mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
North American Free Trade Agreement (Executive Session)
Jeff Flake (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2017-7-24

it has been 2 months since Ambassador Lighthizer notified Congress of the administration's intent to enter into negotiations with Mexico and Canada on the North American Free Trade Agreement. During that time, I launched something called NAFTA 4 AZ, which is an initiative to allow Arizonans to share their stories about how NAFTA has changed their lives for the better. prgtoken I have heard from Arizonans across the State who work in a multitude of industries--from dairy farmers to call center employees--and the responses I have received are overwhelmingly positive. For example, Matt Mandel, who serves as chief operating officer for SunFed, a company based in Rio Rico, shared his personal story. prgtoken Matt wrote: Fresh produce trade has kept my family working here in the State of Arizona for three generations. Arizona imports over 17 billion pounds of fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables-- bilateral trade between the United States and Mexico representing over $40 billion. Let's modernize NAFTA. prgtoken Mignonne Hollis with the Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation tweeted: NAFTA and our trade partners in Mexico have allowed us to grow the aerospace industry in southern Arizona, which is key to our economic development. prgtoken Dairy farmer Jim Boyle notes: Most of our customers are local--right here in our State-- but our biggest customer outside of Arizona is Mexico. We ship daily loads of cheese, powder, and tank loads of cream all the way through Mexico. Please, let's keep NAFTA working for the American farmer. prgtoken Other comments I have received through my website include statements like ``I have enjoyed a constant supply of fresh fruits and vegetables in these years of NAFTA. I have also noticed . . . how relatively inexpensive many household items have been since'' and ``We supply parts that cross the border multiple times before they reach final assembly in the U.S. Free trade is vital to our success and the success of our customers who not only get us where we need to go but protect our shores and vital interests.'' prgtoken The Arizona Chamber of Commerce noted in its comments on NAFTA: Agreement is central to the State's economic prosperity. prgtoken The NAFTA agreement, that is. Mexico is Arizona's leading trade partner. Canada is the State's second leading trade partner. prgtoken In an interview focused on the NAFTA renegotiation process, the CEO of Arizona's Hispanic chamber stated: ``We know that Mexican nationals spend over a billion dollars a year in just Pima County.'' That is just one county. prgtoken It is hardly surprising to hear such overwhelmingly positive support for NAFTA, considering the benefits it has had on Arizona's economy. prgtoken NAFTA 4 AZ has helped to put on paper what Arizonans know all too well: NAFTA plays a critical role in supporting jobs, o
WOUNDED OFFICERS RECOVERY ACT OF 2017
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2017-7-24

such time as I may consume. prgtoken s, Mr. Brady and Mr. Doyle, for the opportunity to come here today on this floor and show America the bipartisanship that we see and we witness on this floor every single day--not just because of a baseball game--to do what is right. prgtoken , I want to again thank my colleague, Joe Barton, for leading this effort--not only leading us as a manager of our baseball team, leading us as somebody who brings their son, their 11-year-old son to practice to have fun playing with a bunch of old guys who really shouldn't be playing baseball as much as we enjoy doing it, but to be able to do it, to raise money for local D.C. charities. prgtoken Joe, Jack, Barry, I, and the rest of us who were there that morning, none of us ever thought that, at approximately 7:09, we would hear the words: Run, he has got a gun. And it was mentioned by Mr. Doyle about those of us who dove in that dugout. prgtoken Let me tell you something, . I think I could have beaten Usain Bolt from home plate where I was standing to that dugout that day. I dove in that dugout not knowing where the shooter was, what the shooter's motives were, and what was next. prgtoken As I was working my way outside of that dugout, I saw Agent Bailey come onto that field in the line of fire to protect every single one of us who were there that day, and it wasn't just Members of Congress. It wasn't just people who this shooter may have politically disagreed with that morning that were there that day. prgtoken It was an 11-year-old boy like Jack Barton. There were innocent people walking in that park, walking their dogs, in the line of fire that morning because this person may have disagreed with what we do on this floor. prgtoken For those people who are watching today, understand, again, what we are doing here, which is what is right to help those heroes, Agent Bailey and Agent Griner, get access to the funds that all of America put forth on their behalf in less than 24 hours after that tragic shooting. Let us all remind them that we do get along; we do work together. It is not just when tragic moments like this happen. It is a lot more often than what you see. prgtoken In less than 24 hours after that shooting, the American people stepped up, and they did what Americans do in the wake of tragedies every single time we witness them. prgtoken We had already raised a record amount of money for local D.C. charities with this year's game, $600,000, $100,000 more than what was normal. And they sold, again, 10,000 seats. In less than 24 hours, the American people from all over this great Nation raised another $900,000 to go to local D.C. charities and to the Capitol Police Memorial Fund, which was added the last day. prgtoken They also sold 25,000 tickets. I think that game that night, we outsold like three major league games in attendance. We obviously didn't play as well as they did, but we outsold
COST ESTIMATE FOR H.R. 2825, THE DHS AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017
Michael T. McCaul (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-7-24

I include in the Record the cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office regarding H.R. 2825. The cost estimate was not available at the time of the filing of the Committee report. U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, July 20, 2017. Hon. Michael McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear : The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2825, the DHS Authorization Act of 2017. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Mark Grabowicz. Sincerely, Mark P. Hadley (For Keith Hall, Director). Enclosure. H.R. 2825--DHS Authorization Act of 2017 prgtoken As reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on June 28, 2017
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS BONUS TRANSPARENCY ACT
David P. Roe (Republican, TN) \u2014 2017-7-24

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 1690, as amended, the Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act. prgtoken This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report to specified congressional committees on the performance awards and bonuses presented to Senior Executive Service employees, SES employees. prgtoken I believe that, if you do excellent work, you should receive a bonus. I also believe such a bonus should be justified and that there should be some level of transparency regarding those who receive a bonus. prgtoken , I support Congresswoman Tenney's bill, and .
North American Free Trade Agreement (Executive Session)
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2017-7-24

David Bernhardt is a well-qualified nominee to serve as our next Deputy Secretary of the Interior. prgtoken The Department of the Interior is charged with managing our wildlife, our public lands, including our national parks and refuges, and our Nation's rich natural resources, which are key to American energy independence. They are charged with the sacred responsibility of protecting the Federal Government's trust responsibility to Indian Tribes. prgtoken Managing the Department of the Interior is a complex balancing act. We need someone who is able to balance these competing interests, and we need someone who understands the importance of our public lands. prgtoken David Bernhardt has spent his life balancing competing interests, weighing the stewardship of our natural resources and wildlife with the letter of the law. His relationship to our lands and the western way of life is not second nature; it is first. prgtoken Mr. Bernhardt was confirmed unanimously by the Senate in 2006 as the Solicitor of the Department. As Solicitor he proved he was capable of upholding the law, even under difficult situations. My colleagues may remember that he wrote the opinion that decided to list the polar bear and drafted a workable rule. As we know, Secretary Salazar then upheld this rule. prgtoken As Solicitor, he prioritized establishing a robust ethics team at the Department. That ethics team still exists today. prgtoken Mr. Bernhardt has proven to have the highest level of integrity and work ethic. For heaven's sake, he is a westerner. He is from Rifle, CO, and the importance of our public lands and wildlife flows through his veins like a lot of us who live out West. I have confidence that he will be a dedicated servant to our western way of life, where we love to hunt, to fish, to hike on our public lands. I have confidence in this because I know he loves this way of life as well. prgtoken I am not the only one who has this confidence. Listen to this list of support from groups across our country that support his appointment: the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership; Ducks Unlimited; the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Boone and Crockett Club, and others that many Montanans are members of, including the Mule Deer Foundation, the NRA, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation. prgtoken While the U.S. Senate confirmed Ryan Zinke as Secretary of the Interior, he became the first Montanan, my friend Ryan Zinke, to serve on the President's Cabinet since our statehood in 1889. It sent a message that the Department of the Interior would have our Montana values and our western values, and the confirmation of David Bernhardt as Deputy Secretary would make good on that promise. prgtoken While Montanans and westerners highly value access to our public lands and wildlife, Montanans are also pleading--pleading--for our land management agencies to be better partners, to work alongside our States, and to work
North American Free Trade Agreement (Executive Session)
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2017-7-24

I have come to the floor to speak this evening in support of the confirmation of David Bernhardt to be Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior. prgtoken The Deputy Secretary is the department's COO, or chief operating officer. This is the individual who holds the position to really execute the strategy and oversee the initiatives that are undertaken by thousands of employees as they carry out their statutory duties and the administration's agenda. It is a very key position. prgtoken I believe very strongly that Secretary Zinke has chosen a strong individual for this position of Deputy Secretary. Mr. Bernhardt is a fellow westerner. He comes from the small town of Rifle, CO. He understands the management of Federal lands and how it affects those who live near them, the implications of Federal policies, and the need for balance between conservation and development. prgtoken David is an avid sportsman. He likes to hunt. He likes to fish. He likes to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. prgtoken Mr. Bernhardt also has extensive experience at the Department of the Interior. He previously spent several years as its solicitor, and this is a position for which he was confirmed by this Senate Chamber by voice vote. So he has gone through this process before and was endorsed strongly at the time. prgtoken Throughout his time at the Department of the Interior, Mr. Bernhardt gained expertise about a range of Alaska and western issues. He also has a strong reputation as a manager which, of course, is critical for a Deputy Secretary. prgtoken Mr. Bernhardt's nomination is supported by dozens of Members of this Chamber and by dozens of stakeholder groups. He has been endorsed by a broad coalition of sportsmen's groups as well, including Ducks Unlimited, the Safari Club, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the National Water Resources Association, the Family Farm Alliance, NCAI, or the National Conference of American Indians, and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe are just a few more that have weighed in favorably on his behalf. prgtoken Mr. Bernhardt also fared well throughout the confirmation process, proving again that he is a good choice for this role. We held a hearing on his nomination on May 18. We reported him favorably from the Energy and Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support. We moved that out on June 4. So we have had about 6 weeks now where others have had an opportunity to review him and review his credentials. It is unfortunate that he has had to wait 6 weeks. I know that Secretary Zinke is anxious to put him to work. He is now ready this evening to be confirmed by the full Senate. prgtoken I would like to thank David Bernhardt for his willingness to return to Federal service. I think he will be a very capable second-in-command for Secretary Zinke, helping to steer the Department in a positive direction. Alaskans, esp
MEDICARE PART B IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2017
Kevin Brady (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-7-25

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , improving and strengthening Medicare for the long term is a major priority for the American people and Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle; but as we pursue this larger goal, we should not pass up opportunities to make smart, focused improvements that will help Medicare beneficiaries today. That is exactly what the Medicare Part B Improvement Act will do. prgtoken I introduced this bill with Ways and Means Ranking Member Richard Neal, Health Subcommittee Chairman Pat Tiberi, and Ranking Member Sander Levin. This legislation delivers targeted, immediate reforms to make Medicare work better for the American people, and it includes solutions from roughly one dozen Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. prgtoken The Medicare Part B Improvement Act takes action on three primary goals: first, expanding access to high-quality care; second, improving efficiency in the delivery of care so that patients can better receive the care they need when they need it; and, third, easing administrative burdens on healthcare providers so they can spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients. prgtoken Importantly, H.R. 3178 extends and improves Medicare home infusion services, which allow patients to receive personalized care in the comfort of their own home. prgtoken This legislation also extends an ongoing Medicare pilot program, the IVIG demonstration program, that allows patients with weakened immune systems to receive care in their homes. prgtoken This demonstration program carries a lot of meaning for me. I introduced it in 2012 as a direct response to the challenges facing patients with immunodeficiency diseases. prgtoken As I learned from Carol Ann Demaret, a constituent and friend of mine whose son David suffered from severe combined immunodeficiency disease, life with a severely weakened immune system can be an incredible struggle. For children especially, it can be a daily fight just to survive. prgtoken Allowing these vulnerable patients to receive treatment from the safety of their own home cannot only improve the quality of care, it can greatly enhance their quality of life. It can give a kid a real chance to be a kid. prgtoken In addition to these important provisions, this bill contains numerous solutions that will lower healthcare costs and increase access to high-quality, coordinated care for beneficiaries. prgtoken More than that, the bill is an excellent example of what we can accomplish through regular order. This legislation was approved unanimously by the Ways and Means Committee on July 13. It demonstrates how, working together, we can solve real challenges facing patients, families, and healthcare providers in our communities. prgtoken I would like to thank all the Ways and Means members on both sides of the aisle who helped craft the solutions in this bill. I would also like to recognize Chairman Walden and Ra
RURAL AMERICA'S CONTRIBUTIONS
Jack Bergman (Republican, MI) \u2014 2017-7-25

how do I even start after getting an introduction like that other than to say that I am so blessed to be part of what I will put up against any Congress as the finest freshman class that has come across this floor to be sworn in. I am just proud to be one of Mr. Arrington's colleagues. prgtoken , when you talk about rural America, how do you know it if you have never been part of it? I was born, raised, and grew up in a little Minnesota farming town. My dad came from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan because there was no work there for 18-year-olds. He went to Minneapolis looking for work. Of course, he found it, and then he found my mom. You know how that goes. So she told him that is where he was going to live for a while, and so that is where I was born. prgtoken I had to walk all of a half a mile to work on a farm to help. It was about a 200-head dairy farm that also had some corn and some soybeans, and they had hay. I learned how to bale hay, I learned how to not fall off the wagon, and I learned how to shoot the silage into the silo and not fall into the silo when you are doing it. prgtoken One of the least favorite jobs was cleaning up the dairy barn because it had those unique aromas. On a hot August day, you learn that they are all unique, but they are all important to the betterment of what we are trying to accomplish here. prgtoken When you work with your hands--I have seen firsthand how rural America works, the dedication, the hard work, and the life that on a daily basis begins before the sun rises and, in many cases, ends long after the sun sets--that is commitment. It is not only commitment to your family, it is commitment to yourself, and it is commitment to your God that you know that you are blessed with what we have in our land. prgtoken It is such important work. Daniel Webster said: ``Let us not forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man.'' ``The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization.'' prgtoken It is so easy to believe that when the lights go off at the grocery store at night that the food just magically appears on the shelves. It is amazing how that just happens. Well, we know it doesn't just happen. It is the last in a series of long steps. Rural America knows better than anyone what it takes to get the food on those shelves. Rural America feeds the world, produces resources that are used in other industries, acts as job creators and the foundation of the economy, provides food security, and contributes to the moral fabric of our society. prgtoken Farmers face so many challenges already. They are at the mercy of the weather, crop volatility, and ever-changing prices. Why is the government so insistent on adding more rocks to the pack of the farmer who is already overburdened in so many ways? They don't need any more headaches. prgtoken I have often said that if something works in Michigan's First District, it will work anywhere. We are
TRIBUTE TO SCOTT ALVAREZ
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2017-7-25

today the Senator from Ohio and I wish to speak about Scott Alvarez, general counsel of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. prgtoken Mr. Alvarez is retiring after a 36-year career with the Board of Governors, including the last 12 as general counsel. prgtoken He joined the board's legal division in 1981, immediately after graduating from Georgetown Law School, and worked as a staff attorney on bank regulatory issues for many years, until he was named general counsel in 2004. prgtoken In that role, he served as a key adviser to Chairmen Greenspan and Bernanke and Chair Yellen. prgtoken He was also general counsel of the Federal Open Market Committee, and he was the chief lawyer in carrying out some of the Fed's other roles, including overseeing the payments system and issuing currency. prgtoken I have enjoyed working with Mr. Alvarez over the years and have appreciated the insights and feedback he has provided to me and the Banking Committee. prgtoken On a personal note, his help was particularly valuable in 2006, when the Senate passed the Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2006, which was then signed into law by President . prgtoken I want to thank Mr. Alvarez for his assistance on that bill and others and for his service to the Federal Reserve and to the country.
PLUM ISLAND PRESERVATION ACT
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-7-25

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 2182, the Plum Island Preservation Act, sponsored by my colleague from New York (Mr. Zeldin). prgtoken This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to review the alternatives for the final disposition of the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate's Plum Island Animal Disease Center, commonly known as Plum Island. prgtoken Since 1954, Plum Island, located in Suffolk County, New York, has served the Nation in defending against accidental or intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease. However, Plum Island's facilities are aging and nearing the end of their life cycle. prgtoken That is why in 2005, DHS announced that the work being conducted on Plum Island would be moved to a new Federal facility in Kansas. Plum Island will continue to operate until the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility is fully operational and a complete transition has been made in 2022 or 2023. prgtoken This raises the question of what will happen to Plum Island once its activities are fully transferred over to the prgtoken new facility. The Department looked at this issue and, in June of 2016, released a report that reviewed several options for the final disposition of Plum Island. prgtoken This bill simply requires GAO to review and analyze these alternatives to ensure all necessary information was taken into account before the Department decides how to move forward with the final disposition of Plum Island. Specifically, GAO is to analyze the effects, possible implications and issues, and potential costs and revenue for each disposition. prgtoken Finally, H.R. 2182 suspends the sale of Plum Island until GAO completes this thorough review and analysis of alternatives. prgtoken My friend, Representative Zeldin, introduced H.R. 2182 with strong bipartisan support. H.R. 2182 is very similar to a bill that passed the House by voice vote last May. prgtoken In conclusion, this bill ensures that there is adequate consideration of all the options for the disposition of the island. prgtoken , I urge all Members to join me in supporting this bill, and . House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC, July 25, 2017. Hon. Michael McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman McCaul: I write concerning H.R. 2182, the Plum Island Preservation Act. This legislation includes matters that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. In order to expedite floor consideration of H.R. 2182, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will forgo action on this bill. However, this is conditional on our mutual understanding that forgo