mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Remembering Kay Hagan (Executive Calendar)
Richard Burr (Republican, NC) \u2014 2019-11-19

I thank the chairman for yielding, and I am here as living proof that he is not the Lone Ranger on this. The committee has worked diligently. We may not be as passionate as he is, but the committee has worked diligently to get higher education done. prgtoken It is a farce to come in here and think that we are going to pass a 2-year House bill to fund historically Black colleges. Nobody has more historically Black colleges in their State than I do. What they want-- they want predictability, permanent funding. The chairman is willing to do that, but part of the condition to do that is to sit down and, now, quit talking and pass higher education. Reduce the FAFSA application to one page. Let these students go out--and their parents--and be able to fill this out and not miss an education because they can't go through the laborious process. prgtoken What the chairman has laid on the table is reasonable. The committee has talked about it for years. Now it is time to act. It is not time to act on one little piece of it for temporary funding. It is time to provide permanent funding for that and to do the rest of higher education. prgtoken As proud as I am of our being the home of the majority of Black colleges and universities, I also have about 70 other colleges and universities in North Carolina, and they are the beneficiaries of everything else that is in this education bill. prgtoken Compromise is not about ``Take what I have'' and not give anything else. We have been trying to work, with the chairman and the ranking member working together, to find compromise for 5 years. Many times the chairman has come to me and said: I think we can do it this year. Well, we have to have willing partners on the other side of the aisle. Today is a live example of where it is either their way or no way. prgtoken I hope we can get back, and, before we leave this year, we can get this package passed. It is really simple: Just commit to do what we all have sat down and talked about for 5 years. If there are minor changes that need to be made, let's make them in the next day or two. But to say that we are going to wait until next year and be here a year from now when that timeframe has run out, let me assure you, if the chairman is not here to object to this request, I will be here to object to this request. prgtoken The time to talk is over. The time to act is now. prgtoken I thank the chairman for yielding.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH DAY
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-11-19

I rise today to recognize November 21 as National Rural Health Day. prgtoken Nearly 60 million Americans call rural America home. It is a great place to live, to work, and to raise a family. prgtoken To ensure the vitality and vibrancy of rural America, investments in infrastructure, technology, and healthcare are critical. Americans in every corner of the Nation deserve access to reliable, quality healthcare, but rural America faces its own unique health challenges that need to be addressed. prgtoken Sadly, rural Americans are more likely than those in urban areas to die prematurely from heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke, the Nation's five leading causes of death. prgtoken Rural America is no stranger to healthcare struggles, including long prgtoken distances to the closest hospital, many uninsured or underinsured residents, and a larger number of aging residents with chronic conditions. prgtoken Another issue is simply the lack of doctors and providers. There are only 40 physicians for every 100,000 people in rural America. This leads to unserved patients and overworked medical professionals. prgtoken One way to address these issues is through telemedicine. Telemedicine can reduce healthcare barriers, increase access, and bolster convenience for millions of Americans. prgtoken Telemedicine is critical in ensuring increased access to care for Americans who live many miles away from a hospital or a doctor's office. It can also make a difference in the lives of limited-mobility Americans, like those who may be elderly or living with different types of disabilities. prgtoken Another way to improve the health of rural Americans who may be considered low-income is to address out-of-pocket costs for Medicaid expenses. prgtoken Something that needs to be addressed for seniors in not only rural America but also across the country is the misuse of direct and indirect remuneration, or DIR, and how it has impacted the part D drug plans. Over the years, DIR has become a catchall for pharmacy fees, which has unfairly shifted additional costs onto Medicaid patients. prgtoken While progress has been made with the 2018 Medicare part D pricing rule, there is still much more to be done. That is why I cosponsored H.R. 1034, the Phair Pricing Act. This bill directly addresses necessary reforms to DIR fees by doing four key things. prgtoken First, the Phair Pricing Act will require all price concessions between a pharmacy and a pharmacy benefits manager be included at the point of sale to decrease patient costs. prgtoken Second, the bill will realign market incentives to ensure patients have access to and receive the best possible care. prgtoken Third, the Phair Pricing Act will direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a working group of stakeholders to create quality measures based on a pharmacy's practice. prgtoken Lastly, the bill would ensure pharmacy benefit
HONORING MR. CHAD SHIFFLET AND THE MOUNTAIN VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL ANGEL CLOSET
Scott Perry (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-11-19

. Madam , I rise today in heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Chad Shifflet for his exemplary service to the Cumberland Valley School District as a Security Officer and as the creator of the Mountain View Middle School's Angel Closet, which provides age and environmentally- appropriate clothing for children in need. prgtoken After a distinguished 23-year career in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Mr. Shifflet became a Security Officer with the Cumberland Valley School District in August. During his orientation with the school district, he walked through all of its schools and learned that many children there did not have the clothing items that they needed in order to learn and succeed. prgtoken When he took up his assignment to the Mountain View Middle School, he located a twelve-foot by twelve-foot room that he could use to distribute clothes to students in need and established an Angel Closet. Shifflet partnered with a local consignment shop, which donated clothing racks and hangers, and a local drycleaner, which agreed to d1y clean all winter coats. Local donors keep the Angel Closet well-stocked with a range of comfortable and appropriate clothing items which are available for students who need them. This has ensured that all Mountain View Middle School students have access to clean, comfortable clothing so that they can thrive at school. prgtoken Shifflet's Angel Closet makes sure that no clothing donations go to waste, sending clothes that are too big for middle school students to the high school, clothes that are too small to the elementary school, and clothes that would not appeal to school-aged children to the Salvation Army. He hopes to expand the operation so that every school in the district has an Angel Closet and eve1y child has access to the clothes that they need to excel. prgtoken Mr. Shifftlet's remarkable, lifelong record ofservice to our Nation, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Cumberland Valley community is an example to all. On behalf of Pennsylvania's Tenth Congressional District, I commend and thank Mr. Shifflet and wish him continued success in his service to the children of Cumberland Valley School District.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Mike Braun (Republican, IN) \u2014 2019-11-19

I rise today to celebrate and recognize the Hulman-George family for their accomplishments and success in business and their stewardship of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the last 75 years. prgtoken On November 4, 2019, principals of Hulman & Company announced the sale of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, among other assets of the prgtoken Hulman-George family, to a newly formed entity to be led by industry legend Roger Penske. This announcement marks the end of one glorious era, and the start of another for so many Hoosiers and racing fans around the world who recognize Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the racing capital of the world. Beloved as the famous track at 16th and Georgetown in Indianapolis is today, it is nearly impossible to imagine our capital city without it, which was nearly the case. prgtoken Shortly after World War II, an era in which the track sat dormant from 1941 through 1945 and fell almost into complete disrepair, a businessman from Terre Haute stepped up to purchase the facility with the goal of continuing and building upon the legacy of the already famous Indianapolis 500. That businessman, Anton ``Tony'' Hulman, Jr saved the speedway from either becoming a housing development or a private automobile testing facility. prgtoken For the last 75 years, Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been controlled by Hulman & Company, an entity with a deep portfolio but nothing as visible and recognizable worldwide as the famed racecourse. From the initial days of owning the facility and preparing it to run the 1946 race to the celebration of centennial era and beyond, the Hulman-George family has been the steadfast caretaker and promoter of this iconic venue. prgtoken The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has served as the front door to Indianapolis, the State of Indiana, and the entire Midwest for those across the world who travel each year to personally watch the world's largest single day sporting event, the Indianapolis 500, which attracts approximately 350,000 spectators, the NASCAR Brickyard 400, and the IndyCar Grand Prix of Indianapolis. The Speedway has also recently hosted the Formula One United States Grand Prix, Red Bull Air Races, and even a Rolling Stones concert. The economic impact of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to central Indiana in the 75 years that the Hulman-George family has owned the property is incalculable. The personal impact the speedway has had on tens of thousands of families who use the facility as an anchor for what becomes weekend-long reunions is inspiring, as one need not search far on Memorial Day weekend in May to find a family who has been attending the Indy 500 as a group for as long as can be remembered. prgtoken The facility which started as a testing ground for Indiana's growing automotive industry in 1909 became a testing ground of speed, endurance, strength, and the will to win over the last 110 years. Without the Hulman-George family, that s
RECOGNIZING CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL CHICKEN COUNCIL CLINT RIVERS
Doug Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-11-19

. Madam , I rise today to recognize a fellow Northeast Georgian, Mr. Clint Rivers, for being installed as 2019-2020 Chairman of the National Chicken Council. prgtoken Mr. Rivers currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wayne Farms, but his commitment to the poultry industry spans over three decades. He first began his career with Golden West Foods in Bedford, Virginia after earning his Animal Science degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Before being named President and CEO of Wayne Farms, he served as Vice President and General Manager of the Fresh Business Unit and was later promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Prior to those roles, Mr. Rivers spent 6 years as President of Foodservice and Supply Chain of Perdue Farms, and 21 years at Pilgrim's Pride, where he held the titles of Chief Operating Officer, President, and Chief Executive Officer. prgtoken After decades of commitment to the poultry industry and the National Chicken Council, Mr. Rivers has been chosen to succeed former Chairman Mark Kaminsky. He was installed as Chairman during the NCC's 65th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C just last month. prgtoken On behalf of the Ninth District, I would like to congratulate Mr. Clint Rivers on his achievement and thank him for his commitment to the poultry industry. I am confident the National Chicken Council and the poultry industry as a whole will flourish under his leadership.
JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION ONE WALK
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2019-11-19

on Saturday, I walked in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation One Walk at Segra Park, home of the famous Columbia Fireflies. I am grateful to have been able to support such an important cause and walk in support of eradicating type 1 diabetes. prgtoken The money raised at the JDRF One Walk in Columbia supports life- changing research that gives hope to those impacted by type 1 diabetes. It is an autoimmune disease that strikes suddenly and is serious and stressful to families, challenging families across our district. prgtoken Currently, there is nothing that can be done to prevent type 1 diabetes and there is no cure. JDRF is a leader in funding diabetes research, motivated by their vision of a world without type 1 diabetes. This organization works tirelessly to improve the lives of those affected by this disease by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat diabetes. prgtoken I appreciate JDRF Palmetto Chapter Development Director Beth McCrary for her hard work and success in coordinating the JDRF Walk in Columbia and for her advocacy for ending type 1 diabetes. prgtoken In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARDS
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-11-19

a whole bunch of us Midwest biofuel Senators sent a cover letter with our comments to President . Those comments were in regard to the biofuel rules that are out for public comment. prgtoken The President has been a supporter of biofuels and the EPA shouldn't undercut President 's support of RFS. I urge the EPA and Administrator Wheeler to adjust the proposed supplemental rule to account for actual waived gallons, using hard data from past practices, to send an unambiguous signal to the marketplace. prgtoken I am glad to have the opportunity to comment, and I encourage all farmers, biofuel producers, and anybody else interested in supporting the RFS to make their comments. Those comments should be along the lines of what was agreed to in the Oval Office on September 12, which the EPA regulations don't reflect properly. prgtoken So tell the EPA that you want the September 12 agreement agreed to. Go to regulations.gov or to the Iowa Farm Bureau or Iowa Corn websites before the deadline on November 27 to tell the EPA to stand behind the President's Oval Office agreement. prgtoken .
CONGRATULATING LOYALSOCK LANCERS MARCHING BAND
Fred Keller (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-11-19

on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District, I congratulate the Loyalsock Lancers Marching Band on their recent State championship at the 2019 Cavalcade of Bands. prgtoken The Lancers 2019 show entitled, ``Heart of the Machine,'' Tin Man's journey to finding his heart, has been noted as leaving fans on their feet cheering during halftime events at football games and during their competition season. prgtoken The Loyalsock Lancers Marching Band has a rich history of success, winning the 2017 Cavalcade of Bands, being 20-time Tournament of Bands Region 4 champions, and marching in the National Outback Bowl parade. The band is the only band in North America to open for the performing group DRUMLine Live. prgtoken Even given this rich history of achievement, band director Ryan Bulgarelli said that the 2019 Lancers are possibly the best in school history. Again, I congratulate the Loyalsock Lancers Marching Band on their recent State championship.
NOMINATIONS
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-11-19

on another matter, for weeks s have been trying to move forward significant bipartisan legislation for the American people. Senate s are trying to get our ic colleagues to let us consider defense funding. House s have tried to get Pelosi to finally allow a vote on the USMCA, and in both Chambers we have been asking to stop slow-walking the conference committee for the critical Defense bill, the NDAA. prgtoken Alas, our ic colleagues have not been willing to budge on any of those things. As a result, while the Senate waits for the House to send us short-term funding legislation, we will spend our time on the personnel business. prgtoken Yesterday, we advanced the nomination of Justice Robert Luck, of Florida, to be a U.S. circuit judge for the Eleventh Circuit, with the support of a bipartisan majority. prgtoken Justice Luck brings an impressive and well-rounded legal record, including a clerkship on the Eleventh Circuit, service in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, and years spent ruling from the State bench. prgtoken Today, we will also advance the nomination of Justice Barbara Lagoa, of Florida, also to serve on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. A graduate of Columbia University School of Law, Justice Lagoa has spent years practicing law, serving as a Federal prosecutor, and ruling from both the State appellate bench and the Florida Supreme Court. prgtoken I look forward to confirming both of these impressive nominees, along with Adrian Zuckerman, the President's nominee to serve as our Nation's Ambassador to Romania.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
John Kennedy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2019-11-19

I have 5 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources prgtoken The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Dan R. Brouillette, of Texas, to be Secretary of Energy, James P. Danly, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Katharine MacGregor, of Pennsylvania, to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior. committee on Environment and Public Works prgtoken The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on the Judiciary prgtoken The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Select Committee on Intelligence prgtoken The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a closed briefing. Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations prgtoken The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2019-11-19

I rise today to introduce legislation with my fellow co-chair of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, which would improve access to innovative diabetes technologies. Our bill, the Improving Medicare Beneficiary Access to Innovative Diabetes Technologies Act, would create a special task force at the Department of Health and Human Services to examine and address barriers that seniors face in accessing the latest diabetes management technologies. prgtoken Since I founded the bipartisan Senate Diabetes Caucus in 1997 Federal funding for diabetes research has tripled from $319 million to more than $1 billion last year, and these research dollars are yielding results. This past summer, the Aging Committee held a hearing in conjunction with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Children's Congress titled ``Redefining Reality: How the Special Diabetes Program is Changing the Lives of Americans with Type 1 Diabetes.'' We heard compelling testimony from Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers, Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and JDRF President and CEO Dr. Aaron Kowalski on the pipeline from private- public research to commercially available products. prgtoken New diabetes technologies--such as the artificial pancreas and implantable continuous glucose monitoring systems--allow diabetes patients to better manage and improve glycemic control, assess needed therapy on a timely basis, and adhere to treatment regimens. These technological advances make diabetes easier to manage. The market arrival of cutting-edge diabetes technologies, however, does not immediately benefit patients if our nation's seniors are unable to afford them. prgtoken As Chairman of the Aging Committee, I have heard from numerous seniors who, when transitioning from employer-provided insurance to Medicare, were shocked to learn that the technologies they have relied upon for years to manage their diabetes are no longer covered. For example, one Mainer was unfortunately met with the reality that Medicare's coverage denial of a particular sensor he needs for his insulin pump means paying up to $8,000 out-of-pocket each year if he wants to continue with his current treatment regimen. He wrote, ``Because I am now 65, I am denied care that was available when I was 64.'' He continued, ``This approach not only puts me at risk but is quite likely not cost effective. While the sensors are expensive, the cost of ambulance calls and hospitalizations . . . is certainly more.'' prgtoken I couldn't agree more. To better support adoption of these technologies, our bill would require HHS to create a special task force on coverage and payment for innovative diabetes technologies that would bring all stakeholders--from patients to device manufacturers to government officials who are making coverage decisions--to the same table. The Task Force would identify and plan for changes in Medicare coverage