mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SUNSHINE FOR REGULATIONS AND REGULATORY DECREES AND SETTLEMENTS ACT OF 2017
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-10-25

I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 469, the newly renamed Congressional Article I Power Strengthening Act. prgtoken This bill stitches together three unrelated bills, each one problematic in its own way. prgtoken Title III of the bill, the Article I Amicus and Intervention Act, would permit as a right the House to intervene as a party where an amicus in a lawsuit with the Department of Justice declines to defend the constitutionality of a law or regulation. prgtoken While this proposal may have some merit, it was introduced only last week. It was the subject of no hearing. It has had no markup. We simply do not know the full implications of the measure. If it is a worthy proposal, we should take the time to consider it in committee before moving forward. prgtoken Title II of the legislation, the Judgment Fund Transparency Act, would require additional reporting about the funds paid out of the Treasury Department's Judgment Fund by the United States Government to resolve legal claims against it. This legislation raises significant privacy concerns. It would require publishing sensitive, personally identifying information about individual claimants who are the victims of government misconduct, such as medical malpractice, racial discrimination, or sexual harassment. prgtoken Our laws should carefully balance the need for public disclosure of government spending with the need to protect the personal privacy of individual citizens. This bill upsets that balance. prgtoken By far, the most concerning aspect of this legislation is Title I, the Sunshine for Regulations and Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act. prgtoken This provision also poses as a transparency measure, but its real aim is to disrupt and delay the process for issuing rules that protect public health and safety. prgtoken Congress frequently sets a statutory deadline for an agency to complete a rulemaking, but the agency sometimes misses that deadline. Under current law, private parties can sue the agency to meet its statutory obligations. Since there is little dispute that the agency has failed to do its duty, these lawsuits often end up settling, with the agency agreeing to a new schedule in which to complete the required rulemaking. That is perfectly reasonable. prgtoken However, the majority and the businesses that are the subject of such regulation believe these lawsuits have some nefarious purpose. They have concocted an imagined vast conspiracy by which private parties collude with the government to file a lawsuit, and the government happily either settles or enters into a consent decree, supposedly allowing it to impose obligations or rules beyond what it could otherwise do. prgtoken Unfortunately for supporters of this bill, there is no evidence of such a conspiracy and no evidence, in fact, of any problem. To solve this nonexistent problem, this bill adds numerous procedural requirements before a settlement or consent d
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H. CON. RES. 71, CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-10-25

there are some real terrible parts to this budget, but this, to me, is the worst. prgtoken This deduction has been part of our tax system before there was an income tax, going back to the Civil War, for the very reasons that my friend from Massachusetts just talked about. It wasn't just picked off the shelf. People count on it. People count on this. prgtoken , I rise to urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the rule, the previous question, the budget, the weather, whatever. prgtoken We know that this budget resolution paves the way for a tax reform bill done through reconciliation. I am sure that is interesting. Reconciliation on Governor Street in Paterson, New Jersey. I am sure they want to know reconciliation when we are talking about their pocketbooks; a dubious maneuver that blocks us completely out of the process and allows s to pass a purely partisan, juiced-up bill. prgtoken Comprehensive tax reform is a goal we should all share, and lasting tax reform should be bipartisan. My friend from Georgia, I think, believes that, but this ain't it. prgtoken While they are cutting deals behind closed doors, what we are pushing is eliminating the State and local tax deduction, and that is in the Senate budget. They wrote it right out, the Capito amendment. prgtoken s are so adamant about eliminating this middle class benefit that they added an amendment to that budget before us today, the so-called Capito amendment. prgtoken , let me be clear. A vote for this rule is a vote for the budget, is a vote to repeal the State and local deduction.
SUNSHINE FOR REGULATIONS AND REGULATORY DECREES AND SETTLEMENTS ACT OF 2017
Matt Cartwright (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2017-10-25

I rise today to offer an amendment that would create an exception in the legislation for consent decrees or settlement agreements entered into pursuant to the Meese policy. prgtoken For those unfamiliar, the Meese policy prohibits the Department of Justice from undertaking a regulatory action through a settlement. More specifically, the Meese policy directs departments and agencies not to enter into a consent decree if it would act as a so-called end run, around the regular rulemaking process or constrain an agency head from exercising its discretionary authority in the future. prgtoken Any departure from these rules must be approved by the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, or the Associate Attorney General beforehand. prgtoken Edwin Meese, the former Attorney General for the Reagan administration, wrote a memo articulating this policy in 1986, out of a concern for the abuse of settlements by agencies. Now, the Department of Justice later codified it in 1991, in the Code of Federal Regulations. prgtoken Simply put, there is a law already on the books that prevents the Department of Justice or other agencies from abusing consent decrees and settlement agreements used by Federal agencies, and it is working. prgtoken In February of this year, the Government Accountability Office, the GAO, determined that Department officials negotiating settlement terms are covered by the Meese policy. The GAO's report noted that any settlement would only include a commitment to perform an action already mandated by law. prgtoken So if you are scoring along at home, what I am saying is this: there is a needless overlap between this bill that we are considering, H.R. 469, and the Meese policy in regard to the scope of settlements. There is also redundancy with existing laws in terms of protecting the interests of third parties. prgtoken If I may be so bold, I would like to say that persons with only a nodding acquaintance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure already know that Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 24 allows affected parties to intervene in litigation if they feel their interests are not properly represented in the case. prgtoken Moreover, even if a rule was promulgated by a settlement agreement, the Administrative Procedure Act would still mandate notice-and-comment procedures for the rule. Simply put, this is a bill that is a solution in search of a problem, and my amendment underscores that fact. prgtoken If I may be so bold, I would like to say that here in America we have actual real problems that merit our attention here in this House, such as why we haven't had an infrastructure bill leading to high-paying American jobs. We need actual solutions to actual problems, not theoretical ones like in this bill. That is why I have offered this amendment. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
RECOGNITION OF LOS BANOS POLICE DEPARTMENT
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-10-25

I rise today to recognize the men and the women of the Los Banos Police Department as Heroes and Heroines of the Month for California's 16th Congressional District, part of the people whom I have the honor and pride to represent. prgtoken These men and women tirelessly serve our community and truly are remarkable in embodying their motto: Pride in Service, Integrity in Action--Pride in Service, Integrity in Action. prgtoken But the pursuit of excellence is not without cost. We know that they risk their lives every day on a 24/7 basis. prgtoken Earlier this summer, two Los Banos police officers, Kristifer Hew and Aaron Pinon, were shot in the line of duty. I am happy to report that both officers are making spirited recoveries, but the risk police officers face every day to keep us safe cannot be overstated. So we salute them and their families. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Los Banos Police Department Heroes and Heroines of the Month for California's 16th Congressional District, as well as recognizing all of America's law enforcement officers. We can never ever thank them enough for their dedicated service as they protect all of America throughout our Nation.
Healthcare (Executive Calendar)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2017-10-25

and the Congress have spent most of the past year pushing their misplaced priorities, no matter the direct and collateral damage it causes for millions of Americans across the country. prgtoken There are many examples to choose from to illustrate this point. Just last night, the Vice President had to come in and break a tie to protect huge corporations from the victims of the frauds they perpetuated. Now they are putting together a huge tax cut for the wealthiest people in our country, and they are trying to sell it as a raise for the middle class. In Hawaii, we call this shibai--or B.S. prgtoken But there is perhaps no issue in which 's dangerous agenda has caused more harm than his quest to deprive millions of Americans the healthcare and the health insurance they need. His first attempt at repealing the Affordable Care Act would have thrown as many as 30 million people off of their health insurance. Thanks to the combined efforts of so many people--active people, engaged people across the country--we defeated this proposal. prgtoken A few months later, continuing the assault on healthcare, renewed his attack on our healthcare system under the so-called Graham-Cassidy bill. But once again, the combined outrage of millions kept the bill from coming to the floor. prgtoken In the time they spent on their single-minded, unrelenting quest to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and s in Congress have allowed authorization for the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, to lapse. Nearly 30,000 children in Hawaii and more than 9 million across the country depend on CHIP for their healthcare. You heard just now my colleague from Ohio tell you stories about the children in Ohio--children with asthma. In Hawaii, we have children with asthma, children with diabetes. prgtoken Nearly 30,000 children in Hawaii who rely on CHIP for their healthcare are being affected by our inaction. Primarily covering children from low-income families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, CHIP provides critical and much needed care for children with complex medical conditions. prgtoken Although existing funding has allowed States to stretch budgets to keep the program in place, money is quickly running out. If we don't take action soon, as many as 4 million children could lose their health insurance entirely--4 million children. prgtoken Congress cannot and should not be complicit in what I would call gross negligence. It is not negligence; it is gross negligence. prgtoken CHIP has traditionally enjoyed bipartisan support. In fact, it emerged from the committee with bipartisan support. I am glad Senators Wyden and Hatch have come together to create the KIDS Act, which I have cosponsored. This bill would extend CHIP's authorization and funding through 2022 and provide much needed certainty to millions of families across the country. prgtoken If we br
THE BIG BANKS ARE MAKING BIG BUCKS
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-10-25

once again, I am honored to stand in the well of the Congress of the United States of America, although I am sad to bring the news that I shall share with you. prgtoken I am saddened by something that has happened in this Congress. The big banks are making big bucks. They are doing very well, and they just received a big bonus from Congress. prgtoken The big bonus is this: if you do business with them, you will have to participate in arbitration, and you won't be allowed to sue them to resolve your dispute by way of litigation. Congress has decided that the big banks making the big bucks can force you to go to arbitration, and you will have to pay a fee to negotiate your way through the arbitration process. I think that there is something wrong with this picture. prgtoken There is something wrong with this picture when we realize that one bank--and I will just single one out, I won't go through all of the entirety of the industry, but one bank, Wells Fargo, one bank, opened 3.5 million accounts in the names of persons without their consent. In the names of customers, 3.5 million accounts without the consent of customers. prgtoken This one bank, Wells Fargo, paid $185 million as a part of the resolution. This one bank, Wells Fargo, paid $80 million for enrolling customers into auto insurance that they didn't need. One bank, Wells Fargo, paid $2.8 million in refunds to customers. One bank, Wells Fargo, in 2012, illegally foreclosed on servicemembers' homes and autos--one bank, Wells Fargo--and for this, they paid $311 million. This was about $125,000 per servicemember. prgtoken So we find ourselves in a circumstance where banks that do these ugly things to customers won't have to go to court. They won't have to face a jury. They will simply require the customer to negotiate with them. I find this quite shocking, to be quite frank with you, and I am very saddened by it, because I know that, if you take from the bank, you will go to court. But, apparently, Congress has concluded that, if the bank takes from you, you go to the bank and negotiate. prgtoken It is a sad state of affairs.
TAX REFORM
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-10-25

I want to also entertain the questions about the pending opioid announcement of this White House. I want to bring to the attention the article in The New Yorker on the empire of pain. prgtoken I am working on these issues, but I realize that this has to be a comprehensive approach to opioid abuse. prgtoken The Purdue company launched OxyContin with a marketing campaign that attempted to counter this attitude and change the prescribing habits of doctors. prgtoken Many people know OxyContin. The company funded research and paid doctors to make the case that concerns about opioid addiction were overblown and that OxyContin would safely treat an ever-wider range of maladies. Sales representatives marketed OxyContin as a product to start with and to stay with. Remember that. A product to start with and to stay with. prgtoken Millions of patients found the drug to be a vital salve for excruciating pain, but many others grew so hooked on it, that between doses they experienced debilitating withdrawal. prgtoken If we are going to do real opioid reform, this must be a standup of the pharmaceutical companies, and they cannot be defended. prgtoken In addition, we have to understand that those languishing in jail that have suffered from criminal penalties for crack cocaine--crack-- there now should be a compromise for their release. Opioid reform must include all of the neighborhoods of America, not just some.
HONORING THE LIFE OF U.S. ARMY SERGEANT (SGT) JACOB DAN DONES
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2017-10-25

today I rise in memory of U.S. Army Sergeant (SGT) Jacob Dan Dones who died while defending our great nation on October 20, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. SGT Dones was killed when his forward operating base was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire in Hit, Iraq. SGT Dones was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California that was task organized under the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Tupelo, Mississippi. prgtoken According to the Associated Press, SGT Dones was born March 5, 1984, in Dimmitt, Texas. SGT Dones enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after his graduation from Dimmitt High School in 2002. prgtoken SGT Dones was remembered by many who knew him on a memorial website. Elizabeth Nunez of San Diego, California wrote a tribute in his honor. ``I served with Jacob for a few days while I was on election duty in Hit, Iraq. He was one of the soldiers providing security for the elections and I was one of four female Marines there to search female Iraqis who came to vote. He was a great guy and kept all of us laughing and helped us to not be afraid. I still cry when I think about him and what a shining light he was to all of us on the election team.'' prgtoken A funeral service was held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church located in SGT Dones' hometown. Following the service, SGT Dones was laid to rest at Castro Memorial Gardens in Dimmitt, Texas. prgtoken SGT Dones is survived by his parents, Danny Dones and Rosa Dones; his fiancee, Mindy LeAnn Gonzales; his daughter, Alyssa Monique Gonzales; his two brothers, Daniel Dones and Jason James Dones; his two sisters, Jessica Ramirez and Priscilla Rojas; his paternal grandparents, George Dones and Maria Estella Layva; and his maternal grandmother, Guadalupe Ramirez. prgtoken SGT Dones was the recipient of the following awards: the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman's Badge (CIB). He was an Expert Infantry Rifleman (EIR). prgtoken SGT Dones demonstrated courage and bravery protecting the freedoms we all enjoy. His service and sacrifice for America will not be forgotten.
REFORM AND REAUTHORIZE FAA
Jeff Denham (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-10-25

I rise this morning because the House must continue its work to reform and reauthorize the FAA. We have got to pass H.R. 2997, the 21st Century AIRR Act. prgtoken Thirty years ago--30 years ago--the FAA identified the need to modernize or upgrade the Nation's antiquated World War II era air traffic control system. This is a system, at the time, that used radar technology and paper strips for communications between controllers. They literally would take these paper slips and hand them from one controller to the next controller to the next controller as aircraft not only moved through the airwaves, but were moving through the airport systems. prgtoken Now, over the last 30 years, Canada, Australia, and many in the EU have changed to this GPS system. We have got countries all across the globe going to GPS, or decades ago have already switched. It is when they go through our airspace, we still use this old radar technology. prgtoken Now, during this time, we have upgraded GPS systems. We all carry around handheld devices that use GPS: the Wave app, Google app. There are many different mapping platforms that allow you to get through cities, towns, the countryside. If there is an accident, there is a delay, it allows you to get around it and move through so that we can actually have greater efficiencies on the road. prgtoken But 30 years have gone by, and today, after spending $7 billion, the FAA still uses this outdated radar technology, moving from beacon to beacon, getting passed along as you travel across the United States. And, yes, our air traffic control system still passes these little pieces of paper from one to the next to the next. Oftentimes, if you travel around, you will go through areas where you are not captured by the radar at all, while other countries continue with this GPS system. prgtoken This outdated air traffic control system negatively impacts the entire flying public. An outdated ATC means route inefficiencies, which means higher costs, which yields more congestion in our skies and sitting on our tarmacs. prgtoken I would like to see a system where you don't leave the gate to go sit on the runway until you know that you actually have a slot and are moving into the air and have a direct flight to your point. But today, you will see many airlines that will sit you out on the tarmac waiting for a slot. prgtoken More congestion is a direct factor of flight delays and canceled flights. The reforms in this bill will provide more on-time departures and arrivals and less canceled flights. prgtoken This bill is for the average flier. It doesn't matter which airline you take, we ought to have an air traffic control system that serves them all with a GPS system that allows you to get from point A to point B without the time delays. prgtoken This also has the Air Improvement Program fully funded, which actually increases the Airport Improvement Program from $3.3 billion to $4 billion. It has the ability
THE PRESIDENT'S CORRECT AND NECESSARY DECERTIFICATION OF THE JCPOA
Lee M. Zeldin (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-10-25

I thank Congressman Kustoff for his important, insightful words. prgtoken , it is my pleasure at this time to introduce the gentleman from Florida's Third Congressional District. He is an important voice on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, very learned on these issues related to Iran and the Middle Eastern region especially, and a great Member here in Congress. prgtoken , from Florida (Mr. Yoho).
SUNSHINE FOR REGULATIONS AND REGULATORY DECREES AND SETTLEMENTS ACT OF 2017
Doug Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-10-25

with much respect for my ranking member on my committee--we have served together; we have worked on a lot of issues together, namely, the Police Working Group, and other things, and his work has been very helpful in that regard--I do have to oppose this amendment because, really, what this amendment does is seek less transparency, public participation, and judicial review for consent decrees and settlement agreements for regulations that allegedly will help to protect civil rights. prgtoken With all due respect, I believe this has matters backwards. More transparency, public input, and judicial scrutiny will only help to produce regulations that better protect civil rights. prgtoken Further, since the bill promotes the participation of regulated entities and State, local, and Tribal entities that may be affected by or help to enforce the regulations, it will promote buy-in from these groups. That will help the regulation to be better and more promptly implemented and not held for years in litigation challenging the rules. prgtoken I would urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and .