mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SUBSTANCE USE-DISORDER PREVENTION THAT PROMOTES OPIOID RECOVERY AND TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES ACT
Tony Cárdenas (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-22

. Mr. Chair, I thank the authors for all the hard work coming to this moment to get this very important bill on the floor. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I rise today to say how glad I am that my bill, the At- Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act, has been included in today's opioid package. prgtoken According to a June 2017 MACPAC report, the opioid epidemic disproportionately affects Medicaid beneficiaries. Therefore, State Medicaid programs are taking the lead in identifying and tailoring strategies to prevent and treat opioid use disorder. Among those affected are our most vulnerable American population, our youth. prgtoken Currently, most children who are covered by Medicaid and come into contact with the criminal justice system end up having their enrollment terminated by States. While some States are beginning to suspend instead of terminate their enrollment, only a few States and the District of Columbia suspend their enrollment for the exact duration of the incarceration. This results in unnecessary, costly delays. prgtoken I say again: When somebody is terminated rather than suspended, this results in an unnecessary, costly delay, delaying their coverage and preventing them from receiving timely and much-needed health and mental care upon the child's release. prgtoken The At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act would require States to automatically restore the child's Medicaid enrollment upon their release. Further, States would be required to process applications for medical assistance by or on behalf of the child and make access to medical assistance for children under foster care consistent with the Affordable Care Act by extending the age of eligibility to age 26. prgtoken , we owe it to the American people to do everything in our power to decrease the already 64,000 families broken by this epidemic and restore faith in our government system. While this package covers many fronts, the inclusion of this commonsense bill, the At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act, extends the effort to attack this epidemic from all angles, modifying the package's foundation.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-6-22

we will close now. prgtoken Neither of the questions that I posed were answered. And certainly the fact that there are 240 votes on this floor was not disputed, by the majority leader, for the Hurd-Aguilar, which addresses security at the border. By the way, cosponsored by Mr. Hurd, a Member of the majority leader's party. A Member from Texas who knows about the border and who, I presume, wants to keep it secure. The bill he has cosponsored has at least 240 votes on this floor. prgtoken This is the most closed Congress in which I have served, the most closed rules. That is a fact. And apparently it is closed to the majority, who want to move ahead on a bill and just have the opportunity to vote on it and to give the the opportunity to put something on the floor and have the House consider it, and have Ms. Roybal-Allard and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, from Florida, have a bill on the floor and have it considered, and have Mr. Goodlatte, who did, in fact, have his bill on the floor, and it lost. prgtoken So, , I regret that I don't know what there is going to be next week, because we need to take action. And we need to take action not by compromising with one side of the aisle and seeing only capitulation by some. We do need compromise, we do need action, and we need action that can pass the Senate. prgtoken , .
IN HONOR OF MR. JERRY C. GRIMSLEY
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2018-6-22

it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I pay tribute to a devoted and hardworking businessman, Mr. Jerry C. Grimsley. Mr. Grimsley passed away on Monday, June 11, 2018. A funeral service was held on Friday, June 15, 2018, at First Baptist Church in Colquitt, Georgia. prgtoken A Georgia man through and through, Jerry was born on July 19, 1939, to Clarence E. Grimsley and Julia Tassie Odom Grimsley on their family farm in Miller County, Georgia. After graduating from Miller County High School in 1957, he attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia. prgtoken Mr. Grimsley was a highly trusted leader in the agriculture and financial services industries. He built quite an impressive career prgtoken which began in 1962 at Farmers Fertilizer and Milling Company as Vice- President and Co-Owner with his father-in-law. He became the President of Farmers Fertilizer and Milling Company in 1974 and helped it to grow from a small feed and fertilizer manufacturer into an internationally recognized leader in the peanut shelling industry. Mr. Grimsley also was the Founding Director of Peoples Bank, now Peoples South, when it was chartered on March 16, 1973. During his tenure as Founding Director, the bank grew from one small branch in Colquitt to twenty- nine branches across Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. He served in this capacity for 45 years until early 2018, when his health started to decline. Upon his retirement, he became the Director Emeritus of Peoples Bank and the owner of a local golf course which he named ``Clydesdale Meadows''. prgtoken Throughout his career, Mr. Grimsley served on a number of boards and was affiliated with several associations. He was President and Chairman of the Board for the Southeastern Peanut Sheller's Association (1975 to 1976); the Board of the National Peanut Council (1985 to 1987); and President of American Peanut Sheller's Association (1990 to 1991). In addition to these roles, he also served as the Chairman of several peanut-based committees. In 2000, Birdsong Peanuts purchased Farmer Fertilizer and Milling Company, and Jerry served as a consultant in the Southeast Division. prgtoken George Washington Carver once said, ``No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' We are all so blessed that Mr. Jerry C. Grimsley passed this way and during his life's journey did so much for so many for so long. He leaves behind a great legacy in public service to the countless residents of Colquitt whose lives he touched and brightened. prgtoken He is survived by his sons, Gerry and Scott; and a host of family and friends who will miss him dearly. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me, along with my wife, Vivian, and the more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District in paying tribute to Mr. Jerry C. Grimsley for his remarkable lead
SUBSTANCE USE-DISORDER PREVENTION THAT PROMOTES OPIOID RECOVERY AND TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES ACT
Ann M. Kuster (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2018-6-22

I rise in support of the Barton amendment. This amendment would require the FDA to create high- quality, evidence-based opioid prescribing guidelines for acute pain. These would complement prescribing guidelines for chronic pain created in 2015 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. prgtoken Taken together, these guidelines would finally provide providers evidence-based recommendations on best practices for all types of pain. prgtoken While the opioid epidemic has many origins, it is universally agreed upon that the treatment of pain over the latter half of the 20th century is a significant contributing factor. In recent years, efforts by this Congress and the public to reconcile addiction and chronic pain has had a real and positive impact. prgtoken One of the most impacted communities are veterans, and in just the last few years, the VA has reported a remarkable decline in opioid prescriptions. prgtoken Yet, the focus until very recently has been on chronic pain. Acute pain impacts more people and is responsible for a massive share of opioid prescriptions. The country needs evidence-based guidance on treatment of acute pain. prgtoken FDA is armed with a trove of data on acute pain prescription rates and patterns. They are uniquely positioned to provide this needed guidance. prgtoken FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told my colleagues on the Energy & Commerce Committee that this is something he wants to do and he underscored the importance of evidence-based opioid prescribing guidelines at the 2018 National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit. prgtoken While these guidelines are focused on the prescriber practices and patients, given the nature of pain management as team-based, we intend these recommendations to inform better practices by providers that have collaborative working relationships with prescribers. prgtoken I am committed to working with all stakeholders to improve this amendment as Congress continues to consider opioid legislation to ensure that these guidelines are considered consistent with law while still providing effective pain care for all Americans.
FIREFIGHTER CANCER REGISTRY ACT OF 2017
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-6-22

reserving the right to object, I want to thank Representatives Chris Collins and Frank Pallone and Senators Menendez and Lisa Murkowski for the support and work to get this bipartisan bill to protect the health and wellbeing of our Nation's firefighters across the finish line. prgtoken I am pleased this bill, which has the strong support of the firefighter community, will finally be on its way to the President's desk. I look forward to working with all the stakeholders to create a firefighter cancer registry with this bill. prgtoken , .
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Joyce Beatty (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-6-22

I was absent from the House Chamber between June 5, 2018, and June 19, 2018, during my medical recovery. Had I been present, I would have voted: Yes on Roll Call No. 231, Yes on Roll Call No. 232, Yes on Roll Call No. 233, No on Roll Call No. 234, No on Roll Call No. 235, No on Roll Call No. 236, No on Roll Call No. 237, Yes on Roll Call No. 238, Yes on Roll Call No. 239, No on Roll Call No. 240, No on Roll Call No. 241, No on Roll Call No. 242, No on Roll Call No. 243, Yes on Roll Call No. 244, Yes on Roll Call No. 245, No on Roll Call No. 246, Yes on Roll Call No. 247, Yes on Roll Call No. 248, No on Roll Call No. 249, Yes on Roll Call No. 250, No on Roll Call No. 251, No on Roll Call No. 252, No on Roll Call No. 253, No on Roll Call No. 254, Yes on Roll Call No. 255, Yes on Roll Call No. 256, No on Roll Call No. 257, Yes on Roll Call No. 258, Yes on Roll Call No. 259, No on Roll Call No. 260, No on Roll Call No. 261, No on Roll Call No. 262, Yes on Roll Call No. 263, Yes on Roll Call No. 264, Yes on Roll Call No. 265, No on Roll Call No. 266, No on Roll Call No. 267, No on Roll Call No. 268, Yes on Roll Call No. 269, Yes on Roll Call No. 270, No on Roll Call No. 271.
SUBSTANCE USE-DISORDER PREVENTION THAT PROMOTES OPIOID RECOVERY AND TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES ACT
Katherine M. Clark (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-6-22

I thank the ranking member for yielding and for all his work on this issue and continuing to underscore the need to actually fund access to healthcare so that we can curb this horrible epidemic in a meaningful way. prgtoken One of the many factors that contributes to the opioid crisis is the sheer volume of opioids in circulation. According to the CDC, over 214 million prescriptions were written for opioids in 2016, and we can see that in our own Federal programs. prgtoken A 2016 study showed that one in three Medicare part D recipients received opioids. That is almost 80 million prescriptions for a cost of $4.1 billion. The sheer volume makes it hard to prevent abuse, addiction, waste, and fraud. Almost 90,000 beneficiaries of Medicare are at serious risk for abuse and overdose, receiving over 2\1/2\ times the recommended dosing. This study eliminated anyone who is on hospice care. Additionally, 70,000 recipients receive an extreme amount of opioids. That is the equivalent of 24 Vicodin every single day. prgtoken That is why I, along with my colleague, Markwayne Mullin, have introduced the Every Prescription Conveyed Securely Act. This bill will require that every prescription written for a Medicare part D beneficiary be prescribed electronically by 2021. We know this technology will save lives by making it harder to forge prescriptions, easier for doctors to know if a patient is doctor shopping, and be able to prevent fraud and save the government money. prgtoken , this is a commonsense bill that can help fight the opioid crisis. I am very grateful to Chairman Walden and the ranking member for including it in this package.
CELEBRATING THE RISE OF BLACK WOMEN IN POLITICS
Terri A. Sewell (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2018-6-22

I stand before you today to address a new wave sweeping the state of Alabama and the nation. In response to the administration's continued attack on women as well as the #MeToo movement, at least 70 African-American women ran for office in the Alabama primary on June 5th. These women ran for their local school boards, for county judgeships, for state lawmakers, and for Congress. Black women have been the backbone of families and communities for generations, providing an unwavering source of strength. I know I stand on the shoulders of such women of strength, like Shirley Chisholm, Harriett Tubman, and Amelia Boynton Robinson. Moreover, I am inspired every day by my mother, Nancy Garner Sewell, who was the first African American female elected to the City Council of Selma, Alabama. These dynamic black women gave all they had to create a more just and free America. Yet, the fight is long from over. As the first African-American woman elected to Congress from the State of Alabama in 2010, I am overjoyed to see so many others enthusiastic to serve their communities by running for office. Black women are refusing to sit idly on the sidelines. Whether it is on issues of access to quality healthcare, education, equal pay for equal work, or engagement in the political arena, we have women from around the country that are joining the fight to let the world know that we will hold our elected officials accountable on issues that affect us, our families, and our communities. As more black women continue to speak out and run for office, I look forward to welcoming them to the table.
HONORING RON PLUMMER
Val Butler Demings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-6-22

I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Ron Plummer, Manager of Orange County, Florida, Office of Emergency Management, who passed away last week. prgtoken Ron was a dedicated public servant, husband, and father. Ron served in the Army and the Marine Corps for 27 years. prgtoken Since 2002, he has helped our community through countless storms and disasters. As every Floridian knows, getting through hurricanes and other emergencies requires calm leadership and deep compassion. prgtoken Ron lifted the spirit of storm-stricken neighbors, brought kindness to those with special needs, and made hope a tangible presence. prgtoken Ron united peers and partners to keep us safe, and shared his vast expertise throughout the State and the Nation. prgtoken Ron Plummer will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and we owe him a debt of gratitude for a life well lived.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-6-22

I was unable to be on the House floor on June 19, 2018 because my flight from Oregon was delayed because of weather. If I had been present, I would have voted in favor of H.R. 5676, the Stop Excessive Narcotics in our Retirement Communities Protection Act, and H.R. 5687, the Securing Opioids and Unused Narcotics with Deliberate Disposal and Packaging Act of 2018. These bills take important steps to stem the tide of opioid abuse in this country, and I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to combat this crisis.
HORNORING THE DILLARD CENTER FOR THE ARTS JAZZ BAND IN WINNING THE 2018 ESSENTIALLY ELLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND COMPETITION
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-6-22

I am honored to rise today and recognize the Dillard Center for the Arts Jazz Band on their May 12, 2018 first place win at the 2018 Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition in New York City. prgtoken Dillard High School, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida has a long history of excellence in the arts. In 1948, Dillard's well-known jazz program attracted one of the greatest musicians in history, Julian Edwin ``Cannonball'' Adderley. prgtoken Under the leadership of Director Christopher Dorsey, Dillard's Jazz Band performed on stage at Lincoln Center for the Essentially Ellington Competition. They were judged by an esteemed panel of jazz musicians, lead by composer and trumpeter Mr. Wynton Marsalis, and deemed to be worthy of the first place prize out of fifteen band finalists. Additionally, Ms. Summer Camargo, a member of the band, won the Composition/Arranger Contest. prgtoken , I am so proud of the Dillard Center for the Arts Jazz band. I wish Director Dorsey and the entire jazz band ensemble a hearty congratulations.
RECOGNIZING THE BAY AREA CLIMATE ACTION FORUM
Jerry McNerney (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-22

I rise, along with my colleagues from the Bay Area, Representatives Mark DeSaulnier, Anna Eshoo, John Garamendi, Jared Huffman, Barbara Lee, Jackie Speier, Eric Swalwell and Mike Thompson. prgtoken As members who represent Bay Area communities, we are proud to stand in support of the Bay Area Climate Action Forum, which will be held both before and after the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco. prgtoken Science continues to produce overwhelming evidence that climate change is accelerating and bringing increasingly negative impacts around the globe. The devastating, and in some cases irreversible, costs impact our economy, health and the general wellbeing of all residents in the San Francisco Bay Area and around the globe. prgtoken The United States was one of the original United Nations member countries to vote to adopt the historic Paris Climate Accord, which commits to a global initiative to combat climate change and its effects. Unfortunately, this administration has withdrawn the U.S. from this vital global agreement. prgtoken Many American cities and states, especially the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California, are committed to meeting the objectives laid out in the Paris Climate Accord. As their representatives in Congress, we are dedicated to maintaining the United States' role as a global leader and will continue to advocate for the U.S. to be an active participant in fulfilling the principles and objectives of the Paris Climate Accord. prgtoken Mitigating the effects of rapid climate change is a global imperative that requires participation from all levels of government, as well as private industry, non-governmental organizations and individuals in our global community. prgtoken We applaud the collaboration of those stakeholders in the San Francisco Bay Area who have joined together to hold the Bay Area Climate Action Forum. They are leading by example to show that a regional commitment to climate action is a critical component to finding sustainable solutions.
SUBSTANCE USE-DISORDER PREVENTION THAT PROMOTES OPIOID RECOVERY AND TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES ACT
Paul Tonko (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-6-22

. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Walden for yielding. prgtoken Although I know my colleague plans to withdraw, I rise in opposition to this amendment, and I just want to articulate a bit of my reasoning. prgtoken I think my colleagues and I both share the same goal of safely expanding access to addiction treatment. Where we differ is that I believe that the provisions in H.R. 6 expanding buprenorphine prescribing privileges to advanced practice nurses meet that test. prgtoken We all know that there is a dire need for expanded treatment capacity to meet the demands of this current epidemic. As many as 40 percent of counties across the country lack even a single provider that is able to offer buprenorphine. Advanced practice nurses play an outsized role in providing care in rural America, and H.R. 6 will help expand addiction treatment capacity into these communities where it is most needed. prgtoken Expanding buprenorphine prescribing privileges to APRNs is supported by medical groups that serve on the front lines of this epidemic, such as the American Society for Addiction Medicine and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. prgtoken All advanced practice nurses who wish to prescribe medication- assisted treatment would have to receive a special waiver from the DEA and would have to undergo three times as much specialized addiction training as their physician colleagues. prgtoken In addition, in order to receive a waiver, practitioners are required to be able to provide appropriate counseling and ancillary services that are the hallmark of high-quality addiction treatment. All APRNs wishing to prescribe buprenorphine would still be subject to State laws regarding prescription authority, scope of practice, and collaboration or supervision requirements with a physician. prgtoken While I understand that providing addiction treatment is a complex and nuanced area of medicine with potential complications if done poorly, I would point out that we don't restrict advanced practice registered nurses in Federal law from providing such high-risk services as delivering babies, administering anesthesia, or prescribing as many opioids as they wish. Why would we want to maintain an outdated barrier in Federal law that prevents these practitioners from being part of the solution to the opioid epidemic? prgtoken So in closing, I appreciate that my colleagues are withdrawing this amendment today, and I would urge that, as we move forward toward a potential conference committee, we continue to recognize the role that advanced practice nurses can play in addressing this epidemic.
IMMIGRATION
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-22

. Madam , if the Statue of Liberty could cry, she would be crying today. As I stand here, there are 2,300 babies and kids who were ripped away from their parents by our government and are in detention facilities across America. prgtoken America was a country founded by people fleeing persecution. We are a land of immigrants. President Ronald Reagan called us ``that shining city upon the hill.'' prgtoken Unfortunately, and Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen have perverted that grand legacy and have now engaged in the functional equivalent of kidnapping. prgtoken You can believe in any God or no God at all and conclude that ripping kids away from their parents is immoral. I believe in Jesus Christ. Every single thing in the Gospels and what Christ taught goes against the policy of family separation. prgtoken Imagine being a mother and father and losing your child to the government and not knowing if you are ever going to see your child again, the horror of that. prgtoken Imagine being a child; when you are young, your parents are likely the most important people in your life. Imagine being ripped away from your mother or father and not knowing if you are ever going to see them again, and then being placed in a detention facility with strangers. Imagine the horror and fear you will see doing that. What must that sound like? (Audio being played.)