mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING DEMARKUS BOWMAN, MR. FOOTBALL
Ross Spano (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Lakeland High School's Demarkus Bowman, who was recently named Florida's Mr. Football. prgtoken After finishing runner-up last year, Demarkus beat out the competition this year, having run for over 1,600 yards and 24 touchdowns in only 11 games. As a unanimous 5-star running back and the number 16 overall player in the Nation, Demarkus will be taking his talent next season to Clemson University. prgtoken Not only is Demarkus a star football player, but Demarkus also excels in track. More importantly, Demarkus is a young man with a grateful heart who is supported by a devoted family and friends. prgtoken I am proud of Demarkus and all his Dreadnaught teammates who represent our district so well. Not only do I celebrate their accomplishments on the field, but I also look forward to seeing them take on the mantle of leadership in their generation.
PROVIDING NEW EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL AMERICANS
Michael Guest (Republican, MS) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Madam , today, President signed the historic United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement and fulfilled a campaign promise to modernize trade with two of our largest trading partners. prgtoken The USMCA is projected to generate $68 billion in new economic activity and create over 175,000 new jobs for hardworking Americans. prgtoken President and s fought to complete the USMCA on behalf of American farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and small business owners. prgtoken As a rural State with strong agricultural, manufacturing, and business sectors, Mississippi stands to benefit greatly from this agreement by expanding markets for high-quality Mississippi poultry and livestock and hundreds of manufacturing products. prgtoken This trade agreement will provide a boost to our economy that has grown significantly under leadership and is another example of free market economic principles at work to provide new employment opportunities for all Americans.
STUDENT BORROWER CREDIT IMPROVEMENT ACT
Steve King (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-1-29

this amendment, in reading through the bill, brings something forward that we have experienced a number of times in the natural disasters that have poured forth and the flooding in my district over the 17 years-plus that I have represented the folks in the Missouri River bottom, in particular; but, also, it affects everybody else around the country. prgtoken In reading the base bill, it says that the 3-month grace period that is granted for a student loan begins on the date that the declaration of disaster is issued, and often that declaration of disaster is issued sometimes months after the disaster is over. prgtoken The crisis is also over for the former student who was paying their student loans and having difficulty meeting those obligations because they have been the victim of a natural disaster, whether it be a hurricane, whether it be a flood, whether it be a tornado or some other type of natural disaster. This morning, I saw there was an earthquake down across from Florida, across the Caribbean. prgtoken What this amendment does is move that date back to the initial date of the disaster itself rather than the date that it was declared a disaster. The language in the current bill says, ``date on which the major disaster or emergency was declared.'' Instead, the language becomes, ``initial date of the incident period of the major disaster or emergency.'' prgtoken , I would point out some of these dates along the way that stand out to me. prgtoken There was flooding in North Dakota that began on October 9 of 2019 and continued until October 26 of 2019. That disaster was declared not then, but declared on January 21, 2020. That would have been the first date that the grace period would kick in under this language. I ask that that grace period kick in immediately. Although the announcement will come from FEMA and wouldn't be on the first day of the disaster, that is the first day that they feel the financial stress. prgtoken I will go through a number of these. prgtoken The courageous people of Hornick, Iowa, bounced back from that flood as strongly as anybody I have seen, but that began on March 12, and the disaster declaration came March 23. So they lost some of those days. prgtoken And I look down to Tropical Storm Michael in North Carolina, and that disaster began October 10 to 12, 2018, and 4 months later, January 31, 2019, was the declaration. prgtoken So the credit of these people who are trying diligently to pay their student loans is damaged unless they have this grace period that begins when the stress period begins, and that is what my amendment does, , and .
TEMPORARY REAUTHORIZATION AND STUDY OF THE EMERGENCY SCHEDULING OF FENTANYL ANALOGUES ACT
Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Republican, WA) \u2014 2020-1-29

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I appreciate his extraordinary leadership for us on the Energy and Commerce Committee. prgtoken Across America, drug abuse and addiction are leading to broken lives, broken families, and broken systems. It is leaving our communities trapped in a cycle of hopelessness and deaths of despair. People need help. People need hope. prgtoken I have heard these stories myself in eastern Washington. Last year, the SUPPORT Act marked the most comprehensive action we have taken on a single drug crisis, but the fight is not over. prgtoken In 2017, there were tens of thousands of drug overdose deaths. The sharpest increase occurred because of fentanyl from China. Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin. Just a few milligrams that can fit on Lincoln's ear on a penny, are lethal. prgtoken Chinese chemical companies are the largest, single source of this. To crack down on China, the Drug Enforcement Administration created a temporary scheduling system for fentanyl. Previously, drug traffickers could slightly change the molecules in the drug so the formula was not considered prohibited. With this scheduling tool, the DEA changed the scheduling temporarily in order to combat all fentanyl-related substances. prgtoken This legislation would extend this emergency declaration through May 2021, and it will give law enforcement the tools they need to keep us safe. prgtoken We must keep fentanyl off our streets to save lives and to win the future. That means cracking down on Chinese fentanyl and stopping these deaths of despair which are not only threatening families, they are threatening America's leadership and prosperity. prgtoken , I urge support of this legislation.
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF MR. BUSTER DAVIS
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the life of Buster Davis, who passed away on Thursday, January 9th at the age of 93. Buster was born on October 25, 1926, in Tishomingo County, Mississippi. He was a basketball legend at Belmont High School in Belmont, Mississippi, where he led the team to win two State Championships. After High School, Buster obtained a Bachelor of Science prgtoken from Mississippi State University, then received his Masters from the University of Mississippi before answering the call to serve our great nation in the United States Army during WWII. On August 22, 1948, Buster married Billie Faye South, and they remained together for over 63 years. Buster's love for basketball brought him back to Belmont High School where he became a basketball coach. He also coached at both Kossuth High School in Corinth, Mississippi and Thrasher High School in Booneville, Mississippi. In 1962, Buster began coaching at Itawamba Junior College in Fulton, Mississippi, and led the team to multiple State Finals. He left his coaching career in 1975 and started his career with Davis Ford. He stayed with Ford for over 55 years. Left to cherish his memory are his daughters: Pam Davis Horton of Birmingham, Alabama, and Patti Davis Bennett of Fulton, Mississippi; his grandchildren, great-grand children, as well as many friends and extended family members. Buster's life was one of service, grace, love for his family, and community. He will be greatly missed by all who he encountered.
TEMPORARY REAUTHORIZATION AND STUDY OF THE EMERGENCY SCHEDULING OF FENTANYL ANALOGUES ACT
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-1-29

I thank the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) for yielding and for his support for prompt consideration of this bill today. prgtoken , I rise today in strong support of S. 3201, the Temporary Reauthorization and Study of the Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act. prgtoken In just a few short days, the DEA temporary ban of deadly fentanyl will expire. While I am relieved that the House will vote on this extension of the fentanyl ban today, I remain deeply troubled that this lifesaving bill was delayed by the political distractions. prgtoken , in both your and my districts, we have seen the devastation of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. As a doctor, I have witnessed this drug crisis firsthand. Substance abuse and addiction have devastated individuals in my district of Pennsylvania and in every one of my colleagues' districts across America. prgtoken Fentanyl and its analogues are uniquely dangerous and deadly and have caused way too many overdose deaths from opioids in the last 2 years. We must act to protect the people that we represent from these deadly substances. prgtoken , just a few days ago, you and I heard from ONDCP Director James Carroll about the importance of passing this specific piece of legislation. prgtoken It is shameful that we waited until now to act on this lifesaving legislation. prgtoken , I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to renew this ban immediately. We cannot afford to wait.
IN HONOR OF JOHN ROBERT MILLER
Brett Guthrie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Madam , I rise today to honor the service of World War II veteran John Robert Miller of Barren County, Kentucky. After growing up in Freedom, Kentucky, John Robert volunteered for the Army when he was just eighteen years old in June 1941. He served in the Pacific theater until World War II concluded in 1945. During his Army service, John Robert rose to the rank of technical sergeant in an artillery unit, and he witnessed General Douglas MacArthur stepping off the landing craft to make his triumphant return to the Philippines. Following his service in the Army, John Robert became a fixture in the Barren County community. He married his wife Christine in 1945, and they were married for 67 years until her death in 2013. John Robert was a farmer with hogs, corn, and tobacco, and he also worked as a crop insurance adjuster. John Robert served as a Magistrate on the Barren County Fiscal Court for three years, and he has served as an Election Commissioner since 1993. In 2016, John Robert was awarded the Patriot Award by Barren County Veteran's Association, and he was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Honor for Barren County Schools. I thank John Robert for his service to our country and to our community.
PAIN IS THE PRICE OF AMERICA'S HEALTHCARE
Ralph Lee Abraham (Republican, LA) \u2014 2020-1-29

the $3 trillion healthcare industry continues to crush the middle class. Americans are paying more than ever and getting ever less as they struggle to access care. The cost of care for both workers and employers is outpacing wage growth. prgtoken What drives the cost of care in America today is lack of transparency, consolidation, and overregulation that is leading to administrative glut. The time is now to confront these cost drivers. President has addressed these exact issues in recent months. prgtoken Obtaining coverage has allayed the fears as costs rise, yet coverage itself keeps costs hidden and high. Our opaque, third-party payment system has obscured the true cost of receiving care from patients and physicians alike. prgtoken Prices are rising with no end in sight. We see examples of it every day, people who believe they are covered because they have insurance only to find out that, in some cases, they are just as vulnerable as those who are uninsured. The current system allows people who have insurance to end up paying more for a CT, for example, than if they had just paid cash. prgtoken This process and complexity of billing can allow this to happen. This lack of transparency in our healthcare system is a culprit, and it harms patients, physicians, pharmacists, and others who rely on it. prgtoken Consolidated hospital systems, the completely unregulated pharmaceutical middlemen, PBMs, and the insurance companies that are tied to both hospitals and PBMs have been increasingly profiting. These corporate giants have no motivation to offer transparency and discounts. prgtoken Costs remain deliberately hidden until the patient receives a bill. The number of healthcare administrators has grown more than 4,000 percent between 1970 and 2020. Consequently, spending on healthcare has increased 3,200 percent. prgtoken Is there any other conclusion than to tie rising costs to administrative glut? No. Administrative glut is largely to manage the regulations that our government has put in place, regulations that make healthcare more complex than the tax code. It is past time to cut the glut. prgtoken Medicine's malignant mergers, both vertical and horizontal, are creating behemoth healthcare systems like CVS, where insurance companies, PBM, pharmacy, and drive-by clinics are all together. This leads to patients being forced to go somewhere to receive their drugs and, in some cases, are told that they have to purchase brand-name drugs even when the generic equivalent is available. It is not about what is a better deal for the patient but what is a better deal for the PBMs and their ilk. prgtoken Americans are paying more than ever for coverage that limits their choices and doesn't always provide them access to care. The bloated bureaucratic special interests must be unveiled and Americans must educate themselves on cost drivers to forge sustainable solutions. prgtoken We need to focus on returning to a patien
HONORING JEAN FERNANDEZ
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Madam , this past weekend was the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge of World War II in Europe. prgtoken I rise today to honor a great lady, Jean Fernandez, who is a veteran of that historic battle and turned 100 very recently. prgtoken Living to be 100 years old is an accomplishment on its own, but Jean's story is particularly remarkable. prgtoken Arriving after D-Day and before the Battle of the Bulge, Jean is one of the few women veterans who was actually able to serve in that role in our Nation during World War II. prgtoken During her time as a nurse at the 179th U.S. Army General Hospital at Rouen in northern France, the hospital was constantly under threat of air attack, and many of the young men she cared for were severely affected by shell shock. prgtoken Had it not been for the My Life, My Story program provided by the VA, Jean's story may not have ever been told. prgtoken I had the pleasure of stopping by and spending some time with her at her 100th birthday party up in Susanville, and I enjoyed hearing her recount her time in the military as well as her extraordinary life. prgtoken What a neat lady. She is an exceptional American, and I am very thankful for her service and really honored to have had a chance to get to know her and spend time with her.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK
Barry Loudermilk (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-1-29

I rise today in recognition of National School Choice Week and the powerful impact that putting education choice in the hands of families can have in the lives of students, both in Georgia and across America. prgtoken Every child is a special gift from God, unique in their learning styles and capabilities. When it comes to their education, the options available to students and their families should not be limited by mandates from Washington, D.C. prgtoken It is also an unfortunate reality that opportunities for a quality education are not the same in every ZIP Code. Parents should have flexibility when choosing the best school setting to fit the specific needs of their children. prgtoken Whether it be through traditional public schools, charter schools, private schools, homeschooling, or vouchers, the decision about where to go to school should be made as close to the student as possible. prgtoken When we empower families to choose the educational options best suited for their sons and daughters, we give them the opportunity to thrive and to become the next generation of leaders in their families, churches, and communities. prgtoken , I am proud to lend my voice in support of school choice, especially during National School Choice Week.
STUDENT BORROWER CREDIT IMPROVEMENT ACT
Patrick T. McHenry (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-1-29

let me first say I oppose any disparate treatment of any person or population. That has no place in our society or our communities. prgtoken To that end, the data derived from this study would have been helpful to have had before we drafted a bill or we brought it to the House floor. I think it is important data for us to consider here as we make law. prgtoken The underlying bill removes important predictive information from consumer credit reports that helps lenders in assessing a borrower's ability to repay. Undermining this responsibility makes it riskier and more expensive for lenders to extend credit, which, ultimately, increases the cost for consumers. Now, that is problematic; but that is the bill, and the bill is problematic. prgtoken Buying a home is the biggest purchase that most Americans will make in their lifetime. And while the study is fine and will give us more data, it does nothing to make mortgages more affordable or available for those consumers who desire homeownership. The fact is the underlying bill will make mortgages even more expensive for consumers and consumer credit more expensive for those who seek it. prgtoken As I said, I am not opposed to this amendment, but more data is obviously always useful. prgtoken , .
HONORING THE LIFE OF BRIAN KELLY
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2020-1-29

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of my friend Brian Kelly, who passed away on Tuesday, January 21, at 1:21 a.m after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer. prgtoken I first met Brian when we were congressional staffers together in central Illinois. He was infectious to be around with his positive attitude and his perpetual optimism to always help others. We bonded over our mutual friends and experiences in his hometown of Vandalia, Illinois. prgtoken Brian was the epitome of what a public servant should strive to be, putting everyone else above himself, even during his fight against this deadly disease. After diagnosis, when I would see him, the smile and accompanying laughs made us sometimes forget the pain that he and his wife, Megan, were experiencing when none of us were around. prgtoken Madam , my friend Brian has no more need to fight, but knowing that does not make it any easier on his loved ones who lost him too soon. My heartfelt prayers go out to his lovely wife, Megan, and the entire Kelly family and all those who were lucky, like me, to know such a kind soul.
RECOGNIZING ELENI CHRISTOPOULOS
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-1-29

I rise today to recognize Knoxville Catholic High School senior Eleni Christopoulos. Eleni has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award and was recently named to Knox.biz's 20 Under 20 class. prgtoken When Eleni was born, she had a serious infection that needed specialized medical care. Fortunately, she overcame her illness, but she knows that not every sick child will get the same outcome. The experience inspired Eleni to start a program at East Tennessee Children's Hospital to comfort families whose children pass away in the neonatal intensive care unit. prgtoken Eleni builds and hand-paints memory boxes for grieving families to store cherished keepsakes like photos and footprints. While it is impossible to ease the pain of a lost child, Eleni's memory boxes offer the families a small comfort during a difficult time. prgtoken We don't hear enough about our young folks giving back to their communities and taking the initiative to help others, so I congratulate Eleni for making a meaningful difference in the Knoxville community and for being recognized as a young leader in the 20 Under 20 class. prgtoken Eleni has a bright future ahead of her, , and I know her grandparents and her mom and dad, and they are very proud, as I am.
TRIAL OF DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-1-30

. Mr. Chief Justice, the Senate will conduct another question and answer period today. We were able to get through nearly 100 questions yesterday. Senators posed constructive questions, and the parties were succinct and responsive. I would like to compliment all who participated yesterday. prgtoken We will again break every 2 to 3 hours and look to take a break for dinner around 6:30. prgtoken We have been respectful of the Chief Justice's unique position in reading our questions. I want to be able to continue to assure him that that level of consideration for him will continue.
MERCHANT MARINERS OF WORLD WAR II CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT OF 2019
Anthony G. Brown (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-1-30

I want to thank Congressman Khanna for his hard work on this amendment. prgtoken All we have heard from our friends across the aisle this morning is a parade of horribles unsubstantiated in fact or law. In fact, we brought together a bipartisan coalition to reassert in this body our constitutional duty in matters of war and peace. prgtoken After nearly two decades in the Middle East, Americans have tired of endless wars. We have lost far too many lives and spent far too much money with little progress. prgtoken President 's reckless escalations with Iran and his abandonment of our allies have made America and the world less safe. He has no strategy to counter Iran's nuclear ambitions or deter Iranian aggression and malign influence. His rhetoric has put our troops in harm's way and isolated the United States on the world stage. prgtoken With this amendment, we assert on behalf of the American people that war with Iran is not in the best interests of our country; we assert that the President does not have a blank check to commit more American lives to yet another war in the Middle East; and we recommit ourselves to robust diplomacy and the need for an open dialogue with even our fiercest adversaries.
TRIAL OF DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-1-31

. Mr. Chief Justice, I ask unanimous consent that the Secretary be authorized to include statements of Senators explaining their votes, either given or submitted during the legislative sessions of the Senate on Monday, February 3; Tuesday, February 4; and Wednesday, February 5; along with the full record of the Senate's proceedings and the filings by the parties in a Senate document printed under the supervision of the Secretary of the Senate that will complete the documentation of the Senate's handling of these impeachment proceedings.