mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DACA
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2017-9-6

it would have taken moral courage-- something he doesn't have--for President to stand in front of the American people to say why he was going back on his word to ``deal with DACA with heart'' and help these ``absolutely incredible kids'' in a way that is going to ``make people happy and proud.'' prgtoken Instead, he sent out his Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, long a foe of immigration reform, to break the bad news to 800,000 young people and their families that he was rescinding DACA. This was bloodless, heartless, and completely unjustifiable. In his remarks, the Attorney General composed an elaborate fiction about DACA, a program that has transformed the lives of 800,000 young people, and the Attorney General actually thought the American people would fall for his made-up remarks. He not only claimed that DACA was unconstitutional but also falsely claimed that Dreamers were taking hundreds of thousands of jobs away from Americans and that they deserved to be punished. prgtoken The fact is, a strong majority of the American people are siding with the DACA participants. The American people aren't threatened by these inspiring young people. They are not criminals. They aren't causing trouble. They are students, doctors, nurses, teachers, and entrepreneurs making real and meaningful contributions to our society. They are simply asking for the opportunity to pursue their dreams-- hence, they are called Dreamers--in the only country they know, the United States of America. It is why so many people across the country are speaking out forcefully against the President's decision to end DACA. prgtoken While I was back home in Hawaii last month, I met with activists, community organizations, and State leaders to rally support for DACA and to call for establishing permanent protections for these Dreamers across the country. Hawaii is home to 600 DACA recipients and thousands more Dreamers who could have qualified for the program but were reluctant to expose themselves to the government. I would like to share some of their compelling stories. prgtoken Gabriella came to the United States with her family in 2001, fleeing violence in Brazil. They came here out of love and hope for a better future. Every day Gabriella and her family worried about being sent back to the violent situation they escaped. Gabriella graduated from high school with a 3.8 GPA and had big plans to pursue higher education, but at that time she couldn't enroll in college because she was undocumented. prgtoken DACA changed her life. She said: I had been living here undocumented for 10 years and had seen a lot of opportunities pass me by. I knew I couldn't continue to live this way. [DACA] changed my life for the better. Since getting DACA in 2012, I have been able to get a driver's license, to have a career, to go to school, and leave my home every day knowing that I could come home to my fa
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018
Jacky Rosen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2017-9-6

I rise in support of my amendment to increase funding by $35 million for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, better known as NeighborWorks America. prgtoken For the past 40 years, NeighborWorks America, a congressionally chartered nonprofit, has provided financial support, technical assistance, and training for community-based development right here in the USA. prgtoken NeighborWorks partners with more than 240 organizations focused on providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. These organizations are public-private partnerships providing maximum transparency and accountability in their stewardship of scarce Federal dollars. prgtoken In fiscal year 2016, NeighborWorks America developed nearly 13,000 affordable homes, repaired over 55,000 houses, created more than 21,000 new homeowners, and assisted over 360,000 families with affordable housing. prgtoken NeighborWorks has demonstrated the ability to attract private sector investments to its affordable housing projects, leveraging 91 private dollars for every $1 of funding appropriated. prgtoken Our country is finally on the pathway to recovering from a crippling housing crisis. My home State of Nevada was hit the hardest when the housing bubble burst and we experienced one of the highest rates of foreclosure. My district, which includes Las Vegas, has some of the lowest availability of affordable rental homes to households with low- income levels. In fact, there are only 15 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 rental households. prgtoken NeighborWorks has played a critical role in helping develop and preserve affordable housing, revitalize and sustain neighborhoods, and create jobs. Last year, Nevada affordable housing organizations like Neighborhood Housing Services of Southern Nevada, and Nevada HAND, received over $600,000 in grants, providing homeownership counseling and education to over 6,500 households, creating over 600 new homeowners, and preserving homeownership for over 250 individuals. Congress needs to continue to strengthen programs that allow low-income families to keep a roof over their heads. prgtoken In addition to financial support and technical assistance, NeighborWorks offers home buyer and foreclosure counseling, and previously administered the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling program. Created in 2007 to address the nationwide housing foreclosure crisis, this program has counseled more than 2 million homeowners facing foreclosure in response to the housing crisis. prgtoken You may hear from my friends across the aisle that there is no longer a need for foreclosure mitigation counseling because foreclosure rates are decreasing nationwide. And I am glad to see the rates decrease, but the reality is that foreclosures continue to plague many parts of this country, including my district. prgtoken Statistics from the Department of Housing and Urban Development show that
DACA
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-9-6

some 800,000 people in this country woke up this morning with great uncertainty about their future because of President 's reckless, hateful agenda. Young men and women in this country are now unsure if they will be able to finish their college degree in the United States. They are unsure if they can keep their job at the hospital or as a firefighter or serve in our military to fight for our freedom. They are unsure if they can keep their homes or remain with loved ones, and they are scared that this country might break its promise and use against them the very information that they submitted to enroll in DACA in order to find them and deport them. That is appalling, and it marks a very sad time for this United States of America. prgtoken President has caused a lot of divisive and disheartening moments since the start of the year, but rescinding DACA is an unusually cruel and heartless move even for this administration, and it flies in the face of so much of what and who made this country what it is. So I am here today, with my colleagues, to urge all of us in the Senate to use this moment of uncertainty and division to do what is right--to come together to defend DACA. prgtoken Use your voices for the Dreamers in your States and the many others who are calling and writing and marching in our streets, urging all of us to act for our neighbors and our coworkers, our students, our doctors, our engineers, our friends, and our first responders, who are stepping up at this very moment to protect people from the hurricanes that are wreaking havoc in Texas and Florida to the wildfires that are blazing in the West. prgtoken Let's stand behind our colleagues, Senator Durbin and Senator Graham, who have already paved a bipartisan path forward on this issue and who, just hours after the President's announcement, reiterated that they are ready to get this done. I am too. prgtoken There are more than 17,000 young men and women in my home State of Washington who are deeply connected to their communities. They were brought to this country as children. Some of them were so young when they arrived that they did not even know they were not born here until years or, maybe, even a decade later when they went to apply for college or to get a job. prgtoken Just yesterday, I heard about a young man in my home State who is very distraught. He was brought to the United States as a toddler. He did not know that he was not a citizen until he turned 16 and went to get his driver's license. As a result, he signed up for DACA. He got his license and he got a job, and he is now in his second year in a science program at a community college, getting straight A's and hoping to transfer to the University of Washington. Now he is frightened that he is going to lose all of that and be forced to go to a country that he has never known. He says that he does not know anyone in Mexico nor has he been there to visit. <|p
HONORING UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA LIBRARIES
Keith Ellison (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-9-6

I rise today in honor of the University of Minnesota Libraries, which has been awarded the 2017 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Their devotion to innovative and accessible library service has made them one of the nation's standout public research libraries. prgtoken Every year, the Institute of Museum and Library Services selects ten institutions that best represent the stewardship of public knowledge. Throughout its 23-year history, the IMLS has only selected three academic libraries for the recognition. This is a fitting recognition of the amount of community-driven work the UMN Libraries undertakes. As a public research library, their work expands far beyond the University walls to our state's 5.5 million residents and beyond. prgtoken As I wrote in my letter of nomination for the University of Minnesota Libraries: I have been moved by the deep commitment the Libraries have shown to our community. Its mission is realized every day through the dedication, creativity, and human kindness represented in the programs and services it provides. It is a shining example of how a public institution can make a great difference in the lives of people within its walls and beyond its borders. I am proud to be associated with the University Libraries and believe it to be an exemplary candidate for this honor. prgtoken I am thrilled to congratulate the UMN Libraries for receiving the U.S. government's top honor for library service to the community. I look forward to seeing the way they expand the pursuit of knowledge in coming decades.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-9-6

I rise in opposition to this bill. While I am glad to see the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill on the floor, this is the first time it has been considered with amendments since the 2010 appropriations cycle. But even with that, I cannot support the underlying bill. prgtoken I will be blunt. This process is a sham. The combined omnibus would violate the Budget Control Act caps. It triggers a sequester of $72 billion from the Department of Defense. I am troubled to see the Labor- HHS bill, once again, bearing the brunt of budget cuts. prgtoken The overall cuts to nondefense discretionary spending is $8 billion, and the Labor-HHS bill is cut by more than $5 billion. This cut, by the way, is completely unnecessary because the allocations that we approved are approximately $5 billion below what they have said we need for nondefense spending, which is allowed under the Budget Control Act. We have the resources available, yet the majority refuses to allocate them to the essential programs funded through this bill. prgtoken I will also note that when adjusting for inflation, the Labor-HHS bill is approximately $30 billion below what it was in 2010. prgtoken Instead of moving this bill, we ought to be negotiating a bipartisan budget deal to lift the sequestration caps on both defense and nondefense programs, then we could begin working on a bipartisan basis to draft a reasonable Labor-HHS bill that adequately funds the programs that support the middle class. prgtoken The biggest economic challenge of our time is that too many people are in jobs that just don't pay them enough to live on. The programs in this bill provide opportunities for hardworking Americans to improve themselves and for our economy to grow. We need a country that works for the middle class and the vulnerable, not just the wealthy and those with the most lobbyists. prgtoken Right now, we grow jobs, but not incomes. The Federal Government has long played a key role in helping American workers learn and grow through workforce development and connecting businesses with talent. But the programs that help grow our economy, educate our students, and protect our women and seniors cannot operate if the Labor-HHS bill is starved for funding, which is why I oppose the underlying bill. prgtoken I admit that there are a few bright spots. I strongly support the increases for NIH research, emergency preparedness, special education, and the TRIO and GEAR UP programs. Unfortunately, the modest increases in this bill are far outweighed by decimating cuts to programs that ought to be seeing increases. prgtoken This bill fails our students and is fundamentally anti-teacher. It fails to make new investments in Title I. It eliminates $2 billion for supporting effective instruction grants--what that is is teacher training. prgtoken This bill's approach to women's health pushes a dangerous and harmful ideological ag
DACA
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2017-9-6

I rise today, along with so many of my colleagues--and Ms. Stabenow, who just spoke--with regard to DACA. We are here to oppose President 's unnecessary, political, and damaging decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, the DACA Program. prgtoken To close the door on the American dream for nearly 800,000 people who are American in every way but on paper goes against every measure of sound public policy, productive economics, and basic decency. Today, I join my colleagues in Congress, hundreds of American business executives, thousands of higher education officials and faith leaders, and a majority of the American people who have made their voices heard over the past few days to denounce President 's elimination of DACA, and call for legislative action to protect Dreamers and provide them a realistic and responsible pathway to citizenship. prgtoken We must be absolutely clear about what President has done, on his own, without any need or, in my view, legal requirement to do so. By his choice, in less than 6 months, the administration will begin forcing hundreds of thousands of Dreamers, many in their twenties and thirties, out of their jobs, out of our military, out of our schools, and out of the United States--the only country that most of them have ever really known. prgtoken It is true that Dreamers were brought here as children outside the appropriate processes, but this was through no fault or decision of their own. Since then, they have pursued higher education, started families, worked hard, paid taxes, and stayed out of serious trouble with the law. Some have served honorably with our Armed Forces and put their lives on the line to keep us all safe. We gain nothing and lose a great deal by separating these young people from their jobs, their homes, their spouses, and children and sending them to countries they hardly know. prgtoken At no point in our debates over immigration have we found a good reason to spend our limited immigration enforcement resources on Dreamers. The premise of DACA was, and continues to be, that we need permanent, comprehensive immigration reform--but until then, Dreamers who contribute to our society should be allowed to come out of the shadows and lead healthy, productive lives. prgtoken Rather than pursuing these young Americans, our immigration enforcement resources should focus on practical measures that make us safe, not wasteful and symbolic projects like a border wall. We should improve surveillance of the border and the apprehension of more illegal entrants. We should incentivize legal immigration and make it feasible for people to come here and pursue better opportunities. I am eager to work with my colleagues to craft a tough but fair, and comprehensive immigration reform package that incorporates good ideas from both sides of the aisle. Until then, however, we accomplish nothing by forcing hundreds of thousan
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018
Mike Quigley (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-9-6

I thank the ranking member for yielding. I want to thank Mrs. Lowey and the chairman for their leadership throughout the appropriations process. prgtoken , as ranking member of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, I also thank Chairman Graves, whom I have gotten to know and work more closely with over the last few months. Our discussions have been both passionate and prgtoken productive, and I thank Chairman Graves for his willingness to compromise on shared priorities. prgtoken Of course, I would like to thank Dena, Kelly, Ariana, Marybeth, and Brad on the majority staff and our talented staff director, Lisa, on the minority staff for all of the time and effort they spent working together to putting the FSGG portion of the bill together. And to my own staff, Doug, who writes these things and doesn't put his own name on there, I want to thank him anyway. prgtoken Unfortunately, the FSGG portion of the bill before us will make it more difficult for us to grow small businesses, enforce consumer protections, and promote good governance. With $1.6 billion in cuts from fiscal year 2017, many successful and established programs will suffer. prgtoken The Small Business Administration is cut by $39 million, with most coming from reductions to entrepreneurial programs that assist millions of small-business owners. prgtoken The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund is cut by $58 million, or 28 percent, which means fewer resources to spur economic growth and revitalize our most underserved and neglected communities. prgtoken GSA has zero funds to start new construction and completely rescinds the money provided in the FY17 omnibus for the new FBI headquarters, compromising our national security. prgtoken And the IRS, which has already lost over a billion dollars in funding and 18,000 staff over the past 7 years, is further weakened by additional cuts that weaken the agency's ability to close the tax gap, catch tax cheats, and provide sufficient services for honest taxpayers. prgtoken In addition, the FSGG bill contains a long list of policy riders that will undermine enforcement of the Affordable Care Act, restrict the ability for a woman to make personal healthcare decisions, and block the District of Columbia from using local funds to make local decisions. prgtoken Furthermore, this bill contains 88 pages of authorizing text to repeal key provisions of Dodd-Frank and weaken the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. prgtoken Less than a decade ago, a financial crisis sparked the biggest global recession since the Great Depression and pushed our economy to the brink of collapse. No serious person would argue that the status quo, which almost crippled our economy, was working before the crisis. We need to make our financial markets safer, more transparent, and more accountable, and that is exactly what Dodd-Frank did. prgtoken Lastly, as I mentioned in my testimony befor
IN RECOGNITION OF PATROLMAN LINFORD RODWAY OF THE BLAKELY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Matt Cartwright (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2017-9-6

I rise today to honor Patrolman Linford Rodway of the Blakely Police Department who fell in the line of duty 50 years ago this year. Patrolman Rodway was an outstanding police officer, son, father, husband, and friend who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the residents of Blakely Borough. prgtoken On June 24, 1967, the residents of Blakely Borough were celebrating their centennial year with a festive parade. Patrolman Rodway was one of several officers who were assigned to conduct traffic control during the parade and protect those attending the celebration. prgtoken That evening, Patrolman Rodway responded to a disturbance along the parade route. Patrolman Rodway along with other officers were able to resolve the conflict and returned to headquarters shortly thereafter. Once Patrolman Rodway was inside the station, he suddenly felt ill. His other officers caught him before he collapsed and quickly called an ambulance. Patrolman Rodway was rushed to Mid-Valley Hospital. Medical staff did all they could, however the heart attack Patrolman Rodway suffered that day was fatal. prgtoken It is an honor to recognize Patrolman Linford Rodway's service to the community of Blakely Borough all those years ago. I am grateful to him for his sacrifice, and I thank all of the first responders who tried their best to save his life that night. May his memory serve as a reminder of duty and loyalty to all members of law enforcement who protect and serve our communities.
DACA
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-9-6

I rise to speak about the need to protect undocumented young people, commonly referred to as Dreamers, from deportation. prgtoken The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, or what is called DACA, was announced by President in 2012 to solve an urgent need. Hundreds of thousands of young people brought to this country as children were at risk of being deported. They didn't take the action to come; their parents took the action to come and bring them. President 's Executive order temporarily protected these undocumented young people from deportation. DACA also provides the opportunity to obtain work permits and has made it possible for many young DACA beneficiaries to enroll in college. prgtoken If Congress doesn't act now and pass a law, President 's decision to terminate this program will have devastating consequences for nearly 800,000 families across the United States, particularly those in California. This decision to end DACA without first ensuring that young people have legal protection is why we are demanding a vote on the Dream Act as soon as possible. DACA recipients deserve certainty now, not 6 months from now. These young people trusted our government, and it is time we stopped playing with their lives. prgtoken The Dream Act, introduced by Senators Graham and Durbin, has been considered many times already by this Congress. It was most recently included in the comprehensive immigration reform bill that passed the Senate in 2013 with 68 votes. I remember it well. I remember weeks in committee. I remember dozens of amendments. I remember the time on the floor, the hope that we would be able to pass comprehensive immigration reform. It had an agricultural workers program in it. It had this program for undocumented children. It had H2A. It had a whole panoply of reforms in it, and it went down. It got 68 votes here, although it didn't survive in the House. prgtoken I believe there is broad bipartisan support for the Dream Act. I just learned, for example, that polls are saying that 70 percent of the people in this country are in favor of it. And I would be confident that it would pass if given an up-or-down vote. So I call on leadership to ensure there is a clean vote on the Dream Act this month. prgtoken As I mentioned, 800,000 young people have been admitted to the DACA Program, allowing them to come out of the shadows. They were educated here. They work here. They pay taxes. They are integrated into American society. These young people are fiercely patriotic. In every way that truly matters, they are Americans. prgtoken Listen to this: 95 percent of DACA recipients are working or in school. That is 95 percent of 800,000. The typical DACA recipient came to this country at 6 years old. They have known no home other than this one. Many of them only speak English. prgtoken Seventy-two percent of the top 25 Fortune 500 companies--companies such as Apple, Amazon, Faceb