mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Doug Jones (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2019-10-22

first of all, I want to thank deeply my colleague from Tennessee for the work he has done not just with me on this bill but over the years. prgtoken This has been such an incredible work in progress, and I am appreciative of all of that work that has gone on. I am honored today to be part of this bill we are introducing that I believe is so important to so many families around the country and particularly in our States of Tennessee and Alabama. prgtoken Anyone who has applied to college or helped someone through the process is all too familiar with that dreaded FAFSA form. prgtoken As a father with three kids who have gone off to college, I can tell you it just doesn't get any easier. In fact, the free application for Federal student aid hasn't gotten any easier for nearly the 30 years it has been in existence. prgtoken Despite the headaches it can cause, it is so important for students to fill out that FAFSA. It is so important for families to have that FAFSA form. It is a key to accessing grants, scholarships, and loans that can put a college education within reach. prgtoken Far too often, as Senator Alexander said, it can intimidate people from even starting it. Also, once they get the letter asking for an audit, they just stop. prgtoken Currently, the FAFSA is over 10 pages long. Often when I am back in Alabama, I say it is almost like filling out tax returns for Apple Computer or IBM or one of the big corporations. It has 108 questions. That is why I have been very fortunate and honored to partner with Senator Alexander to simplify this FAFSA form to between 17 to 30 questions. prgtoken As he said just a moment ago, this has been 5 years in the making, but this is a first great step in this Congress to really have honed this down over the years. We are now going to ease the burden. We are going to reduce the number and ease the burden for verification and make it easier for folks to start looking at it ahead of time. prgtoken I appreciate Senator Alexander's comments about the fact that this ought to be able to be done this year. This bill is a wonderful first step in a process that hopefully we can get across that finish line by the end of the year. prgtoken Graduating with debt--especially significant debt--can force graduates to put off other major life steps, like buying a house or a car, having children, getting married, or investing in a business as an entrepreneur. The burden of debt can literally change the course of a young person's life and guide their decisions for decades. prgtoken Nationwide, only 62 percent of high school seniors completed the FAFSA in 2018. Senator Alexander's State of Tennessee, along with Louisiana, Mississippi, and Delaware, had the highest FAFSA completion rate. Alabama ranked right in the middle, about 26th. prgtoken The site called NerdWallet--which I find to be a fascinating name for a site--estimates that the high school class of 2018, across this country,
HELPING SENIORS AFFORD HEALTHCARE
Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2019-10-22

. Madam , I am proud to report that last week the Energy and Commerce Committee advanced H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act. prgtoken We also passed out of committee H.R. 4671, the Helping Seniors Afford Healthcare Act, which I introduced with my colleagues Representatives Andy Kim and Dwight Evans. prgtoken Currently, Medicare beneficiaries receive financial assistance for their premiums and out-of-pocket costs through the Medicare Savings Programs, or MSPs. prgtoken Medicare takes great strides to protect low-income beneficiaries through these programs, but there are millions of Americans who fall through the cracks. My bill expands access to the MSPs so more Medicare beneficiaries will be protected from soaring healthcare costs. prgtoken I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting the passage of H.R. 3 and H.R. 4671.
OUR DEMOCRACY IS UNDER ATTACK
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-10-22

. Madam , our democracy is under attack. In 2016, Russia engaged in misinformation campaigns aimed at influencing our election results. Earlier this month, the Senate Intelligence Committee released a report that warns that these campaigns could evolve, intensify, and inspire other bad actors to make similar attempts in 2020. prgtoken Just yesterday, Facebook reported it shut down new accounts linked to Iran and Russia that are trying to influence our elections next year. Each and every one of us swore an oath to uphold and defend our Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. prgtoken Now is the time to live up to that oath. No foreign government can be allowed to jeopardize the future of our democracy. I, therefore, ask each and every one of you today, what will you do to defend our democracy?
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
A. Donald McEachin (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2019-10-22

. Madam , I was unavoidably detained on October 17, 2019 during roll call No. 561, On Agreeing to the Amendment, H.R. 1815, Huizenga of Michigan Part B Amendment No. 1. Had I been present, I would have voted ``No.'' I was also unavoidably detained during roll call No. 562, On Agreeing to the Amendment, H.R. 1815, Gottheimer of New Jersey Part B Amendment No. 2. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' I was also unavoidably detained during roll call No. 563, On Agreeing to the Amendment, H.R. 1815, Wagner of Missouri Part B Amendment No. 3. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' I was also unavoidably detained during roll call No. 564, On Passage, H.R. 1815, SEC Disclosure Effectiveness Testing Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''
RECOGNIZING FALLEN PARATROOPERS OF THE ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Harley Rouda (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-10-22

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the 81 paratroopers of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam whose remains will find a final resting place in Orange County this weekend. prgtoken These brave soldiers--whose names we may never know--were killed in 1965 aboard an American plane and died alongside 4 American crew members. For the last 33 years, the commingled remains of these paratroopers had remained in Hawaii, their destination unknown. After years of ambiguity, they will be laid to rest in the heart of the Vietnamese community in the United States. prgtoken This weekend's service reminds us of America's enduring commitment to our allies and partners, to those who stand beside us in the face of great peril to themselves and their families. For too long, South Vietnamese soldiers who fought and died alongside American forces have not received the recognition they earned. prgtoken I am proud to represent a community that remembers those South Vietnamese fighters who gave the ultimate sacrifice standing alongside American servicemembers. I join the Vietnamese-American community-- especially the ARVN veterans not only in Orange County but across our nation--in remembrance and appreciation for these paratroopers. prgtoken I urge all members to join me in recognizing the South Vietnamese fighters who fought alongside United States forces during the Vietnam War, especially those 81 who will be laid to their final resting place in Orange County this weekend.
INTRODUCTION OF THE NEIL ARMSTRONG TEST FACILITY RENAMING
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-10-22

. Madam , today I introduce bipartisan legislation to rename NASA's Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio in honor of Neil Armstrong. Plum Brook is part of the NASA John H. Glenn Research Center and is home to unique world-class facilities that conduct critical and innovative ground tests for the international aerospace community. Plum Brook Station is testing a new generation of space exploration hardware for NASA's efforts to explore the lunar surface and to again land humans on the Moon. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Brown (D-OH) and Portman (R-OH). prgtoken Ohio is not only the birthplace of aviation, it is also the birthplace of one of human history's all-time great explorers and aviators: Neil Armstrong, the first man to ever set foot anywhere other than on our planet Earth. A native Ohioan, Neil Armstrong served as a Navy pilot and later served the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at the Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory, now known as north east Ohio's NASA John H. Glenn Research Center, of which NASA Plum Brook is affiliated. prgtoken Armstrong's `small step for man, one giant leap for mankind' has gone down as one of the most significant and memorable events in human history. Armstrong has inspired countless young people to pursue careers in aviation and public service, young people who will carry on and build upon his immeasurable legacy. It is an honor to introduce this bipartisan legislation alongside Rep. Gonzalez in the House and Senators Brown and Portman in the Senate. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, RELATING TO...
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2019-10-22

I rise today in support of H.R. 3055, which includes the fiscal year 2020 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, or the T-HUD, Appropriations bill. I have worked closely with Chairman Collins, and I want to salute her for her excellent work and her leadership. This is a bipartisan bill, which includes key investments in transportation and housing infrastructure. prgtoken It has not been an easy job, but Senator Collins' leadership and her thoughtful approach and our collaboration, I think, have helped us present a bill to the U.S. Senate which is more than worthy of support. prgtoken While the budget agreement provided a 4 percent increase to our allocation, we actually have $1 billion less in spending power compared to 2019 due to declines in offsetting collections and increased costs for renewals in HUD's rental assistance program. prgtoken Working together and with the input of most Senators, we were able to put together a solid bill that earned unanimous support in the committee. While we were challenged in developing this bipartisan bill, other subcommittees have faced an impossible task as the majority caters to the President's demands for a border wall and places no guardrails to prevent the diversion of defense funds to pay for it. prgtoken This is the same issue that resulted in the President's 35-day shutdown of the Federal Government between December and January. I hope the President will heed the majority leader's axiom that ``there is no education in the second kick of a mule'' and avoid a rerun of this brinkmanship. prgtoken The minibus package before us is a good start to a process that will hopefully deliver final bills to the President's desk before Thanksgiving. The T-HUD bill included in this package provides critical funding to repair our bridges, roads, and transit systems in order to improve the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our transportation networks. These investments will support economic growth, create jobs, and help to address our deferred maintenance backlog across all transportation sectors. prgtoken It rejects the President's proposal to cut Amtrak funding in half and phase out long-distance passenger service. Instead, we provide $2 billion for Amtrak, which will allow it to initiate the Northeast corridor fleet replacement, deploy additional safety technology, and invest in bridge and tunnel replacement projects. prgtoken The T-HUD bill also prioritizes funding for aviation safety in order to strengthen the safety inspector workforce and enable the Department of Transportation and the FAA to address identified weaknesses in aircraft certification process. Chairman Collins and I have consistently worked to support FAA's safety mission, often exceeding the budget request each year to accomplish that. prgtoken We have been disturbed by many of the official findings and unofficial reports concerning the 737 MAX certification and the
PREVENTING ANIMAL CRUELTY AND TORTURE ACT
Theodore E. Deutch (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-10-22

we should do everything we can to prevent the torture of animals and take steps to hold accountable those who would engage in such horrific acts. prgtoken The PACT Act is a significant Federal measure to help put an end to the abuse of animals. prgtoken I am thankful to be on the House floor at this incredibly gratifying bipartisan moment, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan bill. prgtoken Finally, , I would like to acknowledge every companion animal that has brought love to my staff members since the PACT Act was first introduced. Those would be Thomas Jefferson, Desi, Stella, Dock, Bubba, Maple, Hazel, Cheech, Ollie, Frodo, Theo, Johnson Tiki, Tankford, Littleman, Natale, Enzo, Dino, Virgil, Rooney, Maybeline, Prudence, Peppermint, Nazca, Poseidon, Gus, Sansa, Tony, Dwyane Wade, and my dearly departed Jessie. prgtoken For all of them and for every animal who brings joy to everyone in this Chamber, let's do our part to prevent animal cruelty and torture, and let's pass the PACT Act. prgtoken , .
CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2019
Al Lawson, Jr. (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-10-22

I thank the chairwoman for yielding me time. prgtoken , I rise to support H.R. 2513, the Corporate Transparency Act. prgtoken The bill would close loopholes that bad actors have taken advantage of in order to aid terrorist organizations, corrupt officials, and other criminal enterprises. Specifically, this bill requires that those who form corporations must disclose who the true beneficial owners are in order to thwart hidden criminal activity. prgtoken Instilling these measures in place will benefit consumers and small businesses by preventing unfair contracting practices, including false billing, fraudulent certifications, and defrauding taxpayers. prgtoken In addition, this bill will help to curb and prevent human trafficking, which is very prevalent now, by eliminating anonymous companies who hide the identities of criminals engaged in trafficking enterprises masked by a legitimate business structure. prgtoken According to a study by the University of Texas, among over 100 countries studied, the United States ranked the easiest place for suspicious individuals to incorporate an anonymous company. prgtoken Further, according to a 2017 GAO study, it found that GAO was unable to identify ownership information for about one-third of the GSA's high security leases. prgtoken , the Corporate Transparency Act will fix these issues and provide much-needed transparency into the corporate governing structure. I encourage my colleagues on both sides to support this bill.
Appropriations (Executive Calendar)
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2019-10-22

as the distinguished senior Senator from Alabama has said, we are going to be voting soon on our ``domestic minibus.'' We will vote on a cloture motion to proceed to H.R. 3055. prgtoken I understand that once we are on the bill, Chairman Shelby is going to offer a substitute amendment that will include four bills that were reported from the Appropriations Committee with every and every voting for them--the Agriculture bill, the Interior bill, the Commerce-Justice-Science bill, and the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill. prgtoken I know that some feel that sometimes the Congress gets so polarized that we could not have a unanimous vote that the Sun rises in the east, but this was a case where we did in our committee, which has representatives of all wings of the Party and all wings of the ic Party. We all voted aye, and I would urge Members to vote aye. prgtoken I am pleased that the substitute package will not include the Military Construction and the Veterans Affairs bill, and let me explain why. prgtoken The underlying House vehicle we are moving to contains the House version of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill, but the Senate Appropriations Committee has not yet considered this bill. We have not had debate in the committee. We have not had a vote on it in committee. It would be premature to bring it to the Senate floor. prgtoken It is an important bill. It is an important bill that I have always supported because it funds critical programs, particularly for our veterans. But President wants to insist on using the bill to take funding from our troops and their families to fund his ineffective wall--a wall that he gave his word Mexico would pay for--and that is unacceptable. prgtoken Look at the people who are affected by the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill. Let's not get them tied up in a Presidential campaign promise. Let's look at the military families who are now living in substandard housing. Let's look at the veterans who are not getting the care they need. Let's have a clean bill. prgtoken Had the bill with the President's wall been in this--the American people would be paying for it and not Mexico, as the President promised--I would have been unable to support the cloture motion. prgtoken I am going to have more to say about each of the four bipartisan bills included in Chairman Shelby's substitute when we turn to them. Hopefully we can by tomorrow. Each one funds programs that are important to the American people and our economy. They make critical investments in affordable housing, infrastructure, rural development, our farming communities, our small businesses, and our environment. They are good bills. I was glad to work with Senator Shelby so we could have these bills before the Senate. They speak to real needs of the American people. prgtoken Now we have only 4 short weeks before the conti
COMMEMORATING IDAHO WHEAT 60TH ANNIVESARY
Michael K. Simpson (Republican, ID) \u2014 2019-10-23

. Madam , Idaho is recognized around the world for producing high-quality wheat. Sixty years ago, Idaho wheat farmers decided to join together and form the Idaho Wheat Commission to develop export markets, conduct research, and educate growers. prgtoken Much has changed over the past 60 years. In 2018, Idaho was the highest yielding state in the nation with an average of 90 bushels per acre. Idaho ranked fifth among wheat producing states at more than 100 million bushels. prgtoken Idaho has one of the most consistent harvests of any wheat-growing area. Wet springs and warm, dry summers combined with rich volcanic solids create ideal conditions for our high-quality wheat. Nearly two- thirds of Idaho wheat is grown under irrigation, allowing for Idaho growers to manage the crop to customers' specifications. prgtoken Idaho is one of few states that grows all five classes of wheat. prgtoken About half of the 100 million bushels produced each year in Idaho are exported. Idaho is uniquely positioned to access the global marketplace by moving grain through the Columbia-Snake River system to Portland, and then onto foreign customers, particularly Asian markets. prgtoken The other half of Idaho's wheat production goes to domestic markets via trucks and rail into products we all know and love like Pepperidge Farms Goldfish Crackers, Wheaties and Wheat Chex cereals, pasta, cookies and pastries. prgtoken This year, the Idaho Wheat Commission is celebrating 60 years of service to wheat growers in Idaho providing growers with market development, research, and education. prgtoken Let it be known that Idaho wheat is Quality Wheat Simply Grown and let us join Idaho's wheat growers in celebrating 60 years of the Idaho Wheat Commission.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Steve Scalise (Republican, LA) \u2014 2019-10-23

. I would be happy to yield when we talk about all the things that this House could be doing that it is not, like lowering drug prices, like getting better trade deals with our friends in Mexico and in Canada and in all the other countries that are lined up that would love to come behind USMCA that can't right now. prgtoken They can't because there is this infatuation with impeachment, in a one-sided way, in a closed way, in a Soviet-style Star Chamber. prgtoken But that is not happening right now. This is what is not happening; this is what is happening. It is not what the American people expected out of this majority. prgtoken , .
GEORGIANA VINES
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-10-23

. Madam , today I recognize longtime East Tennessee journalist Georgiana Vines as she celebrates her 80th birthday this week. prgtoken Over the last five decades, Georgiana has had a successful career as a reporter and editor. She retired from full-time work in 2005 but continues to cover East Tennessee news and politics as a newspaper freelancer. In addition to working in the news industry, Georgiana has spent a great deal of time teaching and sharing her experience with future journalists at the University of Tennessee's College of Communications and Information. prgtoken I am honored to call her my friend, and I know I speak for many in East Tennessee when I say Happy Birthday, Georgiana.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, RELATING TO...
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-10-23

I appreciate the comments from my colleague from Tennessee about the importance of this agreement in her State, and I can tell you it is also important to a State a little further north called Ohio. Our No. 1 trading partner, by far, is Canada and No. 2 is Mexico, and we want this agreement. prgtoken I hear about it all the time I am out talking to our farmers. They are concerned about the weather. They are concerned about what is going on with the China market. They are concerned about low prices. They see this as an opportunity. They see this as kind of the light at the end of the tunnel. prgtoken If we can get the USMCA done, that expands markets for us and, therefore, increases our prices and gives us a chance. It is the same situation with a lot of manufacturers. It is amazing how many of them depend on Mexico and Canada to be able to sell their products. This is a big deal in Ohio and a big deal for our country. So I am here today to try to urge the House of Representatives to go ahead and move on this and then to urge the Senate to take it up right away. The administration negotiated a good agreement. It deserves a vote. prgtoken I am a former trade lawyer--a recovering one--and I am also a former member of the Ways and Means Committee and a former U.S. Trade Representative, and now I am on the Finance Committee, where we deal with trade. The bottom line is that, in all of those years working with trade, it is a complicated area. It is a politically difficult area. But the bottom line is that we are about 5 percent of the world's population in America, and yet we have 25 percent of the economy. The way we do well is to sell more of our stuff to the 95 percent of the people who are outside of our borders. prgtoken It should be fair. We should have a level playing field. That is the kind of context in which I look at the USMCA. Does it meet these criteria, where we can sell more of our stuff and we have a more level playing field? Yes, it does. That is exactly what this agreement does. It is a good agreement, and it deserves to have a vote. If it has a vote, it will pass because logic, I think, will prevail. prgtoken As crazy as this town is these days and as partisan as things are, the logic of this is inescapable, which is that you have the USMCA, a good agreement, and then you have the status quo, which is NAFTA, which is not as good in any respect. If you vote no on USMCA, you are effectively voting yes for the status quo. I don't think that will happen. I think it will pass if we can get it to the floor for a vote. prgtoken Taken together, our neighbors, Canada and Mexico, make up the most important foreign markets for U.S. products, and not just for Ohio. In fact, according to the recent data we have, one-third of all American exports in 2019 this year have already gone to Mexico or Canada, well ahead of any other foreign markets. So trade with Mexico and Canada is now responsib