mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FEDERAL ACQUISITION SAVINGS ACT OF 2017
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-11-13

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken , I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 3071, the Federal Acquisition Savings Act of 2017. This legislation seeks to modernize our government's outdated acquisition strategies, while simultaneously acting as good stewards of valuable taxpayer dollars. prgtoken My bill would simply require Federal agencies to consider renting as a cost-effective alternative in equipment acquisition, giving the government options that the private sector has undertaken and has seen success and cost savings with. prgtoken As previously reported by the Government Accountability Office, the GAO, the Federal Government spends more than $200 billion, on average, either purchasing or leasing equipment. Of those acquisition decisions, purchasing of equipment accounts for more than 99 percent of that share. prgtoken Federal agencies are instructed to consider the cost-effectiveness of these strategies as they move through the process, but even that has been found to be lacking. The GAO has found that, in many instances, Federal agencies don't even bother to undertake these analyses. That means that the taxpayers are the ones who lose out as Federal agencies sidestep these responsibilities and undertake what is, many times, the easiest but most expensive route--purchasing. prgtoken This is an issue the committee and this body have been looking at for years. In 2012, the GAO issued a report finding that contracting officials from the Air Force and Department of the Interior did not perform the lease-versus-purchase analysis for many of the contracts awarded. In July of 2013, GSA issued an RFI seeking to determine if there is a distinction between leasing and renting of equipment. The overwhelming response to the RFI indicated that amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation, the FAR, to include renting would be pertinent. However, the GSI did not act on that recommendation. prgtoken These actions have resulted in this legislation and the good-faith effort to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and that the Federal requirements for Federal acquisition are followed. prgtoken Under subpart 7.4 of the FAR, agencies are directed to conduct a case-by-case evaluation of the cost between leasing and purchasing. As I mentioned earlier, many of those analyses aren't conducted. prgtoken Amending this part of FAR will open up new avenues and will allow them to pursue successes and cost savings being used in the private sector. For instance, the Texas Department of Transportation reported savings of $10.8 million within the fleet operations division. These savings are realized when the additional costs of ownership are factored, including maintenance, transportation, and other areas. prgtoken In addition to this example, the Mississippi Department of Transportation commissioned a study finding that they could find significant cost savings per unit if they utilized renting equipment as an opt
Blue-Slip Courtesy (Executive Session)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2017-11-13

in the last several weeks, there has been a lot of discussion regarding the blue-slip courtesy that applies to judicial nominations. I want to take a moment to clarify a few things. My position hasn't changed. Like I said in November of last year, I intend to honor the blue-slip courtesy, but there have always been exceptions. prgtoken First, the blue slip has always been a Senatorial courtesy. It is premised on the idea that home State Senators are in a very good position to provide insights into a nominee from their State for the Federal judiciary. It is meant to encourage consultation between the White House and home State Senators about judicial nominations. That is why I value the blue-slip tradition and ask for the views of Senators on all nominees to courts from their respective States. prgtoken Throughout its history, the many chairmen of the Senate Judiciary Committee have applied this blue-slip courtesy differently. That is a chairman's prerogative. The chairman has the authority to decide how to apply the courtesy. Over the past 100 years, there have been 18 chairmen of the Senate Judiciary Committee who recognized the value of the blue-slip courtesy, but only 2 out of these 18 chairmen required both Senators to return positive blue slips before scheduling a hearing. prgtoken The practice of sending out blue slips to home State Senators started 100 years ago, in 1917. Chairman Charles Culberson started the blue- slip practice to solicit the opinions of home State Senators, but he did not require the return of two positive blue slips before the committee would proceed on a nominee. In fact, in the blue slip's very first year, Chairman Culberson held a hearing and a vote for a nominee who received a negative blue slip. His successors over the next nearly 40 years had the same policy. It was not until 1956 that the blue-slip policy changed under Chairman James Eastland, a from the State of Mississippi. Chairman Eastland began to require both home State Senators to return positive blue slips before holding a hearing and a vote. prgtoken Chairman Eastland, as history tells us, was well known for his segregationist views. Unfortunately, it is likely that he adopted a strict blue-slip policy to veto judicial nominees who favored school desegregation. This is what Villanova Law School Professor Tuan Samahon explained: ``When segregationist `Dixiecrat' Senator John Eastland chaired the Judiciary Committee, he endowed the blue slip with veto power to, among other things, keep Mississippi's federal judicial branch free of sympathizers with Brown v. Board of Education.'' prgtoken After Chairman Eastland retired in 1979, Senator Kennedy became chairman. He got rid of Senator Eastland's policy. He didn't want a single Senator to be able to unilaterally veto a judicial nominee. Senator Kennedy's policy was that an unreturned or negative blue slip wouldn't prevent the committee from cond
RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF FOUNTAIN BROTHERS AMERICAN LEGION POST 1619
Elise M. Stefanik (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-11-13

I rise today to recognize dedicated individuals of the Fountain Brothers American Legion Post 1619 who are working to reduce the prevalence of hepatitis C among Vietnam Era veterans. prgtoken Vietnam Era veterans are at a significantly higher risk for hepatitis C infection than the general population due to dangerous health practices applied to service members before the virus was discovered. Consequently, many veterans continue to die as a result of complications from hepatitis C. prgtoken Due to scientific breakthroughs, hepatitis C is now easily diagnosed and largely curable. To ensure that all Vietnam Era veterans receive proper testing and follow up care, the Fountain Brothers American Legion Post 1619 in my district has been holding regular outreach testing events with the local VA. Post 1619 has tested over 1,200 veterans in the past year, providing the first step for diagnosis and potential life-saving treatment. prgtoken On behalf of New York's 21st District, I want to recognize the work that the members of prgtoken Post 1619 have accomplished and thank them for their dedication to our veterans. Those who serve deserve the respect of a grateful nation, and the hard work of Post 1619 represents an important step in the right direction.
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE WITH RESPECT TO UNITED STATES POLICY TOWARDS YEMEN
Edward R. Royce (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-11-13

the balance of my time. prgtoken , part of the complexity here in this tragedy is that Iran does want to turn the Houthis into a Yemeni version of Hezbollah, thereby turning Yemen into a second Lebanon, where a militia is constantly holding the government hostage. prgtoken We do face a challenge here in the sense that they are firing Iranian missiles on a regular basis into Saudi Arabia, at cities across Saudi Arabia, including firing on Riyadh, the capital. prgtoken Now, we have not committed American forces to fight against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and I do not believe the American people want us to. We should not. Our main involvement has been in the form of humanitarian assistance and our longstanding preexisting security relationships with regional partners, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Gulf Cooperation Council. prgtoken I don't disagree that we must push them to improve their operations to better avoid civilian casualties and humanitarian harm, but it is a dangerous delusion to think that distancing ourselves from those security relationships would serve the cause of peace and security in Yemen and the region. It would do the opposite. prgtoken House Resolution 599, in my opinion, is a very responsible reaction to the ongoing crisis, but it expresses the urgent need for a political solution in Yemen, calls on all parties to prevent civilian casualties and promote humanitarian access, and condemns Iran for its continuing destabilizing activities in Yemen in violation of the U.N. Security Council. prgtoken , I thank Mr. Khanna for this resolution, and .
IN RECOGNITION OF PAUL J. WECHSLER III
Patrick Meehan (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-11-13

today I recognize Mr. Paul J. Wechsler III, of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, for his service to the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War and his continued leadership at home in Springfield, PA. prgtoken Mr. Wechsler voluntarily left Temple University to join the U.S. Army and serve his country in Vietnam. Here he fought in the 4th Infantry Division and courageously defended our nation for four years. Since returning home, he has involved himself with a number of organizations such as the Springfield Youth Club, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and his local church's parish all while raising three daughters with his wife Patricia. prgtoken Mr. Wechsler continues to give back to his community through his service as a member of the Board of Commissioners for Springfield Township. prgtoken I thank Mr. Wechsler for his dedication to the United States through his service in the Army and his commitment to improving his community. I wish him the best as he continues to play a vital leadership role in Delaware County.
HONORING CHRISTIAN LEECH
Sam Graves (Republican, MO) \u2014 2017-11-13

I proudly pause to recognize Christian Leech. Christian is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 247, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Christian has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Christian has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Christian has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project I proudly ask you to join me in commending Christian Leech for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF STAFF SERGEANT EMIL RIVERA-LOPEZ
Martha McSally (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2017-11-13

I rise today to remember the life of Staff Sergeant Emil Rivera-Lopez, 31, from Tucson, Arizona. He was tragically killed on August 25 when his helicopter crashed during a training mission off the coast of Yemen. prgtoken SSgt Rivera-Lopez was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He enlisted in the Army in 2006 as a helicopter maintainer, quickly distinguishing himself. He was selected for service in the prestigious 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment in 2013. He was decorated many times for his service in Afghanistan and several other locations in the Global War on Terror. prgtoken SSgt Rivera-Lopez leaves behind his wife Amanda Rivera, a 13 year-old stepson, Master William Sanderson, Jr his mother Carlita Lopez, and his father Eduvigis Rivera. It is my sad duty to include in the Record the name of Emil Rivera-Lopez for his faithful service to this country.
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2810, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Jim Banks (Republican, IN) \u2014 2017-11-14

it is a great honor of my time in Congress to serve on the House Armed Services Committee with Chairman Thornberry, and I am grateful for his leadership. prgtoken , I rise today in support of the fiscal year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act conference report. prgtoken As the most recently deployed veteran serving in Congress, I have seen the national security challenges facing our country, firsthand. While these challenges are not easily solved, this legislation represents a significant step forward. prgtoken Whether it is giving our troops a well-deserved raise, significantly increasing end strength numbers for each of the services, allowing for the continued transfer of excess defense articles to allies abroad who are in need, or funding our vital missile defense programs, this legislation begins the long process of rebuilding and reforming our military so we are ready for whatever comes next. prgtoken , my gratitude goes out to those serving both here at home and abroad, and I urge my colleagues to support this important bipartisan legislation.
21ST CENTURY FLOOD REFORM ACT
Blaine Luetkemeyer (Republican, MO) \u2014 2017-11-14

I rise today in support of the 21st Century Flood Reform Act. prgtoken Chairman Hensarling and Chairman Duffy have crafted a great substitute amendment that will bring about meaningful reform of NFIP and protect taxpayers and policyholders alike. prgtoken The amendment includes H.R. 2246, my Taxpayer Exposure Mitigation Act of 2017. Included in that bill is a requirement that the FEMA Administrator purchase reinsurance or a capital market alternative in an effort to guard taxpayers against losses. prgtoken I know of no major insurance company in the private sector that does not purchase coverage to protect itself against loss of this kind. These products function well. There is no reason that FEMA should not be following this best practice as well. prgtoken The amendment also grants States and local governments and our constituents the ability to play a more proactive role in the FEMA floodplain mapping process. prgtoken I represent the Lake of the Ozarks with its 27,000 pieces of property along its shoreline, which has dealt with tremendous mapping issues over the past several years. Hundreds of letters of map amendments were granted to my constituents, and there were multiple attempts by the community to engage with FEMA to fix their mapping process, but my constituents never felt their concerns were taken seriously. prgtoken The Lake of the Ozarks is not unique. FEMA processes 25,000 LOMA letters each year at a cost of $13 million. This should tell all of us something about the mapping process. Under this bill, areas like the Lake of the Ozarks would be able to improve the accuracy of the maps themselves, no longer beholden to Washington, D.C. prgtoken This amendment would also create an opt-out from the mandatory coverage required for commercial properties, allowing banks and businesses more flexibility to secure flood insurance coverage that meets an entity's unique risks and needs. prgtoken It is important to note that this legislation does not preclude any business from securing NFIP policy. Policies will remain available to all businesses. prgtoken Also, this provision should not be misconstrued as a caveat to avoid the purchase of flood insurance. Businesses operating in flood plains should have flood insurance, and I am confident that lenders will insist upon reasonable coverage. I believe this should be a business decision between the lender and the business customer. prgtoken Lastly, this amendment would require FEMA to use actual replacement cost in determining premium rates for NFIP policies--language originally included in my H.R. 2565. prgtoken Pricing for private policies frequently takes into account the actual replacement cost of a structure. It makes sense. Any insurance policy should factor in the amount of money that would be needed to replace a structure. prgtoken FEMA doesn't adhere to this fundamental of insurance. Rather, the agency effectively uses a fixed national average for insured
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Bob Corker (Republican, TN) \u2014 2017-11-14

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2810, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Brad R. Wenstrup (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-11-14

providing for the common defense, that is a constitutional duty that this governing body was tasked with. By passing the NDAA, we are working to ensure that our country keeps faith with those who bravely serve and their families. prgtoken While the world has grown more dangerous, our military has grown smaller. Our men and women in uniform and their equipment have been stretched thin after years of war, billions in budget cuts, downsizing, and continued funding uncertainty. The 2018 NDAA reverses these trend lines. prgtoken Passing this bill fully funds the 2.4 percent pay raise our troops have earned so we can support our troops and they can support their families. prgtoken This legislation brings attention to maximizing our military health systems and includes a study on safe opioid prescribing practices for our troops so our warfighters receive the best possible treatment. prgtoken Rebuilding our readiness along with acquisition reform, equipment modernization, and increased end strength will better prepare our men and women as they put on the uniform and fight for us. Our troops serve so that we can sleep well at night, and they ask for nothing in return. prgtoken , I urge the full House to vote in favor of the NDAA.
21ST CENTURY FLOOD REFORM ACT
Jeb Hensarling (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-11-14

pursuant to House Resolution 616, I call up the bill (H.R. 2874) to achieve reforms to improve the financial stability of the National Flood Insurance Program, to enhance the development of more accurate estimates of flood risk through new technology and better maps, to increase the role of private markets in the management of flood insurance risks, and to provide for alternative methods to insure against flood peril, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2017-11-14

. Thank you, . prgtoken , the Senate has just invoked cloture on the nomination of David Zatezalo, of West Virginia, to be the Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health. Mr. Zatezalo is uniquely qualified to lead the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration because he knows the industry inside out. He has spent his career in mining, starting as a miner. He is a member of a union. He worked his way up to general superintendent in Southern Ohio Coal and was a general manager at AEP. prgtoken The Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee approved his nomination on October 18, and I am glad the Senate will have the opportunity to vote on his confirmation.
Tax Reform (Executive Calendar)
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2017-11-14

as we cut taxes, there is one goal that is the most important: We need more good-paying jobs, and we need bigger paychecks for hard-working Montanans. prgtoken It was just announced that the Senate's draft tax bill will repeal a tax that fundamentally targets those of low to middle income in my State and across the Nation. In fact, in Montana alone, 75 percent of the people who pay this tax make less than $50,000 a year. In fact, in Montana, 32.5 percent make less than $25,000 a year. This is not just anecdotal. In 2015, if you looked across the Nation, 79 percent of those who paid this tax made less than $50,000 a year. In fact, a little over 37 percent made less than $25,000 a year. prgtoken The IRS pickpocketed over $3 billion from approximately 6.5 million Americans in 2015 alone, a majority of whom made less than $50,000 per year. This is a tax that is targeted at those who are in poverty. prgtoken What is this tax, you might ask? Where in the world did it come from? I will tell you where it came from. It came from Care. It is the Care poverty tax. prgtoken Otherwise known as the individual mandate, which forces people to purchase health insurance or pay a fine, the poverty tax systematically taxes those who make less than $50,000 a year. If it were not enough that Care plans were already too expensive for some of these folks, the IRS adds insult to injury by fining them, taxing them, for not being able to afford it. Some say that Care steals from the rich to give to the poor, but, honestly, Care's individual mandate is really Robin Hood in reverse. Care's poverty tax is like Robin Hood stealing from the poor to pay King John. prgtoken It is unthinkable that we would leave such a provision in the law when we have the opportunity to repeal it. By repealing it, we would save $338 billion over 10 years. That is over $300 billion that we could put toward additional tax relief for small businesses and families. prgtoken Alternatively, if we do nothing, the CBO projects that we will increase taxes by $43 billion because of this poverty tax and that those taxes will be paid primarily by America's low- and middle-income families--$43 billion in taxes on those who can afford it the least. prgtoken Care's poverty tax must go, and there is no better time to get rid of it than right now. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in fighting on behalf of the low and middle classes of our Nation. prgtoken Benjamin Franklin is credited with this phrase: Just two things in life are certain--death and taxes. prgtoken That may be so, but we do not need to make them both quite so painful. That is why I am glad to see that a repeal of the Care poverty tax has been included in the current Senate draft tax legislation. I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to do the same. prgtoken Thank you.
THE MEDIA CAUSE POLITICAL DYSFUNCTION
Lamar Smith (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-11-14

a recent Washington Post University of Maryland poll asked Americans whom they blame for causing dysfunction in the U.S. political system. prgtoken It is no surprise that 88 percent of respondents said the news media caused some or a lot of the dysfunction. Given that the liberal media unfairly blames President for nearly all the problems in our country, they bear the burden of this dysfunction. prgtoken Months of liberal biased reporting have shredded the media's credibility in the eyes of most Americans. The media should report the facts objectively. That begins with fair coverage of the President and his administration. So far this year, the media has been anything but fair. prgtoken According to a new Harvard study, media coverage of the President's first 100 days was 80 percent negative, a prgtoken record for recent Presidents. Until the media becomes less slanted, they will continue to be a source of dysfunction in our political system.