mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-1-13

I rise to oppose this budget, which is designed to repeal--not replace--Care. prgtoken I am adamant about this because of what I have witnessed all of my life. I am going to share with you--and some of you may have never heard of these things--that I have watched people die from preventable diseases. prgtoken I have watched, over the years, from the time I was a child, where people had home remedies. They didn't have any prescription drugs. prgtoken I watched as my great-grandmother was in pain, in tears, because of arthritis and rheumatism. We had to rub her down with something called liniment. prgtoken I have watched men get up and try to go to work with pneumonia. They tried to heal pneumonia with what was known as hot toddies. prgtoken I have watched as children have died. Little children used to walk around with little bags around their neck with something in it called asfidity that was supposed to protect them from harm. They had pneumonia. They had colds. That is all they had. They didn't have a doctor. They died from preventable diseases. prgtoken Now we have 20 million more people who are insured under this healthcare plan. This is a healthcare plan for all Americans. prgtoken The s will tell you that, yes, they are going to give you something better, but they have been saying this for 8 years. They have been after what is known as Care for 8 years. Why don't they have a remedy? Why don't they have a plan? Why don't they have anything? prgtoken They didn't have anything when they started to attack Care, they don't have anything today, and they are not going to have anything better than the ACA.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-1-13

I am Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, and I represent the hardworking families of Chicago's west and northwest suburbs. prgtoken I rise today in strong opposition to S. Con. Res. 3. prgtoken Repealing without replacing the Affordable Care Act at the same time would devastate our economy and harm millions of middle class families. prgtoken Within the Eighth District of Illinois alone, we could lose upwards of $550 million from our economy, and over 4,000 jobs. prgtoken Before joining Congress, I ran small businesses in the Chicago area in the national security and technology sectors. I know firsthand how important health coverage is to our workers and to our businesses. Without the protections of the ACA, we will see fewer entrepreneurs take the risk of starting a business and fewer workers taking the risk of working for a startup. prgtoken Middle class and working families need good-paying jobs and affordable health care. And, unfortunately, the bill before us today would rob them of both.
PROVIDING FOR EXCEPTION TO LIMITATION AGAINST APPOINTMENT OF PERSONS AS SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WITHIN SEVEN YEARS OF RELIEF FROM ACTIVE DUTY
Jacky Rosen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2017-1-13

I rise in opposition to this legislation. prgtoken In the aftermath of World War II, leaders from both parties, who many in this House revere to this day, developed the principle of civilian control of our Armed Forces and codified it into law. They had seen the rise of fascism and communism, and held this principle dear because they believed it was necessary for the safety of our democracy. It was the outgrowth of a long tradition of thinking about civil-military relations, as old as our Republic itself, going back to the Founders. prgtoken Yet, almost all of these same leaders and legislators made an exception for General George Marshall; but when they did so, they did not take the action lightly. The exception in 1950 did a number of things that this legislation does not, which my colleagues have spoken about. All are serious, but I want to highlight one. prgtoken The exception in 1950 named General Marshall by name and applied the exception only to him. This bill does not name General Mattis, and it is written more broadly. The principle of civilian control of the Armed Forces was important to the Greatest Generation and it was an exception in every sense, an exception for an exceptional individual. prgtoken This matter should not be rammed through Congress. There are serious issues to discuss. I believe civil-military relations remain vitally important to the American people and to the health of our democracy. prgtoken I believe that General Mattis is an excellent general officer. He has served our Nation well, and he will be a capable Secretary of Defense. My opposition to this legislation is not about General Mattis' capacity to serve in this role. prgtoken , I ask: Why is this legislation written so that it could apply to other individuals and does not name General Mattis and state that this is only for him? prgtoken We are being asked to rush, without conducting proper oversight, without holding a hearing, and after being prevented by an unelected transition team to hear from General Mattis himself. prgtoken This is the people's House. The House should have a proper hearing before a decision of this magnitude is made. General Mattis should have been allowed to testify before our committee, as I am told was his desire. If today's legislation addressed these concerns, which could have been achieved, my vote would likely be different today.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-1-13

. Mr. Chair, as a mother, a breast cancer survivor, and a proud Floridian, I rise today in strong opposition to the majority's irresponsible efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The facts speak for themselves: prgtoken 20 million Americans, including more than a million and a half Floridians, have obtained quality, affordable health care since the ACA became law. prgtoken 129 million Americans, who, like me, have preexisting conditions, can no longer be discriminated against by their health insurance company. prgtoken Our Nation's young adults now rest easy that they can stay on their parents' insurance until they are 26. prgtoken Allow me to remind my colleagues on the other side of the aisle that we are elected to help Americans, not hurt Americans. Make no mistake, repealing the ACA will not only rip health care away from millions of Americans who have Care, but we owe it to the 155 million Americans with employer-based coverage to maintain the prohibition against annual and lifetime limits. prgtoken Before the ACA, 105 million Americans, most of them with employer coverage, had a lifetime limit on their insurance policy. The ACA prohibits annual and lifetime limits on policies. prgtoken We owe it to our seniors to stop the repeal of key new Medicare benefits. Repeal of these lifesaving provisions would actually increase prescription drug costs for millions of seniors in the doughnut hole who are currently saving more than $2,000 on their drugs due to the ACA by reopening the gap in Medicare part D coverage. prgtoken In addition, since enactment of the ACA, the solvency of the Medicare trust fund has been extended by 11 years. And we owe it to the 129 million Americans like me with preexisting conditions, such as breast cancer survivors, to stop repeal so they cannot be dropped or denied coverage or charged an exorbitant premium by their insurance company. prgtoken As a cancer survivor, I am also appalled that the plan--or lack of a plan--would increase out-of-pocket costs for every patient by requiring them once again to pay for preventative services like cancer screenings. prgtoken , the assault on the well-being of our constituents is an outrage, and we will not take it lying down. We will fight tooth and nail for the established right of all Americans to have quality, affordable healthcare coverage and not return to the days when it was available only as a privilege to those who could afford it or who were fortunate enough not to have a preexisting condition.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-1-13

such time as I may consume. prgtoken Here we are more than 3 months into fiscal year 2017, debating a budget which is not really a budget resolution. Even the majority admits it is nothing more than a shell to help them repeal the Affordable Care Act. It doesn't contain any way to grow jobs and it doesn't contain any new ideas to grow our economy. prgtoken With all of the majority's rhetoric about deficits over the last decade or more, this budget explodes the deficit and adds $2 trillion-- as in T--to the national debt, only to set the stage for repeal of healthcare assistance to millions of Americans. prgtoken What is more, the Congressional Budget Office has told us that repeal of the Affordable Care Act would increase the deficit by $353 billion over 10 years. Now, many of my colleagues have noted the devastating effect of the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, the effect that it would have on millions of Americans' health. Thirty million Americans would lose insurance, including 4 million children. The cost of prescription drugs would go up for our seniors. Young people would lose the coverage on their parents' health care. Women wouldn't be protected, and men with preexisting conditions. Pregnancy would no longer be covered. prgtoken The Affordable Care Act has made critical progress for Americans. Millions have gained health care that they never had before. Our uninsured rate is now at 8.9 percent. It is the lowest rate in the history of our great country. It is nearly halved from before the Affordable Care Act took place, as you can see from this chart. This is something we should be proud of. We have allowed more and more and more Americans to have health care when they need it. It is literally a life-and-death situation to millions of Americans. prgtoken This reckless repeal of the Affordable Care Act will also cause economic havoc. It not only hurts people; it hurts our economy. Now, just last month, our economy added 144,000 private sector jobs--the 75th straight month of job growth in the United States of America. That is something we can all be proud of. That is the longest stretch of job creation since 1939 in our Nation's history. prgtoken That is in stark contrast to the way things were at the time that the last Presidential transition took place. When took the oath of office, our economy was shedding a staggering amount of jobs. In December of 2008, the economy lost 695,000 jobs. The next month, another 598,000 jobs gone. We were losing, over a period of time, roughly 700,000 jobs a month. The banks were teetering, lending had halted, the auto industry was exploding, our Nation was in economic turmoil. The combination of a bursting asset bubble and bank panic brought this country to the edge of collapse. It was the worst financial crisis in global history, according to the head of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke--in global history. prgtoken Today w
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2017-1-13

I rise in opposition to this budget resolution and its intent to compromise the health insurance of all Americans. prgtoken s continue to pursue the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, root and branch, despite the fact that there is no credible plan to deal with the chaos that this repeal will create. prgtoken Thirty million Americans will lose their insurance, the vast majority being working families. There is no plan to protect the other Americans who have enjoyed improved consumer protections and benefits. prgtoken Although the rates have gone up, they have gone up at half the rate that they had been going up before Care, and most of those in the marketplace don't even have to pay those increased prices because of increased tax credits. prgtoken When s talk about repeal and replace, the only thing guaranteed is the repeal part. s have shown little interest in producing an alternative. We have heard lots of complaints, but we have not seen a plan that will make things any better. prgtoken Remember, when Medicare was created, most of the s in Congress voted ``no.'' s in the House have voted numerous times, over 60 times, to repeal some or all of the Affordable Care Act without proposing a credible alternative, and now we have some vague ideas but no plan to deal with the total chaos that will be created if Care is repealed. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to save the health and economic security of all Americans by defeating this resolution.
INTRODUCTION OF THE NO CONGRESSIONAL CONSENT FOR PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP TO ACCEPT FOREIGN EMOLUMENTS OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2017-1-13

the Constitution clearly states: ``No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.'' prgtoken The law defines public service as a public trust. It requires government employees to place loyalty to the Constitution, and laws and ethical principles above private gain. At his inauguration, President- elect Donald J. will swear an oath to uphold the Constitution. Given the immensity of Mr. 's business dealings, grave concerns exist that he will immediately be in violation of this oath. Every one of his personal investments will pose a conflict of interest. Any ongoing foreign business relationship threatens to violate the Constitution's Emoluments Clause. The Constitution must be upheld. prgtoken Our Founding Fathers identified the principles important to the bedrock of our democracy; they included an anticorruption measure known as the Emolument Clause. Its inclusion emphasized their desire to preserve independence from external influence. There is no question this principle should apply to this President, as it has to every other President of our nation. prgtoken Mr. has achieved great wealth and his investments spread across the United States and dozens of foreign countries. His personal finances are directly impacted not only by our own policy but also by policies adopted in other nations. His debt obligations pose great conflicts of interests and the possibility of hidden influences will eclipse every action and decision Mr. makes. There is no way to be sure of the full depth of Mr. 's conflicts. He continues to refuse to release his tax returns, a key component of accountability provided by every President and presidential candidate since Richard Nixon. prgtoken When asked what he will do to eliminate the conflicts, Mr. has said it's ``a very simple situation'' and ``routine.'' Yet, thus far, he has not explained how he will address the conflicts. Meanwhile, there has been little division between Mr. 's business interests and his transition. This fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants approach is unconstitutional and dangerous to liberty. prgtoken Our Founding Fathers would not accept this uncertainty and subversion of the Constitution. They constructed the Clause to clearly forbid self-serving dealings. They established a clear baseline of unacceptable conduct, rather than force after-the-fact judgement. Further, they granted Congress the power to validate exchanges. prgtoken This is why I am introducing a joint resolution, the ``No Congressional Consent for President Donald J. to Accept Foreign Emoluments of Any Kind Whatsoever.'' It empowers Congress to act by explicitly denying consent for Mr. to accept any and all emoluments, wh
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-1-13

I rise in strong opposition to this budget resolution. It begins the gutting of the Affordable Care Act, stripping health care for millions of working families across the Nation, including over three-quarters of a million in my home State of Washington. prgtoken Here is the bottom line: This repeal will put into chaos small businesses, hospitals, and community health centers. I have one of those in Seattle called the International Community Health Services, which provides culturally appropriate health services to anyone in need. Recently, an elderly woman at ICHS shared her fears about the ACA repeal. She and her husband, a heart attack survivor who went through bypass surgery, rely on Medicare and Medicaid for affordable health services. They have an annual joint income, , of $14,000, and they would be unable to afford quality care if the ACA repeal happens and, let's be clear, with absolutely no better plan to replace it. prgtoken , the budget resolution is a moral document. It does translate our values into commitments, and it should tell the world what the United States stands for. Looking at this budget resolution, I cannot help but conclude that our moral compass will be broken if we pass this resolution. I urge my colleagues to oppose this immoral budget resolution.
RECOGNIZING SIGNIFICANCE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
Joyce Beatty (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2017-1-13

on Monday, January 16, 2017, our nation will signify the tremendous life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Each year, on the third Monday in January, we remember and celebrate a man who led a non-violent movement that urged our country to become more fair and more just and provide equal opportunity for all. prgtoken As our nation honors the life of Dr. King, I call to mind his statement, ``Life's most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?'' prgtoken This year, on what would have been his eighty-eighth birthday, countless people in my home state of Ohio are answering his call to serve by advocating for civil rights and greater access and equal opportunity at the ballot box, inspiring the next generation of community and national leaders, helping the sick, elderly, and poor and many more profound acts of service. prgtoken Like Dr. King, they understand the power and impact of service--not just on our community and State, but on our entire country and across the world. We all need to be more and do more for others and to promote unity and peace. This is of what Dr. King dreamed. prgtoken Because this day isn't meant to be a ``day off,'' it is meant to be a ``day on'': a day on of service. prgtoken In that spirit, as we celebrate the thirty-first MLK Day of Service, I challenge all Americans to make a difference in their community. prgtoken Indeed, that is how we can best honor Dr. King's legacy and how we make his dream--where we are not judged by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character--a reality for all people. prgtoken Happy Birthday Dr. King. He should be pleased his legacy endures.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
John K. Delaney (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-1-13

. Mr. Chair, we all know that hard-edged partisan politics has not only eroded the confidence that the American people have in our government, but it has caused government to function to a very low standard. prgtoken In my 4 years that I have been in this Congress, I have never seen a better example of that than what we have here today. Because today, we are considering a budget that is not only fiscally irresponsible, it doubles our deficits across 10 years, increases the national debt by $10 trillion, but its sole purpose is to repeal the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken The purpose of today's budget is not to amend the Affordable Care Act to preserve its strengths and tackle it weaknesses, nor is the purpose of today's budget to repeal the Affordable Care Act and put something in place that has been well thought through and shared with the American public. The purpose of today's bill is to repeal the Affordable Care Act in a cold, hard way and let the chips fall where they fall. And this is not being done because it is good policy. prgtoken Anyone who is serious about healthcare policy--even people who oppose the Affordable Care Act--who has looked at this issue, has concluded, by any measure, the Affordable Care Act should not be repealed without a replacement. It is being done for political reasons because my colleagues, unfortunately, for years, have told their supporters that they would repeal this bill at all cost, without having the courage or convictions to explain to them the consequences of repeal without replacement; nor without the determination to do the work to come up with an alternative. prgtoken The Affordable Care Act was passed 8 years ago. It was passed on a straight party-line basis, which was unfortunate. It had three important goals, which it has achieved: to expand health care in over 20 million people; to lower the overall cost of health care in this country, which is the most important number in our fiscal health; and to improve the quality of health care. prgtoken Is it perfect? No. Are we addressing its problems today? No. Are we repealing it without any replacement? Yes. By any measure, will that be bad for the public health and potentially cause a public health crisis in the United States of America? The answer to that is yes. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to reject the budget proposal.
PROVIDING FOR EXCEPTION TO LIMITATION AGAINST APPOINTMENT OF PERSONS AS SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WITHIN SEVEN YEARS OF RELIEF FROM ACTIVE DUTY
Susan A. Davis (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-1-13

I opposed similar legislation in a markup yesterday, and I cannot support it today. My concerns are not with the exceptional qualifications and decades of honorable service of General Mattis, but I am opposed to a process that has made this House irrelevant. prgtoken We have an obligation under the law to review this nomination based on General Mattis' military service, a law that codified the principle of civilian control of the military. General Mattis agreed, and was even eager, according to the chairman, to speak before the Armed Services Committee. prgtoken The people have the right to know that the Presidential transition team blocked him from appearing. The American people, frankly, don't care prgtoken what unelected members of the transition team think and would much rather hear from General Mattis on why we in the House should grant this exception to law. prgtoken His testimony would be in all of our best interest. General Mattis could certainly start the new relationship that he has with the House Armed Services Committee, with our committee, through a thoughtful and a productive conversation on the issues. prgtoken Today we are casting off our duty and agreeing to be irrelevant. To accept this legislation without making the appropriate changes, without fully participating in this legislative process, under a closed rule, we are doing nothing to safeguard civilian control of our military. In fact, we are accepting poorly drafted language, and we are not performing proper oversight. prgtoken Why are we doing that? prgtoken Because the President-elect's transition team said so. prgtoken My colleagues have said that there is no requirement that General Mattis speak before us, but I want to say to them: Why cede our power to the Senate? Both houses of Congress have a duty here. Why let a nascent administration push us and a distinguished general around? prgtoken I will not roll over and allow the transition team to dictate the charge of the people's House. We can fix this, , and we should.