mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DON'T REPEAL AFFORDABLE CARE ACT--MAKE BIG FIXES
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-3-22

the healthcare plan supported by President and Ryan will raise premiums and deductibles. prgtoken Let's tell the truth here on the floor of the House of Representatives. It will raise premiums and deductibles. It will throw millions off of their insurance. It will shift the cost of health care to the States who are fiscally strapped today, causing a rationing of care at the State level. And, yes, it will cover less and less people and raise the insecurity that people have today about whether or not, if they get an illness or someone in their family does, they are going to have healthcare coverage. prgtoken The result is that working people, older Americans, will pay more; and, in fact, with older Americans, it will impose an age tax. The irony of this is that working people and older Americans are going to be paying for the tax breaks in this bill, tax breaks to millionaires and to billionaires. I will explain. prgtoken The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office recently estimated that 14 million Americans will lose coverage in 2018; 24 million Americans will lose their insurance coverage by 2026. In my State of Connecticut, 220,300 individuals are projected to lose their health insurance by 2026. prgtoken Again, older Americans will be hit the hardest. They will see their premiums spike. Yes, it is an age tax. And the reckless cuts in this bill rob, in addition to this, it robs the Medicare trust fund, which people rely on, of over $170 billion, shortening the life of that trust fund by years. Long-term care that older Americans rely on will be hurt, as well as folks who are disabled. And children will be hurt as well. prgtoken Over the next 10 years--and again, these are not my numbers, but the Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that two of the tax breaks in the repeal bill will provide $275 billion in tax cuts to individuals who have an income over $200,000, and nearly $190 billion will go to tax cuts for health insurance companies. prgtoken Do we believe that they are hurting? prgtoken It is also going to provide a tax break for drug companies, for pharmaceutical companies. prgtoken Are they hurting today? No. They are reaping profits every single day. That is the case with medical device manufacturers as well. prgtoken While the wealthiest Americans and corporations reap the benefits of this bill and Ryan bill, roughly 160 million households with incomes below that $200,000 level will pay for the repeal of these taxes. prgtoken I have heard from thousands of my constituents about how the Affordable Care Act has positively impacted their lives. I have submitted testimony for the record from women in my district who depend on the Affordable Care Act to manage life-threatening illnesses, get back to work, get them the mental health services that they need. prgtoken Just think of that injustice when you think about Mnikesa Whitaker, whom I spoke to just 2 weeks ago. She has an autoimmune diseas
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2017-3-22

the internet has grown at an unbounded rate in the years since its inception, a phenomenon no one can argue with. Much of that growth can be attributed to the light-touch regulatory approach that the government adopted in the early days of the web. prgtoken As chairman of the Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the internet, I have worked hard to promote policies that encourage the private sector to invest in and grow the internet ecosystem as a whole. All of that is jeopardized, however, if government bureaucrats have the ability to overregulate the digital world. When it comes to overregulating the internet, one need look no further than the ic-controlled Federal Communications Commission under President . prgtoken In a world that was turning away--it was literally turning away from the legacy telecommunication services and, instead, toward dynamic internet applications, the FCC found its role gradually diminishing. This is an inevitable and good byproduct, I might add, of a more competitive environment brought about by technological innovation and successful light-touch policies. prgtoken Yet the FCC fought hard against this technological progress and, instead, pursued an aggressively activist and partisan agenda that put government edicts ahead of real consumer desires. Over the last 2 years, the FCC has made a stunning bureaucratic power grab. First, the FCC stripped away the Federal Trade Commission's authority to police internet providers and seized that for itself by recharacterizing such services as monopoly-era telecommunications. prgtoken Then in 2016, the FCC, which has little experience regulating internet privacy, decided to turn our country's privacy laws on their head by abandoning the time-tested enforcement approach of the FTC, the Federal Trade Commission. These actions by the FCC ignored both common sense and real world data and, instead, focused on hypothetical harms of the future. prgtoken Ignoring years of internet ecosystem precedent, where everyone was treated the same, the FCC's 2016 broadband privacy regulations would apply only to certain parts of the internet. This is a source of significant concern because at any particular time, consumers will not have reasonable certainty of what the rules are and how their privacy decisions will be applied. prgtoken Are you at home on Wi-Fi? At home on a smartphone? Using your smartphone on a friend's Wi-Fi? Using the Internet at a library? Each of these could have very different privacy implications for a consumer because of the FCC's piecemeal approach to privacy, leading to more confusion and uncertainty, not increased privacy protections, as promised. prgtoken In enacting these lopsided rules, the FCC seems to have gone out of its way to disregard established FTC practice by creating new regulations that differ significantly from the FTC's tried-and-true framework. The FTC's privacy regime is cl
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-3-22

I have 9 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation prgtoken The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to hold a meeting during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at 10 a.m. in room 106 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing on ``The Promises and Perils of Emerging Technologies for Cybersecurity.'' Committee on Environment and Public Works prgtoken The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 22, 2017, at 10 a.m. in room 406 of the Dirksen Senate office building. Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at 10 a.m to hold a hearing entitled ``Flashing Red: The State of Global Humanitarian Affairs.'' Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions prgtoken The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet, during the session of the Senate, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Nomination of Alex Acosta to serve as Secretary of Labor'' on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at 9 a.m in room 430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Committee on Homeland Security prgtoken The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of prgtoken the Senate on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing titled ``Perspectives from the DHS Frontline: Evaluating Staffing Resources and Requirements.'' Committee on the Judiciary prgtoken The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on March 22, 2017, at 9:30 a.m in room SH-216 of the Hart Senate Office Building, to continue a hearing entitled ``The Nomination of the Honorable Neil M. Gorsuch.'' Committee on Veterans' Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Veterans' Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at 10 a.m in room SD-G50 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Subcommittee on Airland prgtoken The Subcommittee on Airland of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. Subcommittee on Ocean, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard prgtoken The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to hold a meeting during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at
DISAPPROVING A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Cory Gardner (Republican, CO) \u2014 2017-3-22

over the past several days, the American people have had a chance to participate in the Supreme Court nomination process by watching Judge Neil Gorsuch, judge of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Denver, take questions from the Judiciary Committee. For several days now, there have been hearings, with the Judiciary Committee's meeting 12 hours yesterday or so and, the day before, there being a number of speeches from every member of the Judiciary Committee. I and Senator Bennet, my colleague from Colorado, had the great privilege of introducing Judge Gorsuch on Monday to the Senate Judiciary Committee. prgtoken I think what people across the country are seeing in this confirmation process is a judge who has a keen grasp of the law, a judge who understands the limits of power that are placed on the judicial branch, understands the role of the executive branch, understands the role of the legislative branch, and how he as a judge is supposed to rule when it comes to checking that balance of power. prgtoken We also see, of course, after 12 hours of questioning--everything from the kind of temperament he has to the kinds of decisions he would make--that he is an even-tempered individual who would serve this country well. So I come to the floor again to talk about my support for Judge Gorsuch. prgtoken Eleven years ago, this Chamber unanimously confirmed Judge Gorsuch through a voice vote for his position in 2006 on the Tenth Circuit Court. Judge Gorsuch has been described as a ``brilliant legal mind'' by the Denver Post and both liberal and conservative attorneys in Denver. He is a mainstream jurist who has the right temperament and the right view of judging in order to be on the Supreme Court, according to the Denver Post. prgtoken Moreover, Judge Gorsuch is a faithful and ardent defender of our Constitution, a judge who has, time and again, shown a fidelity to the separation of powers and the limited role of government that was envisioned and prescribed by our Founders. prgtoken It is no wonder that Judge Gorsuch has always enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support. In fact, 12 of our current Senate colleagues, including minority leader Senator Schumer and prgtoken Senators Leahy, Feinstein, and Durbin, all of whom are on the Judiciary Committee, were in office in 2006 when Judge Gorsuch was unanimously confirmed to the Tenth Circuit. None of them opposed his confirmation-- none of them. prgtoken Perhaps the best question for them today would be: Do you regret that decision 11 years ago? Did you not do enough work to know the nominee then? prgtoken When Senator Graham held his committee hearing 11 years ago--the confirmation process--no one else showed up. It was an empty dais. If you tuned in to watch C-SPAN on Monday or Tuesday, you saw a different level of participation from the Judiciary Committee. What a difference a court makes. So I hope this process is one that will be shown to be fa
CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT RESOLUTION
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-3-22

. Now, , on one final matter, last night the Senate voted to overturn a harmful regulation that undermines Alaska's authority to manage its wildlife resources and shifts more power toward Washington. prgtoken Today, we will have yet another opportunity to bring Americans relief from heavyhanded regulations using a legislative tool provided by the Congressional Review Act. prgtoken That proposal would undo the so-called Volks rule, which is named for the 2012 Federal court case overturning an ill-advised administration regulatory action on the same subject. It is a regulation that purports to look out for the workers' best interests, but it actually does little to achieve that outcome. The Volks rule merely empowers Washington bureaucrats and increases paperwork burdens instead. prgtoken As the Coalition for Workplace Safety pointed out, this regulation does ``nothing to improve worker health and safety,'' it ``directly contradicts both clear statutory language and two U.S. Court of Appeals rulings,'' and it also represents ``one of the most egregious end runs around Congress' power to write the laws.'' prgtoken I heard from Kentuckians who are simply concerned by this overreaching regulation and called for Congress to end it. In one recent letter to my office, the Kentucky Roofing Contractors Association called for the repeal of the Volks rule because it ``does nothing to improve workplace safety and could be used to impose costs on employers for inadvertent paperwork violations.'' prgtoken In fact, as they point out, it could even ``divert resources away from efforts to improve work place safety and create jobs.'' prgtoken In another letter I recently received, a Lexington construction contractor said he needs his safety supervisors ``constantly walking jobsites, identifying hazards and making sure our coworkers go home safely every night,'' but this regulation ``forces me to choose allocating sources to preventing future accidents or auditing old paperwork. prgtoken That is our decision today: focusing on actual safety of employees or on more bureaucratic paper pushing. prgtoken Senator Cassidy of Louisiana understands the challenges this regulation presents, and he has been a leader in working to protect American businesses from these consequences. I appreciate his efforts and look forward to the Senate passing it soon.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ORONO GIRLS BASKETBALL
Erik Paulsen (Republican, MN) \u2014 2017-3-22

I want to congratulate the Orono girls basketball team for recently winning the Minnesota High School State Championship. prgtoken After falling short of high expectations to win it all last year, the Spartans bounced back this season with an impressive 27-4 record and the top seed, despite many thinking that they had missed their window. That didn't stop these girls though. They were determined to finish the job this season as they stormed through the playoffs. Led by senior Tori Andrew, the team played selflessly. Andrew, the only returning starter from last season, made it a point to give her teammates the recognition that they deserved. prgtoken The Spartans went on to beat Winona 65-47 in the State title game. prgtoken Orono's resilience, , in response to the previous season, speaks highly of their character and their program led by Coach Lavesa Glover in her very first season with the team. These girls showed that they give their all in everything they do, whether it is for their team, their school, their families, or their community. prgtoken , we are so proud of the Orono girls basketball team. Congratulations on the State title.
IN RECOGNITION OF HENRI LANDWIRTH, FOUNDER OF DIGNITY U WEAR
John H. Rutherford (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-3-22

I rise today to ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing an extraordinary leader, Mr. Henri Landwirth, for the incredible impact he has had on countless individuals not only in Jacksonville but also across the country. Born March 7, 1927, in Belgium, Henri Landwirth, along with his family, was arrested for being Jewish. He spent five years in a concentration camp and survived the Holocaust. At 18, Henri immigrated to the United States with only a Torah and a little money. Soon after his arrival, he joined the United States Army and served during the Korean War. Following his military service, Landwirth used his G.I. benefits to take a course in hotel management and began work in a New York City hotel. He used every opportunity to work hard and advance through every job in the business and eventually moved to Florida to own his own hotel. He enjoyed a successful career in the hotel industry and became a philanthropist starting the Fanny Landwirth Foundation in 1985 in memory of his mother. The mission of the Fanny Landwirth Foundation is ``to enrich, educate and empower underserved children and families'' by supporting basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing and education. A trip to Jacksonville's Sulzbacher Center for the homeless and his memory of having no clothes when he was incarcerated at Auschwitz led him to found Dignity U Wear, which to date has provided over 9 million pieces of clothing valued at over $160 million to those in need. Henri once said, ``From the darkness of concentration camps grew many compassionate courageous and generous souls.'' Henri Landwirth's vision to become a courageous and generous soul has been proven true in the thousands of people he's helped over the years. His unwavering commitment and dedication to his community is immeasurable I applaud Henri Landwirth for his strong leadership and unyielding commitment to philanthropy and our community.
SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH FAIRNESS ACT OF 2017
Sam Johnson (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-3-22

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken I would like to start off by thanking Chairwoman Foxx and Chairman Walberg for their strong support of my bill, the Small Business Health Fairness Act. prgtoken , the legislation before us today is on an issue that has long been near and dear to my heart: association health plans. Association health plans would allow small businesses to join together and provide healthcare coverage just like large corporations and unions do today. prgtoken Association health plans are also a central part of replacing Care with commonsense solutions. prgtoken You know, Care has been an absolute disaster. My constituents in Collin County, Texas, have shared with me their negative experiences with it since it became law nearly 7 years ago. prgtoken One of the groups hardest hit by Care is small businesses, the backbone of our economy. Since 2008, over one-third of businesses with fewer than 10 employees offering health insurance have dropped insurance; and, you know, that is just wrong. prgtoken Because Care is failing, we need to repeal it and replace it with better solutions for the American people. One of these solutions is my association health plan bill. prgtoken What my bill does is simply allow small businesses to join together through trade or professional organizations. As we all know, the basic rule of insurance is the bigger the risk pool, the lower the cost. prgtoken Furthermore, my bill allows small businesses to join together across State lines. My bill would also free small businesses from costly and burdensome State and Federal requirements. This isn't anything different from what large employers and unions already do. My bill is simply about leveling the playing field for small businesses and their hardworking employees. prgtoken This bill also has wide support from the business community, including the United States Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business, the National Retail Federation, and the International Franchise Association. prgtoken Not everyone knows this, but I was a small-business owner myself between my time in the Air Force and coming to Congress. In fact, I established a home building business in north Texas from scratch, so I can understand where small businesses are coming from. prgtoken For example, Bob Gibbons and his wife own a commercial real estate business in my hometown of Plano, Texas. They have had a tough time obtaining good, affordable health insurance, a problem that has gotten worse since Care. prgtoken Bob sums up this entire issue pretty well in two sentences: ``Why should someone's status as an employee give them preferential right to decent group health coverage? Entrepreneurs are penalized when they start a small business because they can't get comparable coverage.'' prgtoken Bob's experience underscores the entire point behind the Small Business Health Fairness Act. prgtoken , I inc
HONORING MILFORD ``BUDDY'' BOSTICK
Bill Flores (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-3-22

I rise today to honor Milford ``Buddy'' Bostick of Waco, Texas, who passed away on January 4, 2017. prgtoken Buddy Bostick selflessly served our nation and Central Texas in so many ways, and he will be missed greatly. prgtoken Buddy was born on May 18, 1918 in McLennan County, Texas. He graduated from Moody High School and later attended Baylor University, where he started his journalism career as a radio announcer for WACO Radio. Here Buddy planted the seeds of what would become a successful career in media broadcasting. prgtoken Upon graduating, Buddy worked as a radio announcer in Tennessee and Arkansas before eventually returning to Texas. He served his country during World War II as part of the Army Air Corps and upon returning home he continued to pursue his goal of owning his own radio station. He would ultimately do so much more. In 1955, Buddy obtained a license to launch KWTX-TV in Waco and two years later he launched KBTX-TV in Bryan. Since their founding, these two CBS affiliates have provided news and entertainment to hundreds of *thousands of families throughout Central Texas. In fact, KBTX was one of the first stations capable of color transmission, and was the first in the Brazos Valley to use color news film. prgtoken Buddy would go on to establish other television and radio stations across Texas and even into Louisiana. Then, in the 1970s he and a business partner purchased a controlling interest in the local Beilmead State Bank, changed the name to American Bank, and expanded it to a second location. prgtoken Buddy took a risk at the time when he chose to establish a television station in a town with a population of just 20,000. The media landscape in the 1950's was dominated by radio and newspapers. Yet Buddy had a vision and the desire to invest in a new form media to serve the public. In this endeavor, he was the epitome of a businessman and entrepreneur. Above all, he was a family man. He met his wife, Virginia, while attending Baylor University, and they were married for 74 years before she passed away in 2014. They are survived by their two daughters, Ellen and Martha, and ten grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Buddy was often quoted saying, ``nothing lasts forever.'' Though I am confident that one thing will--Buddy Bostick's legacy will have an impact for generations to come. prgtoken My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the entire Bostick family. We also lift up the family and friends of Buddy in our prayers. prgtoken As I close, I ask that all Americans continue to pray for our country, for our military men and women, who protect us abroad, and for our first responders, who protect us here at home.