mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING THE LATE PEDRO SALAS FOR HIS DEDICATION TO MANY CONTRIBUTIONS HE MADE FOR HIS COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-6-29

. Madam , I rise today to honor the late Pedro Salas, a Vietnam War Veteran and active member of his community in Buffalo, New York. Salas, also known as Pete or Pello, was born in Moca, Puerto Rico in 1949 to Ignacio Salas-Lorenzo and Maria Gonzalez-Soto de Salas, and moved to Buffalo's West Side in the early 1950s with his family. Salas' family was deeply involved in the flourishing Puerto Rican businesses within the growing Latino neighborhoods. prgtoken Salas graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in 1968 and earned his degree at the University at Buffalo, where he was also a member of the University's Latino Student Organization, PODER. prgtoken Salas was drafted into the Vietnam War, where he courageously served in the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany and received an honorable discharge as a ranking Specialist. Salas' extensive career also included working for General Motors and Westinghouse, as well as serving as an academic counselor at the University at Buffalo, and as a counselor at the New York State Division for Youth. Salas' dedication to civil service is also reflected in his active membership in the American Legion, where he served as an active contributor to the Francis A. Lombardo American Legion Post. Salas was also one of several veterans who worked to found the Gabriel A. Rodriguez American Legion Post 1928, and he served as the organization's First Commander, in which he recognized the contributions of Latino veterans in Western New York. prgtoken In addition to Salas' dedication to his community, he was also a loving husband to his wife Ana Lopez, and a loving father to his three children: Mariana, nicknamed Mimi, Pedro Jose, nicknamed P.J, and Michael. Salas is also survived by his three grandchildren: Nick, Mari, and A.J, as well as his brother, Arturo. He was a dedicated sports fan, who was actively involved in local Puerto prgtoken Rican softball leagues and was known to have never missed a Bills game. prgtoken I wish to thank and honor Pedro Salas today, and his dedication to the United States Army, as well as his active participation in civil service organizations that aided in expanding the ways in which Latino Veterans are honored and remembered. His family, local community, and the United States as a whole are better for having known Salas and we stand here today to recognize his impactful leadership and heartfelt commitment. I thank Pete Salas, for his life-long service and dedication to this country.
STATE HEALTH CARE PREMIUM REDUCTION ACT
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-6-29

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , as Americans continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic and a severe economic downturn, they are justifiably concerned about their health and their financial future. prgtoken Today, we are here to provide more relief to the American people, and I rise in strong support of H.R. 1425, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act, legislation that will make healthcare and prescription drugs more affordable and will expand access to health coverage. prgtoken Madam , this legislation strengthens the Affordable Care Act for the future, which is critical at a time when the administration and s continue to support a lawsuit before the Supreme Court that would strike down the entire ACA. prgtoken These actions could result in 23 million Americans losing their health coverage and the elimination of critical consumer protections for more than 130 million people with preexisting conditions during the middle of a pandemic. Sadly, this is nothing new. prgtoken Madam , over the last 4 years, much of the ACA's progress has been halted and, in some cases, reversed by the administration's sabotage campaign. prgtoken Thanks to the ACA, the uninsured rate fell to a historic low. However, the administration's actions have driven up the uninsured rate. Today, millions more Americans are uninsured and afraid they will not be able to afford the cost of care if they become sick. prgtoken The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act will reverse these trends. This legislation is a commonsense, fiscally responsible one-two punch that uses the Federal Government's savings from lowering prescription drug costs to lower health insurance costs for Americans. prgtoken The bill does this by empowering the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate a fair price for prescription drugs. This legislation stops the gouging at the pharmacy counter and ensures that Americans no longer pay 4 or 5 or 10 times the amount people in other countries pay for the exact same drug. This negotiation not only levels the playing field, but it also saves hundreds of billions of dollars. prgtoken H.R. 1425 will then reinvest these savings to lower healthcare costs for consumers and to expand access to affordable care. More middle- class Americans would receive financial assistance with monthly premiums. A family of four, for example, with an annual income of $60,000 would save $2,000 annually, and a family of four with an annual income of $100,000, who previously did not qualify for subsidies, would save $8,000 every year. prgtoken Now, this is in addition to the savings that they also had under the underlying ACA. This is, under this bill, in addition to what they normally saved--and that is real savings to hardworking families. prgtoken This legislation also lowers Americans' healthcare costs by reversing some of the worst sabotage from
EMERGENCY HOUSING PROTECTIONS AND RELIEF ACT OF 2020
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-6-29

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I come from a family of 13 children. We were poor. We lived in inadequate housing. It was cold in the wintertime, and the pipes froze on the inside of our house. In the summertime, it was too hot to be in the house. We sat on the stoop through the wee hours of the morning, trying to stay cool. But it was home. prgtoken I worried that we were going to be evicted, but my mother managed to put together the money, and we never got evicted. But my neighbors and my friends, I saw evicted. Maybe my friends on the opposite side of the aisle have never seen this. They don't understand this. prgtoken I have my friend from Michigan talking about a family that makes $131,000 per year. The Members of Congress make $175,000 a year, and we have Members of Congress who sleep free in this place, don't pay any rent when they are in Washington, D.C and you have the audacity to come here and talk about denying assistance to people who are at the worst part of their lives to be evicted. prgtoken No, I do not yield. This is an emergency. The hospitals are filling up. Children are hungry. People have lost their jobs. prgtoken This is about whether or not people are going to have a place to lay their heads. This is about whether or not families are going to stay together. We have hospitals where the ICU rooms are all filled, and these people may be sick and not have a place to go home to. prgtoken So, I am not about to wait. Yes, he mocked us when we said we can't wait any longer. No, we cannot wait any longer. prgtoken , this is why I am in the Congress of the United States of America. This is why I came, for moments like this, to speak for the least of these, to speak for the poorest families in America, to speak for families when they need help. prgtoken This is an emergency. Our families need help, and I cannot wait. You should not wait. prgtoken , .
STATE HEALTH CARE PREMIUM REDUCTION ACT
Judy Chu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-6-29

. Madam , last week, as COVID-19 cases continued to spread, even reaching historic highs, and as the number of Americans killed by this virus rose well above 100,000, asked the Supreme Court to strike down the entire Affordable Care Act. If and s got their way, millions of Americans would immediately lose their health insurance in the middle of a pandemic, with no alternative available. prgtoken Ending the ACA is life-threatening, especially as we battle COVID-19. That is why I am proud to support the Affordable Care Enhancement Act. This bill would build on the success of the ACA by expanding tax credits to ensure more Americans have access to health insurance, not fewer. And it expands eligibility for these credits so that Dreamers can access affordable healthcare as well, something we know will benefit entire communities. prgtoken The coronavirus does not discriminate, and neither should we. prgtoken Critically, this bill undoes the administration's expansion of junk insurance plans, which offer minimal coverage and leave patients with massive bills when they do get sick; because, while access to healthcare is essential, it must be affordable. prgtoken That is why it is so important that this bill also includes language from H.R. 3, the Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. This will lower prescription drug prices by allowing the government to negotiate for those prices, bringing our prescription drug prices in line with what they cost overseas. prgtoken This bill puts the health of the American people first when we need it most. I am proud to support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
STATE HEALTH CARE PREMIUM REDUCTION ACT
Lucille Roybal-Allard (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-6-29

. Madam , ten years ago, this March, I proudly cast my vote in support of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The ACA built on the promise that was begun with the passage of Medicare in 1965, which represented a milestone in our nation's history by framing healthcare as a universal right for all Americans. prgtoken Like many of my colleagues at that time, I would have preferred to see the bill go much further towards granting universal access to health care for every man, woman, and child in this country. Nevertheless, it was an important first step to improving the quality and affordability of health services, prioritizing prevention and the reduction of health disparities, and taking the necessary albeit difficult steps to rein in the escalating costs of health care in this country. prgtoken The intent of the Majority in the 111th Congress was always to build on the ACA and modify and improve its programs and policies. Instead, what followed was at least 70 led attempts over the next 8 years to defund benefits, dismantle programs, and repeal parts, or all, of the Affordable Care Act, with no serious effort to fix problems or replace the critical law with a viable alternative. prgtoken For the last three years, have watched in frustration as a series of misguided and meanspirited Presidential executive orders have slashed funding, delayed implementation of programs, and limited benefits for consumers. And when President 's ``Repeal and Replace'' efforts failed, his administration turned to the courts to declare unconstitutional all, or parts, of the ACA. prgtoken Today, with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act, we say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. This important legislation will strengthen and expand the Affordable Care Act by including provisions to reduce the cost of prescription drugs, reduce the number of uninsured Americans, expand access to quality and affordable health coverage, and protect people with pre-existing conditions. prgtoken The bill expands Marketplace tax credits to lower health insurance premiums and allows more middle-class individuals and families to qualify for subsidies. It expands Medicaid coverage for states who have not taken advantage of this provision and reverses the Administration's expansion of junk health insurance plans that discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions. The bill also requires the federal government to negotiate certain drug prices to ensure consumers have access to affordable and fair prices for drugs they depend upon to live healthy and productive lives. prgtoken According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), this bill would reduce the number of uninsured by 4 million below the current law, and it would lower individual market premiums by 10 percent and drug prices by up to 55 percent. prgtoken Americans have overwhelmingly told us their number one concern is access to high qu
STATE HEALTH CARE PREMIUM REDUCTION ACT
Doris O. Matsui (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-6-29

. Madam , I rise today to support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. prgtoken This legislation is the collective achievement of House from across the country who are working to reverse the Administration's health care sabotage by updating and improving the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken This bill expands eligibility for health care tax credits to purchase ACA plans and encourages remaining states to expand Medicaid. These concrete steps will provide new coverage options to those navigating recent job loss and economic uncertainty. prgtoken Critically, this legislation also empowers Medicare to negotiate a better deal on prescription drug prices, which will bring an end to price gouging of American consumers and finally allow people to afford the drugs they need. prgtoken As the pandemic continues to challenge our collective public health and well-being, now, more than ever, American families need relief from soaring health care and prescription drug costs. prgtoken I encourage my colleagues to support this effort to protect patients, expand access, and lower health care costs.
STATE HEALTH CARE PREMIUM REDUCTION ACT
Susan A. Davis (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-6-29

. Madam , I thank the chairman for yielding. prgtoken Usually, one's healthcare is not top of mind, until it is. This, Madam , is one of those times. prgtoken We have to protect people's healthcare, men and women, whether it is battling the coronavirus, finding a cure for cancer, or even birth. prgtoken Currently, Medicaid covers women for only 60 days postpartum, but life-threatening complications from pregnancy, as we all know, can continue much longer. prgtoken These illnesses don't follow the calendar. Regulations, of course, must align with reality. prgtoken This needs to be changed. Fortunately, this bill would extend Medicaid coverage to a year postpartum and provide women with critical coverage to help detect, diagnose, and treat potentially fatal complications. prgtoken By ensuring better health awareness from the beginning, we can ensure that all babies are protected and cared for as they grow. prgtoken When our Nation is facing a health crisis, the logical reaction should be to strengthen healthcare, not to weaken it. prgtoken We need to secure these smart policies to protect future Americans from the start. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support the Affordable Care Enhancement Act.
STATE HEALTH CARE PREMIUM REDUCTION ACT
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-6-29

. Madam , I rise in support of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. prgtoken And, yes, I agree with my colleagues, this is not the time for partisan politics. It has been over 10 years since the passage of the historic Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which expanded healthcare to 20 million Americans. And now this administration is at the Supreme Court trying to repeal it, and it has been 4 years since our colleagues, who say they will protect people, have done anything. They have not given us anything else. All they do is take knocks. prgtoken Many forget that when that bill passed the reforms ended lifetime limits. People could not get health insurance if they couldn't afford it, if they had pre-existing conditions. It allowed States to expand Medicaid and provide access to both quality, affordable healthcare and protection from crippling medical bills. prgtoken In my home State, the bipartisan expansion under Governor Rick Snyder, a Governor, Healthy Michigan, currently covers 650,000 Michiganders, and supports rural hospitals in Michigan that would otherwise face a significant financial hardship. The reforms in today's bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act, build on these successes. prgtoken The legislation would reduce healthcare premiums for Americans by expanding existing subsidies under the Affordable Care Act to those that need the help. It would also support outreach and enrollment efforts and roll back the current administration's plans to promote junk insurance plans that lack the coverage of basic benefits. prgtoken Finally, it would save Americans billions of dollars annually by allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services, a right now, to negotiate drug prices. The Congressional Budget Office also estimates that the drugs subject to negotiation would reduce prices by 55 percent. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-6-29

I rise today to join my colleagues to stress the urgency for Congress to provide robust, flexible assistance to State and local governments on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken Because this administration has failed to devise and deploy a national response to a national emergency, the burden of containing and defeating the virus has largely fallen on our States, our counties, and our municipalities. They are expending enormous resources to expand testing, shore up hospitals, process unemployment claims, and get our residents the help they desperately need. prgtoken At the same time, revenues have fallen off a cliff due to the economic fallout. Monies collected from sales, property taxes, building permits, court fees, parking meters, transit fares--you name it--are all down. prgtoken I served at every level of government in New Jersey--the school board, mayor, State legislature. I know exactly what they are going through. It isn't about any irresponsibility on their part. It is the consequences of a national pandemic. We didn't ask for 14,000 of our citizens in New Jersey to die. We didn't ask for nearly 180,000 New Jerseyans to ultimately be infected. But that is our reality. And that is not only our reality. There are other States similarly situated. prgtoken Unlike the Federal Government, virtually all State and local governments are constitutionally obligated--constitutionally obligated--to pass a balanced budget. Forty-five States have a June 30 deadline. That is tomorrow. Others are fast approaching. prgtoken This isn't a blue State or red State issue. This isn't about pensions, as some have tried to suggest. This is a red, white, and blue issue. It is an American issue. This virus doesn't see political boundaries. This isn't an issue of fiscal responsibility. No one--no one--is immune. We see it across the Nation, huge spikes taking place in Florida, in Texas, in Arizona, and others. prgtoken Earlier today, the bipartisan National Governors Association, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, the U.S. Conference Mayors, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments, and the International City/County Management Association sent a joint letter to Senate leadership. I have been a part of some of those organizations at different times. I have never seen them all come together on any given issue. They came together on this one. prgtoken Over 170 businesses and organizations signed on, all unified with a clear message that, if we fail to provide our States and communities with immediate assistance, we will only hamper prgtoken our Nation's ability to fully recover, and Americans will needlessly suffer. prgtoken According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 1.4 million public employees and counting have been laid off or furloughed across the country--over 90,000 in Texas; 65,000 in Ohio; nearly 30,000 in Kentucky
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-6-29

. He finally gets justice, but just think of the life of Mr. Wilke for the 10 years that the U.S. Department of Agriculture and that agency said he could not farm his land the way he wanted to and put in the tile system the way he wanted to. Sometimes maybe their opinion is justified, but you can see how they overstepped their bounds and how it hurt this farmer. prgtoken I want to give you another example of government overreach. It was the -era regulation called waters of the United States. Most people know that as WOTUS. The 2015 WOTUS rule was a dramatic expansion of the authority that Congress provided to the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate the navigable waters of the United States. Remember navigable waters? It is supposed to be the definition of--as far as the big boats can go up a river. That is Federal regulation. Beyond that, it is State regulation, but not for that previous administration and WOTUS. They were going to regulate the road ditches, as an example. prgtoken In fact, the -era rule would have claimed jurisdiction to require Federal permission to do any number of activities, not just in or near Iowa rivers and streams but on 97 percent of Iowa's land. prgtoken To clear up a common confusion, this rule wasn't about regulating discharge of pollution into the waterways, which is important and is done through other parts of the Clean Water Act. What this whole WOTUS rule was about was requiring Federal redtape for routine land use decisions with little or no environmental benefit. It was a power grab, pure and simple. prgtoken One week ago today, the administration's WOTUS rule went into effect. This rule balances the need to protect our navigable rivers while also protecting the private property rights of businesses, homeowners, and, of course, family farms. This is a major accomplishment, and I congratulate President and Administrator Wheeler on getting this rule over the finish line. prgtoken I hope people remember 4 months from now--particularly people who are farmers--what WOTUS would have done for you if it had been kept in place. You maybe would have had to get a permit from the government to do normal farming operations. Now you don't have to. You never have had to in 150, 160 years in Iowa. prgtoken For the time being, these two examples of government overreach have been resolved. However, the U.S. Congress and the executive branch must continue to advocate for fairness and common sense when passing legislation or regulations that will impact private land owners. prgtoken Farmers understand the importance of environmental rules, and farmers will follow those rules. However, we must demand fair enforcement of those rules so that they don't disadvantage family farmers like Mr. Wilkie of Illinois was disadvantaged for 10 years fighting the bureaucracy. However, we must demand fair enforcement of these rules so that they don't disadvantage anybody, for that matt