mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PREMIUMS HAVE GONE UP, NOT DOWN
Luke Messer (Republican, IN) \u2014 2017-1-13

Care is built on broken promises. prgtoken President promised that, through his healthcare law, premiums would go down. Instead, they have gone up. In most States, premiums have increased by double digits. In some States, like Oklahoma, premiums are going up by as much as 76 percent. prgtoken I am from Indiana. In Indiana, in 2017, based upon current enrollments, the average rate will increase by 18.7 percent. Overall, the premiums in Indiana have gone up by 70 percent since the Affordable Care Act was first enacted. prgtoken Not only are Americans paying more for coverage, the costs have gone up as well: out-of-pocket costs, deductibles. For 2017, four carriers will be selling on the Indiana Marketplace. I have one county in my district, Wayne County, where no carriers provide for the local hospital. prgtoken Today, we will start a process of keeping our promises, . We promised the American people that we would repeal and replace this failed healthcare law. Only in Washington would keeping your promise somehow be controversial.
PROVIDING FOR EXCEPTION TO LIMITATION AGAINST APPOINTMENT OF PERSONS AS SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WITHIN SEVEN YEARS OF RELIEF FROM ACTIVE DUTY
Vicky Hartzler (Republican, MO) \u2014 2017-1-13

I rise today as an advocate for the United States military and the selfless men and women who fill its ranks. prgtoken While I fully appreciate the points that my colleagues are making, this is an extraordinary time as we consider this legislation and an extraordinary man about whom we are talking. prgtoken In just 1 week, our Nation will have its new President. Precedent tells us prgtoken that we should also have the President's Secretary of Defense to step in and assume control of the Department of Defense that day, as well. Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines must have their organization's leader in position. That clear and steady leadership is crucial when lives are on the line. prgtoken The state of our military's readiness, under the current administration, also merits mentioning within this discussion. Troop OPTEMPO rates are dangerously high and retention rate is low. Our aircraft are unreliably old and many maintainers are inexperienced and new. Never before have there been such extraordinary challenges to the manning, training, and equipping of our forces with limited resources. prgtoken We ask our troops to stand ready to and actively fight against a resurgent Russia, emergent China, unstable North Korea, unpredictable Iran, and widespread violent terrorism. Never before has there been such an extraordinary demand on our men and women in uniform. prgtoken These are extraordinary times with extraordinary circumstances. General Mattis is the extraordinary man who will lead the Department of Defense in the direction it so desperately needs. prgtoken For this reason, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this measure.
PROVIDING FOR EXCEPTION TO LIMITATION AGAINST APPOINTMENT OF PERSONS AS SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WITHIN SEVEN YEARS OF RELIEF FROM ACTIVE DUTY
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2017-1-13

I thank Chairman Mac Thornberry for yielding. I appreciate the gentleman's positive leadership as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. prgtoken I am grateful to endorse this selection of General Jim Mattis for Secretary of Defense and, based on his extraordinary background, believe a waiver is appropriate. General Mattis' recent experience in the Middle East makes him uniquely qualified to address the threats to servicemembers overseas and American families at home. I am confident that, through his position, General Mattis will continue the great traditions of civilian control of the military, delivering peace through strength. prgtoken My personal perspective of appreciation of General Mattis is as the grateful son of a World War II Flying Tiger who served in India and China, as the son-in-law of a Marine who received the Navy Cross for Okinawa service, as a 31-year veteran myself of the Army Reserve and Army National Guard, with four sons who have served in the military, as Army Field Artillery in Iraq, as a Navy doctor in Iraq and Italy, as a signal officer in Egypt, as an engineer in Afghanistan, and with an Air Force nephew serving in Iraq. prgtoken In his testimony before the Senate yesterday reaffirming the European Reassurance Initiative from the Baltics to Bulgaria, General Mattis spoke bluntly about the readiness crisis facing our military, and we are eager to work with him on the critical task of rebuilding our national defense to promote peace through strength. prgtoken Simultaneously, bipartisan endorsements, to me personally, from his fellow Marines confirm he is the right person at the right time. prgtoken General Mattis' swift confirmation is crucial to continuity for our ongoing military operations and protecting American families. I urge my colleagues to support the waiver for General Mattis.
THE PRESIDENT SHOULD DESIGNATE THE IRGC AS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
Ted Poe (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-1-13

Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. It funds and controls terrorists groups like Hezbollah. Its tentacles stretch all over the world, far beyond the Middle East. prgtoken Many of its activities are done through the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has funded, planned, and executed terrorist attacks in the United States and elsewhere for decades. prgtoken The IRGC is the parent organization of the Quds Force and is directly responsible for its terrorist activities worldwide. But somehow this group has managed to escape repercussions, and the United States has never recognized it as a terrorist organization. I am working to change that. prgtoken This week I introduced the IRGC Terrorist Sanctions Act. This bill will require the President to designate the IRGC for its terrorist activity and levy the relevant statutory sanctions against it. prgtoken It is time to close loopholes like these that allow terrorist- affiliated groups to continue their reign of terror. Designate and sanction these terrorist groups that are sponsored by the number one world state sponsor of terrorism, Iran. prgtoken And that is just the way it is.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
A. Drew Ferguson IV (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-1-13

I rise in support of the fiscal year 2017 budget resolution. prgtoken The need for this process can best be explained by a story I have been telling my colleagues. prgtoken A little over 6 years ago, I lived in a pretty decent house. One day I heard a knock on the door, and before I knew prgtoken it, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle had let a goat loose in my house. Now, for 6 years that goat has been messing in and destroying my house. I want to renovate my house, but before I can, I have to get the goat out of the house before it does any more damage. It makes no sense to start fixing up my house until I can get the goat out. Voting for the fiscal year `17 budget resolution gets this goat out of my house. prgtoken , make no mistake: we must renovate our house; we must undo the Affordable Care Act. We can no longer as a nation hold on to policies that rob us of our freedom of choice, that destroy family finances, that rob people of their jobs, and leave the most vulnerable with substandard care. prgtoken Now is the time for a 21st century healthcare system that puts patients and doctors first and sends government regulators and rulemakers to the back row. No more 32 percent increase in Georgia premiums; no more having your doctor pulled away from you; and no more government mandates. prgtoken This is not a return to the pre-Care status quo, but is a new approach to putting consumers in the driver's seat. The first step in this process is to gut Care with this resolution, and I am honored to support it.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-1-13

. I thank the gentleman. prgtoken She writes: ``I asked my doctor recently, `With all that's going on, would I make it without treatment?' The doctor's answer: `No.''' prgtoken In her instance, if the Affordable Care Act goes--if is it repealed-- she could completely lose her eligibility for expanded Medicaid and simply die. A young man in my district would die as well. prgtoken This is a bad bill. Vote against it. Save America's good health. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to S. Con. Res. 3, the Congressional Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2017, which more appropriately should be known as the ``Make America Sick Again'' Budget. prgtoken I stand in opposition to this reckless, irresponsible, heartless, and bare-bones budget resolution because it does nothing to provide jobs for American workers; does nothing to invest in the roads, bridges, ports, cybernetworks, and other infrastructure needed to sustain economic growth; and explodes the deficit and enriches those who are already wealthy at the expense of middle and working-class families. prgtoken Let us be very clear about the real objective of our colleagues: their sole purpose in bringing this resolution to the floor is to pave the way for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and the defunding of Planned Parenthood by a simple majority vote in the Senate. prgtoken This foolish rush to repeal the Affordable Care Act makes plain for all to see that congressional s are far more interested in scoring political points with their right-wing base than they are in protecting the health and economic security of American families. prgtoken Mr. Chair, the Affordable Care Act has been an undisputed success, making access to quality affordable healthcare available to more than 20 million Americans who previously lived with the dreaded fear that an unexpected injury or illness to them or a family member would go untreated or could bankrupt their families. prgtoken While House s may pine for a return to those bad old days, the large majority of Americans do not because they understand that repeal of the Affordable Care Act will have devastating consequences for working families, women, and the economy. prgtoken Mr. Chair, health care experts, governors, and hospitals warn that repealing the ACA without a comprehensive plan in its place will cause chaos and catastrophe, including: prgtoken 1. Nearly 30 million people would lose health care coverage, including more than 4 million kids; prgtoken 2. With the individual insurance market in shambles, families remaining in what's left of it could face higher premiums and fewer choices as insurers exit; prgtoken 3. Hospitals would lose billions of dollars and might reduce services or cut jobs; and rural hospitals would close. prgtoken 4. The economy would lose 2.6 million jobs in 2019, with the majority in non-health sectors. prgtoken Additionally, eliminating Medicaid funding
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-1-13

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I am so proud of him and his leadership as the ranking member on the Budget Committee. prgtoken I am so sorry that the left the floor because I have some very good news for him. Clearly, he does not understand what the Affordable Care Act has brought to our country in terms of expanding benefits, lowering costs, and expanding the access of many more people to the promise of our founders, of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, a healthier life, and the freedom to pursue their happiness. prgtoken I understand why the may want to concentrate on some mythology that he presented about the Affordable Care Act, because he is not going to focus on what this bill on the floor does today, and the budget. It does not create more good-paying jobs, or raise wages. It does not invest in infrastructure to rebuild our Nation. prgtoken The plan does not invest in the education of our children or the lifetime learning of working people. It does not help Americans find balance between work and family. It does not reduce the deficit. In fact, it increases the deficit. And it does not seek to drain the swamp of secret money from our elections. prgtoken Instead, the s are feeding their ideological obsession with repealing the ACA and dismantling the health and economic security of hardworking families. prgtoken We all know that a budget should be a statement of our values. What is important to us as a nation should be reflected in our budget proposals. I always say: Show me your values, show me your budget. prgtoken Well, you heard me say some of what this budget does not do. As we get further into the next stage of the budget, we will see that what their budget does is just broaden, widen the disparity in income in our country, give tax breaks to the high end. And part of their tax breaks for the high end is to repeal the Affordable Care Act so they can eliminate the tax on those who are helping to fund the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken So let me just talk about the Affordable Care Act for a while, because one of the things that the public should know is that the ACA, Medicare, and Medicaid, are now wed. If you mess with the ACA, it directly impacts these other important initiatives, Medicare and Medicaid. prgtoken The s have never supported Medicare. They opposed it at its origin and, over time, continued to oppose it. prgtoken In the nineties, their , Newt Gingrich, said Medicare should wither on the vine. Their , Paul Ryan, has in his budget removing the guarantee of Medicare for our seniors. Remove the guarantee. That means you get a voucher and you go shop for Medicare in this nonexistent health plan that they put forth. prgtoken s talk about how they are going to repeal and replace. It is interesting illustratively, but not realistic in terms of the fact that, for 6 years, they have had a chance to propose an al
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
Peter Welch (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2017-1-13

on probably the most important issue, we are having the dumbest debate. We say the healthcare bill is good. You say it stinks. prgtoken We think it is good because we think it is good that kids, until they are age 26, can stay on their parents' plan. We think it is good because people with preexisting conditions ought to have access to health care, and we think it is good that a person who gets sick shouldn't lose their health care. prgtoken You say it is bad, even though the plan was based on a Heritage Foundation initiative and adopted largely in Massachusetts by a governor. prgtoken Bottom line, you are the majority in the House; you are the majority in the Senate; and you have got the Presidency. You have got some responsibility to show us the beef. Where is the plan? prgtoken Now, there is a lot of paper over there, but you haven't shown us a plan. And here is why: because when you put pen to paper, all hell is going to break loose on your side because you have to move beyond the rhetoric to figuring out how you are going to pay to keep our kids on our healthcare plan. You are going to figure out how to pay if we are going to let folks with preexisting conditions have health care. prgtoken Those don't solve themselves, and you don't have a plan. We are entitled, the American people are entitled, to have it.
Keith Ellison (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-1-13

we are voting on a Budget Resolution later today that makes it possible to take away health coverage from tens of millions of people. prgtoken But the know that this is just the beginning. prgtoken Congressional s have started their plans to not just repeal the Affordable Care Act, but to gut Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. prgtoken proposals would threaten nursing home coverage for millions of seniors, undermine comprehensive health care for children by cutting Medicaid, and slash benefits earned after years of hard work. prgtoken The CPC and Congressional will not stand for this. That is why we introduced an amendment that would ensure the Budget Resolution we are voting on today or any future bill can't be used to cut benefits from Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid, increase the retirement age for these benefits, or privatize Social Security. prgtoken But, the majority is not allowing debate or a vote on our amendment. prgtoken This sends a clear message: Congressional s are willing to put the lives and futures of millions of children, seniors and working families at risk. prgtoken It also puts them on the wrong side of history. Cutting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security is not what the American people want. prgtoken President-elect has promised several times that he will not support cuts to these important programs that help millions of Americans make ends meet. prgtoken This leaves Congressional s in a tough spot. Whose side are they on? prgtoken Will they commit to protecting hard-working Americans? Will they protect America's children? Seniors? What about people with disabilities? prgtoken Or, will they yet again cut the benefits of working people so they can give tax breaks to big corporations? prgtoken The Congressional Progressive Caucus and House will not back down. We will oppose any cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to vote no and defeat the previous question so we can bring up the CPC amendment to block the House GOP from cutting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. prgtoken Will House s stand with us? prgtoken Today, 55 million older people and people with disabilities have health care because of Medicare. prgtoken 82 percent of Americans--including 74 percent of s, 88 percent of and 83 percent of independents--agree it is critical to preserve Social Security for future generations even if it means increasing Social Security taxes paid by working Americans. prgtoken In 2015, 11 million Americans became newly eligible for Medicaid thanks to Medicaid expansion. prgtoken If s repeal the ACA, at least 11 million people's Medicaid coverage will be at risk. prgtoken The House budget plan far fiscal year 2017 would have cut federal Medicaid funding by $1 trillion--or nearly 25 percent--over ten years. That is in addition to endin
COMMEMORATING THE SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-1-13

I rise to commemorate the anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck the nation of Haiti on January 12, 2010. This Thursday marked 7 years since a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, killing Haiti's population center and the seat of its government. prgtoken The aftermath of the quake was unimaginable. 316,000 people perished, and 1.3 million were displaced. This tragedy struck a nation already hobbled by grinding poverty, health disparities, and food insecurity. Approximately 147,000 people remain internally displaced in Haiti, with countless others displaced outside IDP camps. prgtoken The world and the American people, though, responded to the earthquake with generosity. To date, the United States has contributed billions to recovery efforts, along with donors from around the world. prgtoken The Assessing Progress in Haiti Act, which was a bipartisan effort with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and was signed into law 3 years ago, provides us critical oversight to ensure that aid continues in the most effective way possible. prgtoken Unfortunately, more work needs to be done. Haiti continues to be struck by natural disasters, including severe drought and devastating effects of Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Lois Frankel (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-1-13

on roll call votes 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54, I was not present because of an urgent family matter. Had I been present, I would have voted: on Roll Call Vote 46: AYE, on Roll Call Vote 47: AYE, on Roll Call Vote 48: AYE, on Roll Call Vote 49: AYE, on Roll Call Vote 50: AYE, on Roll Call Vote 51: NAY, on Roll Call Vote 52: NAY, on Roll Call Vote 53: AYE, on Roll Call Vote 54: NAY.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
Kathy Castor (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-1-13

I am compelled to come to the floor this morning to oppose the attempt to pull the rug out from under American families. prgtoken Why are we going to a repeal bill without a replacement? prgtoken It is irresponsible. What you are doing is you are throwing American families into quicksand. Here is a dirty little secret: this is also a fiscally irresponsible move because this is likely to balloon the debt and the deficit. prgtoken Now, what I hear from my families back home in Florida is that the Affordable Care Act has been a godsend to them, and that includes the 9 million families that have private health prgtoken insurance. The Affordable Care Act has provided vital consumer protections to prevent them from being discriminated against for a preexisting condition or being canceled if they do get sick, and it has kept premium costs in check. prgtoken We also have a lot of Floridians who depend on Medicare; and because of the ACA, Medicare is stronger. In 2015 alone, the average Medicare recipient has put about $1,000 back into their pocket because the ACA closes the doughnut hole. prgtoken I urge the House to vote ``no.'' Don't throw American families into chaos and don't wreak havoc on our economy.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2017-1-13

. Mr. Chair, I rise with my Joint Economic Committee ic colleagues to address the terrible effects that the budget will have on this country's health. prgtoken I listened with rapt astonishment to Ryan's recitation of the percentage increases in the premium costs for insurance, for insurers on the exchanges. But the omitted important facts. prgtoken Number one, more than 80 percent of Care customers get subsidies to help them pay the cost of these premiums. They do not pay the full cost and will not feel the brunt of these increases. prgtoken Number two, these increases are uneven. Yes, Arizona is up, but Rhode Island will decrease 14 percent. The cherry-picked the highest ones, omitting the overall increase. prgtoken But most importantly, number three, most people are unaffected because most people get their insurance through their employer, Medicare, Medicaid, or the VA. Only a small fraction of Americans actually buy insurance on the individual market. Premiums, for the average single person through the employer market last year, were exactly the same as those for families; only up 3 percent. prgtoken As an employer myself who offers health insurance to more than 300 people, and someone who is very concerned about the debt, my great concern is that the s seem willing to throw out our total commitment to managing our debt for this repeal. prgtoken I have listened to my friends in the Freedom Caucus lament about our national debt and together we have made significant progress on the budget deficits. prgtoken But blowing up Care will blow up our national debt, the most fiscally irresponsible act since we waged two wars without paying for them. prgtoken A study by the Commonwealth Fund projects that repealing Care will cause the State of Virginia to lose up to 100,000 jobs and $50 billion in business output. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this most fiscally irresponsible plan.