mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING THE MULTIFAITH ALLIANCE FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES AND AFYA FOUNDATION
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-12-6

I rise to recognize an important event in my district-sponsored by the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees and the Afya Foundation. Last week, these two organizations collected much- needed supplies to benefit those who have suffered from the Syrian civil war. prgtoken The Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees has a powerful story to tell. A coalition of over 90 organizations, it has facilitated a partnership between Israeli and Syrian organizations to help deliver critical humanitarian assistance, including food and medicine, to people inside Syria. Containers of donated assistance arrive at Israeli ports, where the Israeli Defense Forces transport the supplies to the Syrian border for distribution by Syrian organizations inside Syria. prgtoken Joining the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees is the Afya Foundation, which has a record of collecting supplies for humanitarian crises all over the world. prgtoken The event in Yonkers, New York will build upon similar events and campaigns which have raised over $66 million of life-saving assistance. prgtoken I applaud the participants in Yonkers, the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees, the Afya Foundation and all those Americans who have made an effort to help those in desperate need in Syria. I recognize that the Syrian crisis will not be resolved by sending humanitarian assistance. For that, we will need a political solution. However, if we can help a family access food and medicine, help them realize that America has not forgotten them, then we can offer them hope for an end to the violence and war.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 38, CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY ACT OF 2017
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-12-6

if we defeat the previous question, I am going to offer an amendment to the rule to bring up H.R. 3440, the Dream Act. prgtoken , a group of 34 of my colleagues sent a letter this week to Ryan urging a vote before the year's end on legislation that would protect DACA recipients. I include in the Record that letter. Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, December 5, 2017. Hon. Paul Ryan, of the House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Ryan: We write in support of passing of a permanent legislative solution for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients before the end of the year. DACA recipients--young people brought to America through no fault of their own--are contributing members of our communities and our economy. For many, this is the only country they have ever known. They are American in every way except their immigration status. Since DACA's inception, the federal government has approved approximately 795,000 initial DACA applications and 924,000 renewals. Since being approved for DACA status, an overwhelming majority of these individuals have enrolled in school, found employment, or have served in the military. Studies have shown that passing legislation to permanently protect these individuals would add hundreds of billions to our country's gross domestic product (GDP). That is why the business community, universities, and civic leaders alike support a permanent legislative solution. We agree with President that executive action was not the appropriate process for solving this issue, as was done under the previous administration, and we believe Congress should act. We are compelled to act immediately because many DACA recipients are about to lose or have already lost their permits in the wake of the program's rescission. Not acting is creating understandable uncertainty and anxiety amongst immigrant communities. While we firmly believe Congress must work to address other issues within our broken immigration system, it is imperative that s and come together to solve this problem now and not wait until next year. We all agree that our border must be enforced, our national security defended, and our broken immigration system reformed, but in this moment, we must address the urgent matter before us in a balanced approach that does not harm valuable sectors of our economy nor the lives of these hard-working young people. We must pass legislation that protects DACA recipients from deportation and gives them the opportunity to apply for a more secured status in our country as soon as possible. Reaching across the aisle to protect DACA recipients be
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-12-6

I take this time to talk about the pending business, which is the tax proposal going into a conference committee between the House and the Senate. As I am sure the American people now know, at 2 a.m on early Saturday morning, the Senate passed its version of tax reform. The House had already done that. We were working on a House bill. Now the motion before us is to take that bill and send it to a conference. We would be better off sending it back to committee so that we could have public hearings and understand what we are voting on, rather than sending it to the conference committee. prgtoken I hope, though, that we will take advantage of the conference to deal with prgtoken the three fundamental flaws that were included in both the House and Senate bills. First was the process that was used that did not allow us to really know what we were doing. As a result, it is my understanding there are numerous provisions in both the House and Senate bills that will not work and will require changes. prgtoken Secondly, we professed to want to do this to help middle-income families, but, in reality, both the House and the Senate bills hurt middle-income families. I hope that will be corrected in conference. prgtoken Third--and there is no dispute about this whatsoever--the House bill and Senate bill will add anywhere between $1 trillion to $2 trillion to the deficit of this country. We shouldn't be deficit-financing a tax reform bill. prgtoken Let me first talk very briefly about process. Let's not repeat the mistakes that we made. It is outrageous that late Friday night we got a 500-plus page amendment to the pending bill and tried to read it, but we couldn't even read the handwritten changes that were put in the margins, and then we were asked to vote on that later in the evening. That process is just not befitting the U.S. Senate, and it is not befitting a democratic process in which we have an opportunity to read and understand, and the public has an opportunity for input, before we attempt to modify and change dramatically the Tax Code of this country. prgtoken So I hope that the conference committee will have a very open process, that there will be opportunities for input, and that we all will understand what is being done. prgtoken Secondly, it is critically important that this bill be corrected so that it really does help middle-income families. This bill doesn't do that. It provides massive tax cuts for the wealthy and significant cuts in business taxes, which are made permanent, while the relief given to middle-income families is temporary, and many middle income families will end up paying more in taxes. The House bill and the Senate bill have that fatal flaw. prgtoken One of the premises here is that if we give businesses big tax cuts, they are going to take those tax cuts and give workers higher wages. That just doesn't happen. There have been significant profits by American companies, but we
CONDEMNING ETHNIC CLEANSING OF ROHINGYA AND CALLING FOR AN END TO ATTACKS IN AND AN IMMEDIATE RESTORATION OF HUMANITARIAN ACCESS TO RAKHINE, BURMA
Brenda L. Lawrence (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-12-6

I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 90, which condemns ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya and calls for an end to the attacks, and an immediate restoration of humanitarian access to the state of Rakhine in Burma. prgtoken Many consider the Rohingya one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. prgtoken The stories that have come out in recent weeks and days are devastating and horrific. prgtoken The waves of brutally violent campaigns against the civilians--marked by mass killings, sexual violence, and forced displacement--have resulted in one of the fastest-growing refugee crises of our time. prgtoken Women, who account for the majority of those inside the refugee camps, face widespread rape and other forms of sexual violence, and some are even being sold as sex slaves. prgtoken Just like our zero-tolerance policy towards persecution within our borders, we must be crystal clear that the United States will not tolerate the persecution of innocent men, women, and children around the world. prgtoken I strongly believe that, with the help of the international community, we will find a peaceful solution to this crisis, despite various obstacles in our way. prgtoken This resolution is one step forward in that direction.
CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY ACT OF 2017
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-12-6

we have a gun violence epidemic in this country. prgtoken It is glaringly obvious to anyone paying attention that our Federal gun safety laws are pathetically weak and in major need of improvement. prgtoken So what is this House doing about it? prgtoken Working to pass a bill that completely undermines gun safety laws and puts more guns on the street and more lives at risk. prgtoken Believe me, if more guns made this country safer, we would be the safest country on Earth. We are far from it. prgtoken Under this bill, someone who couldn't get a concealed carry permit in New York would now be able to carry concealed guns into New York State or any State, as long as they have a permit from another State. This completely eviscerates State-level gun safety laws and puts us all at the mercy of the weakest gun safety laws in the country. prgtoken This bill is opposed by major law enforcement organizations across this country. I urge this body to listen to their advice and vote against this reckless assault on State and local gun safety laws.
CONDEMNING ETHNIC CLEANSING OF ROHINGYA AND CALLING FOR AN END TO ATTACKS IN AND AN IMMEDIATE RESTORATION OF HUMANITARIAN ACCESS TO RAKHINE, BURMA
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-12-6

I rise today to express my support of House Concurrent Resolution 90 which condemns the attacks against civilians by Burma's (also known as Myanmar) security services and calls on Burma's Commander-in-Chief, Min Aung Hlaing, to end such attacks in the state of Rakhine. prgtoken I share the sentiments of this Resolution that expresses appreciation for the government of Bangladesh for providing refuge to those fleeing violence. prgtoken As the Resolution does, I, too, condemn the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army attacks, but also warn that these attacks do not justify the response that has resulted in severe human rights violations and atrocities against civilians. prgtoken Rightfully so, the Resolution calls on Burma's government and military and security forces to: (1) implement the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, and (2) allow humanitarian access to refugees and internally displaced persons. prgtoken Further, the bill urges support and access for the United Nations Fact Finding Mission to Burma, and I strongly support that effort. prgtoken The Resolution calls on Burma's military and government to allow refugees to return to Burma and to change laws and policies that have contributed to insecurity in the state of Rakhine. prgtoken And last but not least, the Resolution calls on the President to impose sanctions on those responsible for human rights abuses, including members of Burma's military and security services. prgtoken Over the past month, 436 thousand Rohingya have fled from their homes in Myanmar's western Rakhine State to neighboring Bangladesh. prgtoken This is the second exodus of Rohingya, members of a Muslim ethnic minority, in the past year. prgtoken The current exodus, like the previous one in October 2016 that led 87 thousand to flee, is being driven by a brutal government crackdown following attacks by armed Rohingya. prgtoken Despite calls from international rights groups for stronger action to stop the violence, there appears to be little appetite within the wider international community for more robust intervention. prgtoken Permitting the current crisis to unfold, however, eats away at its credibility and threatens peace and stability in Southeast Asia. prgtoken On August 25, militants attacked 30 police posts and an army base in northern Rakhine prgtoken State, killing ten police officers, a soldier, and an immigration official. prgtoken Following this attack, the government designated the organization responsible, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), also known as Harakah al-Yaqin, a terrorist group. prgtoken Security forces have responded with indiscriminate force against the Rohingya community. prgtoken Shamefully, security forces have razed entire villages to the ground and have killed, tortured, and raped civilians. prgtoken The United Nations has previously described the October 2016 violence against the Rohingya as ``crimes against humanity,'' and on September 1
HONORING TIM McVAY
David Scott (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2017-12-6

I rise this morning to pay honor to an extraordinary, great American. prgtoken Mr. Tim McVay, vice president and general manager of WSB Television, is retiring after 39 years as a top executive with Cox Media Group television stations across this Nation, from Dayton, Ohio, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; to San Francisco, California; and to Atlanta, Georgia, earning Tim McVay the highest awards in television, including the Edward R. Murrow Award, the Peabody Award, the Emmy Award, the Alfred I. duPont Award, and induction into the prestigious Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. prgtoken Tim McVay is a great American, deeply rooted in his love of country and his love of family: his loving wife, Cindy, and his sons, Sean and Ryan. prgtoken His son, Sean, , is head coach of the Los Angeles Rams. He is the youngest head coach in the history of the NFL. prgtoken His father, the legendary John McVay, was the head of football operations for the San Francisco 49ers and won five Super Bowls. prgtoken What a great all-American story. But there is more, , that I must tell you about Tim McVay. Tim McVay's life has been like that shining light on the hill, reaching out, helping other people, loving his neighbor as himself, that most sacred of commandments, whether it is helping the hundreds of television journalists, young people in their careers who are now leading in the television industry, or helping me and hundreds of our companies and employers, corporations in Georgia with our annual jobs fair where we have gotten over 12,000 jobs for Georgians; or our health fair that we have every year where we give breast cancer exams and prostate exams to those individuals who, for reasons of income, don't have insurance, saving lives; and our veterans, the work that Tim McVay has helped us with our veterans. prgtoken , let me tell you, it was Tim McVay, under his leadership at WSB Television in Atlanta, Georgia, and his WSB reporter Aaron Diamant who exposed to this Nation the tragically high suicide rates of our veterans and then got behind me and my fellow Member of Congress, Larry Bucshon of Indiana, and helped us pass legislation to get more psychiatrists into the VA. prgtoken God bless Tim McVay, and God bless the United States of America, land of the free and the home of the brave.
CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY ACT OF 2017
Elizabeth H. Esty (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-12-6

I rise in strong opposition to the so-called Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. It is outrageous that today, of all days, 1 week before the 5-year anniversary of the horrific murder of 20 schoolchildren and 6 educators in my district of Newtown, 2 months after the slaughter of 50 Americans watching a concert, that we are about to act on a bill to put more guns in the hands of more dangerous people. prgtoken Rather than helping raise the standards nationally for gun safety, this bill would override and lower most States' concealed carry laws, making it easier for domestic violence abusers, stalkers, and violent criminals to carry across State lines loaded hidden guns. This bill should be called the ``Act to Carry Any Gun Anywhere Anytime by Anyone.'' prgtoken The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act is an outrage and an insult to the families in Newtown and to the hundreds of families who have lost loved ones to gun violence who are gathered here today at the Capitol for the fifth annual Vigil to End Gun Violence. prgtoken In the 5 years since Sandy Hook, this is the very first bill we have been allowed to vote on in this Chamber, and it is a reckless giveaway to the moneyed gun interests. prgtoken , since 2012, gun violence has killed over 170,000 Americans. It is time for this House to truly honor the victims of gun violence and their families with action instead of caving in to the gun lobby yet again. prgtoken , I urge all of my colleagues to oppose this dangerous bill.
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-12-6

16 years ago I introduced the DREAM Act. The idea behind the legislation was that if you were brought here to America as a child by your parents, you are undocumented, you grew up in this country, you don't have a serious criminal record, and you have completed school, you deserve a chance to earn your way into legal status into America. You had nothing to say about the decision of your family to come here. You have grown up in this country. If you want to be a part of our future, you should be given a chance. It was a pretty basic idea. It has been debated for a long time. prgtoken President stepped up and said: Since we haven't passed that law, I will create something called DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. prgtoken Under that Executive order, the people I just described can be protected prgtoken from being deported for 2 years at a time. They have to go through a criminal background check, they have to pay a $500 fee, and they get the temporary ability to live in the United States without fear of being deported and to work in this country. prgtoken Well, 780,000 young people came forward and signed up and went on with their lives--going to school, getting jobs, becoming part of America. DACA-eligible people joined our military. They weren't American citizens, but 900 of them joined our military, willing to sacrifice their lives in defense of a country which doesn't legally recognize them as lawful immigrants. Some 20,000 of them became teachers in schools all across the United States. Most of them are students, who are working because they can't qualify for Federal assistance to go to school, and there are some amazing stories. prgtoken So there they were kind of in limbo--half here, half not here-- uncertain about their future, but with the protection of that Executive order. President came in and said: It is over. As of September 5, he ended this DACA protection--saying, prospectively, that the final day for it is March 5, 2018--for 780,000 people. The President then said to Congress: Now, do something. Pass a law. Take care of these people. prgtoken Well, 3 months have passed and we have done nothing--nothing. In fact, we have done little or nothing on the floor of the Senate for the last several months. We haven't done this, and it is still unresolved as to whether or not they are going to have a chance to be a part of America's future or for young people like them to have a similar chance--unresolved. prgtoken We have to do something about that and we have to do it soon because every day 120 of these young people lose their protection under DACA. That is almost 1,000 a week. So far, 10,000 of them have fallen out of protection under DACA. prgtoken What does it mean under practical terms? First, it is the fear of being deported. You are no longer protected. You are undocumented in America. You can be deported: A knock on the door, and you are gone. prgtoken
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2017-12-6

I rise today to join my colleagues in reminding all of our Members, but particularly our friends on the other side of the aisle and the Administration, that there is a very real human cost for each day we delay taking corrective action on President 's unnecessary decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, or DACA. prgtoken There was no need for the administration to create this crisis. There was no reason to throw nearly 800,000 Dreamers and their families into such uncertainty. Yet the President--despite the fact that most Americans from both political parties support a solution for the Dreamers--decided that he needed to overturn this initiative for little more reason than the fact that it was put in place by President . These young people, who are American in every way but on paper, may be uprooted and moved to countries that are totally foreign to them. Yes, their parents broke the rules to bring them here as children, but their departure now will be our loss. These are the basic economic facts and common sense. Moreover, these young people have become our classmates, neighbors and coworkers, the parents of our children's friends and an undeniable part of our American community. prgtoken I thank many of my colleagues who spoke eloquently here to put names and faces to the young people who are affected by this crisis. I would like to associate myself with their remarks. I have also had an opportunity to meet with Dreamers in Rhode Island who were brave enough to share their stories with me and with my staff. I hope to meet more of them, but I can state that these are exactly the kind of hard- working young people who we should be encouraging to put down roots in our communities. prgtoken Skeptics should know the facts. Dreamers have been subjected to deep scrutiny. They faced background checks by immigration officials, they have paid significant fees, and they have followed the rules. It is simply untenable to continue to delay a resolution of their status in our country any longer. Indeed, too many of my colleagues seem to be in no hurry to reach a meaningful agreement on passing the bipartisan Dream Act. This has been an effort that has been led by Members on both sides of the aisle because many--unfortunately, not enough yet--on both sides of the aisle believe that these young people are American in their values and in their commitment to this country. They will contribute to this country. They already are. prgtoken There seems to be this illusion that we have until March 5, the official end date for DACA, to continue to try to prgtoken fix this problem. There are others who seem to believe that this crisis, which was prompted by President 's decision, is an opportunity to gain concessions in other areas. This approach of waiting to try to game the crisis is wrong. It is certainly wrong for the young people who are waiting nervously--in fact,