mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Freedom to Negotiate (Executive Calendar)
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-11-1

I rise today to speak in proud support of America's workers--the men and women who build our cars and our homes, who move American-made products across oceans, lakes, and highways, who teach our children every school day, who take care of our families when they get sick, and who keep us safe in our communities. I have seen firsthand the importance of unions, both in my home State, where I grew up, and across the country. prgtoken This is deeply personal for me. My father Herb was a public school teacher and an active member of the Michigan Education Association. My father-in-law Raul was a proud member--and continues to be a proud member--of the United Auto Workers. prgtoken My mother Madeleine found economic opportunity as a nurse's aide. As part of providing the best care possible to patients, she fought for a better workplace for her colleagues, and then she went on to help organize her workplace. She later served as a union steward with the SEIU. prgtoken My parents raised me in a middle-class, union household. They instilled in me the need, both, to stand up for rights and to never take those rights for granted. prgtoken Standing together for fair wages, safer workplaces, and better hours, Michigan's strong labor movement built the American manufacturing sector and a middle class that made the United States a global economic powerhouse. prgtoken My parents and their fellow union members embraced the union values that built Michigan: the ability to earn a good life where you grow up, hard work, fairness, and looking out for your neighbor--whether it is your neighbor on the assembly line or in your neighborhood. These are not just union values. These are American values, and I learned to cherish them at a very young age. Now, I am sorry to say, these values are under attack, and I can't help but to take it personally. prgtoken This year we have seen new and unprecedented attempts to undermine our Nation's workers and their ability to collectively bargain. Earlier this year, my colleagues passed legislation to repeal Federal rules that simply required businesses to disclose previous workplace safety and fair pay violations before they could contract with the Federal Government. The reason for this rule was fairly straightforward: We should not be sending taxpayer dollars to employers that can't keep their employees safe or that cheat them out of their hard-earned dollars. Yet s repealed the rule. prgtoken Now, across the country, we are seeing a wave of so-called right-to- work legislation, which in practice means you can work more hours for less pay. In Michigan we are seeing the impact of this misguided legislation. prgtoken Supporters of these policies told us that wages and job growth would increase if Michigan just passed laws to crack down on union membership. Well, Michigan has the law, but workers and their families aren't seeing any of the promised benefits. prgtoken
TRIBUTE TO GEORGE STEVENS, JR.
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-11-1

today we honor an icon of the film industry and a distinguished public servant, George Stevens, Jr. For five decades, George Stevens, Jr served as the founding director of the American Film Institute, AFI, an organization that led the clarion call to preserve and celebrate America's film heritage. prgtoken In honoring him, I would like to state the following in the Record: Whereas, George Stevens, Jr stood in the Rose Garden of the White House in 1967 when President Lyndon Johnson announced there would be an American Film Institute in order to address the crisis of America's disappearing motion picture heritage. Whereas, through the extraordinary vision of the Library of Congress and the American Film Institute, more than 37,000 motion pictures are now safely preserved in the AFI Collection at the Library of Congress. Whereas, George Stevens, Jr led the effort at the AFI to create a rescue list of movies with the Museum of Modern Art, Eastman House, and the Library of Congress and locate and preserve missing films. Whereas, the collection includes classic American films, including ``It's A Wonderful Life,'' ``Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,'' ``The Ten Commandment,'' ``Puss in Boots,'' and George Stevens, Sr.'s ``Gunga Din.'' Whereas, George Stevens, Jr expanded the horizons of the next generation of filmmakers and visionaries with the creation an AFI Center for Advanced Film Studies. Whereas, George Stevens, Jr unleashed the power of filmmaking in service to the American people, leading the United States Information Agency Motion Picture Service and producing award-winning films about the fabric of American life. Therefore, today in the U.S. Senate, I honor the 50th anniversary of the American Film Institute and the extraordinary legacy of George Stevens, Jr director, producer, playwright, and public servant without equal. Thomas Edison may be given credit for inventing the film industry, but it is George Stevens, Jr and the American Film Institute who have preserved it for future generations to come.
Freedom to Negotiate (Executive Calendar)
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2017-11-1

the Janus decision coming up in the U.S. Supreme Court, which Senator Brown has just spoken about, is one that merits the attention of people who are concerned about the country and the Court. prgtoken I wish to make two points in my remarks. The first has to do with the very difficult to explain--or at least very difficult to comfortably explain--pattern of 5-to-4 decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court, in which the five consist entirely of appointees. prgtoken The Supreme Court makes a lot of decisions, of course. But there is something that is particularly interesting about the 5-to-4 decisions, where the five appointees line up and roll the other appointees. When we start looking at those decisions, there are some really significant patterns that emerge. The first pattern goes to issues in which the court is treading into the world of politics. prgtoken Bear in mind that when Sandra Day O'Connor left the Court, it lost its only member who had ever run for office. What Justice O'Connor left behind was the first Court in the history of the United States that had exactly zero experience with elections and politics. There has never been as ignorant and green a Court in the history of the United States when it comes to politics; yet there has rarely been a Court so flagrantly eager to jump into politics and make very consequential decisions. prgtoken When we look at the 5-to-4 decisions--which I think are probably the bulk of those--each one aligns with the political interests of the Party--each one. It is not one or two or even three. It goes on and on and on. prgtoken The oldest one in the series is probably Vieth v. Jubelirer, which was the decision in which the five s said: This whole gerrymandering thing is just too difficult for us. We are going to declare open season. There is going to be no judicial remedy. We can't figure out one, so we don't have one. prgtoken It is not just me who is saying that. The ABA section on election law said in its volume: Look, basically, it is game over for court review of gerrymandering. What immediately happened after that was the Party went to work with that green-light signal and did the REDMAP project, which created massive, bulk gerrymandering through the battleground States. This was not an easy plan because, in some cases, they had to spend millions of dollars to win one or two State legislative seats, so they could then control the State legislature, so they could then change the districts consistent with the bulk gerrymandering scheme. prgtoken The result is what happened in States like Senator Brown's, where, when he was reelected, he was on the ballot with President , who was also reelected, and the majority of the votes cast in his State for Members of Congress were cast for , but against that background, many more s than actually went to Congress in that electio
SIGN UP FOR HEALTHCARE NOW
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2017-11-1

today is the last day of baseball, but, more importantly, it is the first day of open enrollment for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. prgtoken This year, enrollment only runs from November 1, today, through December 15. This is half the length of last year when open enrollment extended until January 30. It is 6 weeks shorter, so to sign up, get started today. You only have 45 days to do it. This is something the administration is doing to prgtoken make it more difficult and less likely people will sign up. prgtoken Don't let them do this. Sign up for your healthcare. During this shortened enrollment period, there will also be 12-hour periods of scheduled maintenance when the website will be inaccessible. These periods will occur every Sunday morning, except one, during the open enrollment period. December 15 is the last chance for individuals to sign up for health insurance for 2018, unless you have a major event like getting married, having a child, or moving. prgtoken In previous years, individuals were notified of autoenrollment with time to change their choice. This year, that happens on December 16, a day after open enrollment ends, so there is no reason to do it. It just tells you what you have got, and you don't have the opportunity to change. So individuals should not rely on autoenrollment. They should use healthcare.gov to find the best plan for them and their families. prgtoken In many cases, there are affordable plans. In 2018, in Tennessee, 88 percent can find a bronze plan for under $75. prgtoken In Memphis, many consumers earning $30,000 to $48,000 a year can find silver plans for under $100. This is particularly true for those in their late forties to age 64. prgtoken You may qualify for premiums and cost-sharing reductions like in past years. In 2016, 88 percent of Tennesseans on the exchanges received premium assistance, and 58 percent received cost-sharing reduction subsidies. prgtoken This is still true even as the President attempts to sabotage the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. prgtoken Marketing funding and funds for navigators to help people through the process have both been slashed. In spite of that fact, we are going to try to find some navigators still around and have a townhall in Memphis possibly Saturday, November 11. We are still in the process of scheduling that, but we want all of our people to get that chance. So we encourage all Americans to get that chance. prgtoken Cost-sharing reduction subsidies will be available for individuals who qualify for silver plans despite 's decision to stop the government from reimbursing insurers. prgtoken The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the law of the land. All current efforts to repeal and replace have failed because they have not come up with a better plan. Healthcare is difficult, and we came up with a plan that needs some tweaking but not repealing. prgtoken Memphis has recently seen a
RUTHIE AND CONNIE LGBT ELDER AMERICANS
Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-11-1

I rise today in support of the Ruthie and Connie LGBT Elder Americans Act, legislation I am introducing to support our country's LGBT seniors. prgtoken The LGBT senior population is growing and is estimated to include nearly 6 million Americans by 2030. Unfortunately, the same generation of LGBT people who fought for rights in the workplace, equal marriage, and societal recognition are once again marginalized as they age. prgtoken LGBT seniors have fewer support services, higher poverty rates, more social isolation, and inadequate access to healthcare services compared to the rest of older Americans. One of the primary barriers to providing services to LGBT seniors is a basic lack of information. prgtoken The Older Americans Act, or OAA, already requires the Administration on Aging to collect data on the individuals receiving OAA services and the efficacy of OAA programs; but if we collected data on sexual orientation and gender identity, we could better understand this population and provide services that best fit their needs. prgtoken Unfortunately, the data we do have shows that the poverty rate is higher for LGBT seniors, which is likely because many have faced discrimination while working, they have historically been unable to legally marry, and they have experienced gender and racial inequalities. We also know that LGBT elders are less likely than their peers to have community support and caretakers to help them. prgtoken I know from speaking with LGBT seniors that many fear discrimination when receiving home healthcare services. They are twice as likely to be single and four times more likely to not have children. These are complex and important issues that require a personalized solution. prgtoken The bill I am introducing today with Colorado Senator Michael Bennet and Florida Representatives Ted Deutch and Charlie Crist would help bridge the gap between LGBT seniors and the services they need. prgtoken The bill is named for Ruthie Berman and Connie Kurtz, who sued the New York City Board of Education years ago for domestic partner benefits, and won their landmark case in 1994. In the decades since, Ruthie and Connie have continued their advocacy and fight as champions of LGBT rights. prgtoken Our bill would amend the Older Americans Act to improve services for LGBT seniors and require data collection on sexual orientation so better decisions can be made. prgtoken Additionally, the bill would permanently establish a National Resource Center on LGBT Aging and provide grants for organizations working to improve LGBT services, including access to healthcare and long-term care. The resource centers and the grants will help States and localities reach out to LGBT older adults and provide culturally competent support. prgtoken By requiring specific consideration for LGBT seniors in the Older Americans Act, we can provide needed support to a vulnerable yet overlooked population. prgtoken s fo
TRIBUTE TO DR. GLENN POSHARD
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-11-1

Dr. Glenn Poshard has served the United States in many ways. He served in the military and taught in high school. He represented rural southern Illinois in the Illinois State Senate from 1984 to prgtoken 1988 and in Congress from 1989 to 1998. I served with him for 8 years in the House of Representatives. prgtoken Glenn was a strong proponent of campaign finance reform so much so that he limited individual donations and refused contributions from political action committees when he ran for Governor in 1998. prgtoken Following his tenure in Congress, Glenn and his wife, Jo, founded the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children. The foundation has helped the abused, abandoned, and neglected children of southern Illinois for 18 years. prgtoken Glenn's service to the community also continued through his role as president of Southern Illinois University where he was the second longest serving president in the history of the Southern Illinois University system. prgtoken Earlier this month, Glenn reminded us what service to our country and what the American flag means for us in an op-ed in the Southern Illinoisan, which I have included here. prgtoken Dr. Poshard wrote: In 1962, I joined the U.S. Army on my 17th birthday. I had just graduated from high school and was following in the tradition of my family's military service. They had served in the Civil War and fought their way across Europe and the Pacific in two World Wars. Some were POWs and one, my first cousin and closest friend, Dennis, awarded the Bronze Star for bravery in Vietnam, was the first young man from our county to be killed in that war. During my three years of enlistment, I served a tour of duty with the First Cav Division in Korea. When my active duty was finished in December 1965, I immediately entered SIU Carbondale on the GI Bill. Protests against the Vietnam War were already gripping the campus. They were abhorrent to me, particularly when the American flag was used to symbolize anger toward the government. But I was busy, carrying a full load of classes, working three part-time jobs, and trying to support a new family. By the time Old Main burned and the campus closed in the spring of 1970, I was beyond anger for the thousands of protesters desecrating our flag and destroying my beloved university. I made no attempt to understand the difference between the symbolism of the flag and the substance of the Bill of Rights as it pertained to freedom to speak against perceived wrongs of our government. Years later, as a member of Congress, I was forced to grapple with this volatile issue again. In my first term, a bill was submitted to amend the Constitution prohibiting the desecration of the American flag as a means of protest against our government. Now, I had to understand this issu
New York City Terror Attack (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-11-1

I rise this morning with a heavy heart. My city, my dear city of New York, no stranger to terrorism, was once again its victim yesterday. prgtoken Yesterday afternoon, a man deliberately drove a rented truck into groups of pedestrians and cyclists, killing eight and injuring about a dozen more. Some of the injured were schoolchildren. These people were biking or walking home, enjoying a brisk and beautiful New York autumn day. It is tragic. It leaves a hole in your stomach. prgtoken Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, and we wish all of the injured a full and speedy recovery. We are also grateful--deeply grateful--to the New York Police Department and the first responders, especially Officer Ryan Nash, 28 years old, who was the first on the scene. He reacted quickly and decisively to bring down the attacker and bring him into custody. Who knows how much worse the tragedy would have been without his actions. prgtoken As one of thousands of New Yorkers who regularly ride on the path where this attack took place--in the last month, I have ridden on it twice--it hits close to home. My daughter went to the school near the scene, Stuyvesant High School, and she used the bike path I don't know how many times. This is our territory, our home. prgtoken The attacks are meant to confuse and terrorize, but, as the world learned after 9/11 and will learn again, New York doesn't scare easily. New Yorkers are resilient. We always bounce back. We won't let these terrorists get their way or affect our way of life. We will never let terror prevail. prgtoken True to form--something that made my heart swell with pride--the New York City Halloween parade marched on last night. Thousands of school kids went right into Stuyvesant today. The terrorists cannot stop us. They cannot change our way of life. We love New York. We love America. That bond holds us together.
Healthcare (Executive Calendar)
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2017-11-1

I rise to talk about the Children's Health Insurance Program. We all know that healthcare is the most important thing in any person's life and in their family's life, and there is probably no healthcare issue that is more intense than a parents' concern about the health of their children. I think all of the offices in this building have heard from parents about the health of their kids over the course of the number of months we have been debating what to do about the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken I rise today to talk about another critical program, which I hope we will act in a bipartisan way to reauthorize: the Children's Health Program, or CHIP. CHIP builds on Medicaid, and it gives families who earn too much to be eligible for Medicaid an insurance option for their kids. In talking to families who avail themselves of this option--in Virginia, years ago we didn't do a very good job of enrolling kids in CHIP, and we have become an awful lot better at it. It is interesting to hear the way parents talk about it. They will often talk about how important CHIP is to them when their child is sick or when their child is injured, but what is interesting to me is how important it is to them when their child is perfectly fine--not sick, not injured. But if you are a parent, you are going to have anxiety when you go to bed every night if your child doesn't have insurance or coverage: What if something happens tomorrow? This is a program that provides not just healthcare but peace of mind for parents and their kids. prgtoken Between Virginia's separate CHIP program and the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security and CHIP-funded Medicaid, the State provides coverage to nearly 193,000 children. CHIP alone--the specific CHIP program--covers 66,000 kids in Virginia and also pregnant moms; 1,100 pregnant moms are covered right now. The coverage is important. It includes doctor visits, hospital care, prescription medicines, eyeglasses--which are critical to being successful in school-- immunizations, and checkups for kids up to age prgtoken 19, with minimal cost sharing and without premiums. prgtoken In Virginia, since 2009, when I was Governor, we extended CHIP to also allow dental coverage. That has been really important to children and their families. The program is one of the success stories in this body because it has been strongly bipartisan in support since its creation in 1997. But as the President knows, this program expired on September 30. Despite bipartisan work on the Finance Committee, we still have not seen a reauthorization bill come to the Senate floor. prgtoken The uncertainty surrounding CHIP has already started to have an influence on my constituents and the constituents of every Member of this body. According to our Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, the State will be forced to send letters on December 1, 2017, notifying families that there is an impending loss of covera
Freedom to Negotiate (Executive Calendar)
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-11-1

I want to thank my colleague Senator Brown for leading the effort on the floor to speak out against the latest attacks on union rights that are in front of the Supreme Court right now. I am very proud to join him to highlight the contributions unions have made to our middle class, to the economy, and to our country. I want to express my commitment to stand up against any attempts to undermine workers' rights to join a union and bargain collectively. prgtoken Since day one, President has broken his campaign promise, which was to put our workers first, by rolling back worker protections and putting corporations and billionaires ahead of our working families, and now we are seeing corporate special interests doubling down on their attempts to undermine the rights of workers to band together. So it is critical now more than ever that we are committed to protecting our workers and their ability to advocate for safe working conditions, better wages, and a secure retirement. prgtoken Unions helped create the middle class in this country and helped a lot of our families in the last century become financially secure. But over the last few decades, as workers' bargaining power and union density have declined, we as a country have seen a decline in the middle class and a rise in income inequality in this country. As we all know, too many families today are struggling to make ends meet. Meanwhile, corporations' profits are at an alltime high. prgtoken I will continue to fight back against any attempts by this administration and by special interests to rig the rules against the people who go to work every day. I will keep fighting for policies that will help families save just a little more in their bank account, whether it includes raising the minimum wage or fighting for equal pay for equal work or strengthening our workers' rights to seek out and join a union and bargain collectively. I urge all of our colleagues who want to help working families to get ahead to join me in that effort. prgtoken Thank you, . prgtoken . prgtoken .