mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Healthcare Legislation (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-6-6

I came to the floor to talk about other matters, and I will get to those in a moment. I can't help but be struck by the ic leader's sudden interest in addressing healthcare reform. prgtoken It is a fact that even if Hillary Clinton were elected President of the United States, we would be revisiting the failed promises of the Affordable Care Act. For example, premiums, since 2013, have gone up 105 percent in the individual market. Those are people who don't have employer-provided coverage or aren't on Medicare or Medicaid. Small businesses and individuals who have to go out and purchase their prgtoken healthcare have seen premiums go up 105 percent. prgtoken We hear stories every day--and I will recount some of those from Texas--where people say they have zero choices. For example, in Iowa, we learned there are no insurance companies that are willing to sell health insurance on the individual market. That isn't because of anything that President or the majority have done. These are the failures of Care. prgtoken President made extravagant promises about Care, none of which has really proven to be true. He said he would bring down premiums $2,500 for a family of four. Well, these folks in the individual market have seen their premiums go up 105 percent since 2013. He said that if you like your policy, you could keep your policy. That proved not to be true because unless you bought the government- approved healthcare policy, insurance companies couldn't sell it on the exchanges. He said: If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. prgtoken But as people found out when their policies changed, frequently the doctors in the network they could see changed. People saw premiums go up. They lost coverage they liked, and they lost the doctor they had confidence in. prgtoken So the suggestion of the ic leader that somehow this current situation is a result of President or congressional action is ludicrous. I think people understand that, but I just couldn't resist responding a little bit to what he had to say, because sometimes when people don't respond they assume there isn't a response, and clearly there is.
RECOGNIZING MR. ANDREW LOEB SHOENIG UPON HIS DEPARTURE FROM WASHINGTON
Charles W. Dent (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-6-6

I rise today to express my great appreciation for a tremendous service that has been rendered to the Congress by Andrew Loeb Shoenig in his capacity as International Programs Director of the Congressional Study Groups. prgtoken As you are aware, the Congressional Study Groups are the premier international projects administered by the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, and they are the most active and substantive bipartisan exchange involving the U.S. Congress and legislative branches of another country. prgtoken Mr. Shoenig has been an integral part of the Study Group's outstanding success for almost six years. He worked tirelessly to enable Members to have a productive and fruitful dialogue with colleagues in the legislatures of Germany, Japan, Turkey, and the E.U. His effective leadership has resulted in the creation of a network of colleagues who have an avenue of discourse, so that the many important international issues that affect our constituencies can be addressed in a constructive and positive manner. prgtoken In addition to expressing the appreciation of my colleagues in Congress, I wish to add that on a personal note, it has been a great pleasure working with Andy over the past six years during my chairmanship of the Congressional Study Group on Germany. He is an exceptional professional who has delivered to Members an incredibly valuable and effective service. He is leaving Washington to earn his Master's Degree in Public Administration at the University of North Carolina, and we wish him much success as he pursues this new opportunity.
TAX REFORM
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-6-6

over a million Americans, including 200,000 young Americans, are living with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease in which a person's pancreas stops producing insulin. This disease is fatal without strict adherence to a regimented schedule of multiple daily insulin injections or continuous pump infusions, along with close monitoring of blood glucose levels. prgtoken My constituent Aislinn Keenan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was just 2 years old. She does not remember a day when she did not need to lance her finger multiple times a day to check her blood sugar or receive insulin injections. Despite these challenges, Aislinn and her family serve as an inspiration to all those facing this disease. Through courage and perseverance, they refuse to let type 1 diabetes stand in their way. Aislinn just finished her sophomore year at Villanova University. prgtoken The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation projects that 5 million Americans will have type 1 diabetes by 2050, including 600,000 young people, yet only one-third of the people with type 1 diabetes are achieving safe blood glucose levels. Accordingly, I am urging my colleagues to fully fund the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. prgtoken Presently, there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes and no cure for it once diagnosed. Only through robust funding and exhaustive research at the NIH can we continue to drive scientific progress to make the lives of those living with type 1 diabetes safer and healthier.
IRAQ AND SYRIA GENOCIDE EMERGENCY RELIEF AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-6-6

I rise today in support of H.R. 390, the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act. prgtoken For too long, the Middle East--the birth place of Christianity--has been the place where thousands of Christians have been led to their deaths. The Pew Research Center reports that Christians are the world's most persecuted faith community, with Middle Eastern Christians experiencing this most severely. prgtoken In 2012, President declared what is happening to Christians in the Middle East as ``genocide'', but not much has been done to respond to this crisis. prgtoken This bill will provide the dire supports and safeguards that Christians and other religious minorities desperately need. Specifically, it gives prioritized consideration to Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East for admission into the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, while keeping standard vetting procedures in place. prgtoken This is so important given that less than half of one percent of Syrians chosen for resettlement between 2011 and 2016 have been Christians. prgtoken H.R. 390 also supports entities that are conducting criminal investigations into the bad actors perpetrating violence against Christians and supports groups helping victims of genocide in the region. prgtoken Clearly, persecuted Christians in the Middle East desperately need our support. As a fellow Christian, I will keep working to bring attention to the failures of our current refugee program in helping these individuals, as well as promote efforts to provide resources and assistance to them in their time of need. prgtoken I applaud the passage of H.R. 390 and hope that the Senate will give it timely consideration.
Healthcare Legislation (Executive Session)
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-6-6

I am here to speak about a topic which, wherever I go, people speak about--the replacement of the Affordable Care Act or Care, as people call it. Clearly, we need action. prgtoken I had a Facebook post maybe a week or two ago from Brian in Covington, LA. He said: My family plan is $1,700. The quote goes on to say how his family cannot afford that $1,700. prgtoken Rates are going up, which I have said time and time again. My friend back in Baton Rouge, he and his wife are 60, 61. The quote for their insurance last year was $39,000--for 1 year. That is clearly not affordable. This is not just in Louisiana; it is in Washington, DC, it is in California, it is across our Nation where individual market quotes are going up that they cannot support. prgtoken Most recently, Connecticut insurers--there are two--are proposing rate increases that are 15.2 percent and 33.8 percent, on average, respectively. They are quoting 22 percent over 2017. In Maryland, some insurers are going to raise rates as much as 59 percent for those individual plans. prgtoken I am a physician. I learned a couple of things in my 20 or 30 years of practice. One, to lower costs, the patient must have the power; and, two, the insurance must be affordable; and, three, that the insurance they receive must be adequate. President totally got this. On the campaign trail, President said time and again--what I call his contract with the voter. He wanted folks to maintain coverage with lower premiums, care for those with preexisting conditions, and eliminating mandates. I think President just knew it. I shorthand this, if you will, saying, if we focus on lowering premiums and making sure it passes the Jimmy Kimmel test. The late-night comedian, when his child was born with a terrible heart problem, immediately got the care that child needed. So if we can have insurance that passes the Jimmy Kimmel test--lowering premiums, taking care of the rest of President 's goals, then I think we can accomplish it. We need to talk to experts, actuaries, those who prgtoken design insurance plans, to make sure we come up with something. prgtoken There is something else the President said that I want to focus on. This is just before he took the oath of office. He said people covered under the law--meaning the replacement--can expect to have great healthcare. ``It will be much simplified.'' One of the complaints about the Affordable Care Act is it is so complicated. Even online, 16 pages online, with your W-2, if you don't get it, you get booted out. The President said we must have a much simpler way of going about this--much less expensive and much better. prgtoken What could this look like? Let me propose some conservative solutions that could be in a plan that would achieve the President's goal. First, the patient has to have the power. In my 30 years of practice, I found that if the patient has the power, t
REMEMBERING JERRY PERENCHIO
John McCain (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2017-6-6

it is with deep sadness that I come to the floor to pay tribute to my friend and great supporter, Jerry Perenchio. Along with my wife, Cindy, I offer my sincerest condolences to Margie and Jerry's three children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren as they mourn the loss of a man whose brilliant talent and business success were only surpassed by his humility and generosity. prgtoken Jerry's incredible life and career epitomize the American dream. The grandson of Italian immigrants, Jerry spent time at military school before graduating from UCLA and joining the U.S. Air Force as a fighter pilot. Jerry pursued his goal of working in show business by taking a job in the mailroom at a talent agency. Before long, he was promoted to talent agent and later launched his own agency, representing Hollywood stars including Marlon Brando, Andy Williams, and Ronald Reagan. He would go on to partner with Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin and produce some of the most iconic television shows in history, including ``All in the Family,'' ``Good Times'' and ``The Jeffersons,'' and financed celebrated films such as ``Driving Miss Daisy,'' which won the Oscar for best picture in 1989. prgtoken Jerry also played a major role in promoting some of history's most iconic sports matchups. In 1971, Jerry agreed to promote the heavyweight world championship ``fight of the century'' between Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier at New York's Madison Square Garden. Jerry sold the broadcast rights to the fight, which was shown on closed- circuit TV. He guaranteed a $5 million purse for the matchup, built a crowd of celebrities including Frank Sinatra and Burt Lancaster, and generated $2 million in profits. He would go on to promote the legendary ``Battle of the Sexes'' tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs at the Houston Astrodome that attracted a crowd of nearly 30,000 people, as well as an additional 30 million viewers who watched the match on TV. prgtoken Jerry is perhaps best known for building Univision into the media powerhouse it is today. He bought the then-struggling network in 1992 and, in just 4 years, led Univision to an initial public offering. Under his leadership, Univision cultivated a loyal audience among Hispanic Americans who had been previously underrepresented in the mainstream media. Colleagues of Jerry at Univision have spoken of his deep respect and compassion for the Hispanic community in the United States and his visionary foresight into the important role they play in culture and politics. prgtoken While Jerry had much personal success to celebrate, he carried himself with humility, generosity, and integrity. Despite working in show business, Jerry preferred a more reclusive life and encouraged his subordinates to work hard and avoid the press. ``Stay out of the spotlight,'' Jerry would say. ``It fades your suit.'' He gave to countless causes and charities, many anonymously, includ
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2017-6-6

everyone remembers President 's famous--or perhaps infamous--promise that he would sign a healthcare bill that would ``cut the cost of a typical family's premiums by up to $2,500 per year.'' Well, as everyone knows, that didn't happen. Between 2009 and 2016, the average family with employer-sponsored health insurance saw its premiums rise by $4,767. That is just the beginning. prgtoken Two weeks ago, the Department of Health and Human Services released a report comparing the average individual market insurance premium in 2013--the year when most of Care's regulations and mandates were implemented--with the average individual market exchange premium in 2017 in the 39 States that used healthcare.gov--so 2013 to 2017 individual market premiums. Here is what they found. Between 2013 and 2017, the average individual market monthly premium in the healthcare.gov States increased by 105 percent. In other words, on average, individual market premiums more than doubled in just 5 years. prgtoken In my home State of South Dakota, premiums increased by 124 percent or $3,588 over 5 years. As I said, that is according to HHS reporting on the premiums in the individual market exchanges over the course of the past 5 years. So $3,588 in South Dakota is money that South Dakota families had to take from other priorities, like saving for retirement or investing in their children's education. prgtoken Three States saw their premiums triple over those 5 years. The average monthly premium in Alaska went from $344 to $1,041. That is an increase of $697 per month or more than $8,300 a year. Think about that. Over the past 5 years, the average individual market yearly premium has increased by $4,800 in Arizona, by $3,648 in Louisiana, by $5,064 in North Carolina, by $4,488 in Tennessee, and by $5,292 in West Virginia. Those kinds of premium increases are just not sustainable. prgtoken Some people, of course, received tax credits to help offset their premium payments, but many others are left to face these massive premium hikes by themselves. And most people do not have the money to easily absorb a 105-percent premium increase or more in many States, as I pointed out, over 5 years. prgtoken Of course, premium increases show no signs of slowing down. Numbers for 2018 are emerging, and they are not looking good. Insurers on the New York exchange are requesting double-digit rate hikes. A Connecticut insurer requested an average rate hike of 33.8 percent. One Virginia insurer requested an average rate increase of 38 percent. Another has requested an average 45-percent rate hike. In Oregon, the average rate hike requested is 17.2 percent. Companies offering plans on the exchange here in Washington, DC, are requesting average rate hikes ranging from 13 percent to nearly 40 percent. In Maryland, average increases range from 18 percent to almost 59 percent. One insurer in Maryland has requested a rate increase of up to
CONGRATULATIONS TO JOSHELLE HARGUS
Billy Long (Republican, MO) \u2014 2017-6-6

I rise today to congratulate and honor a young student from my district who has achieved national recognition for exemplary volunteer service in her community. Joshelle Hargus of Aurora has just been named one of the distinguished finalists in Missouri by The 2017 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, an annual honor conferred on the most impressive student volunteers in each state and the District of Columbia. prgtoken Ms. Hargus is being recognized for being the creator of ``Joshelle's Funky Flip Flops,'' making more than 500 pairs of handmade flip flops since 2008 and using her earnings from her sales to buy shoes and clothes for 100 kids in need. Inspired to help by a kindergarten classmate's only pair of torn-up shoes, Ms. Hargus has gone on to sell her flip flops at craft shows and spread the word about her cause through events and media appearances. prgtoken It's vital that we encourage and support the kind of selfless contribution this young citizen has made. Young volunteers like Ms. Hargus are inspiring examples to all of us, and are among our brightest hopes for a better tomorrow. prgtoken The program that brought this young role model to our attention--The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards--was created by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals in 1995 to impress upon all youth volunteers that their contributions are critically important and highly valued, and to inspire other young people to follow their example. Over the past 22 years, the program has become the nation's largest youth recognition effort based solely on community service, and has honored more than 115,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level. prgtoken Ms. Hargus should be extremely proud to have been singled out from the thousands of dedicated volunteers who participated in this year's program. I wish Ms. Hargus luck with all her future endeavors, and urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating her on this momentous achievement.
HEALTHCARE LEGISLATION
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-6-6

every week, it seems we hear more news about the failures of Care. For instance, 2 weeks ago, we learned that nearly 70,000 people in parts of Missouri and Kansas will lose their last insurance provider on the Care exchanges in 2018. From rural towns to Kansas City, these Americans are being left without options. Last week, we learned that thousands of Care customers in Nebraska will be left with only one provider on the exchanges and that the remaining insurer hasn't even decided if it is going to stay through 2018. This week, we learned that the number of health insurers participating in Care exchanges had declined by nearly one-quarter from 2016 to 2017. prgtoken It has become painfully clear that Care is failing to live up to its promises and is collapsing right in front of our eyes. If this failed Care status quo continues, more Americans are likely to lose their insurance options, more Americans are likely to continue seeing their premiums rise, and more Americans are likely to get caught in the downward spiral of Care. prgtoken It is time for our friends on the other side of the aisle to get serious about moving beyond the problems of this law. They spent years defending the system, promising it will get better over time and claiming others were exaggerating Care's flaws, but here is the reality our ic colleagues seem to be missing: Care did not get better. The problems are real and have continued to get worse. prgtoken Now are trying to blame the failures of Care on anything but--anything but--the broken healthcare law itself. They can try to shift the blame, but the American people are not going to fall for it. prgtoken Many Kentuckians have called for us to move away from Care to bring relief to families. An official report released last month showed that since Care's full enactment in 2013, average premiums in Kentucky have skyrocketed by 75 percent. prgtoken A woman from Lancaster, KY, wrote to my office recently to express her frustration. With high premiums and a staggering deductible, she asked: Why is there a law forcing me to pay for something I can't afford? Either I can eat and pay my mortgage, or pay for insurance. prgtoken Far too many Americans face these painful choices every day because of Care. As the system continues to collapse around us, this Kentuckian and many more like her are left to deal with the consequences. prgtoken The Care status quo is unsustainable and unacceptable. Our country can do better, and our country really must do better. I hope Senate will join us as we move beyond the system's failures. They can either continue to defend this broken system with its higher costs and diminishing choices, or they can work with us to move beyond Care toward smarter healthcare solutions. What is clear is that we have to act. Otherwise, more Americ
TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL H. MICHAEL EDWARDS
Cory Gardner (Republican, CO) \u2014 2017-6-6

today I wish to recognize and commend MG H. Michael Edwards, who retired on March 31, 2017, after 43 years of exceptional leadership and service to our country, including 36 years in the Colorado Air National Guard. For almost a decade in the position of the Adjutant General for Colorado, General Edwards was responsible for the command administration of over 5,300 Army and Air National Guard members. He also served as the Executive Director of the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs and was a member of the Governor's cabinet. He had responsibility for the Colorado National Guard's primary missions of national defense and State emergency response. In addition, he was responsible for supporting the missions of the Civil Air Patrol's Colorado wing. prgtoken General Edwards received his commission in 1973, after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and earned his pilot wings in 1974 at Reese Air Force Base, TX. prgtoken He served as an F-4 pilot and AT-38 fighter lead-in instructor pilot at Osan Air Base, Korea, and Holloman Air Force Base, NM, respectively. prgtoken General Edwards joined the Colorado Air National Guard in August 1980. He has served in numerous assignments in flying and operations, as well as command positions at squadron, group, and wing levels-- culminating as the Adjutant General for Colorado. During his tenure as Adjutant General, more than 6,000 Colorado National Guard citizen- soldiers and citizen-airmen have mobilized in support of overseas contingency operations. prgtoken He also oversaw the Colorado National Guard's record-setting response to some of the worst natural disasters impacting Colorado, including the High Park Fire and the Waldo Canyon Fire during 2012, followed by the Black Forest Fire and historic flooding along the Colorado Front Range in 2013. prgtoken Furthermore, General Edwards was instrumental in bringing a new National Guard cyber protection team to Colorado, bolstering the state's cyber defenses. He also diversified the Colorado National Guard through the appointment of its first female general officer. prgtoken Over a period of 10 years, General Edwards significantly grew the Colorado National Guard's enduring relationships with the Republic of Slovenia and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan under the National Guard State Partnership Program. These military-to-military exchanges have supported combatant command security cooperation objectives, promoted regional stability, and increased partner capacity and interoperability. prgtoken General Edwards has also overseen the missions of the Civil Air Patrol's Colorado wing, consisting of more than 1,600 volunteers. Under his leadership, the Civil Air Patrol took on a bigger role in State response, flying fire watch and conducting flood damage surveys. Colorado's Civil Air Patrol was first to fly support of the U.S. Army's on-base unmanned aerial systems operations. prgtoken General Edwards has flown