mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2018-2-7

I don't want to get in the way of a disagreement between two of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. I would just say to Senator Grassley that there was a hearing today before the Environment and Public Works Committee, on which I serve as the senior . The subject of the Renewable Fuel Standard actually came up in the discussion. We had a number of folks from the agriculture community from across the country--one, the current secretary of agriculture from the State of Delaware. We talked about the Renewal Fuel Standard and its effect on the economy. prgtoken One of the reasons we encourage farms through our Federal Government policies--the reason we encourage farmers to raise, say, corn is that we can use it, and we frankly use a lot of other substances that they raise to create energy, to fuel us. Not only can our farmers feed us, they can also fuel us. This really got underway with the administration trying to do a better job of getting farmers involved to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by creating biofuels, advanced biofuels, ethanol, and corn ethanol. prgtoken I will mention one of the things we talked about today, and then I will talk about what I am really supposed to be here to talk about, which is DREAMers and the economic security of this country. prgtoken In the State of Delaware, we have only three counties: New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County, the third largest county in America. I think we raise more chickens there than any county in America. The last time I checked, we raise more soybeans there. We raise more lima beans there. Agriculture is a big deal for us. We also have great beaches in Delaware. We have Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, and others. And there are a lot of interesting people who live close to the beach and not so close to the beach in Sussex County, so there is pressure from development. Sometimes we have the interests of farmers and that community coming up against the interests of developers. prgtoken One of the ways we decided to ensure that we still have farmland and don't overdevelop our counties and our State is to make sure that farmers can make money and support themselves. One of the ways they can do that is through the ability to not only feed us with the commodities they raise but also to fuel us. prgtoken There is something called RINs, or renewable identification numbers, a commodity traded on the market. The value of the RINs should literally be measured in pennies. Over the last year or so, it has been measured in more than a dollar for RINs. The refinery that has been discussed, which is up in Philadelphia, spent a lot of money on purchasing RINs in the last year or so. That shouldn't be the case. Our committee has been reaching out to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in order to get them involved to say: How do we make this RINs market less volatile? How do we bring down the
DARPA'S 60TH ANNIVERSARY
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-2-7

today I pay tribute to DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, on the 60th anniversary of its inception. After the Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, President Eisenhower determined that the United States would never again be caught off guard by technological surprise. DARPA was established to anticipate new technological capabilities and pursue strategic technological surprise for our military forces. prgtoken DARPA works collaboratively with academic institutions, corporate and government R&D labs, and small business enterprise. While the primary focus is to discover fundamental new concepts that lead to breakthrough technologies for national security, many of DARPA's advances also benefit greater society. Some well-known examples include precision- guided weapons systems with miniaturized GPS components also found on many consumer products; the internet, used initially to link DARPA with performer partners, now widely used in commerce and every aspect of our lives; advanced antenna systems enabling more efficient warfighter communications and satellite signal reception for consumers; new breakthroughs in robotic technology for national security applications and the development of advanced prosthetic arms for wounded warriors and civilians alike. The list goes on. prgtoken By not accepting the parameters of what is widely accepted as the known possible, DARPA has proven that amazing achievements can be had by stretching to reach for what was once deemed impossible. In the realm of national defense, DARPA has pursued new systems, including unmanned aerial and underwater vehicles, hypersonic flight research, and new frontiers in biomedical research. From the giant engines of the Saturn V rocket that took Americans to the Moon to the smallest microelectronics that populate our smartphones, DARPA has been ahead of the cutting edge of technological innovation. prgtoken By focusing its efforts at the boundaries of fundamental research in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, materials science, electronics, and engineering, DARPA has helped create new communities of scientists and engineers, both inside and beyond the traditional defense community. Along the way, new businesses and sometimes entire industries have sprung from DARPA-funded research, reflecting the Agency's commitment to pursue its ideas all the way from initial concept to demonstration of practical feasibility through prototype development. prgtoken DARPA programs are led by program managers who come from universities, industry, national laboratories, and other parts of government for limited postings that typically last 3 to 5 years--a time limit that helps drive the Agency's signature sense of urgency. Recognizing that some revolutionary goals inevitably prove unachievable, DARPA carefully manages risk by establishing appropriate milestone procedures and redirecting or discontinuing programs when further advancem
CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017--Continued
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2018-2-7

. Thank you, . prgtoken I am honored to rise after my distinguished colleagues from Minnesota and Illinois to issue a simple demand: We must act now to pass legislation protecting the Dreamers against mass, draconian deportation. We must act now effectively, not cosmetically or superficially. We must act now without unacceptable preconditions and hostage-taking amendments that cut immigration--a betrayal of our American values. prgtoken We cannot ask Dreamers to languish in uncertainty any longer. These young people are Americans in all but name. They grew up in this country, and they went to our schools. They serve in our military and support our economy. They epitomize the American dream. These young people work hard, and they give back. Deporting Dreamers would be cruel, irrational, inhumane, and very simply repugnant to the American values that every Member of this Chamber holds dear. prgtoken When DACA was adopted in 2012, it changed the lives of these young people. It opened new doors to opportunity. Dreamers could come out of the shadows. They could use driver's licenses, attend college, and fully participate in our economy. prgtoken When DACA was adopted, we made a promise to the Dreamers. We promised that if they come forward and provide the U.S. Government with their most basic personal and private information, this information will never be used against them. We assured them that they have a place in this country. Now, with the complicity of this body, that promise is about to be broken. I say ``complicity'' because the President, in September, is the one who committed the act of breaking that promise by saying that he was going to end the DACA Program, and he gave Congress 6 months to remedy that broken promise. He threw to Congress a ticking time bomb that literally would rip apart the lives of 800,000 or 1.8 million--the numbers vary; the principle is the same. Ripping apart their lives would be the consequence. prgtoken I have said it before, and I am going to say it again. Great countries do not break their promises. The United States is the greatest country in the history of the world. We should not be breaking our promises. We should not even threaten to break our promises to innocent young people, men and women who know only this country and whose whole lives are here. prgtoken The President's decision to rescind DACA threatens to tear them away from their families, their jobs, and their communities, where they make a difference for the better. It is threatening their lives with total disarray, forcing them to go back to countries where they barely lived and have no life. It derails their future. We are a country better than this kind of inhumanity. prgtoken I want to talk again about Jonathan Gonzales-Cruz, a college student at Southern Connecticut State University. He is shown here, and I am behind him. He was attending a rally in support of the Dreamers, but I had the privilege
HONORING EDWIN HAWKINS
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-2-7

I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Edwin Hawkins, who passed away on January 15th at the age of 74. prgtoken An Oakland native, Edwin was a four-time Grammy winner and gospel music trailblazer, whose work inspired generations and helped shape the contemporary Gospel music industry. prgtoken His crossover hit, ``Oh Happy Day'', was featured in the hit movie ``Sister Act 2'', reached No. 4 on the Billboard pop chart and No. 2 on the R&B pop chart. And in 2007, he was voted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame. prgtoken Edwin was truly a man before his time. He was compassionate, caring, and never wavered from his faith. prgtoken I have known Ed for many years and he was a source of inspiration for me personally. He always spoke words of encouragement and like so many others, I am deeply grateful for his love and kindness, which brought me peace and joy over the years. prgtoken I offer my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Edwin Hawkins.
NANCY PELOSI STANDS ON HER FEET WITH COMPASSION AND PASSION
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-2-7

I think most of the world today saw the leader of the ic Caucus, Nancy Pelosi, stand on her feet with compassion and passion for the 800,000 DREAMers, those who are desperately in need of a solution, and 140,000 in the State of Texas. We pray that her standing and reading those stories will move this body to do what is right. FEMA Needs to be Completely Reorganized
CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017
Heidi Heitkamp (Democrat, ND) \u2014 2018-2-7

I rise today to talk about paid family leave. I want to introduce this topic by saying that politicians across America, whether they are local, whether they are in State offices, or whether they are in very important bodies like the U.S. Senate, make one pledge; that is, to support American families. They promise to try to make life just a little easier for people who are raising the next generation, to do what it takes to encourage people to have families and to have children, so our future is secured not only with a workforce but also the vibrancy that is America. prgtoken It has been 25 years since we adopted the Family Medical Leave Act. That was a great step forward, and I actually remember when it happened. I was North Dakota's attorney general cheering from the sidelines, thinking: We have solved this problem. We are now protecting parents from losing their jobs and enabling them to care for their newborns. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. It wasn't enough because how many people, even if they have the protection, can afford to exercise their rights under the Family Medical Leave Act? The answer is very, very few in my State. prgtoken It is absolutely essential that we take this to the next step. It is essential that we make sure we are not forcing our citizens to choose between working--as they have to when families live paycheck to paycheck--and caring for their newborn. Many daycare facilities will not even take an infant until they are 10 or 12 weeks old. So what choice have we really given people under the Family Medical Leave Act? prgtoken Just 15 percent of the workforce in the United States has access to paid family leave through their employer. That leaves millions of people without access to paid leave for time away from their job to care for a new child or a seriously sick relative. prgtoken It is well past the time that the United States of America--the greatest country in the world--has a Federal paid family and medical leave policy to truly support working families. prgtoken I will tell my colleagues that I find this issue particularly vexing because North Dakota competes with the rest of the country for workforce. If you go to California, this benefit is extended through a State system. If you go to Rhode Island, this benefit is extended through a State system. New York is pursuing a State system. Certainly States with large populations, like New York and California, have the economies of scale to offer this benefit in a State-based system. Guess what happens to a State that only has just over prgtoken 700,000 people in population. Think about the percentages that we would need to run a State-based program. prgtoken We need a national solution to this problem. I know a lot of people are saying: Well, the States are doing it; they are the laboratories of experimentation in this great democracy. But the fundamental problem is that for States like mine that don't enjoy economie
MORTGAGE CHOICE ACT OF 2017
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-2-7

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I would like to correct the chairman. prgtoken He said that RESPA prohibits kickbacks. While RESPA prohibits paying kickbacks to third-party title agencies, the law does not prohibit payments to affiliated title firms. This incentivizes a title agency to be affiliated so it can gain the payment option without violating RESPA, including affiliated title insurance fees in the QM defines points and fees caps, provides important market pressure to control costs for consumers, and supports access to credits. prgtoken By the way, when we talk about RESPA, we are talking about the real estate settlement procedures that define all of this. prgtoken So let's be clear again that, while RESPA prohibits paying kickbacks to third-party title agents, the law does not prohibit payments to affiliated title firms. prgtoken , .
HONORING DEBBIE AND DONALD JOHNSON
Julia Brownley (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-2-7

today I rise to recognize the countless contributions of Debbie and Donald Johnson and the mark they have made on their community in Santa Paula, California. For a quarter of a century, Debbie and Donald have tirelessly served the City of Santa Paula and its residents by chronicling the community's news and happenings. Santa Paula residents since 1979, Debbie and Donald Johnson founded the twice-weekly Santa Paula Times in 1993, following the closure of the 105-year-old Santa Paula Daily Chronicle, of which Donald was the publisher and Debbie was the office manager. Together they published the Santa Paula Times for 25 years, never missing an issue. The numerous accolades they have received over the years are a testament to their civic virtue. Debbie and Donald Johnson have been honored as the 2015 Citizens of the Year by the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce; the 2015 Jesse Victoria Business of the Year Award by the Latino Town Hall; and the 1994 and 2009 Business of the Year Award; as well as the 1991 Good Practices Award by the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Donald is a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970. For his distinguished service, he received the Bronze Star, the National Defense Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Donald continued his public service by serving two terms on the Santa Paula City Council and was appointed as mayor twice. Debbie Johnson was president of the Downtown Merchants Association, which staged the annual Hot Summer Jazz and Art. Both Donald and Debbie are co-founders of the Citizens Patrol and founding directors of the Santa Paula Police and Fire Foundations, and Debbie has been a leading force for the annual Moonlight at the Ranch fundraiser that benefits public safety organizations in the region. Debbie and Donald Johnson strongly support many charitable activities in Santa Paula and have been lauded for their steadfast commitment to organizations including the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Paula, the Santa Paula Optimist Club, and the Santa Paula Education Foundation. For these reasons, it is my honor to recognize Debbie and Donald Johnson for their dedicated efforts in serving the Santa Paula community and embodying a level of civic engagement and participation to which we should all aspire. I thank Donald and Debbie for establishing the Santa Paula Times, a local journalistic institution that will not soon be forgotten.
CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-2-7

we hear a lot in this Chamber about family values. We hear from and we hear from s about the need to support and improve the strength of families across our Nation. What are the things that really do provide the foundation for a family to thrive? Jobs, education, and healthcare. Good-paying jobs and jobs with good working conditions, certainly, are extremely valuable, but the issue of good-paying jobs and good working conditions has been caught in a struggle between ``we the people'' and the powerful and privileged of this Nation. Our Constitution starts out with these three beautiful words: ``We the People.'' prgtoken The whole entire setup was to avoid the type of situation that was in so many places in Europe, where the privileged and powerful families ran everything for their own benefit and not for the benefit of the people of the United States of America--in that case, the people of Europe. prgtoken Our vision is different. Yet, time and again, we see this struggle played out, where the powerful and privileged are trying to ride right over the top of ordinary people--ordinary working Americans, ordinary middle-class Americans. prgtoken That certainly is the case when we take a look at the issue of the Family and Medical Leave Act, FMLA. This is an act passed 25 years ago. It was a major step forward in striking a better balance for good working conditions. prgtoken Let's revisit a little bit of the debate that occurred 25 years ago in preparation for the consideration of that act. Many folks today don't realize that the opportunity to take unpaid time off to be with a child or be with a loved one who is very sick or a family member who is dying is something that came out of the FMLA 25 years ago. They assumed this is just a fair, decent, and right way to treat your employees; that it produces more productive, more loyal team members, and it is just part of an appropriate consideration of the human condition. prgtoken Before we had the FMLA 25 years ago, oftentimes people couldn't take time off to have an operation for a medical condition. Being sick a day might mean you are fired. Tending to a newborn child might mean you lose your job. Decent, ordinary interaction with family was something that was not prioritized by the companies around this country. It is a system that big, powerful, and privileged individuals and organizations fought to preserve. prgtoken It took 7 years of congressional debates. It took overcoming two Presidential vetoes. It took overcoming entrenched opposition from special interests that said it would be a disaster for workers to be able to address their medical conditions or their family medical conditions. They predicted all types of catastrophes. prgtoken The chamber of commerce back then called FMLA--that is simply family and medical leave--a dangerous precedent. The National Federation of Independent Business said it was the greatest threat t
CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017
Elizabeth Warren (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-2-7

1 year ago today, I came to the Senate floor to oppose the nomination of Jeff Sessions to lead the Department of Justice. prgtoken The Justice Department is charged with defending our laws and standing up for all people regardless of color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, or ability. prgtoken That night, I described Jeff Sessions' appalling record on nearly every major national issue handled by the Justice Department, including civil rights, immigration, and criminal justice reform. prgtoken That night, I also read a letter that Coretta Scott King sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1986 that opposed Sessions' nomination to serve as a Federal judge. Mrs. King wrote a vivid account of how Jeff Sessions, as a U.S. attorney in the 1980s, had ``used the awesome power of his office to chill the free exercise of the vote by black citizens.'' That letter had been a part of the Senate Judiciary Committee's records for more than 30 years. It helped sink the nomination of Jeff Sessions for the Federal judgeship for which he had been nominated back in the 1980s. prgtoken I had hoped that by reminding the Senate of its bipartisan rejection of Sessions in the 1980s, that the letter might help us to once again come together in a bipartisan way to say that this kind of bigotry shouldn't be allowed in our criminal justice system. That was my plan. Yet, for reading prgtoken those words--the words of an icon of the civil rights movement--I was booted off of the Senate floor. Every one of my colleagues who was present that night voted to shut me up for reading Mrs. King's words. Then, the next day, every single voted to confirm Jeff Sessions--a man deemed to be too racist to hold a Federal court judgeship in 1986. Nope. They confirmed him to lead the agency charged with defending justice for all Americans. prgtoken Now it has been 1 year since the -controlled Senate made Jeff Sessions Attorney General of the United States. I wish I could say that I had been proven wrong--I actually really do--but Coretta Scott King's warnings ring even louder today than they did in 1986. On issue after issue, Jeff Sessions' Justice Department has failed in its mission to promote justice for all Americans. Instead, Sessions has taken the Department in exactly the opposite direction. So let's make a list and start with voting. prgtoken In 1986, Mrs. King warned us that Sessions had used the awesome power of his office as an Alabama prosecutor to chill the free exercise of the vote by African Americans. As Attorney General, he has continued that crusade, targeting not only African Americans but Latinos, the elderly, veterans, and other marginalized groups. prgtoken Only weeks after Sessions took the reins, the Justice Department abandoned its legal challenge of a Texas voter ID law that intentionally discriminated against voters of color. Later, the Department argued that it should be easier f