mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION NOMINEES
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-1-12

. I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey for yielding, for hosting this Special Order, and for granting me this opportunity to speak. prgtoken Since the first nomination was announced by President-elect 's transition team, phones in my office have been ringing off the hook; and not a day goes by when I do not hear from my neighbors, friends, and constituents of their angst, frustration, and discontent. I share their anger and dread--that feeling of being punched in the gut--as name after name has been released. Each nomination from President-elect has put the fox in charge of the henhouse. prgtoken We are not talking about simple differences in partisan ideology. We are talking about nominees who have devoted much of their professional lives to undermining the small-d democratic institutions that are the foundation of our country. This new administration is so extreme that we cannot, in any good faith, give this President-elect the traditional deference to name a cabinet that represents his governing philosophy because the appointments show it to be a philosophy that seeks to corrupt, if not fully destroy, our institutions, traditions, and values. prgtoken Senator Jeff Sessions, the nominee for Attorney General, was considered too racist to serve on the Federal bench by a Senate, much less to head the Justice Department, and is someone who has so little respect for women's rights he voted against the Violence Against Women Act and called Roe v. Wade a colossal mistake. prgtoken Ben Carson, the nominee for HUD Secretary, said today in his confirmation hearing that he was against protecting LGBT Americans from housing discrimination because protecting them from housing discrimination would be granting them extra rights, refusing to recognize that LGBT Americans deserve equal rights. prgtoken Tom Price, the nominee for HHS Secretary, wants to eliminate Medicare and Medicaid as we know them, repeal the Affordable Care Act without a second thought for the millions of Americans who would lose coverage or would be subject to limits on preexisting conditions and would be subject to lifetime and annual limits, and has so little understanding of women's health that he insisted that not a single woman would lose access to contraception if contraception coverage were eliminated. prgtoken Betsy DeVos, the nominee for Education Secretary, advocated for years to move taxpayer dollars away from public schools and towards for- profit, private schools that would leave behind low-income students, minority students, and children with disabilities. prgtoken Scott Pruitt, the nominee for EPA administrator, does not believe in climate change and is so linked to the fossil fuel industry that he has sued the EPA a dozen times to block environmental regulations designed to protect us from the effects of climate change. prgtoken The list goes on and on, each more horrifying than the one before. These are not the value
Introductory Statement on S. 134
Bill Nelson (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-1-12

fraudulent and abusive phone scams plague thousands of Americans each year. These deceitful practices cause serious financial harm to victims, and have even led to tragedy in a few cases. Both the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where I serve as Ranking Member, and the Special Committee on Aging, where I previously served as Chairman, have explored the continuing severe impact of these scams. Consumers continue to lose millions of dollars each year to fraudulent phone scams, many of which originate from other countries. And the impacts of these scams are very real to the consumers who suffer. According to an October 2015 press report from CNN, one poor soul took his life earlier that year after being tricked into spending thousands of dollars in a vain attempt to collect on his winnings in the Jamaican lottery--winnings that were non- existent because it was all a scam perpetrated by phone-based fraudsters. prgtoken Nearly all of us have trained ourselves to ignore phone calls and text messages from numbers that are not familiar to us. But these sophisticated scammers know that--and have changed their tactics. Scammers today impersonate government institutions, promote fraudulent lottery schemes, and tailor their calls to individuals in order to coerce victims into paying large sums of money. Many scammers use spoofing technology to manipulate caller ID information and trick consumers into believing that these calls are local or come from trusted institutions. prgtoken In 2009, I introduced the Truth in Caller ID Act to prohibit caller ID spoofing when it is used to defraud or harm consumers. That law provided important tools for law enforcement and the Federal Communications Commission, FCC, to go after fraudsters and crack down on these phone scams. I was pleased when my Congressional colleagues joined with me to pass that legislation and the President signed it into law. This was a huge win for consumers and the first step toward ending these abusive practices. prgtoken Recognizing the pace at which phone scam technologies evolve, the law directed the FCC to prepare a report to Congress outlining what additional tools were needed to curb other forms of spoofing. In 2011, the agency provided its recommendations to Congress on how to update the law to keep pace with new spoofing practices, such as text messaging scams. prgtoken The bill Senators Fischer, Klobuchar, Blunt and I have introduced today responds to the FCC's recommendations and builds on the 2010 Act to ensure the law keeps up with these spoofing scams. As these scams become increasingly sophisticated, we need to make sure that consumer protections and tools for law enforcement prgtoken keep up. That is why this legislation is so important. prgtoken The Spoofing Prevention Act of 2017 would extend the current prohibition on caller ID spoofing to text messages, calls coming from outside the United States, and cal
CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION NOMINEES
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-1-12

I want to thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey for yielding, but also for her tremendous leadership on so many issues, including as a champion for women and women's health and reproductive health care, and also for this important discussion tonight. prgtoken I just want to mention that I serve on the Budget Committee, and you mentioned a nominee, Congressman Tom Price of Georgia, for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Once again, we see President-elect making recommendations of those individuals who want to dismantle the safety net and dismantle health care within the agencies that they are going to run. This is a very, very troubling development in terms of these cabinet appointee nominees. prgtoken I note that--and many know--President-elect ran one of the most divisive and prejudiced campaigns that we have witnessed in modern history. Since winning the Presidency, he has nominated billionaires to serve in his cabinet, proving that he will govern just as he campaigned. Also, he has nominated individuals who want to dismantle, for the most part, the agencies that they will have jurisdiction over. prgtoken Another example is his choice for Secretary of State, which Congresswoman Watson Coleman mentioned, and that is Rex Tillerson. I serve on the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee and understand the importance of our diplomatic initiatives, our USAID initiatives, and our efforts to really bring education and health care to the poorest of the poor around the world. Our Secretary of State serves as the Nation's chief diplomat and represents America's interests around the world. I have the opportunity and the privilege to serve on the committee that funds the majority of these efforts. prgtoken So the nomination of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson really troubles me. His extensive ties to the Kremlin raises the question: Whose interest will he represent? prgtoken Our country cannot afford a Secretary of State who will place private corporate interests over the needs of the American people and our national security interests. His recent confirmation hearing revealed what we have known all along in -controlled Washington, that cabinet officials will cater to special interests, not to American families, based on the nominees that we have seen come forward. prgtoken It is not just the Secretary of State we should be concerned about. Here at home, President-elect has nominated cabinet officials that would turn back the clock on progress. His nomination for Secretary of Labor, Andrew Puzder, is another millionaire CEO who benefits from an economy rigged against families struggling to make ends meet. He earns more than $1 million a year, but opposes a raise for low-wage workers earning just $15,000 a year. He says that food assistance programs keep low-wage workers like those he employs at, I believe, Carl's Jr. and Ha
LET'S WORK TO IMPROVE OUR HEALTHCARE PLAN
Bradley Scott Schneider (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-1-12

in his farewell speech, President said that if anyone can put together an alternative healthcare plan that is demonstrably better and covers as many people at less cost, he would publicly support it. I feel the same way. prgtoken The ACA is not perfect, and anyone who is serious about working to improve our healthcare system should count me as a willing partner. But that is not what we have heard from President-elect and my colleagues. Their irresponsible plan is to repeal Care and then figure out what comes next. That is like jumping ship without a life raft or a plan. prgtoken Repealing Care will leave 1.2 million people in my State without health insurance, allowing insurers to again deny coverage based on preexisting conditions or put annual and lifetime caps on coverage, and deny young people the option of staying on their parents' plan. This will hurt real people who depend on the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in finding ways to improve our Nation's healthcare system rather than burning it down.
DACA AND BRIDGE ACT
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-1-12

in 8 days, just a short distance from this Senate Chamber, will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. On that date, January 20, 2017, the fate of more than 750,000 young American immigrants will hang in the balance. They will be waiting to learn if they have a place in America's future or whether they will lose their legal status to stay in the United States. For many of them, it is a period of the highest anxiety, wondering what is going to happen next. prgtoken It was 7 years ago that I sent a letter to President . I had introduced the DREAM Act, which said that if you were brought to America as a child, an infant, or an adolescent, lived here all your life, went to school and did well, and had no criminal record of any consequences, we would give you a chance to stay. Over a period of time, you would be able to become legal in America--a citizen in America. Sixteen years ago, I introduced it, and we passed it once in the Senate, once in the House, and never, ever made it the law of the land. prgtoken I wrote to President , with Senator Dick Lugar, of Indiana, and said: Find some way, if you can, as President, to protect these young DREAMers, as we call them. And he did. It is called DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. prgtoken What it basically said is that if you qualify under the DREAM Act, you could pay a filing fee of almost $500, go through a criminal background check and interview, and, then, if you qualify, you will be given a 2-year temporary protection from deportation and the ability to work. So far, over 750,000 young people have come forward. They have made such a difference in their own lives, in the lives of their families, and even in our country. prgtoken I have come over 100 times to tell their stories, and I will tell another one today. But I want to also announce that today we have a significant bipartisan breakthrough for this Congress: Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and I have introduced the BRIDGE Act. The BRIDGE Act, which has bipartisan sponsorship, would say that even if we eliminated President 's Executive order, we would protect these young people from deportation and allow them to continue to work and study. prgtoken I want to thank Senator Graham. He has been a terrific partner. prgtoken This is an issue which weighs heavily on my mind and conscience. We believe this is a reasonable way to extend this protection and to say to Congress in the meantime: Get to work. Roll up your sleeves. Pass a comprehensive immigration bill. Work with the new President, work with both sides, and s, and come up with an approach. prgtoken I thank Senator Graham for joining me in the introduction of this BRIDGE Act. prgtoken For the young people across America, I can tell you, I understand your fears. I understand your anxiety. There are many of us who are dedicated to making cert
REPEAL WILL AFFECT EVERY AMERICAN
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-1-12

I rise out of a deep concern, not just for the 30 million Americans who will lose access to health coverage and the tens of millions of others who will see their costs rise if s repeal the Affordable Care Act without a replacement, but as well for every American because the repeal will affect every American, including every American who has health insurance through their employer. prgtoken Let there be no mistake. Every American will be adversely affected by the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. The repeal and delay plan ought to be called repeal and deny, deny health coverage to tens of millions, deny tax credits to small businesses to help them cover their employees, deny those with preexisting conditions protection from high premiums and coverage denials, and deny parents from covering their children under age 26 through their own insurance plans. Every American will be adversely affected if we repeal the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken I heard recently through social media from a woman in my district whose family was able to save more than $1,200 a month because of the ACA marketplace. Another wrote to tell me that the ACA made it possible for her to sign up for coverage for the first time in years since she lost her job and her employer-based insurance. When she needed to be hospitalized this spring, having coverage saved her life. prgtoken Repeal and deny would be a disaster for our people and our economy. I urge my friends to instead work with the to improve the Affordable Care Act.
COMMODITY END-USER RELIEF ACT
Collin C. Peterson (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-1-12

such time as I may consume. prgtoken In closing, I just wish that I could support a reauthorization bill, a clean bill for the CFTC that came through the Committee on Agriculture in regular order, but that is not what has happened. prgtoken I want to thank Chairman Conaway for his work in the last Congress, trying to find common ground, and I hope that we can get back to regular order in the future in the committee. prgtoken So again, , I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 238, and .
SEC REGULATORY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-1-12

I think it appropriate to point out what the style of this bill is, what the words on the actual bill say. There seems to be some confusion with my colleagues on the other side as to whether or not this is a mom-and-pop bill. prgtoken The bill itself says, ``A bill to improve the consideration by the Securities and Exchange Commission of the cost and benefits of its regulations and orders.'' prgtoken The Securities and Exchange Commission deals with Wall Street, deals with megabusinesses. This is not about a mom-and-pop store. This is not about the small business in the neighborhood. This is about megabusinesses desiring to have access to markets without the regulations necessary to protect investors. prgtoken This bill, if it passes, will place the SEC in a mission impossible position because it will be impossible for the SEC to do what it needs to do to promote regulations that will prevent fraud. Either litigation will stop them or they won't be able to define and quantify the benefits associated with regulation that can prevent fraud. prgtoken A good example has been presented, but some things bear repeating. If we had produced regulations that would have prevented Bernie Madoff from robbing the country of $64 billion, we wouldn't have known it, we couldn't quantify it, because it wasn't knowable. prgtoken This bill puts the SEC in a position of having to do that which is not knowable because it would prevent fraud. prgtoken Now, having said this, the Waters amendment will at least allow us to curtail some of the conflicts of interest that can take place by persons who will come from some entity that works with persons on Wall Street or when they leave, go to an entity that works with Wall Street. Our regulators ought not be able to take their rules and regulations to companies and businesses that will impact Wall Street after they leave or impact their businesses once they are on Wall Street. prgtoken This amendment that the Honorable Maxine Waters has presented would cause the SEC to identify, analyze, and address potential conflicts of interest in its proposed rules, and it would go on to make sure that persons who work for the SEC do not create conflicts of interest. prgtoken We live in a world where it is not enough for things to be right; they must also look right. It doesn't look right for these Wall Street types, the persons from Goldman Sachs and related industries who will come to Wall Street, take jobs, and promote rules that benefit their former employers, nor does it look right for them to produce rules that will benefit employers that they will go to when they leave Wall Street. prgtoken That is what this amendment will prevent. It is simple. It is not complicated, and it deals with conflicts of interest. I think this amendment ought to be supported. prgtoken , .
IN CELEBRATION OF THE LIVES IMPROVED BY THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IN TEXAS
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-1-12

as a senior member of both the Judiciary Committee and the Homeland Security Committee, I rise in celebration of the over 1 million Texans who have gained healthcare coverage under the Affordable Health Care Act, and the millions of Americans more whose lives have been exponentially improved by access to substantial increases in life-saving coverage. prgtoken The data show that the uninsured rate in Texas has fallen by 28 percent since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted in 2010, translating into 1,781,000 Texans gaining coverage. prgtoken In addition to residents who would otherwise be uninsured, millions more Texans with employer, Medicaid, individual market, or Medicare coverage have also benefited from new protections as a result of the law. prgtoken With respect to employer coverage, 13,709,000 people in Texas are covered through employer-sponsored health plans. prgtoken Since the ACA was enacted in 2010, this group has seen: (1) An end to annual and lifetime limits: prgtoken Before the ACA, 7,536,000 Texans with employer or individual market coverage had a lifetime limit on their insurance policy. prgtoken That meant their coverage could end exactly when they needed it most. prgtoken The ACA prohibits annual and lifetime limits on policies, so all Texans with employer plans now have coverage that's there when they need it. (2) Young adults covered until age 26: prgtoken An estimated 205,000 young adults in Texas have benefited from the ACA provision that allows kids to stay on their parents' health insurance up to age 26. (3) Free preventive care: prgtoken Under the ACA, health plans must cover preventive services--like flu shots, cancer screenings, contraception, and mammograms--at no extra cost to consumers. prgtoken This provision benefits 10,278,005 people in Texas, most of whom have employer coverage. (4) Slower premium growth: prgtoken The average premium for Texas families with employer coverage grew 3.5 percent per year from 2010-2015, compared with 8.1 percent over the previous decade. prgtoken Assuming Texas premiums grew in line with the national average in 2016, family premiums in Texas are $5,400 lower today than if growth had matched the pre-ACA decade. (5) Better value through the 80/20 rule: prgtoken Because of the ACA, health insurance companies must spend at least 80 cents of each premium dollar on health care or care improvements, rather than administrative costs like salaries or marketing, or else give consumers a refund;. prgtoken Texans with employer coverage have received $20,082,448 in insurance refunds since 2012. prgtoken With respect to Medicaid, 4,770,229 people in Texas are covered by Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program, including 3,512,929 children and 374,617 seniors and people with disabilities covered by both Medicaid and Medicare. prgtoken The ACA expanded Medicaid eligibility and strengthened the program for those already eligible. prgtoken An estimated
SEC REGULATORY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-1-12

such time as I may consume. prgtoken Let me point out how H.R. 78 tilts their decisionmaking process toward Wall Street. First, let's go back and review everything the President-elect said about Wall Street, and then we can understand exactly what is being done here. prgtoken In August 2015, President-elect told CBS: ``The hedge fund guys didn't build this country. These are guys that shift paper around and they get lucky. They make a fortune. They pay no tax. It's ridiculous, okay?'' prgtoken In January 2016, told Iowans: ``I'm not going to let Wall Street get away with murder. Wall Street has caused tremendous problems for us.'' prgtoken I repeat, he said: ``Wall Street has caused tremendous problems for us.'' prgtoken In February of 2016, said: ``I know the guys at Goldman Sachs, they have total control over Hillary Clinton.'' prgtoken In July of 2016, tweeted: ``Hillary will never reform Wall Street. She is owned by Wall Street.'' prgtoken He also told Iowans: ``I don't care about the Wall Street guys. I'm not taking any of their money.'' prgtoken Now, has totally betrayed his promise to drain the swamp. He has appointed Goldman Sachs bankers to the Treasury and the National Economic Council, and his pick to head the Securities and Exchange Commission is a lawyer whose career has been based upon defending Wall Street, including Goldman Sachs. This legislation today is part and parcel to that betrayal. prgtoken This is how you do it: cost-benefit analysis, you can attach this to any and all monetary and financial services legislation. You can attach it wherever you would like and, thus, cause the delays, cause the undermining of legislation, put the SEC in the position where it has to defend in court, costing them more money that they don't have because they have denied them adequate funding. prgtoken This is what this is all about. How do we get our Wall Street friends and cronies back into the business, because Dodd-Frank began to deal with them and to reverse some of what had been happening for far too long. Now they come with this attack and they talk about cost-benefit analysis this is what they are going to use to ride their way back into making prgtoken sure that they give the protection and the advantages to all of their friends on Wall Street. prgtoken Mr. was not about draining the swamp. He is about making sure that there is a swamp, digging it deeper and wider. prgtoken .