mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
INTRODUCTION OF THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER REFORM ACT OF 2017
John Conyers, Jr. (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-5-3

the Emergency Financial Manager Reform Act of 2017 is intended to ensure that state-appointed emergency financial managers for municipalities in fiscal distress do not violate Constitutional protections, ensure public health and safety, and are accountable stewards of taxpayer funds. The bill responds to problems presented when unaccountable emergency financial managers usurp local elected officials and unilaterally make decisions that jeopardize public health and safety. prgtoken The bill accomplishes these objectives by authorizing the U.S. Attorney General to withhold ten percent of the funds that would otherwise be allocated to a state under the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program (Byrne-JAG), which provides funding to states for law enforcement purposes, if the U.S. Attorney General determines that the state appointed an emergency financial manager who fails to meet any of the criteria as specified in the bill. These criteria, for example, include a requirement that the appropriate state official submit a certification to the U.S. Attorney General stating that the appointment of an emergency financial manager has neither the purpose nor the effect of denying or abridging the right to vote on account of race or color. Another condition specifies that the emergency financial manager receive prior approval from the governor of the state and the appropriate local elected officials before making decisions affecting public health or safety. A further condition protects the rights of employees under collective bargaining agreements from being impaired in violation of the U.S. Constitution. Section-by-Section Explanation of the Bill Section 1. Short Title. Section 1 sets forth the short title of the bill as the Emergency Financial Manager Reform Act of 2017. Section 2. Findings. Section 2 of the bill sets forth a series of congressional findings explaining why this legislation is necessary. Section 3. Safeguards Regarding State Appointment of an Emergency Financial Manager. Subsection (a) of section 3 authorizes the U.S. Attorney General to withhold ten percent of funds that would otherwise be allocated to a state under the Byrne-JAG grant program for the following fiscal year if the state has appointed an emergency financial manager and any of the following criteria are not met: (1) The emergency financial manager is appointed and the chief legal officer or other appropriate state official has not prior thereto submitted a certification to the U.S. Attorney General that such appointment has neither the purpose nor the effect of denying or abridging the right to vote on account of race or color and the U.S. Attorney General has not interposed an objection within 60 days following the submission of such certification. (2) The emergency financial manager is aut
DISAPPROVING A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2017-5-3

I came to the floor this afternoon to speak to the CRA legislation before us that would overturn the Department of Labor rule designed to help Americans save for retirement, but before I speak to that, I just want to join all of my colleagues on the floor in applauding what has happened to support the miners and to get them health benefits and to thank my colleague Joe Manchin for his leadership. prgtoken I know how personally he has fought for this, as so many people who spoke on the floor have. You know, we don't have any coal miners in New Hampshire, Joe, but we have hard workers. We have people who understand that when you make a promise to them, you need to keep that promise. Thank you for leading this fight and to everyone who made this happen because we need to reassure Americans that when we say we are going to do something, we actually follow through and we do that. So thank you for making that happen. prgtoken Now, , it is disappointing that actually on the issue that is before the Senate right now, this effort to change the labor rule on retirement, that we are actually going to take something away from Americans. States across America have been developing and implementing innovative, low-cost retirement savings options to improve their citizens' retirement security. prgtoken That is really important at a time when we have so many people who have not been able to save for retirement, who are worried about what might happen if something happens to them and they can't work into the retirement age. Sadly, the misguided legislation that is before us would shut down these efforts and effectively take away from States the right to establish retirement options for workers. prgtoken Now, across the country we have had and ic State treasurers join with groups, including the AARP and the Small Business Majority, to oppose this effort. I want to join them in asking two what I think are obvious questions. prgtoken First, why do the sponsors of this resolution want to deny Americans new, attractive retirement savings options? prgtoken Second, why in the world are they doing this at a time when the United States faces a growing retirement savings crisis--a crisis that threatens to strand millions of seniors without any personal savings and at risk of falling into poverty? And why do this when it doesn't include any mandates and there is no cost to taxpayers either at the Federal level or, in most States, at the State level? This is something that is paid for by people who are looking to get a pension. prgtoken Facts matter, and we shouldn't ignore them. Some 55 million Americans lack access to a workplace retirement plan, and 45 percent of households don't have any retirement account assets--zero savings. Polls show that more than three-quarters of private sector workers fear not having enough money to live comfortably in retirement. prgtoken To address this nationwide
CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT RESOLUTION
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-5-3

I am on the floor today to talk about the CRA resolution pending before the Senate today. prgtoken I really can't keep track of when my colleagues on the side are for State innovation and when they are against State innovation. prgtoken When it comes to Medicaid, the s seem to be very willing to hand a bunch of money over to the States, no strings attached, and let them figure out what to do with it. That is the essence of the bill that cuts $800 billion from Medicaid that is pending before the House of Representatives today. When it comes to retirement, right now we are engaged in a debate that would rip away from States the ability to innovate on behalf of their constituents to try to get them access to retirement savings. prgtoken I can't figure out when my friends want States to innovate and when they want to take away from States the ability to deliver results to their constituents. prgtoken Let's be honest. We have a retirement crisis in this country right now. The majority of Americans barely have enough money saved to last 2 or 3 years after they retire. Everybody knows this. And the people who are affected by this retirement crisis aren't exclusively . They aren't exclusively s. They aren't just liberals. They aren't just conservatives. No matter where you live, today you are more likely than not to not have enough money in order to retire. So States have figured this out. My State is one of them. prgtoken Many States have recognized that one of the biggest barriers to retirement savings today is the fact that if you work for a small employer, you probably don't have an employer-sponsored retirement plan. In fact, there are over 50 million Americans today who do not have, through their employer, a retirement plan available to them. prgtoken Why is that a big deal? Well, it is a big deal because that is the most likely way you save today. In fact, for those 50 million Americans who don't have access to retirement through their employer, only 5 percent of them are going outside of their employer to set up a retirement plan. There are a variety of reasons for that. Sometimes, prgtoken people who are working for a company that doesn't offer retirement are making such a small amount of money, they simply don't have the means to save, but many more simply look at the private retirement savings industry as so convoluted and confusing, so opaque, that they don't even attempt to intersect with it. prgtoken So we know we have a problem on our hands. We know there are all these Americans who cannot get retirement through their employer, largely because they work for small employers. We know that if you don't get your retirement through your employer, you are unlikely to go out and get it on your own. prgtoken Employers would love to do more for their employees. This isn't about employers not wanting to provide a retirement plan for their employees. Th
HONORING INVESTMENTS IN RECRUITING AND EMPLOYING AMERICAN MILITARY VETERANS ACT OF 2017
Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-5-3

I rise today in support of the Senate amendments to H.R. 244, the FY2017 omnibus spending bill. This is not a perfect bill, but many priorities that are important to my constituents in Oregon and people around the country are funded and protected, and it prevents a government shutdown. prgtoken In March, President released a budget proposal that, if enacted, would be devastating to Oregonians, Americans, and people worldwide. Thankfully, this omnibus bill largely bypasses the President's misguided funding recommendations, and instead focuses on making sure our federal dollars are being spent to help hardworking families get ahead, support vulnerable populations at home and abroad, and help grow the economy prgtoken This bill funds the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and allows Legal Aid work to continue through Legal Services Corporation. There is a strong commitment to securing our infrastructure through robust funding of TIGER transportation grants and environmental cleanup projects, and there is funding for Flint, Michigan to continue upgrading its drinking water infrastructure. Importantly, the bill does not waste any taxpayer dollars to build a border wall between the United States and Mexico, and it does not include harmful policy riders to defund Planned Parenthood, unwind the consumer protections of Dodd-Frank, or withhold federal funds from cities and states that decline to enforce federal immigration law that is outside their jurisdiction. prgtoken In Oregon, I hear from families of all backgrounds who are struggling to maintain their economic security. This bill provides funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and increases funding for housing programs such as Choice Neighborhoods, Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS, and Housing for the Elderly. The bill secures funding for Special Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children and provides robust funding for Meals on Wheels and summer Electronic Benefits Transfer, to address food insecurity among some of our most vulnerable Americans--children and seniors. prgtoken The bill also recognizes the devastating toll of the opioid epidemic in our communities by providing a $650 million increase over 2016 funding to help address this crisis. That funding, coupled with a $2 billion increase to the National Institutes of Health, will help fulfill the commitment Congress has made to partner with our states and communities to address this and other health crises facing our country. prgtoken As a member of the Science Committee, I am committed to funding basic science research, mitigating the effects of climate change, and supporting healthy oceans and estuaries. I am glad the bill includes increases for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which provides weather forecasting, oceanic and atmospheric research, ocean and coastal services, and fisheries
DISAPPROVING A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Tammy Duckworth (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-5-3

our Nation faces a retirement savings crisis. Too many seniors live in poverty after a lifetime of hard work, and too many people are facing retirement who have not been able to put away the adequate savings they will need. That is a problem not only on a human level and on a moral level but on an economic level. prgtoken When seniors are forced to live in poverty, that hurts all of us and is a strike against our Nation's values. As more people have to spend money to take care of their retired parents and relatives, that hurts our economy. Millions of seniors do not have family prgtoken members who can spend those resources, so it is taxpayers who will have to make sure seniors have a place to live, food to eat, and medicine to keep them healthy. That is why we must do everything we can to help people save for retirement themselves and not have to rely on the taxpayer, to help them put a little bit of money away while they still can. prgtoken At the very least, the Senate should stay out of the way of our States that are taking action to address this looming crisis, but that is not what the Senate is doing here today. Instead, we are debating a resolution that would make it harder for people to save for retirement. We are debating whether to limit the ability of State governments to help people save for their retirement. prgtoken While some Americans are fortunate enough to work at companies that offer their employees retirement plans, many more do not. That is significant because research shows that the best way for people to save for retirement is through a retirement plan at work. Without one, workers are less likely to invest in an IRA or a 401(k) savings plan. That is why it is so worrisome that there are 55 million Americans right now in this country who do not have access to a retirement plan through their jobs. As the baby boomer generation approaches retirement, that is a serious problem. prgtoken President proposed establishing a national individual retirement account program to help these 55 million Americans, but s said no. In the absence of congressional action, both red States and blue States took the lead. They did so by coming up with a way for Americans to better save for retirement. One solution that has gained momentum over the last few years is to establish retirement programs at the State level to give people the chance to have retirement contributions deducted out of their paychecks into that plan if their company doesn't already offer a retirement program. It would give every worker across this Nation the same access to the tax breaks those lucky enough to have access to an employer-sponsored plan receive. prgtoken In my home State of Illinois, we were one of the first to do this. A few years ago, our State created the Secure Choice Program. It is an innovative program that is poised to give 1.3 million Illinoisans the opportunity to save for retirement wh
NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-5-3

I rise to recognize this week as National Small Business Week and to applaud the vast contributions of small- business owners and entrepreneurs across my district--the 10th Congressional District of New Jersey. prgtoken National Small Business Week is the perfect opportunity to recognize the prgtoken importance of small businesses, entrepreneurs, and the diversity of businessowners. prgtoken In New Jersey, small businesses employ nearly 2 million people and make up 99.6 percent of all businesses in the State. Over the last decade, women-owned businesses have increased by 45 percent and generated over $1.6 trillion in revenue. Minority-owned businesses have produced over $1.3 trillion and created 7 million jobs. prgtoken Small businesses are truly the backbone of our Nation and economy. As Members of Congress, we must do our part to support all efforts to open the doors of opportunity for small business growth. Their success is our success.
VOTE EXPLANATION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-5-3

I was necessarily absent for the votes on the motion to proceed and passage of a joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor known as the State Automatic IRAs Rule, H.J. Res. 66. prgtoken On vote No. 119, had I been present, I would have voted nay on the motion to proceed to H.J. Res. 66. prgtoken On vote No. 120, had I been present, I would have voted nay on passage of H.J. Res. 66. prgtoken A few weeks ago, after their failed attempt to dismantle our Nation's healthcare system, s launched a full-scaled attack on retirement savings by rolling back an important rule that would have allowed local governments, as well as small businesses, to expand access to a retirement savings plan. Rolling back that rule will make it nearly impossible for working-class families to save for retirement. prgtoken Today s voted to roll back a similar rule that allows States, including Illinois, to provide access to a retirement savings account to millions of working American families. Their actions here today are misguided and will hurt, not help, many working class families. prgtoken We are facing a crisis. Tens of millions of Americans have very little savings for retirement. Half of households age 55 and older have little to no retirement savings, and some 55 million working Americans, including 1.5 million in Illinois, work for an employer that does not offer a retirement plan. prgtoken There was a time when Americans were able to depend on the proverbial ``three-legged stool'' to support them in their retirement: their pension, Social Security, and their personal savings. However, with the decline of pension plans and the inability of working-class Americans to personally save for retirement, that three-legged stool is now a pogo stick. Pensions once provided a promise of security in retirement, but they are becoming a thing of the past. Of those that remain, many are struggling to pay the benefits they promised, creating uncertainty and fear for those who have worked hard their entire lives. prgtoken Decades of stagnant wages, increasing income inequality, and job losses from the recession have made it difficult for workers to keep up with everyday costs such as housing and food, let alone save for retirement. Social Security is the only guaranteed source of retirement income most Americans have, and, sadly, this is nowhere near enough. Since there is no simple solution to addressing this crisis, we have to consider every option that will make saving for retirement easier. prgtoken In Illinois, 1.5 million workers do not have access to a retirement plan through their employer. These employees are more likely to earn less money and work for a smaller employer. To make it easier for employers to offer access to retirement savings plans and help workers save more easily, States began developing State-based individual retirement accounts or IRAs. My home State of Il
DISAPPROVING A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2017-5-3

. I honor his service at Pine Tree Legal Assistance in Maine. We take a little bit of pride in it because he probably got a good orientation to be a great public servant by going to the University of Virginia Law School. None of the Virginia Senators were smart enough to get into the University of Virginia, but our Maine Senator was. prgtoken The Senator talks about it as related to our constitutional system. We have three branches. There is an article I branch, the legislative branch. People can participate in the article I branch by voting for Members of Congress or Senators. The article II branch is the executive branch. People can participate in the executive branch by voting. There used to be poll taxes. You could not participate if you could not pay something. Those were stricken down so everyone can participate. prgtoken The article III branch is supposed to be coequal, the judiciary. If you are on trial for a criminal offense, under many circumstances, you are entitled, constitutionally, to have an appointed attorney. But what about a civil case? What if you are threatened with the termination of your rights as a parent to ever see your child again? That is a civil case. prgtoken You are not entitled constitutionally to have an appointed attorney. But it is those kinds of cases where legal services comes in and provides an opportunity for people to participate in the article III branch. prgtoken We should not have a branch of government and block people from participating in it, without the ability to receive assistance of counsel on matters dear to your life. You are essentially blocked from participation in one of the three branches of government. That is why this is so important. prgtoken .
HONORING SAUL RAMOS
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-5-3

I rise today to recognize and celebrate Saul Ramos from my hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts, who was recently named the 2017 National Education Association Education Support Professional, or ESP, of the year. This honor is awarded annually to the ESP who best demonstrates leadership in his or her classroom, school, and community. prgtoken Saul began his career in 1999 as a personal aide to a visually impaired kindergarten student. To allow this student to work on classroom materials alongside his peers, Saul taught himself to read and write in braille so he could transcribe these materials for his student. Saul continued to help this student for 12 years--supporting and encouraging him until he graduated from high school. In his current capacity as an ESP at Burncoat High School, Saul has taken it upon himself to integrate braille into the curriculum not only to help students with visual impairments, but also to allow other students to develop a stronger understanding of alternative learning methods. prgtoken Raised in both Puerto Rico and Worcester, Saul founded and now serves as the artistic director of a nonprofit called Arte Latino of New England to encourage Latinos in our community, especially those in their youth, to embrace their cultural heritage through art. Just one of his many creative initiatives aimed at helping Latino students to build confidence and embrace their roots, Saul wrote and produced a bilingual adaptation of ``Romeo and Juliet.'' prgtoken Beyond the classroom, Saul is an incredible activist for teachers and students. He is the vice president of his local teachers union and is an active member on four committees of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, which recognized Saul as last year's most valuable educator in the state. Saul fights tirelessly for the rights of teachers and students. Nationally, Saul is a member of the National Education Association's Paraeducator Institute Working Group, the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee, and is the Northeast regional director of the Hispanic Caucus. prgtoken Our public schools promise to provide equal educational opportunities for all students, no matter their race, religion, or ability. This promise relies on dedicated, compassionate ESPs like Saul Ramos. On behalf of the teachers and students of Worcester, Massachusetts, and those all across the country, I thank Saul Ramos for his commitment to this noble profession.