mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENTS TO H.R. 244, HONORING INVESTMENTS IN RECRUITING AND EMPLOYING AMERICAN MILITARY VETERANS ACT OF 2017
Jeb Hensarling (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-5-3

over the weekend, a very destructive storm system moved across my home State of Texas, the Midwest, and the Southeast, killing 15 of our fellow citizens and destroying whole communities in its wake. prgtoken In Van Zandt County in the Fifth Congressional District of Texas, which I have the privilege to represent, four constituents lost their lives in a series of four violent tornadoes that shattered homes, shattered lives, and devastated neighbors in the Fifth District and the Fourth District of Texas. prgtoken These storms also tragically killed seven people in Washington, Carroll, and Madison Counties in Arkansas; two people in Rankin and Holmes Counties in Mississippi; one person in Nashville, Tennessee; and one person from Billings, Missouri. Many more, , have been hospitalized. prgtoken Joining me here today are some of the Members whose communities were affected: Congressman Womack and Congressman Crawford of Arkansas, Congressman Harper of Mississippi, Congressman Thompson of Mississippi, Congressman Cooper of Tennessee, Congressman Long of Missouri, and my fellow Texan, Congressman John Ratcliffe--again, , all who represent communities that were tragically affected. prgtoken , our citizens who were lost have left a void in their families and left a void in their communities. Our hearts are heavy. Our prayers are sincere for the loved ones they leave behind and for those who recover from their wounds. prgtoken For many of us, in our faith, there is a time to mourn now is the time to mourn. But as we have, in our faith, a time to mourn, we also have faith, , that one day our citizens will heal and they will heal and rebuild their communities as well. prgtoken , at this time, I would ask the House to help us in honoring those who lost their lives in these deadly storms and the families and loved ones they leave behind by joining us in observing a moment of silence.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2017-5-3

I rise today to introduce legislation with my colleague from Wisconsin, Senator Baldwin, that would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to convene a panel to develop a national strategy to recognize and support the more than forty million family caregivers in the United States. I am pleased that Senators Murkowski and Bennet have joined us as cosponsors. prgtoken The United States' population is aging. Every day, 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 years old. Americans 85 and older--our oldest old--are the fastest growing segment of our population. This is the population that is most at risk of multiple and interacting health problems that can lead to disability and the need for round-the-clock care. prgtoken At the very time that our population is aging, birth rates are declining. While the need for care and support is increasing, the numbers of professional and informal caregivers is shrinking. In the future, more people will have to rely on fewer caregivers. prgtoken Families will likely continue to be the most important source of support for people with long-term care needs. We must do more to support the more than 43 million family caregivers in the United States who make remarkable sacrifices to care for their loved ones. While it is impossible to put a dollar amount to the value of the devotion, time, and services that these caregivers provide, it is estimated that in 2013 family caregivers provided $470 billion in uncompensated long- term care. This figure nearly equals the annual sales of the four largest United States tech companies combined. prgtoken Family caregivers provide tremendous value, and they also face many challenges. Caregivers experience high levels of stress and have a greater incidence of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and depression. Caregiving can be an isolating experience. Last week, the Aging Committee held a hearing highlighting that social isolation is a serious risk factor for depression, anxiety, dementia, functional decline, and even death. prgtoken The average caregiver is a 49-year-old woman. She is caring for a 69- year-old relative living with a long-term physical condition. That relative is often a parent. She has been providing care for four years on average, spending 24.4 hours a week. She may be raising her own children and working full time. prgtoken Other caregivers are seniors. One third of family caregivers are age 65 or older, and even more susceptible to putting their own health at risk. prgtoken I am, therefore, introducing legislation with my colleague from Wisconsin that would lead to the development of a national strategy to recognize and support family caregivers. Titled the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage, or RAISE Family Caregivers Act, the legislation is based on a recommendation of the bipartisan Commission on Long Term Care. It is modeled after a law that I co-authored in 2010 with then-Senator Evan
DISAPPROVING A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-5-3

this week the Senate continues to consider the government funding bill, which I hope we will decide to vote on tomorrow afternoon. I want to highlight a few ways that this legislation is good for America. It addresses important priorities, and it is particularly good for those 28 million people I have the privilege of representing in Texas. prgtoken I know people say we don't want to do an omnibus appropriations bill, and frankly this is not the best way to do business, but when our ic colleagues objected to us processing individual appropriations bills, this is the only alternative, other than perhaps a continuing resolution. prgtoken A continuing resolution would continue -era policies and frankly wouldn't end up saving any money because both of them are subject to the same spending caps under the Budget Control Act. prgtoken Here we are. The House will undoubtedly pass this agreed-upon bill, the first negotiated bill with the White House, with a majority in the House and the Senate, and with ic participation and input as well. prgtoken First, as I mentioned yesterday, this bill provides significant funding to shore up security at our international border with Mexico. This is a particularly important Texas issue because obviously we share a 1,200-mile common border with Mexico, but it is also a national issue. It is an important issue President ran on and one of the reasons I believe he was elected. prgtoken Attention to securing the border is long overdue. I have always contended that border security is first and foremost a matter of political will because we know how to do it. The question is, Do we have the political will to accomplish it? Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol chief Manny Padilla likes to say--he served in numerous capacities all across the border, from Arizona, California, and now in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. He likes to say that there are really three legs to the stool of border security. There is technology, there is personnel, and then there is infrastructure, what some people like to call fencing or walls. Each area along the border depends--the mixture will depend on what makes sense, what is actually effective. It is obviously important to get the advice and input of professionals of Border Patrol who work day in and day out to secure the border. With this omnibus bill, we will see the strongest increase in border security funding in nearly a decade. That means more resources to help Customs and Border Patrol, among other agencies, to enforce our laws, keep trade flowing, and stem the tide of contraband and illegal immigration. prgtoken When we talk about border security, it is also important to recognize the important economic and trading relationship we have with Mexico. Roughly 5 million American jobs depend on binational trade with Mexico, which is another reason I have been paying such close attention to the adminis
HONORING INVESTMENTS IN RECRUITING AND EMPLOYING AMERICAN MILITARY VETERANS ACT OF 2017
Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2017-5-3

the balance of my time. I thank the gentlewoman and my ranking counterpart, Mrs. Lowey, for that kindness, and may I associate with her our remarks, pay tribute to her leadership, the wonderful work of the staff that she has behind her and that I have behind me. I think the debate and the comments have been positive today. prgtoken The men and women of the greatest military in the world, the United States Armed Forces, are waiting for our support today with the passage of this package, this appropriations bill. Please don't let them down. Please support this bill, which provides for our national and economic security and takes us out from a very damaging and restrictive continuing resolution. prgtoken Today is a vote to keep the government open and get back to our appropriations process, which is our responsibility under the Constitution, the power of the purse. Let's take it and use it wisely. prgtoken , .
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENTS TO H.R. 244, HONORING INVESTMENTS IN RECRUITING AND EMPLOYING AMERICAN MILITARY VETERANS ACT OF 2017
Tom Cole (Republican, OK) \u2014 2017-5-3

such time as I may consume. prgtoken Before I go to my next speaker, I want to take a moment to respond to my friends. prgtoken , I actually came here to debate the appropriations bill, which is a great bipartisan compromise, but I am always happy to engage in the healthcare debate as well, if that is what my friends choose to do. I am happy to do it because I remember the conditions under which Care was passed. prgtoken I remember the promises that we would save $2,500 a family--not true. prgtoken I remember, if you liked your plan, you could keep it--not true. prgtoken I remember, if you liked your doctor, you could keep that individual--not true. prgtoken This was sold, frankly, on a tissue of fabrications and some predictions that were outlandishly false. prgtoken Those people who say this is a good system, come to my State. We are down to a single provider--one. That provider, by the way, I always say thank God for them, because they are losing money. We are down to one. Our rates are going up 69 percent. prgtoken So anybody who thinks this is a successful system should go look at it. If it were successful, my friends would probably still be in the majority instead of the minority. It has not been successful. The American people have, in election after election, rendered a verdict that this particular system is not meeting their needs, and it badly needs to be overhauled and changed, if not rooted out completely. prgtoken Frankly, again, as, I think, through the President's actions and what my colleagues in the leadership of my party are doing, I am very glad they are working overtime right now to try and make sure that we have something better for the American people than my friends delivered on the other side of the aisle when they had the opportunity to do so. It is not working. prgtoken I hope very much we have to cancel travel plans so the next day or two we can actually vote on this. I would be ecstatic to do that. So, again, I would be happy to debate that. When the time comes, we will. But I look forward to engaging in that debate because I am absolutely convinced we can do a lot better for the American people than we prgtoken did when Care was passed, and we can implement something a lot better for the American people than we did when it was rolled out. And we certainly can avoid some of the catastrophic consequences. prgtoken As for my friend's concerns about preexisting conditions, frankly, they are not going to be reversed, but I happen to live in a State where I trust my Governor and my legislature to make smart decisions. Frankly, I trust them a lot more than I do anybody in Washington, D.C to understand what is going on in my State. I suspect most people in here actually trust their Governors and their legislature to be more in touch with the needs of their people than anybody in Washington, D.C happens to be, so I am happy to see a devolution of decisionmaking from W
WINNING THE FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING: THE FREDERICK DOUGLASS TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PREVENTION AND PROTECTION ACT OF 2017
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2017-5-3

yesterday, the subcommittee I chair held a hearing on accelerating the fight against human trafficking with particular focus on the new Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act of 2017--the comprehensive, bipartisan legislation that my friend and colleague Karen Bass and I introduced last Thursday joined by Chairman Royce, Representatives Jackson Lee, Brooks, Frankel, Wagner, Cardenas, Poe, and Costello. In the fight to end modern day slavery, and as the author of the landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, the new bill honors the extraordinary legacy of one of the greatest Americans who ever lived. Born a slave in 1818--we look forward to celebrating the 200th anniversary of his birth next year--Frederick Douglass escaped slavery when he was 20 and dedicated his entire life to abolishing slavery and, after emancipation, to ending Jim Crow laws while struggling for full equality for African American citizens. A gifted orator, author, editor, statesman (and ), he died in 1895. The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act authorizes $130 million over 4 years to prevent human trafficking, protect victims, and beef up prosecution at home and abroad. Among other things, I note that this bill encourages more hotels at home and abroad to put policies and trainings in place so that the hotels are less likely to be used by human traffickers to exploit children. To the extent practicable, the U.S. Government will direct U.S. Government travelers using taxpayer money to use hotels that have taken affirmative steps to end trafficking within their walls. The new bill seeks to restore the credibility of the Trafficking in Persons Report, produced annually by the Department of State, to hold countries accountable for progress, or the lack thereof, in the fight against human trafficking. Talk is cheap--we insist on sustainable action. This report scrutinizes more than 190 countries--with the credible threat of serious sanction for egregious violators branded Tier 3--to improve their trafficking laws and actions. But in several notable cases, particularly in 2015, countries that should have been held accountable by the last administration with Tier 3 designations were given a pass--countries such as Malaysia, Cuba, China, Oman, Uzbekistan, and others. The new bill tries to ensure that countries complicit in trafficking are held accountable. No politics. Ever. And it will remove from current law the presumption that countries failing to quantify convictions and identify victims somehow deserve passing grades. IJM's Policy Director Tim Gehring underscored that concern in his testimony today stating, ``The politicization of the tier rankings, against the advice of the anti-trafficking experts at TIP Office is to the detriment of the annual report, the U.S. Government's leadership on combatting this human
IN RECOGNITION OF MRS. BARES'S 3RD GRADE CLASS
David A. Trott (Republican, MI) \u2014 2017-5-3

I rise today to recognize the bright young artists in Mrs. Bares's 3rd grade class at Houghton Elementary in White Lake, Michigan. prgtoken I know that artists get their start long before high school and college, learning to expand their imagination and foster their creativity in classrooms just like Mrs. Bares's. prgtoken In an effort to highlight young artists from across Michigan's 11th Congressional District, this year, I announced the 1st Annual ``Color my Capitol'' Program. prgtoken Brimming with talent, Mrs. Bares's students were eager to showcase their amazing artistic skills and take part in this one-of-a-kind program. prgtoken Let me tell you, , Mrs. Bares's 3rd graders did not disappoint. Their creations are unique, innovative, and imaginative. Their colorful artwork embodies our country's bright and promising future with these sharp young minds leading the way. prgtoken It is my utmost honor to have their artwork displayed in my Congressional district office in Troy, Michigan for everyone who visits to enjoy. Each and every time I walk into my office, I am reminded of their talent. prgtoken Congratulations to Mrs. Bares and the young artists she has the pleasure of teaching.
RECOGNIZING THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF GRETA JOYNES AND CHRIS SARLEY
John Shimkus (Republican, IL) \u2014 2017-5-3

I wanted to come down to the floor to recognize and thank two of my major staffers in my office who are leaving to pursue other opportunities. The first one is Greta Joynes. prgtoken Greta recently left as my legislative director; and as you know, Mr that is your top adviser in the legislative field. So not only running the legislative office, she also had some personal expertise in the telecommunications regions. prgtoken But Greta is from northern Illinois, north of I-80, originally from the Chicagoland area, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, NIU. She started as a staff assistant in 2003 and worked her way up through the ranks, as I said, becoming legislative director prgtoken in 2011, and then served as deputy chief of staff from 2013 until she left recently in March. prgtoken She focused on telecommunications as her expertise, and we primarily in our office dealt with 911 issues, especially the Next Generation 911 Advancement Act. She also spearheaded the Next Generation 911 Caucus in my office. prgtoken She is married to Bob and has two children, Gavin and Hadley. We already miss her activity and work in the office, and we pass on best wishes. prgtoken Next is Mr. Chris Sarley, who has a 14-year career on Capitol Hill. This is his tenth year with me, and I think it is uncommon in many offices for people to stay that long. I think it is a tribute to my chief of staff, Craig Roberts, and the fact that I don't meddle too much how they manage the office and get their job done. prgtoken Chris has served 10 years with me. In addition to handling health care and energy policy in my office, Chris has served the committee under Chairman Walden and Chairman Emeritus Upton as policy coordinator for the Subcommittee on Environment since 2011. prgtoken Chris has been an invaluable member of my team, and some of his achievements include: prgtoken Before he came to my office, he worked on the Medicare part D rollout. prgtoken Under my office, he advanced several medical device titles in the 21st Century Cures Act. prgtoken He worked on what we call the ADAPT Act and the GAIN Act, which target the antibiotic threats that hopefully will not occur in our country, but we need to be ready to respond. prgtoken He was very involved in ADUFA, Animal Drug User Fee Act, and enabling the FDA to approve drugs used for pets and livestock. prgtoken But for all of us on the Energy and Commerce Committee, he was one of our primary House negotiators during the first major rewrite of a United States environmental protection law in over 2 decades, and facilitated passage of the Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which amends the Toxic Substances Control Act, which is the Nation's primary chemical regulation law. prgtoken I think the public really would appreciate if they knew the work that our staff members do on long hours and over the weekends. We mention it all the time, especially when we are fighting across the ai
DISAPPROVING A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2017-5-3

first of all, I want to return the sentiments of Senator Shaheen. There was so much written and talked about today in the meeting about the poisoned atmosphere and the lack of bipartisanship, but I can tell my colleagues that working with Senator Shaheen on the Small Business Committee has been an honor and a privilege, and it certainly has been anything but troublesome. We work together closely. Both of us having been Governors, we understand how important small businesses are to our States--in fact, to all the States. prgtoken With that, I would like to take a few minutes, with the concurrence of the ranking member, to honor America's small businesses and their owners and the impact they have on our economy and our communities and the vital role small businesses play in America today. prgtoken America's small businesses are truly the engine that keeps our economy running. They create two out of every three jobs in America. Let me say that again. Small businesses create two out of every three new jobs that are created in America today. Our Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship knows that Congress has a responsibility to help this engine roar by getting the government out of the way of our Nation's small businesses and thus providing small businesses with the opportunity to do what they have done to make this the greatest country in the world for the last 240 years. prgtoken We know that small businesses are vital to our economy, employing nearly half the American workforce and making up 99.7 percent of all employers in this country. It is because small businesses are so important to our economy that Washington needs to do all we can for businesses to start and, more importantly, to survive and grow. prgtoken We have seen a steady and well-documented decline in startups and a persistently low GDP over the past decade. Despite this, small businesses' optimism has hit record-high levels in recent months. Small business owners are more confident than ever. National Small Business Week--this week--is a fitting time to not only celebrate our Nation's small businesses but also to assure them that greater relief is coming. prgtoken Congress and the new administration are working hand in hand to undo the regulatory burden that has been hampering small business growth. It is no secret that the excessive regulatory burdens our Nation's entrepreneurs face places them at a disadvantage. We hear this every day from our position on the Small Business Committee. When asked what the biggest challenge they face is, it is almost always the regulatory burdens they are operating under. prgtoken America's small business owners want to comply with a reasonable and appropriate regulatory structure; however, the time and money they spend complying with layers of regulations from a myriad of agencies hampers their ability to focus on what truly matters, and that, of course, is running their business. prgtoken