mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
YOUR VOICE DOES MATTER
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-1-11

there is lots of incredible news out there. The press conference just makes your head spin, but we have seen that the public's voice does matter. prgtoken Because of public outcry, within minutes after the late-night closed meetings, the plan to gut the independent Office of Congressional Ethics was reversed. In response to outrage about jeopardizing health care for millions of Americans, some s now admit that repealing the Affordable Care Act is not quite so simple and maybe they should come up with a replacement, even if they don't yet know how to do it. Senate s even delayed some of the Cabinet confirmation hearings to allow a more orderly review and scrutiny. prgtoken Your voice does matter. prgtoken The President said last night that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it. Obviously, these fights are just beginning, but the last 10 days shows that together we can and will protect the values and programs so vital to America.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2017
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2017-1-11

the Flake amendment is going to really result in less access for veterans across this country. prgtoken The VA already has some hiring challenges due to a severe national shortage of medical personnel. This amendment is going to set the VA back even further. prgtoken I will tell you why. It is going to prohibit the VA from hiring any medical professional who has ever had their license or credentials suspended. That means if it was done by administrative error, with that suspension, they wouldn't be able to be hired. If it got lost in the mail, they wouldn't be able to be hired. If they moved States and forgot to fill out the paperwork, those medical professionals wouldn't be able to be hired. prgtoken It is really going to undermine the VA's ability to attract some of the most topnotch medical professionals and take care of our veterans. prgtoken We have a medical workforce shortage in Montana. I am sure they do in Arizona. Why would we make the VA a less attractive place to work? Why would we want to do this? I would encourage a ``no'' vote.
amendment no. 83
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-1-11

I rise to oppose the amendment of the Senator from Nebraska. While we all support community health centers, and they are very useful in the State of New York as well, this is just another attempt to end the protections the Affordable Care Act provides for women. prgtoken Nothing in this amendment will say that you cannot charge women more for health care just because they are women. Nothing in this amendment will say that you cannot charge women for health care or drop their coverage when they become pregnant. Nothing in this amendment provides for any restrictions on discrimination. prgtoken It does not provide the mammograms, the preventive care services, the contraception care, and other affordable cancer screenings that women need. This amendment does not protect women's health care. They will still be discriminated against, charged more, and drop coverage as soon as they become pregnant. It is not acceptable. prgtoken I raise a point of order that the pending amendment is not germane to the underlying resolution and therefore violates section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
amendment no. 83
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2017-1-11

thanks to Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, CHIP--two programs made stronger by the Affordable Care Act--95 percent of children in America now have affordable, comprehensive health insurance that covers annual physicals, dental care, and hospital stays. Why would we want to move backward instead of building on that 95 percent? prgtoken Amendment No. 86 creates a budget point of order against any legislation that would decrease coverage, reduce benefits, or raise costs when it comes to children's health insurance. Rather than ripping away coverage from children, we should be building on that 95 percent number; we should build on that progress; we should work to get 100 percent of our Nation's children covered. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2017
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2017-1-11

this amendment deals with three basic issues. The first is the issue of preexisting conditions, the second is the issue with regard to discrimination as it relates to health status, and the third issue is with regard to caps on coverage. prgtoken The first issue is we want to make sure no action is taken in the Senate that would have the effect of limiting access to care for those individuals with preexisting conditions. That is No. 1. prgtoken No. 2, we want to make sure we don't place any lifetime caps on health insurance coverage for individuals with a disability or with a chronic condition. prgtoken No. 3, we want to make sure health plans will not discriminate on the basis of either the individual's physical health, their mental health, or their disability status. prgtoken This is the right thing to do for health care, and I urge an affirmative vote on this amendment.
REGULATORY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017
Raúl M. Grijalva (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2017-1-11

I appreciate the comments of my esteemed colleague. We have to get past the point where we are just talking about repeal. As the President so eloquently said last night, if there is something that is going to improve the health and well-being of the American people relative to the Affordable Care Act, then bring it forward. We all have been waiting patiently for the majority to bring something forward that not only repeals but replaces. We are still waiting. prgtoken In terms of this amendment, the resource management plans are the backbone for every action and approved use on BLM land. It is about scoping. It is about public input, collaborative with State, local, tribal, and user groups across the spectrum, and that is the process that is in place now, a process that deserves to be continued, ratified, and protected. prgtoken As far as the issue of climate change, the President eloquently said last night that we should go forward on the issue of climate change, putting science and reason as a priority on how we have that discussion. Once the majority is prepared to deal with science and reason, I think our side of the aisle is willing to do so as well. prgtoken , .
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-1-11

I missed Roll Call vote numbers 26 through 31 because I was attending the President's farewell address. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: 26, H. Res 33, Previous Question, No; 27, H. Res. 33, Agreeing to the Resolution, No; 28, Journal, Approving the Journal, No; 29, H.R. 79, Velazquez of New York Amendment No. 1, Yes; 30, H.R. 79, Clay of Missouri Amendment No. 2, Yes; 31, H.R. 79, Passage, No.
REGULATORY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2017-1-11

this amendment to the Regulatory Accountability Act, H.R. 5, if adopted, would exempt regulations proposed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, MSHA and OSHA, which are needed to prevent or reduce the incidence of traumatic injury, cancer, or irreversible lung disease. prgtoken I am deeply concerned that this legislation would impose layers of unnecessary procedures to the rulemaking process and provide incentives for frivolous litigation, while hindering workplace safety agencies trying to help keep workers safe. prgtoken Current procedures that govern OSHA's rulemaking already involve an extensive review process and stakeholder engagement from small business review panels, risk assessments, economic feasibility determinations, public hearings, and multiple opportunities for public comment. prgtoken According to the GAO, to meet these requirements, it takes OSHA 7 years to issue a new safety standard. In fact, it required 18 years for OSHA to update a rule that reduces exposure to beryllium, a metal that causes irreversible lung disease, even though there was broad agreement between employers and unions on the new standard. prgtoken H.R. 5 imposes 60 additional procedural steps in order to issue a new rule, on top of extensive layers of review already required by the Administrative Procedure Act, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, Data Quality Act, and numerous executive orders. The goal of adding these layers is obvious: to tie agencies such as OSHA and MSHA in red tape so they can't do their jobs protecting workers and improving workplace safety. prgtoken One especially troubling part of the bill would require a super- mandate that requires agencies to use the least cost alternative instead of the most protective rule. Nobody favors excessive cost, but this requirement overrides the carefully balanced requirements in OSHA that require life and limb must be fully protected, provided that the safety requirements are technically and economically feasible. That is the present law. prgtoken The question that needs to be asked is: The least cost to whom and at what cost to others? What is the least cost mandate protection of workers? Is the least cost mandate secondary to worker safety in order to limit cost to corporations? And then again, who decides? prgtoken Under the bill, some regulations could be delayed until the end of any litigation, the final determination in a lawsuit which, with trials and appeals, could take years. The bill prohibits the rules from going into effect until the end of the litigation. Now, normally, you can get an injunction, but that would require the court to consider the likelihood of success of the lawsuit and the potential harm done if the injunction is issued or not issued. prgtoken Under H.R. 5, rules could exceed the least cost alternative, but only if the agency demonstrates that the additional benefits outwe
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2017
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2017-1-11

I come to the floor with a lot of other folks to talk about the health care in this country. I think one of the goals we all share--and maybe we are not sure how to get there--is how to make sure that everybody who needs access to health care has it, that it is affordable, and that they get reasonably good quality, whoever they are and wherever they come from. prgtoken When I was a naval flight officer, we used to fly a lot of missions out of Japan during the Cold War. I have a special interest in Japan, and I like the folks there. They are pretty remarkable in what they have achieved over the years. One of the things they have achieved over the years is providing pretty good health care for a fairly modest amount of money. prgtoken We started working on the Affordable Care Act 7 or 8 years ago. One of the things I learned about Japan was that they were spending 8 percent of their gross domestic product for health care in their country. We were spending 18 percent. As it turns out, they were getting better results. They had lower rates of infant mortality and higher rates of longevity. People lived longer. Newborns died less frequently than we did. On top of all that, in Japan they covered everybody. Everybody was covered for health care. We had about 40 million people--over 40 million people at the time--whose health care coverage was to get into an emergency room of a hospital, try to get in line, and get someone's attention. prgtoken I know how smart the Japanese are, but I don't think they can be that smart and we can be that dumb. That is sort of where we were 6, 7 years ago. So we said: What are we going to do about it? prgtoken I think almost every President--maybe since Truman--had a goal of making sure everybody in this country had access to health care. A lot of folks talked about it and maybe tried to do something. The first time we had a serious effort to do that was during the Clinton administration, not led by President Bill Clinton but led by First Lady Hillary Clinton. What she came up with and worked on was something called HillaryCare. prgtoken The s came up with an alternative to HillaryCare introduced by the Senator from Rhode Island, John Chafee--a really good guy, a very able guy. I actually served with his son Lincoln in the Senate. But in 1993, 1994, when most people focused on HillaryCare, John Chafee introduced legislation with 20 or so cosponsors. A couple of them are still here, I think. Senator Orrin Hatch was one of them, and Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa was one of them--maybe a couple of , as well. But 20 to 25 Senators, mostly , cosponsored the Chafee legislation. prgtoken This chart mentions the Chafee bill and what was included in the Chafee legislation. One of the things included was the individual mandate--basically, that everybody had to get coverage. prgtoken Second was the employer mandate, which basically
amendment no. 83
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-1-11

. and colleagues, this amendment is supported by a number of Senators because, as the Senate majority plows ahead with a scheme that I call repeal and run, it is putting tens of millions of Americans in danger of losing their health insurance, and Americans are waiting for Congress to step up and adopt smart policies that will drive down the cost of prescription medicine. prgtoken We understand this is an era of miracle cures and treatments. There are drugs on the market today that were science fiction not very long ago. With drug prices rising, the question is whether Americans are going to be able to afford them. This is a growing source of inequality, and it cannot go unchecked. prgtoken Here is my bottom line.
MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS
Brendan F. Boyle (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2017-1-11

today, we have more questions than answers about profoundly disturbing ties between the President-elect and shadowy Russian influences. prgtoken The American people deserve full disclosure about any financial or personal interests held over this incoming administration by foreign entities and potential collusion to undermine our democracy. prgtoken Why has Mr. failed to oppose Russia's forceful annexation of Crimea? prgtoken Why did he pressure his party to officially withdraw a plank calling for assistance to Ukraine? prgtoken Why did Mr. reflexively attack our own intelligence officials when they warned of Russian interference in the election? prgtoken Why is he avoiding regular intelligence briefings? prgtoken Now that our intelligence community has concretely confirmed that Russia meddled in our democracy, we must demand to know if there has been any undue influence on Mr. since he began his campaign. These new allegations finally shed light on his potential motives. prgtoken , Congress, as a coequal branch of government, must conduct a bipartisan investigation and do it immediately.
HONORING FNS UNDERSECRETARY KEVIN CONCANNON
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-1-11

I rise today to pay tribute to the incredible work of Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services at the United States Department of Agriculture. prgtoken Kevin's dedication to public service is admirable. Throughout his distinguished career, Kevin has not only served in Federal Government, but he also led Health and Human Services departments in his home State of Maine and in Oregon and in Iowa. Kevin also helped to advance our knowledge of social policy as a graduate professor at several universities across our country. prgtoken Since 2009, Kevin has capably led FNS, the division of USDA responsible for administering and overseeing SNAP, the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, the Summer Food Service Program, WIC, The Emergency Food Assistance Program, and several other nutrition programs. prgtoken Under Kevin's leadership, we have made significant progress in ensuring our most vulnerable neighbors have prgtoken healthy options to feed their families. He helped to spur a dramatic increase in the number of farmers markets accepting EBT cards, thereby allowing SNAP recipients greater access to fruits and vegetables while also supporting local farmers. He also oversaw the creation of USDA's Farm to School Program, an effort focused on incorporating local foods in our school meal programs. prgtoken During his tenure, we enacted the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, legislation that, for the first time in over 30 years, made much-needed improvements and increased access to our school meal programs. prgtoken Kevin oversaw our Nation's premier antihunger program, SNAP, as it provided millions of our neighbors with food assistance during the height of the Great Recession and the recovery that followed, and he has been a fearless advocate for the food and nutrition programs he oversees. When it comes to the nuances of SNAP or WIC or school meals, Kevin's knowledge and expertise is simply unmatched. He knows the issues impacting vulnerable families, and he is passionate about addressing hunger in this country. prgtoken , during the past several years, I have had the privilege to collaborate with and learn from Kevin as we worked to address hunger and food insecurity in the United States. I am particularly appreciative of the time he took away from his office in Washington to join me on two summer meal tours in my home State of Massachusetts. Together, we visited a number of schools, parks, camps, and community centers supported by USDA's Summer Food Service Program that ensures children and teens in low-income areas have access to healthy meals during the summer months. prgtoken I was always impressed by how he connected with my constituents and his passion for the work he does. He is, truly, a remarkable public servant, and he has made a real difference in the lives of millions and millions of people in this country. prgtoken , I am grateful for Under Secretary Concannon's effor
REGULATORY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-1-11

I thank the distinguished chairman and the distinguished ranking member for convening us. It reenforces my commitment to the importance of the House Judiciary Committee for important, innovative, and groundbreaking, in some instances, work that we have done. prgtoken In this instance, I find fault because this legislation does not meet that criteria. Just a few days ago, we read the prgtoken Constitution, and some might make the argument that H.R. 5 fits very comfortably into the Bill of Rights, Amendment V and Amendment XIV. Both frame themselves around the question of due process. I make the argument that this legislation is sorely lacking. prgtoken I want to take up, first of all, a point made by my colleague, a member of the Rules Committee. This legislation, to my recalling, has been circulated for many years. It seems that I have been in the House when a bill like H.R. 5 has passed over and over again. prgtoken This bill appeared in the 114th Congress. Many Members left since that time. New Members are here. New Members, s and , will be added to the House Judiciary Committee and to the Senate Judiciary Committee. None of them will have had the opportunity for regular order, to be able to ensure hearings and to be able to engage in input with amendments that I would agree or disagree with, but to have a vigorous debate in our Judiciary Committee as well as in the Senate. It did not happen. We are now on the floor of the House. So that is one fracture of what we are doing, one Achilles' heel to this legislation. prgtoken In the last 24 hours, I heard a news account of a little boy who swallowed magnets that were produced by a particular company. It went through the process. It was designated dangerous; and then, unfortunately, that dangerous status was pulled back, and the company is excited about producing those magnets again. prgtoken The little boy who swallowed the magnets, I think, was about 2 years old. A happy little boy, of course, that is how children are. He had major intestinal surgery, and most of his intestines were removed. He is now 6 years old, and he must now be fed intravenously. prgtoken His devastation is our failure. That is what we are facing with H.R. 5. prgtoken I don't know if my colleagues agree, as boring as the Administrative Procedure Act was in law school, I liked the course. I had a great professor who made me understand the life of the APA and its value. This legislation attempts to rewrite the Administrative Procedure Act to the detriment of the American people. prgtoken Consider this, hardworking agencies should have oversight; that is what our committees are all about. They should have oversight. They will now have to jump through hoops of 70 new criteria. I didn't say 10; I didn't say a quarter of 100, 25; I didn't say a half of 100, 50; but 70 when issuing rules, including alternatives to any rule proposal, the scope of the problems the ru
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2017
Bill Nelson (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-1-11

. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, if you really want to rile up the senior citizens of this country, then you start taking away their prescription drugs. If that is what you want to do, then you better vote against my amendment. If you take away the ACA, they are going to end up paying $1,000 per year, out of pocket per senior citizen, on their prescription drug benefits. So if you want to support the seniors, you better support this amendment.