mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT AMENDMENT
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-5-4

I think that today is yet another sad day here in the House of Representatives for the people of our country, because what is being brought forward is the same bill that we debated and that went down because of the weight of the problems and the cruelty of that bill. It is the same thing with a few more poison pills in it. prgtoken People are going to have to pay higher premiums and deductibles, and it is going to increase what comes out of their pocket; there is going to be less coverage; 24 million people will lose their coverage--that remains in this bill--and key protections are gutted, American people: emergency rooms, maternity care, opioid, mental health care, a string of things that you want in your insurance coverage, a crushing age tax for seniors. prgtoken Now, there is a real hypocrisy here. Every single Member of Congress has been enrolled in the Affordable Care Act. I want to know which one of you dropped out of it. It was good enough for you--one person, great. Two people, big deal. It was good enough for you, but it is not good enough for your constituents. prgtoken And you know what? Who is standing with you? Not the doctors in our country, not the AARP to seniors, not nurses, not the cancer association, not anyone. This bill violates the American people.
AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2017
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-5-4

I rise in strong opposition to this bill, and I include in the Record a statement of the American Hospital Association against the bill. prgtoken I just want to say this bill can have a very simple slogan: American people are going to pay more and get less. That is what this bill does. Statement on the American Health Care Act (By Rick Pollack, President and CEO, American Hospital Association, April 27, 2017) The latest version of the AHCA continues to put health coverage in jeopardy for many Americans. Our top concern is what this change could mean for older and sicker patients, including those with preexisting conditions, such as cancer patients and those with chronic conditions. For these reasons, along with our previously stated concerns about the AHCA, we cannot support the bill. However, we urge Congress to continue to work with stakeholders on a solution that provides meaningful coverage. The amendment proposed this week would dramatically worsen the bill. The changes included put consumer protections at greater risk by allowing states to waive the essential health benefit standards, which could leave patients without access to critical health services and increase out-of-pocket spending. This could allow plans to set premium prices based on individual risk for some consumers, which could significantly raise costs for those with pre-existing conditions. Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office has not yet scored the amendment. However, CBO previously projected that the AHCA would result in 24 million fewer people covered in 2026. It is unlikely this amendment would improve these coverage estimates. As the backbone of America's health safety-net, hospitals and health systems must protect access to care for those who need it and ensure that the most vulnerable patients are not left behind. The AHCA continues to fall far short of that goal.
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT AMENDMENT
Gene Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-5-4

it is appalling what is happening today on the House floor. It appears to be: let's just pass a bill, no matter what it does or who gets hurt with it. prgtoken Care is nothing more than broken promises and mean-spirited policy. It would mean higher healthcare costs for more than 24 million hardworking Americans losing their health coverage, key protections are gutted, older Americans are hung out to dry, the end of Medicaid as we know it, and cuts in Medicare. prgtoken If Care passes, Americans with preexisting conditions could be pushed off their insurance and sent in the high-risk pools that are not affordable. High-risk insurance pools do not work when everyone in the pool is a high risk. I was a State legislator when we did that. You have to have high-risk pools that share the wealth, so to speak. prgtoken People will be left with soaring costs, worse coverage, and rationed care. It is a frightening future where millions of Americans who need affordable, dependable health care are left out in the cold. prgtoken There is an obvious, irresponsible reason why this vote is being rammed through without even a Congressional Budget Office estimate or an opportunity for Members to even know what is in it. They don't want people figuring out the real-world consequences and the devastation it means to our American families. History will not be kind to the people who support this awful bill. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to do what is right and vote ``no.''
HIRE VETS ACT--Continued
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-5-4

I compliment our colleague from Florida on his articulating this powerful vision for humankind, which is the ability to look into the night sky and ponder the mysteries of the universe, the mysteries of life, in the most complete way. America has led this scientific adventure, this scientific journey, and we must continue to be at the lead of this journey for all of the reasons he has laid out today. prgtoken from Florida for leading Congress in pursuing and advocating for this vision and for developing the instruments on the ground and the instruments in space that will advance our knowledge. Equality Act prgtoken , I rise to speak about a different vision, the vision articulated in our Constitution, those first three words of our Constitution, ``We the People.'' prgtoken It is this vision of a nation founded on the principle of a government that would serve not the privileged, not the powerful, not the few, not the elite, but serve the entire set of citizenry. Those powerful words were put in supersized font in our Constitution. So from across the room, you might not be able to read the details, but you can read the mission: ``We the People''--a government of, by, and for the people, as President Lincoln so eloquently said. prgtoken But this vision in the Constitution followed up on the principles articulated in the Declaration of Independence. In 1776, 56 of our Nation's best minds, our best leaders, gathered together in Philadelphia to debate, to work out a document unlike any other in history--a document that changed the course of world history--the Declaration of Independence. It said: ``We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.'' prgtoken Together, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution laid out the vision for our grand experiment in democracy, our grand experiment in establishing a democratic republic--a nation, of, by, and for the people, where each and every person is equal, each and every person has the ability to pursue their happiness, to pursue opportunity. We may not have always succeeded, but for centuries, the story of our Nation--the American story--has been one of striving to live up to that promise of a more perfect union, where every citizen is equal, every citizen has opportunity, and every citizen can pursue happiness. prgtoken Martin Luther King said in the midst of the civil rights struggle: Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. . . . Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. prgtoken And it is with that type of tireless exertion and passionate concern that we have been on this path
AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2017
Donald Norcross (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-5-4

a month ago I was ready to speak right here on the floor when this bill was abruptly removed. Apparently, it wasn't bad enough that day, it wasn't harmful enough. But now it is back worse than ever. So bad, it might actually pass. prgtoken I don't have a lot of time to explain, but let me tell you two groups that are really going to say thank you: it is the billionaires and it is the undertakers. prgtoken This bill will make health care more unaffordable and cause preventable deaths. Meanwhile, it gives $600 billion--excuse me--$800 billion to the wealthy, to the billionaires. Care brings us higher costs, less coverage, guts the benefits, has a crushing age tax, and steals from Medicare. In my district alone, 43,000 people will lose coverage. 9,000 of those are children. The elderly, Medicaid will be lost, close to 2,000. prgtoken There is a reason they are trying to jam this down our throats. There is no CBO score because they don't want to hear a score. prgtoken , let me make it plain. Let's put this bill in a coffin, not Americans. Let's kill and bury this bill.
REMEMBERING DON DUNWELL
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2017-5-4

I rise to remember the life of a journalist, a husband, a father, a community leader, a guy by the name of Don Dunwell. Dunwell was known for his thoughtful interviewing style, creative storytelling, his ability to connect with the thousands of viewers who entrusted him to deliver the news to them. prgtoken It was common to find Don teaching and mentoring young reporters about the ins and outs of journalism. He believed fiercely in the free press and strong ethics that were required to be a trusted source of information. He never took his platform for granted, and he used it to make Montana and this Nation a better place. prgtoken Outside the newsroom, he was a proud father to John, working hard each day to ensure that his son had every opportunity possible. Don was immensely proud of his wife Mary Ann who charted her own path as a public servant. prgtoken Today, we remember the life and the legacy of Don Dunwell and aim to follow in his ever-fervent footsteps. Don was 82 when he passed. He was bitten by a bug that made him look much younger than that, but he was a fine man and a good friend. prgtoken .
AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2017
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-5-4

I will include in the Record a letter from the Association of American Medical Colleges which states: ``Treatment of essential health benefits and health status underwriting dilutes protections for many Americans and would leave individuals with preexisting conditions facing higher premiums and reduce access to vital care.'' prgtoken , I rise to caution those s who have allowed themselves to be persuaded by this President into supporting this terrible bill which would leave millions of Americans without health care and raise the cost of care for millions more. You are going to pay a terrible price for not protecting your constituents. prgtoken Care will cause 24 million Americans to lose their health coverage and slash Medicaid by $880 billion; for older Americans, premiums, deductibles, and copayments will skyrocket. Those between the ages of 50 and 64 will be forced to pay premiums five times higher than what others pay for the same coverage. prgtoken This crushing age tax will fall on some of the most vulnerable members of our society, elderly people on fixed incomes who often have serious health issues. prgtoken Meanwhile, hidden in this bill is an outrageous tax break for billionaires. Care gives $600 billion in tax cuts to large corporations and wealthy people, including $2.8 billion to the 400 richest families in America. The MacArthur amendment made this bill even worse by jettisoning protections for people with preexisting conditions.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2192, PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT AMENDMENT, AND PROVIDING FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1628, AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2017
John A. Yarmuth (Democrat, KY) \u2014 2017-5-4

the question every Member of Congress should be asking themselves today is: Who in the world is better off because of today's bill? prgtoken It is not the 24 million people the CBO says will lose their health coverage if this bill becomes law. prgtoken It is not the seniors who will be priced out of the market by an age tax or the millions of families who will see their health care gutted by the more than $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid. prgtoken It is not the 881,000 non-elderly adults in Kentucky with preexisting conditions who would, once again, face prgtoken staggering health costs with reduced care. prgtoken So who is better off? Well, certainly corporations and millionaires who will see nearly $1 trillion in tax cuts from this bill. prgtoken And at least, in their minds, a few Members are so desperate for some type of political victory they are willing to risk the health and well-being of their constituents to ram through a bill without hearings, analysis, or, most alarmingly, any sense of morality. That is the cruel tradeoff my colleagues have decided to make. prgtoken Our families deserve far better. I urge my colleagues to exercise better judgment and vote ``no'' on this bill.
HIRE VETS ACT--Continued
Joe Donnelly (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2017-5-4

I also congratulate my colleague from Indiana. He is a terrific partner. The theme of his speech of working together and building on Hoosier common sense couldn't be more important, couldn't be more timely, and couldn't have been presented any better. prgtoken I am fortunate to work with such a good partner for our State and for our Nation. Both of us have benefited from the wisdom, the advice, and the counsel of Senator Lugar, who, in our State, has set a benchmark for all of us to aspire to in terms of decency, intelligence, ability, craftsmanship, and leadership. prgtoken For a maiden speech, it was an extraordinary effort, a terrific job, and I am proud to be his partner from Indiana. prgtoken .
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2192, PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT AMENDMENT, AND PROVIDING FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1628, AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2017
Lloyd Doggett (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-5-4

the harsh indifference of these s to the well-being of so many Americans is startling. may temporarily bury the lies central to this plan with a tweet storm--with fake news. But these s who follow him will not be able to find an excuse as one family after another suffers. prgtoken Today's surprise attack on American health care has been widely condemned by healthcare professionals across the country and those who represent the disabled and sick, like the American Cancer Society and the March of Dimes. prgtoken Jimmy Kimmel, know that your baby was fortunate, but others born with a disability will face the barrier of preexisting conditions. prgtoken They didn't listen to the AARP, which knows that those Americans too young for Medicare by a few years will get socked with unaffordable premiums. They don't know what this monstrosity of a bill costs to the taxpayer. They don't know how many families will lose coverage or how many jobs will be lost. They don't really know what is in this bill. They know only that the Pied Piper of Tower is playing a tune today and they must dance. prgtoken There is much talk about high-risk pools. The real high-risk pool is the one that everyone who votes for this outrageous proposal is about to plunge into.
HIRE VETS ACT--Continued
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-5-4

yesterday afternoon the House approved the Omnibus appropriations bill that will fund the government through September. The bill is the result of weeks and weeks of bipartisan, bicameral negotiations, and the final product reflects the give-and- take of those negotiations. Again, I want to thank the majority leader for all of his hard work and his desire to come to a good agreement, as well as the House leaders and the leadership of the Appropriations Committees. It has proved to many that Washington can work when we work together. prgtoken In my view, this is a very good bill for the American people. Not only does it explicitly preclude funding for an unnecessary and ineffective border wall, it excludes over 160 poison pill riders, it increases investments in programs that the middle class relies on, such as medical research, education, and infrastructure. prgtoken The National Institutes of Health will get an additional $2 billion-- part of the Cancer Moonshot. Pell grants will be restored for over 1 million students. Infrastructure programs like CDBG and TIGER will get an increase. Programs to combat the terrible scourge of opioid abuse will receive an increase. Clean energy research will receive an increase. Ninety-nine percent of the EPA's budget was protected. prgtoken In addition, there is a permanent extension of miners' health benefits, thanks to the hard work of Joe Manchin and so many others; funding to shore up Puerto Rico's Medicaid Program and a mechanism to allow the island to restructure its debt; and funding to help States like California, West Virginia, Louisiana, and North Carolina recover from natural disasters. It prgtoken has a very good increase for NASA, which I will talk about at the end of my remarks before my colleague from Florida speaks about the hard and successful work he has done on the NASA budget. prgtoken Of course, the bill doesn't include all of the things we wanted. It doesn't include all of the things our colleagues wanted. That is the nature of compromise. But at the end of the day, this is an agreement which reflects our basic principles, and it is something both and s should support. prgtoken The bill shows how bipartisanship in Congress should work--both parties negotiating in good faith in order to find consensus. It passed in the House with an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 309 votes, and I expect it will receive the Senate's approval later today. prgtoken More broadly, I hope this deal provides a blueprint for future budget negotiations between our two parties here in Congress. If the four corners--the Senate and House and s--work as well on the 2018 budget as we did on the 2017 budget, we will have a product we can be proud of, with no worries about any kind of government shutdown. Care prgtoken , on healthcare, as the House plans to vote on their n
TRIBUTE TO FATHER GEORGE CLEMENTS
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-5-4

I also come to the floor to give tribute to a lady, Ms. Ruth Life, an educator, friend, and community activist. prgtoken I have been fortunate, , to have known many outstanding individuals during my lifetime, but never have I known anyone more outstanding, more passionate, more consistent, more reliable, or more giving of herself than Ms. Ruth Life, whom I met in the 1960s. prgtoken I met Ms. Life during the time when community activism was at a serious, high level, especially in the city of Chicago, Illinois, where I come from. Ms. Life, like many of our generation, was involved, actively engaged in efforts to make life for people who lived in the communities where we lived and worked better. prgtoken Both of us worked for the Chicago Public Schools system at that time. We were working in District 10, where Mr. Joseph Rosen was superintendent of schools and Ms. Ida Mae ``Ma'' Fletcher, as we called her, was the leading school activist. prgtoken As time went on, I left the teaching profession but continued to run into Ms. Life at meetings and church activities. When it came to teaching, there were none better. prgtoken As she became the assistant principal at the Roswell B. Mason Elementary School, she was creative, encouraging, and imaginative. When you walked into Roswell B. Mason Elementary School, you knew that teachers were teaching and students were learning. prgtoken Thirty-eight years is a long time to teach and educate, but Ms. Life spent a lifetime of service to humanity, especially through her church, the People's Church of the Harvest Church of God in Christ, where Michael Eaddy is the pastor and visionary. Their church has just recently developed a $13 million housing project through their community development association, of which Ms. Life was secretary. prgtoken As she passes away and moves to another level of being, I can almost hear the Master speaking to her, saying: ``Well done, my good, and faithful servant. You have done exceptionally well here on Earth. Now I invite you to come on up to the bosom of Abraham, where you can rest in peace and spend eternity.'' prgtoken , I am so delighted to have had this opportunity to exemplify the life of this outstanding woman, Ms. Ruth life.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2192, PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT AMENDMENT, AND PROVIDING FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1628, AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2017
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-5-4

now I have to say to my friends on the other side: You sold out cheap--as we say in New Jersey--all to give a tax cut to insurance companies and the most well off. The Upton amendment is, of course, an admission. prgtoken After 7 years, you came up with this? prgtoken You have got to be kidding me. This is worse than a Fellini movie. At least he didn't take 7 years to distinguish between fantasy and reality. prgtoken For a New Jerseyan with asthma, this will mean a $4,340 premium surcharge; for autism, $5,510. The list goes on and on--60, $70,000 if you have cancer. prgtoken But less discussed is their attempt to rid the essential health benefits which removes yet another ACA protection for everyone. So now the s have hit for the cycle. prgtoken You hit for the cycle. You jeopardized the health care of nearly every single American--those on Medicare, those on Medicaid, those in the ACA exchanges, and now 150 million people with employer coverage. You sold out. It is a shame. I like most of you, but you are on the wrong path. prgtoken It took you 7 years for this? prgtoken I will never yield. I will never yield.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MS. DEBORAH COTTON
Cedric L. Richmond (Democrat, LA) \u2014 2017-5-4

I rise today to honor the life of Ms. Deborah Cotton, a New Orleans writer and cultural advocate. Ms. Cotton, affectionately known as ``Big Red Cotton,'' passed away on May 2, 2017, at the age of 52. prgtoken Ms. Cotton was raised in Texas and Oklahoma. She attended San Francisco State University, majoring in the field of African-American studies, before moving to Los Angeles, where she worked as a union organizer. prgtoken In June 2005, not long before Hurricane Katrina struck, Ms. Cotton moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. She instantly immersed herself in the city's culture and communities. Ms. Cotton became known for her writing about second-lines, brass bands, Mardi Gras Indian practices and many other events in New Orleans. She blogged, tweeted, and filmed nearly every Sunday second-line parade. Though Ms. Cotton was not from New Orleans, her writing helped her to forge better relationships among the city, police, and the parading clubs. prgtoken On May 12, 2013, when shooting broke out in the 7th Ward during the annual parade of the Original Big 7 Social Aid and Pleasure Club, Ms. Cotton was filming. Of the 19 people shot that day, Ms. Cotton was among those wounded, suffering grave internal injuries that would ultimately take her life. prgtoken Ms. Cotton loved the city and the people of New Orleans enough that, even when the worst happened to her, she responded with compassion and inspired others to do the same. She dedicated herself to continuing to live life with joy and compassion. She forgave the individual who shot her and spent time getting to know him as a person. She also dedicated herself to providing a clear-eyed look at the problem of violence in our communities. prgtoken Ms. Cotton's legacy will forever be a part of the city and her dedication to community embodies the spirit of New Orleans. Ms. Cotton's survivors include her mother, Carolee Reed, and two sisters. prgtoken , I celebrate the life and legacy of Ms. Deborah Cotton, a beloved daughter, sister, and example to aspiring writers everywhere.