mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FEDERAL EMPLOYEE HIRING FREEZE
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-1-24

yesterday President issued an executive order. He imposed a hiring freeze on the Federal workforce. It was not only a freeze, but an attack on those serving our country and a misguided action that will achieve the opposite of what is intended. prgtoken For those who are listening in the Chamber, , let me say that I am proud to represent 62,000 Federal employees. Hopefully, all of us refer to them as working people. We all say we want to be supportive of working people. Some people, however, in this body and down the avenue exempt Federal employees as working people. prgtoken They are not only working people, but they are working for the American people. Let's not forget that two-thirds of Federal employees live and work outside the Greater Washington area. It is very nice to say ``all of those bureaucrats in Washington,'' but two-thirds of our Federal employees serve in every community around our country, serve in protecting them: FBI agents; agents around the world who work for the Central Intelligence Agency--117 of whom died in service, and the President spoke in front of their memorial the other day--employees of the Centers for Disease Control keeping us healthy as communities and as a country, protecting our children and our families from diseases that would attack us; Federal employees at the National Institutes of Health studying how we prevent and cure cancer, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, autism, other afflictions that confront our country, both health care from a physical and mental standpoint; and, yes, nurses at our veterans hospitals. A freeze so that if a nurse leaves, you can't replace her or him; a doctor at a veterans hospital leaves, you can't replace that doctor, apparently; even at the IRS where we talk about making sure our tax system is fair and making sure that everybody pays their fair share, we undermine the ability to make that a reality; our Border Patrol to keep our borders safe; homeland security to keep our homeland safe--they serve the public in every State and every congressional district in the country. prgtoken This hiring freeze will not save us money or do anything to make the government more efficient. Should we do both? Yes. Will this policy do it? No. Its effect will be a reduction in the level of service benefiting the American people, greater difficulty in recruiting and retaining the most talented Americans to public service, and increased costs as a result of having to hire more expensive private contractors to do the work that still needs to be done. prgtoken That is something that the public doesn't understand, that, frankly, we exploded, in the early part of this century, the contracting out, which gave us less control and more cost. It is more expensive to contract out. prgtoken Already, our Federal employees have made significant sacrifices toward achieving a greater fiscal sustainability in this country. Now, let me give you the magnitude
NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION AND ABORTION INSURANCE FULL DISCLOSURE ACT OF 2017
Diana DeGette (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2017-1-24

. Madam , an additional 1 minute. prgtoken It severely restricts abortion coverage in the ACA's exchanges by forbidding people who have plans where they get subsidies from paying for plans with their own money. This is a far expansion of a restriction on a woman's right to get her own health insurance with her own money. prgtoken It denies insurance-related tax credits to small businesses that choose plans that offer abortion services. It permanently bans abortion services for Federal employees and it codifies a ban on abortion coverage for women in military services overseas. prgtoken The fact that we are debating this today, just 1 day after President issued an executive order reinstating the global gag rule, is a slap in the face to the over 3 million women who marched last weekend. prgtoken Let's vote ``no'' on this bill and let's go to the business that the American public really cares about. prgtoken .
DIGITAL GLOBAL ACCESS POLICY ACT OF 2017
Karen Bass (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-1-24

I rise in support of H.R. 5537, the Digital Global Access Policy Act or the Digital GAP Act. I commend Chairman Royce's timely piece of legislation, which aims to facilitate greater coordination between the U.S. and foreign governments, international organizations, regional economic communities, businesses, and civil society regarding the promotion of information technology and cybersecurity in developing economies. prgtoken The focus of the critical IT sector, particularly in developing countries, is the goal of not only Chairman Royce's Digital GAP bill but also of a possible companion bill in the Senate sponsored last year by Senator Markey. prgtoken I understand that Senator Markey plans to reintroduce his bill in the Senate, and it is my hope that we can work with the Senate in support of this legislation. Both bills address the critical issue of the U.S. working with developing economies on the core issue of information technology and cybersecurity. prgtoken In many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, the information technology sector has literally taken off and enabled young, innovative, and talented entrepreneurs to develop IT-related solutions to everyday problems. prgtoken Last summer, I traveled with Senator Markey and Representative Maloney to Nigeria and Senegal where we met with a number of local IT experts. What was clear from our in-depth discussions is that Internet access has quickly become a critical component of economies and economic growth throughout the developing world. prgtoken Many developing economies, which have traditionally had to navigate institutional or infrastructural impediments, are able to utilize information technology to resolve everyday problems. Case in point, telephone land lines in some developing economies are often in need of constant repair and maintenance. As a result, over the years, land lines became the preserve of the middle class and affluent sectors of capital cities. prgtoken This is no longer the case because astute entrepreneurs have found a way to circumvent this impediment by buying and/or renting out cell phones for public use. Today, in just about any country you visit in Sub-Saharan Africa, you will see countless men, women, and children using cell phones.
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS ACT
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-1-24

today I am introducing the Pacific Northwest Earthquake Preparedness Act, a comprehensive bill to address the earthquake risk facing the Pacific Northwest. prgtoken The Pacific Northwest is at extraordinary risk of a magnitude 9.0 earthquake on the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) followed by a tsunami. The question is no longer if, but when, this event will occur. prgtoken The CSZ stretches from northern California up into British Columbia. Historically, the Cascadia Subduction Zone slips every 300 years or so causing major earthquakes. The last quake was in 1700 and evidence suggests it was a magnitude 8.7 to a 9.2. Thursday is the 317th anniversary of the last major Cascadia earthquake. prgtoken Experts agree that Oregon is due for another major earthquake. Some forecasts suggest there is a ten percent chance of a magnitude 8 to 9 quake on the CSZ in the next thirty years, while others predict a thirty-five to forty percent chance of a major quake on the south end of the CSZ in the next fifty years. prgtoken The Cascadia Subduction Zone is a minor image of the subduction zone off the coast of Japan that caused the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and triggered the devastating tsunami in 2011. That event caused an estimated $300 billion in damages and killed over 15,000 people. prgtoken We can expect similar, if not more, damage in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The United States Geological Service estimates that over 22,000 people live in Oregon's tsunami inundation zone and even more enter the zone daily for employment purposes. The State of Oregon predicts thousands of deaths and injuries plus approximately $32 billion in infrastructure and economic damages in Oregon alone. Hundreds of thousands of survivors will be displaced, some possibly for years. prgtoken The next big Cascadia quake will likely cause massive damage. Critical lifelines, such as power, natural gas, and petroleum lines, roads and bridges, water and sewer systems, buildings, and communication systems over large parts of California, Oregon and Washington will likely be damaged, complicating response and recovery efforts. It may take years to fully restore utility services. State and local economies will be decimated. prgtoken It is important to note that this is not just a Pacific Northwest issue, this is a National issue. Yes the impact of an earthquake and tsunami in the CSZ will be felt the most in Oregon and Washington, but there will be Nation-wide effects. Seismic shaking is expected to be felt as far as Sacramento, California. Most infrastructure in the United States as a whole has not been constructed to withstand seismic shaking of the magnitude that scientists predict has a high likelihood of occurring. prgtoken The national economy will be impacted by this event. Fortune 500 companies, such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Nike, are headquartered in Oregon and Washington. International ports used to export U.S. goods and to import foreign g
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 7, NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION AND ABORTION INSURANCE FULL DISCLOSURE ACT OF 2017
Doris O. Matsui (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-1-24

. Madam , I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 7. prgtoken On Saturday, I joined millions of women, men, and children who took to the streets and raised their voices in defense of equality. We marched because women's rights are truly human rights. We marched because women should be able to make their own choices about their own bodies. We marched because everyone deserves health care, not just the privileged few. prgtoken And yet, here we find ourselves voting on another attempt to cut off reproductive health care from the people who need it the most. H.R. 7 would be devastating for all women, but would disproportionately impact low-income families, women of color, immigrants, and young people. prgtoken But we were reminded this weekend that, as women, our destinies are tied together, and we will not be silent as s attempt to interfere with a woman's constitutional right to choose. Women are watching.
NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION AND ABORTION INSURANCE FULL DISCLOSURE ACT OF 2017
Gene Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-1-24

. Madam , I rise today to express my opposition to H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. prgtoken Longstanding federal policy explicitly prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions, except for certain narrow circumstances of rape, incest, or severe health complications that threaten the life of the mother. prgtoken The Affordable Care Act (ACA) maintains this ban and a federal appeals court confirmed that no federal dollars may be used to pay for abortion services under the law. prgtoken Far more sweeping in scope than the title implies, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act goes well beyond codifying the Hyde Amendment and protecting public funds. prgtoken This bill intrudes on women's reproductive autonomy and access to health care, manipulates the tax code to put additional financial burdens on many women and small businesses, and unnecessarily restricts the private insurance choices available to consumers today. prgtoken The House of Representatives should be spending our time working to improve access to health care for all Americans, instead of deceptive legislation that interferes with a woman's ability to make personal, private medical decisions. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to stop the relentless attacks on women's health and vote against this damaging, unnecessary legislation.
OPPOSE REPEAL OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Al Lawson, Jr. (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-1-24

. Madam , I rise to voice my strong opposition to the current efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken Nearly 20 million Americans have gained access to health care because of the Affordable Care Act, including nearly 1.5 million Floridians. Because of the ACA, over 278,000 children in Florida have gained healthcare coverage, and 132,000 young adults in Florida have been able to remain on their parents' health insurance plan until they reach age 26. Women in Florida and across this Nation can now purchase health insurance for the same price as men because of the ACA's ban on gender rating. prgtoken Repealing the law could endanger the health and welfare of hundreds of thousands of Floridians and their families. Repealing the ACA would not only make America sick again, but it would threaten the economic security of every American. I will not stand by and allow my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to dismantle the ACA and threaten the health and economic security of millions of hardworking Americans.
THE APOLLO 1 MEMORIAL ACT
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-1-27

I rise today to introduce the ``Apollo 1 Memorial Act''. Today is the 50th Anniversary of the tragedy which claimed the lives of three brave American heroes. This piece of legislation is meant to honor their legacy and ensure we never forgot by creating a memorial for them in our national shrine for heroes, Arlington National Cemetery. prgtoken On January 27, 1967, Astronauts Command Pilot Virgil I. ``Gus'' Grissom, Senior Pilot Edward H. White II, and Pilot Roger B. Chaffee were killed in an electrical fire that broke out inside their Apollo I Command Module on Launch Pad 34 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The accident led to a detailed internal investigation and congressional hearings. As a result of their sacrifice NASA made improvements and changes to the Apollo program which ultimately resulted in Apollo 11 landing on the moon two years later. prgtoken Although all three astronauts were posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, these three fearless astronauts who were set to be the first Americans into space under the Apollo program have not received a memorial at Arlington as was done for the Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia crews. prgtoken This bill would redress that unfortunate omission which continues to be a burden on the hearts of those who loved them. Arlington National Cemetery is where we recognize heroes who have passed in the service of the Nation. It is fitting that on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo I accident we acknowledge these astronauts by building a memorial in their honor. This bill would direct the Secretary of the Army, in consultation with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), to construct at an appropriate place in Arlington National Cemetery, a memorial marker honoring these three heroic men. prgtoken In addition to $500,000 from the Army's fiscal year 2017 operations and maintenance appropriated funds, the bill provides the NASA Administrator with the authority to accept donations of services, money, and property to help allay the cost of the memorial marker. prgtoken In closing, , on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 1 accident, we have the opportunity to honor these three brave men and their contribution to America's preeminence in human spaceflight. It is time to build a memorial so that current and future Americans never forget their sacrifice. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle can come together to support this legislation honoring these heroes.
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH FUNDING DEFICIT
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-1-27

I rise to clarify a statistic I inadvertently misstated on the House Floor on January 3rd. prgtoken I intended to highlight how medical research at the National Institutes of Health has been cut by $7.5 billion since 2003, when adjusted for inflation. prgtoken The cost of conducting medical research increases each year, yet the NIH's budget has not kept up with this pace. As a result, the NIH has been able to support less research each year. prgtoken Thankfully we started to reverse this trend in 2016, when we provided a $2 billion increase however that is not nearly enough to close the gap. prgtoken Even with the money provided by 21st Century Cures for the next decade, Congress has barely put a dent in the NIH's funding deficit. For example, in 2017, with the increase provided in the House Mark and the Cures bill, the NIH would still be over $7 billion short of the 2003 level. prgtoken I would also note that the Cures funding is a gimmick--there is no guarantee that Congress will provide that funding each year. prgtoken I regret my error in omitting the term ``when adjusted for inflation.'' But it is clear that when you look at the cost of research and the money we appropriate for the NIH, we have a long way to go.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE SOUTHERN WAYNE COUNTY REGIONAL CHAMBER DURING ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-1-27

I rise today to recognize the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber's 50 Year Anniversary on the date of its Business to Business Exposition Best of Downriver Black Tie Event. The SWCRC has played a critical role in promoting business and economic development by providing training and leadership opportunities to the Downriver community. prgtoken Since its founding in 1967, the SWCRC has helped the Downriver business community grow and prosper. The SWCRC today has over 650 members and provides them with a variety of networking, business development and education programs. The SWCRC gives emerging leaders in Southern Wayne County education and training through its Leadership 21 initiative, a six month program that gives individuals multidisciplinary training in the fields of economic development, government and healthcare. Additionally, the Chamber offers opportunities to network and meet other members of the business community, as well as promotional events and roundtables with leaders in a variety of fields. These services have allowed businesses to better serve the individuals in the Downriver area, have helped to improve the business climate in Southern Wayne County and have contributed to the economic revival of southeast Michigan. prgtoken The SWCRC's efforts have been instrumental in creating a strong business community that effectively serves the Downriver area. Its efforts have inspired a new generation of business leaders who are uniquely equipped to address the issues facing the community. It has also allowed organizations in the area to share best practices and better serve Downriver. I am proud to recognize the outstanding efforts of the SWCRC and its members, and it is my hope that they continue to make Southern Wayne County a great place to live and work in the coming years. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Southern Wayne Regional Chamber and its 50 years of success. Its work on behalf of the Downriver community has played a key role in helping the area grow and develop while providing jobs and other opportunities.
NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION AND ABORTION INSURANCE FULL DISCLOSURE ACT OF 2017
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-1-27

. Madam , I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act. prgtoken This bill is an unprecedented attack on a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions and another attempt by s to undermine the Affordable Care Act (ACA). prgtoken This legislation goes far beyond the long-standing Hyde Amendment which Congress passes every year during the Appropriations process preventing taxpayer dollars from being used for abortions. The Hyde Amendment is included in each Appropriations bill every year. This bill stretches increase taxes on millions of individuals and small businesses that purchase private healthcare plans that include abortion coverage. It takes away protections for rape survivors and pregnant women whose lives are in danger, and bans women in the military from abortion care in a military hospital overseas, even if they use their own money to pay for that care. This will deny millions of American women access to truly comprehensive health care. prgtoken A woman's right to choose whether to end a pregnancy is protected constitutionally. The decision is private. It is a matter of faith and it is a matter of conscience. I believe women already have the right to make decisions about reproductive health care, that it is protected constitutionally. This legislation should be rejected for its overly broad reach, its false advertising and its attack on the constitutionally protected right to privacy.
PROMOTING THE 2017 MARCH FOR LIFE
F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (Republican, WI) \u2014 2017-1-27

I proudly rise to recognize the March for Life on Friday January 27th, 2017 here in Washington D.C. This is a gathering of thousands of Americans from across our great country, all who are standing up for the protection of unborn children. prgtoken Ever since the abysmal ruling by the Supreme Court in Roe vs. Wade, the barbaric practice of abortion on demand has been rampant in our country. All too often we fall into the trap of conflating women's health with abortion, assuming that if one supports protecting life, then we're failing to care for women's health. Nothing could be further from the truth. prgtoken I stand here today with the millions of Americans across our country who believe that the lives of innocent children must be protected. I have long been a staunch advocate for pro-life issues despite vocal opposition. As Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, I shepherded the partial-birth abortion ban through Congress. It was one of my greatest honors to watch President sign it into law, and I was relieved that the Supreme Court upheld it. I have fully supported every effort in Congress to stop federally funded abortions, both in the United States and abroad, and will continue to fight efforts to federally fund these horrific practices.