mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Remembering Joseph D. Tydings (Executive Calendar)
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2018-10-10

I rise today to thank my colleagues for passing America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 and to discuss the importance of it to the State of Washington. This legislation is going now to the President's desk, and it is very needed to help make our ports more competitive, to protect thousands of jobs, and to help protect our salmon habitat in the State of Washington. prgtoken This legislation means the ports of Seattle and Tacoma will be able to deepen their harbors to allow them to meet the much larger cargo demands to compete with other ports on the west coast, specifically in Canada. prgtoken This legislation also improves the critical habitat for salmon and waterways like the Puget Sound and the Columbia River, and it also helps utilities make commonsense investments for the future and helps to protect our ratepayers and the environment. prgtoken I am proud to have worked on this legislation with our colleagues because we need to keep moving forward on investments that help make our region competitive. prgtoken Our ports are essential to our economic growth in the Northwest. I always say ``ports are us'' because we have so many along the Columbia River and on the west coast, and trade is a cornerstone of our economy, with $95 billion in exports and $92 billion in imports each year. prgtoken The fact that this legislation helps us on important maintenance and operations for both large and small ports and for locks, dams, and waterways is so important to our future. It also helps us with the important alliance that Seattle and Tacoma formed together to help our marine cargo operations at the ports, which generate $4.3 billion in economic activity and on which 48,000 jobs are dependent. prgtoken What happened is that as the world market changed and large containerships could double in size the amount of products they were shipping, it was so important for our west coast ports to be competitive and to be able to serve these large ships. These megaships, which are twice the length of the space needle and wider than a football field, carry twice the number of containers compared to ships that typically call on west coast ports and need deeper waterways. prgtoken To maintain a top-grade lane through the Pacific Northwest and to compete with the Canadian ports, the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma have to deepen their ports and make the navigational changes to address the large container ships. prgtoken The Army Corps and the Northwest Seaport Alliance teamed up with the Seattle Harbor Navigational Improvement Project study, the Tacoma Harbor Navigational Improvement Project study, and many other partners to make sure we were making the right investments. prgtoken In this legislation, the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma are big economic winners. They are economic winners because we are authorizing over $29 million to deepen the East and West Waterways in the Port of Seattle to 57 feet. When the project is complet
U.S.-ISRAEL RELATIONSHIP
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-10-10

today I want to once again reaffirm that the U.S. Congress stands firmly behind a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. As threats to Israel continue to increase, as her enemies continue to grow ever closer, the United States will stand firm in our commitments. prgtoken Despite partisanship interfering with so many pressing policy issues today, an overwhelming majority of members of all political parties continue to reaffirm congressional support for this relationship. prgtoken Congress continues to fully fund the unprecedented $38 billion of memorandum of understanding for military aid and will continue to do so on a bipartisan basis. prgtoken Congress continues to authorize and fund missile codevelopment programs, like Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow 3, and will continue to do so on a bipartisan basis. prgtoken Congress passed the Taylor Force Act, making clear that the United States will not provide assistance that directly benefits the Palestinian Authority until it stops incentivizing violence by paying salaries to prisoners convicted of terrorism against Israeli or American citizens. prgtoken Should there be any question about where the entirety of the U.S. Senate-- and s--stand, all 100 Senators signed a letter calling for Israel's inclusion in the Global Entry Program. prgtoken Our relationship with Israel is rooted in this bipartisanship. We are stronger for it, and so is Israel. It is disappointing to see some try to drive a political wedge in this historical support. prgtoken Those who would try to use Israel or support for the U.S.-Israel relationship as a political football are not helping this relationship, nor are they helping promote either American or Israeli security. Along with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I will continue to be a vocal advocate for a robust U.S.-Israel relationship rooted in strong bipartisan support.
90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOEW'S THEATER BUILDING
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-10-10

I join the city of Providence and the State of Rhode Island in celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Loew's Theatre Building, home of the Providence Center for the Performing Arts. From silent films to the Mighty Wurlitzer to live concerts and Broadway productions, the Loew's Theatre Building has delighted, educated, and entertained generations of Rhode Islanders. prgtoken On October 6, 1928, the theater opened its doors to more than 14,000 people who came to see its splendor and the silent film ``Excess Baggage.'' Designed by the renowned theater architects George and C.W. Rapp, the Loew's Theatre featured marble columns, gilded plasterwork, and crystal chandeliers. prgtoken After early years of success, the theater saw a decline in its economic fortunes as movie attendance waned. The theater sustained damage during the hurricanes of 1938 and 1954 and barely escaped demolition in the 1970s. Fortunately, local leaders stepped in to save this landmark. In 1977, the Loew's Theatre Building was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the following year, a nonprofit organization was founded to restore its luster and establish a performing arts center for the community to enjoy. prgtoken Today the Providence Performing Arts Center is a hub of cultural activity. It not only brings top-flight productions to town but also offers a broad selection of community outreach programs, fulfilling its mission of serving ``the entertainment needs of the State's various populations by presenting the widest possible variety of arts and cultural events.'' The center presents free, community concerts featuring the Mighty Wurlitzer, the rare 1927 pipe organ, one of only three ever made. There is a seats for servicemembers initiative that offers preferred orchestra seating to our military families. There are arts scholarships, summer theater programs, and special opportunities for students to experience live theater productions. prgtoken Ninety years ago, Rhode Islanders flocked to the Loew's Theatre Building to share in something grand. We are grateful for the steady leadership and many contributions of the board of directors, dedicated staff, and generous benefactors who have made this historic landmark a living institution that continues to enrich the cultural life of our community. The Providence Performing Arts Center is still grand. May it continue to be so for generations to come.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Tammy Duckworth (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-10-10

I rise today to honor Lisa C. Freeman for becoming the first female president of Northern Illinois University, NIU. prgtoken Lisa C. Freeman was appointed president of NIU in September of 2018, becoming the first permanent female president in NIU's 123-year history. She has been a member of NIU's senior leadership team and a professor of biology since 2010. She became executive vice president and provost in May 2014. Throughout her time at NIU, Freeman has worked to support all aspects of the university's mission, emphasizing NIU's continued commitments to promoting the social mobility of students, producing high impact scholarship, and engaging with the region. Prior to joining NIU, Freeman dedicated 16 years to serving as a faculty member at Kansas State University. She also served as the associate vice president for innovation for K-State Olathe. prgtoken Freeman has been widely recognized for her important contributions to her professions. Among those honors and awards are Outstanding Veterinarian of the Year, 2002, Castle Bank Community Leader, 2015, and the NIU Trans-Action Ally, 2018. prgtoken I commend Lisa's hard work, passion, and commitment to inspiring and empowering our next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, artists, engineers, and professionals. May her continued leadership serve as an inspiration to us all.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-10-10

have long believed that good healthcare for every American is a right, not a privilege. It is a tradition that was etched into our party by Presidents Roosevelt, Johnson, Clinton, and . We believe it is wrong to allow insurers to discriminate against women, older Americans, and folks with preexisting conditions. We believe it is wrong to allow insurers to put a cap on your insurance or to offer insurance so threadbare that it hardly counts as insurance at all. People end up paying a lot of money for insurance, and then they find it doesn't cover anything or it has such a huge deductible that it does no good. That is why the Affordable Care Act prohibited these abuses by insurance companies. prgtoken Our friends seem to want to say: The best way to get healthcare is to put yourself in the hands of your insurance company. We don't believe that. For the past 2 years, President and s in Congress have tried to wrench our country back to a time when all of these abuses and loopholes were commonplace, a time when insurance companies could do whatever they want. They have tried to repeal our healthcare law, gut Medicaid, and cause 20 million fewer Americans to have insurance. President ended a program that helped low-income Americans to afford insurance. Congressional s repealed the coverage requirement, causing an unnecessary and completely avoidable increase in premiums this year, and attorneys general across the country--many now running for a seat in this Chamber--filed a lawsuit that would repeal protections for Americans with preexisting conditions. prgtoken Today on the floor, the Senate has the opportunity to put a stop to the relentless sabotage of our healthcare system. My friend and one of the great leaders in healthcare in this Chamber, Senator Baldwin, has put forward a motion to repeal the administration's rule to expand short-term insurance plans. Short-term insurance plans lure consumers in with low rates but fail to provide adequate coverage. Many don't cover maternity care, mental health treatment, prescription drug costs, and more. These plans are junk insurance, period--no ands, ifs, or buts--junk. prgtoken We prohibited them in the past. This administration wants to let these junk insurance plans run rampant and let people be duped into thinking they have insurance when it covers almost nothing. There are massive risks to any family who purchases them, and, worse, they cause rates to go up for everyone else, even those who don't elect to buy one. That is why traditionally nonpartisan organizations, like the American Cancer Society, the AARP, and the American Lung Association, have come out in staunch opposition. The AARP, for instance, says that junk insurance ``would force millions of older Americans to choose either inadequate coverage or comprehensive coverage that is unaffordable.'' prgtoken Now, my
Climate Change (Executive Calendar)
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-10-10

it is a real pleasure to be joined here today on the Senate floor by Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. Senator Shaheen has been a tireless advocate for clean energy and is the Senate's bipartisan champion on energy efficiency, alongside Senator Portman. prgtoken The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a major warning last week. Ninety-one authors and editors from 40 countries reviewed more than 6,000 scientific papers to assess what it would take to hold global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. The report says that we will need to invest roughly five times what we do now in low- prgtoken carbon energy and energy efficiency by 2050. The Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency legislation would help move us toward that target. prgtoken The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy says that the bill would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 650 million metric tons over a 15-year period. The cumulative net savings from the bill would reach nearly $100 billion. prgtoken My State of Rhode Island is a national leader in promoting energy efficiency, so we know how good programs like the Shaheen-Portman reforms are for consumers, for businesses, and for the environment. Rhode Island has consistently ranked among the top States for energy efficiency. This year, we are in the top three on the State Energy Efficiency Scorecard. prgtoken To keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the IPCC tells us we need renewables to grow to about half of the world's energy mix by 2030 and to perhaps 80 percent of the world's energy mix by midcentury. Coal in the global electricity mix needs to be mostly phased out by 2050. prgtoken The fossil fuel industry's front groups, of which there is a considerable legion, tell us that this will raise costs on consumers, but renewables are now beating fossil fuel power on cost, and renewable costs are still falling. prgtoken In a recent report on global energy trends, Deloitte notes: Solar and wind power recently crossed a new threshold. . . . Already among the cheapest energy sources globally, solar and wind have much further to go. prgtoken The Deloitte report shows the top solar States here in yellow, the top wind States here in blue, and these two--Texas and California--are in green because they are leaders in both wind and solar. prgtoken If you look at the top 20 U.S. solar and wind States, three-quarters of those States have electricity prices below the national average, so clearly renewables don't hurt energy costs. By the way, these States include some of the reddest politically, including Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Iowa, and Texas. prgtoken The cost transition with renewables coming down through the price of fossil fuel is showing up in U.S. solar projects' purchased-power agreements. You can see in this chart from Greentech Media that over time, solar generation costs have come
Healthcare (Executive Calendar)
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2018-10-10

the topic of healthcare affordability should unite us as a common cause. We all need healthcare, whether young or old or male or female, rich or poor. prgtoken Not one of us will go through life without experiencing a major health concern. Even if we have a clean bill of health today, we all face the prospect of accidents, illnesses, and the inherent universal health challenges of aging. prgtoken The Affordable Care Act is not perfect, but it has moved us toward a shared goal of making healthcare more affordable for everyone. Most significantly, the Affordable Care Act prevents insurers from denying coverage or increasing premiums because of a preexisting condition. This critical protection has been widely and wildly popular, and rightly so. If you don't have a preexisting condition, you probably have a family member who does. prgtoken The Affordable Care Act also requires plans to cover a full set of benefits that enrollees will realistically need over the course of their lives, and, overall, it encourages Americans to get their health insurance so that they will have the appropriate support when they need it the most. prgtoken I will be the first to recognize that there is room for improvement in our healthcare law, but we need to be working together to fix it, not allowing the administration to continue its relentless push to undermine the affordability of healthcare. Since the beginning of his administration, President has taken every possible step to weaken consumer protections in health insurance, all the while misinforming the public about what the real impact will be on their daily lives. But Americans right now are feeling the impact. For too many hard-working families, health insurance and healthcare costs are still not affordable. Today, premiums are going up, healthcare prices are soaring, and the burden of cost is increasingly shifted to the patient. prgtoken We should be focused on ways to strengthen our healthcare system so that it lowers out-of-pocket costs, removes barriers to healthcare, and prgtoken incentivizes cost efficiency. But the flawed administration policy the Senate voted on earlier today is a step in the wrong direction. It is a step toward terrible coverage for consumers who will not understand what their plan fails to cover until they need it. prgtoken We are seeing yet another administration effort to roll back parts of the Affordable Care Act that are actually working every day to help Americans. President is creating a new loophole for some insurers to ignore the Affordable Care Act's central patient protections. This is moving us back toward a period where insurance companies could discriminate against Americans based on their conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and even pregnancy-- yes, even pregnancy. Millions of Michiganders rely on the Affordable Care Act's safeguards for preexisting condition coverage. prgtoken Amer
160TH ANNIVERSARY OF YWCA USA
Heidi Heitkamp (Democrat, ND) \u2014 2018-10-10

I want to proudly applaud the work of YWCA USA as they celebrate an incredible milestone. For 160 years, they have been at the forefront of the Nation's most critical movements. They have led the charge in women's empowerment, the fight against racism and discrimination, and efforts to strengthen families and communities. From voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity, from violence prevention to healthcare reform, YWCA has been a force for progress for 160 years. prgtoken With the help of 210 local associations, across 46 States and the District of Columbia, this organization continues to serve over 2 million women, girls, and their families each year. Being one of the largest networks for domestic violence and sexual assault services in the country, the YWCA reaches over half a million women and girls annually. Furthermore, community YWCA associations reach over 260,000 women with economic empowerment programs and over 160,000 people through their racial justice education and training programs. prgtoken In my home State of North Dakota, the YWCA Cass Clay and the YWCA Minot have been a trusted place for women and children to turn as they escape violence, homelessness, and crisis. Through these services, they are fulfilling their mission to provide safety, security, and hope to those who need it most. prgtoken When I came to the Senate, the Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA, was the first bill that I cosponsored, and I am proud that it worked to give victims of abuse the resources they need to seek justice and recover for the trauma they experienced. I am still working to prevent those programs from expiring, and I am proud that the North Dakota chapters of YWCA have helped protect women and children, especially in the continuing crisis of violence against women in tribal communities. prgtoken I am grateful for my partnership with YWCA in advocating for children who have experienced trauma. Traumatic experiences, like abuse or a parent's substance use disorder, can lead to health and behavior complications later in life. Children and youth who have experienced four or more traumatic events are three times more at risk of heart disease or lung cancer, while those who have experienced six or more traumatic events are 30 times more likely to attempt suicide. The YWCA has promoted my Trauma Informed Care for Children and Families Act, which is a critical step to address childhood trauma in the United States. prgtoken I will continue to stand in solidarity with the YWCA in North Dakota and the rest of the country in strong support of their mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. prgtoken Congratulations to the YWCA on 160 years of improving the lives of women and girls all over the country.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, SECRETARY OF LABOR, AND SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN...
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2018-10-10

it is time to vote on America's Water Infrastructure Act. prgtoken I thank my friend and colleague from Delaware, the senior Senator, Mr. Carper, for his great contributions to this piece of legislation. prgtoken It is an important bill that has broad bipartisan, bicameral support. There are 95 groups that have endorsed it. They represent a broad cross-section of stakeholders from a wide variety of backgrounds. From the Sierra Club to the American Petroleum Institute to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, they all agree that this important infrastructure legislation is good for our country, good for our communities, good for our economy, and good for our environment. The Wyoming Wool Growers Association, the Arkansas Rural Water Association, and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District have all united in praise for a bill that will help all 50 States. prgtoken The water infrastructure bill passed our committee 21 to nothing, and it passed the House with a unanimous voice vote. It is time to send it to the President for his signature. I would just ask our Members to join us in supporting this important bipartisan infrastructure bill. prgtoken , along with Ranking Member Carper, I ask unanimous consent to have an explanatory statement to accompany S. 3021, America's Water Infrastructure Act, printed in the Record.