mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2017-3-9

this week, I have the distinct honor of recognizing Lyle Burgess of Ryegate. Lyle has been a dependable leader for the people of Golden Valley County for over a generation. He has contributed to the community in the fields of education and emergency services. Golden Valley County is located in the middle of Montana, and Lyle has been in the middle of events in the county for many years. prgtoken After graduating from Eastern Montana College, now known as Montana State University-Billings, Lyle began a 30-year career as a school teacher at Ryegate High School. A few years after he started teaching, Lyle began serving as a first responder with the Golden Valley County Emergency Medical Services. Although he is now retired from teaching, Lyle continues to serve his community: he went on to become the director of EMS. Today he still serves in that role. As director, Lyle is responsible for training new first responders and getting them ready to be Emergency Medical Technicians. The familiar saying ``once a teacher, always a teacher'' rings true for Mr. Burgess. Golden Valley County Sheriff Robert Pallas referred to Lyle and his colleague at EMS, Mary Ann Schladweiler, as the ``staples'' of the program. prgtoken Golden Valley County is home to just about 800 residents. The rural setting magnifies the necessity of having great folks like Lyle and Mary Ann offer their time and talent in the service of others. Montana is a State blessed with many treasures, and the greatest treasure of all is the people. Thank you, Lyle, for going above and beyond in the community and teaching others by your example.
CARING FOR OUR VETS
Jodey C. Arrington (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-3-9

I am so proud and so excited and so honored to be able to serve in the United States House of Representatives and to serve on the Veterans' Affairs Committee. I did not serve in the military, but now I have the amazing blessing of serving those who did serve to protect our freedom to keep us safe. prgtoken I am filing my first piece of legislation today, and it is the Veterans, Employees and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2017. In my first hearing as chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, I heard with great concern, and even outrage, that some employees at the VA spend 100 percent of their time on union activity. Even physicians and nurses and folks who are hired to provide health care to our veterans, 100 percent of their time on union activity. prgtoken The law says their activity and time on union activities should be reasonable and in the best interest of the public. I don't believe in west Texas, or any area around the country, that it is reasonable and in the best interest of the public to spend 100 percent of your time on union activity and not fulfilling the mission. And, in this case, it is protecting and serving and caring for our vets.
HEALTH CARE
Andy Barr (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-3-9

Care is collapsing. It is hurting more people than it is helping. It is forcing Americans to buy insurance they don't like, they don't need, and cannot afford. Premiums have increased by an average of 25 percent this year. Deductibles prgtoken are skyrocketing. Nearly 70 percent of U.S. counties have only two or fewer insurers offering plans on their State's exchanges. Thirty-four percent fewer doctors and other healthcare providers accept Care insurance compared to private insurance. Congress must act decisively to protect the American people from this failed law. prgtoken The American Health Care Act is an important step in this process. While not perfect, it moves us significantly in the right direction, which is why The Wall Street Journal says that the legislation would be ``the most consequential social policy reform since the welfare overhaul of 1996.'' prgtoken I am also encouraged that the committees of jurisdiction are, as we speak, entertaining amendments in regular order that will improve the legislation. But even without these amendments, the American Health Care Act is a dramatic improvement over Care. prgtoken The bill ends job-killing individual and employer mandates. It cuts $1 trillion of Care's worst taxes, including the medical device tax, the health care insurance tax, and the Medicare payroll tax. It blocks Federal funds from Planned Parenthood. It reduces regulations so that individuals can buy plans that they want and can afford. And it reforms Medicaid by returning power to the States. prgtoken Some have criticized this bill because it lacks certain important reforms that will bend the cost curve down, such as association health plans, interstate competition, reforms to facilitate more competition and choice in the private health insurance marketplace, and medical liability reform. These are important reforms, and I support them. prgtoken In fact, I have introduced a medical liability reform bill that would deal with the doctor shortage and junk lawsuits and reduce costs. Unfortunately, these reforms are not eligible for inclusion in the reconciliation bill under the rules of the Senate. But it is important to note that this is just the first phase in a three-phase process to repeal and replace Care. prgtoken This bill is a crucial and necessary first step in a step-by-step process. In stark contrast to Care, we are actually reading the bill, and we invite the American people to do the same-- readthebill.gop. I hope all Americans will take this opportunity to learn more about this bill and offer their feedback. prgtoken , we have tried to put Washington in charge of health care. Now it is time to put patients, their doctors, and their families in charge. CFPB Regulations Hindering Manufactured Housing Financing
INNOCENT PARTY PROTECTION ACT
Blake Farenthold (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-3-9

I am not sure how this bill applies to government ethics at all. prgtoken This bill is a simple bill that tells trial lawyers not to sue innocent local people in businesses just so they can forum shop. It tells them that all they have got to do is show a plausible case before they can proceed and that they have got to proceed in good faith. prgtoken It has nothing to do with what the amendment proposes. This is to protect innocent folks from being sucked into lawsuits by trial lawyers. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and support the underlying legislation. prgtoken , .
PHILANDER SMITH COLLEGE CELEBRATES THE 140TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2017-3-9

. I thank the gentleman. Reclaiming my time, I recognize that. But the American people, Mr. Leader, want us to work to correct the deficiencies in the Affordable Care Act, to repeal and replace it, make it better for the American people, to lower premiums, give more access, let people choose the plan they want. prgtoken I would remind the leader that there was no C-SPAN camera in Ms. Pelosi's office when the original Affordable Care Act was cobbled together over Christmas break, certainly not in the light of the American people. prgtoken So I urge people who are watching C-SPAN today, go to readthebill.gop, understand what is going on to repair and replace the Affordable Care Act, engage with your Member of Congress, and let's make health care available for all of our citizens. Let's make it truly affordable. Let's take care of the least of these, but let's do it in a patient-centered, market-based approach. prgtoken , today I come to the House floor to honor my friends at Philander Smith College in Little Rock. They celebrate their Founder's Day, commemorating the 140th anniversary of their founding in 1877. Philander Smith is a Historically Black College and an early higher education institution built and created by former African-American slaves, the first such institution west of the Mississippi River. prgtoken Graduating thousands of students over its 140-year legacy, the college is particularly important to Arkansas' history, economy, and higher education community. Currently, approximately 760 students are enrolled at Philander Smith, and the college continues to play an integral role in preparing predominantly minority and low-income students for careers and employment in Arkansas and throughout our country. I always enjoy my opportunities to be on campus, engaging with their bright, dedicated young minds. prgtoken The college's president, Dr. Roderick Smothers, recently joined his HBCU colleagues here in Washington to meet with the White House and leadership in Congress and talk about the challenges facing our Historically Black Colleges and their students. I appreciate Dr. Smothers' dedication to his students and their education at Philander Smith. I am proud to represent such a historic and valuable institution. prgtoken I congratulate Philander Smith on its 140th anniversary. I look forward to many more decades of their success.
Cuba Trade Act (Executive Session)
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2017-3-9

I come to the floor today to speak about legislation I have recently introduced, although it is a follow-on to legislation I pursued over a number of years. prgtoken We have now introduced in this Congress the Cuba Trade Act. This is legislation which would lift the trade embargo to allow farmers and ranchers and small businesses and other private sector industries to freely conduct business, to sell products--agricultural products in particular--to the nation of Cuba and to its people. prgtoken Last month, I spoke about the terrific difficulties our farmers in Kansas and across the country are facing due to low commodity prices. The farm economy has fallen by nearly 50 percent since 2013, and that decline is expected to continue in 2017, making this perhaps, if not the worst, certainly one of the worst economic downturns in farm country since the Great Depression. prgtoken In 2016, harvests in our State and across much of the country were recordbreaking yields and historic in their magnitude, in fact. What that means is there are still piles of wheat, corn, and other grains all across Kansas just sitting on the ground next to the grain mill bins that are already filled to capacity. To sell this excess supply, our farmers need more markets to sell the food and fiber they produce. prgtoken Approximately 95 percent of the world's customers live outside U.S. borders. Markets in the United States will continue to grow, and they will evolve and will continue to meet the domestic consumer demand, providing the best, highest quality, safest food supply in the world, but in order to boost prices for American farmers, we need more markets. We need them now, we need them in the future, and we need to be able to indicate to our farmers that hope is in the works in global markets. prgtoken We have talked about the importance of trade, of exports from the United States, and particularly for the citizens of Kansas. That is particularly true for an agricultural State like ours where, again, 95 percent of the consumers live someplace outside of the United States. Cuba is only 90 miles off our border. They offer the potential for increased exports of all sorts of products but especially Kansas wheat. prgtoken In fact, while we are introducing this legislation now, we started down this path to increase our ability to sell agriculture commodities, food, and medicine to Cuba back when I was a Member of the House of Representatives. I offered an amendment then to an appropriations bill that lifted the embargo--the ability to sell; it would allow the ability to sell those foods, agricultural commodities, and medicine to Cuba for cash, up front. That bill was passed. It was controversial then. This issue of what our relationship ought to be with Cuba has always been contentious. But I remember the vote was about I think 301 to 116. A majority of s and a majority of said it is time to do something d
Homeland Security (Executive Session)
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-3-9

Seema Verma has a proven track record of helping States create patient-centered healthcare systems that improve quality and access and give individuals and families more control over their healthcare. Due to a family commitment, I was unable to participate in the cloture vote. However, I strongly support Ms. Verma's nomination and look forward to working with her on the many important healthcare issues facing Florida and our country.
DUNK CITY
Francis Rooney (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-3-9

I rise today in honor of Florida Gulf Coast University with their return into March Madness for a second year in a row. The Eagles scored a big win against the No. 3 seed North Florida on Sunday. This is the third NCAA Tournament appearance for the Eagles since 2013. prgtoken I applaud the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles and Head Coach Dooley for their victory. There is a reason why FCGU is known as Dunk City--now go shut down more shot clocks.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY COMMITTEE ON RULES REGARDING AMENDMENT PROCESS FOR H.R. 1259 AND H.R. 1367
Pete Sessions (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-3-9

this morning, the Rules Committee issued announcements outlining the amendment processes for two measures likely to be on the floor next week. prgtoken An amendment deadline has been set for Monday, March 13 at 3 p.m. for H.R. 1259, the VA Accountability First Act of 2007; and H.R. 1367, to improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hire and retain physicians and other employees. prgtoken The text of these measures is available on the Rules Committee website. prgtoken Feel free to contact me or my staff.
American Health Care Act (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-3-9

. I will not, not at this time. prgtoken Fortunately, we now have a President in the White House who clearly sees the failure of Care and wants to do something about it. s in Congress have introduced a bill, which is now being marked up in the House, that the President can actually sign, once it is passed, to get us out of this mess. The American Health Care Act is the vehicle to do just that, and I am glad President endorsed the plan earlier this week. prgtoken It is a work in progress. The House committees are marking it up as we speak. There will be changes along the way, but, ultimately, the House will pass the bill and send it to the Senate. Then we will have an opportunity to offer our amendments during the course of its passage. The important point to make, though, is that this legislation will actually put patients first so they are not forced into a plan that they don't want or that provides coverage they can't afford. It does away with the outrageous new taxes and the penalties that have made the economy worse off and have made life harder for American families. prgtoken The legislation will also give families more flexibility so they can get the healthcare specific to their needs that actually works for them. If they decide, for example, to get a major medical policy that is relatively inexpensive and then use a health savings account to use pretax dollars to pay for their regular doctors' visits, they will have the flexibility to do that. So this legislation promotes sensible reforms to ensure that big ticket items like Medicaid are put on a more sustainable fiscal path. prgtoken I have heard some suggestions that this legislation actually guts Medicaid. That is false. That is not true. It actually continues at current levels in this shared State and Federal program, but it is subject to a cost-of-living index that will actually put Medicaid on a more sustainable path. Just as importantly, it will also return the authority back to the States to come up with the flexible programs they need to deal with the specific healthcare needs of the people of their State. prgtoken This legislation makes sure that Medicaid doesn't lose sight of its design, which is to serve the most vulnerable among us who can't afford access to quality healthcare. It provides them that access--and better access--by providing flexibility to the States. prgtoken We know that the States and the Federal Government spend an awful lot of money on Medicaid. In Texas, for example, my State spent close to one-third of its budget on Medicaid last year--one-third of all State spending--and it is uncapped, so it goes up every year by leaps and bounds. Under the American Health Care Act, Medicaid will be tied to the number of people in the State using it, a per capita rate, which makes sense, and it represents the first major overhaul of the program in decades. prgtoken Care left us with unchecked government spendi
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2017-3-9

. I am hearing the exact same thing at home. The premiums in our State for people having to buy on the exchange have gone up double digits. I think we had the same thing happen in your State year after year, to the point where if you only have one company selling on the exchange in rural communities--for us, it is our whole State. That is a big problem. prgtoken The other thing we certainly are concerned about--and I know this is the case with both Senator Blunt and me--ours is a rural State, and huge areas of your State are rural. prgtoken The architect of Care, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel from the University of Pennsylvania, said that we have too many hospitals in the United States. He said there are 5,000 hospitals, and he said there are about 1,000 too many. He actually wrote a book about this after they wrote the healthcare law, and he said that there are about 1,000 too many and they need to close. prgtoken Well, if you are in rural Wyoming or rural Missouri, those hospitals are a long way from other places. The first I think 80 hospitals have closed, and they were rural hospitals. Fortunately not in my State, but in a number of States, you have seen that--numbers of rural hospitals closing. When a rural hospital closes as a result of the healthcare law, the impact on a community is dramatic in terms of it being able to recruit nurses, doctors, and businesses to the community, if there is not a hospital, and to recruit teachers to the schools. I don't know if that is an experience and concern the Senator is seeing around rural Missouri.
TRIBUTE TO GLEN HANSON
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2017-3-9

I have been coming down to the floor for the past several months recognizing Alaskans who make our State great and our country better for all of us. I really enjoy doing this because it gives me an opportunity to share the excellent work my citizens are doing in their communities. It also gives me a few minutes to highlight to all my colleagues here in the Senate--and to some of those Americans who might be watching at home--to talk a little bit more about the unique place I call home and am honored to serve and represent in the Senate. prgtoken This week, I would like to honor pilot Glen Hanson, who is right now somewhere flying above racing sled dogs in the far north in Alaska, literally as we speak. prgtoken Before I get to how he is helping Alaskans and how he is this week's Alaskan of the Week, let me take you back through a remarkable bit of history that happened in Nome, AK, in 1925, when a diphtheria serum was desperately needed for the children in Nome. The nearest batch of serum was 1,000 miles away in Anchorage, AK. There weren't--and still aren't--any roads that connect Nome to Anchorage. There was very challenging winter weather during this time, so no airplanes could fly. In fact, the nearest train station was over 700 miles away from Nome, so people traveled mostly by dog sled. prgtoken On the night of January 27, 1925, musher ``Wild Bill'' Shannon tied a 20-pound package of serum wrapped in protective fur around his sled. He and his nine dogs started the journey called then the ``Great Race of Mercy'' across the frozen Alaska land. Miles later, he met up with another racer and another team of dogs, and the relay continued all across Alaska, over 1,000 miles--20 mushers and 150 sled dogs--through some of the world's most rugged terrain and some of the world's most brutal weather. In fact, right now in parts of Alaska where the Iditarod is happening, it is 40 to 50 below zero. prgtoken That original race, the Great Race of Mercy, began to be reenacted, with some twists, in 1973 and continues today. In fact, it is going on right now, the Iditarod, the Last Great Race, in my great State. People from all across the world come to participate in it and come to watch it. It is the quintessential Alaskan event that involves the work of hundreds of Alaskans, lodge owners, veterinarians, dogs, dog handlers, volunteers, pilots--hundreds, thousands. prgtoken Alaska, as you might know, is home to more veterans per capita than any other State, but we are also home to more pilots per capita than any other State. Our pilots are a vital part of our economy and transportation, and they are a vital part of the Iditarod. In fact, the race couldn't exist without them. prgtoken Every year, more than a dozen volunteer pilots load their planes for the Iditarod race with more than 100,000 pounds of dog food, hundreds of bales of hay, and lumber for tents. They fly the veterinarians, the judges, the dog h
LAWSUIT ABUSE REDUCTION ACT OF 2017
John Conyers, Jr. (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-3-10

such time as I may consume. These constitute my closing observations on this measure. prgtoken , H.R. 720 would turn back the clock to a time when rule 11 discouraged civil rights cases, restricted judicial discretion, and engendered vast amounts of time-consuming and costly so-called satellite litigation. prgtoken Not surprisingly, the Judicial Conference of the United States, the principal policymaking body for the judicial branch charged with proposing amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure under the careful, deliberate process specified in the Rules Enabling Act, opposes this measure, noting that it creates a cure worse than the problem it is meant to solve. prgtoken Likewise, the American Bar Association opposes this legislation, as do numerous consumer and environmental groups, including: Public Citizen, the Alliance for Justice, the Center for Justice and Democracy, the Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, Earthjustice, the National Association of Consumer Advocates, and six other major organizations. prgtoken Finally, last Congress, the administration, strongly opposed a substantively identical measure, noting that the bill was ``both unnecessary and counterproductive,'' and that it ``actually increases litigation.'' prgtoken Accordingly, I urge my colleagues in this body to reject this flawed bill. prgtoken , .