mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Grace F. Napolitano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-10-5

. Mr. Chair, I was absent during roll call votes No. 553 through 555 due to my spouse's health situation in California. Had I been present, I would have voted aye on the Grijalva of Arizona Substitute Amendment No. 1, aye on the Scott of Virginia Substitute Amendment No. 2, and no on the McClintock of California Substitute Amendment No. 3. prgtoken Amendment No. 4 in the Nature of a Substitute Offered by Mr. Yarmuth
Las Vegas Mass Shooting (Executive Calendar)
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2017-10-5

last weekend a man camped out on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas. He stockpiled 23 weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. He set up bipods and scopes. He brought a hammer to knock out the window. Then, on Sunday, he opened fire. He kept firing for 15 minutes, stopping only to reload and switch weapons. Over 15 minutes, he murdered 58 Americans and injured more than 500. prgtoken The day after the shooting, I was in Washington. I had seven or eight meetings, and not a single person in those meetings brought up the worst shooting in modern American history--not one. prgtoken I am not sure if it was two mass shootings ago or three when we started to accept this as a normal condition of American life, when we lost our belief that it was within our power to protect our fellow Americans at a country music concert or at a nightclub or at a movie theater or at a school. prgtoken I know there are strong beliefs about guns in America--principled beliefs--but there are also steps that the overwhelming majority of Americans want us to take. There are 90 percent of Americans who think we need background checks for every gun sale, including 74 percent of NRA members. There are 89 percent of Americans who think we should prevent the mentally ill from purchasing guns. There are 82 percent of s who want us to bar gun purchases for people on the no-fly or terrorist watch list. Yet Congress has done nothing to respond to the American people. We did nothing after Aurora, after Newtown, after Orlando--nothing. prgtoken Unlike Washington, in Colorado, after the two mass shootings in Aurora and at Columbine, our legislators rose to the occasion and made tough choices after we suffered two of the worst mass shootings in our Nation's history. After the massacre at Columbine, we closed the gun show loophole. After the tragedy in Aurora, we strengthened our background checks in a Western State. Last year, those background checks blocked 8,704 people from buying guns. That may sound like a lot, but 380,000 people applied for guns in Colorado last year. That means just 2 percent of those folks who applied were blocked and that 98 percent were able to buy guns without a problem. prgtoken Who were the 2 percent whom Colorado is blocking but whom this Congress fails to block? Among them were murderers and rapists and kidnappers and domestic abusers. prgtoken No one could come to this floor and tell me Colorado is worse off because we have kept guns out of the hands of those people. The average wait time for those background checks is 12 minutes. That strikes me as a fair tradeoff to keep guns out of the hands of murderers and kidnappers and rapists. Yet here in Washington, despite now an annual tragedy--tragedy after tragedy--Congress has done nothing. We haven't even done the simple things like close the gun show loophole or stop people on the terrorist watch list from buying weapons. <
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-10-5

I want to thank the gentleman from Kentucky for his astute analysis on what the American people really want. I thank the manager, the chairwoman of this bill, and I acknowledge the position that they take. prgtoken But what America really wants is for Washington, for America, for the government, to stand by them in their time of need. prgtoken I am very grateful to be part of a party that is not about politics but is about values. We are the better choice party. We offer a better deal on this project that we have worked so hard on called the American budget. prgtoken The American budget, in contrast to our friends on the other side of the aisle, recognizes, as I visited the National Institutes for Health, that 80 percent of their budget that we are going to lose goes for research and researchers--looking those researchers in the eyes when they explain the research in medical science to help save lives, and to know that the budget cuts the NIH, the Centers for Disease Control, and takes up the Care that cuts trillions in Medicaid and $500 billion in Medicare. That is the story of this bill. prgtoken Then, as my good friend from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) indicated, we invest in infrastructure, and we help this young man, not only with his healthcare but with education. Do we realize how many jobs go unable to find individuals in this country? Hundreds of thousands because of the lack of training. prgtoken So if my friends want growth, you know how you get growth? You invest in the American people. Or you tell the American people when tragedies strike, whether it is the Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico, or Florida, or Texas, or tragically, in Nevada, that you will stand by them. You provide them with the infrastructure to be able to overcome. prgtoken Not the budget, because the budget is giving trillions in tax cuts, and the distribution of those moneys will not see the front door of low-income, moderate-income, middle class working Americans. prgtoken That is the distinction between the ic budget. It increases opportunity through a higher minimum wage. It believes in equal pay for equal work. It knows that immigration reform will bring in billions of dollars. It will create opportunities for work. prgtoken Then, of course, we know that the ic budget strengthens our healthcare, and it provides that her Social Security, her Medicare, will not be in jeopardy. The Medicare trust fund will not lose with a budget and the trillions of dollars of tax cuts, her life, as she continues to seek some balance of good life will be lost. prgtoken We are the right direction. We are for the American people. We are standing by the American people with the ic budget. I ask my colleagues to vote for the ic alternative.
TRIBUTE TO MARY GAUTREAUX
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-10-5

today I wish to indulge in a bit of bragging. I know every one of us in this Chamber has that one or two staffers who are the Jacks or Janes of all trades of their operations. prgtoken My longtime loyal friend and staffer, who has served the great State of Oregon for over 20 years in my office as a fellow, a field representative, and now deputy State director, Mary Gautreaux celebrates her 70th birthday on October 17. I want to recognize her enormous and long-lasting contributions over the past two decades in my office to making Oregon a better place to live and enjoy. prgtoken Mary brings a lifetime of expertise to the natural resources issues that play such an essential part in Oregon's economy and quality of life. Not only prgtoken does she know these issues but she has lived these issues and passed on her love of them to her children, Ryder, Myria, Callie, and Lucas, as well as her five grandchildren. prgtoken Before joining my office in the 1990s, Mary served in the U.S. Forest Service. In those days, Mary planted trees and fought fires to support her young family. While the work was seasonal, to start, she quickly made an impression on the U.S. Forest Service and became a full-time employee. prgtoken Then I was lucky enough to get her as a fellow in 1994 in my DC office when I was still a member of the House of Representatives for the proud 3rd District of Oregon and still had rugged good looks and a full head of hair. prgtoken She worked in my DC office for a year and had just moved back to Oregon when I realized my office was better for her presence, so I hired Mary to work as field rep in Oregon. I may not know much about a lot of things, but I can recognize an excellent teammate, and Mary was a natural fit on ``Team Wyden.'' prgtoken When I was elected to the U.S. Senate for the first time in 1996, I made a promise to do a townhall meeting in every county in Oregon every year I was privileged enough to represent the good people of Oregon in Washington, DC. In the last 21 years, she has been with me at almost every one of the 800-plus townhalls I have held each year in each of Oregon's 36 counties. prgtoken At almost every one of those townhalls, I have at some junction pointed to Mary and said, ``Folks, give Mary a call about this issue. She works nights and weekends--never hesitate to call.'' It does not matter the issue; Mary always answers the phone. She has been going the extra mile with and for Oregonians in every nook and cranny of our State, both literally and figuratively. prgtoken Literally, Mary has traveled with me and solo to countless meetings in grange halls, diners, and farmhouses all across Oregon, and there has never been an issue too big or too small for her to take on. prgtoken One way to explain the praise Mary has earned is to say that Oregonians know Mary as a public servant always willing to listen and find solutions that benefit all of Oregon and Oregonians, not just
LOCKING PEOPLE UP WITHOUT DUE PROCESS IS UN-AMERICAN
Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-10-5

this week, Congressman Adam Smith and I introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act. This legislation is critical to dismantle President 's mass deportation machine, to protect families, and to restore justice and due process to our broken immigration system. prgtoken Our detention system brings huge profits for large private corporations. About 38,000 people are detained every single day at a cost to taxpayers of over $2 billion a year. prgtoken , this bill is about two things: dignity and justice for families, pregnant women, people with serious illnesses, survivors of torture and violence. It is unconscionable that we are detaining these people sometimes for months or even years. prgtoken Congress can't afford to sit on the sidelines anymore. It is time to make clear that locking people up without due process is not only unconstitutional, it is un-American. prgtoken At a time when net migration is zero, when DREAMers are at risk of losing their DACA status, and the world reels from unprecedented numbers of refugees fleeing for their lives, we must act with compassion. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to pass the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, and I thank the over 55 cosponsors who have already come on to this piece of legislation.
RECOGNIZING FIGARETTI'S RESTAURANT
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2017-10-5

today I wish to honor Figaretti's Restaurant in the scenic northern panhandle of my home State of West Virginia. prgtoken Figaretti's was recently named the best Italian restaurant in West Virginia. In my home State, this honor means so much more than just good food. It is a testament to our State's value of family, heritage, and traditions. prgtoken Some people may think our love of history means we cling to the past. It is the exact opposite. In an age where the future seems so uncertain, where we have access to more information and more choices than we know how to process, West Virginians know their priorities. What has stayed constant throughout history is our commitment to our loved ones, keeping our traditions alive, and passing our knowledge of our diverse heritage on to the next generation. The future of West Virginia and the entire country is at the forefront of our minds. These are the values that have made West Virginia stand out in our Nation, and these values are also present in the legacy of excellence at Figaretti's. prgtoken In 1944, Sicilian immigrant, Anna Figaretti, started making spaghetti sauce for her neighbors while her husband, Giuseppe, worked in the local mine in Clarksburg. Soon, with support and encouragement from her community and help from her five sons, Anna's spaghetti sauce became available in local grocery stores and eventually in her own restaurant. prgtoken Today the restaurant is owned by the third generation of the family. It is my honor to congratulate Dino Figaretti, his wife, Michelle, and his son, Enzio, for this special recognition. Gayle and I have enjoyed the company of the Figaretti family at the beloved Wheeling location and have shared many great meals and conversations with Tony, Sr and Tony, Jr. I value their friendship so very much. prgtoken Owning a business is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences, and doing it as a family makes it all the more special. prgtoken It is my honor to recognize and celebrate the Figaretti family and the Wheeling community for this well-deserved honor.
HONORING SHELBY O'NEIL
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-10-5

I rise today to recognize Shelby O'Neil, a dedicated constituent of the 20th Congressional District. At just sixteen years of age, Shelby has found a passion for environmentalism that she has channeled in ways that are truly exceptional. In my district on the central coast of California, we understand the importance of conservation and respect for the natural environment we all enjoy. Among the many parks and recreation areas in the 20th district, our crown jewel is the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This pristine stretch of coastline, while enjoyed in many ways by residents and tourists alike, also stands as an enduring responsibility to the residents of the Central Coast to ensure its protection. Protected lands such as the sanctuary in our backyard are living postcards that we pass to future generations. It is up to those future generations to shoulder that burden and rise to the responsibilities. Shelby has answered this call, and has risen to this challenge in truly impressive ways. Shelby has demonstrated sincere dedication to the cause of reducing ocean pollution and has built a framework with which to engage her peers, neighbors, and businesses in protecting our local environment. She came to develop a passion for this cause by volunteering at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a world-renowned institution of marine biological research. During her time as a volunteer, Shelby quickly learned about the threat that pollution poses to the ocean. Determined to take action, Shelby founded her own nonprofit organization, the Junior Ocean Guardians. Under Shelby's leadership, the Junior Ocean Guardians have planned several beach cleanup efforts and done classroom presentations at schools around the Central Coast to raise awareness and build support for the organization's mission of protecting our oceans. In addition, the Junior Ocean Guardians are championing a new initiative called ``No Straw November.'' In my home state of California, a permanent ban has been issued on plastic bags due to the unnecessary pollution they cause in our oceans. However, there is still much work to be done in reducing other sources of plastic pollution. That is why I am so impressed with the Junior Ocean Guardians, who have taken on the goal of ending the use of single use plastic straws, which pose a serious risk to our diverse marine ecosystems on the coast of California. No Straw November represents an effort to raise the public's awareness of the importance of plastic pollution by challenging participants to go an entire month without using a single use plastic straw. While there is much work to be done in the halls of Congress to address environmental pollution, real change begins by changing our habits and behaviors. By challenging her community to make the small sacrifices necessary to sustain the beautiful natural habitats we all enjoy, Shelby is performing a vital civic duty, and her efforts set her
Las Vegas Mass Shooting (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-10-5

as we continue to grieve with the people of Las Vegas and families of the injured and the deceased, when I think of the pictures I see of those beautiful young people who had the best of life ahead of them, we ache for them. But our thoughts must turn to action so this doesn't happen again. prgtoken What can we do as a nation to change? Because surely when there are more mass shootings this year than there are the number of days this year, when we average more than one mass shooting per day, something has to change. prgtoken I am sure that if you asked the grieving families whether they want the laws to change so this might not happen again, the overwhelming majority would say yes, they would want us to do something. If we could talk to those brave souls who were killed and are now in Heaven, they would say: Do something. They wouldn't say: Let's wait. They wouldn't say: Leave things alone. The fact that they were killed, the fact that there were so many injured--they wouldn't think it is political to try to save their lives or prevent somebody else from dying the way they did. So when folks say: Don't bring politics into this, that it is inappropriate, I am sure the families of the loved ones who were lost would agree with me that it is appropriate and important and necessary. prgtoken Politics is where we are supposed to come together and debate the great problems of our time in order to find solutions to them. Politics is how we are supposed to make our country a better, safer, more prosperous place to live. And there is no more appropriate time than now to talk about the issue of gun violence. prgtoken Yesterday, President visited Las Vegas. I am glad he went to show our solidarity and remind everyone there that they have the full support of the Nation. But he didn't talk about guns. There is a huge opportunity he prgtoken missed to lead this Nation in a reasonable, moderate debate on gun safety, but that opportunity is not over. The President still has the opportunity. All eyes are on the President to see if he will grasp the opportunity and lead the Nation to do something reasonable and moderate about guns and gun safety. prgtoken President , are you going to wait to hear what the NRA says first? Are you going to wait for the NRA to give you the green light? You ran your campaign saying you were beholden to no one. You fashion yourself as a strong man. Well, are you going to show that you are not beholden to anyone now? Are you going to show your strength now? Are you going to be the first President in a generation to buck the NRA? You know what the right thing to do is. prgtoken I say to President : Come out and say that you support and would sign a law to ban bump stocks--the modification used by the Las Vegas gunman to make his weapons automatic. That is small, and it is the right thing to do. Don't wait for the NRA to make up their mind. Do it. prgtoken Of cours
Wildfire Funding (Executive Calendar)
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-10-5

4 weeks ago, I stood here on the floor of the Senate and called for increased funding to fight the wildfires. This is just one of the dramatic pictures of Oregon ablaze. It is thousands and thousands of acres. prgtoken I had the experience of driving roughly 350 miles in my State and never escaping the smoke from the fires that were in every single corner and in every quadrant of the State of Oregon. We have seen the challenge of Mother Nature at work this year with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria hitting in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. But let's not forget the incredible damage being done in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington by these extraordinary fires. prgtoken Over the last decade, we have seen an average of 50,000 fires in America each year. They destroy and burn up more than 5 million acres, but this year the count is well over 8 million acres and counting. In Oregon, we normally have fires that burn, on average, about 500,000 acres, but this year we are well over 600,000 acres and counting. prgtoken As a result of these raging fires, we have many communities that have been so powerfully impacted and so many forests destructively impacted. We should stop and ask: What can we do better in terms of our forests and our communities? That is why I am taking to the floor right now. prgtoken The first thing we need to do is to end fire borrowing. This is where the U.S. Forest Service, in order to pay for fighting these fires, proceeds to borrow from every other account. This has become all too common. What are those other accounts? They are the hazardous fuels funds, forest management funds, forest restoration funds, forest conservation funds, road maintenance funds, and funds that are designed to prepare for future timber sales. prgtoken All of that does a lot of damage to the preparation. So the fires are more resilient and aren't susceptible to this type of firefighting. We have seen, on average in the last decade, a cost of fighting fires across the country of about $1.6 billion. But this year, we are over $3 billion--almost double. So even though the Appropriations Committee had wisely put in a buffer of several hundred million dollars to prevent fire borrowing, those funds were long ago wiped out. prgtoken So there we were 4 weeks ago. I was working to say that now that we are over the allotted funds for the year, let's immediately get more funds that can be used to backfill this shortage in September. I thank all of my colleagues for the fact that those funds were included in the continuing resolution. We successfully provided a bridge so that firefighting could continue and so that the fire borrowing was quickly repaid. prgtoken But that is not a permanent solution--to try to legislate or to backfill on a rapid basis. Indeed, when we have these kinds of fire seasons, it is like other natural disasters. It is like tornadoes and hurricanes and floods. So we need to have a FEMA-s