mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Russia Investigation (Executive Calendar)
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-5-18

the most important words in our Constitution are the first three words ``We the People,'' written in beautiful script and written many times larger than the rest of the document so that even if you are across the room, you know what this Constitution stands for--not a government by and for the powerful, not a government by and for the privileged, but as President Lincoln so eloquently said in his Gettysburg Address, a ``government of the people, by the people, and for the people.'' prgtoken As a ``we the people'' nation, we adhere to a core set of principles that have guided us through good times as well as in dark moments. One of those key principles is the rule of law, that we are a nation in which not only is there the rule of law but in which no one is above the law. prgtoken If we walked out of this Chamber right now, proceeded through the double doorways, and down the steps of the Capitol, we would be staring at the beautiful building of the Supreme Court. The entire building symbolizes the role of justice in our society. As you look at that magnificent Supreme Court--the broad, marble steps leading up to the door--you see these simple words inscribed above: ``Equal justice under the law.'' It is right there. You can almost see it from where I am standing now: ``Equal justice under the law.'' That is the principle that is part of the ethic of every courthouse in America--from the smallest, most rural courthouse to the big city courthouse square. We see those same principles personified as Lady Justice. There she is, holding the scales, blindfolded so as to make sure everyone is treated equally. prgtoken Yet, over the past few months, we have been in a period in which we have been staring into the abyss of a constitutional crisis because this very core principle of ``no one is above the law'' and ``equal justice under the law'' has been under assault. prgtoken We have a President whose campaign team is under investigation because of substantial information that suggests the possibility of coordination and collaboration with Russia to change the outcome of the Presidential election--an assault on one of the most fundamental premises of a free society; that of free and equal elections. prgtoken We have a President who gave code-word classified information to an adversary--Russia--just a few days ago. We have confidential information, we have secret information, we have top secret information, and we have code-word information at the very top. These are the most sensitive secrets of the American Government, and our President gave that information to Russia. If anyone else did that, he would be facing criminal charges. prgtoken We have a President who sought to shut down an investigation into one of his former team members--retired LTG Michael Flynn. We know Lieutenant General Flynn was in contact with Russian officials, and he was fired for lying about it. President fired the head of th
PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS
Jamie Raskin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-5-18

I am delighted to be here with my partner, Congresswoman Jayapal from the State of Washington, and we are running the Progressive Caucus Special Order hour. prgtoken We are delighted to kick off this session, which is about the extraordinary revelations this week and some breathtaking developments in Washington, with a statement by our distinguished colleague from Texas, Sheila Jackson Lee. prgtoken from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
HONORING THE LIFE OF ANTONIO ``TONY'' ORENDAIN
Vicente Gonzalez (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-5-18

I rise today to honor the life of civil rights leader Antonio ``Tony'' Orendain, who passed away on April 12, 2016. prgtoken Antonio was born on May 28, 1930, in Etzatlan, Mexico. At the age of 20, armed with little more than a sixth-grade education and an unwavering desire to succeed and sustain himself, he pursued a brighter future in the United States. Soon after arriving, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked in the fields of California and met Cesar Chavez. prgtoken Inspired by the teachings of Chavez, Antonio became a lifelong activist, fighting to ensure that farm workers would one day be allowed to put a fair price on the sweat from their own brow. Antonio advocated for agricultural workers across the country, calling for higher wages and better working conditions. He later joined the Community Service Organization, a coalition dedicated to civil rights. prgtoken In the summer of 1969, Antonio and his family moved to the Rio Grande Valley. In 1975 he established the Texas Farm Workers Union, an organization dedicated to shortening the 14-hour workday and increasing wages for prgtoken farmworkers in South Texas. Antonio later led members of the local United Farm Workers Organizing Committee on a march to the middle of the Roma Bridge. The group straddled the international boundary chanting ``Nosotros Venceremos,'' We Shall Overcome, in support of their mission to improve the lives of agricultural laborers. prgtoken In February 1977, Antonio led a group of 40 farmworkers on a march for basic human rights from San Juan, Texas, to Austin, Texas, where they met with then-Governor Dolph Briscoe. The group traveled further north to Washington, D.C where the march ended. By the time they reached the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the group had grown to nearly 10,000 people. prgtoken For decades, Antonio fought to ensure that farmworkers would have ``at least the basic necessities that the rest of society is used to.'' Antonio will long be remembered for his commitment to safeguarding farmworkers' rights and ending the exploitation of our nation's vulnerability. prgtoken , today we honor a champion of civil rights and a defender of the vulnerable. While Antonio Orendain is no longer with us, his contributions and revolutionary ideals will continue to inspire us. It is a privilege to honor this South Texas champion of equality.
RUSSIA INVESTIGATION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-5-18

last night, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller as a special counsel to oversee the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 elections. prgtoken This was a very good first step. Mr. Rosenstein has done the right thing. I applaud his decision for both its correctness and its courage. A special counsel was much called for in this situation. Former Director Mueller is the right kind of individual for the job. I now have significantly greater confidence that the investigation will follow the facts wherever they lead. Additionally, as special counsel, Mr. Mueller must have broad latitude to pursue the Russia investigation. In the appointment order, it stipulates that the special counsel is authorized to investigate ``any matters that arose or may arise directly from this investigation.'' That is a really important power, given recent reports about an active FBI investigation into General Flynn. prgtoken I am heartened by the news of Mr. Mueller's appointment, but it in no way diminishes the need for Congress to play an active role in helping to get to the bottom of recent events. Intelligence Committee Chairman Burr and Ranking Member Warner should still pursue the congressional investigation into these matters with just as much vigor. That investigation has been proceeding in a bipartisan way, and it absolutely should continue as such. prgtoken We should still seek testimony from Mr. Comey in both the Judiciary and Intelligence Committees to discuss the events surrounding his dismissal and be given access to memos and transcripts or tapes of his conversations with President . Mr. Comey was central to the events of the past few weeks. We still need to hear from him. I thank the bipartisan leadership of both the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees for requesting both the records and public testimony of Director Comey. prgtoken Congress, specifically the Judiciary and Intelligence Committees, should still be given access to any transcripts or related summaries of the President's meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister and Ambassador, during which reports have alleged he may have divulged highly sensitive intelligence. prgtoken Finally, there is still a great need as before for the next FBI Director to be someone who is nonpartisan, independent, fearless, and of unimpeachable integrity. A career politician of either party or anyone who suggests a lack of impartiality, should not be considered. The appointment of Mr. Mueller is a great first step toward getting the Russia investigation back on solid ground, but these other things also need to happen: Mr. Comey testifying; the White House turning over to Congress the relevant tapes and transcripts, if they exist; and the selection of an independent, impartial FBI Director. prgtoken Later this afternoon, the Deputy Attorney General, Rod Rosenstein, will brief all 100 Senators at the req
NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-5-18

during this week, National Police Week, I honor all those who serve to keep us safe. I honor three Maryland officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2016. Corporal Jack Colson of Prince George's County Police Department, Senior Deputy Patrick Dailey, and Deputy First Class Mark Logsdon, both of Harford County Sheriff's office, all dedicated their lives to making Maryland safe. We thank them for their sacrifice, and we thank their families, friends, and fellow officers. They will never be forgotten, and they deserve to be honored not just this week, but every day.
WE NEED INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-5-18

I rise today about the need for investment in our infrastructure. As we know, this week is National Infrastructure Week. In my district on the central coast of California, we need infrastructure investment, not just for our roads, for our water systems, and our rural broadband but for something I used growing up, the transit systems. prgtoken The bus systems where I am from played an important role not just in my life but in many of my constituents' daily lives. Parents use the system to bring their children to their doctors, students use the transit system to attend the many schools and colleges in my area, and our employees use this form of transportation when they travel to their high-tech jobs in Silicon Valley, to their hospitality jobs on the Monterey Peninsula, and to their agriculture jobs in the Salinas and Pajaro Valleys. prgtoken The transit system makes our businesses more accessible to their employees, to their customers, and everybody who helps the regional economy, but the benefits don't end with our riders. With transit, our roads experience less wear and tear, and our environment is protected. prgtoken I know that my district isn't unique when it comes to the need for infrastructure investment. Our entire country needs it. So let's continue to do our jobs here in the Congress. Let's invest in our transit systems, in our infrastructure, so that our government can do something for our constituents, our local businesses, our home, and our families.
AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-5-18

. Madam , I thank Congresswoman Lee. We are all grateful to you for being so clear and so principled. prgtoken As I have often said, Congress must fulfill its constitutional obligation to consider an updated AUMF, and as my colleagues said, that stands for the Authorization for the Use of Military Force. Right now, the administration is still using the authorization we passed after September 11, 2001, in the legal justification to fight ISIS. That is deeply problematic. prgtoken The 2001 AUMF has none of the limits many of us are seeking. We are a Congress. We are not a rubber stamp to any President. We have a right to vote on issues such as war and peace. prgtoken U.S. leadership to defeat ISIS is critical, but this doesn't require a large-scale deployment of U.S. forces. With American leadership, we were able to prevent the wholesale slaughter of the Yazidi people. prgtoken Iraqi partners were able to maintain control of the Mosul Dam, which, if breached by ISIS, could have resulted in death and displacement of up to 2 million people and endangered American personnel in Iraq. With our support, local forces have taken back about 80 percent of the territory from ISIS in Iraq and Syria. prgtoken So another large-scale, open-ended commitment of American troops is certainly not the answer. The disastrous intervention in Iraq last decade set the stage for the rise of ISIS in the first place. The 2001 AUMF has no limits at all on U.S. ground troops. prgtoken As troop levels continue to rise in the fight against ISIS, we just cannot put our heads in the sand. We need to sit together as a deliberative body and make these important decisions, not give any President or any administration a blank check. prgtoken I am working on legislation to limit the authority Congress provided after September 11. We need to tailor this authority to the threat we face today. September 11 happened 16 years ago. We need new parameters to define our mission and our goals. I voted for that AUMF 16 years ago, but I never would have imagined that 16 years later it would still be there and give a blank check to any President who would use it anytime, anyplace, and to do anything. So we must fulfill our constitutional responsibility and consider what an appropriate authorization should include. prgtoken Using a 2001 authorization for a 2017 conflict sets a terrible constitutional precedent. Congress has a vital constitutional responsibility over America's war powers. This is one of the most important decisions we are charged with making. When we fail to live up to that responsibility, we weaken the balance of power that is the bedrock of our democracy. Considering an updated AUMF is not easy, but it is our job. We should do our job. prgtoken President came to Congress well over a year ago with a proposed AUMF. Not many people cared for it, but it was a proposed AUMF. We could have changed it--it was a starting point--but we didn't do it. We
``I AM JAZZ''
Jackie Speier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-5-18

I come to the House floor for the second year in a row to read the book ``I Am Jazz,'' a children's book about transgender youth cowritten by Jazz Jennings, pictured here, and Jessica Herthel. prgtoken After an LGBT hate group forced a school to cancel a reading of this book 2 years ago, a movement was launched. Every year since, readings have been held across the country to increase understanding and to show young people that they are welcomed and loved. prgtoken Last year I read this book from the House floor, and today I am proud to join this movement to read it again. ``I Am Jazz.'' For as long as I can remember, my favorite color has been pink. My second favorite color is silver, and my third favorite color is green. Here are some of the many other things I like to do: dancing, singing, backflips, drawing, soccer, swimming, makeup, and pretending I am a pop star. Most of all, I love mermaids. Sometimes I even wear a mermaid tail in the pool. My best friends are Samantha and Casey. We always have fun together. We like high heels and princess gowns or cartwheels and trampolines. But I am not exactly like Samantha and Casey. I have a girl brain but a boy body. This is called transgender. I was born this way. When I was very little and my mom would say, ``You are such a good boy,'' I would say, ``No, Mama. Good girl.'' At first my family was confused. They had always thought of me as a boy. As I got a little older, I hardly ever played with trucks or tools or superheroes, only princesses and mermaid costumes. My brothers told me this was girl stuff. I kept right on playing. My sister says I am always talking to her about my girl thoughts and my girl dreams and how one day I would be a beautiful lady. She would giggle and say, ``You are a funny kid.'' Sometimes my parents let me wear my sister's dresses around the house, but whenever we went out, I had to put on my boy clothes again. That made me mad. Still, I never gave up trying to convince them. Pretending I was a boy felt like telling a lie. Then one amazing day, everything changed. Mom and Dad took me to meet a new doctor who asked me lots and lots of questions. Afterward, the doctor spoke to my parents, and I heard the word ``transgender'' for the very first time. That night at bedtime, my parents both hugged me and said, ``We understand now. Be who you are. We love you no matter what.'' This made me smile and smile and smile. Mom and Dad told me I could start wearing girl clothes to school and growing my hair long. Then they even let me change my name to Jazz. Being Jazz felt much more like being me. Mom said that being Jazz would make me different from the other kids at school, but that being different is okay. ``W
National Police Week (Executive Calendar)
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2017-5-18

our law enforcement officers and the families who support them give so much in service to our communities. As we were tragically reminded again last week--and this happens in far too many places, in far too many States--some make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe. prgtoken Last Friday in Kirkersville, OH, Police Chief Steve DiSario responded to a report of a man with a gun at a nursing home. Chief DiSario did what so many first responders do when most of us in the public run away from danger: He ran toward it. He arrived at the Pine Kirk Care Center to protect his community and was killed in the line of duty by a gunman who also took the lives of two nursing home employees. Chief DiSario was 36. He had six children and a seventh on the way. prgtoken Our thoughts and our prayers are with Chief DiSario's family and the families of all of our first responders, who worry each day that their loved ones may not return home. Think about that. For soldiers, marines, sailors, police officers, and firefighters, so often when they kiss their spouse goodbye and go to work, there is always the anxiety at home. It is not just the sacrifice that our soldiers and our military personnel and our police officers make; it is the sacrifice their families make too. prgtoken Sadly, Police Chief DiSario wasn't the only Ohio officer to lay down his life this year. In January, Officer David J. Fahey of the Cleveland Police Department was working the scene of an accident on I-90 and was struck and killed in a despicable act of hit-and-run. prgtoken This week in Washington, we honor the five Ohio officers killed in the line of duty last year. Aaron Christian of the Chesapeake Police Department was killed in a car accident while on patrol. While conducting traffic, Trooper Kenneth Velez of Elyria was killed by a driver under the influence of drugs. Officer Sean Johnson was the first officer to be killed in the line of duty in the town of Hilliard when he succumbed to injuries from a motorcycle accident during a training exercise. Officer Steven Smith was shot and killed during a SWAT standoff in Columbus. Officer Thomas Cottrell, Jr of Danville was killed in a heinous and cowardly ambush. Each of these losses is a tragedy for a family, for a community, and for fellow police officers. prgtoken As we honor the work and sacrifices made by law enforcement throughout Police Week, we need to offer more than kind words; we need action to support law enforcement as they work to keep our communities safe. prgtoken Yesterday, I was talking to Police Chief Richard Biehl of Dayton and Youngstown Police Chief Robert Lees about what more we should do to support officers and their families. This week, we have unanimously passed several pieces of bipartisan legislation that will provide new support to the officers who protect us and the families who sacrifice alongside them. prgtoken The Public Safety Officers' Benefits Improvement A
Healthcare Legislation (Executive Session)
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-5-18

I am on the floor to talk about the status of America's healthcare system. As we speak though, the country is obsessed with the question of the firing of FBI Director Comey and the appointment last night of a special counsel who is going to seek to get to the bottom of this question as to whether there was coordination between the campaign and the Russian Government and their attempts to influence an American election. prgtoken There have been secret meetings happening in the Senate among s--reportedly 13 s, to be specific--attempting to craft a new version of legislation that passed the House of Representatives, now, I guess, 2 weeks ago, that would rob healthcare from 24 million Americans. According to the Congressional Budget Office, it would drive up costs for everyone immediately by about 15 percent to 20 percent and jeopardize the protections that are built into the law for people with preexisting conditions. prgtoken There is no CBO score on the latest House proposal because s decided to ram the bill through without the ability of anyone to read the legislation. No one read that bill. Let's be honest. It was filed hours before it was voted on, and no one knows the cost of that bill because they didn't wait for a CBO score. prgtoken It is simply unbelievable that the House of Representatives decided to reorder one-fifth of the American economy without reading the proposal or without understanding its cost, but s in the Senate are attempting to pass their own version of a repeal-and-replace bill. We await the results of these secret partisan meetings. prgtoken I think have been pretty clear that we would like to be in this conversation. We want to preserve what works in the Affordable Care Act, and there is a lot that works. A new report out just a couple of weeks ago shows an astonishing decrease in the number of people who face personal bankruptcy in this country. Why? Because half of personal bankruptcies in the United States of America, prior to the Affordable Care Act being passed, were due to medical debt. So the reason that less people than ever before are having to declare personal bankruptcy is because medical bills don't bankrupt them anymore because of the Affordable Care Act. Let me guarantee you, that number will spike back up if anything approximating the House bill passes. prgtoken We think there are good things in the Affordable Care Act. Our constituents agree. Polling now routinely tells you the majority of Americans want to keep the Affordable Care Act, not replace it, but we want to be part of a conversation in which we talk about keeping the things that work and addressing the parts of the healthcare system that don't work. Costs are still way too high. We would like more competition on these exchanges. So let's have a conversation about that. prgtoken As of today, are being shut out of the process. If yo
PLEASE READ THE NEW HEALTHCARE BILL
Tony Cárdenas (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-5-18

I am privileged and honored to be a Member of this House, and it is very frustrating for us to come here week after week and to not do the business of the people of the United States of America. One of those impediments is that we have a President of the United States who is trying to force and push this Congress, and many others in his administration, to do things that are not right for the people and this country. prgtoken I think it is important for us to understand that when and if you get an opportunity to read the legislation called Care, you will realize that really what it is about is doesn't care about your healthcare. Please, just read it. I apologize for talking about the 24 million-plus Americans who will lose their healthcare if this bill were to become law. I apologize because I need to remind each individual that they will likely lose the ability to see a doctor if this bill becomes law. Please, please, help us. Please, focus on what is going on here in Washington and what is not going on here in Washington for everyone's sake.