mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Bipartisan American Miners Act (Executive Session)
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2019-11-21

I am really pleased to be here with my fellow West Virginia Senator, Mr. Manchin. We have joined each other on this topic before, but he has been a real champion for our miners, and I am really grateful to him and others who have participated, but I think we have got to talk about this every day and make sure that we underscore the urgent need to pass the Bipartisan American Miners Act. I appreciate Senator Manchin and certainly appreciate Leader McConnell who has been a prgtoken champion for our miners as well--Senator Portland as well--who have made this retirement security a top priority. prgtoken Back in 2017, time was running out on the healthcare benefits for 12,000 retired miners. I remember it well, particularly following the Patriot Coal bankruptcy. We came together as a bipartisan group to pass legislation with the House that protected healthcare for those men and women. While we are in a similar situation today, which we knew we were going to be here, the Senate needs to act soon to save the healthcare of 13,000 retired miners and protect the pension benefits of 92,000 people. prgtoken Time is of the essence here because roughly 1,000 retirees from Westmoreland and Mission Coal will lose their healthcare at the end of the year if we do not act; 12,000 more could lose their healthcare by next spring, and the pension benefits are at risk in 2020. This is a critical, critical issue for my State and many others. prgtoken I am going to take a brief moment to explain how this legislation works, and it is a bit complicated. In 2006, when we passed the last reauthorization of the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program, we had a capped permanent direct appropriation that was created for transfer of payments. That permanent direct appropriation, along with the interest on the AML--the Abandoned Mine Land--trust fund has been used to fund AML payments to certified States and to provide healthcare for our miners. What do we do to certify States? The whole point of the AML is to do reclamation and repair of previously mined lands all throughout our country. prgtoken That permanent direct appropriation has been used for the payments for the certified States and also to provide healthcare to our orphaned miners. Well, for those who are not from a coal company, what is an orphaned miner? An orphaned miner is someone who earned a vested right to retiree healthcare benefits through years of hard work but worked for a company that either no longer exists or is no longer financially solvent. prgtoken The Bipartisan American Miners Act makes use of the same appropriation that was created in 2006 to cover the healthcare for retirees whose healthcare would be lost due to the bankruptcies in 2018, 2019. The bill would provide resources to guarantee the long-term solvency of the mine workers' pension fund. This is critical. Previous versions of this bill that many of us supported were able to accomplish th
GIVE VETERANS HEALTH COVERAGE FOR AGENT ORANGE CONDITIONS
Josh Harder (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-21

. Madam , I rise today to speak directly to White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. prgtoken Recent reports suggest you personally intervened to stop Vietnam vets from getting healthcare, all just to save a buck. prgtoken It sounds crazy, and it is. Thousands of veterans were affected by exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam war and deserve to have healthcare. prgtoken The VA Secretary tried to add four medical conditions caused by Agent Orange to the list VA would cover, but Mick Mulvaney intervened to stop it. prgtoken This issue is personal for me. My grandfather served in Vietnam, was exposed to Agent Orange, and died from lung cancer. Sadly, his story is not uncommon. prgtoken I refuse to stand by and let other veterans die because they didn't get the healthcare they need. That is not who we are. prgtoken Our veterans fought to keep us safe, and many sacrificed life and limb. The last thing they should have to do is come home to fight another battle for the healthcare they earned. prgtoken There is still time to turn this around, Mick, and I beg you to reconsider.
IN HONOR OF JOHN HEALY, RETIRING FIRE CHIEF OF THE SAN MATEO CONSOLIDATED FIRE DEPARTMENT
Jackie Speier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-21

. Madam , at the end of this year, John Healy will officially step down as the Fire Chief of the Consolidated Fire Department of San Mateo. He leaves big shoes to fill, and they've grown larger over the course of his 36 year career in the fire service. prgtoken John started as a volunteer firefighter at age 19 in 1986 with the Foster City Fire Department. He quickly turned professional as he joined the Hillsborough Fire Department the following year. Ten years later he was a Captain. In 2000, he crossed the bay to serve Union City, and in 2003 he returned to his hometown of San Mateo where he remained for the next sixteen and a half years. prgtoken Between the days of his teens in the 1980's until the end of his career, his hometown of San Mateo grew from a quiet suburb of about 77,000 to over 105,000. Growth like this presents any fire department with numerous challenges. An entirely new neighborhood at Bay Meadows emerged. On the east side, a shopping center and office developments demanded resources. Complex traffic patterns and tens of thousands of additional vehicle trips on freeways lacing the city prompted increased numbers of serious medical calls every year. The list goes on. prgtoken Importantly, over the decades the financing of public services became more difficult as salaries and pensions escalated steeply. When he returned to San Mateo as a Captain in 2003, John Healy faced a community different in many ways from the one in which he grew up. However, San Mateo remained a town that valued its public safety services. This was vividly illustrated in 2008 when the economy went into a steep recession and newly-elevated Deputy Fire Chief Healy assumed responsibility to enter into a shared services agreement. By 2015, Belmont, San Mateo and Foster City were ready to enter into an agreement to formally create a new and combined department. It wasn't easy. prgtoken Now Fire Chief Healy negotiated new labor MOUSs with three cities, jumped through flaming hoops of pension contracts, axed through byzantine State governance laws, and delivered the equivalent of a new baby in the form of a charter amendment authorizing the new agency. By January of this year, the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department was up and running with a new governing board, an improved cost structure, and superior service. Chief Healy deserves the thanks of 168,000 residents in the communities that he serves. prgtoken During his career, Chief Healy served with the San Mateo County Operations Group and Communications Committee and built strong relationships with the county public safety dispatchers and management. He noted in a recent news article that, ``Wearing the uniform and the badge was the greatest honor and it's difficult for words to fully express what that means to me.'' prgtoken John Healy holds a Bachelor's in Fire Administration and Fire Prevention Technology from Cogswell Polytechnical College and earned certification as Ch
NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH
Jacky Rosen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2019-11-21

I rise today to bring attention to a critical and often hidden issue facing our Nation. Each year, nearly 18,000 foster children across our country age out of the system with no permanent place to call home. Right now, over 125,000 foster children are eligible for adoption and waiting for their forever family. Over 1,600 of those children live in Nevada. Every single child deserves a safe, loving, and permanent family. prgtoken November is National Adoption Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the many ways that families are created, including through adoption. There are children in our communities, waiting to belong, to be loved, and to be a part of what so many of us take for granted. Sitting down to a meal with a parent, knowing you have a family member in the audience at a school event or knowing that someone is, indeed, waiting up to make sure you get home safe and by curfew. The very idea that someone cares enough to make sure homework is done, and to listen when your day doesn't go so well does immeasurable good for children. prgtoken Our Nation's foster children are in a situation that is no fault of their own. Most are there due to severe neglect or abuse. They have experienced trauma. They have been suddenly taken away from all they know, bringing few possessions, stored in a garbage bag, with them as they move from home to home. The goal is always to reunite foster children with their biological families if it can be done safely, but unfortunately, that isn't always an option. For the children who remain in our foster system, we can and must do better. prgtoken Absolutely no child is unadoptable. By working together, we can achieve a future where every child in our Nation knows without a doubt they belong and they have a family. I encourage anyone interested in learning more about adoption to visit www.adoptuskids.org or reach out to local community organizations to find out more about how to get involved with mentoring or supporting foster children in other ways. prgtoken As I hear from constituents about the work they do to help raise awareness and improve outcomes for foster youth, I am so encouraged. I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the Senate to create a brighter future for our most vulnerable children.
THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-11-21

. Madam , I rise today to urge the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, to bring our bills to the floor. prgtoken My House colleagues and I have passed 400 bills this Congress--400. Unfortunately, more than 300 are stuck on McConnell's desk, including 275 bipartisan bills. prgtoken These bills include things like raising the minimum wage, protecting retirees, protecting consumers when they sign contracts, and support for our veterans. These are not partisan issues. These are American issues. prgtoken Every day, we are trying to do the will of the American people; every day, we fight to make their lives better; yet, every day, our public opinion drops because the people do not see any results. prgtoken The time to act is now. The betterment of every American depends on it.
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION FOR HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS ACT
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-11-21

. Madam Chair, I thank Mr. Courtney for yielding, and I proudly rise today in support of his legislation. prgtoken The frequency and scale of workplace violence are alarmingly high, but no statistic, even the startling ones that we have learned about, can fully reflect the pain, loss, and suffering that these incidents can cause. prgtoken As we consider the bill before us today, I ask that you remember and honor Pamela Knight. prgtoken Pamela was an AFSCME Council 31, Local 448 member. She worked for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as a child protection specialist. prgtoken She had been sent to take a 2-year-old child into protective custody from an abusive father. As she got out of her car, Pamela was attacked by the boy's father. Brutally beaten, Ms. Knight suffered blunt force trauma to her head. prgtoken After 11 years on the job, she succumbed to her injuries, paying the ultimate price for protecting children from abuse and neglect. prgtoken Pamela and her fellow DCFS employees are the front line of defense in protecting children in Illinois and around the country. In this vital work, they can encounter families in crisis stemming from poverty, substance abuse, mental illness, and domestic violence. prgtoken For two decades, OSHA has worked with employers on voluntary guidelines to address workplace violence, yet the rate of violence has gone up. prgtoken Enough is enough. Today, we can do the right thing by Pamela Knight and the unsung heroes in healthcare and social services by passing this important, critical, and necessary piece of legislation.
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION FOR HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS ACT
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-11-21

. Madam Chair, I close by reiterating that this amendment is a short and uncontentious proposal to help covered employees feel comfortable with their organization's workplace violence prevention plans. prgtoken By requiring employers to make their organization's workplace violence prevention plans available through email and other methods, this amendment would ensure that employees have access to their own digital copies of their organization's plans. Having this access will permit employees greater flexibility to access and review these important documents as they feel necessary. prgtoken Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and .
IN HONOR OF LINDA LAURIA FOR HER THIRTY-FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-11-21

. Madam , I rise today to recognize a longtime public servant and NY-14 constituent, Linda Lauria. prgtoken On November 30, 2019, Linda Lauria, Public Affairs Specialist, will retire from the Social Security Administration. Linda's retirement will mark the close of a career that spans over 34 years of service. prgtoken Linda began her career with SSA in August 1973 as a Claims Development Clerk (GS-2, as she often proudly notes) in the East Bronx Social Security office. She was subsequently promoted to positions in the field including Service Representative, and Claims Representative before leaving the agency during February 1984 as a new mother. prgtoken Linda rejoined SSA during July 1996, as a Service Representative in the Jamaica Teleservice Center, and was promoted to Benefit Authorizer at the Northeastern Program Service Center during January 1998. She returned to the East Bronx Social Security office as a Claims Representative during September prgtoken 1998, and joined the Regional Public Affairs Office during November 2005, serving as primary liaison between SSA and the offices of federal, state, and local elected officials. Since that time, Linda has been instrumental in the timely resolution of several thousand constituent inquiries, eliminating barriers between our most vulnerable beneficiaries and their essential cash benefits. She was promoted to Public Affairs Specialist during 2015, the position from which she will retire. prgtoken Linda's outstanding contributions to the Agency have been recognized with several awards including Deputy Commissioner's Citations, and the New York Regional Management Society's Regional Office Employee of the Year. prgtoken Throughout Linda's career, she has brought intelligence, technical savvy, practical knowledge, and a strong commitment to excellence to every assignment. prgtoken Madam , I ask our colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Linda Lauria and her dedication to public service and her community.
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION FOR HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS ACT
Ro Khanna (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-21

. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman from Connecticut for his tireless, bipartisan leadership in shepherding this bill to this historic point. It was my honor to work on the healthcare worker portions of this bill, and I am proud that it will pass today. prgtoken Madam Chair, I rise today in support of the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act. prgtoken For far too long, the workers who serve on the front lines of our communities have had to work in dangerous conditions without adequate protection. Every day, our nurses and social service workers face high levels of dangers, levels that most of us would find unacceptable in our own occupation. Their courage to keep working, despite these risks of violence, exemplifies the selfless nature of healthcare. prgtoken This bill follows what California has done in creating a nationwide workplace violence prevention standard, so people no longer have to work in fear. prgtoken Since the implementation of California's own standard, healthcare workers have experienced marked improvements in workplace violence prevention measures. The California Nurses Association reports that hospitals in California are seeing increased security staffing, increased training, and comprehensive reporting. These commonsense protections did not exist prior to California's standard. prgtoken It is time to expand these protections to healthcare and social service workers nationwide. This affects real people. We have heard stories of people who have been injured, killed, whose families have been harmed because of this kind of violence. prgtoken Madam Chair, I include in the Record a letter from National Nurses United in support of this legislation. National Nurses United has boldly led on this issue for many years, including getting the standards across the finish line in California. National Nurses United, Washington, DC, November 18, 2019. Dear Representative: This week, the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on H.R. 1309, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, sponsored by Congressman Joe Courtney. National Nurses United, representing more than 155,000 registered nurses (RNs) across the country, is firmly in support of this bill and strongly urges you to vote in favor of it. Our members work at the bedside in every state in the nation, and we know that when nurses are unsafe, our patients are also at risk. Violence on the job has become endemic for RNs and other workers in healthcare and social assistance settings. Nurses report being punched, kicked, bitten, beaten, and threatened with violence as they provide care to others--and far too many have experienced stabbings and shootings. But there are practical steps that healthcare and social se
IN RECOGNITION OF MR. HERBERT KOHN RECEIVING THE 2019 HENRY W. BLOCH HUMAN RELATIONS AWARD
Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2019-11-21

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and congratulate Mr. Herbert Kohn for being named the recipient of the 2019 Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Award. This award was established in honor of Henry W. Bloch by the Jewish Community Relations Bureau and serves to honor a community member with a passion for community activism and an extraordinary civic presence. Mr. Herbert Kohn personifies the excellence we hope for in community leaders through his selfless character and dedication to pursuing justice for all. prgtoken After a courageous early childhood in Europe during World War II, Mr. Kohn escaped to the United States with his family during his third- grade year. After surviving the Holocaust and resettling in Kansas City, Mr. Kohn was fully committed to his educational endeavors. During his time at Paseo High School, Mr. Kohn was selected by his teachers to participate in the Missouri Boys State program. Upon graduation, he attended the University of Michigan, earning his Bachelor of Arts in 1960 and his Juris Doctorate in 1963. Throughout his life, Mr. Herbert Kohn has shown steadfast bravery and devotion to academic excellence even in the face of formidable trials. prgtoken Today, Mr. Kohn does exemplary work as a partner at a local law firm, Bryan Cave LLP, where he specializes in corporate law. Kohn's service to the community goes beyond his work as an attorney however. In 1999, Mr. Kohn served on the transition team for the first female Kansas City, Missouri Mayor, Kay Barnes, and later, on her Charter Review Commission. His collaboration with a number of Kansas City mayors led to a beautiful downtown, a City Pension Plan, and improved early childhood education. Additionally, Mr. Kohn served as a member of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City and was selected by Governor Michael Parson to serve as Chairman of the Missouri Gaming Commission. Mr. Kohn's work has resulted in extraordinary benefits to our city, our state, and to countless people from all backgrounds and walks of life. prgtoken As one can see, Mr. Kohn's numerous accomplishments have left an indelible impact on his community. His generous and benevolent character is particularly well-reflected via his life-long devotion to the Missouri Boys State program. He has dedicated decades to expanding, improving, and bringing national recognition to the program ever since he was a participant. Two years ago, Missouri Boys State re-named one of its cities to ``Kohn City.'' Moreover, Mr. Kohn served as the Chairman of the Kansas City Art Institute, the Chairman of the Missouri Cancer Commission, a Trustee of the Truman Library Institute, and the Director of the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Foundation. Throughout his extensive career, Mr. Herbert Kohn has devoted himself to institutions and organizations which have tangibly improved the lives of Kansas Citians and those throughout the region. prgtoken Madam , please join me and Missouri's Fifth C
Cloture Motion (Executive Session)
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-11-21

I am not new to this issue. I have been pursuing recognition of the Armenian genocide for the greater part of a decade, and there always seems to be some reason why, in fact, it is not a good moment. Well, it is like a rope-a-dope. It is like a rope-a- dope. There is always another reason. There is always another excuse. prgtoken The 11 NATO allies have done this, and they are still in NATO and still working with Turkey and still have diplomatic relationships with Turkey. It is amazing to me the greatest power on the face of this earth can't just speak truth of history. It amazes me. And so there never seems to be a good moment. prgtoken Now, I have been here in the Senate long enough to know that objections to unanimous consent work both ways, so I am going to continue to bring this issue to the floor. I think Armenian Americans, the world, and history should record who stands on the side of recognizing genocide for what it is and who is not, and so I am not going to relax. If necessary, I am sure there will be moments in which those will seek consent on issues, and if the only way is to get a vote on this through the actual process on the floor, then I will force that issue because history demands it. Our conscience should call for it, and a decade of waiting to make this happen is enough. prgtoken With that, .
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2019-11-21

I will be brief. prgtoken I agree with the distinguished senior Senator from Alabama. The Paul amendment imposes a 1-percent across-the-board cut over last year's funding level to the vast majority of discretionary spending for the duration of the CR. prgtoken I hope all Members-- and ic alike--will oppose it because it would mean arbitrary cuts in defense and other national security programs, cuts to veterans' healthcare, education, childcare, opioid programs, just to name a few. It is a simplistic tool that ignores the complexities of our Federal budget. It is not a way we should govern. prgtoken We have the hard work of making hard choices to fund programs each year based on reality. That is what we should do. That is what the American people deserve. prgtoken I support increased investment in our Nation's infrastructure. I would be happy to work with Senator Paul to ensure these programs receive the resources they require. prgtoken I hope he might be able to get some support from the administration, which has consistently proposed cutting resources to improve our Nation's infrastructure. I hope he might be able to get that kind of support, but funding it through an across-the-board cut on all other programs, including veterans healthcare, national security, and education programs is irresponsible. It is not the answer.