mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL RETIREMENT PLANNING WEEK
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2017-4-5

I rise today in recognition of the nearly 50 million baby boomers about to retire. It is National Retirement Planning Week, and before I get to the importance of this effort, let me say, there are no more important foundational programs that sustain our seniors and retirees than Medicare and Social Security. These earned benefits are critical, as nearly half of all baby boomers saved nothing for their retirement. prgtoken Thank you to Representative John Larson from Connecticut for introducing the Social Security 2100 Act, which protects and strengthens Social Security for decades to come. I have long been an advocate for protecting workers' pensions, and, sadly, more Americans than ever before are shouldering the burden of financing retirement alone. prgtoken That is why we need a national conversation on retirement planning, and Congress should lead it. Far too many seniors find Social Security is simply not enough to live on. America must preserve Social Security, protect retirement accounts and pensions, and work with our constituents to make sure they have the resources they need to have a dignified retirement. prgtoken Thank you to the National Retirement Planning Coalition, whose fantastic online resources are available to all Americans free of charge. Let's get to work for our retirees. prgtoken In closing, let me also say hardiest congratulations to Congressman Steve Stivers from the great State of Ohio, who has been just promoted to brigadier general in the Ohio National Guard. Onward, Steve Stivers. We are very proud of you on a bipartisan basis.
JEANNETTE RANKIN AND 100 YEARS OF WOMEN IN CONGRESS
Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-4-5

I thank the Congresswoman so much for her leadership and for her work on all of these issues. prgtoken I was listening to the gentlewoman as I came in and thinking that I couldn't agree with the gentlewoman more on, first of all, the need for us to do a lot of work to continue to increase our presence and our ability to really effect policy decisions in the best ways, but also to celebrate the accomplishments of Jeannette Rankin as well as all of the Congress Members that are here. prgtoken I am so proud to represent the Seventh District in Seattle. When I ran for the State senate, it was my first run for elective office. I became the only woman of color in the State senate. But our State has traditionally been very strong with women's leadership. We are fortunate to have two women Senators. We have had a woman Governor and a woman mayor of the city of Seattle. So we have, I think, made some strides that have been very important to the well-being and the welfare of our State. prgtoken Unfortunately, we have taken some steps backwards in the last couple of years. The numbers of women in legislative office at the State level have gone down, but I do believe that and ic women, together, have put together a strong agenda for the things that we care about around families. prgtoken I am very pleased to have already worked with one of the members of your caucus across the aisle, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, on a letter around domestic violence victims and the immigration system. I am very pleased about the work that the gentlewoman has championed and that we intend to, together, lead around making sure that families have security for themselves and for their children. prgtoken I rise to congratulate the gentlewoman for what the gentlewoman is speaking about today, for the work that the gentlewoman has done, and to say that I remain very committed to trying to find all of the areas where we women, together, can put forward priorities that are important to us. prgtoken We do joke that, if they would just turn the keys of all elective office over to women, I think we would get a lot of things done--and no disrespect to our incredible male colleagues who have been right there with us every step of the way. So I am looking forward to this time here in the House of Representatives. prgtoken I am proud to also be the first Indian-American woman ever elected to the House of Representatives. I think that as we think about getting women into office, we also should continue our work on making sure that women of color enter elective office and that the representation of people here in this great Chamber that we are so honored to serve in reflects the representation that we have across the country of women, of people of color, of African Americans--as the gentlewoman mentioned in her speech--of immigrants, and, actually, of people who have been born outside of the United States. I think I am one of just about a do
AMENDING THE VETERANS ACCESS, CHOICE, AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2014
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-4-5

I thank Chairman Roe and our ranking member, Mr. Walz, for all the good work for all of our veterans. prgtoken , I rise also in support of the Choice Act and urge my colleagues to also protect our veterans' access to health care. prgtoken Our veterans all gave some, and many, many made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation. Providing our vets with the best health care our Nation can deliver on a timely basis is the least we can do for our veterans. prgtoken Sadly, as all of us know, in 2014, the average wait time at a VA medical center was 115 days. The Choice Program has provided vets with the opportunity of obtaining health care in their community on a timely basis. prgtoken The VA, of course, is an excellent institution that takes care of many, many of our veterans. Yet, when the VA is not available, the Choice Program can be the best option for our heroes. prgtoken No one--no one--should have to wait 3 months to see their doctor, especially our vets, our heroes. We must meet our commitment one way or another. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Let's, all of us, keep the promise this country has made to every one of our veterans.
SUPREME COURT NOMINATIONS
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-4-5

I am really grateful to the gentleman for yielding but also for organizing this Special Order on something that really is special: Who is going to sit on the Supreme Court, and how do we deal with Judge Neil Gorsuch's nomination? Of course, we in the House don't have a vote, but we certainly do have the privilege to be able to weigh in on something as important as this in this manner. So I do appreciate the opportunity. prgtoken Judge Gorsuch's nomination to the Supreme Court is the latest battle in the s' war on women and workers. I will find myself agreeing and probably repeating some of what Congresswoman Jayapal has said, but I think it bears repeating. prgtoken First of all, let me say we should make no mistake: this is a stolen Supreme Court seat. Senate s demonstrated unprecedented-- meaning never before in history--disrespect for the President of the United States, , and our Constitution by denying Judge Merrick Garland a vote or even a hearing when he was put into nomination by President . That has never, ever happened before in our history. prgtoken Last year, s ignored their constitutional duty by denying Judge Garland a hearing. By the way, he had been approved by the Congress in the past for a seat on the district court, and he had praise on both sides of the aisle. So it wasn't a question of his being qualified or not. It was they did not want the ability of to even nominate someone and have him considered for the Supreme Court. prgtoken So now they want to break the rules of the Senate to rush their own nominee through. This is a nomination to the United States Supreme Court, the highest body in the land, the highest Court in the land. The decisions the next Justice takes part in will affect Americans for decades, if not centuries, because it could set precedent. Given the importance of this position, Senators have the right to insist on a 60- vote threshold for ending the debate on the nominee, and Senate should insist on 60 votes because Judge Gorsuch has demonstrated time and time again that he has put the interest of corporations above Americans--I will describe that later--whether it is worker safety or a woman's access even to contraception. prgtoken I am going to talk for a minute about women. President said he would nominate a judge to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that said, as a matter of privacy, that women could make their own decisions about terminating a pregnancy. Women take that threat very seriously. Judge Gorsuch talked about precedents he likes, like Brown v. Board of Education, integrating the schools. I agree with him on that. But tellingly, when he mentioned the precedents that he reveres, he certainly did not give Roe v. Wade the same status. prgtoken Judge Gorsuch's judicial record should add to our concern. After the 10th Circuit panel ruled against the State of Utah's attempt to defun
SUPREME COURT NOMINATIONS
Jamie Raskin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-4-5

I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois for those excellent comments. As we have been discussing this evening, there is an egregious process problem with the nomination of Judge Gorsuch, and there is an egregious substantive problem with it. prgtoken The process problem, of course, is that the seat properly belongs to Judge Merrick Garland, the chief judge of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, who was denied, extraordinarily, even a hearing for a 9-month period. The justification for that offered by Senator McConnell was that he felt that the people should speak in the 2016 election. Of course, President was President. The Senate was the Senate. The people had spoken in the 2012 and 2014 elections. But they said they wanted the people to speak. prgtoken Well, the interesting thing, of course, is that the people spoke, and 2.9 million more people voted for the candidate who said she would appoint someone to the Court who was pro-choice, pro-Bill of Rights, pro-civil liberties, and not the Justice promised by , someone who would reverse Roe v. Wade and stand by Citizens United and the corporatization of the Supreme Court. So the people spoke. prgtoken The other problem, the substantive problem, is that Judge Gorsuch adds to what has come to be called the corporate majority on the corporate Court. Corporations win; workers lose. prgtoken Corporations win; investors lose. Corporations win; consumers lose. Repeatedly. Time after time in the Roberts Court, the jurisprudence of the Court is defined by the identity of the parties, which is completely antithetical to our whole concept of rule of law and constitutional justice. prgtoken , I yield to the very thoughtful gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
AMENDING THE VETERANS ACCESS, CHOICE, AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2014
Timothy J. Walz (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-4-5

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I, too, rise in strong support of S. 544 to eliminate the sunset on the Veterans Choice Program. prgtoken This bill will basically allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue spending previously appropriated resources in the Veterans Choice Program to provide direct and timely patient care to veterans. It allows the VA to charge a veteran's healthcare insurer for nonservice-connected care so that veterans aren't sent expensive medical bills, wasting time trying to figure out how to get them paid. Finally, it allows the VA to share medical information with community care providers so patient care is better coordinated. prgtoken This legislation is identical to H.R. 369, which passed unanimously in our Committee on Veterans' Affairs. It includes amendments offered by members of that committee. prgtoken I would like to take a moment, , to congratulate and thank the chairman of the committee for the bipartisan way that he approached this. The issue of veterans care is a passionate issue for all of us. prgtoken The issue of the Choice Program arose out of the crisis in Phoenix and other places in 2014, and a sunset that needed to be addressed was handled in a professional manner. It brought all parties together. I think the chairman is going to get a unanimous vote. They have got one in the Senate. prgtoken I can see that, under less steady hands, where this may have bogged down, and I appreciate the chairman's sense of urgency in getting it to this point. It puts us in a good place. So thank you for that. prgtoken It also gives us the time we need to come to a bipartisan fix for the Choice Program. We know, under the Choice Program, veterans are still waiting too long to receive care. As we said, in 2014, we all supported the Choice Act because of the crisis. Throughout the country, veterans were waiting, and in some cases dying, because they were waiting for care. If we recall right, an honorable and decent man, the VA Secretary, resigned over this crisis. So this was an important issue that needed to be addressed. We passed the Choice Act so that veterans could get that care. prgtoken The Choice Program was created as a temporary fix, designed to end this summer or when the VA spent the $10 billion. As the chairman said, there is about $1 billion left in Choice. With veterans still in need of care, we cannot possibly allow that to go back without addressing where it needs to go. It would be a waste of money, a waste of time, and it would make veterans' wait times even higher. prgtoken The bill gives us time to rewrite the Choice Program. The bill will give us time to address all of the problems with Choice so that veterans' care is managed and coordinated with VA and community care providers and so that veterans do not have wait times. It will also make sure the money will continue to be spent on veterans' health care. prgtoken I look forward to workin
CONGRATULATING MONITO S. CO ON RECEIVING THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION'S 2017 MINORITY SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR GUAM
Madeleine Z. Bordallo (Democrat, GU) \u2014 2017-4-5

I rise today to commend and congratulate Monito S. Co on receiving the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2017 Minority Small Business Champion of the Year Award for Guam. This award honors an individual on Guam who has fulfilled a commitment to support and assist minority entrepreneurs and small business owners. prgtoken Monito is the General Manager of Benson Guam Enterprises, Inc a Minority Small Business entity and one of the largest construction and building material stores in Guam. Benson Guam Enterprises, Inc. engages in retail and wholesale of materials, supplies, and equipment to construction companies, homeowners, local and federal government in Guam and customers in neighboring island communities. Monito oversees overall operations of the company and ensures that customers receive quality service, have access to a fully stocked store, and employees maintain high morale and are working diligently. Monito also serves as the company's liaison to various community, government, military and charitable projects. prgtoken Monito has been a driving force in his company's advancement of business activities and community service throughout the region. He has provided outstanding assistance to many local businesses building and renovating to improve services for everyone. Further, Monito and Benson Guam Enterprises, Inc. have worked tirelessly to support minority businesses through various charitable and community organizations. He generously volunteers his time with the Guam Chinese School Foundation, United Chinese Association of Guam, Metro Manila Association of Guam, Filipino Community of Guam, Lions Club International District 204, Make a Wish Foundation Guam Chapter, Guam Workforce Investment Board, Guam Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Guam, Guam Contractors Association and Guam Chinese Association. prgtoken I join the people of Guam in congratulating Monito S. Co on his selection as the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2017 Minority Small Business Champion of the Year Award for Guam. I commend him for his many contributions to our island and community.
THE BOSTON CONSERVATORY AT BERKLEE'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY
Michael E. Capuano (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-4-5

I rise today to recognize the Boston Conservatory at Berklee on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary. The Boston Conservatory, founded by violinist and composer Julius Eichberg in 1867, has a long and rich history of educating undergraduate and graduate students in music, dance and theater. The school has always set itself apart by the strength of its instructors and its distinctive, multidisciplinary structure. Indeed, the Conservatory has trained generations of talented performing artists. Today, the school's highly sought-after instructors are distinguished artists and leading practitioners in their fields, holding positions with the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops orchestras, the Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Ballet and a host of other prominent local and national companies. prgtoken Founder Julius Eichberg was a former Conservatoire of Geneva professor who immigrated to the United States from Germany, who founded the Boston Conservatory as a professional training academy and a community music school. It was one of the first conservatories to admit African-Americans and women, and featured in 1873 an opera performance by the first African-American opera company in the U.S as well as the establishment of the first professional female string quartet in 1878. The Conservatory's commitment to equal opportunity continues through our times: the Conservatory earned the 2015 Commonwealth Award, Massachusetts' highest honor in arts, humanities and sciences in recognition of the school's music programs for students on the autism spectrum and with special needs. prgtoken The Boston Conservatory is the oldest performing arts conservatory of its kind in the United States. Its recent merger with the world renowned Berklee College of Music, which fosters unparalleled access to a broad range of academic and creative opportunities for students in both schools, is a final example of the forward looking, progressive approach that the Conservatory has always taken. prgtoken I thank the Boston Conservatory at Berklee's faculty, students, administration and alumni for their dedication, commitment and positive impact they have had on American performing arts. I also congratulate the school on 150 years of service and wish them well as they continue their fine traditions.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1219, SUPPORTING AMERICA'S INNOVATORS ACT OF 2017, AND PROVIDING FOR PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 7, 2017, THROUGH APRIL 24, 2017
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-4-5

this is a big deal. The American people have a right to know because the American people are concerned that this White House is on a collision course with corruption. It is time to let a little light shine on the President's tax returns so the American people know what his dealings have been and know what, quite frankly, they have been able to know about every other President and every other major party nominee. prgtoken I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Eshoo) to discuss our proposal.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1219, SUPPORTING AMERICA'S INNOVATORS ACT OF 2017, AND PROVIDING FOR PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 7, 2017, THROUGH APRIL 24, 2017
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-4-5

. In 2012, he criticized Mitt Romney for not releasing his returns until late in the campaign. In 2014, Mr. told an Irish television network: ``If I decide to run for office, I'll produce my tax returns, absolutely.'' In 2016, he said repeatedly that he would release his returns ``over the next few months'' and ``before the election.'' It hasn't happened yet. prgtoken So all of these issues should concern all Members of Congress because, as I said a moment ago, transparency is essential in a democracy. prgtoken , this is the fourth time this year that I have offered the Presidential Tax Transparency Act as the previous question motion, and today I filed a discharge petition on the bill, which I encourage all of my colleagues to sign at the desk. If we defeat the previous question today or if we reach 218 Members of the House on the discharge petition, we can vote on this bipartisan legislation and ensure-- underscore ``ensure''--that the President of the United States provides transparency for the American people now and in the future.
REMEMBERING RIVERSIDE COUNTY SUPERVISOR JOHN J. BENOIT
Raul Ruiz (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-4-5

Riverside County supervisor John J. Benoit served his community with duty, honor, and integrity. prgtoken Last year, Supervisor Benoit passed away in December 2016 after battling pancreatic cancer. His legacy of service to his constituents lives on throughout my district. prgtoken Supervisor Benoit dedicated his life to the safety of our community as a police officer for the Corona Police Department, and then as a commander in the California Highway Patrol. He served as a board member for the Desert Sands Unified School District, as a California assemblyman and State senator, and most recently as supervisor of Riverside County. prgtoken I was honored to work with Supervisor Benoit. His dedication, respect, and devotion to his constituents is exemplary and admirable. prgtoken My thoughts and prayers remain with his wife, Sheryl, and to their two children, Ben and Sarah. prgtoken On behalf of the people of California's 36th Congressional District, my wife, Monica, and my family, thank you sincerely for your service.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Peter J. Visclosky (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2017-4-5

on April 3, 2017, and April 4, 2017, I was absent from the House and missed Roll Call Votes 209 through 216. Had I been present for Roll Call Vote 209, on passage of H. Res. 92, I would have voted Yes. Had I been present for Roll Call Vote 210, on passage of H.R. 479, I would have voted Yes. Had I been present for Roll Call Vote 211, on ordering the previous question, I would have voted No. Had I been present for Roll Call Vote 212, on agreeing to H. Res. 241, I would have voted No. Had I been present for Roll Call Vote 213, on ordering the previous question, I would have voted No. Had I been present for Roll Call Vote 214, on agreeing to H. Res. 240, I would have voted No. Had I been present for Roll Call Vote 215, on the motion to recommit H.R. 1343, I would have voted Yes. Had I been present for Roll Call Vote 216, on passage of H.R. 1343, I would have voted No.