mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONFIRMATION OF MICHAEL POMPEO
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-1-23

today, I voted against Representative Pompeo's confirmation as Director of the CIA. His changing statements on the use of torture leave me no choice. His written answers to the Senate Intelligence Committee, saying that he will consult with CIA experts as to whether the methods in the U.S. Army Field Manual are sufficient and, if they aren't, work with legal experts and congressional overseers to make changes, are extremely alarming and contradict what he told me personally when we met in my office. prgtoken Federal law now clearly prohibits torture and ``cruel, inhumane, and degrading'' treatment of detainees and prohibits interrogation techniques not authorized by the Army Field Manual. We cannot go backwards on this seminal issue of human rights. prgtoken For years, I was highly critical of the CIA's detention and interrogation program and repeatedly questioned its legality. Over 13 years ago, I authored the first legislation to make clear that the cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment of detainees is illegal under U.S. law in all circumstances. Today, I stood in opposition of Representative Pompeo's confirmation to be CIA Director because, in order to win the war on terrorism, we must remain true to the principles upon which our country was founded.
REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-1-23

I would like to discuss five topics this afternoon: the President's remarks this weekend and the lack of reaction to them, his Executive order on Friday about mortgage rates, the continuing nominations process here, the President's withdrawal from TPP, and the alternative to the Affordable Care Act that was announced this morning. prgtoken First, the need for s to speak out when President engages in the kind of rhetoric he engaged in this weekend. The first few days of the new administration are traditionally a time for an incoming President to call for unity and to try and bring the country together. Instead, President kicked off a bizarre first weekend in office that alternated between braggadocio and furor. The President quarreled over the size of inaugural crowds, bragged about his election victory in a speech at CIA headquarters, with a wall commemorating fallen American intelligence officers behind him, and then sent his Press Secretary out to hold an emergency briefing to present ``alternative facts,'' as one of President 's advisers described them yesterday, about the size of the crowds again. prgtoken Whatever your politics, in order to debate, argue, compromise, and get things done for the American people, we have to be able to agree on a base line of facts. Facts aren't partisan. They don't have alternatives. The alternative to fact is fiction. If this Presidency is going to be based on ignoring the facts on the ground, we are going to have huge problems. It is not that important when you are talking about the number of people who attended an inauguration, but what about the facts if Russia is doing something that is very bad or something terrible is happening to our economy or something else? If the Presidency looks away from the real facts, we have trouble. You cannot govern a country like that. prgtoken So if the White House is ignoring the facts on the ground and is willing to make up ``alternative facts'' about crowd size, what else are they willing to stretch the truth about? National security? What Vladimir Putin is up to? The implications are terrifying. prgtoken A White House that presents alternative facts needs to be called out for doing so by both parties. The folks who can really help rein in the President are the members of his own party who have a special responsibility to do so, but they have been silent, totally silent when President has been saying and doing things they know are wrong. They should be speaking out for the good of the country. prgtoken I urge my friends on the other side of the aisle to help us hold the President and his White House accountable for the truth; otherwise this country is going to have a lot of trouble. Whether you are a , , liberal or conservative, you cannot ignore the facts and govern and move the country forward.
IMPROVING RURAL CALL QUALITY AND RELIABILITY ACT OF 2017
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-1-23

I rise in support of H.R. 460, the ``Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017'', which amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require voice communications that charge users to register with the FCC, and comply with service quality standards to be established by the FCC. prgtoken The bill, should it become law, prohibits long-distance providers from using an internet provider to transmit voice communications and signals unless the intermediate provider is registered. prgtoken H.R. 460 would require the FCC to: prgtoken 1. Ensure the integrity of voice communications to all customers in the United States, prgtoken 2. Prevent unjust or unreasonable discrimination across areas of the United States in the delivery of voice communications; and prgtoken 3. Make a registry of intermediate providers publicly available on the FCC website. prgtoken H.R. 460, the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2016, would seek to ensure that calls to Americans living in the rural areas of our country actually make it through to the intended receiver. prgtoken Making sure a call goes through, regardless of where it is being made, is fundamental to our communications system. prgtoken H.R. 460 would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish basic quality standards for providers that transmit voice calls to consumers, among other things. prgtoken The Senate Commerce Committee adopted an amendment in the nature of a substitute (AINS) that made the following changes: prgtoken 1. Extends deadlines for service quality standards for intermediate providers from 180 days to one year, prgtoken 2. Exempts intermediate providers that have been certified as a safe harbor provider; and prgtoken 3. Amends the definition of intermediate provider. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 460, the ``Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017.''
Welcoming A New Day In The Country (Executive Session)
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-1-23

President has repeatedly called into question the integrity and professionalism of the brave men and women in our intelligence community. In addition, throughout the campaign, his statements revealed a dangerous propensity to ignore important principles of civil and religious liberty. prgtoken Under these circumstances, it is especially important that the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency be an individual who will implement the Agency's vital national security responsibilities in a manner consistent with our Constitution and the rule of law. The head of the CIA must ensure that the men and women of the Agency are not pressured by the President--or anyone else--to violate important American values and principles. prgtoken Congressman Mike Pompeo has impressive credentials; and, should he be confirmed, I pledge to work with him to support the national security missions of the CIA. However, his positions on spying on Americans, the use of torture, and religious minorities cause me to question this nomination. prgtoken Modern nations must have intelligence agencies to help keep us safe. Thus, in the 1947 National Security Act, Congress created the Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA provides the President and senior policymakers with vital national security intelligence. prgtoken But the CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies must work within our Constitution. By design, the CIA has no law enforcement role. And the law focuses the CIA on overseas intelligence gathering, limiting what it can do here in the United States. prgtoken Our Constitution limits how much intelligence agencies and government generally can intrude into the lives of Americans. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides: ``The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.'' To conduct searches, the Constitution requires the government to have probable cause and get a warrant. Congress passed and the States ratified the Fourth Amendment as part of the Bill of Rights, in response to the abuse of general search warrants issued by the British in pre-Revolutionary America. prgtoken Thus, in 2015, a Federal judge ruled that the National Security Agency's program of systematically collecting Americans' domestic phone records likely violated the Constitution. And also in 2015, Congress enacted the USA FREEDOM Act in large part to limit that program. The USA FREEDOM Act represented real progress and a departure from the untenable situation before the law. It ensured that the intelligence community and law enforcement have the necessary tools that they need to protect our Nation, but it does so in a manner that is consistent with the fundamental principles in our Constitution. prgtoken Congressman Pompeo, however, has been an ardent proponent of the data collection that the Federal judge ruled likely unconstitution
Welcoming A New Day In The Country (Executive Session)
Martin Heinrich (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2017-1-23

Senator Wyden for leading this important discussion. I joined the Senate Intelligence Committee 4 years ago, just a few short months before the public release of thousands of classified documents forced our country to have a debate over the scope and reach of America's surveillance programs, especially as they relate to American citizens. prgtoken That debate has formed the backdrop for national security policy decisions ever since, and I am very proud of the positive steps we have made toward reclaiming our civil liberties while still giving our intelligence and law enforcement communities the tools they need and deserve to anticipate threats, track down terrorists, and keep this Nation safe. It is because of Congressman Pompeo's opposition to those important reforms that I rise today to oppose his nomination to be the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Congressman Pompeo has a long legislative and rhetorical history on surveillance, on torture, and on other issues that I believe we simply cannot overlook in considering his nomination. prgtoken In our conversations, in answers to written questions, and during his confirmation hearing, Congressman Pompeo has often said the right thing or tried to give answers that on their face give the impression that he has changed his positions on these issues. But we need to carefully review the Congressman's votes and public statements to be sure that he understands the importance of protecting Americans' constitutionally guaranteed civil liberties and meeting the needs of our national security at the same time. prgtoken I was proud to help lead the effort to pass the USA FREEDOM Act in 2015 to finally end the government's overreach, their dragnet collection of law-abiding Americans' personal information, and provide the intelligence community with an updated legal framework that ensures they have the tools they need to focus on the records of actual terrorists, while at the same time protecting the privacy of innocent Americans. prgtoken Although the Congressman voted to support the USA FREEDOM Act in 2015, within a year, he had backtracked, writing a column for the National Review that stated: Those who today suggest that the USA FREEDOM Act, which gutted the National Security Agency's (NSA) metadata program, enables the intelligence community to better prevent and investigate threats against the U.S. are lying. I use that word intentionally. prgtoken A few weeks later, Congressman Pompeo in the Wall Street Journal wrote: ``Congress should pass a law reestablishing collection of all metadata, and combining it with publicly available financial and lifestyle information in a comprehensive, searchable database.'' prgtoken I think I should read that one more time: ``Congress should pass a law reestablishing collection of all metadata, and combining it with publicly available financial and lifestyle
RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF IVELISSE R. ESTRADA, MA, BA
Lucille Roybal-Allard (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-1-23

I rise today to congratulate Ivelisse R. Estrada on the end of her tenure as Senior Vice President of Corporate and Community Relations for Univision Communications Inc. (UCI). prgtoken In her role as Senior Vice President, Ms. Estrada was responsible for the overall development and coordination of community relations strategies for the company, including the Univision Network, UniMas Network, Univision Cable Networks, as well as Univision Local Media, including TV, radio, and digital. She coordinated all philanthropic contributions and served as a liaison between UCI and community organizations. She also planned, directed, and supervised the execution of the company's community empowerment platform Univision Contigo, promoting awareness and providing greater access to Education, Health, Prosperity, and Civic Participation resources. prgtoken Ms. Estrada developed and launched Univision Educacion, a comprehensive, multi-year national education initiative, in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, educators, and civic and community leaders from around the country. The initiative was aimed at improving academic achievement among K-12 Hispanic students with a specific focus on high school graduation and college readiness. prgtoken In 2007, she worked with the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) in an unprecedented national civic engagement campaign developed to inform, educate, and motivate Hispanics to participate in the American political dialogue. ``Ya es Hora . . . ¡Ciudadania!'' (``It's Time . . . Citizenship!'') was done in collaboration with hundreds of Hispanic-serving organizations across the U.S. and mobilized more than one million eligible immigrants to apply for citizenship. In 2008, the campaign was honored with a Peabody Award. prgtoken In 2003, she was responsible for the creation of a multi-year, cross- platform health initiative entitled ``Salud es Vida . . . ¡Enterate!'' (``Lead a Healthy Life: Get the Facts!'') to promote healthy lifestyles and encourage the early detection and aggressive management of chronic health conditions affecting U.S. Hispanics. In 2004, ``¡Enterate!'' was honored with a Peabody Award, the first ever for a Spanish-language broadcast company. prgtoken Ms. Estrada started her career with Univision in 1991, where she initiated her career as Director of Communications at KMEX-TV, Channel 34, the flagship station of the Univision Television Group, Inc. in Los Angeles. During her tenure at KMEX, she launched numerous community projects that focused on health, education, and art initiatives. She also served as Director of Corporate and Community Relations for Univision Television Group, where she supervised the public affairs and community efforts of the company's owned and operated stations. prgtoken Outside of UCI, Ms. Estrada is a prominent advocate and supporter of the community. She se
ANTI-SPOOFING ACT OF 2017
Grace Meng (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-1-23

I rise today to speak in strong support of my bill, H.R. 423, the Anti-Spoofing Act of 2017. prgtoken I am honored to have authored this bill with Congressman Barton and Congressman Lance once again, and I thank Amy Murphy and Ryan Farrell of their respective staffs for working so closely with mine. I also thank the COMET Civic Association from my district for first bringing this problem to my attention. prgtoken This legislation seeks to combat spoofing, which is when phone call recipients are tricked into answering the phone due to inaccurate caller ID information. Criminals have used this technique to scam thousands of Americans and steal millions of dollars. Recent spoofing attempts have included scam artists pretending to be sheriff's offices, hospitals, and even the IRS. The bill before us this afternoon expands spoofing protections to calls that originate outside of the country as well as text messages. prgtoken It is often stated that a measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable. Almost every day, I receive new reports of spoofing that harm the most vulnerable in my district, including immigrants, seniors, veterans, and those in need of help from law enforcement. That is why this legislation is endorsed by senior citizens, law enforcement, and consumer protection groups. prgtoken The Anti-Spoofing Act of 2017 is a bipartisan bill. It passed the House in both the 113th and 114th Congresses under suspension of the rules, and it is my sincere hope that this bill will continue to be noncontroversial and that we will do everything in our power to combat telephone scams against our constituents. prgtoken In closing, I thank Representatives Blackburn and Doyle for their support this afternoon, as well as Energy and Commerce Chairman Walden and Ranking Member Pallone. Without their support, this legislation would not be on the floor. prgtoken I urge the Senate to quickly take up this legislation. prgtoken I urge all of my colleagues in this Chamber to support it once again.
A RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS AND NEW DEAL FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS
Marc A. Veasey (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-1-23

I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands who is helping to lead tonight's Special Order hour. prgtoken I, again, want to highlight how President 's inaugural address served as a preview of what the African American community can expect over the next 4 years. prgtoken This past Friday, thousands of Americans from all over the country traveled to Washington, D.C to witness the new President and what type of message he was going to deliver. Unfortunately, instead of starting his Presidency with a bold, new agenda that would benefit all Americans, what we heard was an inaugural address that reminded us that the America he wants to build will leave many of the constituents of those of us who serve as members of the Congressional Black Caucus behind. prgtoken In his speech, President said that a nation exists to serve its citizens. But for far too many, a different reality exists. He also painted another grim picture of mothers and children trapped in poverty in inner cities and rusted out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our Nation; an education system flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge; and crimes and gangs and drugs that have stolen the lives of too many and robbed the country of so much of its unrealized potential. prgtoken Those are problems that need to be addressed. I don't think that anybody will disagree with that. We need to make sure that our children have access to good public schools and good, quality education. We need to make sure that, as the nature of work changes in this country, people are ready to get those new jobs. We must make sure that we invest in our communities so that they prosper. prgtoken But yet, very little of what President proposed would actually address the root cause of any of those problems. Not even his new deal for Black Americans provides real solutions for the problems that he outlined in his inaugural address. Instead, we see the same recycled, broken promises. prgtoken Since the creation of the Congressional Black Caucus, we have been fighting to uplift our communities. We have bold ideas to help transform the lives of those individuals that were mentioned and real ideas that can get going. prgtoken I thank the gentlewoman as we prepare to have other speakers from the Congressional Black Caucus share their remarks.
FHA MORTGAGE INSURANCE PREMIUM CUT
Joe Courtney (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-1-23

there is no better sign of a healthy economy than a healthy real estate market. We know this in this country from bitter experience since the real estate and financial collapse of 2008. prgtoken In my State in Connecticut, we are barely at a place now where home sales and home equity has even come in a positive direction and climbing back towards what existed back in 2008 when the collapse occurred. prgtoken Listening to the President's speech on Friday where he very powerfully talked about the forgotten American, middle class individuals and working people who really felt that they were left behind in terms of the work that happens in this city, he clearly touched a nerve that propelled him to the White House. As I said, it was probably the most powerful part of his message that he delivered on Friday. prgtoken I mention that because it was astonishing that within an hour after taking the oath, President signed an executive order rolling back a rate reduction for mortgage insurance for homeowners. What that means is that for many homeowners--particularly first-time home buyers--they need to have mortgage insurance in order to qualify for a mortgage. That ensures that if there is a default, that the mortgage will be paid off. It de-risks the loan so that, again, particularly people who are first-time home buyers can actually buy a house. The Federal Housing Administration, FHA, runs this mortgage insurance program. prgtoken Again, there was a rate reduction that was slated to go into effect on January 27, from 0.85 percent down to 0.6 percent. President canceled that reduction. prgtoken So what does that mean? prgtoken The National Association of Realtors, which is hardly a partisan group, has, in the wake of that order, released numbers that about 750,000 to 800,000 homeowners are going to be adversely affected by losing those savings that are just going to go to the government, by the way. Those mortgage premiums basically are paid into the government. And right now there is a surplus in that account, which is why the rate reduction was slated to go into effect. There is no reason for the government to be overcharging for mortgage insurance, given the healthy balance that exists in that mortgage insurance account. prgtoken They also calculate that 30,000 to 40,000 home buyers will not buy a home in 2017 because of that order that was issued on Friday. Again, these are people who--$500 to $1,000, which is going to come out of their pocket in terms of higher payments because of this executive order--are basically going to be priced out of buying a home. The home builders, the realtors, the people who are closest to the market and clearly are not partisan--I mean, I know a lot of these guys in my district, and they are staunch s in many cases--are dumbfounded at the fact that that order, of all things, within the first hours of the new administration, would be a priority for, again, th