mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-11-20

I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for his remarks. prgtoken So what is the essence of the Protect the Right to Organize Act? We have heard from my colleagues today about the many ways that unions have made America strong. From the 8-hour day to building the middle class, we have a lot to thank the labor movement for. Unions are an integral part of increasing wages and addressing income inequality. prgtoken Still, special interest-funded attacks on labor laws have eroded union membership for years. For too long, greedy companies have used extreme measures to stop working people from exercising their right to join together and negotiate for their rights and their working conditions. prgtoken While the economy is working very well for the wealthy, our middle class continues to shrink. The cause is simple: policy choices, especially by s in the House at this time, in the Senate, in State legislatures, and the Presidency that have stripped workers of the power to stand together. prgtoken The Protecting the Right to Organize Act is a historical proposal that restores fairness in the economy by strengthening the Federal laws to protect workers' rights to organize. prgtoken We need the PRO Act at a time when wages war against the labor movement. We need the PRO Act to build an economy that works for all working families and not just the wealthy. prgtoken The lessons I learned from unions--that individual justice is only as good as collective justice--continue to inform my career in public service, and I hope every worker can have the opportunities that unions gave me. prgtoken I got a chance to work at a young age. I joined a union. It helped me pay for my college education. I did well in the community that I still live in. That is why I approach banding together for the welfare of working people. prgtoken Tonight, you have heard from people from coast to coast, all over our country, from the South and from the heartland. These are individuals who are fighting for working people to, again, level the playing field and create a real purpose of economic justice to lift everyone up in our country. prgtoken As we move forward with the PRO Act, I call upon the American public to understand that it is time for economic justice and it is time for prosperity for all. And, with that, I ask them to call on their Representatives in the U.S. Congress to make this law a reality for all working men and women across the Nation. prgtoken , .
SHARK FIN SALES ELIMINATION ACT OF 2019
Jared Huffman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-20

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , this bill would make it legal to possess, buy, or sell shark fins in the United States. prgtoken Now, everyone knows sharks are in trouble. Around the globe, one- quarter of sharks and their relatives are threatened with extinction. They are being caught and killed on average 30 percent faster than they can reproduce, in large part due to the demand for their fins to fuel the global shark fin trade. The fins from as many as 73 million sharks enter the shark fin trade every single year. prgtoken As top predators in the oceans, they play a critical role in ecosystems impacting our fisheries, coral reefs, and tourism economies. The concern for declining shark populations and the impact of their loss and the impact that loss has on ecosystems and tourism alike has led to increased efforts to conserve sharks globally, including no-take marine reserves, species-specific fishing bans, and shark fin trade bans. prgtoken While the United States has banned the practice of shark finning, we have not banned the buying and selling of shark fins, which means that we are still a part of the problem. prgtoken States and the private sector are catching on. Already 12 States, three territories, 40 airlines, and 20 major international shipping companies and other corporations such as Amazon, Disney, Hilton, and Grubhub have all refused to partake in this trade that devastates shark populations around the world. prgtoken And just this year Canada passed a similar bill, in large part thanks to our efforts here. That is the intention of this bill. When the United States steps up to lead, others will follow. prgtoken H.R. 737 would build on the leadership of these States, territories, and companies by eliminating shark fin sales and possession in the United States. prgtoken In addition to its 287 bipartisan cosponsors, this bill enjoys the support of recreational fishing interests, aquariums, over 150 scientists, 150 chefs, over 300 dive businesses and over 130 nonprofits. With this overwhelming support and at a time when so many shark populations are depleted, it is of utmost importance that we pass this legislation. prgtoken , I want to commend Congressman Sablan for his leadership and also Congressman McCaul for his leadership on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it. prgtoken , .
CUBA
Kamala D. Harris (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-20

I was absent, but had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 358, the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 487, Robert J. Luck, of Florida, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit. prgtoken , I was absent, but had I been present I would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 359, the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 488, Barbara Lagoa, of Florida, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit.
Health Insurance Plans (Executive Calendar)
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-11-20

. Absolutely--I thank Senator Wyden--absolutely. Just give them that option. It is something we ought to be able to do. We can do it in a cost-effective way. In the end, it means fewer trips to the emergency room. In the end, it means a healthy population of people at those 10 years when they are more likely to get sick and more likely to need Medicare, but are not likely to be eligible. prgtoken I thank Senator Wyden. prgtoken .
TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
Mark Takano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-20

I thank the gentlewoman from Massachusetts for yielding. prgtoken I know the gentlewoman has read the names of the Black trans women who were taken from us far too soon due to bigotry, hatred, and transphobia that is running rampant in our country, but if she will permit me, I will also enter their names. I will read them aloud. I believe we should honor them not just once but many times over. prgtoken So, I rise in honor of Dana Martin, Jazzaline Ware, Ashanti Carmon, Claire Legato, Muhlaysia Booker, Michelle ``Tamika'' Washington, Paris Cameron, Chynal Lindsey, Chanel Scurlock, Zoe Spears, Brooklyn Lindsey, Denali Berries Stuckey, Tracy Single, Bubba Walker, Kiki Fantroy, Jordan Cofer, Pebbles LaDime ``Dime'' Doe, Bailey Reeves, Bee Love Slater, Jamagio Jamar Berryman, Itali Marlowe, and Brianna ``BB'' Hill. prgtoken These are the names we know of transgender and nonconforming people who have been killed in America in the year 2019, so far. prgtoken We cannot ignore this epidemic that is plaguing the trans community. We cannot forget their stories. We cannot stop fighting to protect trans lives. prgtoken On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, we remember their names. prgtoken I would like to say also that I appreciated that our met today with actress and activist Ms. Ross, who is quite a champion of transgender people. Our ic Caucus chairman, Hakeem Jeffries, led a roundtable. Many Members of Congress appeared at that roundtable to listen to the needs of the transgender community. I thank them for showing their support today.
REMEMBERING ROBERT LaVENTURE
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-20

. Madam , I rise today to honor the memory and service of Robert LaVenture, a committed organizer and unyielding advocate for workers, who devoted over 49 years of his life to fighting for the American worker in the labor movement. prgtoken Robert first became involved in labor organizing after graduating high school when he began work at an International Harvester foundry in Waukesha. During his time in Waukesha, Robert's stalwart advocacy allowed him to proudly serve as trustee, local union steward, vice president and of Local 3740. His dedication was recognized by his peers and led him to be elected president of the union. As president, Robert helped to create the state of Wisconsin's first employee education center and later developed other centers throughout the state when he served as Wisconsin's AFL-CIO Coordinator. prgtoken Robert embodied the greatest traits of a union organizer by devoting himself to building the labor movement and improving the lives of workers across the country. After serving as state coordinator for the AFL-CIO, Robert served as a United Steel Workers International Staff Representative in the San Francisco Bay Area and then in Oklahoma. In 2009, recognizing Robert's tireless and effective work on behalf of United Steel Workers, he was made district director of District 12, coordinating USW work in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington. While serving as director, Robert used his decades of committed work to successfully negotiate countless contracts on behalf of steel workers across the western U.S. prgtoken Robert's legacy is that of a tireless union organizer, devoting countless hours to fighting on behalf of American industry and workers in the U.S. and abroad. Robert's work will continue to help the lives of countless people and his spirit will be missed. Please join me in celebrating his life and his memory.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF COACH MARVIN KEELEN
Cedric L. Richmond (Democrat, LA) \u2014 2019-11-20

today I rise with a heavy heart to acknowledge the life and legacy of Coach Marvin Keelen. Coach Keelen coached at Goretti Playground in New Orleans, Louisiana. prgtoken I met Coach Marvin probably when I was about 13 years old; and he started me out as a bookkeeper at the playground keeping score. Then I went on to be an umpire; then I went on to be a coach. prgtoken Coach Marvin passed away this weekend, but over his 34 years of coaching at Goretti Playground, he has touched the lives of so many young men. We have a Capitol Police officer here that Coach Marvin coached. We have myself and countless others that his direction, his mentorship provided a real pathway for a lot of our young men. prgtoken The other thing I would say about Coach Marvin is his family followed in his footsteps. Just two weekends ago, his younger son, Nick, won his first city championship. His other son, Marvin, won a couple of city championships, and Coach Marvin won about seven. prgtoken But it wasn't just about competing. It was taking our young kids and making sure that they understood their potential to be whatever they wanted to be, that they could be champions if they wanted to be, that they could actually be U.S. Congressmen. prgtoken So I just want to extend my condolences to his wife Jennifer Keelen; his daughter Nikki; his son, Nick; and his other son, Marvin, to let them know that their father has heard those words: ``Well done, my good and faithful servant.'' Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Judge Angelique ``Angie'' Reed
Health Insurance Plans (Executive Calendar)
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2019-11-20

as the ranking on the Senate Finance Committee, I can tell the Senate this morning that there is no higher priority for Senate Finance than the well-being of healthcare patients in this country and how strongly we feel about their having a right to good quality, affordable healthcare coverage. prgtoken Right now, too many of those folks are getting ripped off by an insurance lobbyist's dream--taxpayer-funded junk insurance--or by Big Pharma, which is always, always looking to engage in price gouging for one reason: They can get away with it. Take insulin. Insulin prices are up thirteenfold in recent years. The drug is not 13 times better. It is the same insulin that has been around for decades. But the reason the pharmaceutical companies do it is because they can get away with it. prgtoken This morning, I am going to take a few minutes and talk about what this really means for patients because I can tell you, this fall, there are a lot of families across this country who would rather be prepping for holidays than worrying about their healthcare. Unfortunately, the administration is refusing to provide that kind of security for our patients. prgtoken To begin, let me tell you about a youngster in Oregon named Jasper. Jasper is 3, full of energy and love, and a big fan of playtime with cars and trucks and trains. He was born, however, with huge medical challenges--cystic fibrosis, cardiac and pancreatic problems, hearing loss. He needs a variety of treatments multiple times a day. It is so hard on Jasper's family. It is so hard on Jasper. And, of course, the costs of Jasper's care are in the stratosphere. The family is fortunate to have health insurance through a parent's employer. They know how absolutely vital it is to have what they consider to be a lifeline--the protection of the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken At the heart of the Affordable Care Act are bedrock, ironclad protections for people like them--no discrimination by insurance companies against preexisting conditions. That was something we used to have some support for from the other side of the aisle. I know about that because I wrote a bipartisan bill that had airtight, loophole-free protection against what essentially was discrimination against those with preexisting conditions, and we got it into the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken Yet now we see the other side of the aisle trying to unravel those protections. They are trying to unravel the protection that we see for patients with respect to big expenses. Our approach has no annual or lifetime limits on coverage, no coverage denials that dragged people into bureaucratic nightmares, has young people covered on their parents' plan until age 26, and lots more. Those protections saved people's lives and made healthcare affordable for millions of Americans. prgtoken Unfortunately, with the support of my colleagues here on the other side in the Senate, the ad
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1309, WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION FOR HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS ACT; PROVIDING FOR PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2019, THROUGH...
Joe Courtney (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2019-11-20

. Madam , the cost per facility, which Dr. Burgess referred to, which was reduced because of the reducing of the scope of the bill, is $9,000 per facility per year. prgtoken So when we talk about the healthcare sector and how much money gets spent in it, how many patients come through the door--and these are not the small independent practice doctors offices. These are healthcare facilities. The fact of the matter is it is $9,000 a year for 2 years, then it goes down to $3,000 a year in terms of cost and expense. prgtoken What is the benefit? Lower workers' comp cost, less absenteeism, and trying to improve the morale of the people who are doing the right thing in this country in terms of providing care for those who need to be healed, consoled, and cured. prgtoken We need to pass this bill. prgtoken Again, we made Mr. Byrne's amendment in order, but we need to reject that amendment which throws it back to OSHA, whose batting average is really a disgrace in terms of getting rules through the process.
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT STUDY ACT
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-20

I thank Congressman Huffman for his leadership and for supporting this legislation, and I thank Congressman McClintock for supporting this legislation. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 1487, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Study Act. prgtoken In the 1970s, Congress established the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to preserve natural and historic sites and to provide recreational, educational, scientific, and public health benefits to our greater Los Angeles community. prgtoken Today, it spans more than 150,000 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, including parts of the Santa Monica Bay Watershed in my congressional district. Much of the Santa Monica Bay Watershed, however, remains outside of the national recreation area. This includes several miles of beaches and acres of wetlands that stand to benefit greatly from Federal resources. prgtoken My bill would commission the National Park Service to conduct a 3- year special resource study to determine whether to expand the boundary of the existing Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area or create a new national recreation area altogether. prgtoken The study would cover the entire Santa Monica Bay coastline, from Venice Beach to Torrance Beach, as well as the Ballona Wetlands, Ballona Creek, Baldwin Hills, and the San Pedro coastline. prgtoken While conducting the study, the National Park Service will consult with State and local government groups, community groups, nonprofits, and residents. prgtoken The study would become a basis for future congressional action to modify the national recreation area borders. Expanding the national recreation area would allow the watershed to benefit from available Federal, scientific, and infrastructure resources, enabling better conservation and recreational use. It would also help Federal agencies enter into cooperative agreements to manage the land and carry out improvement projects aimed at connecting trails, building wildlife corridors, and more. prgtoken Importantly, all of this would be accomplished without affecting private property rights or creating unfunded mandates on State or local governments. prgtoken The Los Angeles coastal region stands to benefit tremendously from increased Federal resources to preserve open space for conservation and recreation, and I am proud to have the support of many of my colleagues in the Los Angeles delegation. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 1487.
RECOGNIZING LATINA EQUAL PAY DAY
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-11-20

today we recognize Latina Equal Pay Day. I want to start by emphasizing that the gender pay gap is real, and it hurts Latina women and families. prgtoken We know that Latinas make only 54 cents for every dollar that a White non-Hispanic male makes for doing the same job. Let that sink in for just one moment. In 2019, Latina women get paid 54 cents for every dollar a non-Hispanic man makes for the same work. prgtoken In fact, a Latina must work an additional 35 years to catch up to the earnings of a 60-year-old man, averaging to about $1.1 million in loss of earnings during a 40-year career. Continuing to ignore this disparity has repercussions in many aspects of our economy, and it leaves over 40 percent of families that are headed by a Latina in poverty. prgtoken We must find a way to close the wage for the sake of our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, and our families.
PRIORITIZE TREATMENT FOR ALS
John R. Curtis (Republican, UT) \u2014 2019-11-21

. Madam , I rise today to share my concerns with patient access to groundbreaking and lifesaving ALS treatments. This is a very personal issue to me as some of my close friends and neighbors have been affected by this difficult disease. prgtoken I applaud the enactment of the Right to Try Act, allowing some people another option to receive the treatments they need. However, this should not be the end of the conversation. prgtoken It is important to acknowledge that the passage of this act has not opened all the doors we expected, and many are still denied access to treatments. prgtoken The FDA's lengthy approval process continues to limit patient access, at times forcing my constituents to spend large sums of money traveling overseas for treatment or, more commonly, forfeiting treatment altogether. prgtoken The use of stem cells to treat ALS, widely used and deemed safe in other countries, has been studied in the U.S. for over 12 years but has yet to be approved, despite its fast-tracked status. prgtoken Delaying approval of this treatment, commonly known as NurOwn, is putting lives at risk. I urge the FDA to prioritize its approval and give access to thousands of ALS patients.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Jaime Herrera Beutler (Republican, WA) \u2014 2019-11-21

. Madam , on Friday, November 15, 2019 I am not recorded on final passage of H.R. 4863, the United States Export Finance Agency Act of 2019. I was engaged in a conversation with a constituent from the state of Washington discussing the issue of homelessness and mistimed the vote for final passage although I was present. The U.S. Export-Import Bank is critical to the Washington state economy and its workers, and I support its reauthorization. If I had been present on final passage, I would have voted: yes, on Roll Call 624.
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION FOR HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS ACT
Bradley Byrne (Republican, AL) \u2014 2019-11-21

. Madam Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Let me be clear: protecting workers from workplace violence is a policy priority that s and see eye to eye on. American workers should be kept out of harm's way on the job so they can return home to their families every day healthy and safe. prgtoken s and appreciate the hard work and empathy that healthcare workers and community caregivers demonstrate every single day on the job. Their dedication to caring for the most vulnerable members of our communities is extraordinary. And these workers deserve our gratitude, our respect, and our commitment to ensuring that they are safe on the job. prgtoken Today, we can do right by them by working together to address the critical need for protection and the prevention of violence in the workplace. Impactful legislation is possible in an effective and bipartisan manner, but I echo Ranking Member Foxx's observation that this bill is simply the wrong approach. prgtoken While H.R. 1309 stands no chance of becoming law, I believe we have a real opportunity here to advance legislation that could be enacted and provide the protections for workers we all desire. prgtoken The amendment that I am proposing today recognizes that OSHA, having noted the hazards and risks that exist with healthcare workers, is currently advancing the rulemaking process to address this important issue. prgtoken This amendment would ensure that the regulated community has an opportunity to provide meaningful comments on a workplace violence prevention standard which will inform an effective and workable final regulation before the agency begins enforcement, and it calls on OSHA to convene the already planned Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act panel before proceeding with the rulemaking process to allow small businesses the opportunity to comment on regulatory text. prgtoken Finally, the amendment would require OSHA to conduct an educational campaign on workplace violence prevention in the healthcare and social service industries. prgtoken This commonsense amendment acknowledges and supports the work already underway and protects this progress so that they can further propel solutions to workplace violence. prgtoken Addressing workplace violence prevention is crucial. The administration delayed action on this issue and first made moves to initiate a rulemaking process in the final year of President's 's 8-year tenure. prgtoken Meanwhile, the Department of Labor is working on workplace violence prevention rulemaking as we speak, and as I said, has initiated the panel scheduled for January. prgtoken We agree there is work to be done, but H.R. 1309 is not the answer. I ask my colleagues to support my amendment so we can make real, meaningful steps toward protecting American workers in this industry, and .