mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF RULE SUBMITTED BY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RELATING TO ``BORROWER DEFENSE INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY''
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-1-16

I rise today in support of this resolution disapproving the Administration's new ``Borrowers Defense to Repayment'' rule. This proposed rule would make it more difficult for defrauded students in my district to seek relief from their student loan obligations. prgtoken Over the past few years, we have seen large for-profit colleges close shop, leaving students with significant amounts of student debt and useless degrees. These closures included multiple campuses in North Texas, thus impacting thousands of students across the state. These students were falsely promised a better life if they obtained a degree from these institutions. However, because of these closures, students were worse off financially. prgtoken The Administration proposed rules that would streamline the process for students to get discharged from their student loan obligations and be able to move on with their lives. Unfortunately, these rules were unable to go into effect due to Secretary DeVos's unlawful refusal to implement the -era rule. Instead, Secretary DeVos has worked tirelessly to make the process for students seeking relief more burdensome. prgtoken The new Borrower's Defense rule makes it harder for borrowers to seek the relief they desperately need so that they can move on with their lives. The new rule drastically shortens the application period for borrowers to apply for relief, raises the bar that borrowers have to prove that an institution defrauded them, and allows instructions to access the evidence provided the borrower so that they have an advantage when attempting to undermine these claims. prgtoken Simply put, Secretary DeVos' Borrowers Defense rule rigs the game in favor of fraudulent institutions while making life much more difficult for those students that were ripped off I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution so that we may use our Congressional Review Act authority to stop this rule before it ruins the livelihood of any more students.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-1-16

. . Physicians at the Department of Veterans Affairs depend on Therapeutic Medical Physicists to help plan and deliver critical radiation treatment to patients. Inadequate support from these medical professionals can place veterans at risk for radiation injury or inappropriate treatment. As radiation therapy has become more sophisticated and more common over the past fifteen years, the Department has struggled to recruit and retain Therapeutic Medical Physicists. The average salary in the private sector for a PhD board certified Therapeutic Medical Physicists with ten to fourteen years of work experience is approximately $190,000, but current law limits salaries for these employees at the Department to $166,500, inhibiting the Department's ability to recruit qualified individuals to fill these positions. prgtoken When faced with Therapeutic Medical Physicist shortages, the Department outsources this work to expensive contractors. Consequently, the Department substantially overspends on these services, which could be done more reliably in-house and at a much lower cost. Furthermore, contracts for TMP services are awarded for a short period, which results in frequent turnover that can be potentially dangerous from the perspective of quality care and patient safety. prgtoken Today, I am pleased to introduce the Department of Veterans Affairs Therapeutic Medical Physicist Pay Cap Relief Act with my colleague Senator Murkowski. This legislation would improve the recruitment and retention of Therapeutic Medical Physicists by allowing the Department to pay these professionals at rates competitive with the private sector. This bill would also improve the quality of care for veterans by reducing the turnover of Therapeutic Medical Physicists, and lead to lower total costs for the Department by eliminating the use of expensive contractors. With these savings, the Department could raise salaries and hire more Therapeutic Medical Physicists. prgtoken This commonsense, bipartisan legislation is an opportunity to invest in professionals who treat those who have sacrificed for our nation, and improve the standard of care we provide to our veterans. I look forward to working with my colleagues to swiftly implementing the provisions of the Department of Veterans Affairs Therapeutic Medical Physicist Pay Cap Relief Act. prgtoken Thank you, .
VETERAN TREATMENT COURT COORDINATION ACT OF 2019
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2020-1-16

today we consider these amendments to NAFTA. I opposed the original NAFTA in 1993 because I believed it would kill American jobs and failed to protect the environment. I oppose this version now, because it does not substantially improve on what was a bad deal all those years ago. prgtoken I appreciate the concessions my colleagues were able to force President to accept that strengthen protections for workers, but at the end of the day, these changes don't go far enough. I am concerned that this trade agreement could continue NAFTA's suppression of wages here at home instead of lifting them. This agreement also doesn't prioritize protecting our environment and will contribute to environmental damage and degradation, and it will continue President 's failed economic priorities that primarily benefit the wealthy and well-connected at the expense of hard-working, middle-class, and blue collar taxpayers. prgtoken A well-crafted free trade deal should provide reciprocal benefits, contain sufficient labor standards that preserve and create jobs here at home, and include environmental and other protections to ensure that trade is conducted fairly. prgtoken If well-crafted, trade policy can be a vital part of our economic and security efforts. Ideally, it would serve to achieve our Nation's policy objectives. The simple fact is that there are winners and there are losers in any trade agreement. The loss of economic security as a result of trade agreement after trade agreement over decades stems from a frequent failure to provide guaranteed and significant assistance to dislocated workers and small businesses that are negatively impacted by increased trade. A little money for training in a massive economy just hasn't cut it. prgtoken In. 1993, I thought that NAFTA failed this test and as a result would be bad for Rhode Island's workers, manufacturers, and small businesses. I outlined a number of concerns at the time. prgtoken I believed that NAFTA would increase incentives for companies to move factories and outsource jobs to Mexico--depressing wages for American workers. I also worried that the conditions on the ground in Mexico and the disposition of its government were not conducive to a free-trade agreement. Sadly, many of these concerns were later realized. NAFTA, along with increased globalization, certainly contributed to stagnating wages, loss of jobs, and a diminishing manufacturing base. Businesses outsourced jobs and moved factories to Mexico where costs and wages were lower. Labor standards were not adequate or enforced and workers were taken advantage of. Additionally, there were lax environmental standards, further incentivizing businesses to move jobs to Mexico, and which have proven harmful to our environment. prgtoken Alternating between threatening to withdraw from NAFTA and imposing tariffs on dubious national security grounds, President damaged critical relationships
UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT--Continued
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-1-16

I come to the floor of the Senate today at a moment that will be remembered in history. In just a few hours, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will come to this Chamber and will be sworn in as the Presiding Officer in the impeachment trial of President . He will then administer an oath to each Member of the U.S. Senate. It is an oath that is included in our Senate manual. It is very brief, only 35 words, and it bears repeating for the record at this moment. prgtoken Each Senator will be asked to make the following oath and affirmation: ``I solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of , now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws: so help me God.'' prgtoken In just 35 words, that oath binds all of us--s and --who swear by that oath to do impartial justice. The Founding Fathers, and others, could have been much more elaborate in describing the process we face, but in its simplicity, this oath really tells us what we will face in the coming days. prgtoken I believe more than ever, starting on Tuesday, when the impeachment trial begins in earnest on the floor of the Senate, America will be watching. Many Americans have busy lives--personal, private, family, and professional--and don't tune in to the political events of the moment as many of us do, but I think more and more will be watching come Tuesday. They are going to see a historic moment, only the third time in history when a President of the United States faces impeachment. What will they find? Will they find an effort to do impartial justice? Will they find partisanship? Will they find a real trial? prgtoken I think it is important for us to realize that a real trial includes evidence. As a lawyer, I brought many cases to trial, a few of them to verdict. I had to prepare my case, not just my theory of the law or statement of facts but proof, real proof that came from documents and witnesses. That is what a real trial is about. Unfortunately, on the other side, the majority leader has suggested we don't need witnesses and that it is only evidence of the weakness of the impeachment charges. I think he is wrong. prgtoken As the ic leader said this morning, history will prove him wrong because in impeachment trial after impeachment trial, evidence and witnesses have been presented. That is the tradition and the precedent of the U.S. Senate. prgtoken If there is an effort to short circuit that, to eliminate the witnesses and the evidence, I think it will be obvious to the American people who are following this what is underway. prgtoken In this morning's newspapers, it was reported that the President's defense team has been ready, anxious, if you will, for this impeachment trial to begin and equally anxious to end it as quickly as possible. I hope they don't prevail in that sentiment because a race to judgmen
IN CELEBRATION OF VIETNAMESE NEW YEAR TET 2020
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-1-16

. Madam , I rise today in celebration of Ttt, Vietnamese New Year, for 2020. The large Vietnamese community in Orange County will gather together in Little Saigon to celebrate the Year of the Rat. I am once again honored to join them in observing their traditions and rich culture. prgtoken Ttt marks the beginning of a new spring where families can reunite with their ancestors, reconnect with their loved ones, and move beyond their troubles and difficulties from the past year. Furthermore, they celebrate and hope for a better year ahead of them. The celebration brings together the Vietnamese community in Little Saigon, the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam. Fifty thousand participants and over sixty organizations will gather to celebrate with food, music, dance, and so much more. The theme for this year's parade is ``With Profound Gratitude and Appreciation,'' where participants will express their gratitude to the ancestors who sacrificed to give forthcoming generations a brighter future. Another aspect of this year's celebration is an expression of the community's appreciation to the United States. prgtoken In the nearly fifty years since the fall of Saigon, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees have resettled and built strong communities across the United States. The United States accepted and looked after the Vietnamese community and offered the opportunity to start a new life in this great country. Here in America, they have the freedom to celebrate their basic human rights and enjoy the communities they have built after resettling. prgtoken A shining star of the Vietnamese American community of Little Saigon is the vibrant group of media outlets--Nguoi Viet Daily News, Vien Dong Daily News, Viet Bao Daily News, Vietnam America TV (VNA-TV), Saigon Broadcasting Television Network (SBTN), Little Saigon Radio, Central Broadcasting Network (CBN), and many more. They are committed to providing reliable news, preserving the Vietnamese language and culture, and enriching the lives and experiences of the Vietnamese community in the United States. prgtoken Madam and fellow colleagues, please join me in celebration of the Vietnamese New Year, Ttt 2020.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-1-16

I am pleased to join my Judiciary Committee colleagues, Chairman Graham and Senator Durbin, as the lead cosponsor of the ``Temporary Reauthorization and Study of the Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act.'' prgtoken This bill will ensure that fentanyl-related substances remain in Schedule I and will help deter the manufacture of fentanyl-related substances responsible for overdose deaths. prgtoken In 2018, the number of fentanyl-related deaths in the United States increased from 28,000 to 32,000. prgtoken This is more than double the number of heroin-related overdose deaths. It is a staggering number of lives lost that we simply cannot accept. prgtoken To address the increasing deaths, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a temporary order to control fentanyl-related substances, or fentanyl analogues, as a class. prgtoken That order is set to expire on February 6th. prgtoken Based on the information my office has received from the DEA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is clear that this order has been effective. prgtoken The number of law enforcement encounters of new fentanyl analogues has decreased from 8 to 2. That is significant and means that the order has reduced the supply of new fentanyl analogues by 75 percent. prgtoken This decrease in supply has reduced the need for widespread prosecutions of fentanyl-related offenses. In fact, since the DEA's order went into effect, it is my understanding that there has only been two related prosecutions. prgtoken Additionally, although the number of fentanyl-related overdose deaths has continued to increase, the rate at which these deaths has increased has declined significantly. prgtoken For example, between the 12 month periods ending January 2017 and January 2018, fentanyl deaths increased by nearly 36 percent. prgtoken Comparatively, between the 12 month periods ending May 2018 and May 2019, which is the latest data available, the rate of fentanyl deaths only increased by just over 9 percent. prgtoken I would have preferred a long-term solution to addressing this problem that can gamer strong bipartisan support, and I am eager to continue working with my colleagues on such a solution. prgtoken However, given the limited amount of time that we have before the DEA's temporary order expires, we cannot sit idly by and do nothing. prgtoken For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation. Given the staggering number of overdose deaths associated with fentanyl-related substances, inaction is not an option.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF RULE SUBMITTED BY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RELATING TO ``BORROWER DEFENSE INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY''
Susie Lee (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2020-1-16

the balance of my time. prgtoken , in closing, I would like to correct some misinformation about the 2016 rule that my colleagues on the other side have stated today. prgtoken First of all, the law, the Higher Education Act, entitles borrowers a right to relief. This applies to all institutions, not just a few. prgtoken The reason the 2019 rule saves money is because meritorious claims will be denied. Under this new rule, students will see only 3 percent of their loans discharged, and predatory institutions will pay only 1 percent of their fraud. prgtoken The 2019 rule sets an impossibly high bar for students to prove relief, inconsistent with State law. prgtoken The 2016 rule allowed for arbitration. It just banned predispute arbitration and class action waivers. prgtoken The 2016 rule was closely negotiated with institutions, including HBCUs, that struck a balance that was fair to institutions and students. prgtoken The Department of Education predicts that by 2021 over 200,000 borrowers will face this type of fraud. This is not about borrowers in the past; this is about borrowers moving forward. This number will only continue to grow if we don't pass the reforms in the College Affordability Act. prgtoken , I include in the Record three letters: a letter from The American Legion; a letter from 20 State attorneys general; and a letter from a coalition of groups, including Student Veterans of America, supporting our effort to overturn the Secretary's harmful borrower defense rule. The American Legion, Office of the National Commander, Washington, DC, December 18, 2019. Hon. Richard Durbin, Washington, DC. Dear Senator Durbin: On behalf of the nearly 2 million members of The American Legion, I write to express our support for Joint Resolution 56, providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to, ``Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability.'' The rule, as currently written, is fundamentally rigged against defrauded borrowers or student loans, depriving them of the opportunity for debt relief that Congress intended to afford them under the Higher Education Act. Affirming this position is American Legion Resolution No. 82: Preserve Veteran and Servicemember Rights to Gainful Employment and Borrower Defense Protections, adopted in our National Convention 2017. Thousands of student veterans have been defrauded over the years--promised their credits would transfer when they wouldn't, given false or misleading job placement rates in marketing, promised one educational experience when they were recruited, but given something completely different. This type of deception against our veterans and servicemembers has been a l
IN HONOR OF DANIEL STEWARD
Joe Courtney (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2020-1-16

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Mr. Daniel Steward on his recent retirement from a remarkable fourteen-year career as first selectman for the town of Waterford, Connecticut. This tenure makes Dan the longest serving first selectman since the founding of the town in 1801 and ensures his legacy will last forever. prgtoken Dan was born and raised in Waterford and worked in the southeastern Connecticut region his entire adult life. He honed his managerial skills at Southern New England Telephone Company where he worked for twenty-eight years and then spent another three years as supervisor in information technologies at Dominion Energy's Millstone Power Plant, Connecticut's largest electrical energy producer. While still employed in the private sector, he began his impressive career of public service working to improve the town's public schools, first as president of the Parent Teacher Organization, and then when he transitioned to the Waterford board of education where he rose to the position of chair. In 2005, the people of Waterford elected Dan as their First Selectman, and he hit the ground running. This win was especially significant for Waterford, as they now had the leadership of one of their own, a true Lancer. This first-hand knowledge proved crucial for the growth and success of the town. Not only did Dan make structural improvements such as building five new schools; he also paid close attention to the individual problems of Waterford's residents. Dan's vested interest in the town enabled him to connect with everyone as his peer. He took the concerns of his constituents personally; his biggest gripe with the job being only that ``he wanted to make everyone happy.'' prgtoken During his time as first selectman it became obvious that Dan had a gift for strong leadership and embracing change, something he knew all too well. His own father sold their family's dairy farm to developers who would go on to build the local Lowe's hardware store, giving Dan personal experience with the cyclical economies of small towns. When Dominion Energy's Millstone Power Station, a backbone of the current economy, was renegotiating with the state, Dan remained a fierce advocate for Waterford. Dan's personal knowledge of the company gave him a unique and well-rounded perspective to facilitate a sustainable, long-term plan for its continued operation. prgtoken As the Congressman for Waterford during the bulk of Dan's tenure, I had the pleasure of working with him and the town on a number issues, such as the memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to Vietnam hero and U.S. Army Captain Arnie Holm, a beloved son of Waterford, the development of a long term dredging plan for eastern Long Island Sound, and the recapitalization of the New England Central Railroad, to name just a few. I found Dan to be extremely thoughtful and positive, always focused on the big picture of making southeastern Connecticut's future strong and