' trial lawyers than protection for consumers. In fact, the CFPB's own study even admitted that arbitration is faster, less expensive, and pays out consumers much higher compared to the class action lawsuit. prgtoken Of course, many trial lawyers oppose arbitration because it denies them of exorbitant class action lawsuit fees. It is an inexpensive alternative to courtroom litigation. prgtoken If consumers are lucky enough to be part of the successful class action, the average individual payment is, as my colleague just pointed out, only about $32. Remarkably, the trial lawyers raked in $425 million in class action fees between 2010 and 2013, according to a study by Forbes. prgtoken Of the arbitrations reviewed by the CFPB in which consumers were victorious, the average individual payout was $5,389. Why would the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau want to take a fair and elective alternative for resolving disputes away from consumers when they benefit from them? prgtoken The consumers have the option to do as they please, but I believe the CFPB's antiarbitration rule would do nothing but harm consumers, line the pocket of trial lawyers, and literally take money out of the hands of consumers.
AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2017
Ted Cruz (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-7-25

pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and the waiver provisions of applicable budget resolutions, I move to waive all applicable sections of that act and applicable budget resolutions for purposes of amendment No. 270 and, if adopted, for the provisions of the adopted amendment included in any subsequent amendment to H.R. 1628 and any amendment between Houses or conference report thereon, and .
RURAL AMERICA'S CONTRIBUTIONS
Clay Higgins (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-7-25

I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding. prgtoken I recognize my friend, Representative Jodey Arrington, as exactly the type of American that our Founding Fathers envisioned serving within the House of we the people. prgtoken , I rise this evening to highlight the importance of American agriculture and the spirit of the American farmer. Being raised on a horse ranch, I learned at an early age the value of work and that rural America wasn't just a place, but a way of life. prgtoken Now my wife and I live in a 1,000-square-foot, 65-year-old, wood- frame home in the middle of farm country in south Louisiana. We have nine pecan trees, two magnolia trees, and two bushes with flowers on them. I am not sure what they are, but I know she knows. She enjoys them. They bloom once a year. prgtoken Other than that, it is just an honor to represent my district, which is deeply agriculturally centered: farmers, ranchers, fishermen, oil and gas workers, petrochemical workers. They are salt-of-the-earth folks who know what it is to earn a living. They understand sweat. They understand labor. In representing my district in Louisiana, these are the industries that stand up our rural communities. They are the backbone of our economy. prgtoken My district is home to the heart of sugarcane for the entire country. Cane farmers in south Louisiana account for about 20 percent of all sugar production in the United States. prgtoken My district is also home to the rice capital of America. Crowley, Louisiana, right in the heart of Cajun country, is home to more rice mills than anywhere else in our Nation. prgtoken Those two crops, alone, account for billions of dollars in economic output every year and employ tens of thousands of hardworking Americans. prgtoken Given a level playing field and opportunities to compete on a global scale, American farmers will always win. prgtoken That is why we are working to put American farmers first to open new prgtoken markets, expand American exports, and create jobs in our communities. We are rolling back regulations that slow growth, stifle innovation, and restrict the agricultural industry's access to the resources and manpower it needs to thrive. prgtoken We have made great strides this year to help our farmers, and we will continue to do so. Just last week, a groundbreaking rice export agreement with China, the world's largest rice consumer, was announced. This opens a massive new market to United States rice farmers. prgtoken These are the type of landmark policy victories that elevate American farmers and bring economic growth to our rural communities. I am committed to an America First agriculture policy where American farmers compete and win. Agriculture is a critical industry that bolsters economic growth and ensures American independence and national security. prgtoken In my home State, we understand that our economy is run on the sweat of hardworking American patriots. prgtoken As Congress
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 111, PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION RELATING TO ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS
Ken Buck (Republican, CO) \u2014 2017-7-25

. Madam , the balance of my time. prgtoken The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been a continuous example of Federal overreach. Once again, bureaucrats in Washington have created a rule that will hurt consumers and make their lives more difficult. prgtoken The last 8 years of overregulation have crippled our economy. Today, we have a chance to end this antiarbitration rule and empower consumers with an alternative to spending years in a courtroom. prgtoken We can't let concerns about the trial lawyer lobby impact the way we treat consumers. Trial lawyers love this rule enacted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau because they will be the biggest beneficiaries. They will walk home with the big winnings, while the individuals who have been harmed walk away with little. prgtoken Arbitration allows harmed individuals to receive payouts on the merits of their case without enriching the pockets of trial lawyers at the same time. This legislation is for consumers. It is for the average American who relies on our financial system every day. prgtoken Madam , I thank Chairman Sessions and Chairman Hensarling for bringing this bill to the floor. I urge my colleagues now to vote ``yes'' on the resolution, and then to vote ``yes'' on the underlying bill.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018--MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-7-25

7 years ago, imposed Care on our country. They said that costs would go down. Costs skyrocketed. They said that choice would go up. Choice plummeted. Now Care's years-long lurch toward total collapse is nearing a seemingly inevitable conclusion, and it will hurt even more Americans on the way down. prgtoken This, my friends, is the Care status quo. This is the status quo. We have had to accept it for a long time. We do not have to accept it any longer. prgtoken The American people elected a House with a vision of a better way on healthcare. Then they elected a Senate. Then they elected a President. Now, having been given the responsibility to govern, we have a duty to act. The President is ready with his pen. The House has passed legislation. Today, it is the Senate's turn. That starts with a vote that we will take momentarily. The critical first step in that process is the motion to proceed. It is the vote that determines whether this debate can proceed at all, whether we will even take it up after four straight elections in which this was a huge commitment to the American people. It is the vote that determines whether the Senators of both parties can offer their amendments and ideas on healthcare. prgtoken I told the people of my State, over this period, that I would vote to move beyond Care, and that is what I am going to do today by voting yes. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in doing so. We have already shown that it is possible to put legislation on the President's desk that moves us beyond Care and its years of failure. We did that 2 years ago. President vetoed what we passed before. President will sign what Congress passes this time. prgtoken I thank the President and the administration for all they have done on this issue already. They have worked with us every step of the way, and they, like us, know the consequences of failing to act. prgtoken Look, we cannot let this moment slip by. We cannot let it slip by. We have prgtoken been talking about this for too long. We have wrestled with this issue. We have watched the consequences of the status quo. The people who sent us here expect us to begin this debate, to have the courage to tackle the tough issues. They did not send us here just to do the easy stuff. They expect us to tackle the big problems. Obviously, we cannot get an outcome if we do not start the debate, and that is what the motion to proceed is all about. prgtoken Many of us on this side of the aisle have waited for years for this opportunity and thought that it would probably never come. Some of us were a little surprised by the election last year, but with a surprise election comes great opportunities to do things that we thought were never possible. All we have to do today is to have the courage to begin the debate with an open amendment process and let the voting take us where it will. prgtoken That is what is before us,
COUNTERING AMERICA'S ADVERSARIES THROUGH SANCTIONS ACT
Edward R. Royce (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-7-25

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , in closing, I would like to again thank my colleagues; the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Engel; our counterparts, Senators Corker and Cardin; the majority leader, Mr. McCarthy; the minority whip, Mr. Hoyer; as well as the leadership on both sides of the aisle in the other body. They deserve credit for their efforts. prgtoken Let me also say it is critically important that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our European allies encountering Russian aggression. That is why, in the bipartisan House-Senate negotiations, we secured important changes to improve transatlantic cooperation. So I am confident that, under the text of this House bill that we will pass today, these concerns have been addressed. prgtoken Let me also say that every time North Korea tests a ballistic missile or a nuclear device, it gets closer to having the ability to strike the U.S. mainland with a nuclear weapon. prgtoken For years, the policies of successive administrations have failed to get North Korea to change. prgtoken Why? prgtoken Because diplomatic pressure has been applied only in spurts. It has been lifted prematurely for North Korean promises that have never materialized. prgtoken So we need leverage, and leverage comes from real sustained pressure. That is why I have authored tough new sanctions to crack down on the regime, to shut off the regime's access to the hard currency it needs to fund its nuclear program, and we have included that in this bill. prgtoken These sanctions passed in this House in May by a vote of 419-1, and it is time for the other body to pick them up. By including these North Korean sanctions in the legislation, we ensure that our colleagues do so. prgtoken We cannot afford any more delay, and that is why I worked with the other body to make small changes to the North Korean sanctions in this bill, to ensure swift passage in both Houses. I am confident this bill, including the North Korean sanctions bill, will soon become law. prgtoken Let me say that congressional engagement in foreign affairs is strongest when we all speak with one voice. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the bill and join us in sending a clear message to Vladimir Putin, to Kim Jong-un, and to the radical regime in Tehran that efforts to threaten the United States and to destabilize our allies will be met with a united American response. prgtoken , .
TRIBUTE TO JAKOB HELLER
Dean Heller (Republican, NV) \u2014 2017-7-25

today I wish to recognize my nephew, Jakob Heller, on his upcoming achievement of becoming an Eagle Scout, one of the highest honors in the Boy Scouts. On August 2, 2017, Jakob officially becomes an Eagle Scout, which serves as a symbol of his dedication to the Scouts' mission of creating responsible, participating citizens and leaders. prgtoken In order to become an Eagle Scout, Jakob completed tests and earned merit badges that required mastering specific outdoor skills and providing services to his community. He also demonstrated a commitment to his team and the Boy Scout mission and oath. prgtoken Jakob comes from a military family, and like many military families, they are constantly on the move. Jakob's father served in the U.S. Navy, and after retirement, he moved his family to southern West Virginia where they have been living for the last 5 years. I am happy to note that, following his Eagle Scout ceremony, Jakob and his family will be moving to Carson City, NV, where his grandparents and extended family anxiously await his arrival. prgtoken Jakob is a talented young man who excels academically and participates in a number of extracurricular activities. In addition to his academic accomplishments, he is a gifted musician who prgtoken plays the trumpet in the marching band and the French horn in the school's concert band. He is also a member of the cross-country team and participates in track and field, where he shines in sprint relays, hurdle events, and the long jump. His ability to balance school, athletics, and Boy Scouts is truly remarkable. prgtoken Furthermore, Jakob is preparing for a future in computer programming. Like many kids his age, he loves playing video games and is interested in becoming a video game programmer. Additionally, he is part of his school's robotics club and programs robots to compete in challenging competitions. With such extensive experience at a young age, I am confident Jakob will have a bright future as a computer programmer. prgtoken Jakob is responsible and dependable and understands the importance of his family, friends, and community. Boy Scouts has had a positive impact on his life, and I know that he will serve as an excellent role model for other members of his family and friends. prgtoken In closing, I ask my colleagues and all Nevadans to join me in congratulating this new Nevada resident, my nephew Jakob Heller. I cannot be more proud of this young man, and I look forward to witnessing his many contributions to our community in the years ahead.