mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Jim Cooper (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2017-7-13

I regret that my good friend from Colorado has offered this amendment. It was not voted on in either subcommittee or in full committee. It should be rejected by this House, and rejected overwhelmingly. prgtoken Why? We need to make sure that our missile defense works. This is not a vote on whether we are for or against missile defense. I am strongly for missile defense. I just want to make sure that it works. In the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015, there is a strong section in that act that requires that it work. prgtoken The gentleman's amendment is not supported by the Missile Defense Agency, it is not supported by the Pentagon. prgtoken What it is is a vendor's dream, what it is is a defense contractor's dream, because it would enable them to sell stuff to us, the American taxpayer and to the citizens of this country, promising national defense, but not proving it. prgtoken We need to fly it before we buy it. We need to test it before we invest in it. We need to make sure that it works before we fork over the dough. prgtoken If this loophole were to be established into law, allowing missiles to be flown through this loophole, it would delight the defense contractor industry. This is an amazing breach of what really, I think, has been American law for 150 years. prgtoken Back during the Civil War, there was a law passed called the Lincoln Law. And because so many Americans were outraged that the bullets sold to the Union soldiers did not work and the cannonballs did not work and the boots didn't last in the rain, they passed one of the toughest laws ever passed by this Congress, to penalize defense contractors who sold us stuff that did not work. prgtoken We need to make sure these missiles work. The gentleman is absolutely correct. The threat from North Korea is real, the threat one day from Iran could be real. We need to make sure these missiles work. And to short-circuit, to obviate a testing requirement would be an appalling thing for us to do. prgtoken This has been law since 2015. It is working, it works fine, the Missile Defense Agency is all for it. Let's keep it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. prgtoken And to allow contractors to sell us stuff that is unproven, that is not tested, that has not flown before we buy it, oh, my gosh, I wouldn't want to be on that side of that transaction. prgtoken So the gentleman is an outstanding Member, he does great work. As I say, this was not voted on in either subcommittee or full committee. It would be a mistake for the full House to support this amendment at this time. prgtoken So I would urge my colleagues to reject this amendment, and .
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
William R. Keating (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-7-13

I rise to offer an amendment that would authorize the Secretary of Defense to make existing funds available from the Defense Health Program for collaboration with medical researchers and universities to address the growing number of tick- borne diseases through research and testing. prgtoken The Army Public Health Center has operated a basic tick testing program for nearly 30 years. Through this program, military personnel can assess tick identification services through military healthcare facilities at no charge. prgtoken However, the tests provided by this program are limited to only six tick-borne diseases, whereas the Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Defense have now identified 16 of these tick-borne diseases, some of which can be fatal. prgtoken According to the Centers for Disease Control, around 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported each year. However, additional CDC research reveals the actual number of diagnoses could be as high as 300,000. And, alarmingly, nearly 20 percent of the people surveyed in areas with high incidence of Lyme disease were unaware that the disease was even a risk. prgtoken This issue is of particular concern in my region. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, my district includes the counties with the five highest rates of Lyme disease in the Commonwealth, including Barnstable County, home of Joint Base Cape Cod. prgtoken However, my region is not alone on this issue. Ticks carrying dangerous diseases can be found in all corners of the continental United States, from Massachusetts in the north to Texas in the south, from Pennsylvania in the east to California in the west. Our servicemembers are especially vulnerable as they frequently are exposed to heavily tick-infested areas. prgtoken For example, Powassan. The Powassan virus is a serious tick-borne illness known to cause encephalitis, meningitis, and even death. Multiple cases of Powassan have already been reported in Massachusetts this year, yet the DOD tick testing program does not even include a test for Powassan in their regimen. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I realize there is a concern that amendments to this legislation might lead to a Defense Health Program pushed beyond its capacity. That is not the case here. The military tick testing program already exists. This amendment would necessarily help the Department of Defense modernize the existing program to meet new challenges in the field of tick-borne diseases. prgtoken Indeed, the DOD's own website informs us that emerging tick-borne diseases are being discovered all the time and that yearly cases of known tick-borne diseases have been increasing steadily for years. We are fortunate to have experts already working to combat the rise in tick-borne disease. prgtoken My amendment would facilitate collaboration among these experts in DOD to test more tick samples for more diseases, meet the growing needs of our military, and u
Healthcare Legislation (Executive Session)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2017-7-13

s who are here this afternoon for their eloquence, their remarks, their passion for making sure the people in this country can get healthcare when they need it, and for their hard work and legislation to try and make that happen. Unanimous Consent Request--S. 1462 prgtoken , in the interest of trying to immediately help to stabilize the insurance markets, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be discharged from further consideration of S. 1462; that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN PETER A. MACHTEL
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-7-13

I wish to honor an outstanding American, Captain Peter A. Machtel, on his retirement from American Airlines. prgtoken Captain Machtel distinguished himself with over 30 years of safe commercial airline flying for Piedmont, USAirways, and American Airlines. In addition, he served the American public as a Federal flight deck duty officer, beginning with that program as soon as it was implemented following the attacks on 9/11. His work for more than 15 years with that vital security program demonstrated his selfless duty and commitment to the safety of the American people. prgtoken Over the years, I have relied on Captain Machtel's knowledge and insights on issues relating to airlines, pensions, and aviation safety. I know that his wisdom and dedication to our country will be sorely missed. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Captain Machtel for his distinguished service and congratulating him on his retirement.
PROVIDING FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2810, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Mark Pocan (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2017-7-13

I rise today to talk about a vital tool for ensuring workers are able to secure good-paying, family-supporting jobs, and that is apprenticeships. prgtoken I grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a working class town with a very large skilled trade presence. I understand what good, middle class jobs look like, and the impact they can have on a community. A good middle class paycheck ensures people can afford a mortgage, have healthcare for their families, take a family vacation, and send their kids to college if they want to; and that is what we need right now are more higher-paying jobs. prgtoken But not everyone goes to a traditional 4-year college or university, nor does every job require this type of degree. That is why, for many, apprenticeships are the key to family-supporting wages. prgtoken Apprenticeship programs have proven very effective at helping prepare workers for careers in highly skilled professions. This bill would increase the number of highly skilled workers in the United States and strengthen apprenticeship programs as an effective earn-and-learn model for students, workers, and employers. prgtoken It is a win-win for workers and businesses. The LEARNS Act supports closer connections between registered apprenticeship programs, employers, and others offering good-paying jobs. prgtoken But there is a problem. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle like to talk about their support of apprenticeships. I hear the Secretary of Labor talk about them. I even hear the President talk about them. But that is all it is: talk. prgtoken As a new member of the Appropriations Committee, I was shocked to see that s' newly released Labor-HHS funding proposal entirely eliminates Department of Labor apprenticeship grants. Again, that appropriations proposal cuts $95 million from apprenticeship funding, every singer dollar in the program. There is not a penny left to connect workers and businesses with apprenticeships. prgtoken You can't have it both ways. If you support apprenticeships and job training for workers, then you should support funding for job training and apprenticeship programs. It is pretty simple. prgtoken If s are serious about job creation, about training workers for a 21st century economy, and they actually want to do more than talk about jobs and apprenticeships, then we should move forward to defeat the previous question in order the bring forward the LEARNS Act. prgtoken Walk the walk, . Talk is cheap. The American people deserve action. I urge all of my colleagues to defeat the previous question.
KAYLA MOORE
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2017-7-13

I rise today to recognize and applaud Kayla Moore for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Kayla Moore is a student at Arvada High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Kayla Moore is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations to Kayla Moore for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
James R. Langevin (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2017-7-13

. Mr. Chair, 1\1/2\ minutes. prgtoken Mr. Chair, this amendment would strike a provision that we have already thoroughly debated and approved in a bipartisan fashion within the Armed Services Committee. Section 336 acknowledges what Secretary Mattis has already said and what we already know: that a changing climate will affect our military's readiness and alter the threat landscape for years to come, and that we must study these impacts to prepare for them. prgtoken I cannot see the harm in gathering information and doing an assessment. We already see the strategic implications of new sea lanes being cut in the melting Arctic, where countries are seeking an economic advantage. As we speak, along our coasts, rising seas are affecting our naval installations, including at Naval Station Norfolk, the home of the Atlantic Fleet. prgtoken The report required in section 336 is not about causes of climate change, nor do we discuss specific emissions, targets, or green energy goals. Instead, my section of the Armed Service Committee is very factual. We focus squarely on the readiness of our Armed Forces to combat the coming and existing climate threat, starting with a study of the 10 most vulnerable bases in each service, and a report on how a changing climate will affect combatant commanders' strategic battle plans. prgtoken As Secretary Mattis has said, ``the effects of a changing climate-- such as increased maritime access to the Arctic, rising sea levels, desertification, among others--impact our security situation.'' prgtoken , we need to support our leaders in the military and intelligence communities in addressing these concerns, so I urge defeat of this amendment. prgtoken , .
Healthcare Legislation (Executive Session)
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-7-13

first, I want to thank my friend from Washington State, who has been such a leader on healthcare. prgtoken In looking at her chart, at the junk insurance amendment and all of the groups opposing it, it reminds me of the calls I used to get prior to the Affordable Care Act from someone who was healthy and young and had a policy for years that was only $50 a month. He thought it was great. Then, all of a sudden, he got sick or his child got sick. prgtoken He called me up and said: I paid into insurance all of these years, and they only covered 1 day in the hospital. prgtoken I remember having that conversation with somebody--or no days in the hospital. That is what you call a junk insurance plan. prgtoken This latest version of the healthcare bill would allow that to come back so that somebody will have the false confidence in paying $30, $40, $50 a month and thinking he has insurance. Then, if something happens, he will find out it is just a bunch of junk and that it does not cover anything. That is going to be legal again. Right now, it is not legal to do that. With health reform, we stopped that. But that would be legal again under this proposal, and I am deeply concerned about that. prgtoken I am obviously rising to talk about the healthcare bill. I do not believe it is a healthcare bill, but that is what we are debating, is healthcare or whether healthcare will be taken away. What I would rather be doing is working with my friend who is in the chair on lowering the cost of prescription drugs. We have worked on many things together--mental health and addiction services. I would rather be doing that than debating what we are debating. I would rather be focused on how we lower the cost of prescription drugs, which is the cost I hear about the most from my constituents, or about other out-of- pocket costs for people who are in the private insurance system, the individual insurance market. prgtoken We do have situations in which copays and deductibles are too high in the private insurance market. Gutting Medicaid will do nothing about that--nothing. It will just take away healthcare from tens of millions of people. It will not change the private insurance market at all, which is where I believe we need to focus, and I am anxious to do that and work across the aisle in order to do that. prgtoken I want to make sure we are talking about building on healthcare coverage, lowering costs, and tackling prescription drug costs. Instead, this bill would take away healthcare from millions of Americans. We know that from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. We don't know yet how many millions under the current version, but we know that at some point, we will get a score on that from the Budget Office. We know it will be a lot of people who are going to lose their insurance, and they don't need to lose their insurance in order to tackle bringing down the cost of insurance. prgtoken So what d
IN RECOGNITION OF DR. ANDY DAVID, OUTGOING CONSUL GENERAL OF THE ISRAELI CONSULATE TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Doris O. Matsui (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-7-13

I rise today in recognition of Dr. Andy David, the Israeli Consul General to the Pacific Northwest. As 2017 marks the end of Dr. David's tenure in California, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring him for his leadership and commitment in the community to building bridges between the United States and his home country of Israel. prgtoken Dr. David stepped into the position of Consul General in 2012, following a history of distinguished Israeli diplomatic appointments that began in 1995. Throughout his half decade of service, he has helped strengthen ties between the West Coast and our allies in Israel. Dr. David has worked passionately to build the relationship between the University of California system and educational institutions in Israel, and his efforts have also resulted in new and fruitful partnerships between Silicon Valley companies and Israel's high-tech industry in Tel Aviv. prgtoken In addition to improving cooperation on the international stage, Dr. David has become a pillar of the community in his adoptive home of San Francisco. A prominent advocate for the Bay Area Jewish community, Dr. David will be missed by his friends here when he returns home this month. prgtoken , I am honored to pay tribute to Andy David, Israeli Consul General to the Pacific Northwest, as he celebrates his return to Israel. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring his efforts to strengthen the relationship between our two great countries.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Adam Smith (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-7-13

I really want to follow up on the committee chairman's remarks. He is absolutely right. In 2011 and 2012, I was actually very intimately involved in the process of trying to update the AUMF, and I have all the bruises and scars to show for it. It is a very difficult process. prgtoken The main thing I want to accomplish in my 2 minutes here is to explain to everybody why we haven't updated it, because there are actually very clear reasons. I am not sure they are good reasons, but they are very clear. Everyone sort of acts like: Well, we just haven't done it. Why are we twiddling our thumbs? prgtoken The reason is because, well, lawyers and how words are interpreted. As we went through and tried to word it exactly correctly, and as we negotiated with the Senate, we discovered that basically no matter how you word it, two groups are going to oppose it for diametrically opposite reasons. One side is going to say that it is too broad; it gives the President way too much power for too long a period of time and gives him too open a hand. Other groups will look at that exact same language and say that this unfairly restricts the President; it is going to make it more difficult. prgtoken You have these conversations those of us on the committee have with the Pentagon as they are trying to figure out--I haven't had as many conversations with the current administration as with the previous, but I talked at length with the folks about deciding what could they do? Where could they commit a strike? Against which groups? It was a very lengthy process to go back through and try to figure out whether or not it was under the law allowed. prgtoken So if we change this, the lawyers on both sides are going to go bananas saying that this new language proves that you can't do that or it is too broad. prgtoken Now, all of that is not to say that we shouldn't do it. We should. But I just want people to understand the difficulty of it and for our House to actually be willing--and the Senate--to do the work we should do. prgtoken Don't kid yourself that this is something, well, gosh, we could just do it, it would be easy, and if everyone understands it, we are just ducking it for no good reason. prgtoken It is going to be really, really hard. It is going to take bipartisan, bicameral cooperation. But it is way past time for us to do it. Yeah, when we do it, lawyers will interpret it, and there will be some uncertainty. But there is uncertainty now as they try to, as the chairman described, bootstrap the 2001 AUMF on to a whole bunch of other things. We have an obligation to do this even if it is difficult.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-7-13

I rise in strong opposition to this dangerous and divisive amendment that is the latest attempt to criminalize the religious beliefs of Muslims in this country. prgtoken Let me remind my colleague from Arizona that our country was founded on the principle of religious liberty, and the First Amendment guarantees that right. prgtoken In calling for a strategic assessment, this amendment tramples on our Constitution's separation of religion and State, singles out the Muslim religion, its practices and leaders, and it does nothing to keep our Nation safe. In fact, fear-mongering undermines trust and national security, and pits neighbor against neighbor, community against community, and is an insult to our American Muslim communities. prgtoken This amendment doesn't even apply its arbitrary surveillance equally, because if it did, it would include assessments of White supremacist terrorism or terrorism committed against abortion clinics and doctors. prgtoken , our fight against terrorism is not against any religion. It is against the acts that are committed and those who commit the acts. It violates our Constitution and runs counter to who we are as a nation. prgtoken Frankly, it is horrifying, and I urge my colleagues to resoundingly oppose it.
PROVIDING FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2810, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-7-13

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I would like to just take 1 minute to address something the gentleman from Alabama raised a while ago, and that is: Why would we be raising the issue of apprenticeships and workforce training as part of the Defense Authorization bill. prgtoken There are a couple of reasons why. One is because we are routinely blocked from bringing any meaningful legislation to the floor, and we are routinely blocked from bringing amendments to the floor that I think can help with this issue. prgtoken The gentleman mentioned the action we took in a bipartisan, unanimous way on the issue of Perkins loans and a few other programs. Those are important. But it is the beginning. We need to do much, much more in this country. We need to be able to prepare a workforce that can meet the needs of our manufacturers and be there for the jobs of tomorrow. That is why we brought this up. That is why we are bringing it up in this fashion. prgtoken I would just go one step further to say, when we talk about national security, I think we ought to broaden that definition to include not just the number of bombs we have, but the quality of life that our people in this country enjoy: whether or not people have the security of a job, whether they can afford a college education for their kids, whether they can afford to buy a home, whether they can afford to put food on the table. prgtoken We live in the richest country in the world, and there are 42 million Americans who are hungry, and yet we somehow can't get the political will to address that problem or fix some of these challenges. prgtoken We are going to take any opportunity we have to bring to the floor serious ideas that we think will benefit the American people, uplift the American people, and that is why I think that this bill that we are trying to bring up, H.R. 2933, authored by my colleague, Mr. Pocan, is appropriate. prgtoken , .