mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE TERRIFIED OF TRUMPCARE
Daniel T. Kildee (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-6-13

the American people are speaking up, and they are absolutely terrified of the healthcare plan, Care. According to a FOX News poll, two-thirds of Americans disapprove of Care. That's a FOX News poll. prgtoken Why? Because it will take away healthcare from 23 million Americans. For those who still have the good fortune of being able to get insurance, they will pay more for worse care. If you are age 50 to 65, fasten your seatbelts; you are about to pay five times what others will pay for health insurance and for prescription drugs. prgtoken Of course, in the Senate, they are crafting their version of Care in secret, behind closed doors. Nobody knows what is in it. Why? Because they know the American people will reject it. prgtoken We know we have got issues we have to deal with in healthcare. No law is perfect, and the ACA is one of those. But my goodness, you cannot do this behind closed doors. We have to do this in public. People need to understand what Congress is doing. We have got to get it right, and we have to do it in the open.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ACCOUNTABILITY AND WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION ACT OF 2017
Timothy J. Walz (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-6-13

I have no further speakers, and I am certainly willing to yield some of my time to the gentleman from Tennessee if there are other speakers who would like to speak on this if the gentleman's time runs short. If I could save myself 3 minutes for my closing, I would certainly be prgtoken willing to do that. I am not certain what the parliamentary procedure is to do so. prgtoken , .
SALUTING THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA ON ITS HISTORIC ASIAN TOUR
Dwight Evans (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2017-6-13

today I rise to support the Philadelphia Orchestra on a historical tour through Asia. prgtoken I have had the privilege of working to support them over the years during my time in the Pennsylvania Legislature and now here in Congress. I can't think of a better cultural ambassador for our country, the Commonwealth, and our great city than the finely tuned Philadelphia Orchestra. prgtoken The historical tour started in Shanghai, China, where they serenaded the visitors of the new Shanghai Disney Resort. They continued on to Beijing and Mongolia. prgtoken Philadelphia's magnificent orchestra marked a historical first when they became the first Western orchestra to play at the people-to-people exchange. The President of Mongolia and I met last year in the city of Philadelphia. prgtoken The orchestra then continued on to Seoul and to Hong Kong. In Seoul, the orchestra participated in a master class with the Heart to Heart Orchestra and Korea United College Orchestra. In Hong Kong, the Philadelphia Orchestra concluded with a coaching session for the Hong Kong Youth Orchestra and a well-earned reception. prgtoken I would like to give special recognition to the Philadelphia Orchestra's director, the chairman, as well as the woman who brought it all together, Allison Vulgamore. prgtoken I am proud to represent a city that boasts some of the most iconic music heard around the world. I welcome back our well-traveled Philadelphia Orchestra and look forward to the next symphony.
RECOGNIZING SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOFTBALL TEAM
Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-6-13

I rise today to recognize the San Pedro High School girls softball team who late last month reclaimed their crown as L.A. City Section Division I champions. prgtoken On the night of Friday, May 19, the Pirates won their first city title in 8 years and 17th overall. Star pitcher Cindy Robles persevered through illness to throw a four-hitter with three strikeouts, illustrating her toughness after coming down with a 102-degree fever earlier in the day. prgtoken Her teammates were behind her every step of the way, always making the key play at the necessary moment. By rallying together and continually picking each other up, the Pirates girls softball team represents the true spirit of California's 44th Congressional District. prgtoken No matter what adversity we might face individually, our community always finds a way to rally together in pursuit of our common goals I am honored to pay tribute to these strong young women and all they represent.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO OFFER RESOLUTION RAISING A QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE
Lloyd Doggett (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-6-13

pursuant to clause 2(a)(1) of rule IX, I rise to give notice of my intent to raise a question of the privileges of the House. prgtoken The form of the resolution is as follows: prgtoken Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the President shall immediately disclose his tax return information to the House of Representatives and the American people. prgtoken Whereas, President Nixon explained that ``People have got to know whether or not their President is a crook'' when he invited the Joint Committee on Taxation to audit his returns after the Internal Revenue Service gave him an unwarranted tax discount; prgtoken Whereas, according to the Tax History Project, every President since Gerald Ford has disclosed his tax return information to the public; prgtoken Whereas, the Chairmen of the Committee on Ways and Means, Joint Committee on Taxation, and the Committee on Finance have the authority to request the President's tax returns under section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; prgtoken Whereas, pursuant to Article I, section 7, clause 1 of the Constitution, often referred to as the Origination Clause, the House of Representatives has the sole authority to initiate legislation that raises revenue for the national government, and the Committee on Ways and Means is considering a comprehensive reform of the Tax Code; prgtoken Whereas, according to media reports analyzing President 's leaked 2005 tax return, we know that had his own tax plan been in place, he would have paid an estimated mere 3.48 percent rate instead of a 24 percent rate, saving him $31.3 million; prgtoken Whereas, according to The New York Times, the President used a legally dubious tax maneuver in 1995 that could have allowed him to avoid paying any Federal taxes for 18 years; prgtoken Whereas, President holds ``interests as the sole or principal owner in approximately 500 separate entities,'' according to his attorneys, and the President's tax plan proposes to cut the tax rate on such ``pass-through'' entities from 39.6 percent to 15 percent; prgtoken Whereas, one analysis estimated that President would personally save $6.7 million from two tax breaks included in the s' first tax cut, which they misleadingly call the American Health Care Act; prgtoken Whereas, without the President's tax returns, the American people cannot determine how much he will personally benefit from proposed changes to the Tax Code; prgtoken Whereas, an ABCNews/Washington Post poll found that 74 percent of Americans would like President to disclose his tax returns and the most-signed petition on the White House website calls for the release of the President's tax return information to verify compliance with the Emoluments Clause, with more than 1,097,000 signatures as of date of this resolution; prgtoken Whereas, disclosure of the President's tax returns could help those investigating Russian influence in the 2016 election
COUNTERING IRAN'S DESTABILIZING ACTIVITIES ACT OF 2017
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2017-6-13

Russia remains a hostile, recalcitrant power that deploys its military, its cyber espionage activities, and its economic tactics to harm the United States of America--to drive a wedge between us and our allies. prgtoken President began to impose tough sanctions for Russia's cyber attacks, its cyber intrusion, its illegal annexation of Crimea, and its continuing aggression in Ukraine and Syria. Congress joined in that effort by enacting two measures to tighten and broaden those sanctions. Lifting and relaxing those sanctions now would only reward Russia's attempts to undermine our democracy. prgtoken The administration continues to exercise a policy of strategic ambiguity when it comes to Russia, and the President, putting it mildly, has sent mixed signals. Just last month, Gary Cohn, the President's senior economic adviser, seemed to suggest that the United States could relax sanctions on Russia, and, as press reports confirmed 2 weeks ago, in its early days, the administration considered removing all measures against Russia, according to former administration officials. Think of that. prgtoken We all hear the discussion--maybe collusion, maybe not--about the Russians' friendship with the administration, whether the family or the businesses or the White House has had some kind of relationships--almost everybody here thinks--with the oilmen, with the oligarchs, with the Kremlin, maybe even Putin himself. And to think that soon after taking office, before the public and the rest of us began to start learning more about 's ties with Russia, the administration considered the removal of any kind of measures punishing Russia. prgtoken This amendment, written by Senators Crapo, Corker, Cardin, me, and our offices and our staffs, sends an unambiguous message that the United States will not accept Russia's continued aggression, will adopt tough measures to both punish its past actions and deter future aggression against our country and our allies. prgtoken Over the last week, the chairs and ranking members of key Senate committees conducted intense negotiations over a package of tough and meaningful reforms and expansions to our current Russia sanctions regime. We have had good, positive, productive, bipartisan conversations. Last night we reached agreement on this broad package of new measures that substantially expands sanctions on Russia in response to its malicious cyber attacks, efforts to undermine democracy, and continuing aggression in Syria and in eastern Ukraine. This package assures Congress and the people we represent that we have more of a say in this critical national security debate. prgtoken The amendment would do a number of things. It would codify and strengthen six existing administration Executive orders on Russia and Ukraine and on Russian cyber activities and the sanctions flowing from them. prgtoken It would provide for strict congressiona
COUNTERING IRAN'S DESTABILIZING ACTIVITIES ACT OF 2017
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2017-6-13

however loud, persistent, and powerful the climate denial operation has been, we have to remember that it has always been built on lies. It is a huge fortress of lies stacked upon lies--lies about the science, lies about the scientists, lies about doubt, lies about costs, lies through phony front groups, and lies about where the money comes from and who is pulling the strings. prgtoken This fortress of lies protects a subsidy to the fossil fuel industry that the International Monetary Fund puts at $700 billion per year. For big, big money, you can do big, big lies, and they do. These have been the biggest lies of our generation. But to paraphrase the great reggae singer Jimmy Cliff: ``The bigger you lie, the harder you fall.'' To paraphrase the ``Game of Thrones,'' ``The fall is coming.'' In the last few weeks, there has been news that has shaken this fortress of lies and moves us toward that fall. Shareholders are rising up. prgtoken For as long as there have been shareholder resolutions to fossil fuel companies about climate change, there has been resolute opposition from management to every vote. Hundreds of shareholder resolutions went down to defeat until now. prgtoken Occidental Petroleum shareholders last month won the first victory against management, and a week later mighty ExxonMobil was defeated by its shareholders. This new reporting that shareholders have demanded will help clear away the lies. The fall is coming. prgtoken There are even lies within the lies. To fend off this latest shareholder resolution to try to make the company look less irresponsible, ExxonMobil's CEO repeated the company's claim that it knows climate change is real and supports a carbon fee--but it doesn't. prgtoken As everyone in this building knows, ExxonMobil maintains a massive lobbying apparatus in Washington, and that massive apparatus is and always has been resolutely opposed to any such thing as a carbon fee or any serious climate action whatsoever, for that matter, unless maybe ExxonMobil doesn't know what its own vast lobbying apparatus is doing. Maybe ExxonMobil spends that enormous amount of money to exert its influence in Washington to stop any climate action, and the CEO is unaware of that going on. I doubt that. You be the judge of whether that is credible. prgtoken It is not just shareholders rising up; attorneys general are starting to win. The attorney general of New York has just filed pleadings in State court in New York asserting that ExxonMobil's climate reporting has been a ``sham''--to use the word from his filing; that, in the oldest of accounting tricks, ExxonMobil kept two sets of books assessing carbon pollution risk. After fierce opposition by ExxonMobil lawyers using every trick in the book to delay and snarl the New York attorney general, it looks now as if ExxonMobil may have lied to its investors and its shareholders. If ExxonMobil has lied to its shareholders, that is a viola
WELCOMING REVEREND M. DAVIES KIRKLAND
Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2017-6-13

I rise today to honor Pastor Dave Kirkland, who led us in the opening prayer. Pastor Kirkland is appointed as the pastor of Dulin United Methodist Church in Falls Church, Virginia, where he has been the pastor for the last 17 years. prgtoken Previously, he was appointed to Del Ray United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, for 6 years and associate pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church in onburg, Virginia, for 4 years. prgtoken Dave's passion in ministry is related to the great Commandment: to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself. prgtoken This is articulated in preaching, raising money, and good deeds performed by the congregation through reaching out to the lost and the least. prgtoken A highlight of this ministry of hope at Dulin: over 60 homeless persons each Sunday morning are served a breakfast, attend a worship service, and are given toiletries and assistance cards to purchase items at Giant Food. prgtoken Dulin is engaged in several local ministries, such as Homeless Shelter, Homestretch, Rebuilding Together, and Meals on Wheels; and he also supports a child rescue center in Sierra Leone. prgtoken , I am honored to welcome Pastor Dave today to the House of Representatives, and I personally thank him for offering the opening prayer.
Introductory Statement on S. 1344
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2017-6-13

today Senator Blunt and I are reintroducing the Family Self-Sufficiency Act, and we are pleased to be joined in this effort in this Congress by our colleagues, Senators Scott and Menendez. prgtoken The Family Self Sufficient, FSS, Program is an existing Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, employment and savings incentive initiative for families that use section 8 vouchers or live in public housing. FSS provides participants access to the resources and training that enable them to pursue higher paying employment opportunities and meet financial goals, while putting FSS families in a better position to save by establishing an interest-bearing escrow account for them. Upon graduation from the FSS program, the family can use these savings to pay for job-related expenses, such as additional workforce training or the purchase or maintenance of a car needed for commuting purposes. In short, FSS is all about giving our constituents the incentives and the tools to move up the economic ladder. prgtoken Our bipartisan legislation enhances the FSS Program by streamlining the administration of this program, broadening the supportive services that can be provided, and extending the reach of the FSS Program to tenants who live in privately owned properties with project-based assistance. In short, we make the FSS Program easier to administer and more effective. prgtoken First, to streamline the FSS Program, our bill would permanently combine two separate but similar FSS Programs into one. Under the existing authorization, HUD is supposed to operate one FSS Program for those families served by the Housing Choice Voucher Program and another for those families served by the Public Housing Program. This is the case even though the purpose of each FSS Program--to increase economic independence and self-sufficiency--is identical. Unfortunately, without a permanent change in the authorization, public housing agencies, PHAs, may at some point in the future have to operate essentially two programs to achieve the same goal. With our bill, PHAs would be relieved of this unnecessary burden permanently. prgtoken Second, our legislation broadens the scope of the supportive services that may be offered to include attainment of a high school equivalency certificate, education in pursuit of a postsecondary degree or certification, and financial literacy, such as training in financial management, financial coaching, and asset building. Providing families in need with affordable rental housing is critical, but combining this resource with the support and services to help families get ahead increases the effectiveness of this Federal investment. Our legislation makes it easier for FSS participants to obtain the training necessary to secure employment and the education to make prudent financial decisions to protect and grow their earnings. prgtoken Lastly, our bill permanently extends the FSS Program to families w
HONORING BCCC STUDENTS FOR NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-6-14

I rise today to recognize the hard work and success of a group of students from my district attending Bucks County Community College. This group, Nik Bertnio, Roshan Thomas, Alex White, and their faculty advisor, Christine Delahanty, were recently named as one of only ten finalists teams in the National Science Foundation's Community College Innovation Challenge. Their project, named Simply Secure, would produce a low-cost, portable device that small businesses and everyday consumers could use to confidently and securely connect to any wireless network, regardless of whether that network has been compromised. The group's hard work, and dedication to bettering their community and the world around them, should make all of us proud.
CONGRESSIONAL BASEBALL PRACTICE SHOOTING
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-6-14

I know the entire Senate will join me in echoing the sentiments of the President this morning. We are deeply saddened. We are all concerned for those injured. We will keep them in our prayers, and we will continue to send them every wish for a quick and full recovery. prgtoken We are grateful for all those who stepped in to help--those practicing on the field, the first responders and, of course, the Capitol police officers on the scene. We are deeply indebted for their service. We again salute their continuing and unfailing bravery on behalf of the Capitol community. prgtoken The Congressional Baseball Game is a bipartisan charity event. I know the Senate will embrace that spirit today as we come together in expressing both our concern and our gratitude.
COUNTERING IRAN'S DESTABILIZING ACTIVITIES ACT OF 2017
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2017-6-14

s continue to come to the floor to talk about the urgent need that we have to reform America's healthcare system. The reason we continue to do this is because the pain of Care is getting worse. prgtoken We are seeing it all across the country. The healthcare system in this country has been devastated by a law known as Care. Every weekend, at home, I hear, as s all around the country hear, about the costs that have been spiraling out of control--double on the Care exchange, we hear across the country, but in many States even more than that. prgtoken In Wyoming it has gone up 107 percent over the past 4 years. We also hear from people at home about their specific premiums on the exchange and how they are worried about them going up even higher next year. Not only have they doubled, but they are worried about them going up again. Just this past week, we have heard stories about numbers that have been requested for increases in New Hampshire, New York, and Maine. We are hearing it all across the country. I hear it every weekend in Wyoming. prgtoken People are very concerned about the impact that Care has had on their lives personally. Many will tell you that they believe that the insurance they bought under Care has been of less value than they would have liked, and many people are not buying because they see that the value is not there. prgtoken When we hear about these increasing rates and we hear about the fact that it is going to only get worse, people are saying: The cost has gone up; maybe we ought to try to shop around, and maybe we can find more choices. prgtoken The problem is the choices are going down as well. Insurance companies are continuing to drop out of the Care plan. So people around the country are having fewer and fewer choices under Care. prgtoken Last Friday, a headline in the Wall Street Journal read: ``Another Area Loses Last ACA Insurer.'' It is not just that they have fewer choices. Now we are looking at places in the country where there are no choices. prgtoken In Wyoming we had two. One of the companies went out of business. We are down to one. That company has lost money. The question is, How long will they stay? How much higher will they have to raise rates under Care? Will we be at a point where the counties in our State, instead of having one, have none? prgtoken This article in the Wall Street Journal last week says: ``Washington state has no insurer willing to offer Affordable Care Act plans next year,'' in some of its 39 counties. prgtoken A few days earlier, we heard the news from people in a similar situation in Ohio. There are 18 counties in Ohio next year with no plans offered. So with Care you are going to get a subsidy, but there is no place to use the subsidy. You have no choices. But we warned from the beginning about the Care death spiral, and we are seeing it happen here. For those people l