mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
OBAMACARE
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-1-9

as my colleagues know, this week we will take up the nominations of the men and women who President-Elect has selected for his Cabinet. I have to say, for myself, that looking at the quality of the people the President-elect has nominated gives me quite a bit of reassurance about what his administration will be like, starting with the Vice President, . Mr. is somebody well known to those of us here in the Congress, having served 12 years in the House of Representatives, and then he went on to be the Governor of Indiana for 4 years. He is eminently qualified to help the administration and the President-elect navigate the perils and pitfalls of the legislative process here in the Senate and in the House. prgtoken Then we look at the other people who have been nominated, whether it is for Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, or the Department of Homeland Security. In some cases, they are unconventional choices, but, in every case I can think of, they are people who have eminent qualifications to offer to the administration and to the country in this new administration. prgtoken This is one of the most important responsibilities a Senator has--to make sure we conduct the advice and consent process and make sure we vet the nominees for these important posts. But in one case in particular, it is not going to be all that hard because we have served alongside Senator Jeff Sessions, for 15 years in my case and for 20 years in other cases. prgtoken We should be working together, as President himself has said, recognizing the importance of a smooth transition from the outgoing administration to the new one. That should be true no matter what side of the aisle you are on. Unfortunately, I think some of our ic friends are still in some shock from the election on November 8. prgtoken I remember a book written on the grieving process, describing that first comes denial, then comes anger, and then ultimately acceptance. I think what our ic colleagues have to work through is their denial and anger to get to acceptance of the fact that President-Elect and Vice President-Elect won the election. prgtoken So what is our responsibility? It is to work in a bipartisan basis to make sure that they have the people around them that they need in order to run the government. prgtoken We are simply trying to stick to the same standard set under President . In 2009, our ic colleagues held seven confirmation hearings in one day. That is more than we are planning to do on Wednesday. So my response to our friends across the aisle is to listen to the junior Senator from Connecticut, who told a reporter: ``I can figure out how to walk across the hall and attend two hearings occurring simultaneously.'' prgtoken One of the most important hearings, in my mind, we will hold is the hearing we are going to have in the Judiciary Committee starting tomorrow on the
RECOGNIZING SANDRA MYERS
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2017-1-9

today I rise to recognize Sandra Myers of Laurel Springs, North Carolina. This remarkable and talented woman is retiring after spending her entire 40-year career with the Social Security Administration. prgtoken Since the age of 18, Sandra has worked in the Wilkesboro field office where she started in an entry-level position and currently serves as branch manager. My district staff and I have had the pleasure of working with her for many years now, and we have always found her to be a kind, caring person who is dedicated to serving others. prgtoken Sandra and her husband, John, are nearly lifelong members of their church. Upon her retirement, she plans to continue to assist the community by helping elderly members at her church complete errands, remain active, and attend services. prgtoken Sandra Myers is a perfect example of servant leadership, as well as the incredible work ethic that so many of my constituents in the Fifth District share. Alleghany County is fortunate to call this hardworking citizen one of its own.
OBAMACARE
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-1-9

I rise to address a very important issue in regard to the health care of our poorest Americans and discus my plan, the Medicaid Accountability and Care Act, or the MAC Act, which is also included in my Care replacement plan which would address the failings of our current Medicaid system. My colleague from Washington just extolled the virtues of Care. As she pointed out, Medicaid clearly is a major part of the Care kind of response so it is apropos I would follow. prgtoken I wish to first tell you my perspective. I am a physician, and I had been working in a hospital for the uninsured for 25 to 30 years, until they blew it up. I saw prisoners, the uninsured, and Medicaid patients. You might say: Wait a second. Medicaid, it is insurance. Why would somebody with Medicaid insurance be seen at a hospital for the uninsured? prgtoken It is because in my State, like in most others, Medicaid pays beneath the physician's cost of seeing a patient. To paraphrase Saint Paul, it is the illusion of coverage without the power of access. prgtoken I will point out, the week Care passed, there was an article in the New York Times, written by a very respected journalist, Robert Pear, tracking a Medicaid patient in Michigan. The physician, the oncologist seeing her, had so many Medicaid patients, the oncologist was going bankrupt because she could not afford to pay her bills so she had to discharge the Medicaid patients from her practice. prgtoken I followed up to find out what would happen, and 2 weeks after being discharged from this oncologist's practice, the patient died. This is Medicaid, which is so critical to the purported success of Care. prgtoken Is it that we are not spending enough money; that maybe if we just spent a little bit more on Medicaid it would all be better. prgtoken A study from MIT found that 60 percent--let me stop. The State of Oregon did an expansion of Medicaid so researchers from MIT and elsewhere went to study it. This study found that 60 percent of the dollars used for the Oregon Medicaid expansion went to institutions, not for patients--as little as, say, 20 percent to 40 percent--but as little as 20 percent of the money that was put toward the Medicaid Program actually was a benefit for the patient. Let me repeat this. As much as 60 percent went to benefit institutions, not patients. They also found that patients on Medicaid did not have improved outcomes. Think about this. We are giving everybody all of this coverage. It is supposedly wonderful. Yet when they went back 1 year later and 2 years and 3 years later and looked at the patients covered on Medicaid-- versus those who were not, those who continued to be uninsured--there were no better health outcomes among those who are on Medicaid. prgtoken If we can't agree this is a program to reform, it is going to be hard to agree on anything. prgtoken For those who are not familiar with Medicaid, let's talk a lit
IN RECOGNITION OF MR. JACOB BENNETT MIZNER
David G. Valadao (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-1-9

I rise today to thank Mr. Jacob Bennett Mizner for his service to my office and California's Central Valley. prgtoken Mr. Mizner was born on July 16, 1994 in Tulare, California to Kevin and Sharon Mizner. After graduating from Tulare Western High School in Tulare, California in 2012, Mr. Mizner graduated from Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, California in 2016. While attending Fresno Pacific University, Mr. Mizner, a lover of music, was involved in Fresno Pacific Concert Choir. prgtoken Mr. Mizner has been a Field Representative in Kings and Tulare County, California from June 1, 2016 to January 5, 2017. As Field Representative, Mr. Mizner was known for his friendly, optimistic personality throughout both counties. He is a hard, dedicated worker who was highly respected by his peers and was able to create and foster connections with constituents, business leaders, and public officials, all of which are integral skills of congressional staffers. prgtoken Outside of work, Mr. Mizner enjoys music; he is an avid saxophone player and enjoys singing in choir, as well. Mr. Mizner is a member of California Baptist University Choir and Orchestra. prgtoken Mr. Mizner's time with my office came to a close on January 5, 2017 when he left to pursue an eleven-month mission trip with The World Race to serve needy groups in eleven countries in Central America, Asia, and Africa. Knowing Mr. Mizner, his character, and his work ethic, I have no doubt that he will achieve many great things in his future. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in commending Mr. Jacob Mizner for his public service to the people of the Central Valley and wishing him well as he embarks on the next chapter of his life.
GUANTANAMO BAY DETERS TERRORISTS
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2017-1-9

last month I was grateful that President signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law--legislation that will clearly prevent the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay. Sadly, this has not stopped the President from releasing murderous terrorists, which, by weakness, encourages more attacks against American families that we can anticipate in the future. prgtoken Under President , nearly 150 detainees have been released; and just last week, the President released four more hardened terrorists, creating a recruiting environment with a legacy of not being serious about murderous attacks in the future. The President should promote a legacy of peace, not more attacks. prgtoken The administration's own numbers reveal that as many as one-third of the terrorists from Guantanamo return to the battlefield to kill American families. In March, senior officials from the administration even testified that former prisoners from Guantanamo were responsible for American deaths. prgtoken I appreciate that President-elect does not support releasing terrorists from Guantanamo Bay, and I look forward to working with him to keep Guantanamo open. He knows that imprisonment is a deterrent to protect American families. prgtoken In conclusion, God bless our troops, and may the President, by his actions, never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.
LEVERAGING EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES ACT OF 2017
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-1-10

as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, I rise in support of H.R. 240, the ``Leveraging Emerging Technologies Act of 2017,'' which requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to engage with innovative and emerging technology developers, including technology-based small businesses and startup ventures that can help tackle the rapidly expanding list of homeland security technology needs. prgtoken H.R. 240 helps to protect America's computer and communications networks, which security experts believe represent the nation's most critical national security challenge, including Internet functions and connected critical infrastructure such as air traffic control, the U.S. electrical grid, and nuclear power plants. prgtoken H.R. 240 authorizes DHS to establish personnel and office space in diverse geographic areas around the United States that have high concentrations of technology developers and firms. prgtoken The bill also directs DHS, within 6 months, to develop and submit to Congress a Department-wide strategy to engage with innovative and emerging technology companies. prgtoken Importantly, the bill specifically requires the Secretary to include in that strategy ways to effectively integrate technology-based small businesses and startup ventures. prgtoken Importantly, the bill also requires the DHS Secretary to coordinate with those in the venture capital industry to assist in the development of technologies that are ready for commercialization and use in the Homeland Security Enterprise. prgtoken Since its founding, the Department of Homeland Security has overcome many challenges as an organization but much more prgtoken progress must be made regarding effective inter-operable communication between the federal, state, and local agencies. prgtoken Although not a panacea, H.R. 240 is a step in the right direction because it will help improve DHS' overall functions so that it can more effectively protect our people. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.
THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT--DO NO HARM
Ami Bera (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-1-10

today I rise not as a Member of Congress, but as a doctor. When I graduated medical school and took that oath, there are two core ethics that we take when we take that oath: to do good. And that is exactly what we tried to do when this body passed the Affordable Care Act. It was about doing good. It was about giving people basic access to health care. That is a good thing. prgtoken The Affordable Care Act is not perfect, but let's keep doing good. Let's fix it. Let's address the cost of health care. Let's make sure people can afford their medications. That is doing good. prgtoken Another core ethic that we take when we enter the profession of medicine as a physician is to do no harm. If this body repeals the Affordable Care Act, we are going to harm 20 million Americans that now have access to health care that didn't have it prior to the Affordable Care Act. We shouldn't do harm. prgtoken Let me put it into real context. I am a primary care internist. My wife is also a primary care internist. You can tell we have exciting conversations at our house. I was asking her the other day what the Affordable Care Act meant to her as a physician, and she was sharing a story of a patient that she had cared for for years. prgtoken This was a patient that had diabetes and hypertension, high blood pressure. We know these are silent killers. If you don't control your diabetes, if you don't control your blood pressure, it can have devastating consequences leading to heart attacks, leading to strokes. It is one of the leading causes of death in America. But if you control it, you can prevent all of these illnesses and people can live a normal, healthy life. prgtoken So my wife--she is a very good doctor--had her patient under good control. The patient stopped coming in to see her--maybe the patient moved away or something happened--for a couple of years. And then about 2 years ago, the patient came back in. Once she came in, her blood sugars, her diabetes was out of control; her blood pressure was out of control. prgtoken My wife looked at this patient and just said: Well, what happened? How come you stopped taking your diabetes medicine? How come you stopped taking your blood pressure medicine? prgtoken She said: Well, Doc, in the recession, I lost my job. I lost my health insurance coverage. I couldn't get the medications. prgtoken And then she said: But you know what? With the Affordable Care Act with Covered California, I was able to get health insurance again. I was able to come in and see you. prgtoken It wasn't too late for this patient. My wife was able to get her back on her medications, get her back on her blood pressure medicine, get her blood pressure and diabetes under control, and, hopefully, there is no permanent damage. prgtoken But if we do harm and repeal the Affordable Care Act, we are going to do irreparable damage to 20 million and more Americans who are just like this patient, who need their health care cove
WHO GETS THE BREAKS FROM REPEALING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT? THE SUPERWEALTHY
Paul Tonko (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-1-10

. But representing a number of hospitals, from stand-alone clinics to some very specific specialty type of health centers, they are all concerned about the impact of repeal. And certainly, being a major employer, if not the major employer in some of my counties, as you reduce that care, you are reducing the workforce. So now we are creating another impact, and it is why the ripple effect of repeal is so strong and devastating, and will raise our deficit.
BEARS EARS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-1-10

on December 28, 2016, President designated the Bears Ears National Monument in Southern Utah, and I wish to commend him on protecting these important lands. This designation is an important step forward in the conservation of some of southern Utah's important national treasures. prgtoken The 1.35-million acre monument, which spans from forested mesas to redrock canyons and plateaus, will protect the region's abundant cultural resources, including well-preserved cliff dwellings, rock and art panels, artifacts, and Native American burials. prgtoken The Bears Ears National Monument, which derives its name from twin buttes that lie at the heart of the majestic Cedar Mesa, was requested by a coalition of five Native American tribes that united to protect a landscape revered in their shared histories and cultures. The Hopi Tribe, the Navajo Nation, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, the Pueblo of Zuni, and the Ute Indian Tribe have all passed through the area at some time, leaving behind scores of fragile dwellings, pottery, petroglyphs, and pictographs. The Bears Ears region is a living natural and cultural landscape, where the people of these tribes still use the lands to collect herbs and medicines and pass their stories to the next generation. prgtoken I have fought to protect this area's resources through the America's Red Rock Wilderness Act, a bill I have introduced every Congress since 1997. My bill would safeguard 9.2 million acres of wilderness in Utah-- some of the last great wild places in the lower 48 States. prgtoken Historically, national monuments have been the first step in protecting some of our most beloved public lands--the Grand Canyon, the Grand Tetons, and indeed, four of Utah's five national parks. Not only do these monuments help preserve precious habitat, landscapes, and history, they create jobs and invigorate nearby communities. prgtoken President 's decision to protect the Bears Ears came after significant public input in Utah, with the administration holding multiple listening sessions. Those sessions made clear that even diverse stakeholders agreed the Bears Ears is special and needs to be protected. It is the right decision for the present, and it is the right decision for the future. prgtoken President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act into law in 1906, and a review of its history and its controversy showed that, time and again, the temporary anger over designated lands was overshadowed by the long-term benefits to our Nation. Teddy Roosevelt said it best, ``Of all the questions which can come before this nation, short of the actual preservation of its existence in a great war, there is none which compares in importance with the great central task of leaving this land even a better land for our descendants than it is for us.'' prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the Bears Ears National Monument and defending it and the Antiq
PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2017-1-10

skyrocketing drug prices are crippling far too many American families. The Kaiser Family Foundation found that nearly 8 in 10 Americans believe the cost of their prescription drugs is too high and that Congress should work to lower the price of medication that people need. prgtoken This should be our top health priority for 2017, lowering drug costs for families, not taking health care away from Americans with no plan to replace it. Think about that. This Congress is hell-bent on, instead of attacking one of the major causes of health care inflation--and we have done a good job the last 10 years, by and large, of keeping prices from going much higher than they would have otherwise. Keep that in mind while we hear the generally specious arguments against the Affordable Care Act. Instead of doing that, the majority party has fallen all over itself to try to take away health insurance from 900,000 people in my State; taking away from 1 million seniors the Medicare consumer protections and Medicare services of preventive care, such as osteoporosis screening, diabetes screening, physicals, all that the doctors order; taking away from 100,000 young people the ability to stay on their parents' health care plan; and stripping from virtually all Ohio citizens the consumer protections of denying people coverage because of previous conditions, cutting people off their insurance policy because they happen to get too sick and might have cost the insurance companies too much money. prgtoken This health care coverage that has saved 24,000 American lives each year since 2014, just think what could happen if we took away their health care coverage. prgtoken Instead, lowering drug prices should be something we can come together on. prgtoken Americans of all political parties and Americans who don't even bother voting are all facing skyrocketing pharmacy bills. There are concrete actions we can take right now to lower the cost of prescription drugs. prgtoken Senator Franken and I led 18 of our colleagues in outlining 5 of them in a letter to the President-elect in December, including putting an end to abusive price gouging, requiring more transparency from drug companies, boosting competition and innovation in the market, and allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate better prices for seniors. That is what we do with the Veterans' Administration. The VA, on behalf of 7 million veterans, negotiates directly with the drug companies to get a significantly better price for the cost of drugs--saves taxpayers, saves veterans. Medicare should do the same thing. prgtoken Senator Klobuchar and I worked with several colleagues to reintroduce the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act. Negotiating better prices for seniors will save significant taxpayer dollars. prgtoken Instead of focusing on the priorities that the vast majority of Americans agree on, Congress and President-Elect are w