mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
North Korea (Executive Calendar)
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-11-2

President will be leaving on a lengthy trip to Asia. He will be visiting Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In each of those countries, we expect that the No. 1 national security issue that will be talked about is North Korea. prgtoken North Korea's dangerous activities are certainly putting not only the region but the global community at risk. They have a nuclear weapons capability. They currently have the ability to explode a nuclear device. They are working on delivery systems that could very well reach not just the region but the United States. They are violating international commitments. They have done dozens of tests this year alone, all in violation of those international commitments. prgtoken We have had a strong policy to try to isolate North Korea. The United States has led in the imposition of sanctions. We introduced this year and passed the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. It passed this body by a 98-to-2 vote. I notice the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is on the floor, and he was one of the strong architects of that legislation. The United Nations Security Council passed Resolutions Nos. 2270, 2321, and 2375. The President has issued Executive Order No. 13810. prgtoken We have been asking for rigorous enforcement of sanctions. We could do more. One of the points I hope the President will be talking about during his trip is robust and rigorous enforcement of the sanctions that are out there. And I see there is activity taking place in the Banking Committee. We have legislation in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. If additional sanction authority is needed, let's do that. That is important. prgtoken But what additional things can we do, and what should the President be promoting as he visits Asia? First, let me give you a few unacceptable alternatives. prgtoken We cannot lead with military intervention. The casualties could be astronomical. The technology to develop nuclear weapons would still remain. Our allies are certainly not in agreement with that policy. There is no congressional authority for the use of force. prgtoken A second alternative that is not acceptable is to just continue the current course. North Korea is developing a delivery system that will threaten not just Japan and the Republic of Korea but also Guam and the United States. We will see an arms race if we do not effectively stop North Korea's nuclear program. prgtoken President 's statement, in my view, made the challenges even more dramatic. His ``America first'' statements isolate America and make it more difficult for us to get the type of support we need. I think his reckless statements make it more likely rather than less likely that we will use a military option. prgtoken What we need is a surge in diplomacy. A surge in diplomacy can very well start with the meeting between President Xi of China and President
SAVE Act (Executive Session)
Martin Heinrich (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2017-11-2

I want to start by thanking my colleague from Maine, Senator Susan Collins, for her work on this legislation. In addition to her excellent work on the Intelligence Committee, her experience in homeland security and critical infrastructure was absolutely critical to the drafting of this legislation. prgtoken As current members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, we are continuing to work on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential election. Yesterday, our committee held an important open hearing where we had representatives from companies such as Facebook, Google, and Twitter. We know that Russian Government- linked actors purchased online advertisements last year in order to influence voters and, frankly, in order to divide Americans. Additionally, Russia used bots and trolls to spread misinformation and division organically through social media networks. prgtoken While the President has labeled reports of these ads as a ``hoax,'' now that Facebook has actually released many of those ads and acknowledged their extensive reach last year, I hope we can all agree that this is a problem which we must solve before future election cycles. prgtoken I have called on the Federal Election Commission to consider new guidance on how online advertisement platforms can better prevent foreign nationals from illicitly spending in future U.S. elections. I certainly support legislation to require the same transparency for online political ads that we currently enjoy for television or print or radio ads. These are simple, straightforward steps we can and must take to protect the sanctity of our democracy. prgtoken We also know, based on intelligence assessments, that as part of Russia's larger hostile effort to interfere in last year's election, Russian actors targeted State election voting centers and State-level voting registration databases--the very heart of the infrastructure we all rely on for free and fair elections. In my view, these intrusions demonstrate a troubling vulnerability to potential future cyber attacks and manipulations by foreign hackers of our elections and our democratic process. prgtoken Our democracy fundamentally hinges on protecting the rights of Americans to be able to fairly choose their own leaders. That is why I am proud to be partnering with Senator Collins in introducing the bipartisan Securing America's Voting Equipment Act, or the SAVE Act, to provide increased security for American election systems. I am proud to join Senator Collins on the floor today to demonstrate our commitment to being able to move forward in a bipartisan and pragmatic way to find solutions to protect the integrity of that voting process. prgtoken Our bipartisan legislation would permanently designate State-run election systems as ``critical infrastructure,'' and it would require the Department of Homeland Security to create a Federal grant program to hel
CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS: REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN
Hakeem S. Jeffries (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-11-2

I think that is a great question, and it is deeply troubling. prgtoken You hear the words ``regular order.'' That is a Washington, D.C phrase, but we can translate it for the American people. Regular order equals democracy, and democracy is being undermined as it relates to the tax plan, Ponzi scheme, because they are going to try to jam it down the throats of the American people. prgtoken Not a single meaningful hearing, as was done on a bipartisan basis in 1986, when Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill got together to reform the Tax Code in a meaningful way, in a bipartisan way, in a thoughtful way. But, unfortunately, regular order, democracy, is being undermined by this -led Congress, as it relates to this tax bill.
HONORING MOISES LOZA
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2017-11-2

I rise today to honor the retirement of Moises Loza. prgtoken Moises Loza grew up in South Texas in a migrant farmworker family. During his childhood, he traveled with his family throughout the South, Midwest and West coast in search of farm-work. His first-hand experience of how hard families work to survive in this country is the perfect example of the families residing in Mississippi's Second Congressional District. prgtoken In fact, while Loza served as Executive Director of the Housing Assistance Council--a national nonprofit corporation that works to increase the availability of decent housing for rural low-income people--he ensured the organization provided technical assistance, training and research to assist with housing development for low-income and hard-working families residing in the lower Mississippi Delta. Loza also serves in leadership roles on many housing related organizations. prgtoken Currently, he serves as chairman of the Rural Development Leadership Network and treasurer of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. He also serves on the board of directors for the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, the National Housing Conference, the National Rural Housing Coalition, and the Morgan Stanley Advisory Committee. prgtoken His selfless work to provide housing opportunities for families in need is something that we all should celebrate. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a great public servant, Moises Loza, for his work to provide equal and fair housing.
CUTTING TAXES FOR THE SUPERRICH AT THE EXPENSE OF EVERYONE ELSE
Val Butler Demings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-11-3

I rise today to express my strong opposition to the deal to cut taxes for the superrich at the expense of everyone else. prgtoken Apparently, s believe the American people are just too distracted to recognize a con game when they see one. But make no mistake, the plan is about giving tax breaks to the largest corporations and the superrich. It is not about the middle class or people who have to go to work every day. If working families had an opportunity to read the fine print, they would see that this bill has nothing to do with them. prgtoken Don't be fooled. The money needed to make this plan work has to come from somewhere. It will hurt working Americans and will cause our deficit to explode. prgtoken The strength of our country requires investing in people: so our children can have a better future, so their parents can have better jobs, so small businesses can thrive, and so seniors can retire with dignity. That is the America that we want, and that is the American promise we must keep.
CONGRATULATING CRISTINA JIMENEZ MORETA
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-11-3

. Madam , I am proud to recognize and congratulate an immigrant advocate, and now MacArthur genius, Cristina Jimenez Moreta. Like me, she is a CUNY alumni and she grew up undocumented. prgtoken Since founding United We Dream in 2008, Cristina Jimenez Moreta has become a powerhouse champion for immigrant groups across the country. By elevating the stories of DREAMers and putting faces and names to a discussion that was, at times, dismissive and dehumanizing, she changed the dialogue surrounding undocumented young people. prgtoken Her work has impacted the lives of young immigrants nationwide, and in honor of her significant contributions, she was recently selected as one of 24 MacArthur Fellow winners worldwide in 2017. prgtoken I congratulate Ms. Jimenez on her MacArthur Fellowship, and I applaud her decision to use the grant money to further the development of other undocumented young people. prgtoken Cristina, your work is paramount now more than ever now that we brace as a nation to give rich people a big tax write-off that will put our country in jeopardy, a big gambling casino effort that has seen a failed attempt in the past with trickle-down economy. ``Because we are not one. We are not 100. We are millions. Count us well.'' ``Porque no somos uno. No somos cien. Somos millones. Cuentanos bien.''
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IMPROVE OUR NATION ACT OF 2017
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-11-3

I rise to speak on House consideration of H.R. 3922, Championing Healthy Kids Act, which would reauthorize the State Children Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP). prgtoken As the founder and chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, I am well aware of the work that went into creating this important program. prgtoken I joined with members of the bipartisan Children's Caucus to champion the worthy goals of S-CHIP. prgtoken Congress and President Clinton responded to the needs of 10 million children in the United States who lacked health insurance, S-CHIP was created in 1997 to insure children in families with too much income to qualify for Medicaid and too little to afford private insurance. prgtoken I voted for the S-CHIP program when it came to the floor for a vote as part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. prgtoken I worked tirelessly along with other members of the House to make sure the S-CHIP program was created. prgtoken I voted to extend the life of the program when Congress reauthorized S-CHIP in 2009 under the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act and again when it became part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. prgtoken The program represented a grand bargain that allowed and s to agree that healthcare for the nation's children was a laudable and achievable goal. prgtoken H.R. 3922, Championing Healthy Kids Act, is not a reauthorization of the S-CHIP program it is political theater at its worse. prgtoken The leadership of the House is betraying all that this body has done for 20 years to sustain and improve S-CHIP. prgtoken The bill before the House is political theater and not real legislating--a partisan attack against Medicare that has no place in a real bill about healthcare for children. prgtoken I am a strong supporter of S-CHIP and would vote for that program any day it is brought to the House Floor. prgtoken This imposter S-CHIP bill is not worthy to be considered by this body. prgtoken The motion to recommit this bill should be supported so that the offensive offsets could be removed so that the bill can be brought back to the full House for consideration. prgtoken After weeks of negotiations to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Community Health Centers (CHCs) and other important public health programs, which have always been bipartisan priorities, House s have decided to bring a partisan bill to the Floor. prgtoken This bill will only further delay the reauthorization of these programs, many of which expired on September 30th. prgtoken The bill passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee at the beginning of October with no ic support. prgtoken in Committee instead offered a package that invests in our children and safety net providers, and does not sacrifice the nation's health. prgtoken have made it clear for weeks that the pay-fors in this bill are problematic. prgtoken Rather
DELAY MEDICAID DSH CUTS
Joseph Crowley (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-11-3

I rise today to urge Congress to delay the cuts to Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments that went into effect on October 1, and to protect our nation's safety net hospitals from financial ruin. prgtoken Medicaid DSH hospitals serve a high proportion of Medicaid recipients as well as underinsured or completely uninsured Americans. These hospitals bear the risk of caring for the most vulnerable members of our districts because they recognize the inextricable value of healthy communities: when we are healthy together, we thrive together. It is our duty to return the favor to the hospitals that ensure our communities have a secure health care safety net. prgtoken If Congress does not act soon to delay Medicaid DSH cuts, safety net hospitals across the country will face a twenty percent cut in federal funding. In my home district in Queens and the Bronx, Medicaid DSH hospitals stand to lose over $409 million over the next ten years. I cannot stand by as Congress throws our safety net hospitals into an economic upheaval. prgtoken However, I also cannot stand by as Congress brings forth a proposal-- the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act (H.R. 3922)--to pay for a delay of Medicaid DSH cuts for two years by imposing steeper cuts on those same hospitals in future years, among other flaws. prgtoken This legislation is an example of how this -led Congress has championed partisan gridlock that threatens the vitality of our safety net hospitals. Within a package to delay Medicaid DSH cuts and extend federal funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and community health centers, s proposed several problematic offsets that would ultimately set our health care system back. For example, certain changes to Medicaid would inhibit access to pediatric providers, and cuts to the ACA's Prevention and Public Health Fund would undermine the value of preventive services delivered at community health centers. Furthermore, the package would lead to higher premiums for certain seniors receiving Medicare benefits and shorter grace periods for individuals who receive their health coverage through the individual market. In other words, this package would slash benefits and protections for one group of beneficiaries to extend services for another. will not stand for any packages that would rob Peter to pay Paul. prgtoken I cannot in good conscience vote for a package that starts a food fight amongst different groups of beneficiaries. And I cannot in good conscience vote for a bill that would be so irresponsible to the long- term financial viability of the hospitals that are a flagship for the most vulnerable constituents in my district. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to drop this partisan exercise and work with us on a compromise to extend these long-standing, successful, bipartisan federal health programs. The job of our nation's safety net hospitals is much too importan
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IMPROVE OUR NATION ACT OF 2017
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-11-3

I rise in strong opposition to this legislation because it presents us with a choice that we should not have to make. I take a backseat to nobody in this institution in terms of fighting for children and families. prgtoken But we live in the United States of America, the greatest Nation in the world. I reject the notion that we have to rob Peter to pay Paul or, in this instance, jeopardize the future of Medicare and steal $6 billion from critical prevention programs to pay for children's healthcare. They are all equal priorities, and we shouldn't have to sacrifice the health of one population to pay for another. It is that simple. prgtoken The changes that the bill makes to Medicare may sound innocuous--and I have great respect for the chairman--but the reality is they will threaten the future of Medicare. prgtoken Means testing Social Security is a good sound bite, but it is a very slippery slope. I'm not worried about whether wealthy families can be able to afford to pay for increased Medicare premiums, but I am worried that these changes will result in wealthy people abandoning the program in large numbers, which would worsen the risk pool and ultimately increase the costs for middle- and lower-income seniors. It would fracture completely the universal nature of Medicare and put the entire program at risk. It is an unwise proposal that should be rejected.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE 80TH BIRTHDAY OF CAROL JACKMAN
William R. Keating (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-11-3

I rise today in recognition of Carol Jackman, who turns 80 years young on December 4th. prgtoken Carol's dedication to our veterans stretches back to her childhood. Growing up on army bases, she developed a keen awareness of the important work our servicemembers do every single day. Not only is she the daughter of a U.S. veteran, but she is the sister, wife, mother, grandmother, sister-in-law, and aunt of U.S. veterans. prgtoken Volunteerism has been an important theme in Carol's life. For over 50 years, Carol has been a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She has served as unit president, district director, state president, and the chair of many different programs. During the 1970s Carol worked to ensure no veteran was forgotten. She created and delivered homemade Easter baskets for sick and homebound veterans. Carol has also spent decades volunteering at the West Roxbury and Brockton VA hospitals. prgtoken Honoring veterans is her passion. To this day she plants flowers in the Highland Cemetery, a tradition she has kept up longer than she can remember. She also serves on the Memorial Day committee in Dover, working to ensure each year's celebration properly honors our servicemembers. prgtoken , I am proud to honor Carol Jackman on this joyous occasion of her 80th birthday. I ask that my colleagues join me in wishing her many more years of health and happiness.
COMMEMORATING THE HONORABLE LYNN C. WOOLSEY ON HER 80TH BIRTHDAY
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-11-3

I rise today to commemorate former United States Representative Lynn C. Woolsey on her 80th Birthday. She represented California's 6th congressional district, including Marin County and most of Sonoma County from 1993 to 2013. prgtoken Lynn was born in Seattle, Washington on November 3, 1937. A graduate of Lincoln High School, she attended the University of Washington from 1955 to 1957. Lynn received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1980. prgtoken As a working single mother in Northern California, Lynn spent several years receiving public assistance to help make ends meet. During her 20-year career in the House of Representatives, she focused on issues facing children and families. She describes herself as the ``first former welfare mom to serve in Congress.'' Prior to entering public service, Lynn opened her own human resources consulting and employment agency, Woolsey Personnel Service, and taught at the College of Marin and the Dominican University of California. prgtoken Lynn won her first election in 1984, when she ran for a city council seat in Petaluma. She served on the Petaluma City Council until 1992, her last year as Vice Mayor. The people of Sonoma and Marin Counties elected Lynn to Congress in 1992 and continued to elect her to eight more terms. prgtoken In Congress, Lynn served as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Chair of the Committee on Education and Labor's Workforce Protections Subcommittee and as a senior member of the House Committee on Science and Technology. Lynn had many proud moments in federal public service. She secured federal funds for her district for a variety of projects, including funds for the Petaluma River flood control project and for the seismic retrofit of the Golden Gate Bridge. She voted against authorizing the invasion of Iraq and consistently voted to suspend funding for the wars. She was one of Congress' foremost advocates on education issues, offering legislation to expand school breakfast programs, expand childcare programs and encourage young girls to study science and math. Her measure to provide job- protected leave for family members of injured soldiers was incorporated into the FY 2008 defense authorization bill. Lynn's former colleagues, staff and constituents admire her immeasurably and continue to benefit from her dedicated years of service. prgtoken , former United States Representative Lynn C. Woolsey served her constituents diligently for ten consecutive terms. Her career is an excellent model of principled and dedicated leadership for members of this prgtoken body. It is therefore fitting and proper that we commemorate her on her 80th birthday and send her our best wishes here today.
75TH ANNIVERSARY OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 9066
Tulsi Gabbard (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2017-11-3

. Madam , this year marks the 75th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which authorized the internment of over 110,000 Japanese Americans on U.S. soil during World War II. prgtoken Our country will never be able to undo this grave miscarriage of justice or relieve the pain and suffering that was inflicted upon our fellow Americans. So we must remember this dark period in our Nation's history and ensure that this dark shadow of prejudice, bigotry, and hate never occurs again. prgtoken However, sadly, as we look around us, today we see that this divisiveness and bigotry persists far too much. We cannot give into hate and intolerance. We must confront it and defeat it with the light and love of the Aloha Spirit. prgtoken We must learn from this dark stain on our past and vow to never repeat it again.