mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ECONOMIC JUSTICE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY
Marcia L. Fudge (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-2-7

during the State of the Union speech last week, many of us did not applaud the President as he assumed responsibility for the lowest rate of Black unemployment ever recorded. The simple truth is that while Black unemployment reached its lowest level in decades, the rate has been in steady decline for the last seven years, a credit to the Administration President so often maligns. prgtoken It is also true that while gains have been made, the Black unemployment rates fall short of that for White workers. The President has failed to acknowledge that just in the last month, Black unemployment jumped nearly a full percentage point, from 6.8 percent to 7.7 percent, and continues to be nearly double that of White workers. prgtoken If Black unemployment figures were the overall national figures, the country would be facing or nearly facing an economic recession, Yet, this Administration's policies continue to take aim at too many of us, especially African Americans and other communities of color. prgtoken Black unemployment has consistently been about double that of white employment. Sadly, other statistics mirror what amounts to a persistent racial wealth divide: prgtoken 90 percent of White households live above the poverty line compared to 75 of Black households; prgtoken 71 percent of White households are homeowners compared to 41 percent of Black households; and prgtoken In 2016, white families had a median net worth of $171,000, compared with $17,600 for Black families. prgtoken There is no doubt the persistent wealth disparity is rooted in federal policies that build and preserve the racial wealth divide since the institution of slavery. The Social Security Act of 1935 provides just one example. The Act's passage laid the groundwork to aid the elderly after the Great Depression. Yet, the Act excluded about one- third of all American workers, including farmworkers and domestic workers--who were predominately people of color. For African Americans, the cost of exclusion from the Social Security Act of 1935 resulted in a loss of benefits totaling $143.2 billion in 2016 dollars. prgtoken Similarly, federal housing policies from 1934 to 1968, which sought to make homeownership accessible to more families, shut out black families from homeownership through the practice of redlining. prgtoken Unfortunately, the racial wealth gap shows no sign of letting up under the Administration. His economic policies offer dim prospects for African Americans and other communities of color. prgtoken The President's lopsided tax cut transferred massive amounts of wealth to those who are already wealthy at the expense of everyone else. The tax cuts add at least $1.5 trillion to the national deficit, with likely offsets to earned benefits and social safety net programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP--programs many families depend on. The cuts rob the American people of resources that could put people to work building i
CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-2-7

we just marked the 25th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act, known to most as FMLA. prgtoken When FMLA passed 25 years ago, it was an incredible step forward for millions of working families. They finally had the legal right to step away from their jobs to take care of their families without the risk of being fired. But we now know that the law just has not kept up with the times. prgtoken FMLA doesn't apply to 40 percent of the workforce, and it doesn't guarantee any pay during the time the worker is away. In fact, 25 years after FMLA was signed into law, we are still the only industrialized country in the world that doesn't guarantee access to some form of paid leave. That means that workers all over the country are losing wages and retirement savings when they take time off. The economy is losing tens of millions of dollars. We have to change this because FMLA is not good enough anymore. prgtoken We need an actual national paid leave program, and I am pleased to see that paid leave has now clearly become a bipartisan issue. Both parties agree that paid leave is something that our country desperately needs and urgently wants to have. prgtoken Earlier today, a group of colleagues announced a proposal they claim would solve this problem, but it is clear that their proposal will not help the vast majority of working Americans. In fact, it would not create a real paid leave program that covers all workers. prgtoken Not only that, this plan will actually rob the Social Security trust fund. This would not strengthen Social Security; it would weaken Social Security. No worker should have to borrow against their own Social Security benefits, which are already too low, to get paid family leave when they need it to take care of a new baby, a sick family member, a dying parent, or themselves. And let's not forget that Social Security already pays women less than men. So this proposal would make that problem even worse. prgtoken If you are watching this debate right now and you are wondering whether Congress is finally going to pass a paid leave law that actually helps working Americans, don't be fooled by this proposal. prgtoken If your son is diagnosed with cancer and you need time to bring him to his chemotherapy appointments, their plan will do nothing for you. If your elderly mother has dementia and you need time to be by her side, this plan will do nothing for you. If your husband has a heart attack and he needs you there while he recovers, this plan does nothing for you. prgtoken Right now, millions of American workers are stuck choosing between earning a paycheck and leaving their jobs to take care of a loved one when some medical emergency happens, and if this bill passes, that would not change. prgtoken Listen to what a woman named Shelby went through because she didn't have paid leave. prgtoken Shelby is a mother and a grandmother, and she takes care of her parents
HONORING BRIGADIER GENERAL MICHELE K. LaMONTAGNE
Michelle Lujan Grisham (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2018-2-7

I rise today to acknowledge Michele K. LaMontagne, who currently serves as Chief of Staff for the New Mexico Air National Guard and was recently promoted to Brigadier General. prgtoken Brig. Gen. LaMontagne began her military career as a student at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Right after graduation, she set in motion her interest in aircraft and munitions maintenance during an officer course at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. When she was being commissioned, she had to select the job she would eventually like to do. After speaking with officers about the opportunities to lead as many people as possible, they recommended maintenance. prgtoken Her assignments, over the last 24 years, have taken her to South Carolina, Republic of Korea, Nevada, Colorado and finally Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. At each of these bases, she served primarily in maintenance operations, eventually becoming a Maintenance Squadron Commander and a Wing Inspector General for the New Mexico Air National Guard. prgtoken In 2012, Brig. Gen. LaMontagne served as Director of Staff for the New Mexico Air National Guard, was promoted to Director of Support, Maintenance Group Commander and today serves as Chief of Staff. Her responsibilities include planning and executing employees during contingency and domestic operations in federal and state emergencies and developing positions and recommendations on issues, including mission requirements, placement of units and future missions. prgtoken Throughout her career, Brig. Gen. LaMontagne has received many awards and decorations including a Meritorious Service Medal, an Air Force Commendation Medal, a National Defense Service Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. prgtoken Brig. Gen. LaMontagne also works as a business coach at Rio Grande, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, and specializes in project management, people development, human resources management, distribution operations, IT Strategy, and many other challenging areas. In both of her careers, she insists that the people that depend on her drive her to do her best. prgtoken I would like to congratulate Brig. Gen. Michele K. LaMontagne, one of very few women who have been bestowed with the rank of Brigadier General, for her many years of service to our nation as a member of the Air Force and her continued commitment as a member of the New Mexico Air National Guard.
SENATE RESOLUTION 398--SUPPORTING THE OBSERVATION OF ``NATIONAL GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY'' ON FEBRUARY 7, 2018, TO RAISE AWARENESS OF AND CELEBRATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-2-7

I rise to introduce a Senate Resolution recognizing February 7, 2018 as ``National Girls & Women in Sports Day''. Since the passage of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, our Nation has taken many big steps toward achieving equality for women in our Nation's athletic institutions. In fact, since then, participation by high school girls in athletic programs has increased more than six fold. And in college sports, participation by women athletes has nearly tripled since the passage of Title IX. prgtoken However, many disparities still exist between male and female athletic programs in our Nation today. Because there are simply fewer athletic opportunities and programs for girls, there are lower levels of participation in sports amongst present day high school girls than there were for high school boys in the 1970s. prgtoken Across college campuses, women athletes still comprise only 44 percent of the collegiate athlete population. And in some instances, the numbers have even shrunk over time. In 1972, women occupied more than 90 percent of coaching positions with collegiate women's teams. Today, women occupy less than half of these coaching positions. prgtoken This resolution recognizes how far we have come, but more importantly, it acknowledges how much farther we still have to go to achieve equality for our female athletes. In looking to the future and resolving together that more must be done to provide girls and women equal opportunity in sports, we also celebrate and recognize female athletes from the past who have faced difficult obstacles in their lives to advance the participation of women in sports. prgtoken We honor athletes like Althea Gibson, who was the first African- American athlete to break down racial barriers in international tennis and who, in 1956, became the first person of color to win a Grand Slam tennis title with her victory at the French Open. prgtoken We celebrate ``Babe'' Didrikson Zaharias, who, in addition to the Olympic medals she won at the 1932 Olympic Games in track and field, challenged conventions in the sport of golf to become the first woman in history who attempted to qualify in the U.S. Open tournament. prgtoken We salute Wilma Rudolph, who in the 1960s was considered the fastest woman in the world and, with her performance at the 1960 Olympic Games, was the first American woman to achieve three gold medals at any single Olympics event in history. prgtoken Each of these women faced tremendous difficulties to break down barriers in their respective sports to change not just the culture of sports in our Nation, but ultimately, to improve our country. Their names were inscribed in sports history, and in the process they became positive role models for entire generations of female athletes who continue to inspire us all with their talents. Finally, this resolution recognizes the importance of supporting girls and women in sports by holding to account thos
CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2018-2-7

from Louisiana for allowing me to say a few words, and I thank you, , for doing the same. prgtoken Hopefully, today works out better than the last 131 days have, in that hopefully today a bipartisan group of Senators will be able to put forth a budget agreement that will be long term. prgtoken I thank them because as part of that--although it isn't done yet so we don't want to get the cart too far ahead of the horse--there is funding for community health centers in this agreement. prgtoken Funding for community health centers has become a top priority for me, and it became that because of my visits to community health centers around the State, from Bullhook in Havre to RiverStone in Billings, to the Southwest Montana Community Health Center in Butte, to Partnership Health Center in Helena and Missoula, and the list goes on. These health centers provide incredibly affordable and efficient healthcare to people across Montana. So I am incredibly pleased to work with the leadership in this body and get a deep deal for community healthcare centers across this country, including Montana's 17 community health centers. prgtoken I would say 2 years is a good start, but there happens to be 19 bipartisan cosponsors on a bill called the CHIME Act, which would reauthorize community health center funding for 5 years. That is where we really need to be. I am not complaining about the 2 years. I think it is important that we keep these folks going, and 2 years is certainly better than where we are now, but, really, we don't look with much vision in this body, and it is not visionary to say we are going to give a 5-year funding mechanism to our community health centers, but that is what we need to do today. We need to give the community health centers the long-term predictability they deserve. prgtoken In Montana, these centers are the backbone of much of our healthcare delivery system. They provide affordable access to care, keeping our communities and families healthy. Let me give you a little example of how important these are. prgtoken Community health centers alone provide over 10 percent of the healthcare for the people of the State of Montana. It is where they go to get care, and 85 percent of those folks are low income. These are folks who probably wouldn't prgtoken be able to get healthcare without the community health center there, and 20,000 of them are children. Montana is a big State geographically, with not a lot of folks. Oftentimes folks have to travel a long way, under the best of conditions, to see a doctor. If we didn't do this funding mechanism that we hope happens today or tomorrow, we would see these folks traveling hundreds of more miles to see a doctor because oftentimes this is the only healthcare facility close to them. prgtoken Although the news we have heard today so far seems to be positive on our budget, it doesn't change the fact that Congress should h
HONORING THE LIFE OF THOMAS DAY, JR.
Ruben J. Kihuen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2018-2-7

today I rise to remember the life of Thomas Day, Jr. prgtoken Thomas loved spending time with his four kids, Whitney, Candice, Kelsey, and Nolan, and his two grandkids. He loved boating with his family, cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and coaching Little League baseball. prgtoken He worked as an estimator for Portrait Construction for more than 20 years and was very personable and friendly with everyone he met. His children's friends called him ``Daddy Day''. prgtoken Thomas will be remembered by all those who knew him as a fun-loving and amazing family man. prgtoken I would like to extend my condolences to Thomas Day's family and friends, and please note that the city of Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and the whole country grieve with you.
CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017
Tom Udall (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2018-2-7

I come to the floor today to speak a little bit about the rule of law and President 's approach to what has happened as far as the Mueller investigation. prgtoken The rule of law has protected our Nation's democracy, institutions, and citizens for over 200 years. It means that no one person is above the law--no one--not even the President. prgtoken President does not seem to respect the rule of law. He acts as if the law doesn't apply to him. He believes that he can steer the wheels of justice in whichever direction he wants to shield himself from lawful investigation. prgtoken This President is willing to risk national security, to defy the judgment of the FBI Director and his team, and to release classified material for his own political purposes. Think about that. The President of the United States just declassified a top-secret document, and he did it with the clear intent to undermine the investigation into Russian interference in our election. His actions should end any doubt about his willingness to obstruct justice. prgtoken After he declassified the Nunes memo, President said: ``A lot of people should be ashamed of themselves. It's a disgrace, what's happened in our country.'' This is one of the rare times I have agreed with President . It is a disgrace, what has happened in our country, but not for the reasons the President gives. prgtoken Russia's cyber attacks and other potential operations during the 2016 election represented a direct strike at our democracy. I cannot think of a time when our national interest has been so threatened and the President of the United States has ignored the threat. Not only has this President turned a blind eye to Russia's interference, but he has done nothing to prevent future attacks. He ignores the threat even though the CIA Director says Russia will try to interfere in our elections again. Instead, he has done everything he can to curry favor with Vladimir Putin. He should be ashamed of himself. prgtoken Unfortunately, he has demonstrated time and time again that he is incapable of shame. But he is not alone. Many members of his party should be ashamed for enabling the President to undermine the special counsel investigation, for enabling his defamation of career public servants, and for remaining silent in the face of a growing crisis. prgtoken The President has made clear that he does not like Special Counsel Mueller's and Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein's independence and commitment to the rule of law, and he has had an eye on getting rid of them for quite a while. We learned he considered firing them last June, and we have known for many months, from the President's own admission, that he fired FBI Director James Comey to stop the Russia investigation. These men have dedicated their lives to serving our country. Mr. Mueller served as a Federal prosecutor and a Department of Justice lawyer for much of his career, and he was
STRENGTHENING PROTECTIONS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARIES ACT OF 2018
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-2-7

I strongly commend Ranking Member Larson and Chairman Johnson on their bipartisan bill to dramatically improve the Social Security Representative Payee program. We have a responsibility to ensure that this system is strong and fair to protect our vulnerable citizens. In addition to the multiple improvements in oversight and quality, I want to thank Representatives Larson and Johnson for including provisions to improve the Rep Payee program for foster youth for which I advocated. prgtoken Currently, when foster youth receive Social Security benefits because they are disabled or their parent is deceased, disabled, or retired, it is common practice for State child welfare agencies to take the children's benefits for state revenue rather than preserving these funds for the youth' s current or future needs. We have very poor understanding of who serves as representative payees for foster youth and whether they conserve the funds for these youth. This bill requires long-overdue data coordination between the Social Security Administration and state foster care programs. Requiring this data coordination is critical to ensuring that we know who is serving in the important fiduciary role for foster youth. Right now, we have no clear understanding of the number of foster youth with representative payees, whether those payees are state agencies or family members, and whether the funds are conserved for foster youth or used to plug holes in state budgets. prgtoken Just last month, the Social Security Advisory Board recommended improving the Representative Payee Program related to foster youth. The Board pointed out that state foster care agencies routinely are assigned automatically as the payee without any analysis if there is a better choice available. The Board highlighted that there can be an inherent conflict of interest in designating a state entity as payee given that the interests of foster care programs may conflict with the interests of the foster youth. The data required by this bill will help Social Security better focus on payee determination for foster youth to ensure that the payee will act in the best interest of the child. Further, it will provide data to help us understand how often state agencies are serving in this capacity and how they are using these funds. To advance this understanding, the bill requires a GAO study on minor beneficiaries in foster care and their representative payees. prgtoken In addition, this bill protects foster youth from overpayment errors made by the state. Under current law, if an overpayment occurs and the state foster care agency is the beneficiary, the foster youth is responsible for repaying the overpayment. This bill includes a protection so that if a state agency is the representative payee and an overpayment is made, the state and not the foster youth is responsible for the overpayment the state received. prgtoken These improvements are critical to improving the