mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
MAJOR HURRICANES
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-9-26

I thank Mr. Espaillat very much for bringing to our attention the possibilities. prgtoken The U.S. military is awesome. I am very thankful that Adam Smith, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, together with you and other colleagues, have called upon the President to deploy to Puerto Rico a military task force. The military is the most organized of all of our Federal organizations. They have the ability, they have the resources, and they certainly have the capability of addressing at least the immediate needs of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and even other islands that have been devastated in the Caribbean. prgtoken Ultimately, the task falls to those of us who are elected to represent the American people in the office of the Presidency, the House of Representatives, or in the Senate. And the questions we must ask ourselves: Are we meeting our responsibilities; are we deploying the resources of this Nation to assist in these devastated communities; are we providing the funding necessary to carry out these tasks; or are we engaged in legislation that would create a healthcare disaster on top of the natural disasters? prgtoken Well, thankfully, it appears as though four Senators have stopped a effort in the Senate that is a repetition of an effort made here in the House of Representatives months ago, to stop the creation of a healthcare crisis in America. prgtoken There is more out there that will be brought forward. Tomorrow, my colleagues on the side will meet to discuss tax reform. By all appearances, it appears that tax reform is likely to turn out--at least their version of it, is likely to turn out to be serious tax cuts for the superwealthy and for corporations with a hope and a prayer some day that it might create jobs. prgtoken There is precious little economic history to indicate that that would happen, but there is a lot of economic history and studies that indicate you continue to cut taxes for the superwealthy and we will have even a more serious inequality of wealth in the United States. That is a discussion for tomorrow and beyond. prgtoken Today, now, the discussion must focus on our American citizens who are not in harm's way, they are being harmed. prgtoken My plea to my colleagues here is to put aside these other issues, to focus the great power and empathy of the American people on meeting the needs of our American citizens in Houston, Florida, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and then to reach out beyond to others who have been hurt, wherever they may be--Mexico City, other islands in the Caribbean. prgtoken Finally, a plea to our President a plea to our President: Tone it down. This is not a schoolyard for bombast and for belligerent talk. This is extraordinarily serious. It has been said by people who have followed these issues over the decades that we are closer to nuclear war now than we have been since the Cuban Missile Crisis. prgtoken
INCREASING OPPORTUNITY AND SUCCESS FOR CHILDREN AND PARENTS THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITING ACT
Sander M. Levin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-9-26

. Madam Chair, I am disappointed that this bill, H.R. 2824, injects needless controversy into reauthorizing the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. prgtoken Home visiting is an evidence-based approach that connects pregnant women and families with young children to nurses, social workers, and other professionals. Through these programs, parents learn skills that help reduce abuse and neglect and improve child development during the crucial early years of life. prgtoken Most importantly, home visiting is backed by strong evidence that shows these programs are an effective way to improve outcomes for at- risk families. Unfortunately, H.R. 2824 ignores the proven successes of home visiting in favor of harmful, partisan changes to the law. In particular, I am troubled by language in this bill that would cut off funding to States and Tribal organizations that are unable to match Federal spending on home visiting. The bipartisan bill in the Senate does not do that; you do. prgtoken Advocates are concerned that this could cause States to scale back or even end their programs altogether. In addition, this bill makes a number of ill-advised changes that have little or no apparent justification. Research shows that home visiting programs are working well, yet only 6 percent of eligible individuals currently participate. We should be looking at expanding, not undermining, access to home visiting. prgtoken We need, at the very least, a clean bill that reauthorizes the home visiting program in a bipartisan way. Unfortunately, H.R. 2824 is not that bill, and, for that reason, I urge that we vote ``no.''
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018--MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2017-9-26

while the Senator from Massachusetts is still with us on the floor and in other ways as well, I just want to say a couple of things. prgtoken One, good for the Senator. He just said a mouthful, and he said what needs to be said. What he said is that there is not just one or two choices. Somebody said to me yesterday: Well, it is a choice between either a single-payer or Graham-Cassidy. Those are our choices. prgtoken Uh-uh. No. No. I think a far better choice for us to take is in the example of leadership set by Senators Alexander and Murray on the Committee of Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. As the Presiding Officer knows, in a span of 2 weeks, they held four bipartisan roundtables with Governors from all over the country, insurance commissioners from all over the country, healthcare providers, insurance, and health economists to ask: What should we do? What should we do right now in our being faced with the challenge and maybe the possibility of repealing the Affordable Care Act? What should we do? prgtoken They all said the same thing--stabilize the exchanges. Every State has a health insurance exchange, an individual marketplace. Stabilize them. They all basically said to do mainly three or four things to stabilize them: prgtoken No. 1, make clear that these cost-sharing subsidies, which help lower income people in the exchanges with their copays and deductibles, are not going away. Make it clear that they are going to be around for at least a couple of years. prgtoken No. 2, either give the States the ability to create their own reinsurance plans or create one for the Federal Government, by the Federal Government, involving the Federal Government. prgtoken The third thing they said is, if we are not going to enforce the individual mandate--I, personally, think we should--then make sure there is something that is just as effective as the individual mandate in order to make sure that young people--millennials like my sons--are getting their healthcare. They are in the exchanges, and they are helping to make sure there is a healthy mix of people to insure. prgtoken Those were almost word by word, panel by panel, what we heard in four different hearings by the HELP Committee during four different bipartisan roundtables that preceded those hearings. They all said to fix the exchanges. prgtoken I have an old friend who is now deceased. He was a Methodist minister for many years in southern Delaware. He used to give me this advice when I was Governor: Just remember this, Tom--the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. prgtoken That is what he said. The first time he said it, I didn't know what he was saying. It took me a while, but I finally figured it out. The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. prgtoken Right now, the thing that we can do and ought to be able to agree on is to stabilize the exchanges. Premiums do not have to go up in the exchanges by 30, 40 perce
PRIORITIZING PUERTO RICO
Luis V. Gutiérrez (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-9-26

. No, , Puerto Rico is not doing well. We don't need to be reminded of the debt. We should remind ourselves of our responsibility to the 3.4 million people of the island nation of Puerto Rico. They are suffering greatly the people of Puerto Rico need our immediate and sustained help. prgtoken We all know that flooding, destruction, and complete elimination of the power grid for the whole island are among the consequences of Hurricane Maria, but this is no ordinary hurricane, and it hit at no ordinary time we need all hands on deck to make sure rescuing Puerto Rico becomes our number one priority. prgtoken Immediate needs must be met--fresh water, food, medicine, shelter, and fuel--but we need sustained investment and cooperation with the island's government and its people to make Puerto Rico livable again. Like a lot of Americans, I have watched with increasing horror and panic as the Governor of Puerto Rico, the mayor of San Juan, and ordinary Puerto Ricans have pleaded for more help. prgtoken The work of first responders and our military has been heroic, but the island needs more. One-third of the doctors--over 5,000--have left the island of Puerto Rico in the last 10 years. Hospitals have no doctors in some cases. Nurses, fuel, and medicine are running out at the hospitals that remain open. This is a public health crisis and should be declared a health emergency by the Federal Government. prgtoken Puerto Rico has been in an economic crisis for years. Five thousand people flee Puerto Rico every month--before two hurricanes hit--leaving behind many old, many young, the very poor, the very sick, and the very vulnerable. There is no food in supermarkets. prgtoken We need an airlift. We need an effort the scale of Dunkirk. We know the U.S. is capable. We can invade foreign countries with hundreds of thousands of troops, flawless communications, food, and security. We need the same effort now. We need the Federal Government to go all in to rescue Puerto Rico from a humanitarian crisis which is developing. prgtoken Welcome other nations if they want to help, , like Cuba, that has offered doctors and other emergency assistance. But what I fear is prgtoken that the Federal Government is not stepping up as fully and as quickly as we must. prgtoken I remember, in this body, when the legislation to take over the Puerto Rican government and put in place a junta or control board was working its way through Congress--the PROMESA bill. What was the main selling point for the bill? Vote for PROMESA because it will not cost us a penny. So that is where this Congress and the Federal Government start from: not wanting to spend what needs to be spent or do what needs to be done. prgtoken We need to waive cost sharing that could charge--would charge--Puerto Rico for a percentage of the relief and rescue help they are receiving today. Puerto Rico is broke, and they cannot borrow because the government-
PUERTO RICO RELIEF
Susan A. Davis (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-9-26

I received a heartfelt letter from a constituent expressing her frustration with the dire crisis in Puerto Rico. She described the panic of not being able to reach her family on the island. She said: ``It is becoming an island of chaos and sadness. I am helpless here in Chula Vista. I cannot contact my family. We need Congress to send more relief. We Puerto Ricans are American citizens, whether people remember it or not.'' prgtoken As we speak, Puerto Rico remains without power, communication lines are down, and a major dam could burst. We are proud of how Americans came together for Texas and Florida. Let's not abandon Puerto Rico. We must act now. We are seeing a major humanitarian crisis unfold on U.S. soil. prgtoken , is there any reason why U.S. citizens are being ignored in these times of desperate need? prgtoken We must help Puerto Rico now.
INCREASING OPPORTUNITY AND SUCCESS FOR CHILDREN AND PARENTS THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITING ACT
Kathy Castor (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-9-26

. Madam Chair, I thank Mr. Davis for his outstanding advocacy on behalf of families all across America. prgtoken Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2824 because this bill throws up unnecessary bureaucratic hoops and roadblocks to the progress we have made under the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting initiative. prgtoken It is smart policy to target resources and community experts to families who are most at risk back home. I have seen it in action back home in Tampa, Florida, where experts simply go to the home and explain to parents the importance of reading to your young child to get them ready for school, the importance of sleep, healthy habits, turning off the TV, and focusing on being a family unit. That is why it is so unfortunate that the s are targeting the progress we have made. prgtoken We are smarter now. We understand what is successful, and, unfortunately, H.R. 2824 would undermine successful home visiting initiatives by making policy changes that no expert has prgtoken asked for. Indeed, I checked with my folks back home at the University of South Florida and on the ground there across the Tampa Bay area, and they say that, no, this bill will jeopardize the progress that we are making right now. In fact, they think that the match requirement will bring to an end the progress that we have been able to make because of the pressure on our State budget. prgtoken The way forward is through the bill that my colleagues--Mr. Davis, Mr. Doggett, Ms. DeGette--and I have charted under H.R. 3525, which is a fairly clean reauthorization that doubles down on what works and doesn't invest in the bureaucratic red tape that simply is not going to help a family succeed. prgtoken So, Madam Chair, I urge the House to defeat this bill and, instead, to work in a bipartisan fashion.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018--MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2017-9-26

it was 6 years ago that Tropical Storm Irene tore through my home State of Vermont, and I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember going around the State the next day in a helicopter with the head of our National Guard and reviewing the damage. We are still trying to recover. prgtoken In the days after the storm, I came to this Chamber, and I asked for the support that Vermont needed to recover and rebuild. I remember with gratitude that s and alike in the Senate, from across the country, stood with the people of Vermont. I remember how much the calls of support from and ic colleagues meant to me. prgtoken Today, we have to do the same for the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than 3\1/2\ million Americans--remember, these are Americans--have seen their homes and communities destroyed by the double blow of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The destruction is catastrophic. The details are still coming in. prgtoken The vast majority of Puerto Rico is without power and remains in the dark. At least 44 percent--almost half of its people--are without potable water, and some estimates put it even higher. The vast majority of hospitals in Puerto Rico are without power. The food supply is dwindling. Cell phone sites are down, crippling communication on the island. People can't find out what has happened to their families. We are on the verge of a humanitarian crisis right here on U.S. soil. prgtoken President , leaders of FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense have all got to act quickly. We have to put the full force of the United States behind these efforts, as we would in any State where this might happen. prgtoken Earlier this month, Congress approved $15 billion in emergency funding for disaster relief following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. As vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I was happy to support that. These resources should be put to work in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as well. But it is not going to last for long. This money will run out within a couple of weeks. We have to sustain our commitments to rebuilding and recovering from all of these hurricanes for the long haul--not just in the continental United States but in all parts of the prgtoken United States, which include Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. prgtoken I would ask the administration to prepare an emergency aid request as soon as possible. The Appropriations Committee is ready to move on it, but the Congress--the House and Senate--should act very quickly. We have to stand by each other in times of disaster. When there is a storm, one of us braces for it, and the others have to help pick up the pieces. That is who we are. That is why we act. That is why we are Americans. We are the United States of America--all of us. Now we must make sure that we respond not just in Texas, as we should, not just in Florida, a
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018--MOTION TO PROCEED
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-9-26

. First, let me thank my dear friend and colleague from Illinois for his remarks. As usual, he is one of the most articulate Members of either side. He is also one of the most thoughtful and compassionate, and I hope people will listen to what he has to say. Healthcare prgtoken , I would also like to respond to what the majority leader said this morning on healthcare. My good friend Senator McConnell continues to try and create this straw man because he has nothing good to say about his bill. He wants to make this healthcare debate about a false choice between Graham-Cassidy on their side and single payer on our side, but as Senators Sanders and Klobuchar made clear in an excellent debate last night on CNN, have a lot of ideas to improve healthcare. There is not just one; there are many, and many support a bunch of different ideas. Each of our ideas, however, endeavors to increase coverage, improve the quality of care, and lower the cost of care. None of the plans achieve these goals. That is the difference. prgtoken The difference is that one side wants to cut healthcare to average Americans, increase premiums, and give the insurance companies far more freedom, and one side wants to increase care to the number of people covered, lower premiums, and provide better coverage. That is the divide. prgtoken Our colleagues can't stand and debate that issue. They believe in letting the market have more say. We have learned that, left alone, the poor little consumer against a big market gets crushed in healthcare because there are infirmities. It doesn't work like an ordinary market for a whole lot of reasons. So we are happy to have a debate on the real issues. prgtoken Does Graham-Cassidy expand or reduce healthcare? They are rushing this through so we don't get a full CBO report. I am sure my colleagues on the other side of the aisle maybe breathed some relief there. CBO said that costs are likely to go way up for older Americans and Americans with preexisting conditions under Graham-Cassidy. They said that Graham-Cassidy would reduce coverage by gutting Medicaid and reducing subsidies that help Americans afford insurance. So there is, indeed, a contrast between the parties. It is a contrast we welcome. prgtoken Every plan this year would cause millions to lose insurance and costs to go up, whereas are looking at many different ideas about how to achieve the exact opposite. prgtoken As my colleague said, we want to work in a bipartisan way to improve the existing system. Senator Alexander and Senator Murray have had great negotiations. Once this repeal effort is dead and gone--this repeal and replace--we are willing and eager to sit down and come up with bipartisan improvements and do it in the regular order, as some of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have correctly and courageously recommended. Let's do i
ENDING WAR OF WORDS WITH NORTH KOREA
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-9-26

I rise today to call for an end to the dangerous war of words between President and North Korean officials. prgtoken Provoking Kim will not make us any safer. It will only raise the temperature on an already volatile situation. As everyone in this Chamber knows, a conflict on the Korean Peninsula would be catastrophic. prgtoken Let me be clear: a war with North Korea would put millions of lives at risk, and the threat of nuclear weapons only heightens tensions. Diplomacy is the only answer. However, President 's rhetoric has destabilized us over our process and stopped it before it could even begin. prgtoken This administration needs to end the name calling and saber rattling. President must deescalate his rhetoric before it is too late. Direct talks remain our best chance of resolving this conflict peacefully. prgtoken We must also remind the President that he does not possess the power to declare war without congressional approval. It is up to Congress, not the White House, to debate and vote on military action. prgtoken Congress must immediately vote on Representative Lieu's no first use bill, H.R. 669, to prevent the President from unilaterally authorizing a nuclear strike. prgtoken , it is clear to everyone that there is no military solution to this crisis.
KNEELING IN RECOGNITION OF THE GLORY OF OUR NATION
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-9-26

now, what is the most important message? prgtoken My people are suffering--and my constituents--still in Texas. They are suffering in Florida. They are suffering now extraordinarily in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. prgtoken Your eyes should burn and your hearts should be struck by the absolute prgtoken humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico. As I listened to my colleagues this morning as I was coming to this floor already on these issues, they pierced my heart even more because Puerto Rico is under water. The disease is rising. People with medicine are losing it because they do not have refrigeration, yet the idle talk and idle hands of the administration are, in fact, not doing anything sufficient enough to save those lives. prgtoken I, too, have people in my district who are unhoused, but I am here because we are unified, and we must be able to speak about the whole of America. I have been to Puerto Rico on a number of issues. I know the leadership of the former Congressperson, and I believe that it is high time--if this is water that Hurricane Harvey was, imagine the disease of being hit by 155 miles per hour. It is now time to put a military czar in Puerto Rico.
JOHN ELLIS
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2017-9-26

I rise today to recognize and applaud John Ellis for receiving the 2017 Jefferson County Hall of Fame Award from the West Chamber. prgtoken The Hall of Fame Award recognizes outstanding individuals who have significant, long-lasting impacts through their leadership and contributions to Jefferson County's economy, community and legacy. prgtoken John Ellis has shown a lifelong dedication to the Jefferson County community. His extensive involvement includes serving on many nonprofit boards such as the Evergreen Christian Outreach, Blue Spruce Kiwanis, Evergreen Audubon, and Jeffco Outdoor Lab Foundation just to name a few. For the past eleven years John has served as an elected official with the Evergreen Metropolitan District and for almost four years has served on the Evergreen Parks and Recreation District board. In addition to these endeavors, John is an avid fisherman and has been teaching fly fishing for the past 27 years and is involved with Evergreen Trout Unlimited preserving cold-eater fisheries. prgtoken John Ellis' history of volunteerism and support of the community and its businesses spans decades. He currently holds the position of Community Relations Manager for Evergreen National Bank. prgtoken I extend my deepest congratulations to John Ellis for this well- deserved recognition by the West Chamber of Jefferson County.